Chapter 10
The Widow
“This is outrageous.”
Garrett spreads the tips of his fingers on the dining room table and leans in, widening his eyes. His attempt at intimidation just comes off as smug.
When Natalie and I left the beach earlier, I got the call from the office. We have the green light to inform island stakeholders about the reef restrictions. And of course, they begin tomorrow. So now, no one affected has any time to prepare.
Scott’s running late.
I called him a little while ago to ask him to join us. Maddie already told him the news, so he’s prepared to give me backup. But he sounded a little off on the phone.
Most of the layered communication notices have already started, but I took it upon myself to deliver the news to Garrett and Finn in person.
Too much is at stake for the Carter’s Drop project.
This is the most politically sensitive impact, and if there’s any hope of preventing escalation from investors or politicians, I need to reason with them and convince them to have patience while we figure out what’s going on.
I asked them to meet me at the inn and left Natalie with our next-door neighbor.
After speaking with Garrett and Finn for the last fifteen minutes, it’s not going well. Garrett’s been doing most of the talking, and Finn has sat quietly listening. I could really use some help right now, Scott, I think to myself.
I point to the data in my notes and explain again why we have to take action.
“It’s an unfortunate situation. But we’ve got to implement these temporary measures to protect the reef before it’s too late.”
“What do you have to say about this?” Garrett shoots a frustrated look at Finn. “This risks the money. You have connections. Something needs to be done about this right now.” He looks around the room. “Where is Rickter? They’re in-laws. Maybe he can reason with her.”
Like it’s me who’s created a disaster just to annoy him. I guess it’s time to stop being nice and tell him he has no choice.
Finn sits up straighter in his chair and clears his throat. “It’s important to be responsible.” His expression is careful as he looks my way. “All the concerns Crystal has explained to us about the reef are valid…”
Garrett opens his mouth to speak, and Finn raises his palm before he continues. “However, I don’t think we can ignore the level of significance those caves hold for us, either.”
I shake my head. “No. I’m sorry. The damage could be irreversible,” I insist. “This temperature increase isn’t benign or static. It’s rising. If the rate of increase remains at the pace it’s going, the coral may have weeks, not months.”
“I agree with you,” he says and pulls out a stapled packet from his portfolio. “We aren’t at cross-purposes.” He hands me the papers. “We can agree we need to find out what’s going on, right?”
“Yes.” I look down. A material analysis report.
The first page is a synopsis with a black-and-white image of a rock covered with markings.
Beneath it, a bulleted list summarizes the composition and behaviors observed through testing.
Several of the listed items show results that remain undetermined.
“If we are to find a solution, we have to identify the cause, yes?” Finn asks and then continues. “What we know right now is that the areas showing signs of coral bleaching are near the entrance to the Drop and neighboring locations like Coral Fang. Correct?”
“Correct,” I confirm. I’m not sure where he’s going with this, but he’s not going to get me to agree that they can dive.
“Both Scott and Maddie observed warm water deep in the caves last year. And Nathan’s stone is growing hotter. In fact, it’s so hot now that it’s untouchable. We’re keeping it in a protective cooler.”
I don’t hide the surprise on my face. The self-heating stone Nathan found came from the blue hole. I look at the image again. This is the same stone.
A protective cooler? What in the world could cause a stone to grow so hot on its own?
It’s unnatural.
“I’m certain that something in the blue hole is contributing to the warming water. Something made of the same material as this stone. We have to find out what’s going on in there.”
“What’s it made of?”
“A material unknown to science,” he points to the analysis. “This is the latest series of tests. Right now, we really know nothing.”
“How did you learn about the stone? It’s why you’re here.”
I notice the hesitation, but he’s quick to cover it up. His gaze flicks to Garrett, who sits quietly. No doubt pleased that Finn is getting me to listen.
“From Garrett’s reports.”
At this point in my life, I’ve learned to pick up on lies and subtle half-truths. What are you hiding, Dr. Clark?
“We’ll need to discuss this further with NOAA and the Coast Guard,” I say.
“Already done. They’ve agreed to limited permits. We’ll take every precaution to minimize our footprint.”
He’s already secured their dives, and he let this conversation happen anyway. I feel a jolt of anger and sit up straighter, trying to control my face.
“Why wasn’t I included in that discussion?”
“I’m sorry for that. When we got the news earlier, it seemed I needed to act quickly.”
His apology, while delivered sincerely, rings a little hollow to me.
“I guess I need to get up to speed on the plans then, since I’m way behind. The mayor’s office will expect to stay involved.”
“Of course.” He covers my hand. “Crystal—we want the same things. Can I ask you to trust me?”
I pull my hand away.
“I’m glad you’ve brought some sense back from this lunacy, Dr. Clark. It’s a constant struggle to deal with these people,” Garrett says.
I ignore the insult, and Finn ignores it too.
“Who’s going in the water?” I ask.
“Scott and his team. Sid and her team… and me.”
“You cave dive?”
“I’ve done some. I like to see what I’m researching up close.” He glances at Garrett. “Get my hands dirty.”
“About the dives.” Garrett scans the room before he continues. “Sidney can’t go.”
“I’m afraid she can and is,” Finn tells him patiently.
“I insist you reconsider. She has a team, so she can let them do the work. I don’t want her in those caves,” he says as he raises his voice.
“You don’t have the authority to exclude her from this expedition.
I do, but I’m not going to.” Finn softens the edge in his voice.
“I’m sure you love her, and you’re worried about her safety.
Fair enough. We’ll adhere to strict safety protocols.
She’ll be fine. Besides, it’s not her first rodeo, is it? She’s already a pro.”
Garrett swears and mumbles something to himself. “She’s worse than her mother. I’m constantly trying to keep her out of trouble and… keep trouble away from her.” He lets out a puff of air. “To no avail.”
“I’m on my way to meet with the Coast Guard right now to go over the logistics and pull together those permits,” Finn says. “Garrett, I’d like you to come with me. Is that okay, chap?”
Still grumbling about Sid, Garrett follows Finn out.
This meeting didn’t go as I intended. Frankly, I’m pissed. But Finn may already be close to narrowing in on what is causing the problem, and he’s working as fast as possible to find answers. That’s what matters most.
I walk out to the porch and look down the drive.
Where’s Scott?