It would have been the bomb.

He staggered back, pale, his hands shaking. Slowly, he turned to the girl, who sat curled on the ground, watching him.

She had just saved his life.

But a more terrifying thought followed: who had done this?

He pulled out his secure phone and dialed immediately.

“David,” he said when the line connected. “Bring the bomb squad to Harbor Point Marina. Quietly. Now.”

He hung up and sank onto a bench, the adrenaline draining from his body.

“What’s your name?” he asked hoarsely.

“Sophie,” she whispered.

“Sophie… tell me everything you saw.”

She wiped her nose and nodded.

“I was under the dock, catching crabs,” she said. “A small boat came. No motor. A man got off. He had a suit, like yours. Gray. And shiny shoes. He had a briefcase.”

Richard leaned forward, heart pounding.

“Did you see his face?”

“Yes. He had a scar here.” She traced her eyebrow. “He was on the phone. He sounded angry. He said, ‘Today it ends. Tomorrow the company is mine.’”

Everything inside Richard went still.

The scar.

The voice.

The ambition.

Ethan.

His vice president. His trusted partner. The man who had encouraged him to take the day off.

The betrayal hit harder than the bomb itself.

Sirens echoed in the distance.

Soon, the marina filled with police and specialists. The area was sealed off. Divers entered the water.

Richard stood nearby, Sophie beside him. Only then did he notice how thin she was.

Without thinking, he signaled a restaurant manager.

“Bring food. The best you have.”

When the plate arrived, Sophie stared at it, unsure.

“Go ahead,” Richard said gently.

She ate quickly, like someone who wasn’t sure when the next meal would come.

An officer approached, holding a sealed bag.

“C4,” he said. “Triggered by ignition. You wouldn’t have survived.”

Richard nodded grimly.

“I know who did it.”

At that moment, his phone rang.

Ethan.

“Richard,” came the voice, calm. “Out on the water already?”

Richard’s jaw tightened.

“Not yet,” he said evenly. “Small issue. But I’m about to start the engine. Thought you’d like to hear it.”

There was a pause.

“Maybe you should wait,” Ethan said carefully. “It could be dangerous.”

Richard smiled coldly.

“I already have the police here. And a witness.”

Silence.

“What are you talking about?” Ethan asked.

“A girl,” Richard replied. “Someone you didn’t notice. But she saw everything.”

He hung up.