Page 42 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“I’ll let you know my plans,” said Nell. “Thanks again.”

After Nell ended the call, the four of us sat quietly. This was no amateur trying to get information. It was a professional who definitely wanted to find material related to Clint’s project.

“I don’t like the idea of you going alone to the house,” said Clint. “Even with added security.”

“I’ll go with her,” I said. “Like you, Clint, I don’t want Nell to have to handle the situation alone.”

Nell turned to Clint. “I’ll pick up some extra things for the kids and us. And I’m going to pack up valuables and bring them here.”

“Smart idea,” said Clint. “I’m going to remain here for the foreseeable future. It’s something you’ve wanted, and since the accident and now this, it makes sense.”

“What about Claudine and your project?” I asked him.

“That will have to be worked on here in Sabal,” said Clint.

Vaughn frowned. “We’re pretty secure here. Just in case, though, I’ll hire a security company to patrol our house.”

“I’m sorry it’s come to this,” said Nell. “If you’re uncomfortable with having us here, we can find another place to stay.”

“Nell, honey, this is your home,” I said. “We can’t let others scare us away.”

“Right,” said Vaughn. “I’ll see that you and your family are safe with us.”

“It’s just information they want,” said Clint. “But, Nell, after taking care of this, I’m comforted knowing you’re going to be staying in Sabal.”

“One day at a time. Are you going to let Claudine know about the break-in?” I asked Clint.

“No,” he said with a firmness I understood. “I think they’re playing me for a fool. I may have fallen for the glamour of this company, but I’m better than that.”

I glanced at Vaughn.

He gave Clint a nod of approval. “I think you are, too.”

###

The next day, Nell and I flew to D.C. and took an Uber to her house in Bethesda, Maryland.

As the driver pulled into the driveway of the two-story luxurious house, I studied it, thinking it looked like many colonial-style homes outside Boston. The exterior was gray-painted clapboard with sparkling white trim. The front entrance door was bright red and was an integral part of the wide front porch.

“It’s a pretty house,” I commented as Nell and I got out.

“It’s too much house for us—six bedrooms and five bathrooms. We don’t need all that space. But Clint was right about it being a house designed for a quick resale. It has everything someone could want.”

“Are you thinking of selling it?” I asked, surprised.

Nell stood looking at the building and sighed. “The idea of someone breaking into it is creepy. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel the same way about this house.”

“Well, we’ve got a lot to do while we’re here,” I said. “Put me to work.”

“I’m meeting with the insurance agent this afternoon. Before then, we need to conduct a thorough survey of the house to make sure nothing is missing. I want to pack the more valuable items and store them in Florida. There’s not a lot. It’s mostly smaller objects—family jewelry, silver, and the like. Sentimental pieces. I can pack up in the car and drive them to Florida.”

“And the children’s stuff?” I asked.

“I want to be judicious about what I take to Florida. With Christmas coming up, they’ll want a few items from here,” said Nell.

I followed her to the front door and waited while she entered the security system's access code.

We waited for a signal that it was unlocked, but it didn’t come. Frowning, Nell turned to me. “I guess it hasn’t been fixed yet. She took out a key and unlocked the front door with no trouble.