Chapter 6 Mitch #2
“Lori, I would do anything to ensure you, Tessa, Piper, and Ryan were safe,” he said, his voice intense. “And until we know otherwise, Sally could be the number one threat to that safety. I need to protect my family. I need to protect you and Tessa.”
“I know,” Lori said, her thumb rubbing small circles on the back of his hand. “I understand why we’re doing this. I just wish there was another way.”
Mitch took a sip of his iced tea, his throat suddenly dry. “Sally has a rather violent past,” he said carefully.
“Yes, you mentioned that,” Lori said. “She was the main suspect in her late ex-husband’s murder case.” She leaned forward, their hands still entwined on the table. “But she was exonerated. The evidence cleared her.”
“Lori, you saw that file,” Mitch reminded her. “That was a very shady verdict. The autopsy report changed. The investigation was suddenly shut down. She walked away with millions from the Lane family. None of that sits right with me.”
“I know,” Lori said, and he could see the conflict in her eyes. She was a good person, always wanting to see the best in others. “But she may not even be the one we’re looking for. We could be doing all of this to an innocent woman.”
“Lori...” Mitch moved his chair a little closer to hers and lowered his voice even more. “You didn’t see everything about Sally. There’s more in her past that Marcus found.”
Lori’s brows rose. “Oh?”
“When she was in high school, in her final year, she got expelled,” Mitch told her.
“Why?” Lori asked, her expression curious now rather than conflicted.
“She badly injured another girl,” Mitch said.
“Put her in the hospital. The official report said Sally showed ‘uncontrollable rage’ during the incident. The girl ended up with a severe head injury. She was unconscious when teachers found them in the bathroom. Sally was standing over her with blood on her hands.”
Lori’s face had gone pale. “Did she... was she charged?”
“The families settled it quietly,” Mitch said. “Sally was expelled but no criminal charges were filed. The other girl’s family was paid off. Sound familiar?”
Before Lori could respond, Marcus’s voice came through their earpieces, crisp and clear.
“Excuse me, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
That was the signal. Marcus had made contact.
Mitch and Lori both straightened slightly, focusing on the voices coming through their earpieces. They could hear Sally’s surprised gasp, followed by her dismayed cry.
“My latte! Oh no, it’s all over my shirt.”
“I’m so, so sorry,” Marcus said, his voice full of genuine-sounding remorse. “Please, let me buy you a new one. And I’ll pay for your dry cleaning. I really wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s all right,” Sally said, but she didn’t sound happy. “These things happen.”
“No, I insist,” Marcus said firmly. “Please. Let me at least replace your coffee. I feel terrible.”
There was a pause, and Mitch could picture Marcus turning on his full charm. That smile that made everyone trust him. Those warm, intelligent eyes that made people feel like they were the most interesting person in the world.
“Well... all right,” Sally said, her voice warming considerably. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“It’s the least I can do,” Marcus said. “After you.”
They could hear footsteps, the sound of a door opening, the sudden increase in ambient noise as they entered the coffee shop.
Mitch and Lori listened as Marcus ordered Sally a new latte and got himself a cappuccino.
He made small talk with the barista, complimented the shop, and asked about local recommendations.
Then the drinks were ready, and Marcus suggested they sit at one of the outdoor tables since it was such a beautiful morning.
“I’m Marcus Hayes, by the way,” he said once they were settled.
“Sally Lane,” Sally replied. “Are you visiting Nantucket?”
“I am,” Marcus said. “I’m here for a few weeks visiting an old friend. Mitch Brandon. Do you know him?”
There was a beat of silence. Mitch could imagine Sally’s expression changing, her interest sharpening.
“Yes, I know Mitch,” Sally said, and there was something in her voice that Mitch couldn’t quite identify. Warmth? Possessiveness? “We... well, we dated for a while. We met through my brother, who knows Mitch well.”
“Really?” Marcus said, sounding pleasantly surprised. “Small world.”
Sally laughed, the sound a bit forced. “Well, we’re not together anymore. Mitch and I... we just didn’t work out.”
“That is his loss,” Marcus said smoothly. “I think I could find a way to make it work with a person like you. You’re beautiful, forgiving, and have such kind eyes.”
They talked for a while longer. Marcus asked Sally about Nantucket, about what there was to do on the island, about how long she’d lived here. Sally opened up, clearly enjoying the attention from this handsome, charming stranger who knew Mitch and seemed genuinely interested in her.
Mitch had to hand it to Marcus. He was good at this. He knew exactly when to ask a question, when to share something about himself, when to laugh, and when to be serious. He was weaving a web, and Sally was walking right into it.
Twenty minutes passed. Mitch checked his watch. It was almost time for their part.
“This has been lovely,” Marcus said through the earpiece. “I hate to cut it short, but I should get going. I’m supposed to pick up some things for the barbecue we’re having tonight.” There was a pause. “And then I’m supposed to meet them back at the parking lot.”
“Barbecue?” Sally asked.
“Yes, Mitch is hosting. It’s just a casual thing with his neighbors, son, and granddaughter. I told him I’d handle dessert, so I need to find a good bakery.”
“There’s an excellent one just down the street,” Sally offered. “They make the most amazing pies.”
“Perfect,” Marcus said. “Would you... I know this is forward, but would you like to join us tonight? For the barbecue? I’m sure Mitch wouldn’t mind.”
There was a pause. Mitch could picture Sally weighing her options, wanting to say yes but not wanting to seem too eager. That was also their cue.
Mitch stood and grabbed the shopping bags. He offered his arm to Lori. “Ready?”
Lori nodded, taking a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”
“Relax,” Mitch said softly. Then, making a split-second decision, he leaned in and kissed her.
It was supposed to be brief. Just a quick kiss to sell the illusion that they were together.
But the moment his lips touched hers, something shifted.
The kiss deepened, and for a few seconds, Mitch forgot about the plan, forgot about Marcus and Sally, forgot about everything except the feel of Lori’s lips against his and the way her hand came up to rest against his chest.
Sally’s voice, coming through the earpiece, pulled him back to reality. “Oh, no. I couldn’t intrude. If Mitch wanted me there, he would have invited me himself.”
Mitch pulled back from the kiss, his heart pounding. Lori’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide.
“I’m inviting you,” Marcus was saying through the earpiece. They needed to move. Now.
Mitch offered his arm again, and this time Lori took it, tucking her hand through the crook of his elbow. They walked out of the cafe and walked across the road to where Marcus was standing, facing them.
“Oh, speaking of Mitch and Lori,” Marcus said, his timing perfect as always. Sally had her back to them, her blonde hair catching the sunlight. “Here they are now,” Marcus finished.
Sally turned, and Mitch saw her eyes immediately fall on Lori’s hand tucked through his arm. Her expression flickered—surprise, hurt, anger—before settling into something carefully neutral.
Lori, playing her part perfectly and making Mitch’s heart swell with pride, dropped her hand from his arm and moved slightly away. As if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t.
“Sally,” Lori said, glancing at Mitch with what looked like genuine guilt before turning back to Sally with a bright smile. “How nice to see you.” She gestured toward Marcus. “I see you’ve met Mitch’s house guest, Marcus.”
“Yes,” Marcus said, his smile warm. “Sally and I literally bumped into each other. I ruined her coffee.”
“Hello, Sally,” Mitch said, stepping forward to stand beside Lori. He made sure to position himself between the two women, as if trying to create distance. “I hope my friend has been behaving himself.”
“Oh, Marcus has been a delight,” Sally said, and Mitch noticed how she stepped up next to Marcus, angling her body toward him rather than toward Mitch. “I hope you don’t mind, but he’s invited me to join you tonight. For your barbecue.”
“Of course not,” Mitch said, forcing warmth into his voice. “You are always welcome, Sally. You know that.”
Sally’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes as she looked between Mitch and Lori. “Well, I wouldn’t want to intrude on anything.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Lori assured her, and Mitch had to admire how genuine she sounded. “It would be lovely to have you there.”
“Then I’d love to,” Sally said. She looked back at Marcus. “What time should I be there?”
“Six o’clock,” Marcus said. “I’ll look forward to seeing you.”
Sally smiled at him—a real smile this time, warm and interested. “So will I.”
She said her goodbyes and walked away, her stride confident. Mitch watched her go, noting the way she glanced back once, her eyes on Marcus rather than on him.
Bait taken. Hook, line, and sinker.
But as Mitch watched Sally disappear around the corner, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were playing a very dangerous game. And he wasn’t entirely sure who was the hunter and who was the prey.