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“Where were you?”
“The lagoon at the end of the Luz Luna Bahia trail,” I said.
“Alone?” Gino asked with a smirk. Of course he’d spoken to Jason—Jason worked here. Or he remembered me in my panties and shirt last night. Plus, Jason had been holding my hand. Was I blushing? Dear God, I prayed I wasn’t blushing. The more I thought about not blushing, the hotter my face felt.
“At first. Then Jason Mallory, one of the bartenders here—” Of course they knew Jason was a bartender.Stop rambling, I toldmyself. “Um, Jason showed up as I was getting ready to leave. We were talking when we heard the scream.”
“What did you see on the beach?” Gino asked.
“The Kents were very upset. There was a body twisted in a pile of kelp. And Jason said it looked like the missing guest, Diana Harden. By that time, you arrived with security, and we were instructed to leave.”
Gino stared at me. Intentionally to make me even more uncomfortable? Tristan, in a much kinder, even tone, asked a few clarifying questions, specifically about time, whether I touched the body, and if I saw anything else that might be helpful.
When neither of them had additional questions, I asked, “How did she die?”
They both stared at me, Tristan with a neutral look, and Gino with a hint of... anger? I thought it was a logical question.
“I mean, was it an accident? Did someone kill her?”
“We haven’t received word from St. John as to cause of death,” Tristan said. He stood, signaling for me to do the same. “Thank you so much for your time.” He walked me to the door. Gino remained seated at the table, writing in his notepad.
“I am so sorry about all this,” Tristan continued as we stepped outside. “I understand how traumatic and disturbing last night must have been, and I’ve been authorized to extend you an all-expense-paid three-night package to use at your convenience.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Shut up!I practically screamed at myself in my head. A free vacation?Here? On St. Claire?
Stop being so damn conciliatory, I told myself.
Tristan smiled at me and said, “On behalf of St. Claire, we are deeply sorry for the trouble you have had during your stay. If there is anything I or any of the staff can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a business card. “This is my personal number. I am available any time, day or night.”
What, he didn’t sleep? Eat? He was on call 24/7?
I took the card. “Thank you.” I had questions about Diana and her murder, but nothing Tristan could answer.
“I know Gino can be intimidating, I’m sorry if you were uncomfortable,” Tristan said. “He was a police officer in the States and works well with the St. John Police Department. I’m hoping this was simply an awful accident. If there was foul play, please, rest assured, the police will be leading the investigation, and we will assist in any way we can.”
That made me feel marginally better, though I still didn’t like Gino. If someone here was responsible, it would benefit the resort to cover up a murder.
Murder. No one said she was murdered.
It could have been an accident, like Tristan said.
I didn’t believe that for a minute.
Chapter Eleven
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,A Scandal in Bohemia
Thinking about everything Gino and Tristan told me, I headed back toward my room on autopilot and ran into Andrew Locke and his girlfriend. Literally. If I’d been holding a drink, it would have been all over his shirt.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, my hand splayed on his chest as I reached out to stop myself from falling. It was a very firm, very nice chest, and I supposed I touched it just a moment too long, based on the angry glare coming from Sherry.
Andrew smiled warmly and cupped my elbow to steady me. “No harm, no foul,” he said. “Mia, right?”
“Yes, hi,” I said.