Page 45 of Island Rescuer

She held up a hand, shielding her eyes. She thought about the day she’d moved the desk under that window. An antique from Aunt Merle, delivered as a housewarming gift.

“We’ll find you,” she vowed under her breath as temper swelled up inside.

Turning to the water, she let the steady beat of the waves calm her down. She stood there, as apart as she could be, daring the culprit to do something about it.

He had to know she wasn’t there. Knox had theorized this fire was an attempt to bring her out of hiding. “Mission accomplished,” she muttered. “What next?”

Here she was, right here for the taking. Almost. Knox and Bruce were close enough to keep her safe. Was it true that some criminals watched their crime scenes for reactions from victims and the authorities? If so, she was determined that the arsonist wouldnotsee any fear in her.

Who was responsible? Who wanted to torment her this way? Knox would soon be asking who had visited her suite recently.

The short answer was no one. She didn’t bring dates home. Maybe that was part of the reason she hadn’t given much thought to moving out. The rather public address served as a deterrent to getting too close to the wrong person. Bringing a date back to her suite would be the ultimate walk of shame.

“Maybe I am too private. Or paranoid,” she said to herself.

“What are you talking about?” Knox asked.

She hadn’t heard him join her. But then it all clicked. Facing him, she hoped he would understand or at least play along until she could explain. “Kiss me.” When he hesitated, she pushed up on her toes and kissed him. She wasn’t looking for a grand romantic-movie kiss. No, she wanted simple affection.

“Why? What am I missing?”

“Play along, please?” She gazed up at his face. “Take my hand. Let me lean on you.”

“Always, but?—”

“I’ll explain soon.”

Knox was tense, shifting into protector mode. “Did you recognize someone?”

“No, but I remembered something. Someone,” she clarified.

“Someone you forgot to mention in our interviews?”

She couldn’t blame him for the accusation in his voice. “Only because we were looking at the past six months to a year. I think the person who did this has been planning his moves for much longer. We have to get back to Brookwell.”

“Or we can let Jenna and the research team get started while we drive.” He looked around, scanning for the threat. “We’re leaving.”

“Not so fast.” She held him in place. “Bruce needs to know who to watch for.” She started toward the main entrance, waving to get his attention.

Bruce hurried over, the arson investigator on his heels. “What’s going on?”

“I remembered something relevant,” Harper said, leading them through the lobby and straight back to the office behind the front desk.

With a look, Bruce cleared the room of hotel staff.

“Are you saying you know who did this?” the arson investigator asked.

“Not exactly.” Sticking out her hand, she introduced herself.

He shook it. “Kyle Swenson. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Harper swallowed as a wave of emotion swamped her. “I may have an idea of someone you should talk to.”

“I’m listening,” Swenson said.

Knox pulled out his phone, opening a recording app. “It’ll speed things along.”

“Right.” She took a deep breath. “Landon Walker.” She caught the scowl clouding Knox’s features. Was the name familiar to him too? “We went out a few times. A couple of years ago,” she explained. “I can’t say for sure that this is his work, but he’s the only person I can think of who could be this vindictive.”

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