Chapter 8 Ryan
RYAN
Ryan set his fork down on the empty plate and leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh.
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows of Seabird Cottage, and the smell of fresh coffee still hung in the air.
Lori had outdone herself with breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and fresh fruit.
It was a simple but perfect breakfast, especially after the long night they’d all had.
“That was really nice of you,” Ryan said, looking across the table at Lori. “Making breakfast for all the officers. They appreciated it. Not everyone they look after is hospitable to them.”
Lori smiled as she collected his plate. “It was the least I could do. Those men took their own time to watch over the houses. They weren’t even getting paid. The least I could do was feed them properly.”
“They are loyal to Carrie, who means a lot to them,” Ryan said, standing to help her clear the table. “They wanted to help.”
“I slept quite peacefully for the first time in weeks, knowing they were out there watching,” Lori admitted, carrying the dishes to the sink. “I didn’t wake up every hour wondering if someone was outside.”
Ryan understood that feeling all too well. The hypervigilance that came with knowing you were being watched, being threatened. It never fully went away, even when you had security in place.
“I’m heading over to the hospital to see Dad,” Ryan said, glancing at his watch. “Visiting hours start soon.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Lori said, turning from the sink. “I’m going later this afternoon. I need to fetch my car from the mechanic first.”
“Do you need a ride into town?” Ryan asked. “I can drop you off before I head to the hospital.”
His heart did an unexpected flip as Tessa walked into the kitchen at that exact moment, her hair still damp from the shower.
She was wearing denim shorts and a soft blue sweater that made her eyes look even brighter.
She smelled like something floral and clean, and Ryan had to force himself to look away.
“I’m taking Lori,” Tessa said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “I need to run a few errands in town anyway.”
“Great,” Ryan said, hoping his voice sounded normal. “It’s a good thing the doctor is letting dad out this afternoon. He’s probably getting restless in that hospital bed by now.”
Lori smiled, a warmth in her expression that Ryan had started to notice whenever she talked about his father. “He is. I got that impression when Mitch messaged me this morning. I offered to bring him home this afternoon once I have my car back.”
Ryan caught the way Lori’s whole face softened when she said his father’s name. The gentle tone in her voice. His father had the same tell when talking about Lori. A slight change in his expression, the way his voice got a little warmer.
Good, Ryan thought. His father deserved happiness.
He’d been alone for fifteen years since Ryan’s mother died, and then he’d thrown himself completely into raising Piper after Grady’s death eight years ago.
It was time for his father to have something for himself, like someone with a good nature and a kind heart, like Lori.
“I’d better get going,” Ryan said, moving toward the door.
“Ryan, thank you for everything you’re doing. For all of us.” Lori’s words stopped as she smiled warmly at him, reminding him of his mother for a split second and making his heart ache.
Ryan nodded and, on impulse, kissed Lori on the cheek. “Of course. You’re family.”
He refrained from taking a last look at Tessa and headed out the front door, crossing the yard toward Sunrise House.
The morning was cool and clear, the ocean breeze carrying the smell of salt and seaweed.
Gulls cried overhead, and in the distance, he could hear the steady rhythm of waves against the shore.
As he approached his father’s house, he saw Tim Morrison’s car still parked in the driveway. Tim was leaning against it, talking on his phone, but he ended the call when he saw Ryan approaching.
“Morning,” Tim said, pushing off from the car. He looked tired but alert. “How is your dad today?”
“Better. He’s getting released this afternoon,” Ryan answered. “How was the night?”
“Quiet,” Tim reported. “There was no activity at either house, and we did a perimeter check every hour with nothing unusual to report.” He paused, reaching into his jacket pocket. “Although we did find something this morning during our beach check.”
Ryan’s attention sharpened. “What did you find?”
Tim pulled out a small, clear evidence bag. Inside was a torn piece of fabric, maybe two inches by three inches. It looked like it had been ripped from something. The edges were frayed and uneven. The material was dark, possibly navy or black, and appeared to be a synthetic blend.
“One of the officers found it on one of the rocks down on the beach,” Tim explained.
“Exactly where on the beach did you find this?” Ryan asked, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
“About fifteen feet from where you told me you found your dad,” Tim said. “It was caught on a sharp edge of rock, like someone brushed past it or fell against it.”
Ryan took the bag and examined the fabric carefully.
“It could be from anyone,” Ryan said, thinking out loud. “Although they shouldn’t, people use that beach all the time.”
“True,” Tim agreed. “But the location is interesting. It’s not on the main path.
Someone would have to go off the trail to snag their clothing on that particular rock.
” He paused. “If you want, I can get it analyzed. Run it through the lab, see if we can get any DNA or fibers that might give us a lead.”
Ryan looked at his friend, weighing the options. “I’d appreciate that. But can you keep this quiet for now?”
Tim’s expression grew serious. “Ryan, from everything you told me, you need to involve the authorities officially. Someone could get seriously hurt. Your father already did.” His brow furrowed.
“Chief Ware would have my hide if anything worse happened to any of you and I knew about it without officially reporting it.”
“I know,” Ryan said, frustration creeping into his voice. “But just give me a few days. If anything else happens, I promise I’ll file a full police report. But right now, we don’t have enough to go on. Just surveillance and one attack with no clear suspect or motive.”
Tim studied him for a long moment, then sighed.
“All right. A few days. But Ryan, I mean it. If this escalates again, you officially bring in the department. Your dad’s life isn’t worth keeping this quiet, and neither is losing my job, which I tend to love and, as you know, I’m on a fast track to getting a promotion. ”
“I know,” Ryan said again. “And I will. Thank you, Tim. For everything.”
Tim nodded and took the evidence bag from Ryan. “I’ll get this to the lab quietly. I should hopefully have something back in a day or two.”
They said their goodbyes, and Ryan watched his friend drive away before heading into Sunrise House. The place felt empty without his father’s presence, without Piper’s energy filling the rooms. He took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, and headed out to his truck.
The drive to the hospital took about twenty minutes. Ryan parked in the visitor lot and made his way inside, navigating the familiar hallways to his father’s room. He knocked once before pushing the door open.
Mitch was sitting up in bed, still dressed in a hospital gown, which Ryan knew he hated. But his father looked alert, though there was still a bandage visible at the back of his head where his hair had been shaved to place the stitches.
“You look better than last night,” Ryan said, pulling a chair closer to the bed.
“I feel better,” Mitch said. “I still have a slight headache, but the doctor says that’s normal.”
“Slight?” Ryan looked at his father, unconvinced, knowing that Mitch was downplaying it. Ryan had had his fair share of head injuries and knew that the headache his father had wasn’t slight. “I believe you’re getting released today.”
“Yes. This afternoon, as long as my vitals stay stable.” Mitch shifted in the bed, wincing slightly. “Lori’s coming to pick me up.”
Ryan didn’t miss the way his father’s entire expression changed when he said Lori’s name. The softness that crept into his eyes. The slight smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Ryan hid his own smile and changed the subject. “I went through the surveillance footage of Seabird and Sunrise house three times earlier this morning. There’s nothing there, Dad. As you suspected, whoever attacked you knew exactly where the cameras were positioned.”
Mitch nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. “Whoever this is, they’ve been too careful this whole time.”
“We need to move them,” Ryan suggested.
“No.” Mitch shook his head, and his voice dropped. “Leave the cameras where they are.”
“Why?” Ryan asked. “Windbreaker guy or his accomplices know where they are, and we’ll never catch them.”
“And if we move them,” Mitch pointed out. “They’ll know we’re on to them.”
Ryan realized his father was right. “You’re right.”
“Here is what I want you to help me do,” Mitch explained.
“Install new cameras. They’ll need to be very small and well hidden.
I want coverage of the rocky path at the back of Seabird Cottage that leads down to the beach and cove below.
That’s their access point. That’s how they’re getting in and out without being seen. ”
Ryan considered this, already mentally planning the camera placements. “I can do that. I’ll pick up what I need in town this afternoon.”
“Good. I knew I could count on you,” Mitch said. Then he paused, his expression shifting to something more paternal. “Can you pick up Piper? Emma’s mother said she had a great time at the sleepover, but I don’t want her there any longer than necessary. Not with everything going on.”
“Of course,” Ryan said. “I’ll head there right after this.”