Max’s stomach dropped. His theory . . . was it right?
Sheriff Sutherland stepped closer, his gaze moving between them. “What’s going on?”
Max straightened, his thoughts snapping into place faster with each passing second. “Long story short, but I just spoke with someone who knew about Kendra from somewhere else. He said a guy he met had dated her, and when they broke up, Kendra basically began stalking him and harassing anyone he dated.”
Sheriff Sutherland’s expression hardened. “Wait—you think Kendra is behind what’s been happening with Hadley?”
“I do,” Max said. “Think about it. She had the opportunity to leave the note for Lyndee. She works for a real estate company, so she knows about the various properties out this way. She could have thrown the brick into the window at the vet clinic. And she just gave Hadley cookies out of the blue. My friend said she tried to poison someone back in West Virginia.”
“She did this to Hadley because she’s obsessed with you?”
“And because she has an unstable personality,” Max said. “I think she might be helping Kenny. Think about it: She knew Lyndee was at Refuge Cove, and someone tipped off Kenny. I don’t know how it all fits, but I have a feeling it’s all connected—and that Kendra is the link.”
“That matches what Susie just told my deputy,” Sheriff Sutherland said.
“She’s awake?”
“She is. And she said a woman snuck up behind her and injected her with something. It must have been Kendra.”
“I had no idea she’d take things this far . . .”
The sheriff shifted into action and reached for his phone. “I’ll have a deputy head to Kendra’s place. We need to keep our eyes on her and anywhere she goes until we know more.”
Max barely heard the rest. He was already pulling out his phone.
He had to talk to Hadley, to warn her.
He hit Call.
The phone rang and rang.
Again, there was no answer.
His grip tightened as he ended the call and immediately tried again.
Still nothing.
A cold edge of panic slid in, sharp and unwelcome.
“You said she’s at Refuge Cove?” Sheriff Sutherland asked.
“That’s what Caleb said.” Max shook his head, dialing again. “But he sounded off when I talked to him, like something was going on. I should have questioned him more.”
The call went to voicemail.
Max lowered the phone, his chest tightening.
Hadley hadn’t been feeling well.
She’d said that.
Kendra had also given her a package of homemade cookies.
And now Hadley wasn’t answering.
He looked at Sheriff Sutherland, his unease turning into something harder and more urgent. “I need to get back there.”
“My deputy just pulled into the lot. He’ll take you.”
