Page 93 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Oh no!” Harriet’s heart dropped. “Isn’t there someone else?” She gestured with her hands. “What about Mother?”
“Harriet!” Pat reached out and took her hand. “You’re in charge, and I need you to find your mother and my brother.”
“Uh…” Harriet’s brows shot up as her heart lurched in her chest at her father’s words. “Wh… what?”
“I need my Harriet, who has an inquisitive mind and total disregard for the rules right now,” Pat surprised her by saying. “I need you to go find our family, and I have a good idea of where you can start.”
“Do you know where Uncle Titus’s jet was taken?” Harriet asked.
“New York,” Pat said, stifling a yawn. “Excuse me.”
“You get some rest,” Harriet told him and kissed his cheek. “I’m going to find Mom and Uncle Titus.” She was about to leave but stopped. “What was Faith doing with Uncle Titus?”
“He didn’t really say,” Pat told her. “But from the position she kept being seated, and if I was to hazard a guess, I think they may be romantically involved.”
“That’s what I thought too,” Harriet admitted. “But why wouldn’t he have said anything?”
“That, my dear daughter, I will leave in your capable hands,” Pat smiled. “He pointed to the table beside the bed. “Take the envelope in the drawer. You need to slip past everyone and don’t put your watch back on.”
“You know about my watch?” Harriet eyed him suspiciously.
“Oh, honey, your mother and I know more about you than you think we do.” Pat gave her a tired smile. “Get yourself a burner phone. I’ve put everything you’ll need for your trip in the envelope.” His eyes were getting sleepy. “Take Finn with you and trust no one else.” Harriet nodded, and as she got up to leave, he grabbed her hand. “Be careful. I love you, Harriet.”
Harriet’s eyes widened in surprise as her father drifted off to sleep. “I love you too, Dad.” Pat had never just blurted that out before.
She dug the envelope from the drawer and, on impulse, stuck it beneath the scrubs shirt and the waistband of the peach pants.
“Thank goodness the peach shirt is so loose, or I’d look like I’d swallowed a book.” Harriet snorted. “Now to do what I do best and ditch the security detail. Operation New York is a go.”
She pulled open the room door and ran slap into Finn’s solid chest.
“Whoa there,” Finn said, with a chuckle as he caught her before she bounced into the door from the impact. “Where’s the fire?”
“That’s not funny,” Harriet said before leaping forward and flinging her arms around her neck. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She hugged him. “And thank you so much for saving my brother.”
“It’s what I’m trained to do.” Finn frowned. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“To get something to eat,” Harriet told him. “I’m starving.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him along with her. “Come with me.”
“Okay, what’s going on?” Finn whispered as he followed her.
She scanned the hallway until she found the closet she was looking for. “Quick, in here.”
They slipped inside, and she went straight for the shelf where they kept the new scrubs. Then, she pulled out a set that seemed to be Finn’s size.
“Okay, I know this sounds odd, but you need to change into these quickly,” Harriet told him.
“Can I ask why?” Finn frowned as she turned her back, and he slipped behind a set of shelves.
“I’ll explain in good time,” Harriet told him. “Oh, you’re going to have to leave your phone and watch and any jewelry that may be bugged or have a tracker in it.”
“Okay!” Finn said, and to her surprise, popped up in front of her dressed as she asked.
“Wow!” Harriet said, impressed. “That was fast.”
“I’m a surfer,” Finn reminded her. “I know how to change fast.”
“Great.” Harriet grinned. “Now we need to escape this hospital, and I know just the way to go.”
