Page 64 of The Pretender

“Right? It sucks to be hauled in and questioned for things you didn’t do.” Gabby dropped that little verbal bomb with a load of sarcasm.

“Relatively few people travel to and from this island. I need to account for all of them,” Damon said.

Except for his hands, Stephen hadn’t moved one inch since sitting down. His back remained board straight and the flat line of his mouth didn’t budge. “I need to understand why you, a trained professional, didn’t hear someone breaking in.”

The accusation was tough to miss, but Damon didn’t take the bait. He sat there answering every question lobbed at him with a straightforward, totally Damon-like response. “I slept through the first intrusion. I heard the second and ran downstairs but didn’t see anything but fire. It raced up the drapes, which explains why the flame took off so quickly.”

Stephen scoffed. “So you failed to apprehend the person even though you were right there.”

Harris noticed Stephen had perfected the scoff. He brought it out almost as a reminder that he viewed his status as being above everyone else’s. So, Harris took a turn. “He could have been killed in the fire.”

Harris knew Damon didn’t need his help, but Harris couldn’t stay quiet. He’d sat there, taking it in, listening to Damon dole out comments in a dry tone, but Harris was reaching the end of his patience with good ol’ Uncle Stephen.

Stephen waved a hand in Gabby’s general direction without bothering to look at her. “Talk to her about that.”

“You just don’t stop.” She sat back in her chair with her arms crossed in front of her. “What is your problem with me? Just say it.”

“Do you really want to go into this right now? I can lay out why I have my suspicions.” Stephen unleashed on her in a voice filled with fury before turning to Harris. “And you. You’re here but as far as I can tell you don’t add anything to this endeavor.”

Good. That was exactly what Harris wanted. He was fine being the target. He glanced at the cell on his lap, the one tucked out of sight under the table, and knew he needed a little more time.

“I didn’t set the house on fire, if that’s what you mean,” Harris said, half hoping to tweak Stephen even more. The guy balanced right on the edge of his control. It might be helpful to see what he did when he lost it.

Damon nodded at Harris before joining in the conversation again. “Craig? You were on the island the night of the first break-in.”

Damon’s loud voice seemed to startle Craig. He jumped in his seat. “I was?”

“You and Ted went to Baltimore,” Gabby said.

“A couple of days ago? Yeah. Just the two of us came back. We didn’t bring anyone and I didn’t see anyone.” Craig shrugged. “I can give you a list of my regulars and some names of tourists and others I’ve taken around over the last week.”

So helpful. Harris didn’t know if that was a genuine offer or clever subterfuge. “Do you go up to the main house when you’re on the island?”

Craig’s eyes narrowed. “Why would I?”

The answer amounted to a dodge and Harris was not in the mood. “That’s kind of why I asked the question.”

“And last night?” Damon asked. “What was your schedule?”

Craig looked from Harris to Damon. His gaze shot back and forth as he answered the questions. “I did some runs and then went home.”

“What time?” Harris asked.

“I was back by ten or so.” Craig responded then looked at Damon. “And before you ask, I was alone.”

“This is a waste of time.” Stephen stood up. “I need to get contractors and inspectors out here.”

Harris took a cell out of his pocket and slid it across the table to Stephen. “Make the calls.”

“I have my own.” Stephen tapped on his pants pocket as if to prove his point.

Gabby’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Harris. For a second he thought she might blow the cover that she didn’t even know was happening and ask some questions, but she didn’t. She turned back to Craig. “You might need to do some extra runs to get people in and out.”

“Of course. Whatever you guys need.” Craig stood up and moved toward the doorway to the hall. “I’ll head out now, if that’s okay. I have some scheduled runs today.”

Damon looked at Stephen. “You going with him?”

“Do you have an issue with me being here?”

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