Page 39 of The Bridesmaid

We’re both silent.

‘I guess the first thing is to get to the hot springs,’ suggests Fitzwilliam.

‘That’s where Simone seems to be directing us.’ I pause. ‘Only … How would she imagine I could ever get out there? It’s not like I could pass for …’ I wave my hand wildly. ‘One ofthem.’

Fitzwilliam assesses me with a long look. ‘Maybe Simone had more faith in your abilities than you do,’ he decides.

We’re interrupted by Ortiz’s voice breaking across the room. ‘Good news! Mark Li has agreed. Kind of.’

‘Wait. What?’ I’m staring at her in confusion.

‘Yep,’ she says. ‘I’m a genius. No need to thank me. I figured that the Kensingtons are crazy, but Mark Li might be a reasonableman, who actually cares about the life of his fiancée. Turns out I was right. He’s agreed to cover for you, Holly.’

‘Cover for me?’

‘You and your lovely assistant.’ She grins at Fitzwilliam.

‘Herassistant?’ Fitzwilliam has turned a shade of green.

‘If Adrianna asks, Mark will confirm the story that you are his choice of stand-in bridesmaid, and a relation of Simone’s.’ She pauses. ‘For a while at least. Mark Li wants results. He’s given us twenty-four hours, then you have to leave. Li will tell Adrianna you got sick.’

Fitzwilliam and I exchange glances. ‘One day,’ I confirm, ‘to get to these hot springs?’

‘One day to deliver concrete evidence,’ corrects Ortiz. ‘If you don’t find anything in that time, Li wants you off the island.’

Fitzwilliam and I exchange glances. This doesn’t seem like nearly enough time.

Ortiz grins. ‘Pack your bathing suits, kids. You’re going to Elysium.’

Chapter Thirty

HOLLY

When Fitzwilliam meets me at the New York private airport, he’s dressed like he’s about to board a yacht. Pressed chinos, preppy deck shoes and a Ralph Lauren crisp linen shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and a ribbed navy sweater thrown around his neck.

His eyes rest on my blue hair with its recent Kensington restyle, and toned down make-up.

‘You kept the new look,’ he says, approvingly. ‘It suits you.’

‘Where are your socks?’ I ask him.

‘I thought it best to wear casual clothes. As an assistant.’

‘Thoseare your casual clothes?’

He frowns. ‘Mark Li gave us some intel on the hot springs on Elysium. The good news is, they’re near to the main accommodation. We should be able to get to them fairly easily without being seen. Which is fortunate, because there is also bad news.’ He pauses. ‘Li says the hot springs are under construction. They’re being completely remodeled for Adrianna’s wedding, and work starts tonight.’

My heart sinks. ‘Whatever Simone left could be destroyed?’

‘Destroyed. Found by someone else. And after sunset, there’llbe a twenty-four hour construction crew. We won’t be able to look either way.’

‘When does our plane land?’

‘Mid-afternoon, Elysium time.’

‘Our one-day window to find evidence just dropped to a few hours?’

‘It should be all we need,’ says Fitzwilliam. He glances across the luxurious lounge. ‘The other bridesmaids will be here soon. Ortiz wanted me to brief you on the Kensington case.’ His expression makes it clear he doesn’t wholly approve of freelance forensics being brought in on police files.