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“Thanks. I spent some time with a Brit who’d once been a chef. He taught me a few things.”
Taking another mouthful, his tantalizing but disconcerting threat still hanging in the air, she tried to think of something else to talk about.
“This house of yours. How do we get there? Is it a long walk?”
“Not really. We’ll be taking the dingy to the small beach, then hiking up the hill. It’s not steep. You won’t have any trouble.”
“Do we need to take any supplies with us?”
“I have a housekeeper who takes care of the place and keeps it stocked up. There are a few shops on the other side, but, Elizabeth, we won’t be going anywhere until you start opening up.”
“I’ve already told you—”
“You’ve told me very little, and I can’t help you if I don’t know the whole story.”
Letting out a heavy breath, she stared at him intently.
“Sometimes ignorance is bliss,” she said gravely. “You can’t begin to imagine what I’m facing.”
“I might surprise you,” he said, his voice softening. “You’ve survived because you’re as smart as an alley cat, but think about this. Telling me won’t hurt you. Keeping it to yourself very well could.”
Letting his words sink in, Scott began devouring his breakfast. She was connected to Conchello, and a crooked cop was hunting her down. He had no doubt her life was in danger, but her problems could probably be resolved. He just needed to know what he was dealing with. Pouring coffee into his mug, he was about to take a drink when his phone buzzed. Lifting it from his pocket and checking the screen, he saw the caller was Jerry, one of the captains who worked for him.
“Hey, Jerry, what’s up?”
“Didn’t you see it?”
“See what?”
“The cat you brought in last night was broken into.”
“Dammit, I’ve been busy and I didn’t check the footage last night. Was anything taken?”
“Not that I can see, but I’m standing in cabin two and it’s the craziest thing. The cushions are unzipped, and the stuffing’s been pulled out. Not only that, a new package of toilet paper that was in the bathroom cabinet has been ripped open, and the rolls are lying around on the floor. It looks like someone rifled through the salon too, but there was no mess there, not like the cabin and bathroom.”
“Have you been approached by a cop out of L.A. Detective Dan Miller?”
“There was a guy here last night asking for you, but he didn’t give a name.”
“Tall, long dark hair, bizarre mustache?”
“Yep, that’s him,” Jerry replied, “and I got a bad vibe.”
“I know what you mean,” Scott muttered. “What did you tell him?”
“Just that you’d left and wouldn’t be back for a few days. What’s going on? Do you think he’s the one who broke in? Sorry, that was probably a stupid question. If he’s a cop, that’s unlikely, or is it? Do you know why he’s looking for you?”
“I’ve already spoken to him,” Scott replied. “He was interested in someone I took out a few months ago, but it was a case of mistaken identity. I don’t know why he needs to see me again, but regardless, report the break-in to the local police, and also tell the marina. They need to stay vigilant, and make sure our office alarm is set when you leave.”
“Will do. Speak to you later.”
“Yep, I’ll be in touch. Thanks, Jerry,” Scott said, ending the call, then turned to face Elizabeth. “Looks like Dan broke into the catamaran. Strange though,” he continued, scrutinizing her expression. “He pulled the stuffing out of the cushions that were on the bed in your cabin, and ripped open a package of toilet paper.”
“Toilet paper?” she breathlessly repeated.
“That’s what I said. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“I…uh…”
