Page 97 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
His words about being a huge fan made Dawn’s eyes widen and set alarm bells ringing in Liam’s head.
“Do you mind?” The detective looked at Daniel.
“Sorry.” Daniel held up his hands.
“Let me reintroduce you to Connor,” Detective Winslow said, making Dawn gasp and Liam’s alarm bell clang in his head like a gong. “He was asked to act the part of Daniel Peters in order to get the late Mrs. Peters’s cat from Dawn.”
“I’m really sorry,” Connor said again, and Liam could see that the young man was really distraught. “My sister told me to act this part as it would show Miss Vanderbilt my talents.” He swallowed, his eyes darkening with emotion. “I’m sorry about knocking you out and putting that bag over your head. I was trying to be the Phantom Thief like in your new novel.” He paused. “Which is awesome, by the way. My sister told me that I was helping your niece and daughter play matchmaker and bring your book to life.” His eyes filled with distress once again. “I had no idea, no idea about the…”
“You were the one stealing everything?” Dawn’s brows drew together. “And the one that knocked me out?”
“I’m so, so, sorry,” Connor said again. “Chris Nicol, the vet, helped me get that other man onto the boat to set the scene for the kidnapping part of your book. And as for the robbings, my sister told me to take things that weren’t too valuable, but the guests would notice.”
“It seems the guests were meant to notice and cause a distraction,” the Detective told them, “in order to carry out the more sinister plot. But it was only when Chris was asked to lace the dart that hit Carl with that toxin that he started to get cold feet.”
“Chris is a good guy,” Connor said quickly. “He was manipulated. He and Missy.” His eyes darkened with pain, and his voice wobbled. “Missy, Chris’s assistant.”
“Whoa!” Dawn said. “Start at the beginning.”
Connor’s eyes darted to the detective, and she nodded.
“I’ve been working at the Nicol-Travis Animal fund with Chris and Missy for three years since I left college,” Connor told them. “Missy and I have been dating for two.”
“Connor!” Detective Winslow’s voice was stern and had a touch of compassion. “I’m sorry about Missy. But we don’t have time for your life history.”
“Sorry.” Connor nodded and took a breath, gathering himself. “I was studying film, and I want to act, but while I’m trying to get my acting career together, I’ve been working with Chris.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve been looking into maybe becoming a vet. Up until my sister gave me this part.”
“Stick to the story,” Detective Winslow said.
“Oh, right.” Connor nodded. “Tiger was brought in the same day that Mrs. Peters passed away. He was in a bad way, and Chris immediately recognized it to be Luminotoxin poisoning.”
“How did he get that?” Dawn asked, horrified.
“Mrs. Peters was given a slip of the plant from my sister as a present. Chris didn’t know she’d even taken a slip of his rare plant. He keeps the plant in this special locked glass box as it’s a beautiful but deadly plant. He has a license for it and everything as he’s doing research into its healing properties.”
“Connor…” the Detective warned.
“That’s important information,” Connor told her.
“Connor, how old are you?” Liam asked.
When he’d come to Dawn’s door the other day, he looked much older than he did now.
“Twenty-four,” Connor told her.
“You looked a lot older the other night,” Dawn pointed out.
“Oh, that’s because I’m a whizz at costume make-up,” Connor told Liam. “I’m good at disguising myself as well. That’s how I managed to avoid detection.”
“You were the wall?” Dawn gaped at him.
“Not in the hallway,” Connor said, shaking his head. A flicker of anger lit his eyes. “That was my sister, but had I known…” He broke off.
“We don’t have all day, Connor,” Detective Winslow said through gritted teeth, his patience wearing thin.
Connor ignored her and continued. “Chris was furious, and I heard them arguing with my sister when he came to the house. But as usual, my sister weaves her spell, and everyone falls at her feet.” He shook his head. “My parents were right when they warned me not to stay with my sister, to get my own place. But she’s had a bad divorce, and now, with Tiff, her daughter, taken away from her, I felt sorry for my sister as she was all alone.”
“That’s it,” Detective Winslow said. “Also, let me tell you this again. Your sister only wanted you with her to be her fall guy while she ducks out the back door with all the money it looks likeyoustole.”
