Page 39 of Last Ticket to Paradise

Georgette righted herself in the water, clutching the edge of the pool. Jean-Claude hung back behind the thatched roof of the outdoor bar. He was wearing swim trunks, but didn’t make a move toward the pool. Was he waiting for Jamie?

Jean-Claude edged toward the bar and perched on a barstool. His dark glasses obscured his eyes, but his head swiveled from side to side as if he were looking for someone. Nigel handed him a drink in a shot glass, and Jean-Claude tossed it back.

Georgette glanced toward Jake, who was buried in work. He didn’t seem to have noticed Jean-Claude. Georgette hoisted herself out of the pool and grabbed her cover-up. Shoving her arms in the big sleeves, she made for Jean-Claude.

She wedged her elbows on the bar and called out, “Another island punch, Nigel.”

Nigel waved and continued mixing drinks, and Georgette turned to Jean-Claude. “My friends over there told me you’re Jean-Claude.”

The man nearly jumped off the stool. He grabbed his drink. “Oui. And who are you?”

Georgette planted her chin in her hand. “I’m Georgette Lawson...Jamie’s sister.”

The breath hissed through his teeth, and he threw back another shot of what she figured was whiskey. The knuckles of his hand gripping his glass turned white. “A pleasure to meet you, Georgette.”

“Is my sister with you?” Georgette unfolded to her full height and looked down on him.

He lifted a shoulder and took another swig of the amber liquid Nigel had put in front of him. “No.”

She rested her hand on the barstool. “Did the two of you part company on some other island?”

Jean-Claude opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. He glanced over his shoulder. “I left Jamie here on Palumba when I took off with my friend.”

Georgette’s fingers curled around the edge of the chair. She swallowed, her hand groping for her own glass. She knocked it over. The little umbrella floated upside down in the coral liquid pooling on the bar. “Sh-she’s not here. Everyone thinks she left with you.”

“Probably went off with someone else.” Jean-Claude’s hands trembled as he lit a cigarette.

“What do you know?” She grabbed his wrist.

“I know nothing.” His dark eyes darted around the patio. “If you know what’s good for you, stop asking questions.”

He jerked away from her and stalked toward the beach, puffing on his cigarette.

Georgette dropped to the stool, staring after him. Jamie hadn’t left with Jean-Claude. And he was nervous.

Jake sauntered up to the bar, his laptop tucked under his arm. “Nigel, I’m going to my poolside office.”

“Sure, boss.”

Georgette waited a few minutes and then followed Jake. He was leaning against the doorjamb of his office. When she drew close, he pulled her inside and shut the door. “What did Jean-Claude say?”

She shook her head. “He said Jamie didn’t leave with him. Jake, I’m scared. In the back of my mind, I always hoped that she went with him.”

He wrapped her in his arms, and her head dipped to his shoulder. She’d never had anyone to lean on before.

“Georgette, you need to go home. Stop your dangerous game and let the authorities handle this.”

She pulled away. He wanted her to leave? “You said it yourself. There’s no evidence of foul play. My mother already contacted the US Embassy. There’s nothing they can do.”

“There’s nothing you can do either.” He gripped her shoulders and gave her a shake. “Getting mixed up in Palarosa isn’t going to help Jamie.”

She spun around and paced a few steps, stopping at his desk. “But if they come after me the same way they went after her, we can find out what happened.”

“How is that going to help if you’re dead?”

“We’ll be ready for them. I’m not my sister, Jake.” And for the first time in a long time, she was glad.

“Thank God for that.” He strode toward her.

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