Page 92 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“We know that,” Jennifer assured her. “We just have to find this author claiming you stole their work.”
“Did you get their name?” Sitting next to Caroline, Brad leaned forward to ask Harriet, seated on the other side of Jennifer.
“Tan King,” Harriet told him.
“Never heard of them,” Brad shook his head.
“Yes, you have. I introduced you to Tan last night as my date.” Alex Blackwell’s voice had them turning toward the clinic door.
CHAPTER 21
“What did you say?” Brad stared at Alex with narrowed eyes.
“It was one date,” Alex told him. Stopped, thought about it, and admitted, “Okay, so we’ve been out on a few dates.”
“You’re supposed to be taking a relationship break!” Brad raised his eyebrows.
“I started dating Tan a few weeks before I was told I had to stay away from romance,” Alex told him, turning toward Harriet and Jennifer to glare at them. “Oh, it’s you two.”
“How did you find us?” Harriet asked Alex.
Alex held up his wrist. “Our watches.”
“So it is waterproof!” Harriet and Jennifer laughed.
“What is going on with you two?” Caroline eyed them suspiciously.
“They bonded over ganging up on me last night,” Alex told her. “They pushed me off my yacht. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the onlyone they pushed as my date tried to catch me and was pulled overboard with me.”
“Seriously?” Brad glared at Harriet. “I told you not to pick on Alex last night.”
“Hi, I’m Alex. We haven’t met,” Alex introduced himself to Caroline, holding out his hand, which she left hanging there, and he retracted with a shrug.
“Not officially,” Caroline told him icily. “But I believe you once compared me to a nag.”
“What?” Alex looked at her, confused, and she heard Brad breathe beside her. “I’d never compare you to a nag. You’re more like a graceful thoroughbred.”
“Alex, this is Carrie Lines,” Brad said pointedly.
“Oh!” Alex nodded. “It’s great to meet you, and I want you to know that I’m on the fence about who wrote Cobble Cove Mysteries.”
“I wrote Cobble Cove Mysteries,” Caroline’s voice rose, and anger flashed in her eyes. “Where is your girlfriend? Tell her to come here, and we can have this out face to face instead of hiding behind the cowardly stunts she’s been pulling.”
“Okay…” Alex’s head pulled back slightly as he looked at Caroline like she’d gone insane. “Whatever you say.”
“I wish I’d have been on your yacht last night so I could have thrown you an anchor instead of a lifejacket.” Caroline stood up. “I’m going to check on my macaw.”
“”Wow!” Alex watched Caroline storm off. “She’shot!”
“What are you doing here, Alex?” Brad said through gritted teeth, balling his hands into fists so he didn’t punch his friend in the face.
“I was wondering the same thing about you?” Alex glanced around the vet’s clinic before innocently looking at Harriet. “Or is it time for Harry’s check-up again?”
“Why you…” Harriet hissed.
“Don’t let him bait you!” Brad growled. “Alex, you promised.”
“I think you need to give the same speech you gave me to Princess Harriet.” Alex pointed his head toward her. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Harriet then shook his head. “You know what? Forget it! I’ll find out if the front desk will lend me their phone to get a cab back to the hotel. My stupid phone hasn’t worked in days.” He shook his head. “This has been the worst weekever.My father denies asking me to take Dawn with us on the yacht. My broody, moody brother blames me for trying to sabotage Dawn. You hire the worst actress in the world for the lead part in this amazing series…”
