Page 98 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“They don’t run the drugs themselves,” Wallis said. “But they help the head of the cartels by opening up their distribution centers for a price.”
“Like money?” Jennifer asked.
“No favors,” Annie answered. “They get protection for their members.”
“Like getting them off for murder?” Jennifer realized.
“Why is this club after Angela?” Harley asked.
He glanced at Angela standing between Annie and Wallis, who had his arm protectively around her, making his fists clench at his sides. Harley’s mind still hadn’t processed the information about Clair’s part in his son’s death. Whenever the thought popped into his head, he felt the world tilt, and he was drawn back to relive the worst day of his life.
“Because Clair managed to get invited into it. But she didn’t like how they did things and started working for me,” Andrew’s voice filled the living room, making all eyes turn toward him.
“Doesn’t anyone knock anymore?” Jennifer hissed. “There’s also a bell!”
“I’m sorry,” Andrew apologized to Jennifer. “I did knock, and the bell isn’t working.”
“Sorry, I disconnected it to fix it before my accident,” Sam told Jennifer.
“Wait!” Jennifer looked at Wallis. “I thought you locked the door when you came inside?”
“I did,” Wallis confirmed.
“I have a key,” Harley told her.
“Awesome,” Jennifer said, rolling her eyes before turning to Andrew. “Are you here alone, or is someone going to pop out from behind you too?”
“No, but I’m afraid I was being followed, and I don’t think they’re far behind me,” Andrew admitted.
“This just gets better and better,” Jennifer said sarcastically. “Now you’re luring bad people right to my doorstep.”
“Do you have any idea who’s following you?” Sam asked, and Harley’s eyes narrowed in on his uncle.
“I do. It seems we’ve managed to spook BAD MAN enough that we have the organization’s new head on our tail.” Andrew informed them. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Sam. “You were supposed to get Jennifer, Harley, and Harriet out of the way.”
“He tried!” Harley snarled, glaring at his uncle.
“Seems I underestimated the dosage of the tranquilizer dart,” Sam said.
“You and I are going to have words about this,” Harley warned Sam as Andrew interrupted them.
“And Wallis, you were supposed to stay in Boston and keep an eye on James,” Andrew’s eyes flashed angrily. “Luckily, Sam was able to arrange someone to keep an eye on him and Duncan.”
“I needed to ensure Angela was okay,” Wallis snapped back. “I couldn’t lose her too.”
Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m really sorry about Clair.” He blew out a breath. “It seems Angela was right about someone poisoning her water.”
“What?” Annie breathed in shock. “How would anyone poison Angela’s water at the institute?”
“One of the nurses,” Sam informed her. “Don’t worry, he’s taken care of.”
“Clair took the water that Angela refused to drink when she busted Angela out of the institute after we got information that BAD MAN wanted her out of the way,” Andrew explained. “We told Clair that we’d get Angela out of harm’s way, but she panicked and took it into her own hands to save Angela.”
“I’m confused,” Harriet said, shaking her head. “Is Clair the bad person in this story or a good person? Who the heck side was she on?”
“Clair was only ever on Clair’s side,” Harley assured Harriet.
“That’s not true,” Wallis instantly defended her. “She didn’t harm Daniel deliberately. She didn’t realize she had the flu until it was too late.”
