13. CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
H arper hung up the phone, a whirlwind of emotions stirring within her. She was both thrilled and overwhelmed by the conversation with her father. The prospect of going to Los Angeles with her parents—and the inclusion of Lila and Aunt Betty in the plans—added layers of excitement and complexity to her feelings.
She found Lila in the sunlit kitchen, pouring over a magazine. The light caught the highlights in her hair, casting a warm glow around her.
“Lila,” Harper began, her voice a mixture of enthusiasm and trepidation, “Dad just invited us to go to L.A. with him and Mom. They’re going to invite Aunt Betty and Uncle Sam, too.”
Lila’s eyes lit up, her smile spreading like sunlight breaking through clouds. “Really? That sounds amazing, Harper! When do we leave?” Her face fell. “That’s if my dad lets me go.”
“In two days,” Harper replied, sitting down across from her. “My dad has already spoken to yours, and he said you could go.”
“Really?” Lila’s eyes lit up once more. “That’s so awesome.”
Harper toyed with a spoon on the table, her mind racing. “But there’s something else. I’m kinda torn about going.”
“Why’s that?” Lila leaned forward, her brows knitting in concern.
“It’s your father and Aunt Dawn,” Harper sighed. “I feel like now that an exciting trip to L.A., a city my Dad knows I love, has come up, we’re abandoning our plans to get Liam and Aunt Dawn together.”
Lila’s expression softened into a thoughtful frown, and she sighed. “Yeah, I know.” She bit her lip in contemplation. “We still have two days.”
Encouraged by Lila’s optimism, Harper nodded. “You’re right!” Her eyes shone with excitement. “My mom always says a lot can happen in a day. So imagine what can happen in two days.”
“Especially if we give it a nudge in the right direction.” Lila grinned mischievously. “I think this needs a consultation with Aunt Betty.”
They found Betty in the garden, tending to her roses. The morning sun cast gentle shadows over the blooms, and the scent of fresh earth and petals filled the air.
“Aunt Betty,” Harper began as they approached, “we just heard about the trip to L.A.! We’re so excited you’re coming with us.”
Betty straightened up, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Yes, Liam mentioned it. It’s going to be a wonderful break, and I’ve always wanted to see Los Angeles.”
“I know, me too,” Lila chimed in. “But now we’re worried about leaving Dad and Dawn.” She widened her eyes expressively. “You know, our plan to get them together.”
Betty chuckled, wiping her hands on her apron. “The ice skating was a big success.”
“Yes, until disaster struck,” Harper reminded them. “And now my uncle Wade’s here. That will throw a wrench in our plans.”
“Or maybe he’ll help?” Betty suggested.
“I don’t know,” Harper shook her head. “Uncle Wade and Aunt Dawn don’t really talk. Not since my uncle got into trouble with his friend Ben.”
“Oh, that’s such a shame,” Aunt Betty said, shaking her head. “But we still have two days before we leave.”
“That’s what I said.” Harper smiled. “What do you suggest, Aunt Betty?”
“Why not plan something special for them?” Betty said, her eyes twinkling.
“Like what?” Lila asked, eager for any suggestions.
Betty pondered for a moment, then her face lit up. “How about a romantic picnic on the beach? I know just the spot—Cobble Cove. It’s secluded and absolutely beautiful at this time of year.”
“That sounds perfect,” Harper agreed, her enthusiasm reignited. “And as it’s close to the cottage, they won’t suspect a thing when Lila and I ask them to join us in the cove.”
“Yes, and I’ll help you set it up,” Betty added. “Once you’re there, I’ll call and invite you girls to the movies with Sam and me.”
“Yes,” Lila said, grinning. “We’ll act torn, wanting to stay with them but also wanting to go to the movies.”
“I know Aunt Dawn will tell us to go and enjoy ourselves,” Harper said with confidence and certainty.”
“I’m sure they’ll stay,” Lila said. “And we can make sure they do by saying something like, but we don’t want all this food to go to waste. ”
“That’ll give Dawn and Liam some alone time,” Betty said. “And the three of us will go to the movies with Sam.”
“Are you and Sam an item, Aunt Betty?” Harper asked the question that had been burning in most of the residents and Lila’s minds forever.
“Sam and I have been good friends for most of our adult lives,” Betty answered. “We only started officially dating a year ago.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Lila asked.
“No one asked,” Betty said with a shrug. “And we didn’t think we needed to advertise our relationship.”
“I’m so happy for you and Sam, Aunt Betty,” Lila hugged her.
“Me too,” Harper said, going in for a group hug. “I’m so happy I met you and Sam.” She smiled. “I’m so glad I came to Plum Island to visit Aunt Dawn.”
“Well, as it happens,” Betty said, an arm around each of the fifteen-year-old teens, “we’re very glad you did, too.” They started to walk back to the cottage. “Now, let’s go discuss this picnic.”
The trio discussed the details a little longer, planning the menu and the setup.
“Why don’t the two of you go find the perfect spot on the cove, and I’ll start getting the food ready,” Betty suggested. “Sam should be back with Tiger soon. I hope the vet thinks there have been improvements to his legs.”
“I hope so,” Lila said, her eyes widening with worry. “Poor Tiger struggles to get around.”
“But not for want of trying,” Harper pointed out and sighed. “I’ve missed him today since Sam took him to the vet for Aunt Dawn.”
“I have too,” Lila agreed with Harper. “I hope that Tiger will be able to walk properly and won’t need aid to help him.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see,” Betty told them. “Now run along, and we’ll wait for Sam to get back to you with news on Tiger.”
Harper and Lila slipped on their flip-flops as they ran out the door. Betty stopped them, reminding them to take their hats. They grabbed their beach hats, yelling, “Bye, Aunt Betty,” as they pulled the door closed behind them to go hunt for the perfect romantic plot for their picnic.
Dawn was exhausted as she climbed out of the hot shower after having washed the salty spray from her body. She walked through to her room, still adjusting to her new suite. It was just as spacious and luxurious as her other one. This one didn’t have the old charm or wrap-around balcony her other room did. Dawn was also now on the opposite side of the hotel, so she couldn’t see the Beach Hut or watch people surf—she wanted her old room back.
She pulled her gown on and plodded barefoot out onto the balcony that led off her room. The view was still breathtaking, and now she had a view of the jetty where Alex’s new yacht and the fake Black Ocean II were moored. Now that she saw them side by side, you could see the differences. The first one was that the fake one wasn’t nearly as big as Alex’s was, nor was it as sleek.
“Hey there, big sister.” Wade’s voice caught her attention, and she turned to see him turn toward her from leaning on his balcony. “I thought you were going to get some sleep?”
“I am going to, in a bit. I just wanted to get some fresh air first.” Dawn noticed the dressing that ran down the side of his face. “I see you got all patched up?”
“Yeah.” Wade nodded. “Had to sit and listen to Doctor Westmorland tell me how irresponsible I was to go after you and then get into a fight with my head wound.” He sighed. “Thanks to your boyfriend Liam, I had to let the doctor do nearly a complete examination of me to ensure there were no broken bones, and then Scott told the doctor the only thing broken about me was my ego.”
“I bet Scott thought that was funny.” Dawn frowned.
“He did,” Wade said with a nod. “He and Liam have become overnight besties as Liam walked around the clinic with our big brother on video chat, barking orders from miles away.”
“Scott’s just worried about us,” Dawn pointed out. “I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to speak to Harper since you arrived here?”
“I did,” Wade told her. “I called her the minute I arrived here.” He leaned over the balcony once again. “Do you think Liam will give us our dog back? I miss Hicks.”
“I do, too,” Dawn confessed and sighed. “How’s Ritz doing?”
“I’ve put some more trees for her to climb and added a few of her favorite vegetables,” Wade told Dawn. “She’s as happy as an iguana could be, and I think she’s over the trauma from the other night and being flung about.”
“I’m glad you’ve been there for Ritz,” Dawn told him and gave him a small smile. “I’m glad you’re here, little brother.”
“Even though it’s been a rather stormy time,” Wade said, “I’m glad to be here too and to get to spend time with you again. Even if it is saving you after being kidnapped and stranded in the middle of the Atlantic.”
“We weren’t in the middle of the Atlantic,” Dawn pointed out. “Although it sure felt like we were, I’m sure we weren’t even close to it.” Dawn saw Wade wince and rub his temple on the side without the dressing. “Do you have a headache?”
“Just a bit,” Wade said, shaking it off. “I think I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
“Me too,” Dawn said. “I’m right next door if you need anything.”
“Thanks, sis,” Wade said before giving her a wave and then disappearing into his suite.
Dawn stood staring at the door Wade had disappeared into. They had a lot to sort out, as there were years of anger, misunderstanding, and regret to unpack. But, like Wade said, it had been a rough start. Dawn hoped the next week, they’d spend more time together and try to get to a point where they could put it behind them. She stifled a yawn before turning and walking back into her room. Dawn looked at her open balcony door, and while she loved sleeping with the cool breeze blowing in the salty sea air, she was nervous about leaving it open. Dawn pulled it closed and locked it. She then went around the suite, ensuring every window and door to the outside was locked, bolted, and security chained.
Dawn was now officially paranoid about safety. As she crawled onto her bed, preparing to sleep, her mind flashed back to the previous night. It had started out so perfect on her date with Liam, Harper, and Lila at the ice rink. Only to walk back into the hotel and step into a scene that felt like one of the movie scripts she’d written… Her eyes sprang open to the view of the white roof above her. Dawn’s mind was whirling.
“Why didn’t I see this before?” Dawn was off the bed and hurrying to get dressed in a flash.
After pulling her hair back, she went to the closet and pulled her journal from the safe. Dawn climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged; she went through her journal to the pages marked, The Ghosts of Eve . The book Dawn had been writing was based on most of her life and an adventure one evening that leads Eve, the main female character, to her true love, Jack.
As she went through her plot points, her brow furrowed, and her eyes widened. Dawn, journal in hand, jumped off her bed and rushed through the living room. Her eyes scanned the dining table where she usually sat and wrote. It wasn’t there. She opened the balcony door and looked at the table, but there was nothing there either. Dawn tore through the suite, going through her room and Harper’s room, until she eventually stood in the middle of the living room. A cold feeling laced through her—her laptop was gone.
The last time she’d used it was two nights ago with Liam. Dawn’s full manuscript was on there. She swallowed and rubbed her eyes. Luckily, the work for the studios she worked for was saved onto the cloud and not her laptop. They were heavily encrypted. But her own personal work wasn’t—Scott was going to have a field day with this. Dawn could hear him now. But that was the least of her worries. Someone had turned Dawn’s life into the plot of her book—and that was bad! Not only did it mean that now everyone was going to know how Dawn secretly felt about Liam, but this was only the beginning of what was in store for them if whoever was doing this was following Dawn’s plot.
While on paper, a brush with death held the reader in suspense, you could always get the character out of that tight spot. Real life didn’t work that way, and that’s why in the movies, there were safety precautions and trained professional stunt people. There were no stunt people to step in for her or Liam. Her eyes widened even more—or Lila and Harper.
“Oh no!” Dawn’s heart started pounding in her chest so hard she was sure it was going to crack a rib.
She looked at her journal and the door to her suite. Everything that was going on here was Dawn’s fault. She was torn about going to Liam. He’d been dragged into her family’s drama enough recently. Liam had also told her he was going home for a few hours of sleep. But this was also important, and Dawn needed help. She turned toward the wall that separated her and Wade. He could help her. Wade was excellent with computers and could maybe even locate it for her. Scott had put whatever it was he put and enabled on her laptop, in case it ever got stolen. If Wade could locate her computer, then they’d be able to find out who was trying to direct her life at the moment.
That way, they may be able to stop whatever was going on before the phantom director got to the next chapter in her book, and they’d catch whoever was doing all this.
“Let’s hope this works, Dawn,” Dawn muttered, getting her phone and room card key before hurrying to her brother’s room next door.
Dawn was surprised when it only took three knocks for Wade to answer the door.
“I thought you were sleeping?” Dawn said to him.
Dawn hesitated at the doorway, taken aback by Wade’s appearance. His usually vibrant eyes were dulled, shielded beneath dark, bruised-like circles that spoke of pain rather than fatigue. His skin was an unnatural shade of pale, almost ghostly, contrasting sharply against the stark shadows under his eyes.
“I thought you were, too,” Wade answered.
“Are you okay?” Dawn asked, concerned.
“Just a slight headache,” Wade said with a shrug.
The forced smile he mustered did little to mask the glassiness of his gaze, a clear sign of his discomfort and the strain he was attempting to conceal.
“You don’t look okay,” Dawn told him, her eyes not leaving his face.
“Just tired but unable to sleep,” Wade said, stepping aside so she could enter. “Come in.” He waited for her to enter and closed the door. “Do you want some coffee? I was just about to make some.”
“Is that wise?” Dawn asked, concerned for her brother. “Don’t you have some herbal tea?”
Wade shuddered. “You know how I feel about that stuff. It’s like drinking boiled grass.”
Dawn sighed. “I’ve told you to try it with some honey.”
“You know I don’t like honey either,” Wade reminded her. “Coffee?”
“How about we have some water instead?” Dawn replied. “Liam’s chef has his own infused waters in the refrigerator.” She went to the one in Wade’s kitchenette and looked inside. “Oh look, berry bliss.” She pulled it out and handed it to him. “Here, and step away from the coffee.”
“Fine,” Wade said, stopping the coffee-making process and taking the bottle of water from her. “As long as it will stop you nagging me.”
“Thank you,” Dawn said with a smile. “What did the doctor prescribe for your headache?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t really look at them,” Wade said, nodding toward the dining table before taking a seat on the sofa and opening the water. “Your boyfriend insisted on stopping and getting the stuff on the way back to the hotel.”
“Liam isn’t my boyfriend,” Dawn told him once again before moving toward the table and picking up the bottle of pills.
“Did you come to check up on me?” Wade asked, taking a sip of the water while watching her. “Or did you need something?”
“No, just checking up on you,” Dawn said absently as she read the label on the pills. “Wade, you need to take these.” She walked toward him. “It says for pain and inflammation.”
“I’m fine,” Wade told her. “You know I don’t take pain medication.”
Dawn shook her head in frustration before demanding and shoving the bottle at him. “Take two as instructed, now.”
“No!” Wade said stubbornly, shaking his head, then wincing. “I’m not taking pain pills.”
“The doctor prescribed ibuprofen,” Dawn corrected firmly, shaking the bottle slightly as if to emphasize her point. “It’s not like the opioids mom took, Wade. It’s an NSAID — it reduces inflammation, and it’s non-addictive. It’s safe, and it will help with the swelling inside, not just the pain.”
Wade eyed the bottle warily but saw the resolve in Dawn’s posture. Resigned, he finally acquiesced. He reached out and took the bottle.
“Fine,” Wade said through gritted teeth. “If it will make you stop lording over me like a prison guard.”
“I’m not stupid, Wade, and I know when you’re in pain,” Dawn pointed out. “You’re not as good at hiding it as you think you are.”
Dawn watched as Wade took two of the pills and handed her the bottle.
“Open up,” Dawn ordered once Wade had drunk them down.
“Are you kidding me?” Wade looked at her in disbelief. “I’m not eight. I took the darn pills.”
“Humor me then,” Dawn told him. “Oh, and open your fist.”
“Good grief!” Wade grumbled, opening his fist and mouth. “Satisfied.”
“Yes.” Dawn nodded. “But know that I’m going to check the sofa and any hiding places,” she teased. “You forget, I know all your tricks.”
“I promise I took the tablets,” Wade said, pinching his eyes shut. “I think I’m going to try to get some sleep again.”
He stood and wobbled. Dawn reached out to grab him. “Whoa there.”
“I’m fine, I just stood up too fast,” Wade told her.
“Clearly, you’re not fine,” Dawn pointed out worriedly. “And I’m guessing you should’ve stayed at the clinic overnight for observation.”
“Just a formality,” Wade waved it off as Dawn helped him to bed. “I’m better off here.”
“Okay, but I’m going to take your key card so I can come back and check on you,” Dawn told him.
Wade nodded. “Sure.”
Dawn helped him lie down and pulled the covers over him, sitting beside him. “I’m worried about you, Wade.” Her voice was soft.
“I’m okay,” Wade tried to assure her. “I just need some rest.”
Dawn kissed his brow and smoothed his hair. “You do that, and I’ll come check on you in an hour.”
Wade nodded and drifted off to sleep. Dawn watched him for a few seconds before gently kissing his brow once again. She pulled the drapes closed and tiptoed from the bedroom, leaving Wade’s bedroom door slightly ajar before retrieving her journal from the table. Dawn stood chewing her bottom lip in contemplation.
“Now what?” Dawn mumbled. “Wade needs to rest as well.”
Her eyes fell on the folders on Wade’s table. They were his crew members’ folders with their names on each folder. The one that caught her eyes was the crew member she’d recently been stranded with, Ben. Dawn knocked on Ben’s door, but there was no answer. She wondered if he was asleep and decided to go to the reception and leave a message for him as Dawn didn’t want to wake him.
When the elevator dinged and she stepped out, the first thing that caught her attention was the big black dog that Donna, who was on front desk duty, was walking around on a leash.
“Hicks!” Dawn called without thinking.
“Hicks, no!” Donna tried to command.
As soon as Hicks saw Dawn, he yanked himself loose from Donna’s grip with such force that she stumbled backward. Hicks flew at Dawn, barking excitedly before pouncing when he reached her. Dawn’s slight build was no match for a full-grown cane corso, and she was knocked backward. Before she hit the floor, a pair of strong arms grabbed her.
“Whoa!” Ben’s voice reverberated in her ear. “Sit!” he told the over-excited Hicks, and the big dog instantly sat watching them curiously.
Ben let Dawn go, and she straightened. “Thank you, Ben.”
“Sure,” Ben said, bending down and scooping up her journal that had hit the floor. “Here you go.”
She took it from him. “I was just about to leave a message for you.”
“Oh?” Ben looked at her surprised as he patted Hicks.
“Yeah, can we go somewhere and talk?” Dawn glanced around.
“Sure,” Ben said, bending to pick up Hicks’s leash. “What do you want to do with him?”
“Donna,” Dawn called around him, “I’ll take Hicks with me.”
“Thank goodness!” Donna sighed in relief. “I wasn’t too sure I could keep him much longer until Liam got back from Boston.”
“What?” Dawn and Ben said in unison, turning to stare at Donna.
Here, eyes widened in despair. “Shoot. I wasn’t supposed to say anything. Please don’t let him know I told you.”
“Why did he go to Boston, and why doesn’t he want anyone to know?” Dawn’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“I don’t know,” Donna said, stepping behind the reception desk as if it were a shield. “I’m sorry. He didn’t say.” She glanced down at the desk. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.”
“Do you want to take a tour of Alex’s new yacht?” Ben asked her.
“Yeah… no!” Dawn shook her head. “I don’t know how you managed to work some magic earlier by relieving me of my nausea.” She glanced toward the extensive windows in the sitting area. “But I’m not going to change it.”
“Then let’s go for a walk there, and we can chat,” Ben said. “There’s no one around, and the crew are all out and about in Newbury Port today.”
“Okay,” Dawn said. “Some fresh air would be great.”
They walked through the sitting area and out onto the path that led to the jetty.
“Oh, do you have a laptop?” Dawn asked him.
“Yeah, on the boat,” Ben replied. “Why?”
“How good are you on it?” Dawn asked.
“As good as your brother.” Ben eyed her suspiciously. “Are we hacking into something?”
“Sort of,” Dawn told him. “I’ll explain when I’m sure there’s no ears around.”
“Can you give me a clue?” Ben glanced around. “There’s no one around us.”
Dawn sighed and told Ben that everything that had happened was similar to the plot of a book she’d written.
“Really?” Ben said as they stopped on the jetty, wedged between two superyachts. “What if no one’s doing this, and you’re some magic storyteller whose books have come to life,” he teased.
Dawn sighed. “If you’re not going to take this seriously, I’ll do it on my own.”
“Of course, I’m taking this seriously,” Ben assured her. “I was just trying to make you smile because I can see how it’s upsetting you.”
“Sorry,” Dawn said, shaking her head. “I guess I’m tense. I’m worried about Wade. He doesn’t look too good and…” She swallowed. “I’m worried about the phantom director starting the next chapter of my book.”
“Phantom director?” Ben frowned.
“That’s what I’m calling whoever’s behind this,” Dawn told Ben. “I feel like they’re directing the course of my life right now.”
“Yeah, I like that name,” Ben said, his frown deepened. “How’s Wade?”
“His head is hurting him,” Dawn said. “I forced him to take the pills the doctor gave him, then put him to bed.”
“Then you’re right to worry.” Ben’s eyes flashed with concern. “Wade never takes medication.”
“I know.” Dawn nodded and glanced at Ben’s wristwatch. “You got your watch back?”
“No.” Ben shook his head. “It’s evidence. This is one I bought to do sports with.”
“Can you let me know when an hour is up?” Dawn asked. “I want to go check on Wade.”
“I’ll come with you,” Ben said. “You may need to move him.” He grinned. “And I don’t think you’re going to be able to move the giant on your own.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Dawn said gratefully and held up her wrist. “Mine’s evidence, too.”
“I’m surprised you got your journal back,” Ben said, pointing to it.
“I didn’t give it to the police,” Dawn confessed. “I gave them the one Liam gave me from the hotel.”
“Dawn!” Ben looked at her with a big grin. “Did you hand in false evidence?”
“Don’t put it like that!” Dawn pulled a face at him. “I needed my journal as that person who took Carl said they left me something extra.”
“And you think there’s a clue or something in your journal?” Ben asked.
“At first, yes,” Dawn said. “Now I’m thinking they may have added to my manuscript.”
“Do you mean writing in something extra and sinister?” Ben frowned.
“Or worse, writing the ending.” Dawn’s voice dropped.
“What kind of book did you write?” Ben’s eyes widened.
“A mystery, adventure, romance type book with hints of the supernatural,” Dawn told him.
“Awesome,” Ben said. “Want to tell me about it?”
“Not really,” Dawn admitted. “But I’d rather tell you than everyone else.”
“Why?” Ben’s one eyebrow rose. “You said the story was loosely based on your life.” His eyes searched hers. “Mmm.” He rubbed her chin. “Can I take a guess as to who the main male character is based on?”
“If you want me to push you off the jetty,” Dawn threatened him.
“You don’t have to say the name,” Ben was unphased by her threat. “Just nod.” He grinned. “Is it perhaps a handsome, enigmatic hotel owner?”
“I’m not answering,” Dawn told him with a glare.
“Huh!” Ben said. “Can you give a brief outline of the book?”
“Yes.” Dawn hesitated, choosing her words carefully as she tried to explain the premise of her book to Ben. “It’s a bit of a thriller mixed with some mystery,” she began, her eyes brightening with the enthusiasm of sharing her creation. “The protagonist, Eve, is a former FBI agent turned author. She worked for a clandestine division of the FBI, handling cases that were, well, out of the ordinary—almost supernatural in nature.”
Ben leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. “Intriguing, go on.”
Dawn continued. “Eve’s last case was so harrowing it left her with PTSD. She leaves the agency and tries to reinvent herself as a full-time author, but she’s haunted not just by her past but also by a severe writer’s block.”
“Eve retreats to this quaint seaside town, hoping the change of scenery will spark her creativity,” Ben guessed.
“Exactly.” Dawn nodded, her hands gesturing as if to weave the tale in the air between them. “Eve checks into this historic hotel, run by a charming and enigmatic single father. The place is steeped in history, and locals whisper about it being haunted.”
Ben chuckled. “Let me guess, she doesn’t believe in ghosts?”
“No, she works for the FBI,” Dawn pointed out. “Her whole job was to disprove that notion.”
“Didn’t Scully and Mulder work for the FBI too?” Ben reminded her by referring to the iconic X-Files.
“Different division.” Dawn rolled her eyes. “But then, things start happening. Odd things. Items disappear, doors close on their own, and Eve begins to feel like she’s not alone. At first, they think it’s all the matchmaking antics of the hotel owner’s daughter and Eve’s visiting niece, but it sets the stage for something bigger.”
“And I have the feeling there’s a big twist?” Ben leaned forward, drawn into the story.
Dawn’s expression sobered. “The real twist comes when elements from Eve’s last FBI case start surfacing. See, during her final investigation, she was given something—a mysterious artifact, supposedly for safekeeping. Her first book, which was a fictionalized account of some of her cases, hinted at its existence. Now, someone believes Eve actually has it. They think it’s hidden somewhere in the hotel.”
Before she could continue, her phone rang. Pulling it out of her pocket, frowning when she saw it was a blocked number.
“Miss Vanderbilt?” a female voice purred from the other side.
“Yes?” Dawn’s frown deepened. “Can I help you?”
“This is Kelly Peters,” the woman introduced herself. “I’m phoning about my grandmother’s cat.”
“If you’re phoning to find out how he is,” Dawn told her, “I’m waiting for the vet to give me an update after Tiger’s check-up today.”
“Is Tiger at the vet?” Kelly asked.
“Yes,” Dawn said.
“Has the vet mentioned when we’ll be able to take him home?” Kelly asked. “We’re eager to get him settled in his new environment.”
Yeah, and get the cool three million that comes with him, I bet! Dawn thought. “You’ll have to discuss that with him, I’m afraid. The vet asked me to tell you to please refer all questions about Tiger to him or your grandmother’s attorney.”
“Did he now?” Kelly hissed. “Well, thank you for your time, Miss Vanderbilt, and for taking such good care of Tiger.”
“It’s not a problem,” Dawn assured her. “If you call Chris Nicol, Tiger’s vet, I’m sure he’ll answer all your questions.”
“I will do that,” Kelly said. “Good day, Miss Vanderbilt.”
“Bye,” Dawn said.
Her brow creased tightly as she tried to place Kelly. Dawn was sure she’d heard the woman’s distinct, slightly raspy voice before.
“Who was that?” Ben asked curiously.
“Kelly Peters,” Dawn answered and gave him a quick overview of what that was all about.
“A three million dollar cat!” Ben shook his head. “No wonder they want it back.”
“Yeah, but the vet and the late Mrs. Peters’s attorney are trying to get me full custody of Tiger,” Dawn told him.
“I’m glad,” Ben said. “I hate people who don’t look after animals, and poor Tiger won’t stand a chance if he’s just a means to getting a fortune.”
“I agree,” Dawn said.
Before she could say more, Hicks’s head shot around to look at the smaller of the superyachts. His hair stood on end, and a low growl rolled through his throat before he took off toward the boat barking. Hicks bumped Dawn, who dropped her journal.
Dawn and Ben were about to rush after him when Ben suddenly hit the side of his neck.
“What the…” Ben hissed, his eyes meeting Dawn before he crumpled to the deck.
“Ben!” Dawn breathed in alarm, dropping onto her knees to try to help him. “What happened?”
“Neck…” Ben’s voice was labored.
Dawn’s heart pounded as she thought he was having a stroke or heart attack as he couldn’t seem to move. She looked at his neck in disbelief when she saw a small dart. Dawn quickly pulled it out as her phone beeped. Dawn ignored it but took her phone out to call the emergency services when she saw the message that had just beeped through.
A message appeared on it that made her blood run cold and her heart feel like it stopped for a few seconds:
Time is ticking. You have two minutes to decide: Board the boat to save two teenage girls or stay with your new friend, who’s been struck by the real Luminotoxin, not a mimic. This might help you decide—the yacht is set to explode if you don’t board within two minutes, while your new friend has at least another three to four hours of excruciating pain he can’t do anything about because he can’t move.
Choose wisely. Remember, every second counts.
Tick-tock!
“Ben, keep this dart,” Dawn’s hands shook as she knelt down and put the dart in his hands. His eyes sought hers. She read him the message. “I’ll call emergency services, but I have to get on that boat. I think Harper and Lila are on it.”
“No.” Ben tried to reach out to her, but he couldn’t. “Pocket.”
“You don’t have pockets?” Dawn frowned, aware that the time was ticking down. And then she saw his shirt. She pulled out a sheet of pills. “Your seasick pills?”
“Yes…” Ben was really struggling to talk. “Go. Hicks.”
Dawn nodded and stood up as the powerful engines of the boat roared to life. Her eyes widened, and Hick rushed toward them, now frantic.
“Hicks, get help!” Dawn said, not knowing if he even knew what that was. “Or stay. Get help.” Her mind was too distracted by the boat. “Ben, I have to go.”
“Go.” Ben’s voice was barely a whisper.
Dawn hit 9-1-1 on her phone and put it in Ben’s hands before rushing toward the boat. She was so intent on grabbing onto the side to pull herself up on the ladder that dangled over the edge she didn’t notice Hicks take off toward the hotel. Dawn had never done anything like this in her life, but her character in the Ghosts of Eve had. Dawn managed to pull herself onto the deck as the powerful boat took off. With shaky hands, Dawn popped one of the seasick pills and headed for the cockpit.
Whoever was driving, sailing, steering, or whatever the term was used, they must have the teens in the cockpit. If that was the case, they’d know she was on the boat now. Dawn glanced up but couldn’t see who was in there. She made her way to the cockpit, stopping on the top deck to look around for a weapon. Dawn’s eyes fell on a fish hook on the end of a pole that was stuck to the wall on a hook. She grabbed it before stealthily moving up to the cockpit door and yanking it open.
Dawn jumped into the cockpit, a fish hook in hand, like a sumo wrestler jumping into the ring, complete with bent knees. Her eyes widened when she saw there was no one steering the boat, but before she could ponder it, Dawn’s attention was caught by hysterical cries.
“Aunt Dawn!” Harper’s cry mingled with Lila’s. “Dawn.”
The teens rushed toward her and engulfed her in a hug.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” Dawn said, dropping the hook to enfold the two petrified teens.
“We came to get you and Liam,” Harper said, her eyes filled with tears. “All we wanted was to have a family picnic.”
“We were on our way to your room when we couldn’t find my dad,” Lila continued.
“Suddenly, everything went dark around us, and we woke up here,” Harper told her.
“There was a man in a ski mask,” Lila said. “He.. he had a gun.”
“And he was all in dark green,” Harper said. “Like the color of the lobby wall.”
“The woman was in white.” Lila and Harper were speaking so fast that the words tumbled out and over each other.
“Let’s calm down and take some breaths,” Dawn told them. “Where did they go?”
“They said we must sit there, and if we didn’t, they would kill you,” Harper answered.
“Then they started the boat and set something on the console before they left, and we sat her waiting,” Lila’s voice came out in hiccups and gulps as tears rolled down her cheeks. “We’re so sorry, Dawn.”
“Hey,” Dawn said. “This isn’t your fault.” She told them. “Now, we need to get off the boat and fast.” She had a terrible feeling about this.
“How?” Harper said.
“There must be a dinghy on this yacht.” Lila sniffed. “Alex once told me all superyachts have them.”
“He’s right,” Dawn agreed with her. “Let’s just hope that whoever’s boat this is has one.”
“The dinghies are usually at the back of the boat.” Lila wiped her cheeks. “Near the back where that flat board is.” She pointed down to the back of the boat. “There.”
“Let’s get there and see if we can find one,” Dawn said.
“There,” Harper said. “I’m sure that’s the one I saw them trying to throw off the boat?”
“How did you see that?” Dawn asked.
“Uh…” Harper and Lila looked at each other. “We were going to try and escape as they didn’t tie us up.”
“We were going to jump into the sea and swim,” Lila told her their plans. They looked at each other nervously. “But as we snuck out we saw the two people who’d brought us in here fight with a duck man. We didn’t know what happened after that. There was a splash, we heard footsteps, and rushed back into the cockpit.”
“So the two of you were trying to escape?” Dawn gaped at the brave teens.
“Maybe we should escape now, because none of us know how to steer this thing,” Lila suggested.
“And you can yell later.” Harper frowned. “The dinghy even has a motor.” She changed the subject as they rushed toward the small craft that would become their life raft.
“That’ll do,” Dawn said, breathing a sigh of relief although she wasn’t quite sure what to do with the thing. She was sure they’d figure it out. “Come on. We can do this.”
“Do you know how to use a dinghy, Aunt Dawn?” Harper asked as the three of them went to the lower deck near the swim platform.
“I guess we’re going to find out,” Dawn said with a tight smile. “Ready?”
Lila and Harper nodded. They helped Dawn push the heavy dinghy into the water. Dawn held the ropes while the girls jumped in.
“Here goes nothing,” Dawn muttered before jumping onto the smaller vessel.
She was about to attempt to figure out how to start the motor when Lila took charge of that.
“Uncle Finn taught me,” Lila said. “I guess we can go back in the direction we came from?”
“We couldn’t be that far from the shore,” Dawn said, trying to estimate how long they’d been on the water.
“The boat seemed to be going quite fast,” Harper pointed out.
They all turned and stared in disbelief as the yacht seemed to pick up speed on its own.
“Can we go any faster?” Dawn asked, swapping places with Lila to steer the dinghy back the way they came. At least the way she thought they came.
The superyacht sailed into the distance, and Dawn, Harper, and Lila went in the opposite direction. They were on the dinghy for about ten minutes when the sound of the explosion ripped through the air, and all three of them turned to stare in horror as the superyacht was engulfed in flames.