Looks like I’m somehow going to have to locate R. by myself to ask if he knows whether Nicole really walked past the cottages by accident, or if she had some other reason for continuing all the way to the end of the beach…
For several days, Caitlin puzzled over how to figure out who R. was, and she kept circling back to the option of asking Marion for help.She seems to have an excellent memory. I could show her the photo of Nicole with Craig and the other kids to see if she can identify them. Or she might remember someone else whose name starts with the letterRand who would’ve been a teenager that summer.
But Caitlin’s conscience held her back. It wasn’t as if she could casually mention that she’d found a photo of Nicole and she was curious to learn more about the teenager’s summer acquaintances. An easy-going approach wouldn’t be credible—not when Marion had witnessed how troubled Caitlin was after stumbling across the plaque. Her neighbor would want to know the reason behind her inquisitiveness. And having been the object of hurtful gossip and speculation, Caitlin hesitated to plant any seeds of doubt in Marion’s mind about her fellow Dune Islanders—and especially not about Hope Haven’s highly esteemed fire chief.
Maybe I should just leave well enough alone, she thought one morning following a particularly restless night of stewing about it.I’ve only got a couple weeks left in Hope Haven. Rather than chasing shadows, my time might be better spent preparing for my interview with the hospital or even doing something relaxing, like going Christmas shopping.
Just as she took her first sip of coffee, her phone rang.
“Hello, Caitlin.”
“Tobias, it’s wonderful to hear from you.” They chatted about his mother’s improving health for a few moments, and then Caitlin said. “I was hesitant to leave explicit messages but the reason I called a few times was to ask whether the hospital signed with the agency yet?”
“Yesss…” He drew out the word as if he was confused by her question. “They finalized the contract while I was away.”
“Oh.” Caitlin wondered why he hadn’t told Max to mention that to her, but she imagined Tobias must have been too distracted by his mother’s health crisis. “I’m glad to hear that because I’ve done a ton of research. When do they intend to start interviewing consultants?”
“Interviewing? The interviewing phase is over. They’ve already chosen someone.”
“What?” Caitlin practically wailed into the phone, “But-but you said I was on the top of your list! I’ve been looking forward to the opportunity to speak with them.”
“I-I’m sorry Caitlin, but there’s been a misunderstanding,” Tobias said, groaning. “I asked Max to reach out to you for an interview, but he told me you were out of town indefinitely on bereavement leave.”
“Where did he get that idea?” Caitlin asked, even though she had a hunch.
“Melanie Boyd told him. She said you’d left for the east coast because your aunt had died and you were involved with putting her estate up for sale. Isn’t that true?”
“Yes, it is, but I could’ve done a video interview. Or I would’ve been on the next flight back to Santa Fe if the hospital wanted to meet with me in person,” said Caitlin, barely able to control her volume.
“Ugh. Like I said, it was a miscommunication. I’m sorry,” Tobias reiterated.
“I understand how it happened, and I don’t blame you, Tobias.”I blame Melanie.“But I’ve done a lot of research and I’d still like a chance to interview. I honestly believe I’m the best consultant for this campaign.”
“I think you would’ve been great, too, but I can’t ask the hospital to reconsider now. They’ve already made up their minds. They’re crazy about the consultant they chose.”
“Who is it?”
“Melanie,” he said, and Caitlin audibly snorted.
I should’ve known. Seems likeeveryone’sfalling in love with her lately, she thought.
Tobias continued, “The good news is that the parochial school campaign is still available if you want it.” He chuckled. “That is, if you’re still willing to accept an assignment from my agency?”
What other choice do I have? I need an income, thought Caitlin. But she didn’t want to admit defeat so easily. “I really was looking forward to more of a challenge. Maybe the hospital would benefit from a two-consultant team?” she asked, even though the idea of working with Melanie turned her stomach.
“They don’t have the budget for two consultants.” Tobias paused, as if waiting for Caitlin to respond, but she was too angry to say anything. “Listen, you don’t have to commit to the school campaign yet. I’ll hold it for you—you have my word on that—and we’ll see if anything more interesting comes up in the next few weeks. Sometimes, things start happening right after the new year.”
Caitlin begrudgingly agreed to touch base when she returned to Santa Fe later in the month. As soon as she said goodbye, she put on her coat, hat, and gloves, and stormed outside for a vigorous walk down the beach.
When she returned an hour later, Caitlin’s burning anger had cooled to a smoldering resentment about Melanie betraying her a second time. And because she’d set aside her coffee when Tobias called, she was desperate for caffeine. She shot through the woods and across the lawn, arriving at the cottage just as Shane stepped out of the windmill.
“Hi, Caitlin.” He started to give her his usual high-beam smile, but she must have been wearing her emotions on herface because his forehead abruptly creased and he asked, “Is something wrong?”
She bitterly recounted her conversation with Tobias, and Shane’s response was so animatedly supportive it immediately made her feel better.
“That blows!” he exclaimed. “Don’t you have any form of recourse? Can’t you, like, sue Melanie or something for starting a rumor that cost you an employment opportunity?”
“If I tried, she’d probably steal my lawyer, too,” Caitlin muttered sardonically.
