Penelope glanced back at the plaque where Lara was struggling with the length of the shovel, but scraping at the sand with fierce determination. “You realise she’ll see anything as a trace?”
“Yeah, but eventually it will get too hot and she’ll want to go swimming.” Georgie grinned. “So… you and Sam, huh?”
Penelope smiled. “Very observant.”
“Getting a lift home with him worked out for you?”
She knew Georgie had set her up. “I’m not sure Sam got the best out of it.”
“Why not?”
She hadn’t told anyone but Sam about Emelia, or her life before she’d come up here. “I have issues, Georgie. Sam shouldn’t be lumped with them.”
“Does he know about them?”
“Yeah.”
“He doesn’t seem to mind.” She nodded towards the others where Sam was watching them. He gave Penelope the OK signal.
She returned the gesture with a smile.
“Sam is the best,” Georgie continued. “You two will make a great couple.”
“I found something!” Lara’s yell put an end to the conversation, and they hurried back to the plaque.
Lara brushed sand off what appeared to be a long, black plastic-wrapped package.
Georgie got out her phone and started filming. “Ed and Tess will never forgive me if I don’t capture this.”
“Get back!” Sam yelled.
Before Penelope could process the words, Sam leapt between the grave and the rest of them, arms outstretched. He hauled Lara into his arms and grabbed Penelope’s hand, dragging her away. He didn’t stop until they were at the car.
Penelope’s heart raced as she took a moment to get her breath back. “What’s wrong?”
Brandon was right behind them, herding everyone else away.
Sam’s chest heaved, his eyes wide, scanning the area for threats.
“What is it, Sam?” Penelope asked.
He ignored her, glanced at Brandon. “Cache?”
Brandon nodded, expression flat.
Penelope placed a hand on Sam’s arm and he slipped it around her, placing himself between her and the beach.
“Brandon, you’re scaring us,” Amy said. “What’s going on?”
The men exchanged a look. “Weapons cache,” Sam finally said. “Saw things like this overseas.”
Lara slipped her hand into Darcy’s. “Is it dangerous?”
“Nah,” Sam replied. “But we don’t want to mess up any evidence.”
He was lying. Penelope wasn’t sure what it was, a hunch in his shoulder, a glance away, but something convinced her the package was far more dangerous than they let on.
“We need to call Dot,” Brandon added. “Amy, you and Penelope take the car and drive to the house. Tell her what we’ve found. The rest of you take the horses back.”
