Chapter 52
chapter
fifty-two
A sharp knock at the office door cut through the quiet.
Millie’s pulse jumped, her body still on high alert from everything that had happened.
“It’s Sutherland,” a deep voice said on the other side of the wood.
Caleb opened the door, and the sheriff stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
His expression appeared grave as he turned toward him. “Sorry to bother you again. But there’s something I forgot to mention earlier. Something that might be relevant.”
Millie moved to stand beside Caleb.
Caleb’s shoulders visibly tightened. “What is it?”
Sutherland pulled out his notebook. “After we processed Garrick Anderson, I got to thinking about the PI—Ed Lowen. Out of curiosity, I had one of my deputies pull the visitor logs from the prison where Richard’s being held.
The PI did have a visit with him there. And we believe the drone was owned by Mr. Lowen. ”
“Makes sense, I guess.”
Sutherland swallowed hard before continuing. “We also discovered that Richard has had regular visits from someone else ever since he was incarcerated. Every Tuesday—except for the past month. Same visitor each time.”
Millie’s heart began to pound as she waited for him to continue.
“The visitor signed in as Melissa Sutton,” Sutherland continued. “The description from the guards is pretty specific. Young woman, early twenties. Blonde hair. Pregnant.”
Millie’s knees went weak, and she gripped the back of the nearest chair to steady herself.
That sounded like . . . Sissy.
“Do you have security footage from the prison?” Caleb’s voice cut through Millie’s spiraling thoughts. “Can you confirm it’s Sissy?”
“We’re pulling it now. But based on the timing and description . . . ” Sutherland’s expression was grim. “I think we need to consider the possibility that your guest has been visiting Richard Harding. Regularly.”
Millie’s mind raced through every interaction she’d had with Sissy. Every conversation. Every moment.
Had all that sweetness and naivety been an act?
“Why would she visit Richard?” Millie asked, though part of her already knew. “What’s her connection to him?”
“That’s what we need to find out.” The sheriff closed his notebook. “I’m going to have my people dig deeper into his background and see what we can find. In the meantime, I need you both to be careful. If she is working with Richard, we don’t know what her endgame is.”
“You think she’s dangerous?” Caleb asked.
“I think anyone connected to Richard Harding is potentially dangerous.” Sutherland’s gaze was steady. “He’s a manipulator. He uses people. And if he sent her here, it’s for a reason.”
“I can’t argue with that . . .” Caleb muttered.
The sheriff headed for the door, then paused. “Don’t confront her, not until we have more information. Just . . . keep an eye on her. And call me if anything else seems off.”
“Will do.” Caleb offered a firm nod.
After Sutherland left, silence filled the room.
Millie stood frozen, her mind still processing what he’d told her.
Sissy. Sweet, vulnerable, pregnant Sissy.
Could she really be working for Richard? And, if so, what was her endgame?
Caleb’s thoughts churned.
Sissy had been visiting Richard at the prison.
It couldn’t be a coincidence.
But what was the connection? Was Sissy somehow related to Richard? Was she working for him? Or was she another victim he’d manipulated?
The questions multiplied faster than he could process them.
Behind him, Millie paced the office, her arms wrapped tight around herself.
“This doesn’t make sense,” she said. “If Sissy’s working with Richard, why would she come to a shelter run by his deceased wife’s family? What would be the point?”
“Revenge.” The word came out flat, certain. “Richard blames us for taking the property. For testifying against him. For Sarah leaving him in the first place.”
“So he sends a pregnant woman to spy on you?”
“Or to sabotage us.” Caleb’s jaw tightened. “Think about it. The dogs getting loose. The cameras being disabled. Biscuit getting out of your room. What if all of that was Sissy?”
Millie stopped pacing. “But why? What does Richard get out of causing problems here?”
“He gets to watch us struggle. Watch the shelter fail. Watch us lose everything Sarah built.” Bitterness edged into his voice. “And if he can document problems—safety issues, security breaches—he might be able to use it in court. Claim the property should never have gone to us in the first place.”
Millie’s face went pale. “We need to search her room.”
“Millie—”
“We need to know what she’s doing here. What she’s been reporting back to Richard.” Millie moved toward the stairs. “Let me check her room while she’s still downstairs.”
“That’s too risky.” Caleb swung his head back and forth. “If she catches you—”
“It’s more suspicious if you go upstairs.” Millie pulled free, her expression determined. “I’m another guest. I can say I’m going to my room, and it won’t look strange.”
As much as he hated to admit it, she had a point.
“Fine,” he finally said. “I’ll keep her downstairs. I’ll say I need to ask her some questions about tonight—standard security protocol after an incident on the property.”
“How long can you keep her occupied?”
“Ten minutes. Fifteen at most before it starts getting weird.”
“That’s enough.” Millie was already moving toward the door. “If there’s something to find, I’ll find it.”
“Millie.” He caught her hand. “Be careful. And if you see anything that makes you feel unsafe—anything at all—you get out of there immediately.”
“I will.” She squeezed his hand once.
Then they both exited the office.
She turned from him and headed up the stairs, moving quietly.
Caleb watched her disappear down the hallway before turning back toward the kitchen.
He could hear Naomi’s voice, gentle and reassuring. Sissy’s softer responses.
They were two women having tea after a traumatic night.
But one of them was possibly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Caleb took a breath, steadied himself, and walked into the kitchen.