Page 49 of Last Resort

“You think he’s still around?” Sean asked.

“He came here for something—and I don’t think he found what he was looking for,” Hendricks replied. “That means he probably knows something we don’t. And if he was the intruder at Trinkets, then he had a reason to break in. I think he’s nearby—and potentially dangerous,” he added with a warning glance at Ben.

“You turn up any leads from Frazetti’s known associates?” Ben asked. “Odds are good it’s someone connected to Tom’s embezzlement who has a long memory and holds a grudge.”

“We’re working on it,” Hendricks told him. “You’re out of the game, Nolan. Leave that to us.”

Ben raised his hands in appeasement. “Sure thing. You’re getting paid the big bucks.”

“How do you manage to be annoying even when you’re agreeing with me?”

“Talent,” Ben smirked.

Hendricks rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the info on Carr. I don’t know that it changes anything, but it might. In the meantime, keep your eyes open and watch your backs. Until we know what they’re after, it’s going to be hard to get ahead of them.”

“Will do,” Ben promised, although he was already thinking about running down the occult aspect, which definitely didn’t fall under Hendrick’s purview.

Sean was quiet as they walked back to the rental office. “What do you make of all that?” he asked after a few blocks.

“I think Hendricks is basically a good guy trying to do his job,” Ben replied. “But I also think there’s something we’re missing, maybe a supernatural angle, that makes sense of all this.”

“Do you want me to stay? I can get someone to cover the truck for me,” Sean offered.

Ben shook his head. “Thanks, but there’s no reason to drag you into this—any further than you already are. Besides, Wildwood’s just up the road. I’ll call if I need help—promise.”

“You’d better,” Sean glared.

“I will,” Ben swore.

Before he met Erik, Sean was Ben’s wingman from the time they were kids. They always backed each other up, and they had shared both secrets and wild times. In many ways, he was more of a brother than his two half-siblings. Ben was happy that Sean had finally escaped Cape May to be living his dream and didn’t want to do anything to dent his happiness or his safety. Even so, Sean’s offer warmed Ben’s heart.

He helped Sean load his car and gave his cousin a side hug. “Drive safely.”

“This is New Jersey. Can’t promise anything,” Sean said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Remember—call me.”

“Yeah, yeah. Get going. Some of us have to work,” Ben grumbled, but the fond tone canceled out his words. He thumped the roof of the car for good measure. “Let me know when you get in.”

Sean gave a non-committal wave and drove away.

Ben reached for his phone. “Hey, Monty? I need to ask a favor.”

* * *

Two hours later, after both Trinkets and the lighthouse were closed for the day, Monty Clark met them at the antique shop. Erik made sure to lock the door behind him and turned on the security system.

“Good to see you,” Erik said. Ben had known Monty longer, but Erik had forged his own friendship with the park ranger.

“You too. Sounds like you’ve got something that might have a hitchhiker,” Monty replied.

“Come on back,” Erik said. Susan had already left for the day, although she had insisted Erik keep his phone handy in case she was needed.

While Erik unlocked the safe, he told Monty about how the poker chips came to be in his possession and the unsettling effect they had on him.

“I can feel a presence too, but not enough to have a conversation,” Ben confirmed.

Monty sat at the table and poured the poker chips out of the bag. “Oh, wow,” he murmured. “That’s one pissed off ghost.”

“Will it talk to you?” Ben asked, fascinated to watch his friend at work.

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