Page 23 of Deadly Past

Cathy prepared to close the door when Declan stopped her. “Tell him Simone is looking forward to seeing him again.”

“Simone—that’s your wife?”

Declan’s brows rose. Obviously, Cathy and Amos weren’t close enough for him to share how much he loved Simone. “My cat.”

Cathy laughed nervously. “Oh, I’m sorry. Now that you mention it, I think he did say something about you having a cat. I’ll be sure to let him know.” The door firmly closed before Declan could respond.

Declan returned to the four-wheeler and throttled it toward the cabin while calling Wynona.

“Hello?”

“Have you heard anything unusual outside?” The edge in his voice was undeniable. He couldn't let go of the feeling something was coming for them.

“No, nothing,” she said, her voice laced with worry. “Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know. Just a feeling, I guess. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Whatever you do, don’t open the door until I get there.”

She blew out a shaky breath. “I won’t. Hurry, Declan. I’m scared.”

“I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m close.”

The call dropped. Declan tried to redial, but the call didn’t go through. He reached the cabin and pulled the four-wheeler up close to the front door. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. Declan’s head whipped toward the movement, but there was nothing. Still, the hairs on the back of his neck were all the warning he needed. Something was off. He leapt from the four-wheeler and ran to the door. “Wynona, it’s me. Open up.”

He held his breath while he waited. The door opened, and he pushed her back inside and rushed in. Declan slammed the door closed against the wind and quickly engaged the locks.

“What happened?” Wynona followed him while he checked the back door. “Declan?”

Once he’d checked all the window locks, he told her about what Cathy had said to him. “She told me Amos was moving the boat, only he didn’t.”

“That is odd. But she said Amos hadn’t been feeling well earlier. Maybe he was just exhausted from the trip over.”

Declan wasn’t so sure. “It’s possible. Still, Cathy didn’t seem to know much about her father’s life. They haven’t really been close in a while. I guess it’s good they reconnected, especially with the holiday so close.”

Wynona’s frown deepened. “That’s true. Families do have falling outs from time to time.”

Declan sighed. “You’re right.” Still, something about Amos coming to Breakers with the storm so close didn’t track true with what Declan knew about him. He’d know how dangerous traveling with a nor’easter closing in could be. “I’ll stop by tomorrow and talk to Amos. I’m sure he can clear everything up.”

Wynona smiled sympathetically. “This case is getting to you as well.”

He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck before removing his jacket. “It is.” He told her about what JT had found out.

“So, this man and woman kidnapped the young girl to try and get her kidney?” Her shocked reaction was the same as his.

“Yeah, I know. It doesn’t make sense. We’re missing something. . .” his voice trailed off.

Wynona searched his face. “You don’t think it’s possible that Lacey’s abductor followed us here, do you?”

Declan immediately rejected the notion. “I don’t see how. We know he didn’t follow us to the boat dock. How would he know about the cabin?”

“Unless he searched your name,” she said softly. Declan’s head shot her way. “Still, we don’t know that happened,” she assured him quickly.

“But it is possible. He followed you to Hope Island, and no doubt realized your ex-husband lived here. They could find out my name easily enough and from there realize I owned this cabin.”

She touched his arm. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. He followed me to Hope Island, but that doesn’t mean he knows anything else. After all, my last name is different now.”

He held back his response to her changing her name. What had he expected anyway—that she would be waiting for him? “You should try and get some rest,” he told her, his voice heavy with regret.

“Are you kidding? I’m not sure I can sleep again.”

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