She glanced back again. Clara was still on the rocks, but now she was just sitting, staring out at the sea with her notebook forgotten in her lap.
“What does she do again?” Lori asked. “And why is she using the beach specifically?”
“Something about birds migrating,” Tessa said vaguely. “She’s a bird writer or studies them or something like that.”
“So she’s tracking migratory patterns of seabirds,” Lori guessed.
“Yes!” Tessa exclaimed, as if relieved to have the right terminology. “That’s right. That’s exactly what she said she was doing. Writing a book about it or something.”
Lori nodded. That made sense. It explained the early mornings, the constant presence on the beach, the notebook, and the sketches. All perfectly legitimate reasons to be in the area.
But there was still something about that look in Clara’s eyes when she’d said, “I’m glad we finally met, Chief Ware.” The emphasis on “finally” had sounded almost like...what? A warning? A threat?
Lori shook it off. She really was becoming paranoid, seeing threats in every stranger, reading meaning into innocent words. Clara was just an enthusiastic nature writer who happened to be a little socially awkward. Nothing more sinister than that. Just a little… geeky.
They continued walking, the conversation drifting to easier topics. Tessa asked about Lori’s paintings, and Lori asked about Tessa’s morning meeting with her client. They talked about Maggie and whether she’d be able to visit before the summer ended. They talked about Carrie and how she was doing in Florida.
They’d been walking for another ten minutes when Tessa suddenly went quiet. Lori glanced at her and saw that Tessa’s expression had changed, becoming troubled and uncertain.
“Is everything okay, sweetheart?” Lori asked.
“I need to tell you something,” Tessa said, her voice tight. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away. I should have come to you first, but I panicked and rushed to Mitch instead.”
Lori’s stomach dropped. “What is it?”
Tessa stopped walking and turned to face her fully. “When you told me about Barstow Security this morning, I recognized thename. Not just because they have a reputation in legal circles, but because I’ve seen it before. In documents related to your late husband’s company.”
Lori felt the world tilt slightly. “What?”
“Trevor’s firm contracted with Barstow Security about two years ago,” Tessa said, the words coming out in a rush now. “I have access to a lot of the company records because of the legal work I’ve been doing for you and the other victims of the Stanstead fraud. I saw the contract when I was reviewing financial documents. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. Security firms get hired for all kinds of legitimate reasons.”
“But now?” Lori prompted, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Now we know that Sally Lane also hired Barstow Security,” Tessa said. “And the agent assigned to both cases was the same person.”
“Elias Dane,” Lori said, the name feeling heavy in her mouth.
“Yes. The windbreaker guy. The same man you and I have both seen watching the cottage. The same man who’s been surveilling Pelican Bay.” Tessa’s eyes were full of worry and guilt. “Lori, I’m so sorry. I should have told you immediately this morning instead of panicking and running to Mitch. But I thought he should know, and I didn’t want to scare you until we knew more.”
Lori stood there on the beach, the waves crashing beside her, the sun warm on her face, and felt everything click into place with horrible clarity.
This was about her.
Whether it was connected to Sally Lane’s jealousy or to Trevor’s company’s involvement with Barstow Security and the Stanstead investigation, the common denominator was clear.
She was the target.
She was the reason Elias Dane was here. She was the reason someone had broken into Seabird Cottage. She was the reason Mitch had been attacked on the beach and left unconscious with a head injury.
She was putting everyone in danger.
Mitch, who’d already been hurt because of this. Piper, Mitch, Tessa, and Ryan were all at risk because of her.
“Lori?” Tessa’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. “Are you okay? You’ve gone pale.”
“I need to leave,” Lori heard herself say. The words came out flat, emotionless, as her mind worked through the implications. “I need to go back to Florida or… or somewhere else.” Her eyes searched Tessa’s. “If I leave, whoever this is will follow me. They’ll leave all of you alone.”
“Lori, no?—”
