Page 101 of The Lodge

TJ:Have you ever encountered anyone… unusual?

MM:Unusual how?

TJ:You know—like—

MM:Famous?

TJ:Yes, exactly! Have you heard what people are saying? That Jett Beckett has been spotted here on the property?

MM:Jett Beckett—like—from the boy band?

TJ:Yes! Here, I’ll show you the photo that’s circulating. I was wondering if you’ve seen this guy around, and if you can confirm whether it’s him?

MM:I’m sorry, where are you from? I thought we were doing a segment on the café?

TJ:Oh, uh, yes, I’m from local news station WJKS—

MM:If Jett Beckett is here, he probably came for a reason, and I’m guessing he wouldn’t want people trying to pry his secret out. If he’s not, he’s not. I couldn’t say, really. Would you like a latte on your way out?

28

My one and only idea right now is to go find Julie—if there’s anyone who knows where Tyler might’ve gone, it’s her.

I call Chloe while I walk over to the main lodge.

“Hi again,” I say, keeping my voice as low as possible. There’s a small group of resort guests lingering just outside my building, no doubt hoping to get a glimpse of the True North guys—especially Jett Beckett.

When I’m sure I’m out of earshot, I fill Chloe in on Tyler and his note.

“So, what, shit gets real and he leaves?” she says, protective instincts kicking in hard.

Heat fills my cheeks. “I’d like to think he wouldn’t. Or, that he couldn’t—we’ve gotten so much snow, it has to be impossible to get in or out of the resort right now.”

The storm has lightened up considerably, but still, 30 percent of the Yeti is still comparable to a regular snow day in New York.

“You have to go find him,” Chloe declares.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m trying to do now. But I just don’t understand how he could’ve left our building without being spotted—can you look and see if there are any new photos?”

“I was made for this,” she says, and it’s true: if anyone knows how to find up-to-the-moment celebrity gossip, it’s Chloe.

I hear her tapping on her laptop keyboard.

“Hmm,” she says a moment later. “I’m seeing approximately two zillion reposts of Lauren’s photo. There’s also one of River and Sebastian leaving the building—that one’s starting to blow up, too.” She pauses, and I hear more tapping. “No new ones of Tyler yet, from what I can tell.”

It’s both unnerving and a relief that no one saw him leave the building. But whereishe?

“Okay, I’m almost to the main lodge,” I say. “Text me immediately if you see anything else pop up, okay?”

“On it,” Chloe says. “Anything else I can do to help from here?”

“Unfortunately, I think that might be a full-time job as it is.”

“You’ve got this, Alix. Keep me posted, and I’ll do the same.”

The main lodge is cozy as ever, a beacon of warmth amid the thick snowbanks, aglow with lamplight and crackling flames in oversized fireplaces. I keep my head down, trying not to call attention to myself, and make a beeline for the concierge desk.

Someone I don’t recognize stands behind it, a thin man with a smile bigger than his whole face.

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