The danger Millie sensed might not be paranoia at all.
It might be the truth they’d all been too distracted to see.
chapter
fifty-two
A sharp knockat the office door cut through the quiet.
Millie’s pulse jumped, her body still on high alert from everything that had happened.
“It’s Sutherland,” a deep voice said on the other side of the wood.
Caleb opened the door, and the sheriff stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
His expression appeared grave as he turned toward him. “Sorry to bother you again. But there’s something I forgot to mention earlier. Something that might be relevant.”
Millie moved to stand beside Caleb.
Caleb’s shoulders visibly tightened. “What is it?”
Sutherland pulled out his notebook. “After we processed Garrick Anderson, I got to thinking about the PI—Ed Lowen. Out of curiosity, I had one of my deputies pull the visitor logs from the prison where Richard’s being held. The PI did have a visit with him there. And we believe the drone was owned by Mr. Lowen.”
“Makes sense, I guess.”
Sutherland swallowed hard before continuing. “We also discovered that Richard has had regular visits from someoneelse ever since he was incarcerated. Every Tuesday—except for the past month. Same visitor each time.”
Millie’s heart began to pound as she waited for him to continue.
“The visitor signed in as Melissa Sutton,” Sutherland continued. “The description from the guards is pretty specific. Young woman, early twenties. Blonde hair. Pregnant.”
Millie’s knees went weak, and she gripped the back of the nearest chair to steady herself.
That sounded like . . . Sissy.
“Do you have security footage from the prison?” Caleb’s voice cut through Millie’s spiraling thoughts. “Can you confirm it’s Sissy?”
“We’re pulling it now. But based on the timing and description . . . ” Sutherland’s expression was grim. “I think we need to consider the possibility that your guest has been visiting Richard Harding. Regularly.”
Millie’s mind raced through every interaction she’d had with Sissy. Every conversation. Every moment.
Had all that sweetness and naivety been an act?
“Why would she visit Richard?” Millie asked, though part of her already knew. “What’s her connection to him?”
“That’s what we need to find out.” The sheriff closed his notebook. “I’m going to have my people dig deeper into his background and see what we can find. In the meantime, I need you both to be careful. If she is working with Richard, we don’t know what her endgame is.”
“You think she’s dangerous?” Caleb asked.
“I think anyone connected to Richard Harding is potentially dangerous.” Sutherland’s gaze was steady. “He’s a manipulator. He uses people. And if he sent her here, it’s for a reason.”
“I can’t argue with that . . .” Caleb muttered.
The sheriff headed for the door, then paused. “Don’t confront her, not until we have more information. Just . . . keep an eye on her. And call me if anything else seems off.”
“Will do.” Caleb offered a firm nod.
After Sutherland left, silence filled the room.
