Page 66 of Vacation Friends

“So what are you thinking about doing?” Brody studied her face, something brewing in his mind—maybe concern. Maybe curiosity. Maybe the impulse that he should run away from her and her crazy ideas.

She expected a reprimand or scolding from him. His reaction was a pleasant surprise.

“I’m going to follow him,” Maddie announced.

Brody’s eyebrows climbed higher. “Doing some investigating of your own?”

“I am.”

“I know you told me some of that stuff yesterday about what’s going on. But investigating could be dangerous, Maddie.” His voice held an underlying warning.

“I know. But so is going to prison for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“I can’t argue with that.” He paused. “You mind if I come along?”

Maddie’s initial thought was to say no. But Brody could be an asset. He knew what he was doing, and a second set of eyes could only benefit her.

“As long as you can be subtle,” she told him.

Amusement danced in his eyes. “Subtle is my middle name.”

“Then yes, come with me. Let’s see where this guy is heading.”

Maddie and Brody trailed Robert as Robert trailed William.

They tried to look casual, like two people talking and enjoying the resort. But Maddie never took her eyes off Robert. The man was clearly on a mission.

“So why Robert?” Brody whispered. “Who exactly is this guy?”

“He’s dating creative director Greta Ericson.”

“And . . .”

“And given his past work history, we believe he might have a motive for trying to steal information from the company.” They bypassed a family headed toward the pool area with innertubes and towels.

“Why Robert?”

“He had a brief stint with Apple, but then he abruptly left the company three years ago. His girlfriend before Greta also worked for a tech company—one that went under last year. He checks a lot of boxes.”

“I guess he does.”

As William stopped to talk to someone outside of the fitness center, Robert paused also. He stared at William as if gathering his courage.

Maddie and Brody paused near a corner to see what was going to happen.

The next moment, Robert sucked in a deep breath before striding toward William. Robert glanced around as he got closer, almost as if double-checking to make sure no one else was around.

What exactly was about to go down?

“Excuse me!” Robert called. “Can I have a moment of your time?”

William’s eyes widened. “What’s this about?”

“It’s about an offer I think you’ll find hard to turn down.”

Maddie exchanged a glance with Brody.

Maybe this was the lead she’d been searching for.

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