Page 54 of Vacation Friends

She swallowed hard before asking, “Are you having fun?”

“Hawaii is an amazing place.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

Brody laughed. “I can’t complain. How about that?”

“I guess that works.” But Maddie was still curious about his relationship with Adrienne. Something between the two of them didn’t seem quite right. They weren’t especially affectionate with each other, nor did they exchange warm glances.

Then again, people probably said the same thing about her and Josh. They were rather stiff together often.

“How about you?” Brody shifted in his seat as he turned toward her.

Maddie pushed her hair behind her ear as she considered what to say. “I don’t like being paraded around. I guess you could say I’m not in my element here.”

“That’s a hard position to be in.”

She suddenly realized what a drama queen she sounded like and let out an embarrassed laugh. “Listen to me. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

“Nothing wrong with being honest.”

Her cheeks flushed at his sincere comment.

Why was she letting this man have this effect on her?

Her thoughts shifted—scrambled really—as an idea hit her. This man had been special forces.

Maybe Brody could help her sort through some of the thoughts and ideas she’d been playing with. After all, investigating elder abuse was different than investigating a homicide. She had some of the skills and experience, but this was still bigger than what she’d previously handled.

She could certainly use someone in her corner, a second set of eyes to help her navigate this and someone to bounce ideas off of.

“Listen, this is going to sound weird,” she started, turning toward him. “But hear me out. Please.”

Brody’s eyes narrowed with curiosity. “Okay.”

She told him how she was a suspect in Jared’s death and how she needed to clear her name.

“I need help,” she finished. “Would you?—”

“Hey, guys! Sorry I took so long.” Adrienne appeared by their table.

Maddie clamped her mouth shut, promising herself she’d finish this conversation later.

Just as that thought settled in her mind, her phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number reading, “Don’t be CLUELESS.”

She glanced around.

Was the person who’d sent this watching her now?

No one appeared to be looking at her.

Despite that, her insides began to quake.

As the skies turned dark, the show following the luau started. Maddie sat with her group in some comfortable seats and watched as the history of Hawaii played out in front of them, demonstrated by song and dance, along with narration and even a fire dancer.

However, it was hard for Maddie to concentrate after she’d gotten that text.

It had used the word clueless, which was the title of another old movie she’d watched with her Poppy. Someone knew enough about her to know what movies she liked.

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