“Because I finally learned that revenge tastes bitter,” Carmen said. “Forgiveness is a much sweeter way to live, Quinn. I’m not asking for it from you, but I’ve given it to the Rochas from the Crowes. I’m willing to pay for my part in what we did. But Helen is frail. I beg you not to send her to jail.”

Quinn shut the door without responding. Let Carmen have a night to worry about it. This wasn’t some practical joke gone awry. It was her childhood. Her life. And it had been taken from her. Even if Quinn felt sorry for the old woman, the emotion was buried under a simmering anger.

Maggie was already out of the truck, headed up the driveway. Quinn knew she was exhausted too. And she could never thank her enough for sitting through that with her. She followed just as Liam was coming out of the house. When he saw them, he approached.

“How did it go?” he asked, his voice sincere and full of concern as he examined Quinn’s face.

Maggie let out a harsh laugh. “Like a Lifetime movie. I’m going to take a shower. I feel dirty.” She continued around the house to the cottage.

“I have a lot to tell you, Liam, but first, what’s going on here?” Quinn asked.

“Pali’s been in an accident. He was just released from the hospital.”

“Is he okay?”

Liam nodded. “He’s alive. But he’s got some really serious injuries. He tried to surf Jaws alone, and at night.”

“What’s Jaws?”

“It’s the most dangerous place to surf on the island. Just paddling through the explosive shore break is a feat in itself. Then riding the mountain of water that moves as fast as Jaws is usually reserved for the professionals, especially now while the swell is huge. Pali isn’t even near ready for something like that, and he might never be. I guess in his first major act of rebellion, that was where he had something to prove.”

“Well, that was reckless,” Quinn said.

“Yeah, exactly, but that’s what happens when you have a boy keeping everything bottled up, and that anger, humiliation, and testosterone raging through his veins finally erupt. But he’ll be okay. He’s resting now.”

They began to walk up to the house.

“So how did he get injured?” Quinn asked. “And how did he get out there?”

“He hitched a ride with some older boys who were going out there to drink some beer and watch the waves. When they were ready to go, he borrowed a board, and they left him there, probably thinking he’d never have the guts to really try it. But he did. And according to him, he got dumped off while attempting a barrel.”

“A what?”