Chapter 21
The team dispersed to their assigned tasks, moving with the coordinated efficiency that made them so effective. Bert held his breath as he pressed his fast-dial number for Mary.
She answered immediately. “That was fast. Did you find something?”
“We found a lot of things.” Bert looked over as the other Keepers were delving into more information. “Hang on. I’ll give you the full briefing in a moment, but I’ll put you on speaker so you can hear what’s going on now.”
“Sure,” she agreed easily.
Logan’s expression was grim. “We need to contact Canadian authorities. If Colin is committing elder abuse and financial exploitation, they need to be involved.”
“That could take time,” Bert pointed out. “Red tape, jurisdiction issues, proving the case. Meanwhile, Mary and Diane are stuck on a ship with this guy.”
“Which is why we’re going to move fast.” Logan turned to Bert, then looked down at the phone on the table.
“Mary? We need you to document everything you observe. Photos, if you can get them without being obvious, detailed notes about conversations, and anything that might be useful as evidence later. But remember that you need to stay safe above all else.”
“I can do that.” Mary was quiet for a moment. “How long will it take to get authorities involved?”
“Landon’s working on that now. But these things don’t happen immediately, especially with international jurisdiction issues. You need to stay safe in the meantime.”
“I will. I’m going to join the activities in the library like I planned. There’s a book club discussion this afternoon and some board games this evening. Public areas, lots of witnesses.”
“Good. And Mary?” Bert’s voice softened despite his worry. “I’m really proud of you for trusting your instincts and calling this in. If her nephew really is doing something to her, you might have just saved Diane’s life.”
“I hope so. She’s a good person. But I know I’ll feel foolish if it turns out that Colin is a great nephew and caregiver, doing only what he’s supposed to do. But, just in case…”
“Don’t doubt yourself,” Logan said with emphasis.
Bert added, “You’re ready to help her now, and we’re all here backing you up. You’re not alone in this.”
“I know. That’s why I called you.” Her voice held warmth that made Bert’s chest ache. “I knew you’d take me seriously and make me feel less alone… and less crazy.”
In the background, other Keepers were still working.
“Cole, I want you on standby,” Logan continued. “If we need to get someone to her location quickly, you’re our pilot. Start looking at flight options and calculating response times.”
Sadie’s fingers flew, then called out to Cole, “The ship is the River Duchess, operated by Maritime Heritage Cruises. Currently sailing from Charlottetown to Saint John, New Brunswick.
“On it.” Cole moved to his laptop, already pulling up maps and airport information.
Bert filled her in on what Sadie had uncovered. “We know Colin is her only living relative, the son of her sister. He is listed as her sole heir. His parents are dead, and so they only have each other. He’s already on her bank, trust, and brokerage accounts.”
“He’s living off her,” Mary muttered. “I’ve seen him use her credit card.”
“That’s exactly what we found out.”
Logan is contacting Canadian authorities. But remember… you need to be very careful. If Colin realizes you’re suspicious, you become a threat to him.”
“I understand. But if he’s possibly drugging her, we have to do something.”
“We will. But we do it smart, not reckless.” Bert heard the frustration in her voice and understood it. Mary’s protective instincts were as strong as his own.
There was a pause, and Bert heard her take a breath like she was working up the courage to say something.
“What is it?” he asked gently, instinctively knowing she wanted to talk to him without others hearing. “I’ve taken you off speaker now. I’m going into the hall.” He nodded toward Logan as he stepped into the hall, the phone now pressed against his ear.
“It’s probably stupid, but...” Mary’s voice was quieter now, almost hesitant.
“I wish you were here. I mean, I know I can handle this, and I’m being careful, but I just..
. I wish you were here with me. And it would be good to have another pair of eyes here.
Maybe I’m imagining this when, in truth, I have no proof that he’s doing anything to Diane except be a caring nephew. ”
Bert’s heart clenched so hard it was almost painful. She wished I was there. Mary, who was so fiercely independent, who never asked for help unless she absolutely needed it, was telling him she wished he was there.
“I can be,” he said before he could think it through. “I can get on a plane today. Cole can fly me to a commercial airport where I’ll catch a flight to Saint John, wherever the ship docks next. I can be there by tomorrow.”
“Bert, you don’t have to—”
“I know I don’t have to. But I want to. If you want me there, I’m there. Just say the word.”
Another pause, longer this time, and Bert held his breath waiting for her response.
“I want you here,” Mary said finally, her voice thick with emotion. “I feel safer just knowing you’re considering it. But the ship is at full capacity. The cruise coordinator mentioned it at the welcome reception. There are no empty cabins.”
Bert’s mind raced, trying to find a solution. He couldn’t let logistics stop him from being there for Mary when she needed him.
“Oh,” Mary said suddenly, and he could hear something shift in her tone.
Nervousness, maybe, or determination. “You could... you could stay with me. In my stateroom. You could be my partner. Or my friend. Or whatever we tell people. The cabin is big enough for two people, and there’s plenty of room to maneuver with the wheelchair. We could make it work.”
Bert’s brain short-circuited for a moment. Mary was inviting him to share her cabin. To be there with her, to protect her, to be whatever they needed to be to make this work.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice rougher than he intended. “I don’t want to crowd you or make you uncomfortable.”
“You wouldn’t. Bert, if you’re willing to fly across the continent to help me with this situation, sharing a cabin is the least complicated part of the equation.
” She paused, then added more softly, “And honestly? Having you there would make me feel a lot better, knowing you'll see what’s happening. I’m starting to doubt my judgment. ”
“Then I’m coming.” Bert’s decision was immediate and absolute. “Let me talk to Logan about logistics and timing. I’ll text you with flight information as soon as I have it. And Mary?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for asking me to come. For trusting me to be there for you.”
“Always,” she said, echoing his words from earlier. “Be safe getting here. And Bert? Bring your tactical gear. Just in case.”
“Already planning on it.” He smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mary.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
They disconnected, and Bert stood in the hallway for a long moment, staring at the phone in his hand. Mary had asked him to come. Had invited him to share her cabin, to be there with her, to help her handle this dangerous situation.
And somewhere in the midst of all the logistics and planning, she’d said she wished he was there. Not because she needed someone to protect her, but because she wanted him specifically.
“Bert?”
He turned to find Logan standing in the doorway of the operations center, clearly having overheard at least part of the conversation from his end.
“I need to go to Canada,” Bert said. “Mary asked me to come, and I’m going.”
“I heard.” Logan’s expression was understanding rather than disapproving. “Let’s figure out the mission. Cole can get you on a commercial flight out of Great Falls to Halifax. The ship docks in Saint John tomorrow morning, but you can meet them there or catch up at the next port.”
“Mary said the ship is at full capacity. No empty cabins.”
“So where will you stay?” Logan asked, though his slight smile suggested he already knew the answer.
“With Mary. In her cabin. She offered.” Bert felt heat creep up his neck. “It’s big enough for two people, and it makes sense logistically.”
“It makes sense in more ways than one.” Logan clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get you packed and on a plane. The woman you love is in potential danger and needs backup. Everything else is just details.”
Bert didn’t even bother denying it. Logan was right. He loved Mary, had loved her for months, and the thought of her being in potential danger was tearing him apart. But now he could do something about it. He could be there to protect her and help her navigate this dangerous situation.
And maybe, when this was all over, and Diane was safe, and Colin was no longer considered a possible threat, Bert would finally find the courage to tell Mary everything. His feelings, his fears, his hope that they could be more than friends.
But first, they had to keep her safe and help Diane Sutherland. Bert followed Logan back into the operations center, where his team was working with focused intensity to do exactly that.
“Change of plans,” Logan announced to the room. “Bert’s flying to Canada to provide on-site support for Mary. Cole, I need flight options from Great Falls to Saint John, New Brunswick. Fastest route possible, leaving today.”
“On it.” Cole was already pulling up flight information. “There’s a connection through Toronto that gets you there by this afternoon. If we leave now, you can make the ship’s landing.”
“Sadie, brief Bert on everything we’ve found so far and give him copies of all documentation,” Logan continued. “Todd, put together a tactical kit. Small enough to get through TSA but effective if things go south. Cory, coordinate with ship security and make sure they know Bert’s coming.”
The team moved with practiced efficiency, and Bert felt gratitude wash over him. This was what LSI was about. Taking care of each other, backing each other up, doing whatever it took to keep their people safe.
“Bert,” Sadie called from her station. “I’m emailing you everything we have on Colin, plus background on Diane and the financial irregularities. You’ll have it all on your phone by the time you board the plane.”
“Thanks, Sadie.”
“And Bert?” She looked up from her screens, her expression serious. “Take care of Mary. With this situation… and with you.”
“That’s the plan.”
Thirty minutes later, Bert was in the small plane with his duffel and a tactical bag in the passenger seat, as Cole flew him toward the airport in Great Falls. His phone was loaded with documentation, his mind was running through scenarios, and his heart was focused on getting to Mary.
Whatever it took to keep her safe. Whatever it took to finally tell her the truth about how he felt. This time, he wasn’t going to let fear stop him. Life was too short, too uncertain, and Mary was too important to waste any more time dancing around his insecurities.