Chapter 9 - The Harbor Restored
The office of Sterling & Associates on Broad Street was warm, the fireplace crackling with fresh pine logs that smelled of the low country.
Thomas Sterling sat at the partner’s desk, his eyes scanning the final financial reports of the Moore Hotel Group. Beside him stood Dr. Jonathan, his coat off, his face relaxed and peaceful for the first time in months.
"The restructuring is complete," Thomas said, setting the papers in the folder. "The offshore assets have been fully integrated into the children's trust. The federal judge has signed the final discharge order. Mark Holden’s name has been officially removed from every corporate and personal document associated with the family."
"And the babies?" Jonathan asked.
"They're on Sullivan's Island," Thomas smiled, looking out the window toward the harbor. "Mara says they're starting to sleep through the night. Or at least, they’re sleeping at the same time, which is about as much as she can hope for."
Jonathan let out a soft laugh, his hand reaching for his glasses. "She’s a good woman, Thomas. Rebecca knew what she was doing when she chose her."
"She knew what she was doing when she chose all of us, Jonathan," Thomas said quietly. "She knew you would stand by her in that delivery room. She knew Arthur would come back from Mexico. She knew that even if she didn't survive, the plan would."
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He stood up, walking to the window where the afternoon sun was casting long, pale shadows over the cobblestones.
"It’s a clean slate, Jonathan," Thomas said. "For the first time in fifty years, the Moore fortune isn't being fought over by thieves. It's just waiting for two children to grow up and learn how to use it.
