was too late.
As Garret entered Beulahâs Café, he was still thinking about Megan. Wishing heâd stuck around long enough to walk her through the deserted building. He knew she needed someone to talk to. She had so many questions. Many of the same ones heâd been wrestling with since yesterday. But he also knew that she needed this time alone. She had to process Roryâs death in her own way, on her own terms. Just like Garret had done last night down at the docks where Rory used to keep his boat. It made sense that Megan would tell her father goodbye in the newspaper office. And yet the idea of her alone over there made him uneasy. As he looked around the crowded café, he had to admit there was a lot in this town that was making him uneasy.
Going toward an unoccupied stool at the counter, Garret waved to Jeanie as she emerged from the kitchen with a burger basket in each hand.
âHey, handsome,â the middle-aged waitress called out to him as she set the baskets in front of two teen girls. âHow ya doing?â
âIâm okay,â he said as he took a seat.
âWhat can I get you?â
âJust a bowl of chowder,â he told her. âWhen youâre not too busy, that is.â
âYou got it, honey.â Jeanie waved toward the door. âHey, Barry,â she called out warmly to a newcomer. âHowâs the crabbing today?â
âNot bad.â Barry took the stool next to Garret. âHey, man.â He slapped him on the back. âWhatâs up?â
âNot much.â Garret smiled at the burly fisherman.
âSo...who was that pretty gal I saw you yapping with across the street?â Barry had a twinkle in his eye. âA real looker, that one.â He playfully elbowed Garret. âYou got yourself a woman we donât know about?â
âThatâs Roryâs daughter,â Garret said somberly. âMegan McCallister.â
âOh.â Barryâs smile faded. âSo howâs she doing?â
âNot so good.â
âHard losing a parent.â Barry picked up a plastic-encased menu, wiping it with his sleeve. âLost my old man last year. But he was in bad shape with his diabetes. And a lot older than Rory, too.â
âYeah.â Garret nodded. âMegan wasnât ready to see her dad go yet.â
âI was surprised to see the newspaper office open tonight.â Barry tipped his head toward the front window.
âItâs not open,â Garret corrected him. âMegan just wanted to go inside and look around some. No one else is there.â
Barry looked slightly perplexed. âWonder why she left the back open if sheâs there by herself.â
âWhatâre you talking about?â Garret felt uneasy.
âWell, townâs so busy that I parked behind the newspaper. Thatâs when I noticed the back door ajar. Figured someone was working late. But it seemed kinda odd, this being a Friday, and with Rory just passing away.â
Garret frowned. âYou saying the back door was open?â
âYep.â Barry nodded. âPropped with a trash can.â
Maybe it was nothing. Or maybe it wasnât. But as Garret slowly stood, he knew he needed to find out. âHey, Jeanie, hold off on that chowder for now. I need to go check on something.â And without saying another word, he hurried outside. It was possible he was just overreacting. Or looking for an excuse to talk to Megan again. But it didnât really matter. As he jogged across the street, he knew, even if he was being melodramatic, there was no way he wasnât going to find out why that back door was open.
* * *
With her attackerâs knee still painfully pressed into the middle of her back, Megan could barely breathe, let alone speak. Not that she knew what to say, besides plead for her life. With the side of her head flattened against the gritty floor, she could see, just barely,
Lexy Timms, Dale Mayer, Sierra Rose, Christine Bell, Bella Love-Wins, Cassie Alexandra, Lisa Ladew, C.J. Pinard, C.C. Cartwright, Kylie Walker