Page 19 of Island Rescuer

“Yes,” Harper snapped. “She wouldn’t be party to this.”

“Maybe not willingly,” Knox said. “You haven’t told her there was any reason to keep your schedule private.”

“Except she knows me,” Harper insisted. Audrey was the best assistant she’d had. “She respects my privacy. Besides, who would she blab to?”

“I agree with you, Harper,” Jenna cut off what could easily have become an argument. “Give me more time and I’ll find any leaks.”

But there couldn’t be any for her to find.

Gamble took control of the conversation and, as a team, they evaluated the people she’d been in close contact with most recently. With Knox tense beside her, she was grateful there hadn’t been any serious romantic ties to hash out. Her last serious relationship had been last year, she realized.

Was that better or worse than being presently involved with someone who might be manipulating her? She couldn’t decide. After the lengthy discussion, the shakiness returned. She hadn’t been able to point them to an obvious lead. Knox was surely thinking she was holding back.

“I guess we all have our marching orders,” Gamble said.

“One more thing.” She felt Knox turn, but she couldn’t look at him. “Is it possible to have Knox assigned to the resort? He can probably be more useful helping Bruce. With my computer, and a new phone, I can work remotely.”

“Alone?” Gamble queried.

“No.” Knox’s voice was low. “That’s not happening.”

She risked a peek in his direction. He glowered at her. Stern, his jaw set. Nothing at all like the young man she’d fallen for when they were kids. Well, when she was a kid and he was the fascinating older boy, she really hoped would notice her.

“Who would you have instead?” he barked.

She jumped. “Um, no one. I’ll stay put. I have friends on the island to keep tabs on me.”

“Friends with their own busy schedules. You need me.”

“He’s right,” Swann said with compassion. “Even on Brookwell, tucked into that B&B, we’d be remiss to leave you alone.”

“But I get my computer and a phone?”

“Jess is handling it,” Gamble confirmed with a smile. “We do understand that work ethic.”

“Thanks.”

“One caveat,” Jenna interjected. “I’ll be keeping tabs on your texts and calls, just in case the threats start again.”

Harper reached for her water glass with a trembling hand and fumbled it. It crashed to the tile. “Sorry.”

Knox leapt up. “I’ve got it.”

“Still shaky?” Swann asked.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s to be expected,” Gamble soothed. “Don’t worry about putting on a brave face for us,” he added.

She wanted to keep a brave face for herself. After everything they’d talked about, she couldn’t deny that she’d been in more trouble than she realized. Who had she offended so greatly? And how? She really should know those answers.

And now, she was reliant on Jenna, Knox, and their team to fix things so she could get her life back. It was disconcerting in the extreme.

“Do you want us to send out a doctor?” Swann asked. “I’m sure they can prescribe something to help you relax.”

Not unless the meds would help her stop obsessing over Knox. She shook her head. “I’ll manage. Thanks.” She’d inconvenienced enough people already. “I’ll feel better when I can dig in and lose myself in work.”

Behind her, Knox’s voice rumbled over her frazzled senses. “I’ve got her. If she needs anything, I’ll make sure she gets it.”

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