Page 33 of Dirty Liars

Jack nodded grimly. “And they were watching us the entire time, like they were committing our faces to memory.”

I shivered, remembering the cold eyes of the man with the ponytail. “For what purpose?”

“That,” Jack said, “is what worries me.”

CHAPTERTEN

We were headeddown Highway 95 on the way back to King George when Jack finally got through to Derby in IT.

“Sorry, Sheriff,” Derby said. “I had to step out of church so I could take your call.”

“Sorry about that, Derby. When you get a chance could you get me information on Max Ortega? He was Theo and Chloe’s personal bodyguard. He supposedly drove them to The Mad King from the Briarly. I also need a check on Vivica, formerly Vasilios. She was Theo’s ex-wife.”

“You got it, boss,” Derby said.

“Finish service first,” Jack told him. “We’re going back to The Mad King, so we’ll be a little while.”

“10-4,” Derby said and hung up.

Jack’s next call was to Doug.

“I’ve gone through the golf cart trackers,” Doug said. “I’ve got cart 1001 arriving at the honeymoon villa at 8:41 p.m.”

“That would be the housekeeper, Dorinda Lake,” Jack said. “In her statement she said she arrived around eight thirty.”

“Close enough,” Doug muttered. “And then we’ve got golf cart 1021 arriving seven minutes later.”

“That would be Aidan Chisolm. Dorinda confirmed he arrived to set up food service out on the patio. She said he was finishing up as she was about to leave.”

“1001 left at ten after nine,” Doug said. “1021 left at ten nineteen.”

“Wait a minute,” I said. “You’re saying that Aidan Chisolm stayed over an hour and a half in the honeymoon villa?”

“That’s what it looks like,” Doug said.

“I guess we need to see if old Aidan is at work this morning,” Jack said. “I think he has some explaining to do.”

“I’ve already pulled a background on him,” Doug said. “Seems pretty normal. Originally from South Carolina. Got a rowing scholarship to Roanoke College. Tuition there is steep, but it looks like the scholarship covers most of it. He’s worked at The Mad King since its opening last year. DMV shows a Virginia driver’s license. No parking tickets. No arrests. He lives on campus.”

“Thanks, Doug,” Jack said. “Do me a favor and pull the camera footage of the night Theo and Chloe arrived at the resort. After they leave the vehicle I want you to see if the driver sticks around or if he leaves the premises. See if you can get facial recognition.”

“Will do,” Doug said.

I recognized the same security guard at the gate of The Mad King as from when we’d arrived the morning before. He waved us through and opened the gate so we could climb the winding, tree-lined hill to the resort.

Jack parked under the glass-covered portico again, and a different set of doormen welcomed us into the opulent lobby. Sundays were obviously a time for rocking in the chairs by the large fireplace, lazy games of checkers, and Bloody Marys being served from the bar.

We went into the glassed-in check-in area and waited as a couple received their room keys and a map of the resort. Once they’d been directed to the elevators Jack showed his badge to the young man across the reception desk.

He was early twenties with a wide, friendly smile and spiky blond hair. He was dressed in a silver dress shirt and a black three-button vest, and his sleeves were rolled up to show an Apple watch on his left wrist.

“You’re with the police,” he said. “I’m Jeremy. Mr. Harris said you might be coming back, and that we’re to cooperate in whatever way you need. Would you like coffee?”

“We appreciate that, Jeremy,” Jack said. “No coffee for us.”

I kind of wanted coffee, but I appreciated Jack’s restraint for the both of us.

“We have a couple of people we need to talk to,” Jack said. “Edward and Donna Kelso are guests here. If you could give us their room number we’ll announce ourselves. And Aidan Chisholm is with food service. Can you see if he’s working today?”

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