CHAPTER 1 The moment Mary Brent saw him coming, striding from the parking lot past the early tulip beds, with a dark expression and a brooding gaze, she knew something was wrong. Jason Allen was her best friend Suzie Allen’s younger cousin, but he felt like family to her, too. He also happened to be the chief of police in their small seaside town of Garber, which meant that whatever was on his mind at nine in the morning was likely far more pressing than the pile of towels she needed to distribute. “Suzie, Jason’s headed this way and he doesn’t look happy.” Mary turned to the coffeepot as a yellow Lab jumped to his feet and trotted toward the front door. “Don’t run him over, Pilot!” Suzie hurried into the dining room to collect the dishes from the table. “Coffee’s ready.” Mary poured some coffee into a mug and added a few splashes of milk, just as Jason liked it. The front door of the sprawling bed and breakfast swung open, and Jason stopped short to greet the eager dog. “Hey, there, Pilot. What a good boy you are.” Jason ruffled the fur on the top of his head, then straightened and turned toward Suzie and Mary. “I know you’re busy, but I need to speak to you, both of you.” He cast a serious expression in Mary’s direction as she walked toward him with a cup of coffee in one hand and a pile of towels in the other. “Here, drink this. I just need to distribute these to the rooms, and I’ll be right back.” Mary started to hurry off down the hall.
Suzie whisked past Jason with a trayful of breakfast dishes headed for the kitchen. “Can you talk while I’m washing these? We have a pretty full house, and lots of chores to catch up on.” She settled the dishes in the sink and turned on the hot water. “I can, yes.” Jason took a sip of his coffee and followed her into the kitchen. “I’m sorry to interrupt. The truth is, I’d like to keep what I have to say between us. That’s why I didn’t call or text. Technically I’m stepping over the line by sharing this with you. But it’s important to me that you know.” Suzie looked up at him, suddenly aware of the tone he’d taken. Jason was quite young to be chief of police, but he tended to be mild-mannered, especially since he’d married and settled down. But in that moment she heard the anxiety that wrapped around his normally casual tone. “Mary,” Suzie called out. “Mary. Leave the towels, and get in here!” Mary appeared in the hall with the towels still in her hands. “I only have two more rooms to finish.” “This is important.” Suzie turned off the water, then looked at Jason “What is it? What has you so upset?” Mary stepped into the kitchen with the stack of towels still tucked under one arm. “What’s wrong?” “It’s not that serious, I promise.” Jason held up his hands. “I just wanted to give you both a heads-up about someone who’s moved back into town. Most people around here know to avoid him, but he moved away before you two took over Dune House, so you’ve likely never met him.” “Why are you so worried?” Mary squinted at him. “How bad could this person be?” “Well, he’s a con artist. A really good one. A fraudster.” Jason cleared his throat. “You may think you’d never get swindled, but trust me, if anyone can do it, he can.” Suzie leaned back against the sink as she studied her cousin. “Did he con you, Jason?” “No.” Jason shook his head. “Look, the point is, he’s back in town, and he may see you two as easy targets. I just want you to be aware of his presence, and don’t believe a single thing he says. If he tries to get you to go in on a business deal with him, if he tries to sell you anything, heck, if he even tries to book a room, you need to stay away from him. His name is Cliff Southfield.” “Wow, the way you talk about him, I might just have to meet him to make sure he’s real.” Suzie laughed. “No!” Jason’s eyes abruptly narrowed. “I mean it, Suzie. Do everything you can to avoid him. He comes off very charming, like he’d give you the shirt off his back, but trust me he’s only trying to steal yours.” “Okay, Jason, thank you for the warning.” Mary patted his arm. “We’ll definitely be on the lookout.” “I’d be more likely to trust your warning of him if you told me exactly what he did.” Suzie searched his eyes. “How bad was it?” Jason swallowed hard, but shook his head. “I’ve already told you more than I should have, so please, just take my warning seriously.” He finished the last of his coffee, then set the mug on the counter beside the sink. “Thanks for this.” He started for the door, then turned back. “Oh, and if he does try anything, let me know right away.” He clenched his jaw. “I’d like nothing more than the chance to put him in cuffs.” He continued out the door. “That was something.” Suzie muttered her words as she turned back toward the sink. “I don’t see him like that very often.” “Or ever,” Mary said. “This Cliff must be quite a character if he’s gotten under Jason’s skin.” Suzie nodded. “That takes a lot.” Mary started back down the hallway to drop off the rest of the towels. She’d just opened the door to one of the rooms when two doors opened farther down. Maureen stepped out of one room, her son Trevor from another. “Maureen, Trevor, did you enjoy your breakfast?” Mary tried to clear her thoughts of Cliff, determined to create an upbeat tone for her guests. “Yes, it was wonderful.” Maureen smiled. “You’ve created such a lovely place here. It’s exactly what Trevor and I needed. Just somewhere peaceful to get away from everything.” “Any plans for the rest of the day?” Mary asked. “We’re hoping to explore a bit.” Maureen flipped through the pamphlets in her hand, then frowned slightly. “Some of these might be tricky if there are stairs. We’ll have to see.” “Mom, I can manage stairs if I have to.” Trevor gripped the handle of his cane. Despite appearing to only be in his twenties, he moved with a slow and careful gait. “I know you can.” Maureen’s voice softened. “I just worry. After everything that happened, I can’t help it.” Trevor’s shoulders tensed. “Can we just go? I want to see the ocean.” “Let me show you the easiest route down to the water.” Mary called Pilot to her side. “Pilot and I are due for a walk anyway.” “That’s so thoughtful of you.” Maureen followed after her, with Trevor a few steps behind. ...
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