Page 26 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“Rag?” The man’s brows lifted. “Do I look like I’m paparazzi?”
Ethan’s eyes ran over the man’s expensive suit, shoes, wristwatch, and top-of-the-line camera.
“Who are you working for?” Ethan’s voice dropped dangerously, and his eyes narrowed.
“Do you really think I would tell you who I was hired by?” the man scoffed, wincing when Harley increased the pressure on the guy’s arm.
“You’re a PI?” Harley hissed. “Let me guess: your buddy has been stalking my sister.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The man’s expression went blank.
“Are you a guest in the hotel?” Harley asked the man.
“I don’t have to answer any of your questions.” The man refused to cooperate.
“I’ll ask Liam,” Ethan told Harley.
“He’s not allowed to tell you that information,” the man said smugly.
“He is if I’m concerned for my client’s safety because I think he’s in danger from a stalker,” Harley told the PI.
“Who’s your client?” The PI frowned.
“I am,” Ethan realized where Harley was going with his conversation. “Harley is my new head of security.”
“And I’ve already called the police,” Harley informed him. “Who will be along any minute to take you to join your friend who is currently the guest of the local police department.”
“Ethan?” Harriet Joyce’s voice came from the room doorway before she appeared. “What’s going on?”
“Harriet!” Ethan exclaimed. He’d forgotten they were meeting for lunch. “I’m sorry. I’m running late for our lunch.”
“Clearly,” Harriet stated, eyeing the PI Harley had captured. “Harley, why are you torturing that poor man?” Her brow furrowed as she looked at the PI. “Wait. Don’t I know you?”
“I know you!” The PI taunted her. “And your family.”
Harriet’s brow shot up at his taunt. “Huh!” She snorted, tilting her head as she scrutinized the man. “Let me guess, you’re a PI.”
“Good guess,” Harley and Ethan said in unison.
“You wouldn’t happen to know who he’s working for?” Ethan knew it was a long shot, but Harriet thought she’d recognized the man.
“No.” Harriet shook her head before a light dawned in her eyes. “But I do know where I’ve seen him before.” She looked at Ethan.
“Where?” Ethan and Harley said in unison again.
“He was sitting at the bar in the reading lounge yesterday,” Harriet told them, turning toward the PI.
“Oh!” Ethan said, disappointed. “So he is a guest at the hotel.”
“I’m not sure,” Harriet said. “Maybe Alex could tell you?”
“Alex?” Harley said before Ethan could.
“Why would Alex know anything about the man?” Ethan’s senses started to prickle uneasily.
“Because he—“ Harriet pointed to the PI, “was at the bar talking to Alex.”
CHAPTER 7
