The Beach Hut on Plum Island

11. CHAPTER 11

The Cobble Point Restaurant, perched high on the cliffs of Cobble Cove, presented a panoramic view over the entire cove. Tonight, the usually bustling venue was reserved for a private affair, taken over at King Titus’s direction. A long table was dressed with fine linens and flickering candles and hosted an assembly of close friends and family. Harriet sat on one side of King Titus, who sat at the end of the table with Finn on his other side. The open windows and doors let the soft swish of the ocean play a symphony as the soft backdrop to the evening’s tension.

A hush instantly fell over the room as Titus stood, his presence commanding the silence. “I appreciate everyone changing their plans for the evening and joining us at such short notice,” he began, his eyes drifting along the table and landing on Alex and Daniella. “I feel an apology is owed to you, Alex, and your beautiful bride, Daniella.” He turned and looked at Finn, then Harriet. “I’m afraid that my family’s business is going to steal a little of the limelight from your joyous celebrations this week.”

A murmur of anticipation swept through the guests as Titus gestured towards Finn.

“My niece, Harriet, and Finn have something that they want to share with you all,” Titus told them. “But before I hand the floor over to them, I want to extend another apology.” He turned and looked at Harriet. “Princess Harriet, I’m sorry that I so callously engaged you to Duke Leon Gladstone.” He gave her a smile. “Had I known you had such a fine young man as Finn Shaw in your life, I would never have even contemplated it.”

“It’s okay, Your Majesty,” Harriet told him with a smile. “I forgive you as you’ve forgiven us.” She included Finn by looking lovingly at him.

“I must say that standing here, looking over at Harriet and Finn’s friends, I’m humbled,” Titus continued, “by the sense of loyalty and strength of friendship that binds you all together.” His eyes traveled to each of Harriet’s and Finn’s friends. “I’m so glad my niece has all of you in her life. It makes me feel more secure knowing she’s surrounded by friends like you.”

“What my uncle is trying to say,” Harriet interrupted. “Is that he knows mine and Finn’s engagement was a charade to ensure my uncle wouldn’t try and force me to leave Plum Island or marry me off to someone.”

A soft murmur as the guests whispered to themselves echoed through the room.

“Thank you, Princess Harriet,” Titus said with a laugh. “My niece always was impatient and didn’t like long drawn out speeches.”

Everyone laughed and agreed with Titus.

“Thank you for that,” Harriet said to Titus, shaking her head before glaring at all her friends. “And to all of you who agreed with it.”

“On that note,” Titus said with another laugh. “I’d like to let Finn and Harriet share their news with you all.” He turned and nodded to Finn.

Standing, Finn’s heart thudded like a fish out of water and flapping about violently on dry land. He even felt like he was trying to breathe like a fish out of water as his lungs seemed to compress and refuse to let oxygen in.

Calm down, Finn.He gave himself a talking-to and managed to drag some air into his lungs, and he calmed himself. Still, his hands trembled slightly as he reached into his pocket and felt the velvet box that contained more than just a ring—it held his heart.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Finn said, his voice steadier than he felt as Harriet stood and joined him. He scanned the faces around the table. All eyes were focused on them and wide with anticipation. Finn took Harriet’s hand, and they smiled at each other. “Harriet and I owe a deep gratitude to all of you.”

“Finn and I are truly blessed to have such close, loving, and supportive friends,” Harriet continued. “When I came to Plum Island, I was a stranger, but now I feel like I’m not only a part of the island but also an extended family.”

Finn and Harriet turned and faced each other. “Harriet, every day since I met you, you’ve managed to steal another piece of my heart.” He moved a stray lock from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. “I’ve been fascinated by the way you defy traditional expectations and social norms expected of your royal status.” Their eyes locked, and his nervousness fell away, as did the rest of the restaurant. “You are the most independent spirit I’ve ever known. But your loyalty, courage, and heart have blown me away.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box, falling to one knee. “Harriet, you have my heart. I’m totally and utterly in love with you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

While Finn knew Harriet thought this to be the best performance of his life, he wondered what she would do if she knew every word he’d uttered to her came straight from his heart as it tried to reach out to hers.

The room has long since fallen away as Finn’s words washed over Harriet. She’d almost put her hand over her heart as she felt it was trying to break through her rib cage to get to him. It ached with the beauty of his words, so heartfelt that for a fleeting moment, Harriet had allowed herself to believe they were real. Because even in her wildest fantasies, this was one of the most romantic proposals ever—and Harriet had been in the movie business for a long time.

“Yes!” Harriet responded, her voice carrying a tremor of emotion that mirrored the sincerity in Finn’s eyes.

She hoped he didn’t notice the slight tremor of her hand as he slid the ring onto her finger. Harriet had been so captivated by Finn’s words that she had forgotten where they were until applause erupted around them. Before she could turn to see their friends, Finn stood and pulled her to him for another earth-shattering kiss that stole her breath away. As the room once again faded from her senses, Harriet’s heart cried out to Finn’s soul, hoping it would hear her cry of love and answer with one of its own.

As Finn’s lips captured Harriets, he knew they’d convinced the people around them that their charade had blossomed into something real, and while everyone around them rejoiced, Finn let himself believe for just a moment it was real. As they slowly drew apart, their eyes met, and the undercurrents of unspoken truths pulsed between them before their friends surrounded them.

The evening continued with laughter and heartfelt congratulations, but both Finn and Harriet remained acutely aware of the performance. With each congratulatory embrace and toast, they were reminded of the line they walked—a line blurred between deception and the hidden truths of their own hearts. As the night wore on, Finn found himself wishing for it to end so he could slip into his own space and sort out the turmoil whirling within him.

Everything went as planned, with Harriet announcing they owed Daniella and Alex. King Titus suggested they pay for the honeymoon. Harriet asked why they didn’t pay Alex to have a bachelor party he had always wanted to have. Dawn added they could give Daniella a bachelorette party at a great island spa she knew in Cyprus. Although Harriet feigned innocence and said she didn’t prompt Dawn to suggest the Cyprus trip, Finn had his doubts but had to agree it was perfect and could benefit their plan.

As the evening wore on, Titus, Harriet’s parents, Gloria, Estelle, and Faith eventually left the restaurant. Carly put on some music, and soon, most of their friends started dancing.

Harriet sat with Dawn and Jennifer while Harley, Liam, and Finn went onto the balcony to talk. Harriet knew what they were talking about, so she kept Jennifer and Dawn occupied.

“So you and Finn are really a couple now?” Dawn asked, a frown marring her brow as her eyes searched Harriets as if looking for the truth.

“We are,” Harriet confirmed. “We knew after our first real kiss.”

“Are you being serious?” Dawn asked, her eyes narrowing even more. “Because I want to believe you because I can see in your eyes you have feelings for Finn. But then again, you’ve had a crush on Finn forever.”

“I think Harriet’s telling the truth,” Jennifer told Dawn with a sly smile. “Harley walked in on them when they were alone and locked in each other’s arms, as he put it.”

“Oh!” Dawn’s brows shot up. “If that’s true and you really are happy,” she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Harriet, “then I’m so happy for you, my friend. You, more than anyone in the world, deserve to be happy.”

“I have to second that,” Jennifer said, raising her wine glass. “To Harriet and Finn, we wish you all the happiness in the world.”

Dawn raised her glass alongside Jennifer, and Harriet managed to push the wave of guilt aside as she knew she wasn’t lying to her friends. She really had fallen in love with Finn. Harriet’s head turned towards where he stood, and her heart sank. She just wished he’d meant everything he’d said during his heartfelt proposal because then Harriet really would be the happiest woman in the world.

“Harriet!” Dawn’s voice snapped her back to her friends. “Wow. You really do have it bad.”

“Sorry, what did you say?” Harriet asked, looking at Dawn and Jennifer’s amused faces.

“We need to plan Daniella’s bachelorette party in Cyprus,” Jennifer repeated what they were saying. “This is so exciting.”

“You do know that the flight is around thirteen hours,” Harriet warned them. “As it’s summer in Britain, we should rather pick a nice spa there. That will take another five to six hours off our trip.”

“That’s a good idea,” Dawn said. “Although we don’t want to get in Alex’s way.”

“I think Daniella and Alex would love to meet up in Britain after they’ve had their parties,” Jennifer said. “We’ll also be able to take four days out of their wedding week instead of nearly using up the entire week flying to and from Europe.”

“It’s insane to think we’re even doing that.” Daniella laughed as she joined them after finishing her dance with Alex.

“Yes, but it’s so impulsive and fun,” Alex stated, kissing the top of Daniella’s head as he stood behind her. “But we can’t really call them bachelor and bachelorette parties.”

“You’re right,” Harriet said. “We’ll have to come up with a name for them as you’re getting married again. We can call it a bride and groom party.”

“I like that,” Alex said. “It’s simple and to the point. My groom party.”

“I do, too,” Daniella told Harriet. “Is it true that you and Finn have to fly on separate jets to us?”

“I’m afraid so,” Harriet said with a nod. “Now that everything’s being made official and my uncle has basically cemented our union and is paying for the trip, we have to do things his way.”

“You’ll love my family’s jet,” Alex assured them.

“You mean our families, jet,“ Dawn reminded him. “Mine, Alex, Brad, and Harriet’s parents all share two jets. It cuts down on a lot of costs and ensures the planes don’t just sit idle for long periods.”

“Alex likes to call them the Blackwell planes because his parents own the hangars the planes get parked in, in New York,” Harriet explained.

“He also used to use them as his own personal jets before he got his boat,” Dawn told them, glaring at Alex. “Which was really annoying when we needed to fly anywhere and he’d disappeared on one of them.”

“That was in the past, Dawnie, I’m a changed man,” Alex said with a grin. “Although, I will be using one of them to take my new family on a familymoon.”

“A what?” Harriet asked him.

“A familymoon,” Daniella laughed. “We’re not going on a honeymoon as we’re taking Emily with us for a trip around Europe.”

“Aw,” Dawn said, her brow crinkling. “That’s lovely. Have you been to Europe?” she asked Daniella.

“No.” Daniella shook her head. “I haven’t.”

“You’re going to enjoy it,” Harriet assured her. “Especially if Alex is taking you because he’s traveled Europe extensively.”

“I know, I can’t wait. I just worry about the clinic,” Daniella admitted. “But I’ve managed to get a great doctor to stand in for me. I’m hoping he’ll stay here to help out.”

“Are we sure Doctor Drake Westmorland is the best doctor, though?” Alex said.

“Doctor Westmorland from Boston General?” Jennifer’s brows rose. “The sexy surgeon?”

“Yes,” Daniella nodded and smiled. “Drake and I went to medical school together. He’s wanting to do something different as emergency surgery is taking its toll on him.”

“I bet,” Jennifer stated. “Women probably run in front of buses to have him operate on them.”

“Just how gorgeous is this man?” Carly asked as she and Ethan came off the dance floor and joined the table along with Caroline and Brad.

“Who’s gorgeous?” Caroline asked.

“I think that’s our cue to join Finn, Harley, and Liam,” Ethan stated, kissing Carly as he left the table, joined by Alex and Brad.

“We’re talking about Doctor Westmorland from Boston General,” Jennifer told them.

“Oh!” Caroline’s brows shot up. “Yes, he is gorgeous.” She looked around the table. “Why are we talking about Doctor Westmorland?”

“He’s going to be standing in for Daniella while she’s away on her familymoon,” Jennifer explained.

“Ah!” Caroline nodded. “I bet the clinic’s going to get an increase in female patients.” She laughed. “Especially since he’s newly divorced.”

“Who in their right mind would divorce him?” Jennifer found a photo on her phone and held it up for them to see.

“Oh!” Harriet breathed along with a collective sigh from the other woman. “I see what you mean. The man should’ve been a freakin’ model.”

“How do you know he’s recently divorced?” Daniella looked at Caroline curiously.

“His ex-wife is a supermodel that Paige used to represent,” Caroline told them.

“Of course, his ex-wife is a supermodel,” Harriet stated, shaking her head as she stared at the photo.

“She wasn’t when they met,” Daniella told them. “She was studying nursing.”

“If you were at college with the man, why the heck didn’t you date him?” Harriet asked.

“Drake and I were more like brother and sister. We didn’t have a romantic connection,” Daniella explained.

“Danni had met Tom by then and was in love with him,” Carly told them.

“I think Plum Island will be lucky to have you both here,” Harriet exclaimed. “Especially when you have the new clinic up and running.”

The conversation switched to the clinic and new library that Daniella and Alex were planning. The following two hours passed by in a pleasant blur of friendly banter, planning the trip to Europe until it was finally time to call it a night. Harley dropped Finn and Harriet at the hotel and hovered around while Finn walked her to her suite alongside the bodyguard that had been assigned to Harriet.

“Could we have a few moments, please?” Harriet ordered, looking from her bodyguard to Harley.

Harley nodded. He and the other man stepped away as Harriet unlocked her room and invited Finn inside. When they were finally alone, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“That was the most hair-raising thing I’ve ever done,” Harriet confessed. “Finn, I have no idea how I’ll ever be able to thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“Your happiness and safety is all I want, Harriet,” Finn’s voice was low, and his eyes darkened with emotion. “I can’t say I’m happy about you joining me on the flight to Europe.” His eyes searched hers. “I’m so worried that someone will catch wind of what we’re up to and try to stop us.”

“They won’t,” Harriet assured him. “Between my uncle, Harley, and Murphy, they’ll make sure we’re all safe.”

“I hope so,” Finn’s voice was hoarse. “Because I couldn’t stand the thought of anything happening to you, and that’s the truth.”

Harriet’s eyes widened at the implications behind his words, and her heart slammed into her ribs. She stared into his eyes, and her brain and mouth once again lost connection, and words escaped her.

“Thank you,” was all she could muster.

Finn nodded with a small smile. “Well, I’d better get going. There is a lot to organize if we’re going to be leaving tomorrow afternoon.”

As his words filtered through her ears, she blinked in confusion before they registered with her brain, and her eyes widened in shock. “Did you say tomorrow afternoon?” She spluttered.

“Yes,” Finn said. “Didn’t you hear when we arranged it before we left the restaurant?” He frowned at her.

No, I was too busy wishing you’d feel the same way about me as I do about you,Harriet said to him in her head. “Sorry, it’s been such a heck of a day. Most of tonight’s conversation just seemed to float around me.”

“I understand that.” Finn’s smile softened, and his eyes lit with understanding. “It has been quite an overwhelming day.”

Harriet nodded in agreement. I wish it wouldn’t end, though. She gave herself a mental shake. What the heck, Harriet. Stop mooning over the man like a sixteen-year-old. She stared at him. Stop gawking at the man and say goodnight. “Night.” Nooo. Not like that, you idiot. “Sorry, I’m tried. I mean tired.” Way to stick the landing!I’m going down in flames of embarrassment here. Why do sinkholes never appear when you freakin’ need them.

“Well, I hope you get a good night’s sleep,” Finn said with a smile. “Don’t worry about Estelle, as your security detail knows not to let her in.”

“Yay!” Harriet gave a fake cheer. “I have a security detail again.”

“It’s just until your uncle leaves and everything dies down then goes back to normal,” Finn reassured her.

“What? You mean, where I don’t see the security detail?” Harriet gave him a tight smile. “Yay.”

In her heart, she knew after this, nothing would be normal again. Harriet would have to build a new normal with a shattered heart, watching Finn from a distance again.

Shake it off, Harriet, she chided herself. Things have a way of working out like they should. She repeated her grandfather’s words to herself.

“Goodnight, Harriet.” Finn leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Sure!” Harriet gave him a tight smile. “Tight sleep…” She shook her head. “Sleep tightly.” She drew in a breath. “You know what I mean.”

Finn gave a soft laugh, pulled her to him, and kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Yes, I do.”

The door opened, and Harley stood on the threshold, waiting for Finn. “Sorry, Finn, but it’s getting late, and we have to be up early.”

Finn nodded. “I feel like I have a manager pushing me all over the place again,” he admitted to Harriet, rolling his eyes then kissing her on the forehead. “Goodnight, Princess.”

Harriet smiled and waved them out the door instead of trying the goodnight thing again because clearly, her brain and tongue were having a dispute over how words are formed. Either that, or they were messing with her and having fun at her expense, making her look like an idiot in front of Finn.

Harriet had just finished having a nice shower, making some ginger tea, and had hopped into bed when her phone bleeped. She looked at it and frowned. There was a message from a blocked number:

You’re going to be sorry for what you’ve done.

“Okay!” Harriet stared at the message. “You didn’t give me a number to message back so I can clarify the reason.” She shook her head. “Why do ominous messages always have to be so cryptic?”

She sighed and switched off her phone, putting it on her nightstand and switching on the television to watch an old movie while she drank her tea. Half an hour later, Harriet was dozing when an alarm went off in the building, and the next thing she knew, her room was being stormed by her security detail.

“Sorry to wake you, princess,” the one man said, handing her a gown and slippers. “But we need to evacuate. There’s a fire alarm.”

Harriet’s sleep-addled brain took a while to register before she slipped into the gown and pushed her feet into the slippers. She checked her finger to make sure she had her ring and grabbed her phone as she was ushered out of her suite. Harriet’s brain felt foggy, like she was walking through a dream. It took everything she had to make herself walk.

As Harriet was ushered into the parking lot, she saw her brother and Dawn.

“Harriet,” they called and rushed over to her. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure.” Harriet stifled a yawn all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep. “But I think the hotel may be burning down.”

“There’s no smoke,” Dawn pointed out. “There’s Liam.” She waved, and he came over.

“Hi,” Liam said, “I’m so sorry about this. But someone hit the fire alarm. Even if it’s some sort of prank, we have to wait for the fire department to clear the building.”

“Can we go sit in my car?” Harriet looked at her brother.

“I didn’t bring the keys,” Gray told her. “Sorry, I didn’t think to stop and grab the car keys as I was being ushered from my room while the building was potentially burning down.”

“I grabbed my phone!” Harriet stated as she showed them.

“Sorry, next time I’m in a potentially life-threatening situation, I’ll remember to search for the car keys before running for my life.” Gray’s voice was laced with sarcasm.

Harriet pulled a face at him and yawned some more. “I don’t know why I’m so sleepy.” She rested her head on her brother’s shoulder.

“You’ve had a long day,” Gray told her and put a supportive arm around her.

“Mmm,” Harriet said, not able to keep her eyes open as her body started to feel weak. “I’m just going to close my eyes for a few seconds.”

Her body folded as sleep reached out and yanked her into a dream world.

“Harriet!” Gray and Dawn shouted at once, catching Finn, who’d been called in as a volunteer firefighter who was the closest to the hotel, attention.

His head shot around in time to see Harriet collapse. His heart froze in his chest right before a spurt of adrenaline pushed him forward through the crowd to where Gray was holding Harriet’s slack body.

“What happened?” Finn stared at Harriet in horror.

“She collapsed,” Dawn told Finn. “She said she felt so sleepy and then collapsed.”

“Her phone!” Finn pointed to it as her hand slid from her lap. He reached out and grabbed it. As he did, he saw a message on the screen: Night, night, sleeping beauty. Unpleasant dreams. His eyes widened as he looked from Gray to Dawn.

“What?” They said in unison.

Finn turned the phone so they could see. “We need Daniella. Now!”

“Finn!” A firefighter who arrived with the truck called him. “Are you coming?”

“Go!” Gray told Finn. “We’ve got this.”

“No, I can’t leave Harriet.” Finn shook his head.

“You need to get into her room and find out what she took,” Dawn stated. “She has obviously been drugged, and by the look of that message, it can’t be good.”

“You’re right.” Finn nodded. “Keep me informed.” He held up the phone. “I’m keeping this.”

“Okay,” Dawn answered and gave Finn Harriet’s password to unlock the phone while dialing Daniella. “We’ll get Harriet to the clinic.”

Gray called the bodyguards, and as Finn rushed into the hotel, Gray, Dawn, and Harriet were being rushed to the Plum Island Clinic. A few minutes later, Finn took to the top floor to check it, and the first room on his list was Harriet’s. The only thing he could find she’d had to drink was the ginger tea. He picked up the cup and bagged it along with the tea bags, honey, lemon, and orange he found she’d used.

Once the hotel was cleared and the guests were being allowed back in, Finn was about to make his way to the clinic when Harley stopped him.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Harley growled. “You know the rules, Finn. I broke them by letting you stay alone in your house.”

“There was no time. I had to respond to a fire call,” Finn explained. “I need to get to the clinic.”

“Are you hurt?” Harley frowned.

“No.” Finn shook his head. “Harriet was drugged and has been taken to the clinic.”

“What?” Harley snarled.

“She got this message.” Finn showed Harley, handing him Harriet’s phone.

Harley took it and scrolled through. “Did you see this one?” He showed Finn the first one. “It looks like she got it about an hour before the alarm went off.”

“Do you think they were trying to get to Harriet?” Finn’s eyes widened as realization dawned. “This whole fire alarm was a distraction to kidnap Harriet.”

Both their heads turned toward the clinic. “Who took Harriet to the clinic?” Harley asked.

“One of her security detail,” Finn answered. “He was the man that was there earlier when we dropped her off.”

“I know him,” Harley told Finn. “He is part of King Titus’s security team.” He looked at the phone in Finn’s hand. “May I take that. My uncle can try and trace the messages.”

“Sure.” Finn handed Harley Harriets phone. “Can we get to the clinic now?”

When they got to the clinic they found Dawn and Gray sitting in the waiting room.

“Finn,” Dawn called him as they made their way toward them.

“Is there any news?” Finn asked, looking from Dawn to Harriet.

“The new doctor who’s helping Daniella has taken Harriet’s blood work to the lab in Newbury Port with a sample of her hair,” Gray told them and looked at Dawn.

“Are you wearing scrubs?” Finn frowned.

“Harriet’s hair didn’t smell like it usually did,” Dawn explained. “Then Gray smelt her hair and we both realized that we’d smelt something similar a few years ago when Harriet knocked Murphy out on the Joyce jet so she could change course and go to Paris.”

“What?” Finn looked at them confused.

“We think Harriet may have been drugged with a sleeping powder that gets sprinkled on a pillow. It was designed by a chemist on Joyce Isles to help the king sleep,” Gray explained. “It’s quite a nasty sleeping powder and was banned about two years ago when a woman died because of it.”

“Gray!” Dawn hissed. “That’s not what Finn needs to hear right now.”

“Her pillow!” Finn muttered, his mind trying to absorb what they’d told him. “It was on her pillow.” He looked at Harley. “We need to get her pillow.”

“I’ll get her pillow,” Harley told Finn. “You stay here.” He called the security detail over. “I need you to watch Mr. Shaw as well please. I’m going to brief Murphy.”

The bodyguard nodded. “Yes, Mr. Donovan. I have backup on its way.”

“Thank you,” Harley said and looked at Finn. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Finn nodded and he turned back to Gray. “Why are you in scrubs?”

“Daniella took my shirt to see if any of the residue got transferred onto my shirt from Harriet’s hair,” Gray told him. “She was also worried that it could affect me as she hasn’t heard of the sleeping powder.”

“Oh!” Finn nodded and he frowned as his mind spun. “Did Daniella say Harriet would be okay?”

“Finn?” Doctor Drake Westmorland’s voice made him turn. “I thought that was you.”

Finn watched Drake walk toward him with his hand out. “Hey, Drake, I heard you were coming to town.” They shook hands. “Is there any news on Harriet Joyce?”

“I believe Princess Joyce is your fiancée?” Drake asked and Finn nodded. Drake gave his shoulder an encouraging pat. “She’s in good hands with Daniella,” he assured her. “I’m just here to assist as Daniella insisted on taking lead over the princess’s case.”

“Is Harriet awake yet?” Finn asked. “Or do you know how long she’ll be out?”

“Why don’t you take a seat,” Drake advised. “I’ll get you a cup of coffee.” He glanced at the coffee pot. “The good stuff from the all night coffee shop across the road.” He guided Finn to a seat where Gray and Dawn sat on either side of him. “As soon as we know more about Princess Harriet’s condition we’ll let you know.”

Finn nodded as he watched Drake walk toward the wards stopping to talk to the young man behind the front desk. The young man nodded and came to ask what coffees they would like and Finn had no idea what he’d ordered as he sat with his heart beating so loud with worry that it was almost deafening.

“It’s going to be okay,” Dawn assured Finn and Gray. “Harriet’s strong and we all know nothing will keep her down for long.”

Twenty minutes later Harley burst through the clinic doors with a plastic bag in his hands that had a small tin in it.

“Did you find the pillow?” Finn stood and rushed over to where Harley was handing the bag to Drake.

“No.” Harley turned and looked at Finn. “When we got into Harriet’s room her bed had been stripped. Whoever did this came back to get the evidence.”

“How did they get into her room?” Finn asked

“Through the balcony doors,” Harley told him. “Murphy immediately locked down the hotel and the rooms are being searched.” He frowned. “Did you know they brought their own dogs with them?”

“Yes, my uncle never goes anywhere without his dogs,” Gray told them; he and Dawn had followed Finn.

“They found that bottle of sleeping powder,” Harley told them and glanced at Finn.

“Where was it found?” Finn asked, his brow creasing.

“On the balcony of the room directly below Harriet’s,” Harley told him. “We’ve taken the occupant of the room into custody.”

“Who is it?” Finn and Gray asked at the same time.

“Estelle Gladstone,” Harley answered.