“I know. But Aunt Cordelia was my family too.” Dawn pulled out her phone. “I called in vacation days. I have two weeks.”
“All right. But we do this smart. No unnecessary risks.”
“Agreed. Where do I start?”
“The town hall. Property records, business filings. Anything connecting the Aldrich family to suspicious transactions.”
Dawn stood. “I’ll use Mom’s maiden name—Dawn Winters, researching coastal preservation. Give me a couple hours.”
After her cousin left, Vivienne tried focusing on shop routines, but her awareness stayed split between Dawn at the town hall and Brooks investigating wherever he was.
Shortly after noon, Dawn returned carrying manila folders stuffed with documents. She caught Vivienne’s eye and shook her head slightly.
Wait.
After the last customer left, Vivienne locked the door. Dawn spread documents across the counter.
“Shell companies.” Dawn’s voice went grim. “All connected to the Aldrich family. Coastal Holdings LLC, Maritime Properties Inc., Harbor Development Group—registered to Winston Aldrich’s law office.”
Vivienne studied the highlighted sections, her finger tracing dates. “Look when these transactions happened.”
“I checked against newspaper archives.” Dawn pulled out another folder. “Every time someone vanished from Westerly Cove, the Aldriches gained property. Lily Morgan disappeared October 31st, 1999. On November 2nd, Coastal Holdings purchased her family’s waterfront lot for a fraction of its value.”
“So they’re taking advantage of others emotional state,” Vivienne shook her head. “My mom died in March. Is that when grandma had her sudden tax issue?”
Dawn nodded. “That June, Harbor Development Group acquired the old Hawthorne maritime warehouse.” Dawn’s voice softened. “I’m sorry, Vi.”
“This is the pattern we needed.” Vivienne gathered the documents carefully. “Goes back to the 1920s? Same pattern every time. This is organized elimination of anyone who threatens their interests.”
“I can contact the state police through the park service,” Dawn said. “I know people who would listen.” She nodded toward the folder. “Give that to your detective. I have more copies.”
Vivienne nodded. “Not yet. Property transfers after disappearances look suspicious, but a lawyer could argue coincidence. We need more.”
“Damn the courtroom! I won’t lose you like we lost Aunt Cordelia.” Dawn’s voice cracked. “I don’t want to lose you now that you’re back. I like having you so close.”
Vivienne took her cousin’s hands. “I’m not alone. I have Brooks. I have you. And this time, we’re building a case that will stand up in court.”
Dawn sighed. “Fine. But the moment this gets too dangerous, I’m calling reinforcements whether you like it or not.”
“Agreed.”
“So what’s next?”
“Brooks is meeting with Chief Sullivan this afternoon. They’re planning an official search of the lighthouse—make it look routine so the Aldriches don’t realize how close we’re getting.” Vivienne checked her watch. “He should be here soon. We’re scouting the location first.”
“I’m coming.”
“No.” Vivienne’s voice was firm. “If something goes wrong, someone needs to know what we found. Someone who can get this evidence to people who can act on it.”
Dawn’s jaw set stubbornly. “I don’t like it.”
“Stay here. If you don’t hear from me by five o’clock, call everyone. Park service, state police, FBI. Make copies of everything.”
“And if you do check in?”
“Then we keep building the case. This is what my mother died trying to do. I’m sure of it. What Lily died trying to do. We’re going to finish it.”
Through the window, she saw Brooks’s car pull up.
