"Was that your daughter that came to the wharf the other day to see Mr. Lawrence?"

"No. She is his daughter."

"You have not told me everything, Maddie."

Maddie screamed. "Go away!!!! Leave me alone… leave all of us alone. If you come here again, I will consider it harassment and will notify the local authorities." Maddie turned swiftly and rushed into the house, the door slamming behind her.

Hayley rushed to the front of the cottage and leaned against the side of the cottage. She watched as the visitor left the yard with his head hung low. She realized he was the same man who days before argued with her father, she wanted to approach him and ask him how he knew Maddie, but thought better of letting him know she had heard the conversation.

She waited several minutes before going inside.

She hoped she did not have to speak to Maddie. Her only goal was to reach her own bedroom, find Curtis's business card, and get back out the door without detection.

_ _

Hayley pounded on the door loudly. As the door opened, a gray-haired man stood before her.

"Are you Mr.…?" Hayley struggled to remember his name.

"I'm Mr. Hodges. May I help you?"

"Yes, Mr. Hodges… I have come to the right place."

"You do not need to knock on the door, just open it and come in."