Page 95 of Pervade Montego Bay

“Through Xavier.”

“And how did you meet Xavier?”

“Bumped into him in London. Hit it off right away.”

“And started dating?”

I nodded and took a sip of my drink.

“You have a crush on James, don’t you?”

I nearly choked on the rum.

“One of my faults is that I’m extremely frank. Can’t help it. My nanny was the same, so I take after her.”

“What about your parents?”

“Not really in the picture.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Emily, the way you look at James is endearing. But I think Xavier may have noticed. I just thought you should know. We’re good friends and I care about him. I care about them both.”

I’d never leaned toward mistruth and I didn’t want to start now. “I’m very fond of James.”

“Hope I didn’t offend you.”

“Can I askyousomething?”

“Sure.”

I downed my drink and waited for the burn to soften. “Did James and Victoria…have a baby?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Just…a feeling.”

“Why don’t you ask him?”

“It’s a sensitive question. I thought you might know.”

He looked away. “That would be very sad if it were true.”

“Why?”

“Because he never talks about a child.”

Maybe, just maybe, that was why James had returned to this island. Perhaps his son was being kept in a safe place here, being kept a secret. That letter I’d found had inferred as much. I wondered if the person who’d signed it asETSwasthe boy’s grandmother.

Louis’ demeanor changed and he stared at me as though he was trying to figure me out. “Do you know what James does?”

“I know a little, yes.”

“What…exactly?”

The hairs prickled on my forearms. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“We all have secrets, Emily.”