Chapter 5

Their gazes automatically went to David, who was still wrapped around his bride. Yeah, the man had caused them a major setback when he pulled the plug on the Moon Island venture, but it was hard for Matt to get up in arms about it when David looked so damn happy.

Matt’s pocket vibrated, and he reached down to pull his phone out. He was about to hit the ignore button when he saw who was calling. He frowned.

“Excuse me, I need to take this,” he said.

Stefan and Dash waved him off and returned to their bantering as Matt hurried out of the building. As soon as he stepped outside, the sea breeze ruffled his hair and the tang of salt filled his nose. The weather was seasonable but by no means hot. It was about as perfect a day as you could ask for, especially for a wedding on the beach. He turned to look at the distant waves and brought the phone to his ear.

“Bradford,” he said by way of a terse greeting.

“I think I’ve found her,” his lead investigator said with no preamble.

Matt tensed, his hand gripping the phone until his fingers went numb. “Where?” he asked.

“I haven’t had time to send a man to get a visual confirmation yet. I only just got the information a few minutes ago. I felt strongly enough about her identity to give you a heads-up. I should know more by tomorrow.” The man on the other line said.

“Where?” Matt demanded again.

“Right here in town. I think she just moved back into town. She’s working in a diner here. Logan’s to be exact. I will check it out to be sure and then I will have photos and a full report for you by tomorrow afternoon.”

She was right here. Matt couldn’t believe it. The irony wasn’t lost on him. He’d been close to her all this time and never known it. How long had she been around? When did she get back?

“No,” Matt interjected. “I’ll go. I will go see her. I’m already here… Not far away. I can be at the diner tomorrow.”

There was a long silence over the phone. “Sir, it might not be her. I prefer to get confirmation before you take a needless trip.”

“You said it was most likely her,” Matt said impatiently. “If it turns out not to be, I won’t hold you responsible. And there’s no point since I’m very close to the place where she is supposed to be”

“Should I hold off my man then?”

Matt paused, his lips tight, his grip on the phone even tighter. “If it’s Savannah, I’ll know. If it’s not, I’ll inform you so you can continue your search. There’s no need for you to send anyone down. I’ll go myself.” He said.

 “Will you guys please just stop and find some other place and some other time to….. Do whatever it is that you guys are doing?” Savannah Carson asked.

She dropped the dishes she was carrying on a table and turned to look at her friend Victoria Ryan, who was standing with her boyfriend, Bruce Wesley.

Victoria pulled herself away from Bruce’s embrace and turned to look at Savannah. A mischievous smile on her face.

“Relax babe,” she said. “You are so uptight”

“I’m not uptight,” Savannah said. “I just don’t think that” she shifted her gaze to Bruce. “he should be back here”

Victoria simply smiled.

“I mean, no offense, Bruce,” Savannah continued, ignoring Victoria’s smile, “But I don’t think being back here is a good idea. What if our boss, Lamar, comes back here suddenly? You know how annoying he can be. He seems to always be in a bad mood and I don’t want anyone yelling at me. Today was a good day and I definitely want it to stay that way”

From the corner of her eyes, Savannah could see Victoria moving her eyes, head and mouth in a mocking way as she spoke. She inhaled deeply and turned her attention to Victoria.

“Vicky, you know that I can see you right?” she asked.

“You know I don’t care right?” Victoria retorted.

Savannah dropped the towel in her hands on the table as well. “That’s it,” she said, pointing her index finger at her friend. “I’m teaching you a lesson”

She moved forward to grab Vicky, and she would have succeeded, if Bruce didn’t step between them, blocking her access to Vicky.

“Okay. Okay” he said, laughing. Vicky stood behind him laughing.

“There is no need for this.”  Bruce continued. “Savannah, I understand your concern about me being here, and you are right. I shouldn’t be here. I will be leaving now. Wouldn’t want to put you girls in trouble”.

“Thank you, Bruce,” Savannah said. “For being so understanding”

Bruce smiled at her, and after he kissed Vicky goodbye, he was gone.