Page 35 of Easton Island

“You looked cozy when we came in. How well do you know this guy?” Brett asked.

Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you implying?”

“You tell me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a nice guy and has bought a few things from the gallery. Travis is new in town. He doesn’t know anyone, and I was just being friendly.”

“Look.” Brett’s voice grew calm, even, in control. “I’m sorry. Morgan and I didn’t mean to sound like we were interrogating him.”

“Brett is right. We asked a few questions. He was interested in the medallion. We started talking about history,” Morgan said. “If anyone is getting defensive, it’s you.”

Quinn held up her hands. “Can we drop this?”

“Absolutely,” Brett said. “You don’t have to eat the food. We just thought you might be hungry.”

“I ate breakfast, but it was only a quick bite.” Quinn peeked inside the bag. “BLT on rye and chicken noodle soup. Two of my favorites.” She bounced on the tips of her toes and kissed her boyfriend’s cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The trio made small talk while Quinn ate, filling her in about the science fair and how Elizabeth had figured out the identity of the two children who were picking on Tristan.

“Naomi’s mini minions are running around terrorizing the Eastons,” Quinn said.

“It would appear so.” Morgan’s cell phone chimed. It was a message from Tina, asking when she was heading to Locke Pointe.

“Crud. I need to get going.”

Brett kissed his girlfriend goodbye. “Are you stopping by the house later?”

“I am. I close at six and will come right from here.” Quinn walked them to the door. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Me too.”

“Ditto,” Morgan said. “If anyone should know what it feels like to be an outsider, it’s us.”

“Right?”

Exiting the gallery, Morgan climbed behind the wheel while Brett took the passenger seat.

Through the front picture window, she watched Quinn return to the counter and place her leftovers in the bag. “What do you think of Travis Mason?”

“He’s giving off a weird vibe. How about you?”

“Same. He seemed friendly enough, yet evasive at the same time.”

“How do you go from being a teacher in San Diego to moving to a tiny island in Michigan?”

“He did say he was originally from Lansing,” Morgan pointed out.

“True.” Brett grew quiet, staring out the window. “There’s something about him I can’t quite put my finger on.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to run a background check on the dude. He seems to know a lot about Easton Island and about me.”

“By design?” Brett asked. “You never know with people. There are some real nutjobs out there.”

“Like my ex, Jason.”

“Speaking of Jason, any word on his whereabouts and what he’s doing now that he’s a free man?”