Read Online The Edge of Lost by Kristina McMorris - Free Book Online

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    It was almost time for Nick’s family to take the stand.
    Inspectors continued to work through the room. Before long, Uncle Will’s death would be discovered and an investigation would lead to Shan.
    He swung back toward Nick’s father. In a charcoal gray suit, the man stood with his arms crossed and his square jaw set, as still as the statue that had greeted their ship, but not as congenial. He was of medium height and average build, just like his son, though his presence made him larger. This didn’t stop Nick from attempting another plea. But then his father turned gruff on a single word, a verbal stomp. The discussion was over.
    There was no time for Shan to make a case for himself. He needed an alternative. The mother he had helped on the ship—she might be grateful enough to claim him. Plus, she was Irish and in need of an extra hand. But how could he weave back through the room without drawing attention?
    Just then, Nick’s mother held her husband’s arm. She whispered inches from his ear and connected with his eyes. A long beat passed between them before his face softened, and he talked to his son. Then Nick faced Shan, and he nodded.
    They’d agreed. Ah, thank goodness, they’d agreed.
    For the moment, Shan had a family.
    He nearly burst into a grin but pressed it down. It was no place to celebrate and far too early. He slid over to wait by Nick, who spoke under his breath. “Just keep your head down, and don’t talk unless you got to.”
    By no means were those a challenge for Shan.
    “You’re my brother, all right? And you were born in Jersey, same as me and Lina.”
    Nick’s brother, Jersey … Lina? Of course. His sister. Shan nodded, absorbing it all.
    “Oh, and listen. If they ask—”
    “Next!” The closest officer flicked a hand, an order to approach.
    The people in front of them had been processed much too fast. Shan stayed at the rear of the family, beside Nick, as they gathered their belongings. At the desk, they set down a suitcase and a black steamer trunk. Shan did the same with his satchels, freeing his hands to tilt his hat lower.
    “ Italiano, signore? ” the official asked.
    “ Si , si .” The father nodded. “ Buongiorno .”
    The officer went straight to business, no warmth in his words. It was clear Italian wasn’t his native tongue. Nick’s father produced documents from his coat. He flashed an envelope of cash, which he then put away. Proof they had enough funds, apparently, to be respectable members of society.
    “I speak English, if that is helpful,” the father offered.
    “Oh. Yes, good.”
    The two continued in English, back and forth, with basic questions and answers. Between each, the officer referred to a form, scribbling notes. He was confirming details, Shan realized, based on information the father had provided before departure. Just as Uncle Will had.
    The officer paused and surveyed the family, puzzled.
    Shan’s body tightened. Bloody hell, he knew where this was going.
    “I see on the manifest that you traveled with only two children.”
    “No, no. Three,” the father insisted. “There are three.”
    “But I have two written here, clear in black and white. Why didn’t you formally declare all three children at your point of embarkation?”
    “Maybe, eh … maybe the man who writes this down did not hear correct.” Nick’s father sounded perplexed, though Shan detected a current of nerves.
    “Sir, your son could not have boarded without being accounted for.”
    “Yes, but—mistakes, they happen, si? ”
    Lina tugged on her mother’s skirt. “Mama, perché —”
    Her mother furtively shushed her, a stern message in her eyes.
    The idea had seemed simple. Shan had assumed a family with American-born children would enter with ease. It wasn’t meant to cause them trouble. Could they actually be denied entry, thrown back on a boat? Could the consequences be worse, all because of him?
    Before it was too late, Shan whispered,