Page 150 of Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds

The last photo, dark, trying to take in the entire island. The dock looked like a bridge from this angle.

Oh. My. God.

I had read the book only once because it was dark and depressing, but it had been one of the most popular books of its time, and then a movie. It was the wasp that convinced me. Everyone remembered the dragon tattoo because of the title, but Lisbeth Salander—a rail-thin antihero who smoked—also had a wasp tattoo.

I hunted for the book.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“It often seems to me that’s all detective work is, wiping out your false starts and beginning again.”

“Yes, it is very true, that. And it is just what some people will not do. They conceive a certain theory, and everything has to fit into that theory. If one little fact will not fit it, they throw it aside. But it is always the facts that will not fit in that are significant.”

—Agatha Christie,Death on the Nile

The Sky Bar was lit up so brightly that I was pretty certain Jason and I would have been able to see it if the party had been two nights ago while we were on the boat.

I was on the first shuttle up to the Sky Bar with only a handful of people. I kept looking at my phone, but Brie hadn’t texted me for help—I hoped she was okay.

When I stepped into the open-air bar, my mouth practically fell open. It was stunning.

Kalise had gone all out in one day to make Andrew and Sherry’s wedding as beautiful and luxurious as possible. Balloons, elegant streamers, flowers, artfully arranged potted plants. The altar was raised a foot with a beautiful jasmine-covered arch for the bride and groom to stand under. Chairs were arranged towatch the couple, with the backdrop being the western view and the soon-to-be setting sun.

Unlike the other night, when the space had been arranged like a cocktail party with tall, round tables interspersed throughout the area, tonight five tables that each sat twelve people had been set up.

I walked around and looked for my name tag. I was at the table farthest from the dance floor and band—the dance floor that currently had a couple dozen chairs arranged to watch the nuptials, but would quickly be cleared for dancing. I didn’t recognize most of the names. A small table for two was set near the bar, with a small wedding cake and his-and-hers champagne flutes.

Kalise really had thought of everything.

I found Parker’s and Amber’s names on two separate tables. Wouldn’t it be fun to see their reaction when I revealed the files?

Parker Briggs was an asshole. I hope he lost everything.

I quickly moved their cards to my table, removing a couple I didn’t know. I glanced around and hoped no one saw me.

Luis walked over and smiled at the flowers and altar. “I haven’t seen you in a few days,” I said.

“I’ve been around,” he said cryptically. “A wedding tonight.”

“So it seems,” I said.

“I think I’ll have a beer. Join me?”

I linked my arm in his, and we walked to the bar, where Jason was preparing the tools of his trade. Jason looked up, smiled at me. That smile... he brightened my world. Corny, yeah. Sure. But that didn’t make it less true.

Jason turned to Luis. “Beer?”

Luis nodded once, and then frowned. “Jason, Jason, Jason,” he said with a sigh, then picked up his beer and went down the trail that led to the bench I’d sat on my first night here.

Jason watched him leave with a blank expression.

“Did I miss something?” I asked.

“No. I didn’t do something he wanted me to do, and, well, I’ll make it up to him.”

“I like him. And I’m sure he’ll forgive you.” I smiled andsaid in a flirty tone, “Do you think you can mix me up your better-than-I’ve-ever-had sangria?”

He winked. “Anything for you.”

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