But he also knew the moment he called his bosses, he would be excluded from the process. And something about the raft was gripping him. It was easily the most compelling thing that had ever happened on this job. Montserrat was nearly crime-free. LeFleur spent many of his days in stifling boredom, trying not to think of how his life had come unraveled over the last four years, how his marriage had changed, how everything had changed.

He blinked hard. Today was Sunday. His boss was off. No one knew he was out here. He could take a peek inside this notebook, put it back, and who would know the difference?

LeFleur glanced at Rom, who was facing the other way, studying the cliffs, then slid the bag into the waistband of his pants and covered it with his shirt. He rose and walked down the beach, yelling over his shoulder, “Stay there, Rom! I’m going to check for any other debris.”

Rom nodded.

A few minutes later, LeFleur was alone in a cove. He kneeled down, putting weight on his knees, and removed the bag from his waistband. Then he slowly peeled it open, even as the rational voice inside him said, You shouldn’t be doing this.

News

ANCHOR: Memorial services are being held today for billionaire investor Jason Lambert, who disappeared along with more than forty others when his luxury yacht, the Galaxy, sank in the Atlantic Ocean last month. Our Tyler Brewer has more from the site of today’s services.

REPORTER: That’s right, Jim. The US Coast Guard officially declared the Galaxy lost at sea following twenty-six days of exhaustive search and rescue attempts. It is believed that the yacht blew apart after some kind of explosion or impact. The cause remains unknown.

ANCHOR: Tyler, the list of those lost is extraordinary, isn’t it? A former president, world leaders, captains of industry, popular entertainers.

REPORTER: That’s correct. Perhaps because of that, there are calls from foreign governments to investigate the cause of this tragedy, to ensure that it was not in some way politically or financially motivated.

ANCHOR: But first, I imagine, comes the solemn tradition of funerals, made more painful for the lack of the actual bodies.

REPORTER: Yes. Here, at the memorial for Jason Lambert, there will be no casket or gravesite ceremony. He’ll be remembered by friends and family, which include three ex-wives and five children. We’re told none of them will be speaking, only his longtime business associate Bruce Morris.