Page 81 of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

Mav puts a hand up. “Nothing more to say about Chloe.”

“I wonder—does Angeline know that you were sleeping with Chloe? Like hooking up with her on the regular?”

Mav shakes his head in disapproval, blowing out an annoyed breath. Angeline folds her arms, looks down at her feet.

“The police know that Chloe and I were briefly involved before I met Angeline. I am not a suspect in her disappearance.”

“You ghosted her.”

Maverick steps closer to the camera.

“Chloe was…unwell. We had a single encounter before I met Angeline, but Chloe thought it was more than that. It wasn’t. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t. Angeline is the woman I love and the one I want to marry. Chloe had…a hard time understanding that.”

“So why would you accept her for your Extreme Haunted Hide and Seek Challenge? If you knew she was unwell, that she was basically obsessed with you?”

Another shrug, a look to Angeline, who nods.

“She was a strong competitor. She had a big following. I hoped we could be friends. That was it. Maybe it was my way of apologizing to her, making amends for the misunderstanding between us.”

“So what do you think happened to her?”

“The last I saw her was when she went off with the rest of the hiders. Someone matching her description was sighted a number of times in the area. She took money from her accounts. Honestly? I think she ran away from her life. She told me how much pressure she felt as an influencer, how she had a troubled relationship with her father. Maybe she just wanted a break.”

“Did you know that we were friends?”

Angeline still hasn’t lifted her eyes from the ground. Hector is looking at the camera, expression unreadable. Mav looks off to the side at something beyond the scope of the lens.

“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going to stop looking for her. I think you guys know more than you’re saying. I think you know what happened to Chloe.”

“Malinka, maybe you didn’t know her as well as you think you did.”

“One thing I know for sure is that people associated with Extreme get hurt or go missing.”

Angeline steps forward. “You’re free to go, Malinka. I’m sure one of the charming mercenaries on the ATVs will drive you to the airport.”

“I’m not leaving without the truth.”

Angeline stares a moment, then abruptly turns and walks to the trailer. Maverick, Tavo, and Hector follow like ducklings. They disappear into the trailer, door shutting behind them. Malinka is back on camera, her face filling the screen.

“I mean it. I’m not leaving this island until I know the truth about my friend. Are you with me? Leave your comments.”

Mel333:Where is Chloe? Mav is lying!

Wingedkitty:Oh, no she didn’t

Buttons&bows:You go GRRRRL.

Ellalove99:So, what is this, a true crime podcast now???

MavIsALiar:You’re a liar, too. Your company is about to go bankrupt. And this is just another stunt you cooked up with Mav to get more views.

MavIsALiar:You’re all going to pay.

Minecraftguru:Don’t let him off the hook.

Badmonkey21:I hate you. I can’t wait to see how you all destroy each other.