The sea salt stung Elias's face, but it was nothing compared to the acid churning in his gut. Julian stood on the rain-soaked dock, his yellow raincoat gleaming like a warning sign against the gray sky. The golden, carefree charm that usually defined the fisherman had soured into something sharper, something defensive.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Eli," Julian spat, though he didn't move to pass. He adjusted the heavy crate of crabs on his shoulder, his boots shifting restlessly. "Y