Page 70 of The Secrets We Treasure

“Sure. I can text it to you.”

“I’d like to speak with him to compare notes.”

“Also, it would be a good idea to talk to the detectives in Philadelphia,” Sadie added.

“Howard was going to contact the detectives in Philly to come up with a plan of action. I haven’t heard from him. I can call him now,” she offered.

“Good idea,” Ian punched out.

Treasure’s phone was on the bookshelf. She’d kept it nearby so she could hear it in case Howard called. She rose to get it. Standing beside the bookshelf, she punched in Howard’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“Hello,” he clipped.

“Howard, this is Treasure. Have you been able to reach the detectives?”

“No, Colton Miller, the detective over the case, is on vacation and won’t get back into the office until next week.”

Disappointment mowed over Treasure. “I see. Wasn’t there anyone else you could speak to?”

“No one knows the ins and outs of the case like Miller. While we wait, I plan to keep digging into Ethan’s past.”

“Ethan showed up on Honeysuckle Island today.”

“Oh, wow.”

Treasure looked at Ian. “I’m working with the sheriff here. Would it be okay if I have him contact you?”

“You bet.” He paused. “Treasure, has Ethan done anything to make you feel threatened?”

She grunted. “Nothing more than his usual.”

“In that case, I hope that you’ll take my advice and act as though it’s business as usual.”

“I’m certainly trying, but Ethan doesn’t make it easy. The sheriff’s name is Ian Russell. I’ll have him contact you.”

“Thanks. I look forward to hearing from him.”

She felt the heat of all the eyes in the room. They were waiting for her to relay the details of her conversation. “Howard contacted the police in Philly. The detective over the case is on vacation and won’t be in until next week. Howard plans to keep digging into Ethan’s past.”

She went back and sat down beside Greer. He reached for her phone. “Let me share Howard’s contact information with Ian.”

“Howard wants me to act as though everything is normal so that I won’t tip Ethan off.” She eyed Ian, needing some reassurance. “Is that wise?” She wanted him to give her the okay to break all ties with Ethan, here and now. It had seemed like such an overwhelming task to separate Ethan out of her business affairs. But considering all that she’d learned, having Ethan in her life was more daunting than going it alone. No, she wouldn’t be alone. She had Greer.

Ian turned to Sadie. “What do you think?”

“Howard doesn’t want to give Ethan the chance to cover up anything that he might be doing,” Treasure added. She had to at least explain Howard’s reasoning to give them the full picture.

Sadie dipped her head. “I can see where Howard’s coming from.” Her brow creased. “Are you still receiving emails and texts?”

“No, they stopped right after Leo Clark was questioned. That’s part of what led the police to believe that Leo was the stalker. The detectives assumed that Leo got scared after he was questioned and then retreated.” Treasure spread her hands. “Of course, if Leo’s not the stalker, then the emails and texts stopping could be a coincidence.” The whole thing was a tangled mass of ropes with no ends.

“What did the emails and texts say?” Ian asked.

Treasure suppressed a shiver. “That was the scary part. I felt like I was in the mind of a schizophrenic. One message would be flattering, telling me how wonderful I am. Saying that he wanted to marry me so he could protect me. The next would be a rant session, accusing me of prostituting my body by putting up pictures on social media.”

Sadie tipped her head. “Aside from the break-in, were there any threats other than the texts and emails?”

“No. I switched numbers and email addresses several times, but the stalker still managed to find me.”

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