Page 80 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Then you’re right to worry.” Ben’s eyes flashed with concern. “Wade never takes medication.”
“I know.” Dawn nodded and glanced at Ben’s wristwatch. “You got your watch back?”
“No.” Ben shook his head. “It’s evidence. This is one I bought to do sports with.”
“Can you let me know when an hour is up?” Dawn asked. “I want to go check on Wade.”
“I’ll come with you,” Ben said. “You may need to move him.” He grinned. “And I don’t think you’re going to be able to move the giant on your own.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Dawn said gratefully and held up her wrist. “Mine’s evidence, too.”
“I’m surprised you got your journal back,” Ben said, pointing to it.
“I didn’t give it to the police,” Dawn confessed. “I gave them the one Liam gave me from the hotel.”
“Dawn!” Ben looked at her with a big grin. “Did you hand in false evidence?”
“Don’t put it like that!” Dawn pulled a face at him. “I needed my journal as that person who took Carl said they left me something extra.”
“And you think there’s a clue or something in your journal?” Ben asked.
“At first, yes,” Dawn said. “Now I’m thinking they may have added to my manuscript.”
“Do you mean writing in something extra and sinister?” Ben frowned.
“Or worse, writing the ending.” Dawn’s voice dropped.
“What kind of book did you write?” Ben’s eyes widened.
“A mystery, adventure, romance type book with hints of the supernatural,” Dawn told him.
“Awesome,” Ben said. “Want to tell me about it?”
“Not really,” Dawn admitted. “But I’d rather tell you than everyone else.”
“Why?” Ben’s one eyebrow rose. “You said the story was loosely based on your life.” His eyes searched hers. “Mmm.” He rubbed her chin. “Can I take a guess as to who the main male character is based on?”
“If you want me to push you off the jetty,” Dawn threatened him.
“You don’t have to say the name,” Ben was unphased by her threat. “Just nod.” He grinned. “Is it perhaps a handsome, enigmatic hotel owner?”
“I’m not answering,” Dawn told him with a glare.
“Huh!” Ben said. “Can you give a brief outline of the book?”
“Yes.” Dawn hesitated, choosing her words carefully as she tried to explain the premise of her book to Ben. “It’s a bit of a thriller mixed with some mystery,” she began, her eyes brightening with the enthusiasm of sharing her creation. “The protagonist, Eve, is a former FBI agent turned author. She worked for a clandestine division of the FBI, handling cases that were, well, out of the ordinary—almost supernatural in nature.”
Ben leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. “Intriguing, go on.”
Dawn continued. “Eve’s last case was so harrowing it left her with PTSD. She leaves the agency and tries to reinvent herself as a full-time author, but she’s haunted not just by her past but also by a severe writer’s block.”
“Eve retreats to this quaint seaside town, hoping the change of scenery will spark her creativity,” Ben guessed.
“Exactly.” Dawn nodded, her hands gesturing as if to weave the tale in the air between them. “Eve checks into this historic hotel, run by a charming and enigmatic single father. The place is steeped in history, and locals whisper about it being haunted.”
Ben chuckled. “Let me guess, she doesn’t believe in ghosts?”
“No, she works for the FBI,” Dawn pointed out. “Her whole job was to disprove that notion.”
