Page 31 of The Weekend Getaway

It was too early in the damn morning for hysteria, especially from Grace who she could count on to be cynical and pragmatic. Grace had never been able to pull off melodrama, but Mia had to admit she was doing a good job. The pacing back and forth. The crying. The blotchy skin and horrified expression. Grace was upset about something, but it would have to wait. Mia didn’t have time for Grace’s chaotic paranoia.

There was too much at stake. She needed to tell them about Phil.

After she’d showered and got dressed, Mia made plans to join the others at breakfast. She would make Eggs Diablo and Bloody Marys. As they ate and drank, she’d explain what happened between Alex and Phil last night.

Well, she’d explain what Alex had instructed her to tell them, which, of course, wouldn’t exactly be the truth. They didn’t need to know the truth. Didn’t need to know what Alex was really planning. They wouldn’t agree with it. Couldn’t handle it. Mia couldn’t stand how weak and cowardly they were. They were drowning and expected Alex to be their lifeline. They would judge his decisions even as they benefited from them. If not for Alex, they would go down with the ship. They needed Alex. They were too chickenshit to do what it took to make sure the firm didn’t go under. They were too afraid to go against Phil. Too scared to make sure that Phil didn’t make good on his threats to ruin them all.

“Mia, I’m so sorry …” Grace cried, walking toward her. “I wish it weren’t true, but?—”

“It’s not true!” Chris said, shooting Mia a pained, apologetic expression. “Grace, honey?—”

“I know what I saw!”

Chris exhaled. “There was nothing there!”

“Vultures were eating his face!” Grace yelled.

Irritated, Mia glared at Grace. “Stop being ridiculous! Do you hear yourself?”

“I know what I saw!”

“Grace, honey, please,” Chris pleaded, grabbing Grace. “You must have been mistaken. You probably saw a feral hog or something.”

“I did not see a feral hog,” Grace said, trying to twist away from her husband. “I saw Alex! He was dead and vultures were picking the skin off his face and eating it!”

“Grace, really?” Sarah spoke up, frowning. “Vultures eating Alex? I agree with Mia. You sound foolish and you shouldn’t say things that aren’t true!”

“But it is true!” Grace yelled at Sarah. “You weren’t there. You don’t know?—”

“You know what I know,” Mia said, marching over to Grace. “I know that Alex isn’t dead. Because Alex is gone.”

CHAPTER 27

MIA

“Alex is … gone?” Chris stared at Mia, his expression confused, disheartened.

“Gone where?” Jason asked. “What are you talking about?”

“Alex left the island,” Mia said, walking to the refrigerator, removing the items she needed to make herself a Bloody Mary.

“He left the island?” Sarah asked.

“When?” Jason asked. “Why?”

Taking a quick breath, Mia looked away from the stares of suspicion and skepticism. Alex had warned her that the others would be doubtful of her story, but she would have to sell it. She’d have to make them believe she was telling the truth. “You’ll have to be persuasive,” Alex had said. “You’llhave to be just as convincing as you were with Sarah all those years ago.”

Fifteen years ago, Mia had been nervous and uncertain, worried that her shaky voice and darting glances would betray her dishonesty.

But she’d since learned a thing or two about deception. Being married to a man who repeatedly betrayed her, ignoring their marriage vows, sleeping with other women, had taught her how to pretend that infidelity didn’t bother her. Didn’t crush her spirit. Didn’t make her damn near homicidal.

Mia was certain she could fool her friends with a straight face. “Last night, Alex and Phil had a long conversation, and they worked things out.”

“They worked things out?” Jason asked. “How?”

Chris said, “Last night, Phil threatened to destroy us.”

Mia said, “Phil was just upset about those notes. He was never going to destroy anyone.”

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