"What are we going to do?" Olga was chain-smoking again, pacing back and forth. They were encamped in an outdoor seated area on the top level, far from Mila's earshot.

"Panicking isn't going to help," he replied.

"I think we need to contact the Partners as soon as possible." Raul said.

"I should be able to have enough funds safely moved in 7-10 days, but until then, I'm not comfortable doing this."

"Congratulations, you're about as efficient as a bank." Olga snapped.

It was understandable why she felt this way, but it certainly didn't help. She wanted to go home. Before she left, Olga's sister was put into hospice and feared to not have much longer. She'd sacrificed being with her to help him.

In truth, he wasn't ready. Due to the high probability of death, they needed all their ducks in a row before notifying the Partners. He'd taken giant, yet calculated gambles with their lives, and at this point it would be reckless and sloppy to hurry. Not when they were so close.

"I think it's ok," he said. "You should have seen her. She was so proud, she even brought up releasing the inheritance."

"Well, that is promising," said Raul.

"Have I steered you wrong so far?" he asked. "We've been this patient this long. Just a little longer now. This has been years in the making. We've risked everything for it, and it's about to pay off. Don't lose your courage now."

"She must have been following you," Raul said. "Watching from afar to see if you were really clean."

So, he hadn't been crazy, he was being watched. Celine made sense as the likeliest culprit. They must have hired a professional.

"She wouldn't have mentioned the trust unless she was absolutely sure."

He wondered if they'd seen him at the storage unit or the boat. He looked across the water at the sprawling properties. Technically, they could be watching now.

No, he'd been careful.

Celine had revealed herself, which meant things were cautiously optimistic.

"What about Mila?" Raul said.

He held himself back from punching the wall.

"If she were to disappear right now, you'd have no way of finding her."

"Then I'll make sure she doesn't," he replied.

================================

Another short, but necessary update. Anybody have any theories so far?

Help me get to 30 votes for this chapter!

Don't forget to vote ;-P