Millie stood frozen, her mind still processing what he’d told her.
Sissy. Sweet, vulnerable, pregnant Sissy.
Could she really be working for Richard? And, if so, what was her endgame?
Caleb’s thoughts churned.
Sissy had been visiting Richard at the prison.
It couldn’t be a coincidence.
But what was the connection? Was Sissy somehow related to Richard? Was she working for him? Or was she another victim he’d manipulated?
The questions multiplied faster than he could process them.
Behind him, Millie paced the office, her arms wrapped tight around herself.
“This doesn’t make sense,” she said. “If Sissy’s working with Richard, why would she come to a shelter run by his deceased wife’s family? What would be the point?”
“Revenge.” The word came out flat, certain. “Richard blames us for taking the property. For testifying against him. For Sarah leaving him in the first place.”
“So he sends a pregnant woman to spy on you?”
“Or to sabotage us.” Caleb’s jaw tightened. “Think about it. The dogs getting loose. The cameras being disabled. Biscuit getting out of your room. What if all of that was Sissy?”
Millie stopped pacing. “But why? What does Richard get out of causing problems here?”
“He gets to watch us struggle. Watch the shelter fail. Watch us lose everything Sarah built.” Bitterness edged into his voice. “And if he can document problems—safety issues, security breaches—he might be able to use it in court. Claim the property should never have gone to us in the first place.”
Millie’s face went pale. “We need to search her room.”
“Millie—”
“We need to know what she’s doing here. What she’s been reporting back to Richard.” Millie moved toward the stairs. “Let me check her room while she’s still downstairs.”
“That’s too risky.” Caleb swung his head back and forth. “If she catches you?—”
“It’s more suspicious if you go upstairs.” Millie pulled free, her expression determined. “I’m another guest. I can say I’m going to my room, and it won’t look strange.”
As much as he hated to admit it, she had a point.
“Fine,” he finally said. “I’ll keep her downstairs. I’ll say I need to ask her some questions about tonight—standard security protocol after an incident on the property.”
“How long can you keep her occupied?”
“Ten minutes. Fifteen at most before it starts getting weird.”
“That’s enough.” Millie was already moving toward the door. “If there’s something to find, I’ll find it.”
“Millie.” He caught her hand. “Be careful. And if you see anything that makes you feel unsafe—anything at all—you get out of there immediately.”
“I will.” She squeezed his hand once.
Then they both exited the office.
She turned from him and headed up the stairs, moving quietly.
Caleb watched her disappear down the hallway before turning back toward the kitchen.
