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“No, thank you.”
“Please sit down.” Mason gestured to his dining table and chairs. “What can I do for you, Inspector?”
“It’s about the accident yesterday.”
“Yes. How can I help you?”
“Can you tell me if the scaffolding was properly secured?”
“To my knowledge, everything was up to snuff. I walk around the premises myself every morning.”
“Indeed.” The inspector jotted down a few notes. “About how long was the scaffolding there?”
“Several weeks.”
“Were there workers on it every day?”
“Actually, no. We were supposed to start a renewal project, but the job was canceled.”
“And who was responsible for the scaffolding?”
“The contractor erected it.”
“Why hasn’t it been dismantled?”
“I’ve been waiting for the contractor to come and retrieve it.”
“I see.” He jotted down a few more things before asking, “What is the name of the contractor?”
“Cotswell Contracting.”
“I’ve heard they declared bankruptcy.”
“Yes, which is why it’s been a problem having the scaffolding removed. Something about the bank and all that.”
“I see.” More notes. “Anything else you can tell me?”
“Aside from spraining my ankle? No. Sorry.”
“Fine. You will be hearing from us again.” The inspector stood and unceremoniously left the flat.
Mason stared down at his lukewarm tea. Why was life becoming a nightmare? He tried again to contact Zoe. This time he phoned. But once again, there was no answer; the call went straight to voice mail. Then he realized it was still only five A.M. in the States.
New York
Zoe jumped up from a deep sleep, awakened by her phone ringing. Who would be calling at this hour? Mason. She slid her finger to the red button, sending the call to voice mail. Betty and Buster lifted their heads in annoyance, repositioned themselves on the bed and went back to sleep. “Easy for you,” Zoe said to her fur family.
She was now wide-awake. She wondered how long she could go without taking Mason’s calls or answering his messages. She thought about the Sisters’ motto: Whatever it takes. But it was hard. On the one hand, she wanted to blast him with expletives. On the other, she wanted to hear him out. Maybe Izzie was right. Maybe he had a good explanation for why his niece had been following her. Zoe was glad her friend would be arriving the next day.
She got up and made a pot of French press coffee and toasted an English muffin. She scowled at the word English on the package, a reminder of Mason. “Ugh.” She was curious as to what was happening in the islands, but didn’t want to disturb anyone. Then she remembered there was an option to have a message delivered at a future time. Zoe began to type a message to all concerned letting them know Mason was still calling, texting, and emailing her. Then she asked how the rest of the mission was going. She set the message to be delivered at eight A.M. That left only three hours to pace the floors. Instead, she opened her work laptop and checked the latest timelines. The shipment for the school in Italy had been moved ahead. It was to leave the port in Santo Domingo in two days. She quickly typed a second message to the Sisters. But this time she sent it immediately.
* * *
Maggie was just stepping out of the shower and about to get some rest when she saw Zoe’s message. “Oh no! Eileen! The shipment is leaving the port the day after tomorrow.”
“I guess that means they’ll be loading the truck tonight.” Eileen grabbed her tablet and sent a message to Avery. “Between Charles, Fergus, and Avery, I am sure they’ll come up with a plan.”
Fergus was staying at the farm while the women were away. Charles teased that he needed Fergus around to clean up the kitchen. They were still in their pajamas when they saw Zoe’s message. They quickly contacted the harbormaster in Santo Domingo. They spoofed REBAR’s email signature and sent a message:
