Chapter 6

“I’ll drive,” Elizabeth offered.

“Drive?” Morgan’s eyes grew round as saucers. Her grandmother wasn’t a horrible driver. She also wasn’t the best. In her defense, when she’d first climbed behind the wheel after years of being chauffeured around by Ben, she was rusty.

Although her driving skills had improved over time, there was a running, albeit a private joke, among the Easton Estate staff that riding with Elizabeth was akin to taking your life into your own hands.

“Your eyesight is much better than mine at night. Besides, if we happen to cross paths with Wyatt on patrol, he will straightaway recognize your vehicle.”

Morgan wrinkled her nose. “And you don’t think big bad Burnie won’t be spotted from a mile away?”

“I have an excuse for being in Easton Harbor.”

“It wouldn’t be out of place for me to be in the area either,” Morgan said. “At the risk of stating the obvious, if your eyesight isn’t as good at night, it means your driving skills might be somewhat impaired.”

Her grandmother arched her eyebrow, pinning Morgan with a stare. “You don’t trust me to drive into town?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Morgan reluctantly traipsed behind her grandmother, heading to the kitchen to track down the keys to Burnie, Elizabeth’s burnt orange 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria.

“Morgan and I are running an errand in Easton Harbor,” Elizabeth explained to Mrs. Arnsby when they reached the kitchen.

“At the art gallery?”

“No. It’s more of a reconnaissance mission.”

“Reconnaissance?”

“We’re going to spy on Wyatt’s ex, Amber Marais,” Morgan said bluntly.

“I thought she left the island.”

“She’s back and renting a place down the street from Wyatt.”

Mrs. Arnsby blinked rapidly. “Amber is still chasing after Wyatt?”

“It hasn’t been confirmed, although it’s safe to assume so,” Elizabeth said. “Which is why we’re heading into town. I need the keys to Burnie.”

“Y-you’re driving Burnie into town tonight?” she stammered.

“Good heavens. You’re giving me the same look Morgan did. I’m perfectly fit to drive. If I wasn’t, the licensing department would not have renewed my driver’s license.” Humming under her breath, Elizabeth began sifting through the keys hanging on the hook by the door.

Behind her back, Mrs. Arnsby made a cross sign on her chest.

Morgan clamped her hand over her mouth. The expression on the woman’s face said it all. She thought Morgan was nuts for allowing her grandmother to drive. She might not be far off.

“Why don’t you go with us?” she blurted out.

“Me?” Mrs. Arnsby made a choking sound. “Ride in Burnie?”

“Here they are.” Elizabeth jangled the keys. “I think that’s an excellent idea. Two sets of eyes scoping out the neighborhood are better than one.”

“I…uh.”

Morgan flung her arm around the cook’s shoulder. “It’ll be fun.”

“Fun?”

“Exciting?” Morgan teased.

“Let’s go.” Elizabeth, with shoulders back and a look of determination in her eye, marched out of the kitchen, leaving Morgan and Mrs. Arnsby trailing behind.

They reached the main garage and tracked down Ben, who was in the office sitting in front of his computer. He did a double take when he noticed the women. “Hello.”

“Hello, Ben. Morgan, Jane, and I are taking Burnie into town.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Is there something wrong with Morgan’s SUV?”

“Not you too.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I’m driving Burnie into town. Morgan and Jane are going with me.”

“I…it’s getting late. Of course, it’s certainly your call.” Ben sprang from his chair and hurried out of the office.

Meanwhile, the trio gathered in the driveway to wait. In less than a minute, Ben and Burnie appeared. He hopped out and held the door. “Are you sure you don’t want me to chauffeur you instead?”

“Thank you for the offer,” Elizabeth said. “We can handle this ourselves, right, ladies?”

“We’re going to try,” Morgan said.

Mrs. Arnsby hovered off near the walkway, watching as Ben helped Elizabeth into the driver’s seat. She pulled him aside and whispered in his ear, “Pray for us.”

“I already am,” he whispered back.

Morgan climbed into the passenger seat while Mrs. Arnsby slid into the back. As soon as they were settled, Elizabeth shifted into reverse and hit the gas.

Wham. She slammed on the brakes, sending the vehicle’s occupants flying forward, akin to the last few seconds of a roller coaster ride, when the car came to a full stop.

Having ridden with her grandmother on several occasions, Morgan was prepared for the jolt and braced herself.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Arnsby must have forgotten about Elizabeth’s lead foot. “Oof.”

“Did I do it again? This gas pedal is so touchy,” Elizabeth sighed. “I’ve asked both Ben and Jax to take a look at it, but nothing they do seems to address the problem.”

“It could be your lead foot,” Morgan teased.

“Dear God, please protect us,” Mrs. Arnsby muttered.

“You’ll be fine, Jane. I am extra cautious behind the wheel at night.” Despite the assurances, Burnie flew to the end of the driveway. Elizabeth slowed just enough to careen around the corner.

They reached the tippy top of Dead Man’s Drop. Morgan squeezed her eyes shut, unable to look. At one point, she could’ve sworn the car went airborne.

Whomp. The flying sensation ended, and her head flew forward. She opened her eyes, relieved to find they had safely reached the stop sign at the bottom of the hill.

“There’s a car coming,” Mrs. Arnsby said.

“I see it, Jane. Thank you for the warning.”

The car passed, heading in the same direction they were going. Elizabeth hit the gas and turned onto the road. She sped up. Coming within inches of the car’s rear bumper, Morgan could almost count the pitted rust spots in the chrome. “Don’t you think we’re a little too close?”

“Not necessarily. They’re driving under the speed limit.”

“I mean, it is dark,” Morgan pointed out. “It’s probably safer to drive under the speed limit.”

They rode in silence for several long seconds. Morgan averted her gaze. Her grandmother was so close to the other car any sudden stop meant they would be kissing their bumper.

“Now I know why I rarely drive after dark. People simply putter along as if they have nothing better to do,” Elizabeth complained.

The car slowed even more. The left blinker flashed, indicating an imminent turn. It was almost as if Elizabeth didn’t see it because she got even closer. “Hurry up and turn already.”

“I think they’re waiting for the car coming from the other direction to pass,” Morgan pointed out.

“They had plenty of time to turn. Finally.”

The car ahead of them completed half the turn. Elizabeth, growing impatient, jerked the wheel. She drove onto the shoulder and passed by, nearly sideswiping the vehicle.

“Whoa!” Morgan pressed her hand to her chest. “That was close.”

“Close to what?”

“Close to sideswiping them.”

Her grandmother waved dismissively. “Not even. Your eyesight must be worse than mine. Would you like to drive?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Arnsby gasped. “I think Morgan would like to drive.”

“No sense in switching drivers now. We’re almost there.”

Reaching the outskirts of Easton Harbor, Burnie cruised through downtown, all the way until they reached the other end. Elizabeth whipped around in a circle and pulled off into a gas station’s parking lot. “Do you have the address?”

“It’s on my cell phone.” Morgan pulled up the address. “It’s on the same street as Wyatt’s house.”

Making their way back into town, Elizabeth turned onto the side street. They drove past his place and found the driveway was empty. Although both the front and side porch lights were on, the inside was dark except for a small lamp near his front window.

Reaching the end of the block and the stop sign, Elizabeth checked for traffic before proceeding. Morgan counted the house numbers until they reached a cozy cottage with a white picket fence close to the harbor.

Although it was dark, Morgan could see it was a charming Easton Island single family home. “This is it.”

Elizabeth slowed. “It’s the old Mentschler place. The parents died and the children rent it out.”

“And somehow Amber managed to move right in.” Morgan checked the driveway. It was empty. The faint glow of a lamp illuminated the window. “She isn’t home.”

“Could be she doesn’t have a car,” Mrs. Arnsby said. “Maybe she’s only here for a few days and walks where she needs to go.”

“It’s possible.” Elizabeth checked the time. “It’s getting late. What would you like to do?”

“A better question is, what can we do?” Morgan blew air through thinned lips. “We’ve confirmed she could definitely walk to Wyatt’s house.”

“I need to grab something at the art gallery while we’re in town. Do you mind if we stop?”

“Not at all.”

Reaching the main drag, Elizabeth steered Burnie into a parking spot in front of the gallery…or more like two parking spots, seeing how she was straddling the white line. “I’ll only be a minute.”

Mrs. Arnsby waited until she was gone. “I saw my life flash before my eyes.”

“I thought for sure we were going to sideswipe the car ahead of us.”

“There’s time for you to hop out and climb into the driver’s seat.”

“I could. I mean, I think it would hurt Grandmother’s feelings. Besides, she isn’t driving fast enough to do major damage or cause serious bodily harm.”

“Except for whiplash. Whiplash can be serious. Here she comes.”

Elizabeth returned to the car and handed Morgan a plastic bag. “I left my cell phone charger on the desk. My phone is getting ready to die.”

Mrs. Arnsby craned her neck. “The coast is clear.”

“Thank you, Jane.” Elizabeth hit the gas and flew backwards out of the parking spot. She rammed the car into drive and barreled down the road, easily going twice the speed limit.

“We’re going a little fast for downtown.”

“You’re right.” She eased up on the pedal. “Let’s swing by Amber’s place one more time. Maybe she’s home now.”

“True. It’s not like Easton Harbor is a town that never sleeps. There are only so many places she could be.”

Taking the same route, they drove past Wyatt’s home and kept going until reaching Amber’s rental. As they drew closer, Morgan noticed the porch light was on and there was a vehicle parked in the driveway.

Elizabeth slowed to a crawl and tapped the brakes. “Do you see what I see?”

Morgan clenched her jaw, staring at the SUV. “I sure do.”