Page 106 of Sunburned

“They’re doing what they should have done yesterday,” Cody groused from his spot at the head of the table, one side of his polo collar upturned. He checked his watch and glanced at Allison. “The announcement goes out in ten minutes.”

Jennifer reached beneath the table and stopped his jumping knee. “Calm down.”

But she seemed just as fidgety as he did. What was I missing about her?

“They’re bringing us in for questioning,” Allison said.

I caught Samira’s eye and looked pointedly at the side deck, then rose, taking my coffee with me. No one asked where I was going as I exited the dining room and skirted the shimmering pool to stand at the railing, just out of sight of the table. My eyes burned with the brightness of the day as I squinted across the turquoise sea toward the hilly green island, and I wished I’d thought to bring my sunglasses upstairs with me.

After a moment, Samira joined me, leaning over the railing on her elbows. As beautiful as she was, she looked like shit, and I could tell by the dark circles beneath her puffy eyes that she hadn’t slept.

“They found the money,” I said, my voice low. “I saw them bagging it.”

“Merde.”

“It may be better for you in the long run, it backs up your story that you didn’t know you were getting anything in the will.”

“Thanks for telling me.” She took a sip of her coffee, glancing back toward the table. “How is your head?”

“Sore,” I answered. “But better than last night.”

“Good.” Her gaze lingered on me. “So, you and Laurent…”

I stared at her, unsure what to say.

“Come on. Of all the women I’ve brought down here before, none have gotten so much as a kiss from him.”

“Really?”I asked, surprised.

“And not for lack of trying.”

“I didn’t…I wasn’t sure. If this was something he did.”I stared down at the clear water.

“No,”she said.“Not that I know of, anyway.”

I held back a smile. I’d convinced myself to be totally fine with it if it turned out he was some kind of butler lothario, but I couldn’t deny that learning he wasn’t felt good. A spot of sunshine on a horizon darkened by thunderheads.

The sound of boots on the deck, and we turned to see Lambert stomping around the pool. “Ladies, please join us.” He gestured to the police boat moored a short distance from the yacht.

Behind him, the others were rising from the table, taking last sips of coffee, grabbing pastries for the road.

“We need to pack up,” Cody said.

But he shook his head. “We will bring your things.”

“We’re not even wearing shoes,” I protested.

“The crew will provide you with the shoes you were wearing when you arrived.”

“My computer—” I started.

“We will return it to you.” He gestured to the stern. “Please. We go to the station for interviews, then you are free to go home.”

“Like, home to America?” I asked, though I knew the answer.

“We ask that you remain on the island for now,” he said, waving us toward the back of the boat. “Please.”

Samira and I joined the others as they filed around the pool and down the steps to the sugar scoop, looking just as disgruntled as we did. At least I had my phone. Some of the others weren’t so lucky.

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