Page 26 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Sure,” Harper said, not convinced, and turned to Dawn.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Peters?” Dawn asked, glad that Sam and Harper didn’t leave her alone with the man.
“I’ve come to find out if Tiger is ready to come home?” Daniel looked at her and smiled politely. “My sister and I are keen to get back to Boston. My father is still grieving the loss of my grandmother, and we know Tiger will cheer him up as a reminder of her.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Peters,” Dawn said.
“It’s Daniel,” Daniel corrected her. “Mr. Peters is my father.” He laughed.
“Daniel,” Dawn said, “Tiger’s vet hasn’t authorized me to hand Tiger to you just yet.”
“Is that so?” That look of what Dawn could only describe as malice flashed in Daniel’s eyes. “I’ll have to pay Chris Nicol’s a visit in the morning and find outwhenI can takemycat home.”
“You do that, lad.” Sam stepped protectively toward Dawn. “Then ask the vet to give Dawn a call to confirm.”
“Yes, of course,” Daniel said, turning to Dawn and giving her a polite nod. “Thank you for your time and looking after Tiger.”
“No problem,” Dawn said, relief flooding her when Daniel turned and left.
Sam stood waiting for Daniel to get in the lift and leave before turning to Dawn.
“Are you going to be alright here on your own?” Sam asked worriedly.
“Yes, I’ll be fine,” Dawn hoped her voice sounded more confident than she felt.
There was just something about Daniel Peters that did not sit well with her and gave her a creepy feeling.
After bidding farewell to Sam and Harper, the quiet of the suite seemed to envelop Dawn, wrapping her in a cloak of solitude that was unnerving. The stillness was abruptly broken by the ring of the hotel suite phone, a sound that seemed louder in the empty room, making her jump. Dawn walked over and answered it, surprised to hear Liam’s voice on the other end.
“I’ve been trying your mobile,” Liam’s voice came through, laced with concern.
“Oh, I haven’t even noticed it ringing. I must have left it somewhere around here,” Dawn replied, frowning as she tried to remember when last she’d had her phone. “Harper just left with Sam after a disturbing visit from Daniel Peters.”
“Are you alright?” Liam’s tone was protective, his words prompting Dawn to relay the phone call from Chris about twenty minutes before Daniel arrived at her door.
“I’m fine, really. Sam was here and stayed until Daniel left,” Dawn assured Liam.
“Do you still want to come over for pizza and to go over what Harper and Lila found now that my aunt has hijacked the girls for the night?” Liam asked.
“I was looking forward to pizza,” Dawn said.
“Great, because I have a lot of pizza here and was worried that Hicks, Ritz, and I were going to get sick trying to eat it all on our own,” Liam joked.
“Can Ritz eat pizza?” Dawn asked.
“Trust me, Ritz will eat anything as long as it’s food,” Liam assured her. “She can get quite aggressive if you don’t give her some pizza.”
“I hope you discourage that.” Dawn laughed. “Or you’re not going to be too popular with Finn’s family when he gets back to find a sick iguana.”
“Trust me, Finn will understand,” Liam said. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Dawn said. “I’ll meet you in the lobby?”
“We’re actually stepping into the elevator on our way to your suite,” Liam admitted. “Hicks and I were out for a quick walk when I phoned you.”
“Oh, okay,” Dawn said. “I’ll grab my phone and a sweater.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Liam told her. They said goodbye and hung up.
