4. CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
T he soft light of dawn had just begun to filter through the sheer curtains of Harper’s hotel room when she and Lila, already in their vibrant beach gear, conspired in whispers. The plan was simple yet filled with the quiet thrill of teenage schemes: arrange a surprise breakfast for Liam and Dawn, slip a note suggesting their early morning escapade, and escape to the Beach Hut for their own day of adventure.
Lila picked up the room phone, her fingers hesitating just a moment before dialing room service. Harper watched her friend, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The air was charged with a mix of salt breeze from the ajar balcony door and the excitement of their plot.
“Good morning, this is room 205. We’d like to order breakfast for two to be set up on the balcony, please,” Lila’s voice was a controlled whisper, belying the racing of her heart.
Harper jotted down their orders on the hotel notepad: fresh orange juice, two plates of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, a basket of assorted pastries, fresh fruit, and, of course, coffee—black for Liam and cream and sugar for Dawn. She wanted everything to be perfect, to create a moment that would spark something magical between Dawn and Liam.
Once the order was confirmed, Lila hung up and turned to Harper, her eyes gleaming with success. “Okay, it’s set. They said it’ll be up in about thirty minutes.”
“That gives us just enough time to get out of here,” Harper said, grabbing the notepad from the desk. She scribbled quickly: Gone surfing and having breakfast at the Beach Hut. Tiger is with Aunt Betty for the day. Enjoy the breakfast! – H it seemed targeted, not to mention invasive, and it threatened the very heart of the Summer Inn’s reputation.
The worst thing was that Liam was now suspecting one of his staff members after listening to the stories of one minute the valuable being there, and gone the next, identical to the thefts in Dawn’s room. It couldn’t be anyone else. Only the staff would know how to avoid the security cameras. That would explain why nothing showed up on the video feed. Or they knew how to delete the parts of the security feed if they did. A call from the hotel security team earlier, in the middle of an interview with one of the guests, had confirmed that the recording hadn’t been tampered with.
Questions burned through Liam’s mind. How were the thieves, or thief, moving in and out of the rooms undetected in an almost ghostly manner? The more absurd question was: was the hotel really haunted? Because that would explain a lot about these bizarre thefts.
With the police en route, Liam made his way back to the lobby. He was stopped every few steps by staff and guests alike, each interaction a delicate dance of reassurance and promises of resolution. By the time the officers arrived, Liam was ready with a detailed report and a list of the missing items compiled from the guests’ testimonies.
The investigation was thorough. Officers spoke with the guests, took detailed notes, and assured everyone that they were doing all they could to track down the missing items. The police officers went into each guest room to look around. At the same time, Liam stayed on hand, facilitating the conversations with the guests. He personally oversaw the room inspection while also trying to keep the hotel’s daily operations running smoothly despite the disruptions.
By the time the initial statements had been taken and the police had set their investigation in motion, Liam glanced at his watch as he’d walked the last of the police officers out of the hotel. It was past ten, and a knot formed in his stomach. He was supposed to meet Dawn to see her start her day in her new role as the temporary manager to get closer to the staff.
Liam rushed back toward his office, stopping when he saw Dawn sitting with Mary.
“Hey,” Dawn greeted, a soft smile on her face. “Mary said you told her I was going to fill in as a favor to you as the relief manager and to get experience in order to authenticate my script.”
“Hi.” Liam’s heart jolted, and a warm smile spread across his lips. “I did mention it to Mary.” He nodded and glanced at Mary. “Can you get Dawn everything she needs to get started?”
“Already done,” Mary told him with a smile and looked at her wristwatch. “Now that all that’s over, I’m going for breakfast.” She stood, looking from Dawn to Liam. “Can I get either of you something?”
“I would love a tropical smoothie, please,” Dawn said.
“I’ll have the same,” Liam said.
“I’ll have them sent to your office,” Mary said before leaving them.
“Let’s go to my office,” Liam suggested.
Dawn stood and led the way, taking a seat in front of his desk while he sat on the opposite side.
“I checked on Harper and Lila,” Dawn told him. “They’re fine.” She smiled. “Lila is teaching Harper how to surf under the watchful eye of two of the lifeguards.”
“Was it a brother and sister?” Liam asked.
“Yes,” Dawn said and nodded. “Lila told me that the twins were keeping a close eye on them.”
“That’s Jack and Jill,” Liam told her, smiling as her eyebrows shot up.
“Seriously?” Dawn looked at him in disbelief. “A parent named their twins Jack and Jill?”
“Yup!” Liam nodded. “They’re sweet kids, and you know the teens are safe under their watch. They are also champion swimmers and triathletes.”
“Nice!” Dawn pursed her lips and nodded, impressed. “Lila and Harper are going to be going into the town center to have lunch and look around.”
“Should I get Sam Donovan to drive them there?” Liam asked.
“No, they want to take the bus,” Dawn told him. “Harper is very excited about it as she feels free for the first time in her life without her helicopter parents hovering.” She sighed and shook her head. “My brother and sister-in-law come off being very strict on Harper as they’re so nervous about her going anywhere on her own.”
“Maybe I should call Sam, then,” Liam said.
He didn’t want anything to happen to Harper while she was here or with Lila. It would upset Lila, and he didn’t want a falling-out with a Vanderbilt.
“No!” Dawn shook her head. “My brother said to give Harper her freedom. Which means he has someone following her discreetly.”
“Ah!” Liam suddenly realized why rooms 105 and 106, which were directly below Dawn’s room, were explicitly requested and booked the other day. “That will explain the two businessmen in the mini-suites, room 105 and 106, which are directly below yours.”
Dawn’s eyes widened. “Maybe they heard or saw something regarding the theft?”
Something else registered with Liam, and he shuffled through the list of stolen items. “Actually, the man in room 106 has his camera stolen.”
Dawn looked at Liam in surprise. “I wonder if he’s one of my brother Scott’s security details.” She tilted her head to try to see the document Liam was looking at. “What’s the man’s name?”
“Barry Snyder,” Liam told her.
He watched as Dawn pulled out her phone and messaged someone.
“I just messaged my brother to ask him if Barry is one of his men,” Dawn informed Liam. “I bet Scott’s going to call in…” Before she’d finished talking, her phone rang, “A few seconds.” She laughed, pointing to her phone, and excused herself to answer.
Liam watched Dawn walk to the far side of his office as she spoke to her brother. She moved with a natural grace, her dark brown shoulder-length hair flowing around her shoulders. He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his lips as he watched her. Dawn was breathtakingly beautiful on the outside and inside.
He gave a soft sigh knowing he was head over heels in love with her and had been from the moment he’d met her just over a year ago. When she first arrived at the hotel a few days after the film crew arrived, there was a mix-up with her suite. Unlike the other high-strung guests that had arrived with the film crew, Dawn had taken the mix-up in her stride. She’d laughed about it and hadn’t minded staying in a smaller room until the other guests that had hers left.
Liam made a point of making sure the hotel complimented all her meals, and a month after Dawn was on Plum Island, Liam and Dawn had established a friendship. They’d started going for early morning walks along the beach, lunching at least three times a week, and became each other’s plus one for the many parties thrown by the film crew and Alex Blackwell. Liam had been charmed by Dawn’s quick wit, her incredible imagination, and her huge, soft heart.
Dawn saw the world as food for her imagination. She could take any situation and turn it into a story. Just when he thought Dawn couldn’t enthrall him more, she threw him for a loop when he found out she could speak seven languages and was learning an eighth. Dawn accompanied Liam on a trip to Greece, sponsored by Harriet Joyce’s mother, in order to buy back property for the Joyce family. While Liam could handle the transaction and negotiate with ease, what he couldn’t do was speak the language. Even though most of the people Liam had dealt with in Greece spoke English, because of the nature of the deal, he needed to have someone with him who could pick up on anything said in Greek so as not to miss anything.
Liam’s translator on the trip was Dawn. Not only could she speak the language fluently, but they took an extra day in Athens, and Dawn showed him around, taking Liam to all her favorite spots. While Liam knew he was falling deeper and deeper under Dawn’s spell, he knew he’d fallen completely during that trip. Liam could still see her face light with excitement as she showed him around and explained what she knew about everything they saw.
Dawn and Lila also got along so well. Every time Lila joined them for one of their lunches or walks, Dawn included her in their conversations, which Liam knew had been chosen for just that purpose. He appreciated that about Dawn so much, and Lila adored her. She’d mentioned to Liam on more than one occasion how great Dawn was. At first, Liam had tried to keep his feelings for her at arm’s length and ignore them. They were from two different worlds, and he was worried it would be a problem.
But Dawn wasn’t your average spoiled, rich girl. She was down to earth and never rubbed her money in anyone’s face. Dawn didn’t even wear designer clothes and had been thrilled when Lila told her about a thrift store in Newbury Port. The only thing that Liam could see standing in his way of revealing his feelings for her was that he treasured their friendship, and other than a few moments, Dawn hadn’t given him any hint she felt the same. Then there was the fact that she’d go back to New York when the filming of The Cobble Cove Mystery series was over.
His thoughts were interrupted when Dawn walked back to the desk.
“Barry is one of Scott’s security team, and the other man is Carl Granger,” Dawn told him, putting her phone on Liam’s desk as she sat.
“Oh boy,” Liam said, shaking his head. “Your brother’s not going to be happy when he hears a phantom thief is wandering the halls of the hotel where his daughter is.” He looked at Dawn. “And that one of his security detail was targeted.”
“That’s not your fault,” Dawn pointed out. “As Barry is security, one would presume he’d be able to have stopped the thief as a highly trained person.”
“True,” Liam agreed. “Unless the thief is a ghost.”
“I hope you meant that metaphorically?” Dawn said with a soft laugh. “And that we’re not toying with the idea that the hotel may be haunted after all.”
“To be honest,” Liam said, “it would explain a lot.” He pointed at the reports. “All the guests report the same thing.” He put the documents in front of her. “They put the items down, or they were in a certain place. As far as they know, no one came into the room. They didn’t hear anything, but when they looked for the item, it had vanished.”
“Like my watch and Lila’s locket,” Dawn said, reading the reports. “I saw you were with the police earlier.”
“They left here knowing as much as we do,” Liam told her. “Nothing.” He shook his head. “They’re as baffled as we are. Hotel security has shown us the video surveillance, which, as far as they can see, hasn’t been tampered with. There is nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Okay,” Dawn said with a smile. “Phantom thief it is then.”
“Looks that way,” Liam agreed. “Or at least someone who’s a magician.”
“Like that one television show where this grifter was also a highly skilled magician pulling off the most fantastic jobs,” Dawn said.
“I think we need Jonathan Lake,” Liam laughed, referencing one of his favorite British shows. “I love that show.”
“And you’re not wrong.” Dawn impressed him by knowing what he was talking about. “This is a mystery for someone like him to solve.” She glanced at the reports. “Or Sherlock Holmes.”
“But all we have is you and me,” Liam pointed out. “And I’m sure together we can solve this.”
“Agreed,” Dawn said. “Or at least I hope so.” She frowned. “The thief isn’t even just targeting things like jewelry or watches. Cameras, iPods, headsets, VR goggles…” Her frown deepened. “Why would someone steal VR goggles?” Her brow raised, and she gave her head a slight shake. “Why would someone bring VR goggles with them on holiday anyway?”
“That same person had his PS5 remote control stolen,” Liam told her, remembering the guest Dawn was referring to.
“You know what I’m not seeing? Things like the PS5 console,” Dawn looked at Liam. “Why wasn’t that taken?” She flipped through the documents. “No laptops or even mobile phones.”
“Well, the console and laptops may be too bulky and harder to get rid of, maybe?” Liam guessed and then grinned. “Or just too heavy for a ghost to lift?”
“Funny!” Dawn rolled her eyes. “Look at this one camera that was stolen. The guest reports that the SD card was left behind.”
“So a considerate ghost thief then,” Liam stated, his grin widening.
He knew it wasn’t funny, but Liam felt they needed to lighten the mood. It had been such a tense morning.
“It looks like it,” Dawn said, sitting back in the chair and looking at him.
A knock on his office door interrupted them, and one of the restaurant staff brought their smoothies.
“I’m sorry it took so long, Mr. Gains,” the young woman said, biting her lip as she put the tray down. “It seems our smoothie machine went missing.”
“What?” Liam spluttered.
“We had to borrow one from the Beach Hut,” the young woman told him.
“Someone stole the smoothie-making machine?” Dawn looked at the young woman in disbelief.
“We think so,” the young woman looked at Dawn and nodded.
“Great!” Liam blew out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at the young woman. “Will you ask Mary, when she’s finished her breakfast, to gather the staff and make sure nothing else has gone missing?”
“Yes, I’ll get right on that,” the young woman said before leaving the office.
“Why would someone steal a smoothie machine?” Dawn looked perplexed.
“To drive me crazy?” Liam said. “Smoothies are a big seller.” He frowned. “But I wonder why they had to borrow one from the Beach Hut?” He looked at Dawn, pushing himself up for this chair. “We have a few in the bars.”
“Maybe they were being used?”
“At this time of day?” Liam frowned. “Okay, you could be right.” He shook his head. “But the bar would’ve made the smoothie for the restaurant.”
“Uh-oh!” Dawn said, standing up. “Are you thinking maybe all the smoothie machines were stolen?”
“At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me,” Liam stated, heading for his office door with Dawn following him.
Liam led them to the main lounge bar, which still needed to be opened, and let them in. He frowned as he looked around.
“It’s not here,” Dawn said, helping him look.
“Nor is the ice-crushing machine,” Liam said. “So much for the thief not taking bigger items.”
“What benefit comes from trying to pawn smoothie or ice-crushing machines?” Dawn glanced around the bar. “You have some expensive bottles of alcohol, yet none of it was touched.”
Liam saw something move out of the corner of his eye next to Dawn. His instincts kicked in as he rushed at Dawn, pulling her out of the bar as the one glass shelf suddenly cracked and dropped its contents. They’d barely cleared the area when the sound of smashing glass echoed through the bar area.
“What the…” Liam breathed, his arms still wrapped around Dawn. They both turned and looked into the bar where four glass shelves of alcohol and glasses had smashed onto the floor.
“Okay, so maybe we are dealing with a ghost,“ Dawn breathed, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at the mess.
“Liam!” Mary hurried toward them. “Come quick, you have to…” She stopped, her eyes widening in disbelief when she saw the wrecked bar. “What the heck happened?” She looked at Liam.
Liam told her, and Mary’s eyes widened some more. “You’re going to want to see this.” She glanced at the bar. “I’ll get that cleaned up.”
“Thank you, Mary,” Liam said.
He unraveled his arms from Dawn, and hers fell away from him, making him feel cold for a few seconds. Liam shook it off, and they followed Mary to a store room in the back of the hotel’s large kitchen.
They stepped into the room where Liam’s head chef, Pierre, was standing scratching his head. They stepped closer, and Dawn gasped when their eyes fell on a stash of kitchen items and a pile of jewelry laid on an old velvet cloak.
“Hey, boss,” Piere turned at Dawn’s gasp. “I found the door to the old store open and came in to find this.” He pointed at the items. “That cloak was pulled into a sack-type shape and looked a bit heavy, so I opened it.”
“My watch and Lila’s locket could be in there,” Dawn said. She was about to rush toward it, but a hand from behind her stopped her.
A tall man dressed in a neat black suit stepped into the room. “Sorry, Miss Vanderbilt, but it might be another trap.”
“You must be Barry?” Dawn asked.
“No, Barry is shadowing Miss Harper and Miss Lila,” the man told her before introducing himself. “I’m Carl. Head of Miss Harper’s security detail.”
“Have you been following me?” Dawn looked at him accusingly.
“No, Miss Vanderbilt,” Carl said. “I’ve been investigating the theft from Barry’s room, and when I found out you, Miss Lila, and some other guests had been victims of theft, I took it upon myself to investigate.”
“Then how did you end up here?” Dawn asked him, still suspicious of Carl’s motives.
“I was following, Mary,” Carl told them.
“Me?” Mary looked at him in shock. “Why me?”
“Because you were the one trying to organize the guests and sent to investigate the missing items from the hotel,” Carl told her. “I was trying to find out what else had gone missing to try and figure out the thieves’ pattern.”
“Thieves?” Liam frowned. “As in plural?”
“Yes,” Carl said with a nod. “Given that these items are from multiple rooms and the amount of items taken, there must’ve been more than one person doing this.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Pierre said. “But I have to get back to the restaurant. Can I take my kitchen items?”
“I’m afraid not,” Carl told him. “The police need to see this first.”
“I need my kitchen items,” Peirre growled.
“You’re going to have to work around them until we can give them back to you.” Liam stepped in and looked at Mary. “Could you figure out what Pierre needs and see if you can borrow them from the Beach Hut?” Mary nodded. “I know they have a lot of spare gadgets, as Finn likes to be prepared for equipment failure.”
Mary and Pierre left the room.
“I’ll call the police for you, Mr. Gains,” Carl offered.
“Thank you, Carl, I’d appreciate that,” Liam said, turning toward the stash of items.
“Why would the thieves just leave the stuff here?” Dawn asked.
“Because they weren’t finished robbing the place?” Liam guessed, his eyes sifting through the pile of jewelry, and he frowned. “I don’t see Lila’s locket.” He looked at Dawn and then moved closer, careful not to touch anything. “Do you see your watch?”
“No!” Dawn frowned. “Maybe it’s behind the cloak or somewhere else in the room.” She looked around.
“We’ll have to wait for the police,” Liam said, feeling frustrated.