“Jack!” Pamela’s voice filled the truck cab.
“You really should start looking at who the caller is before you answer,” Logan said softly, giving Jack a sympathetic look.
Jack had to agree. This was the second time in two days that Pamela had caught him off guard.
Jack’s knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. “What do you want now, Pamela?” His jaw clenched so tight he could feel a muscle twitching beneath his skin. “I made myself perfectly clear yesterday.”
“Oh, Jack,” Pamela wailed, her voice cracking with what sounded like desperation. “I had no idea what Victor was planning, I swear…” A theatrical sob erupted through the speakers, echoing in the confined space of the truck cab. “I’ve left him,” she choked out between ragged breaths. “I grabbed my purse and just... ran. Please, I need somewhere to stay. Just one night at the inn while I figure out what to do.”
For a heartbeat, Jack felt the old pull. That familiar urge to rescue her. Then Logan’s eyes caught his, his friend’s head shaking with such vehemence it was almost violent. The spell broke. This was Pamela’s most dangerous talent: making you believe the performance even when you knew better.
“We’re completely booked,” Jack snapped, blood pounding in his temples. “And if we had the last vacant room in all of Florida, I still wouldn’t let you anywhere near our inn.”
Logan gave him a thumbs-up of approval.
Jack frowned suddenly as something occurred to him. “Wait, are you both in St. Augustine?”
“Yes,” Pamela sniffed again. “We’re staying at Casa Monica Resort & Spa. Now I know why Victor was so adamant that we spend Christmas in my hometown. I thought he was being romantic...” Her voice broke convincingly. “I didn’t know he was planning to steal my daughter’s home.”
Logan nearly choked on his own saliva, and Jack’s stomach roiled with anger at Pamela’s audacity.
“Your daughter? You meanmydaughter,” Jack said, his voice hard. “And... I’m sorry, Pamela, but I don’t believe a word you’re saying. You tried to wriggle your way intomydaughter’slife under the worst possible false pretenses. And now you’re trying to manipulate me into opening up the inn to you. Do you think I’d stupidly give you a free pass to snoop?”
“No… Jack…” Pamela gulped and hiccuped. She really was putting on the waterworks act. “It’s notlike that.”
His jaw clenched as he reined in his anger. “Look, I’m sorry you and Victor are having problems, but I have to go. I’m sure you’ll sort it out.”
“Wait, Jack—” Pamela’s plea stopped him from hanging up. “Can I meet you for lunch today at the inn? I really need to talk to you about... about this deal of Victor’s. I can help you.”
Jack glanced at Logan, who was shaking his head vigorously and mouthing, “It’s a trap.”
Jack was well aware of that.
“I’m sorry, Pamela, but?—”
There was a lot of static on the line, and then the call dropped completely.
“I guess that’s her answer,” Logan laughed, relief evident in his voice. “Remember what Charlie told us. No talking with any of them without her present.” He pointed to the phone system. “And your ex-wife needs to be avoided at all costs. She’s really up to something, and if her husband’s after your inn, I have a feeling she’ll stop at nothing to make sure he gets it.”
“I know you’re right,” Jack admitted. “I don’t think when we were together she called me this much.”
They both laughed as they drove into St. Augustine proper, the historic buildings rising around them in the morning light.
“I need to stop for coffee,” Jack said. “That conversation with Pamela left a bad taste in my mouth.”
“Good idea,” Logan agreed. “I could use some caffeine, too.”
They pulled into the parking lot near the Corner Café and walked across the street to the coffee vendor. “Do you mind if we pop into the hardware store as it’s right around the corner?” Logan asked. “I was to check on a tool order.”
“Not at all,” Jack said. “We’re here now anyway.”
They started walking in that direction when they nearly collided with Simon, heading in the opposite direction. Jack’s first instinct was to ignore him and keep walking, but Simon stopped directly in their path.
“Jack, it’s good to see you again,” Simon said with false pleasantness. “I’ve been trying to contact you to set up a meeting.”
“I know,” Jack replied, his eyes hooded and wary. “I would have thought by the lack of a reply that you understood that I don’t have time at the moment for idle meetings.”
Simon ignored the hint. “Look, Jack, there’s an offer that should arrive tomorrow. It’s a good offer and the best you’re going to get considering the condition of the property at the moment.”
