Chapter 2
“What are you doing?” Ronni, Morgan’s friend and Locke Pointe Bed-and-Breakfast’s manager, leaned over her shoulder. “You haven’t stopped staring at the computer screen since you sat down.”
“I’m searching for someone…or in this case, someones.” Morgan returned to the top of Easton Island Public School’s student list and began studying each photo. “A boy and a girl who are older than Tristan.”
“Because?”
She filled Ronni in. “I think he’s being picked on.”
“Kids can be so cruel.”
Morgan finally gave up and leaned back in her chair. “I can’t find them.”
“Have you talked to Brett?”
“I will when he gets home. I figured it was a conversation we needed to have in person.”
“Tough stuff,” Ronni sighed. “Hopefully, you'll get it sorted out.”
“On a brighter note, what time is Jax picking you up to whisk you away for your romantic getaway?”
“He should be here any minute.”
“You still don’t have a clue where he’s taking you?”
Ronni shook her head. “Nope. He told me to pack warm clothes along with some lighter stuff and bug spray.”
Morgan grinned. “Bug spray? Are you going camping?”
“I hope not. I’m more of a glamping kinda girl.”
“You and me both. I mean, I would try camping, but to be honest, I prefer my creature comforts.”
“Same here.”
Tina, the bed-and-breakfast’s cook, appeared in the doorway. “Jax is here.”
“Oh, good.” Ronni snatched her purse off the desk. “I’ll text you a picture to let you know where we end up.”
Morgan trailed behind, following her friend down the hall to the front entrance where Jax, Easton Estate’s handyman/caretaker, stood waiting.
“Is this your bag?” He tapped the top of the handle. “I thought there would be more.”
Ronni’s brows furrowed. “Did I underpack?” She rattled off a list of items that were inside.
“It should be okay. We’ll only be gone for a couple of days. Storage space is tight on those island hopper planes, so it’s probably better to pack light.” Jax steered the carry-on to the door and stepped over the threshold.
“Have fun,” Morgan said. “Don’t forget to send me a pic when you get a chance.”
“Will do,” Ronni called over her shoulder, following the man who had, for decades, been her archenemy until last fall when both finally came to their senses, admitted they were attracted to each other, and started dating.
Morgan had been mildly disappointed when Ronni’s birthday had come and gone and no marriage proposal had been forthcoming. She reminded herself it had taken eons for them to admit their feelings for each other. It could be another lifetime before the two were ready to tie the knot.
Either way, she was thrilled to see their relationship thriving, not unlike her relationship with Wyatt Dawson, her handsome, hunky boyfriend.
Returning to her office, Morgan clicked out of the school’s roster and clicked on a saved site tab, one she checked every single day after finding out her ex-husband, Jason, had been released from prison.
Fed up with worrying and constantly looking over her shoulder, Morgan had hired an investigator from Florida who offered to keep an eye on Jason for a reasonable fee, to confirm he was still over a thousand miles away.
The new report sat in her mailbox. Morgan opened the message, letting out a sigh of relief when he let her know Jason was still in Fort Myers. She started to delete it when she noticed he’d included an attachment.
Curious to find out what it was, she clicked on the link. There, as plain as day, was her ex-husband, standing next to a private plane, a two-seater from what she could tell, talking to a man. She zoomed in on the hangar’s sign in the background, Coastal Aviation.
Morgan promptly dialed the investigator’s number.
“Hello, Morgan.”
“Hey, Ted. I got your email. Thanks for checking in.”
“Did you open the attachment?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I happened to catch Mr. Greer leaving his apartment and decided to follow him. This is where he ended up.”
“At Coastal Aviation.”
“In Fort Myers. He and the man he was talking to climbed into the plane. They sat there for a while so I finally left.”
Morgan’s heart hammered in her chest. “Was he flying or riding?”
“I couldn’t tell. I thought you would be interested.”
“Very. Thank you. Do I owe you extra?”
“Nah. It wasn’t out of my way. I guess the PI in me was curious.”
“Well, I appreciate it.” Morgan thanked him again. As soon as she hung up, she scrolled through her contact list and dialed a second number.
“Hey, beautiful.” Wyatt’s husky voice echoed.
“Hey, Wyatt. How is your day?”
“Better now that I’m talking to you.”
“I wish I could say the same.”
He sobered. “What’s going on?”
“Ted sent his report.”
“Jason left Florida?”
“He’s still in Fort Myers, hanging out at Coastal Aviation.”
The line went quiet…so quiet Morgan thought their call had been disconnected. “Wyatt?”
“I’m here. Jason is flying planes?”
“I’m not sure. He couldn’t tell. Is there any way you can check? There must be some sort of aviation database out there.”
“I can’t, but I know someone who can.”
“Denver,” Morgan and Wyatt said in unison.
“You’re right. I’ll give him a call.” She glanced at the clock. “Better yet, I’ll swing by the airport to get the information firsthand.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do.” Morgan hung up, grabbed her jacket and keys, and trekked to her SUV. During the drive, the image of Jason casually leaning against the plane, smiling as if he didn’t have a care in the world, lingered.
And why wouldn’t he be smiling and happy? The man was free as a bird when he should be sitting in prison, serving time for drug trafficking, not to mention kidnapping her.
Easton Island Airport’s parking lot was half full, which meant she easily found a parking spot near the main entrance. Down the sidewalk and through the double doors she went.
Morgan veered left, making her way to the airport’s offices. She checked in at the receptionist’s desk and discovered Denver Coates, an Easton family friend who was also the airport’s manager, was in his office.
After a quick announcement of her arrival, Morgan made her way to the back. She found Denver’s door partially open and gave it a light rap.
“Morgan. Come in.” Denver, a wide smile on his face, sprang from his chair. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” She dropped her purse on the floor and took an empty seat across from him. “I need a favor, and I’m hoping you can help.”
“What is it?”
“This.” Morgan pulled up the email from Ted, clicked on the attachment and handed Denver her phone.
His expression grew grim. “Jason is flying planes?”
“Maybe. Wyatt and I thought there might be a database you could check to find out if he’s gotten a pilot’s license.”
“There is.” Denver handed her phone back and reached for his mouse. “I’m assuming Coastal Aviation is in Florida.”
“In Fort Myers.”
Denver’s attention grew focused. “I have several steps to go through, so be patient.”
“Take your time.” Morgan absentmindedly tapped her foot on the floor, praying it was a fluke, that Jason was merely killing time, flying around with a buddy.
“Almost there.” Denver’s keyboard clicking slowed and then stopped. “Jason Greer is your ex’s name.”
“Correct. G-R-E-E-R.” Morgan studied his face, trying to gauge his reaction to whatever was showing up on the screen. “You found Coastal Aviation?”
“I did.”
She braced herself. “What about Jason?”
Denver made an unhappy sound. “I have some good news and some bad news. Which would you like first?”