“Okay. What else?”
“And the dogs getting loose a few nights ago. That wasn’t an accident. Someone did that deliberately.”
“We assumed it was Valentina or Garrick?—”
“But what if it wasn’t?” Millie’s eyes were intense now. “What if whoever opened those kennels is still here? And someone was messing around with the security cameras . . .”
The implications hit Caleb like a physical blow.
His eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
Millie hesitated, conflict clear on her face. “I don’t know what I’m saying. I might be completely wrong. But?—”
“You think Sissy might be behind this?” The words came out sharper than he intended.
“I don’t want to accuse her if she’s innocent,” Millie said quickly. “But think about it, Caleb. She’s been here longer than anyone. She has access to the property. She knows the routines, the security codes?—”
“She’s eight months pregnant and terrified.”
“I know. I know that.” Millie pressed her fingers to her temples. “Which is why I feel terrible even thinking this. But what if that’s exactly the cover someone would use? Who would suspect a pregnant woman?”
“I don’t know . . .”
“Plus, someone let Biscuit out of the house. I think . . . I think he sensed Garrick was close. I had my window cracked open. So he got out and ran after Garrick. That’s why I was in the woods. I was chasing him. Sissy’s the only one who could have done that.”
Caleb’s mind reeled.
Sissy had seemed so genuine. So vulnerable. The idea that she might be working against them?—
But Millie’s points were valid. Too many things had gone wrong. Too many security breaches at convenient times.
“So what are you proposing?” he asked.
Millie met his gaze. “I’m proposing we watch her. Carefully. See if anything else doesn’t add up.” She paused. “And maybe we should ask the sheriff to look into her background. Verify her story.”
Caleb nodded. “Without her knowing we’re doing it.”
“Exactly. Because if I’m wrong—if this is just my paranoia talking—I don’t want to traumatize a woman who’s already been through a living nightmare.”
“But if you’re right?—”
“Then we need to know what we’re dealing with before she does any more damage.”
Silence fell between them.
Caleb’s protective instincts warred with his training. His desire to see the best in people clashed with the cold reality that not everyone who came to Refuge Cove came with pure intentions.
“Okay,” he said finally. “We’ll look into it. Quietly. Carefully.”
Millie’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you for not thinking I’m crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy. I think you’re smart. And observant. And after everything you’ve been through, your instincts are probably sharper than mine right now.” He moved closer. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”
She nodded, but the worry didn’t leave her eyes.
And as Caleb looked at her standing there—bruised, exhausted, still thinking about everyone’s safety even after nearly being killed—he realized something.
Whatever had been set in motion at Refuge Cove wasn’t over yet.
