Page 113 of Vacation Friends

She swallowed hard. “Maybe I don’t have a right to ask this, but are there any updates on Fowler? I can’t stop thinking about what might have happened to him.”

“Search and rescue is actively looking for him.”

Maddie had thought about everything all night, considering possibilities and theories. “This might be a strange question, but could someone have set him up with those emails and made it look as if he was a corporate spy?”

Kalani clicked his tongue. “I suppose it could be a possibility, but it would take someone with a lot of computer expertise to do that. Of course, one of the tech companies that’s on the forefront of cutting-edge products is having a retreat here this weekend.”

Maddie swallowed hard, unable to deny his words. If that was the criteria, then the suspects were practically limitless.

Bree’s image came to mind also. The woman worked in cybersecurity. Had she set up her own boyfriend?

It seemed like a stretch. But with stakes so high, no theory should be eliminated.

Maddie cleared her throat, suddenly desperate to get back to her room. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

Kalani shook his head. “Not unless you have something else to tell me.”

“I don’t.” She paused before adding, “I know Logan was the witness who said she saw two people on the beach when Jared died.”

“She was.” The detective paused. “And I heard you had an argument with her last night. Heard she was having an affair with your fiancé.”

So he did know about that. Maddie had wondered.

Was that the reason he wanted to talk to her?

More anxiety churned inside her.

“That’s all true,” Maddie told him. “But that doesn’t mean I’d kill her. She can have Josh. Or, she could have had him . . .” Her voice trailed as she realized her mistake.

Kalani stared at her, his expression unreadable.

Then the corner of his lip tugged up. “I never thought he was good enough for you.”

Maddie’s eyes widened. Had she just heard him correctly?

“I thought you hated me.” Truly, she had. She’d been certain the detective wanted someone to blame and had his sights set on her.

“I don’t hate you.” He shrugged. “I’m just doing my job.”

Her thoughts raced. Was this some type of ploy so the man could gain her trust? So she would confess to something?

It was hard to know. She’d trusted the wrong people before. She didn’t want to do it again.

But maybe she should throw out something instead of hiding everything that had happened to her.

She licked her lips before saying, “I left my engagement ring in my room after Josh and I broke up yesterday. I wasn’t thinking. I was too upset. But when I came back, it was gone.”

Something flickered in his gaze—maybe curiosity. Maybe assumptions.

She wasn’t sure.

“Do you think Josh took it?” he asked.

“He didn’t have a key to my place. And . . .” Maddie hesitated, unsure if she should share the rest and open up Pandora’s Box.

“Go on.”

She let out a shaky breath before saying, “And someone left a hidden camera in one of the AC vents in my room.”

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