“Tell me everything,” I said.

Celeste breathed into the radio so softly I could barely hear her.

“Julian owes more than nine million dollars.

He borrowed against assets he doesn’t own.”

“Who gave him that kind of money?”

“Men who believed he would control Thorne Meridian by the end of this month.”

A branch snapped outside the cabin.

I lowered myself beneath the window and clutched the radio against my chest.

“Celeste, did you know what they planned on the boat?”

“No.

Julian told me you had agreed to step down and that Richard would persuade you to sign.

When you went over the railing, I froze.”

“You watched them leave me.”

“I know.”

Her voice cracked, but I did not comfort her.

“Why are you helping me now?”

“Because Julian just told Richard that if anyone asks questions, they will blame me.

He said I was the last person who argued with you.”

A man shouted in the distance.

Another voice answered from somewhere near the trail.

“They are searching for the cabin,” I whispered.

“Then listen carefully,” Celeste said.

“Richard has your passport, your phone, and a letter with your signature.

I saw Julian place them in your room.”

“What letter?”

“A resignation.

It says you became confused during the trip and chose to transfer control voluntarily.”

“I never signed such a letter.”

“I know.

I watched Richard practice your signature.”

The cabin door handle moved.

I grabbed a rusted shovel leaning against the wall, but the handle stopped.

“Mrs.

Thorne?” Mateus called quietly.

“It is me.”

I opened the door.

Rain ran down his face, and a canvas medical bag hung from his shoulder.

“How did you get here?”

“Celeste sent the search team west.

I came east.”

He knelt beside my ankle and began wrapping it.

“I need to reach the authorities,” I said.

“There is a ranger outpost six kilometers from here.”

“I cannot walk six kilometers.”

“You will not have to.”

Mateus stepped outside and whistled.

A battered utility vehicle rolled from behind the trees, driven by Ana, the lodge cook—a woman Richard had ignored every morning when she served his breakfast.

Ana leaned over and opened the passenger door.

“Your husband offered me five thousand dollars to say you had been drinking before the boat trip.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That rich men always think poor women can be purchased cheaply.”

She held out her hand.

I took it, and she pulled me into the seat.

The radio crackled again.

“Eleanor?” Celeste said.

“Julian has noticed Mateus is missing.”

“Come with us.”

“I can’t.

They have locked my passport in the office safe.”

“Then stay near the radio.”

A new voice came through before she could answer.

“Mother,” Julian said calmly, “you should have stayed by the river.”

Mateus reached for the radio, but I stopped him.

“You pushed me,” I said.

“I heard you say it was over.”

“You are injured and confused.

That is exactly what everyone will hear.”

“Not everyone.”

Julian laughed.

“By sunrise, I will control the company.

By noon, the world will believe you suffered an accident.

And if you come back accusing us, Father will have you declared mentally incompetent.”

The radio fell silent.

Ana started the engine, but headlights appeared through the trees ahead of us.

Mateus stared at the approaching vehicle.

“That is not the ranger,” he said.

The cruiser stopped across the trail, and Richard stepped out holding my passport.

“Come home, Eleanor,” he called.

“Before you embarrass yourself any further.”