Page 146 of Always Be an Us

But then if it's not that, what terrible thing is it?

Suddenly, I feel like a band stretched, poised to snap at any moment. The air feels thin and faint, making my heart pound faster with every drawn-in breath.

"I’m listening," I say when it becomes apparent that Declan needs more prompting.

He sighs again and runs his hand over his face

"I really didn’t want to have to tell you this without knowing for sure," he hedges.

"It's fine. Just tell me." I clench my hands into fists, holding my breath.

Finally, he starts speaking.

"Earlier today, when I visited Nate Huntley, I had an epiphany. Nate didn't go into my office to steal anything in particular. He went there to get information. Information about our construction and the plans we had moving forward. He then fed that information to whatever crew he was working with so they could work to derail our progress. That's why the renovation has been going haywire since the start."

"Okay," I say carefully, digesting the information. It makes sense. Nate, like many people in town, probably wouldn't want the hotel to get renovated, although Nate probably has different reasons for that. He and his less savory friends used to hang out at the hotel all the time, and I bet they still planned all their mischief there.

"That led me to another realization that Nate isn't working alone," Declan continues. "And he's not the one in charge. He's the fall guy for someone else, and that person has been visiting him frequently in jail to make sure he doesn't blab about their plan."

"Did you figure out who it is?

"I have my suspicions but nothing concrete. I went through the list of Nate's visitors and the only two names there that occurred with any frequency were Rick’s and Poppy."

"What?" It makes no sense. "You think Rick and Poppy are behind your office break-in."

"Maybe not both of them, but one of them might be. I wasn’t sure at first but it makes sense. Neither of them likes me or wants me around. And they both have ties to Nate."

"Yes because Rick and Grandpa have known him for years. And Poppy too. Poppy taught him how to shoot before she realized why he wanted a gun. After he got in trouble, she was the only one who would hire him to do her yard work."

"Exactly. Which is a good reason for him to help her out with this little plan of hers. He probably feels indebted to her and Rick, so it didn’t take much convincing to make him their fall guy."

"This is crazy, Declan."

"Oh believe me, I know. I thought I was just being a crazy paranoid fucker too. Until now." His eyes are intense, marking the severity of the situation. "The dog didn’t bark, Emma. That little thing goes off like a windy-toy whenever Xavier or anyone he doesn’t know is around. But when someone broke into your house, he was mute."

"That’s still not evidence enough." I rub my temples suddenly feeling a dull throb behind them. A voice in my head whispers that this can’t be happening. The voice is my own and it sounds horrified.

Distant thunder rumbles marking the incoming storm.

"I know," Declan answers. "And I know it all sounds circumstantial at best. But it’s too much to be a coincidence right now. And I can't afford to ignore it."

Even though his eyes are sober, his gaze unyielding, a sad, almost pitiful look sits in their depths. He doesn't want to be telling me these things. It's evident even from the set of his shoulders. He's not deriving any satisfaction from solving this mystery. It's almost like he doesn't want it to be true either.

That, more than anything, sways me toward believing him.

And then I realize exactly what he’s not saying.

"Do you think whoever planned your office break-in was the same person who planned the break-in at my home?’

Declan doesn’t say anything for a while but then sighs. "It’s the only logical explanation. Why else would Nate take the blame for your break-in too?"

"That makes no sense!" The tension pops and the sound explodes from me. "You're telling me that Rick told someone to break into my house, Declan? Or Poppy? These people raised me. We’re more than just family friends or neighbors. Poppy is my best friend's mother. Rick is like a father to me."

"I know." The hands he places on my shoulders barely stop me from hyperventilating as he draws me into an embrace. "I know. And I’m so sorry that all this is happening. I'm so sorry, honey. Come on, let's take deep breaths."

I obey, breathing into his shoulder, and inhaling his sandalwood scent.But the mantra repeats in my head. This really cannot be happening.

Any moment now, I'll pinch myself and wake up.

---