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“Are you serious?”
“I’ll drive someplace I’ve never been before, and just see things. No destination, no map. Take winding roads. I’ve gotten stuck a couple times, but never lost.”
“But you could always pull out your phone and know where you are.”
“It takes discipline to resist. It’s part of the journey.”
I pushed open my door.
“I’ll admit,” Jason said, “I don’t have the discipline to resist you right now.” He kissed me as I shut the door.
“I’m glad,” I said, and led him from the sitting area into the main room.
I stifled a scream.
My room was a mess. The bed stripped, drawers opened, couch cushions askew. The glass slider was partly open. The mirror above the dresser was shattered.
I ran to the dresser and looked behind it.
The book was gone.
Chapter Seventeen
“All the secrets of the world are contained in books. Read at your own risk.”
—Lemony Snicket
Jason sat with me on the patio while Gino and his security team took pictures and collected evidence. They found some fingerprints that they would send to St. John. The fingerprints were likely mine. If I were going to toss a room, I would wear gloves.
Jason was a rock. After my initial shock that the book was missing, I’d cried until I realized nothing of mine had been damaged. Then I became confused. How did anyone know I had that book—or why it was important? By the time Gino and his team arrived, I was frustrated and angry at the violation of my space.
I’d told them that nothing was missing except a used paperback book I’d picked up for free in the gift shop. I didn’t tell them I had hidden the book behind the dresser. I didn’t mention that the book had belonged to Diana Harden or that she had written suspicious notes in the margins and I thought that she had been blackmailing people on the island. I didn’t trust Gino. He had secrets, and one of those secrets could be murder.
Besides, he didn’t believe me. He questioned why someone would take a cheap paperback and not my laptop. So I kept my mouth shut about my theory—someone had seen me with the book, knew it contained blackmail information, and stole it.
Tristan arrived shortly after Gino. The manager looked distraught and wore pajama bottoms along with a misbuttoned shirt that he’d rushed to put on.
“I do not knowwhatto say,” Tristan began as he stepped out to the patio where Jason and I were sitting. “Nothinglike this has ever happened on St. Claire.”
Murder was worse than a B & E, but I didn’t say it since the narrative coming from everyone who worked on St. Claire wasDiana Harden disappeared on St. John.
Tristan continued. “I have mybesthousekeeping team coming tonight to make this right.” He looked over his shoulder at the broken mirror and frowned.
Jason said, “Tristan, isn’t there another room you can put Ms. Crawford in?”
“Of course, if you would be more comfortable in the main building, I can get a room ready—”
“I’ll stay here,” I said. “Thank you.”
“Are you sure?” Tristan looked concerned. Was he worried that someone with ill intent would return or that I would leave a bad review on Trip Advisor?
“Yes,” I said. “I appreciate you bringing in people to help me clean up.”
“You will not do anything,” he said and put a hand on my arm. “I feel awful, just... I don’t know how or who or...”
“Tristan,” I said, “it’s okay.” He seemed genuinely upset, and I wanted to reassure him. “I don’t blame you or anyone other than the person who came in here.”
“You are far too understanding,” he said. “Give me one hour. You will never know anyone was here. Kalise is right now creating a new key card for you, so you can feel safe. Jason, can you stay with Ms. Crawford until we’re done?”