Chapter 8 - The Queen of Ironwood BayThree days later.
The storm had passed over Maine, leaving Ironwood Bay blanketed in a pristine, blinding layer of white snow. The harbor waters were calm, sparkling like crushed glass beneath the brilliant morning sun.
State Police and Federal Agents filled the town.
Mayor Arthur Vance and Police Chief Miller were in federal custody in Portland, facing charges of grand corruption, racketeering, arson, and first-degree murder. The Boston syndicate had been completely dismantled, their assets seized by the Department of Justice.
Nora Wick stood at the very end of Dock Seven, wearing her heavy coat. The ocean air was crisp and clear.
Behind her, footsteps sounded on the wooden planks.
Silas Cade walked slowly up the dock, leaning heavily on his steel-tipped cane. His face was bruised, and a white bandage was wrapped tightly around his head, but his dark eyes were as sharp as ever. Walking faithfully beside him were Thor and Shadow.
He stopped next to her, looking out at the open sea.
"The federal prosecutor called me an hour ago," Silas said softly. "The evidence in the ledger was absolute. Vance and Miller will spend the rest of their lives behind bars."
Nora looked down at her hands. "And what about you, Silas? The federal prosecutor said your name was on those papers too."
Silas let out a quiet, bitter chuckle. "I signed a plea agreement this morning. I'm transferring all my harbor properties, all my dock rights, and my entire fortune into a trust fund."
Nora turned to look at him, shocked. "A trust fund for who?"
Silas reached into his coat and pulled out a thick leather folder, handing it to her.
Nora opened it. Inside were the legal deeds to the entire Ironwood Bay waterfront—the docks, the shipping routes, the bait sheds, and the Harborlight Diner.
Every single piece of land was registered under one name: Nora Wick.
"Why?" Nora whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
"Because this town never belonged to me, or Vance, or the mob," Silas said softly, looking out at the horizon. "It belonged to men like your father. Men who worked these waters with honest hands. I promised Caleb I’d make things right. You own the harbor now, Nora. You are the Queen of Ironwood Bay."
Nora stared at the documents, the sheer weight of the legacy settling over her shoulders. She was no longer the broke, exhausted waitress with twelve dollars in her pocket and a notice of eviction. She was the most powerful person on the coast of Maine.
Silas turned to walk away, his cane tapping rhythmically against the icy wood.
"Silas," Nora called out.
He stopped, looking back over his shoulder.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked.
Silas looked down at his two mastiffs, then gave a soft, mysterious smile.
"I'm retired, Nora," Silas said. "The Devil is dead. But if anyone ever comes to this town trying to hurt you or take what's yours..."
Silas touched the brim of his hat. "...tell them the old man on the ice is still watching."
May you like
He turned and walked down the pier into the bright morning sun, his two dogs following close behind, leaving Nora Wick standing proud at the edge of the sea—the new ruler of Ironwood Bay.
THE END
