Page 97 of The Cottage on Plum Island
Wallis looked at Angela, whose eyes had darkened with emotion; her face paled, and she swiped at a few stray tears. Angela took Wallis’s hand and turned to Jennifer. Her eyes were hooded, and she struggled to control her emotions.
“Clair came to apologize to me,” Angela’s voice was low and hoarse with pain.
“For stealing your husband?” Jennifer guessed.
“No.” Angela’s face started to crumple, and she sucked in a shaky breath as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “For giving Daniel the flu.”
“WHAT?” Harley’s voice boomed from the front door.
CHAPTER 18
Harley stood glued to the spot, gaping at Angela before she dashed off the sofa and rushed into his arms.
“I’m sorry, Harley,” Angela sobbed. “I’m so, so, sorry. I couldn’t tell you. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t.”
Harley stiffened, although his arms automatically went around Angela’s tiny waist.
“You couldn’t or wouldn’t?” Anger, hurt, and betrayal made him feel like he’d run through a brick wall.
The world felt like it wobbled beneath his feet while his head felt like it was vibrating.
“I’m just going to move over here,” Harriet said, popping out from behind Harley and walking to where Sam was.
“I couldn’t,” Angela sobbed.
“I thought there was more to the story about you attacking Clair like you did,” Harley told her, stepping away from her. “You let me almost destroy an innocent doctor’s career.”
“I was protecting you,” Angela reasoned. “I knew if you knew it was Clair… You already disliked her so much.”
“I don’t know what to say to this,” Harley said honestly. “You let me believe that our son died because of a negligent doctor when all along you were protecting your sister. A woman who was so jealous of you that she wanted to take everything from you by whatever means necessary.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Wallis said, sticking up for Angela.
“I don’t remember including you in this conversation.” Harley glared at Wallis. “What are you even doing here?” His gaze had swung toward Jennifer. He pushed past Angela and went to Jennifer’s side. “Are you okay?” His eyes traveled over her. “Did Wallis hurt you?”
“No,” Jennifer stood, and his heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. “I’m fine. Wallis just wanted to find Angela and Annie.”
“So he kidnapped you at gunpoint?” He turned and glared at Wallis. “It was you that has been following us since the diner, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Wallis admitted. “I knew you’d lead me to Angela, and I needed to know she was alright and that BAD MAN hadn’t gotten to her like they’d gotten to Clair.”
“Who is this bad man?” Harley and Jennifer uttered at the same time.
“Not who,” Annie said. “What!”
“Are you talking about the BAD MAN club?” Harriet asked, frowning. “That club is so exclusive that it hand-picks and invites members to join.”
“The Bad Man you’ve been talking about is a club?” Harley addressed Angela.
“Yes,” Wallis answered for Angela and looked at Harriet. “It onlyinvitesmembers that can serve its purpose, and turning down the invitation isnotan option when you’re invited.”
“They are rumored to be a criminal organization that’s taken over Boston’s underworld trades,” Annie added.
“But underworld trades, you mean…” Jennifer prompted.
“Getting corrupt officials to do what they want them to do,” Annie told her. “Like judges throwing cases out of court, getting senators to pass various bills, and so on.”
“Oh, so not drugs or any old-time criminalactivity,” Harriet said.
