Mitch’s voice filled the truck’s cab, clear despite the slight tinny quality of the phone’s speaker.
“Ryan, Lori just told us about Tessa’s revelation regarding the timeline of incidents, and I think it was a good catch. Well worth looking into. Marcus and I are going to be pursuing the Sally Lane angle this morning, and if you get back to Pelican Bay and we’re not there yet, that’s what we’re doing.”
Ryan hit pause and looked at Tessa. “What revelation?”
Tessa took a breath.
Tessa hesitated, twisting her hands together. “I was reviewing the Stanstead timeline and...” She stopped, not wanting to say it aloud again. Her stomach clenched the same way it had when the pattern first emerged, undeniable yet impossible to accept. “The surveillance started with Lori, but the actual incidents—they all began after I arrived. The dead bird was laid out on the porch on my first night in Nantucket.” She rubbed her temple. “Then the break-in, the blackout, and then your father’s attack.” She met Ryan’s eyes, then looked away. “As much as I hope it’sjust a coincidence. I can’t help but think this is about my work on the Stanstead case and the target is actually me.”
Ryan’s expression shifted, a flash of alarm crossing his face. “You think you might be the primary target?”
“I think I might be the target, full stop,” Tessa corrected. “I’m the attorney representing a lot of the people the Stansteads defrauded. If this is connected to that case, then yes, I could be just as much of a target as Lori.”
Ryan was quiet for a moment, his jaw tight. Then he nodded slowly. “That’s actually a really good point.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Or as you’re both connected to the Stanstead case, you and Lori are both targets.”
“Yes,” Tessa acknowledged. “Or both Lori and I are the targets. The Stansteads are not people you mess with. Even though we’ve been assured that they and all their associates are in prison…” She swallowed. “Their influence is still far-reaching and extremely dangerous.”
Ryan met her eyes, and something warm passed between them before he looked away and hit play on the voicemail again.
“This mystery is like an onion that we just keep unpeeling more and more layers,” Ryan said, running a hand through his hair.
“What else does your father have to say?” Tessa asked, noting the pause and length of the message still to be played.
Ryan hit the play button, and Mitch’s voice continued. “Marcus has come up with a plan to approach Sally in a way that might get her talking. I’ll spare you the details for now, but basically, he’s going to bump into her at her usual coffee shop, strike up a conversation, and invite her to a barbecue we’re havingtonight at Sunrise House. Lori and I will make an appearance to give Sally the impression that we’re...” There was a pause, and Mitch’s voice took on a slightly uncomfortable tone. “Well, that we’re romantically involved. The goal is to make her jealous enough that she’ll accept the invitation and show up tonight so we can observe her behavior and hopefully get some information.”
Tessa raised her eyebrows.That was quite a plan and sounded like entrapment. But while it did sound manipulative, Tessa could see that it could also potentially be very effective. It was a tactic she knew very well.
“Which brings me to another point,” Mitch continued, “I hope you or Tessa don’t have plans tonight because we’re having a barbecue, and hopefully Sally, our suspect number one, will be there. We’ll talk more when we are both home.” A pause. “Ryan, you and Tessa need to watch your backs and be careful.”
The voicemail ended with a beep.
Ryan set his phone down in the cup holder and let out a long breath. “Well, I guess that answers whether Piper can go to Emma’s. It’s probably just as well that she’s been invited to stay over.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Tessa agreed. “The last thing we need is for Piper to be at a barbecue with someone who might be dangerous.”
“Yeah.” Ryan put the truck in reverse and backed out of the parking spot. “I’ll text my father quickly and let him know that Piper has been invited to stay at Emma’s tonight. I’m sure the answer will be yes.”
They drove in silence for a few minutes, leaving the camp behind and heading back toward Pelican Bay. Tessa found herself thinking about Sally Lane, about the plan to manipulate her into revealing herself.
“I don’t like it,” she said finally.
“Don’t like what?” Ryan asked, glancing at her.
“What they’re doing to Sally,” Tessa said. “Basically, luring her in and manipulating her like that. I know the tactic, and I’m guilty of using a form of it myself.” She bit her lip and glanced out the window. “But, still, in this case, it feels wrong.”
“Have you seen Sally’s file that Marcus put together?” Ryan asked. “Trust me, Sally is no saint.”
Tessa nodded. Marcus had sent her a digital copy that morning, along with all the other documents she’d requested related to the case.
“Then you know what we’re dealing with,” Ryan said. “Sally isn’t some innocent victim being manipulated. She’s a legitimate suspect.”
“I know,” Tessa said. “But I’ve read that file, and I don’t see Sally the way the profile portrays her.”
“Really?” Ryan’s tone was skeptical. “Because I see someone who’s single-minded, narcissistic, jealous, and more than a little unhinged.” He glanced at Tessa before looking back at the road. “Did you see how many times she stabbed her ex-husband?”
“She didn’t do it,” Tessa said firmly.
“Oh, right,” Ryan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “It was an accident, and her husband just happened to fall on his own hunting knife three or four times.”
