Morgan reluctantly moved out of her way.
The back door creaked open. Greg stepped into the kitchen, a look of surprise flitting across his face when he noticed his boss standing there. “Good morning, Morgan.”
“Hello, Greg.” She shifted to the side, giving him a clear view of the room’s other occupant.
“H-Hailey,” he stammered. “I thought I saw your car earlier. Did you just get back?”
“Only a few minutes ago.” Hailey clasped her hands, appearing more than a little uncomfortable. “I…I got your messages. I was having trouble with my cell phone and had to have it repaired. I was going to call you.”
“It’s okay. I understand. I was just worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry.” She pasted a bright smile on her face. “It’s fixed now.”
An uneasy silence ensued as the trio stood staring at each other.
Fast steps echoed. Grace, with a uniformed Grady by her side, strode into the kitchen.
Hailey made a choking sound. “Mr. MacDonald.”
“Hello, Hailey.” He gave a curt nod to Morgan and Greg, acknowledging their presence. “I left a message for you on your cell phone two days ago.”
The young woman shrank back, giving Grady a deer-in-the-headlights look. “My cell phone wasn’t working. I had to have it repaired.”
“Did you get my message?”
“Y-yes, but only a few hours ago. I was going to contact you as soon as I got settled.”
“I have a few questions I would like to ask you.”
“I-I’m supposed to be working,” she stammered
“Speaking with Mr. MacDonald takes precedence,” Grace said. “You can chat privately in the parlor.”
Hailey shuffled behind Grace and Grady, following them out of the kitchen.
Morgan waited until they were gone. “She doesn’t look happy.”
“She looks scared.” Greg made a move to follow them.
Morgan stopped him. “I think it’s best if we wait here.”
“What if Hailey needs me?”
“Grady won’t hurt Hailey. He merely wants to talk to her.”
Greg started to pace. Back and forth. Back and forth.
Morgan could only imagine what was going through his mind. Hailey seemed to have an excuse for everything…why she hadn’t returned calls, why she hadn’t gone to the police station to see Grady when she first returned to Easton Island.
Grace tiptoed into the kitchen. “Hailey doesn’t seem to want to cooperate.”
“Like I told Morgan, she’s scared,” Greg said.
“Scared of what?” Morgan asked.
He ignored her question, or maybe he hadn’t heard. “Grady better not start harassing her. She didn’t do anything wrong.”
Morgan hoped he was right, but at this very moment, it wasn’t looking that way.
