Chapter 10
Holly worked for hours at the Brookwell Bugle office, using her researcher’s access to scour the wealth of old records that had been digitized.
Though the task was as lonely as ever, it was far more comfortable than pulling hard copy files and sorting through them gingerly in the back room of the library.
It also allowed for easy access to caffeine when she needed it. The aroma of hot coffee was a thousand times better than the dust and musty odors of old boxes.
Still, she wasn’t having her usual fun. She was conflicted over what she wanted to find. Something to catch Seb in a lie, or something to clear him?
“Neither,” she muttered to the quiet office. She was after the facts. Her feelings about what she found or any consequences that followed were secondary.
With careful deliberation, she studied every available document on the Marion estate. Eyes burning, she didn’t stop until she understood the history of the ownership from the first purchase date to the present.
Naturally, everything available on the sale from the Marion estate to Sterling Holdings was in order. And both parties had to be happy with the sale price, based on the appraisal of the home property. Seb could live wherever he pleased. The fate of the lighthouse was her primary concern.
Continuing to work backward, her fingers trembled as she read a document dated 1974: A lease agreement between the Marion family and Brookwell Island. “I knew it.” Her voice echoed in the empty room.
Senator Marion had been true to his political platform and his commitment to history and the island.
The Marion family had owned that parcel of land for years, and members of the family had served as keepers of the light in the early twentieth century.
According to the document, the lighthouse and the surrounding three acres were leased to the town of Brookwell for a period of ninety-nine years, at a cost of one dollar per year.
It was a perpetual easement, ensuring the public always had access to the historical site.
But there was a clause—one her father would have recognized in a heartbeat. In the event of a transfer of primary estate ownership to a non-familial entity, the lease may be reviewed for fair market valuation or terminated upon ninety days notice.
There it was, Seb’s secret agenda. She’d been fooled. Again.
His purchase had triggered the review, whether he stayed the owner of record or moved it as an asset to another one of his holdings. Her stomach dropped. He didn’t just own the land; he had the legal right to evict the town from its own history.
She made notes, sending them to Vince so he could take over in the morning.
And based on what she’d overheard, developers were already involved. Nico would have plenty of support, but would it be enough?
Emotionally spent and defeated, she curled up on the office couch and let her eyes close. Just for a bit. Then she could decide what to do next.
The rattle of the office door startled her awake. She’d told Vince to give her time and space when she’d sent him her findings. “Go away.”
This time the visitor pounded on the door and called her name. “Holly! Open up.”
Crap. Seb had found her. “Go away!” she repeated. She was weary and miserable and in no shape to have any conversation with this man.
“I’ll break it down,” Seb warned.
Resigned, her temper climbing, Holly shoved at her hair and yanked open the door. Seb filled the doorway, silhouetted by the morning light. Wearing another Metallica concert shirt and wrinkled sweatpants, he looked as exhausted as she felt. “What?”
His dark eyes gave her a frantic once-over before he stepped inside. “Holly,” he said, his voice thick with relief. “I’ve been looking for you for hours. You disappeared from the Pelican without a word. I’ve been calling—”
“I was busy, Seb,” Holly said, hollowed out. “Doing my job.” Clinging to her anger, she held her ground. “Doing the one thing you were hoping I wouldn’t do. I was digging.” She drilled her finger into his chest. “Into you.”
Seb didn’t back down, instead he seemed to lean in. “You found the lease.”
“I did.”
His mouth flatlined. “And you’ve jumped to conclusions.”
“Have I?” She crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and dared him to contradict her.
“Holly, let me explain.”
“Explain what? That you’re hiding your new asset behind a holding company until you complete the sale to the developer?
You still have to give ninety-days notice.
Would’ve thought you’d be more attentive to details.
Good grief, Seb.” She let her hands fall.
“I told you about my father. I told you why secrets are my nemesis. And you sat there and let me wash your dog while you planned to sell us out.”
“You’re wrong.” He gritted it out. “How did you get wind of this? No.” He didn’t wait for a reply. “Not the point.” He scrubbed a hand along his stubbled jaw. “However you heard about it before I did, I’m sorry.”
“What?” She caught herself. “Before you did?”
“None of this is anything like what you’ve obviously assumed.” Seb stepped closer, hands raised in surrender. “I’ve been working all night with a new lawyer to sort this out. Marv wouldn’t listen, but your friend Willow did.”
Seb turned back and opened the door. Willow walked in. “It’s true, Holly.”
Willow didn’t look overtired, she was practically glowing with excitement. Baffled, Holly dropped into the nearest chair. “Well, speak slowly, then. Please.”
With a sympathetic smile Willow handed her a to-go cup. “Cafe and cocoa. I figured you needed something more than straight caffeine.”
Her friend knew her well. “Thanks.”
Willow and Seb exchanged a look and she gave him a nod of encouragement.
Holly sipped her drink, relishing the warmth as she waited.
“I never had any intention of developing the lighthouse or the land around it. My lawyer knew my wishes, but he was determined to protect me. He was more concerned about potential local backlash undermining the merger by becoming a liability instead of an asset.”
“So he transferred ownership without your consent?”
“Pretty much,” Seb said. “I wanted to talk to you about it.” He rolled his eyes. “Told myself we could talk after I was done with the merger. I know what transparency means to you. My team needed my focus.” He sighed. “I thought I had time.”
“And now?”
“My accountant won’t be happy.” Seb rolled his eyes and then he smiled at Willow. “But if that’s the worst casualty, I’ll take it. Thanks to new representation,” he gestured to Willow, “the lighthouse and the land around it will become a permanent conservancy for Brookwell Island.”
Holly studied him. This had cost him, big time.
“And the merger?” she asked cautiously. She didn’t want him hurt personally or professionally, but she didn’t want to cause herself more pain and doubt either.
No one was perfect, but she hoped that whatever he said next would make it easier to leave behind the anger and internal frustration she’d been wrestling all night.
“The truth?” He cocked a dark eyebrow.
“Always.”
“I’ve drawn up a counter-offer with Willow’s help. We expect both boards to sign off by the end of next week. We’ve ensured everyone’s jobs are protected on both sides.”
He reached for her, but Holly evaded the touch, unable to trust herself. “Good. Great.” Standing, she grabbed the cup Willow had brought her. “I’ll make sure Vince hears about the updates before we finalize the feature, Mr. Sterling.”
“Holly, don’t do that.”
But she walked away, pausing at the door. “Thanks, Willow. I hope you’ll tell Nico Billings so he can stop plotting.”
“Our next stop,” Willow said.
Holly believed her friend. Scared, her heart shaking, she bolted once again, but this time she didn’t have a clear direction or purpose.