Eleanor Gates sat in the front row of Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church. Her face was streaked with mascara and her nose was running. She had sent her wedding party home two hours ago. There wasn't going to be a rehearsal tonight.
She opened her phone and listened to the voice mail from Riley one more time, just to make sure it was real.
"Hey, Ellie. Um...this is kind of a hard thing to say. Your dad found some new information, and we have to head to Alaska before darkness. I want us to be comfortable, and if we find the treasure, we will be. Please...please wait for me. I love you."
That was it. He couldn't tell her in person. He had to leave her a voice mail. Ellie breathed a big, shuddering sigh, picked up her sweater and her purse, and left the church. By the time she got to her car, the sadness had left, and she was angry. She knew, at that moment, she would never talk to her father or Riley again.