Page 29 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Don’t you have them backed up?” Liam asked.
“No,” Dawn said with raised eyebrows. “You can’t back up notes written by hand.”
“I meant, didn’t you transcribe them onto the computer?” Liam rephrased the question.
“No!” Dawn shook her head. “Carrying a notebook around is a lot easier than carrying a laptop, and I can’t type on tablet screens. Nor do I like using digital dictaphones. I like to see what I’m writing.”
Liam knew it was futile, so he walked over to the drawer and pulled it open. Something in the drawer sparkled. He tilted his head to get a better look before leaning closer to zoom into it. He picked up a small diamond studded hoop earring. Liam turned and held it up for Dawn.
“Is this yours?” Liam asked her.
“No.” Dawn’s brown creased into a frown as she shook her head. “Was that in the drawer?”
“Yeah,” Liam confirmed. “There’s not a lot in there. I’m surprised you didn’t see it.”
“It wasn’t in there before,” Dawn told him. “I mean, it wasn’t in there before I put my journal in the drawer the other day.” She moved closer to have a look at the earring. “I know because I couldn’t find my favorite pen to sign Alex and Daniella’s card, so I pulled that entire drawer out and shook it onto the bed.”
“This could give us DNA evidence,” Liam stated.
“I think you watch too much television,” Dawn told him. “And now you may have tainted whatever evidence is on there by touching it.”
“Oh shoot,” Liam said. “Do you have something we can put this in?”
“I have an earring box I’m not using,” Dawn went to the dresser drawer and pulled out a maroon velvet box. “Here, put it in this.”
Liam put the earring into the box, snapped it shut, and pocketed it. “This will go to the police station tomorrow.”
Dawn nodded. “I think we need to go through those old documents and the clipping Harper and Lila got.”
“Agreed,” Liam said. “And I’m sorry about your journal.” His eyes filled with determination. “We’ll get everything back.”
“I hope so,” Dawn said without much hope in her eyes. “Do you want some coffee or tea?”
“I’m actually starving and was going to suggest I head home and get the pizza to bring it here.” Liam glanced around her room. “I’m not comfortable with leaving you alone here now that we know how the thief is getting in and out of the rooms.”
“I’m hungry too,” Dawn said.
“Maybe I should get the pizza and stay on the sofa bed again tonight?” Liam suggested.
“You don’t have to do that,” Dawn said and looked at Hicks, who was lying on the floor beside her. “Why don’t you leave Hicks here with me?”
Liam looked at the big dog. “Do you want to stay here with Dawn?”
Woof!Hicks responded, wagging his tail.
“I’ll go home and get the pizza, which is going to be cold,” Liam said. “I’ll get the kitchen in the hotel to heat it for us.”
“That sounds great, I’m starved,” Dawn admitted as she and Liam went back into the living room with Hicks. “We can come with you and help you bring Hicks’s bed and bowls.”
“No, I’ll bring my car, and one of the hotel staff can help me,” Liam told her, glancing toward her bedroom once again. “I’m worried about that door in your bedroom.” He looked at her. “I get the creeps just thinking of you sleeping there while someone’s sneaking around your room.”
“Or something,” Dawn said with a soft smile, trying to inject some humor into the tense situation. “Let’s not rule out the phantom thief just yet.”
A thought hit Liam. “About the phantom thief.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “What if someone’s pulling off these thefts to make it look like the hotel is haunted?”
“I guess that would explain why they made it so easy for us to find the loot,” Dawn said. “Except for my watch and Lila’s locket.” She shook her head. “Only the things taken from my suite are still missing.”
“You think someone is targeting you?” Liam’s frown deepened.
