The Poisoned Legacy

ces of Maxwell, Matthew, and Isabelle. A delicious dinner, fresh from the sea, had been cooked to perfection

anions with tales of the sea, embellishing his

t his father's antics, his soft laughter filling the room. Isabelle,

k in his eyes. "You know," he began, his voice taking on a more ser

ession softening. "I coul

New York City, surrounded by skyscrapers and suffocating air. And now, look at us-here,

ng on his pregnant wife and son, a feeling

get to experience. I'm just glad I could be here to witness it." Those were the

eyes reflecting

gentle smile on her lips. "Max, I think it's time for Matteo and I to turn in for the night," she

hen. I'll make sure he's tucked in." He stood and stretched his

y stumbling slightly as he was led up the creaky staircase. When th

r. Brown's number. It rang twice before the grizz

y?" Mr. Brown said with a gr

covered anything new in your investigation? You know, if there's even a sliver of

m. "Look, Mr. Brown, I'm doing everything in my power to find the people resp

t's no

th irritation. "They've covered their tracks well, and they've got enough money and po

omething. You've got to bring these people to justice. For

he weight of the situation bearing

id, his voice quiet. "Believe m

the crackle of the fire

a little while longer. Maybe another week or so. But I'll keep dig

n the other end of the line tell

chair as if it were weighted with lead. The weight of Mr. Brown's traged

family, his light in the darkness. How could he go on without them?

s gripping the arms of the c

. He tried to push the images from his mind. Brown's family had suffered a terrible death. And for many n

ght of responsibility pressing down on him. He had promised Mr. Brown he would find justice for his family, but what if he

lready asleep. He took a moment to admire her under the moonlight. He wanted t

he listened to the soft snore of Isabelle,