Detective Mark Halloway’s thoughts churned as he drove away from Nina Wells’ apartment, the weight of the ancient medallion pressing against his chest. The relic was the key to unlocking the mystery, but it also posed a dire threat. He needed answers, and fast.

Halloway decided that his next move had to be a confrontation with James Sterling. Of all the survivors, Sterling had been the most composed, almost too composed, as if he were hiding something beneath his calm exterior. The detective suspected that James knew more than he had let on.

Halloway found Sterling at his downtown office, a sleek high-rise that exuded wealth and power. Sterling was a successful investment banker, his life a world away from the horrors of the island. When Halloway arrived, he was greeted by a polished receptionist who, after a brief call, directed him to Sterling’s private office on the top floor.

Sterling was standing by the window when Halloway entered, his gaze fixed on the cityscape below. He turned slowly to face the detective, a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes were cold.

“Detective Halloway,” Sterling said, his voice smooth and controlled. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

Halloway didn’t bother with pleasantries. He pulled the medallion from his pocket and held it up, letting it catch the light.

“This,” Halloway said, his voice firm. “I know you found this on the island. I know about the relic, the deaths, and the curse. It’s time to stop pretending, James. Tell me the truth.”

For a brief moment, something flickered in Sterling’s eyes—fear, perhaps, or recognition. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a mask of indifference.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sterling replied, his tone dismissive. “That’s just an old piece of metal. It has no significance.”

“Don’t lie to me!” Halloway snapped, taking a step closer. “I spoke to Nina. She told me everything. The relic, the curse, the people who died because of it. You know exactly what this is, and you know the danger it represents.”

Sterling’s expression hardened, and he moved away from the window, crossing the room to stand in front of Halloway. The two men locked eyes, tension crackling in the air.

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“You’re out of your depth, Detective,” Sterling said, his voice low and threatening. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. That island… it changes people. It makes them see things, believe things that aren’t real. We were under extreme stress, hallucinating, terrified for our lives. Whatever Nina told you, it’s just the ramblings of a frightened woman.”

Halloway held Sterling’s gaze, unflinching. “You’re the one who doesn’t understand, James. I’ve uncovered the island’s history, the rituals, the sacrifices. This isn’t just some figment of your imagination. The deaths were real. The curse is real. And if you don’t come clean, more people could die.”

Sterling’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “What are you going to do, Detective? Arrest me? Charge me with believing in a curse? There’s no evidence, nothing that ties me to any crime. You’re chasing shadows.”

For a moment, Halloway was silent, considering his options. Sterling was right about one thing—there was no concrete evidence, nothing that would hold up in court. But Halloway wasn’t interested in the courts; he was interested in the truth.

“Tell me what really happened on that island,” Halloway demanded. “You were the leader, the one who kept everyone together. You must have known more than the others. What aren’t you telling me?”

Sterling’s composure finally cracked, and he turned away, running a hand through his hair in frustration. When he spoke again, his voice was filled with a mix of anger and resignation.

“We were desperate,” Sterling said, his back to Halloway. “When we found the relic, we didn’t know what it was, but we hoped it might be valuable, something we could sell or use to bargain for our lives. But then people started dying, one by one, and it was like the island was punishing us for disturbing it. We were just trying to survive, but the more we tried, the worse things got.”

Halloway took a step closer, his voice softening. “And what about now, James? Do you still believe the curse is real?”

Sterling turned to face him, his expression bleak. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. But I do know that I’m not going to let it ruin my life. I’ve moved on, and I suggest you do the same. If you keep digging, you’ll only end up like the others.”

Halloway studied Sterling’s face, searching for any sign of deception. But all he saw was a man haunted by his past, trying desperately to bury it. The detective knew he wasn’t going to get anything more out of Sterling—not now, at least.

“Keep your secrets, James,” Halloway said, slipping the medallion back into his pocket. “But know this: I’m not done with this investigation. The truth will come out, whether you help me or not.”

With that, Halloway turned and walked out of the office, leaving Sterling standing alone, his façade crumbling in the silence. As the detective stepped into the elevator, he felt a growing sense of unease. Sterling was hiding something, but Halloway couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story—something darker, something that could cost him more than just his reputation.

The island’s curse wasn’t done with them yet.