Page 29 of The Library on Plum Island
“I should thank you for helping me out,” Daniella said with as genuine a smile as she could muster. “I know Emily is so excited about a trip with you and Harley.”
“I just like going to Boston,” Harley admitted. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Plum Island. I just sometimes miss the city.”
“Then you’re going to enjoy this trip because you may be there a few days longer than expected,” Sam told him as he finally joined them in the living room. “I’m sure you’re all aware that I called you here for a meeting, not to share pleasantries or for a coffee.”
“No, we pretty much assumed it had something to do with Daniella,” Carly stated, giving her cousin a reassuring smile. “I also feel like whatever’s happening is my fault.” She frowned. “I’m so sorry, Dani. The last thing I wanted was for you to be put in danger because I stepped back into the public eye.”
“I was the one that pushed you to,” Ethan said, his voice filled with regret and his eyes brimmed with apology as he looked at Daniella.
“It’s none of your faults,” Daniella assured them. “This was going to happen sooner or later.”
“I hope you’re not planning on leaving, Dani.” Carly’s voice was soft and laced with worry.
“No!” Daniella and Sam said in unison, a testament to their united front.
“Good, because we wouldn’t let you go,” Jennifer stated stubbornly. “We’re here for you, Daniella, and will help you with whatever you need.”
“Not only will you have us behind you,” Ethan told her. “But this town loves you, and from what I’ve witnessed, the residents are quite a force when it comes to protecting one of their own.”
“Thank you.” Daniella cleared her throat and fought back the tears. Her heart was filled with love, and each person in the room contributed to it.
“As we’re gathered here,” Harley took over the conversation, “I gather something’s happened that has convinced you both that Daniella and Emily are no longer safe here.”
“Yes,” Daniella nodded. “When I left Alex’s house after checking on him, I went to the all-night grocery store on Main Street. While I was there, I ran into a man…” She looked at Uncle Sam, who passed a photo he acquired of the man to Harley to pass around. “His appearance has changed, but he is a PI working for a firm in Los Angeles.”
“This morning, I found out that he has gotten himself a position on your film crew, Ethan,” Sam informed them. “He used to be a professional stuntman and has a filmmaking master’s degree in the fine arts.”
“Yes, I know him.” Ethan’s eyes widened as he took the photo from Harley. “Stan Wells. He started with us about six months ago as his predecessor had a car accident. The man is now one of our best cameramen.” He passed the photo to Carly. “He has also done a few stunts for the male lead in the series.”
Daniella’s eyes widened, and her heart lurched at Ethan’s words. The man had been here for six months watching her and Emily!Six months!So why run into me now?The more Daniella had thought out her encounter with Stanley Wells earlier, the more confident she was that their running into each other was no accident. From what she remembered of the man, while he appeared to be a bumbling idiot, each move was calculated with laser-sharp precision to ensure the desired outcome. Daniella suppressed a shudder, wondering what he was or had been up to.
“He’s been here for six months?” Harley’s voice was rough with disbelief and he turned toward his uncle. “Six months?” He shook his head. “I thought you had people keeping an eye on anyone involved with El Creepo.”
“Who?” Jennifer looked at Harley curiously.
“El Creepo is who we call the person who is the reason my cousin has to hide in the shadows,” Carly explained. “It was the Dark Lord, but it gave him too much character.”
Ethan looked toward Daniella. “I’m so sorry, Daniella. I didn’t know Stan was anything but what he claimed to be. All his references checked out.” He frowned. “If I recall, there was a four-year gap on his resume. Stan told me that he had to take a hiatus due to a train accident stunt and had the medical records to back his story.”
“I knowallabout that accident!“ Daniella said bitterly. “It nearly cost me my medical license.”
“Oh!” Ethan, Jennifer, and Carly exclaimed, staring at Daniella curiously.
“This is the man that accused you of killing his partner?” Carly held up the photo of Stanley Wells.
“Medical neglect that led to her death,” Daniella corrected Carly, feeling the burn of resentment and anger toward Stan well up inside her. “With no thanks to the hospital staff, administration, or El Creepo, and thanks to Carly’s fantastic attorney, I’d done nothing wrong. My medical decision was sound.”
“You were represented by Paige Garland?” Jennifer’s eyes widened in amazement.
“She used to be a defense attorney before switching to entertainment law,” Carly explained. “When she heard about Daniella’s case, she was more than happy to help.” She frowned. “Especially when she found out it was Doctor Ron Jackson. I don’t think she likes the man.”
“Did you ever ask her why?” Daniella had meant to ask Carly that during the hearing, but she’d forgotten. “When Doctor Jackson saw who was representing me, he went ashen in the face.”
“Yes, there was a lot of animosity between them.” Carly’s brow creased in contemplation. “If I remember, next time I see her, I’ll ask her.”
“Or we may need her to represent Daniella again,” Sam pointed out. “Depending on the outcome of what happens next.”
“I remember this guy!” Harley said, taking the photo from Carly. “Wasn’t he the man that muddled up the case files for Daniella’s case?”
