Page 65 of Vacation Friends

Josh wasn’t with them.

Maddie pressed her lips into a grim line. Where was he?

Her shoulders loosened when she saw Brody step inside instead. He spotted her and smiled.

She had to admit that he didn’t look like himself in his khaki shorts and pale green polo shirt. He seemed more like a T-shirt and flip-flops kind of guy. More the high adventure sport type than the type to enjoy a slow, leisurely game of golf.

She remembered the conversation they’d started yesterday. She still wanted to finish what she’d been telling him. But privacy was everything, and she hadn’t had the right opportunity.

Brody strode toward her and paused. “If you’re looking for Josh, he stayed back talking to a couple of the guys who golfed with us.”

“I understand. Did you have fun?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never been much of a golfer, but it wasn’t bad. The course was beautiful.”

“Everything around here is beautiful.” Maddie’s gaze drifted behind him, and her breath caught.

Robert Shields stepped inside. One of the people on her list. One of the men on Josh’s list.

“What are we watching?” Brody whispered beside her.

She raised her finger, indicating he should wait a minute.

Robert paused and scanned the lobby before his gaze stopped on William Wright, the head of technology.

He headed toward the man, but William didn’t appear to see him. He glanced at his watch before turning and walking away.

Robert trailed him.

“Still no explanation?” Brody followed her gaze.

“I’m going to sound crazy.” Maddie’s voice cracked as if to emphasize her statement.

“I’m used to crazy. What’s going on?” His voice sounded sincere, like he meant the words and wasn’t judging her.

“I suspect that man might be a corporate spy.” She nodded at Robert.

Brody’s eyes widened. “What? I was just golfing with him. Seems like a pretty happy-go-lucky guy.”

“I told you it was going to sound crazy. But I’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on. I still think the detective thinks I killed Jared?—”

“You started saying that the other day. But we didn’t have the chance to finish that conversation. Why would the detective think that?”

She kept her gaze on Robert still, not wanting to lose him. “Because I talked to Jared for five seconds at the airport. Because he was seen arguing with someone on the beach before he died. Because the person he was arguing with returned to the same wing where I’m staying.”

Brody pursed his lips skeptically. “That evidence is flimsy at best.”

“I agree. But I still think Detective Kalani has his sights set on me. He’s talked to me several times since Jared died.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Brody watched Robert as he disappeared down the hallway. “You really think Robert could be responsible for Jared’s death? All because he could be a corporate spy?”

“This new product Benchmark is about to launch is high-value and the information on it is highly classified. Josh is worried that someone—a corporate spy—may work at Benchmark or might be the plus one of someone here.”

Brody tilted his head in surprise. “That’s serious.”

Maddie twisted her lips together, hoping she didn’t regret sharing as much as she did. After all, what if Brody was the spy?

She had a hard time seeing it. But any spy worth his or her weight would be able to disguise who they really were.

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