Page 103 of Don't Believe A Word

‘I’m not sure yet,’ Cristy replied, taking in the endless expanse of tropical foliage either side of the highway and trying not to imagine too much of what lurked in the depths. ‘I guess a lot will depend on you and what George – Gabriel – is willing to tell us.’

‘Sure, good. He’s up for this, just … just don’t push him too hard, OK?’

With a glance at David, Cristy said, ‘Is he joining us for lunch?’

‘I hope so. He said he would, and he doesn’t have any other commitments today so I expect he’ll be there. Now, you’re heading for the Royal Poinciana Golf Club – don’t ask me why it’s royal, I’ve never figured that out – but it’s not hard to find. We’ll head over there early to make sure we’re waiting when you arrive. Remember, we’re going to be poolside and there’s parking right out front.’

As she rang off, David said, ‘Given her Liverpool roots it’s seeming more likely that she’s Lukas’s old girlfriend?’

Cristy nodded thoughtfully. ‘I’m dying to find out how she ended up here with Symmonds-Browne,’ she said, all manner of scenarios dancing through her head, none of them good, especially not for Lukas.

‘Gabriel Bailey,’ David corrected quietly. ‘Has Evie mentioned Janina or Sadie at all in her emails?’

Cristy shook her head. ‘Not once. I mean, she knows it’s why we’re here, obviously, but she hasn’t volunteered a single thing about them so far.’

Speeding up to pass a U-Haul truck, he said, ‘I wonder why she asked you not to push Bailey too hard. Does that signal a short fuse that could have him walking out at the merest hint of a difficult question?’

Taking out her recorder Cristy clicked on and started to speak.

CRISTY: ‘Not far from Naples now and you’ll have heard the phone conversation I just had with Evie Baker. So I’m wondering, will Gabriel Bailey decide to join us for lunch, or have I come all this way just to be ghosted?’

She paused, lowering the device to her lap as she thought. After a while she continued.

CRISTY: ‘You know, I can’t help feeling like a pawn in some sort of a game I don’t know the rules for, which is … kind of sinister, and making me glad I didn’t come alone. On the other hand, I could be overthinking things, getting too caught up in my own imagination. So maybe I just keep moving forward, follow directions and hope, when I finally manage to talk to Symmonds-Browne – aka Gabriel Bailey – that I don’t find myself sorely wishing I hadn’t come.’

*

Half an hour later they were merging from one of the many wide, palm-lined boulevards they’d followed since entering the outskirts of town to begin a slow, meandering crawl through the Royal Poinciana’s extensive grounds.

CRISTY: ‘It’s so green and manicured, sun-drenched and fragrant, I feel as though I’m floating off into the Elysian Fields. To give you an idea of its size there are, apparently, two Audubon International Certified golf courses here – I’m sure that will hugely impress the aficionados amongst you – seven HydroGrid soft tennis courts, and seven pickleball courts (whatever that is). We know there’s a pool, because Evie’s already told us, but what she didn’t mention was the dress code that apparently requires “acceptable attire” throughout the club. I guess I’ll just have to hope that the knee-shorts and floaty blouse I’m wearing are suitable. If not, well, the luggage is in the boot – or trunk, depending on which version of English we’re speaking.

‘Anyway, from what we’ve seen of Naples so far it’s hard to describe what a striking contrast it makes to its Italian counterpart. All they seem to have in common is sunshine and blue skies; one so grungy and cluttered with history, the other sonewand clean andrich.Ah, I’m guessing this is Evie, waving out to us, unless everyone’s ridiculously friendly around here …’

As David swung the car into a space, Cristy continued torecord, lowering her window and smiling expectantly at the woman coming to meet them.

EVIE: ‘Cristy! You made it. So lovely to see you. And you’re …’

DAVID: ‘David. Good to meet you.’

EVIE: ‘You too. You can leave the car right here, the pool’s just through that gate. Gabe’s already at the table, and very keen to meet you.’

As Evie stepped back to check her phone, Cristy continued recording.

CRISTY: ‘Evie’s a very attractive woman of around fifty, I’d say – to be honest it’s not easy to tell when various enhancements have been brought into play. Maybe edit out that last bit, I don’t want to offend her, but honestly, those lips …? Anyway, she’s petite, lots of jewellery, a cloud of fair hair, a winning smile and merry blue eyes.’

Turning off the engine, David said, ‘OK, are you ready for this?’

Cristy started as Evie reappeared at her window. Quickly lowering it again, she said, ‘Are we properly dressed?’

Laughing, Evie said, ‘We’re quite casual at the pool. If you’ve brought a suit you can take a swim after we’ve eaten. Or you can wait until we get to the house and take a dip there. Of course there’s an excellent facility at the Ritz-Carlton, but obviously it’s shared with other guests. Ah! Here’s Lukas. He didn’t think he’d make it in time, but luckily he has. Come say hi.’

Still blinking, Cristy watched Evie hurry over to a smart white Lexus where an impeccably dressed, athletic-looking man of around fifty was already stepping out – and as he enveloped her in a tender, almost intimate hug it seemed only polite to look away.

‘Well, there’s a turn-up,’ David muttered wryly.

Cristy turned to look at him. ‘Please tell me I’m still recording,’ she said, holding up the device.

‘You are,’ he confirmed.