“Sounds good to me.” With a smile, she reached for the eggs to start the batter.
Walking to the breakfast table, he opened his laptop and cued up the footage. As the video began to roll, he changed the settings to slow down the playback speed. With luck, he’d caught something that would be helpful despite Royer’s departure from the construction site. It helped knowing the Guardian Agency researchers at headquarters were also combing through the images for anything actionable.
As he watched, the savory scents of a hearty breakfast filled the kitchen. Sausage, egg wash, and a dash of cinnamon. His stomach rumbled, anticipating the meal she was preparing.Shifting, he focused again on the screen. The drone cruised over the trees, a flash of color catching his attention. Startled, he struggled with the online controls for a moment, rewinding and pressing play once more.
“Coffee.” Natalie set a cup within reach. “Black, right?”
“Thanks,” he didn’t take his eyes off the screen. Going back and forth, enlarging the still image as much as possible, he thought the color had the image of a kayak. As if someone—probably Royer—had shoved it into the trees.
He opened the text app and sent a text to the research team, marking the time on the video for easier reference. If anyone had the tools to find that kayak in or around the island over the past few days, it was the Guardian Agency.
“Natalie, I could use your opinion when you get a second.”
“Sure.” She walked over, her own cup of coffee in her hands.
“What do you make of this?” He angled the screen for her.
Her brow knit and she leaned closer. “Why would someone shove a kayak into the woods?” She stood, met his gaze.
“To hide it,” they said in unison.
“I can’t believe I didn’t see this yesterday.”
“Overhead and with the shadows, I can’t be sure, obviously, but it definitely resembles the kayak out there when I picked up the sail cloth.” Her nose twitched and she darted back to the French toast on the griddle.
When it came to color, he trusted Natalie. He sent another text to the research team. “How long until breakfast?”
“It’s ready when you are.” She added the fresh slices of French toast to the warming tray. “I can fix a plate for you.”
He shook his head and closed the laptop. “Thanks.” He moved the computer and made room for the napkins and forks she’d set out. She brought over loaded plates, then went back for butter, syrup, and a bowl of powdered sugar.
“Wow. That’s a setup.”
“Hospitality duchess at your service.” She gave a quick curtsey. “But we all bow to Celeste. She’s the queen.”
The food was delicious and they both ate with enthusiastic focus. Over a last cup of coffee, he called Jess and the three of them worked out a plan that protected Natalie and gave him some room to work.
Jess would pick up Natalie and drive her home to pack and work. Another protective detail was in place there, making sure no one threatened Natalie or her sisters at the house Roni had purchased a year or two ago.
Although he could see Natalie wasn’t happy about what she called house arrest, she promised to cooperate. On her way out she touched his shoulder, let her hand slide down until her fingers laced with his. “See you tonight.”
Ignoring Jess’s curiosity, he smiled at Natalie. “I’ll be pick you up at Roni’s around seven.”
“Do you want me to bring something back for us to cook?”
He shook his head. “It’s all under control.” He’d already factored the timing. On his first day in town, he’d ordered groceries and had everything on hand for a chicken pot pie. Knowing she was anticipating a campfire too, he planned to use the cast iron dutch oven. He could bake it early and then heat it up over the firepit when she arrived.
He watched through the window until Jess’s car pulled out of the driveway and then he got to work, determined to identify Royer’s accomplice before his first official date with Natalie.
And he planned on starting with Corey at the marina repair shop.
CHAPTER 12
Natalie couldn’t drum up any decent conversation for the short drive from the Hideaway to home, too lost in her thoughts. Checking her text messages, she saw the responses that both her sisters would be out for most of the day. She wasn’t sure if that was good news or bad. She wanted company, but she didn’t want to answer questions. “Thanks for helping out,” she managed as Jess turned onto the street.
“My pleasure,” Jess replied. “Though the circumstances suck.” She pointed to another car, across the street from the house. “That’s the extra detail. It’s a two-person team watching the entire property. You’ll be safe.”
“Awesome. Safe is awesome.” Nat twined her fingers together. “Will Trent be okay?” She had no doubt he’d go straight to the marina repair shop to talk to Corey. It gave her chills to think someone in her hometown was willingly helping a thief and killer. Someone who knew her.Please don’t let it be Corey. It would be awful to know she’d been fooled again.
