Chapter 17
“She’s back.” Grace’s cryptic message popped up the next morning while Morgan was planning her day and wondering if there was any word on Jason’s whereabouts.
So far, the private investigator Jax had hired hadn’t been able to locate Jason, and with each passing hour her concern grew. He could be anywhere…even on Easton Island.
Although Denver promised to keep tabs on passengers arriving on incoming flights and Captain Davey assured her he would do the same for people traveling over from the mainland, she couldn’t shake the feeling that if Jason wanted to stay off the radar, he would and could.
What was the saying? If there’s a will, there’s a way. And Jason definitely had a will—aka ill will toward his former wife. Despite being safe at Wyatt’s place, Morgan had tossed and turned with disturbing dreams about being chased—not Jason per se, but in the back of her mind, she knew it was him.
Morgan texted her friend back: Hailey has returned to Easton Island?
Grace: Yes. I’ve called Grady. He asked me to stall her to make sure she doesn’t leave until he gets here.
Morgan: Any sign of Greg?
Ever since Grady had shown up on Locke Pointe’s doorstep looking for Hailey, Greg had seemed distracted. No doubt he was anxious and worried about his girlfriend, and for good reason. He had sent a message to Hailey with no response. Zero. Zip. Zilch.
Grace: Not yet, but I’ve seen him lurking around. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out.
Morgan: I’m on my way.
She promptly dropped her phone into her sling bag, grabbed her jacket and hustled to the door.
Chester, who had been napping under the table, scrambled to his feet.
“You want to go see Grace?” Morgan ushered the pup out of the house, making the shortest trek possible to her SUV. Wyatt insisted that she park her vehicle close to the house, offering a quick escape if Jason happened to show up.
During her drive from Easton Harbor to Lilac Inn, Morgan wondered what Hailey had told Grace, why she had suddenly gone silent, not responding to texts or telephone calls.
Arriving at Locke Pointe, Morgan noticed there was no sign of Grady or his Easton Harbor patrol car. She swung the door open, waiting for Chester to trample across her lap and leap onto the ground. “Let’s go to Grace’s.”
The pup veered left, across the parking lot to the inn’s rear entrance. As they drew closer, she glimpsed shadowy figures moving around in the kitchen.
Morgan gave the door a light rap.
Grace appeared moments later. “Good morning, Morgan.” Her eyes slid to the side. “What…um…a surprise.”
“I…uh…thought I would stop by to see if you needed Greg to shovel your sidewalk,” she fibbed.
“Oh, yes. I’ve been meaning to call him. Whenever he has a free moment, that would be great. Come in.”
Morgan trailed behind Grace, up the steps and into the kitchen. Hailey sat at the bar, a tense look on her face. She offered Morgan a tentative smile.
“Hello, Hailey. Happy New Year.”
“Thanks. Same to you.”
“Did you enjoy your time off?” Morgan asked.
Hailey mumbled a reply and slid off the barstool. “I should change into my work uniform and start my shift.”
“Hang on.” Grace reached out to stop her. “Would you like to grab a bite to eat? We have some leftovers from breakfast.”
“Thank you for the offer. I’m not hungry.”
Morgan shifted to the right, inadvertently blocking Hailey’s escape. “Have you seen Greg? I know he missed you while you were gone.”
“No. I…just got back. I dropped my aunt off at home and came right here.”
Ding. Ding.
“I wonder who that could be. I’ll be right back.” Grace hurried out of the room.
“I should go,” Hailey said.
Morgan reluctantly moved out of her way.
The back door creaked open. Greg stepped into the kitchen, a look of surprise flitting across his face when he noticed his boss standing there. “Good morning, Morgan.”
“Hello, Greg.” She shifted to the side, giving him a clear view of the room’s other occupant.
“H-Hailey,” he stammered. “I thought I saw your car earlier. Did you just get back?”
“Only a few minutes ago.” Hailey clasped her hands, appearing more than a little uncomfortable. “I…I got your messages. I was having trouble with my cell phone and had to have it repaired. I was going to call you.”
“It’s okay. I understand. I was just worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry.” She pasted a bright smile on her face. “It’s fixed now.”
An uneasy silence ensued as the trio stood staring at each other.
Fast steps echoed. Grace, with a uniformed Grady by her side, strode into the kitchen.
Hailey made a choking sound. “Mr. MacDonald.”
“Hello, Hailey.” He gave a curt nod to Morgan and Greg, acknowledging their presence. “I left a message for you on your cell phone two days ago.”
The young woman shrank back, giving Grady a deer-in-the-headlights look. “My cell phone wasn’t working. I had to have it repaired.”
“Did you get my message?”
“Y-yes, but only a few hours ago. I was going to contact you as soon as I got settled.”
“I have a few questions I would like to ask you.”
“I-I’m supposed to be working,” she stammered
“Speaking with Mr. MacDonald takes precedence,” Grace said. “You can chat privately in the parlor.”
Hailey shuffled behind Grace and Grady, following them out of the kitchen.
Morgan waited until they were gone. “She doesn’t look happy.”
“She looks scared.” Greg made a move to follow them.
Morgan stopped him. “I think it’s best if we wait here.”
“What if Hailey needs me?”
“Grady won’t hurt Hailey. He merely wants to talk to her.”
Greg started to pace. Back and forth. Back and forth.
Morgan could only imagine what was going through his mind. Hailey seemed to have an excuse for everything…why she hadn’t returned calls, why she hadn’t gone to the police station to see Grady when she first returned to Easton Island.
Grace tiptoed into the kitchen. “Hailey doesn’t seem to want to cooperate.”
“Like I told Morgan, she’s scared,” Greg said.
“Scared of what?” Morgan asked.
He ignored her question, or maybe he hadn’t heard. “Grady better not start harassing her. She didn’t do anything wrong.”
Morgan hoped he was right, but at this very moment, it wasn’t looking that way.