Page 56 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Why do you have undercover agents on Alex’s new yacht if you think we were wrong about Ben?” Dawn asked.
“Because Wade asked for them,” Scott told her. “Just like he asked for the new bio bracelets.”
“Why?” Dawn persisted.
“Because he doesn’t trust us,” Scott told her bluntly. “And after what I’ve learned recently, I can’t say I blame him.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Dawn asked her brother.
“Let’s just say we were so busy looking for the bad in our baby brother because of a few incidents that I don’t think were even his fault, that we put blinders on to the truth,” Scott said cryptically. “I’m running an investigation into this. But please don’t tell Wade, as he coldly told me to leave it alone. The past should stay just that: the past!”
“So now we’re the bad guys in his story?” Dawn said in disbelief.
“Yes, Dawn, I’m afraid we are,” Scott told her in no uncertain terms. “We should’ve listened to Aunt Faith and Harriet.”
“Why?” Dawn was like a dog with a bone. She was not letting go of finding out the answers she sought.
“I’ll tell you when I know more,” Scott answered. “Now log out of my system, please, as Liam’s systems are full of holes, and I can see the system has been recently accessed remotely.”
“What?” Liam said in alarm.
“Do you want me to trace the connection?” Scott asked him.
“Yes, please,” Liam said.
“Okay, give me a few days, and I’ll get to you,” Scott promised. “For now, I’ll get my IT team to lock your system down for you if you give us access to it, and when I’m there in a few weeks to fetch my daughter, we can talk security.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Liam said. “I think Lila is going to be sad when Harper goes home.”
“Harper has already introduced me to Lila and your delightful Aunt Betty,” Scott told Liam. “Sam Donovan sends me daily updates on Harper and Lila.”
“Thank you for getting your security team to keep an eye on my daughter and aunt as well,” Liam said to Scott. “It gives me great peace of mind, especially with everything going on at the hotel…”Ow, he mouthed when Dawn kicked him. “Your brother already knows about it.”
“How?” Dawn glared at Liam. “I told you to keep this from him.”
“I can still hear you, you know,” Scott’s voice came through the receiver. “Come on, Dawn, did you think that Carl wasn’t going to report back to me about this?”
“I’m surprised you weren’t on the jet zooming here to drag Harper home,” Dawn said.
“Sam and Carl assured me that Harper and Lila were out of harm’s way at Liam’s aunt’s house,” Scott said. “And I wouldn’t do that to my daughter when I’ve seen and heard the changes in her, for the better, already.” He paused. “I knew sending Harper to you, Dawn, would set her on the right path again.”
“Why are there so many security guys with Wade?” Dawn suddenly asked.
“I told you, Wade asked for them,” Scott repeated his previous answer.
“Seriously?” Dawn said. “You don’t think I’m not going to find out?”
“Fine,” Scott sighed. “Wade wanted him and his crew’s movements tracked to ensure if anything went wrong, everything would be recorded.” Another sigh. “Our little brother didn’t want to take this job, but the Blackwells and Travis Danes basically pleaded with him to do it.”
“Why Wade?” Dawn was still suspicious. “Especially after everything that happened ten years ago.”
“Maybe, like me, they’ve started to realize we may have been too hasty to point fingers, judge, and convict WadeandBen,“ Scott said.
“Why the sudden change of heart?” Dawn’s eyes narrowed.
“Dawn, just drop it, please,” Scott begged. “All I can tell you right now is that we’ve reopened the investigation that led to Wade’s house arrest and Ben going to jail. But I’m imploring you, donotmention this to Wade or Ben.”
“A bit late to reopen the investigation, don’t you think?” Dawn’s eyes widened. “If what I think you’re trying to say is thatBen wasn’t guilty, then we were all instrumental in putting an innocent man in prison and ruining his life.”
