Page 32 of Off Plan

Rafe pointed at Fenn accusingly. “I’m offering him afuture.”

“You’re offering him adream.”

“Yes.” Rafe smiled smugly. “Yes, I am. And there isnothingwrong with having a dream, Fenn Reardon. You might try it sometime.”

“Enough,” I interrupted. “Enough. Look, Mr. Goodman—”

“The people of this island have gone for a long time without decent medical care,” Rafe said sadly. “Do you know, Gloria hasn’t had a checkup in years?”

I frowned.

“Don’t let him guilt you, Loafers,” Fenn warned. “He’s a master manipulator.”

I wasn’t sure when Serial Killer Guy and I had ended up on the same team. I also wasn’t sure why I liked it.

“Of course, I’ll be happy to provide you with an excellent reference for your next employer,” Rafe continued smoothly. “Or are you planning to go back to your old position?”

I cocked my head. He had to know my old position would have been filled already. “You reallyarea master.”

Rafe spread his hands innocently.

“Fortunately for you, I’ve decided to stay—”

Fenn made a gurgling noise like he was being strangled, and I shot him a glare.

“—for exactly as long as it takes for me to find another job. And I’ll stay because the people of this island deserve good medical care. But I alreadyhavedreams, Mr. Goodman.” I gave him a half-smile. “And I willnotsacrifice them for anyone else’s.”

He nodded slowly. “I can respect that.”

“That means you’ll need to start contacting the other candidates for this positiontodayand find someone else to take over. And I’ll get back on MedLister and hope someone else is as eager to help rush through my certifications as you were.”

“I’m sure you will,” Rafe said with a dismissive wave. “And in the meantime, you’ll set up the clinic?” Rafe asked. “Get things in shape for the next person?”

“Of course. Yes.”

Rafe nodded and came around the desk to shake my hand. “Good man. Just so you know, we’ve got a resident named Taffy Simmons who once did billing for a medical office on the mainland. Fenn’ll drive you over to meet her tomorrow morning, and she can show you around the office we plan to set up as a clinic. She’ll be handling your administrative work, and if you give her a list of supplies and equipment, I’ll make sure you get them.”

Fenn huffed out a breath, and Rafe’s sharp-eyed brown gaze narrowed on him.

“And now Fenn, here, will show you to your room and bring up your luggage.”

“Oh, will I?”

Rafe clapped his nephew on the shoulder and squeezed tight. “Of course you will. In fact, I expect you to be point man for Dr. Bloom here. Help him with whatever he needs over the next few weeks.”

It was clear from the grim smile he shot me that Rafe intended this to be a reward for my attitude and a punishment for Fenn.

But looking at Fenn’s face, I was pretty sure it was the other way around.

Chapter Five

Fenn

I finished unloadingthe last of Mason’s suitcases from the Charger, slammed the trunk shut, and stared up at the motel where I was no longer the only resident. The heat of the day was radiating off the pavement and melting through my sandals, though the sun had dropped below the horizon line twenty minutes before.

Still, I was still reluctant to move. Dragging my feet,literally.

I’d gone to the Concha for dinner, which wasn’t unusual, but for the first time in a while, the little restaurant with its sunshiny walls and tiny tables wasn’t its quiet, homey self. The entire population of Whispering Key wasbuzzingwith the news of Mason Bloom’s arrival, and I was supposed to be the source of all information.