Page 45 of Island Protector

“All right. Fair point.”

They double-timed it back across the beach and up to the house. Breathing hard, they were on the porch when her phone rang.

“Jess or the lawyer?” Sharon asked, unlocking the front door.

“Lawyer.” She answered the call. “Hello, Mr. Devaney.” With Sharon holding her hand she filled in the details for him. “Can I put you on speaker? My aunt would like to hear what you’re saying.” Getting the go ahead, she tapped the icon.

After a brief greeting, he got back to business. “Neither of you have seen anyone close enough to take these pictures?”

“No,” Sharon said. “I’m looking through the photos again right now. I think I can give you the dates they were taken.”

“Pardon me?” Wilt sounded shocked.

“I’m an artist and I tend to remember things in colors and patterns. I can give you dates for when Bryce wore these clothes.”

“Good Lord, you’re serious.”

“I am.”

“Well then, yes, get me the likely dates. I’m going to submit these images and the messages to the researchers at the Guardian Agency for analysis. These images were obviously manipulated and they’ll be able to make that clear to the court.”

“Okay.”

“You just keep breathing, and relax, Molly. Take care of your little boy.”

“I will. Do we have to avoid the water or the marina?”

“It would be smart, but from what you’ve told me about your son, I understand that would be a challenge.” Wilt paused. “Let me see what else I can work out. In the meantime, you can be confident we’re sending someone else to the area as a protective measure.”

“Is there a court date yet?”

“No.”

Molly knew immediately that he was holding back. “Why not?”

“The case number isn’t lining up with the court schedule. My team is running that down.”

“Does that happen often?”

“Not ever in my experience.”

“Oh.” Was that good or bad? Molly would have to wait and see. Not her favorite game.

“But that’s my problem, not yours.”

“I just need to relax and raise my son.”

“Exactly,” Wilt said. “I’ll be in touch.”

Sharon bustled off to the kitchen, Molly in her wake. “What now?”

“You heard your lawyer. Take a breath.” She pushed a glass of water across the counter. “Drink up.”

Molly was doing her best and failing to overcome the panic. She tapped her chest over her heart. “In a minute.”

“Molly, this must be some kind of scam. Those photos, that horrible message is proof enough for me.”

She might be right, but scam or not, she dreaded the idea of anything unfavorable making it back to the judge. Maybe she should cancel her date with Miles. Insist they stay in. Or put off anything that might be misconstrued until her legal team settled this.