“That is exactly what whoever did this wants.”
Serena wanted to believe him.
That was the problem.
Trust makes explanations attractive.
Two days later Joanna was fired.
Grant signed termination.
Data-security violation.
Her email disabled within an hour.
Serena heard after the fact.
“Why wasn’t I told?”
Grant replied calmly:
“Operational personnel issue.”
“She was finance.”
“She accessed restricted donor records.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
“Did you ask?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“She denied wrongdoing.”
Serena stared.
Something no longer fit.
That afternoon she drove to the marina.
No entourage.
No scheduled inspection.
No reason she could explain professionally.
Marcus sat on the dock with his laptop.
She approached.
He glanced up.
“You look angry.”
Serena stopped.
“Everybody else asks whether I’m okay.”
“Are you?”
“No.”
“Then angry seems closer.”
She almost smiled.
Then looked toward bench.
“Can I sit with you?”
Marcus moved his toolbox.
“Only if you’re planning to stay long enough to distract me properly.”
She raised eyebrows.
“That sounded suspiciously like flirting.”
“Did it?”
“You tell me.”
Marcus looked toward river.
“I fix boats.”
She sat.
Their shoulders nearly touched.
For a few moments neither spoke.
Then Serena said:
“My entire foundation may be ninety days from collapse.”
Marcus’s expression remained controlled.
“What happened?”
“Largest donor froze funding.”
“Why?”
“Audit request.”
“You object to audit?”
“No.”
“I object to somebody holding six shelters hostage.”
Marcus absorbed that.
She continued:
“I don’t even know who they are.”
“Maybe that’s intentional.”
“Obviously.”
“I mean maybe anonymity matters.”
“To whom?”
“Donor.”
“Why give twenty-two million dollars and hide?”
Marcus’s eyes moved toward her.
“Maybe they don’t need gratitude.”
“That’s not human.”
“Maybe they had enough of being seen.”
Serena studied him.
“What happened to you?”
He gave faint smile.
“Lots of things.”
“That’s evasive.”
“Accurate.”
She leaned closer, her knee brushing his.
Marcus noticed.
So did she.
Neither moved.
Serena said softly:
“You know, if you keep making me curious, I’m eventually going to become annoying.”
“Eventually?”
She laughed.
“You’re brave for a man holding a wrench.”
“I have leverage.”
She glanced at wrench.
“Against a billionaire?”
“Against your boat.”
“I don't own a boat.”
“Then I have nothing.”
Their eyes met.
The air changed.
Not suddenly.
Quietly.
Serena’s voice lowered.
“Can I tell you something inappropriate?”
Marcus raised an eyebrow.