Page 18

Story: Birdie By the Bay

“Just as soon as I book a plane ticket,” she said. “It will make me feel like I’m helping.”

After her father left, Harlow jotted down the address to the apartment and handed it to her.

“I want to go,” Eryn said.

Aunt Birdie glanced at the paper. “Two sets of eyes are better than one.”

“What about me?” Harlow asked.

Her aunt tucked the paper in her pocket and knelt next to Harlow. “It will be difficult for Eryn and me to fly under the radar if you’re with us. News folks from here to Timbuktu are looking for you.”

“I’m sure they are.”

“Not to mention, traveling right now will be tricky,” Eryn chimed in. “Let Aunt Birdie and me handle this. If Robert is up to no good, we’ll find out.”

“I’ll pay for the plane tickets.”

“It’s not necessary.” Her aunt protested.

Harlow held up a hand, cutting her off. “I insist. I have a friend who manages a hotel close to the apartment and will book a room for as long as you need.”

Eryn started to put her phone away.

“Hang on.” Harlow stopped her. “The other numbers associated with our cell phone account…can you check the location of another one?”

“Sure.”

Harlow scrolled through her phone, tracked down Jillian’s number, and read the numbers aloud.

“The cell phone is also in New York right now,” Eryn said. “Whose is it?”

“Jillian’s, although I shouldn’t be surprised. They spend a lot of time together.”

“All the time?”

“More than they should,” Harlow bit her lower lip. “Something tells me I won’t like what you find.”

“We don’t have to go,” Eryn said. “Seriously, the decision is yours. Maybe it would be best to put it on the back burner for now.”

Harlow was on the fence. On the one hand, she was curious to know what Robert was up to. On the other, whatever they found could very well be the last straw, as far as her marriage was concerned. “If he’s handling business like he should be, there’s nothing for you to find.”

“Correct,” Birdie confirmed. “But Eryn is right. It’s up to you.”

“I say make the quick trip to New York. I want…I need to know what he’s doing.”

“A wise decision. And if he’s plotting and planning your harm?” Her aunt sprang to her feet. “We’re about to even the playing field.”

Chapter 8

Harlow spent the rest of the evening going back and forth, undecided about whether she should question her husband about her conversation with Janice.

She finally decided the discussion should be in person, face to face, instead of over the phone. But the conversation would have to wait. Harlow wisely decided she needed to pick her battles, opting to have firsthand information, to wait until Aunt Birdie and Eryn finished conducting a little intel.

No longer in the mood for a night on the town, Harlow headed home after hanging out long enough to make sure she didn’t interrupt what was left of Lottie and her father’s card and casserole night.

Back at the house, she gave her father a quick update. He wholeheartedly agreed a little closer investigation was in order. Despite her initial reservations, Harlow knew it was time to find out what her husband might be up to.

She went to bed not long after, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. When she finally did, Harlow’s sleep was filled with vivid dreams about her mother, along with an unrelated dream about Robert. Even Caleb Jackson made an appearance.