Page 30 of Vacation Friends

“I appreciate that.” But Maddie’s words sounded lackluster, even to her own ears.

“We won’t tell Josh what that detective said,” Adrienne continued. “He doesn’t need to know, right?”

“There’s nothing to really know,” Maddie muttered.

Although, if Josh were to find out the detective had questioned her—and maybe even suspected her—from someone other than Maddie, he’d be angry. Really angry.

The detective didn’t appear to be looking at other suspects. Maybe he was. But something about the way he spoke with Maddie made her think his mind was made up.

That he was looking only at her.

Maddie swallowed hard as a realization hardened in her gut.

She needed to find out more information before Jared’s murder was pinned on her.

She had no other choice.

Brody and Adrienne had wanted to walk Maddie back to her room, but she insisted she would be fine.

She didn’t tell them how wobbly her legs felt.

Instead, she thanked them again and said she’d see them tomorrow. Then she started to head back to her room.

It was surprisingly dark outside.

She wasn’t sure why that left her feeling spooked. Everything that had happened was messing with her mind.

Her heels tapped against the stone pavers as she cut through the pool area to get to her room.

People still played in the water, and the joyful sound of laughter floated toward her—a sound she couldn’t relate to at the moment. It was so carefree and full of happiness.

A footfall sounded behind her, and she turned, expecting to see another resort patron walking behind her.

The path was empty.

A chill crept up her spine.

Was Maddie hearing things?

She picked up her pace.

This was all too much. Especially considering her past . . . Kevin’s family had been making threats against her for years. Would they choose this retreat to retaliate? If they knew she was engaged to Josh, would they try to extort money?

This wasn’t the first time those questions had fluttered through her mind.

Her throat tightened. She didn’t want to think through those possibilities right now. Instead, she forced herself to push the thoughts aside, to not inch back in time.

After being saved on the beach this morning, she’d been given a new lease on life, and while she could learn from the mistakes of her past, she didn’t want to dwell on them. Those thoughts always dragged her down and brought waves of anxiety that tried to serve as a constant companion.

As she crossed a small bridge, the noise sounded again—another footfall.

Someone was behind her. She was sure of it.

She glanced over her shoulder, trying to be subtle.

Again, there was no one.

Was this person following her and trying not to be seen?

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