Page 106 of Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds

“Yes, I see why she might think so.”

But again he didn’t elaborate.

“And, well, because Diana went to Valentine’s dock, I wondered if you had seen her. Or maybe Mr. Valentine is on the island.”

“Mr. Valentine.” Luis laughed, his eyes sparkling. “Oh, my dear boy Ethan.”

Odd comment. “Was he at his house Sunday night? Maybe... well, I’m not insinuating anything, just that he might know something.”

“He wasn’t home,” Luis said. “But I saw Ms. Diana.”

“You did?” That shouldn’t surprise me, since Brie said Luis lived in Ethan’s house on the cliffs. But why didn’t the police know?

“Yes. She walked up the stairs. I said hello. She wasn’t very nice. She pounded on the door, and I said no one was home. She did not take the information well and left.”

“But you were there,” I said, partly confused.

“Yes, I was enjoying the sunset from the deck. Maybe you can join me one night before you go. There is no better view on the island, and this island has many beautiful views.”

“That’s very kind of you,” I said. I bit my lip. “Did you tell anyone that you saw Diana that night?”

“Of course.”

When he didn’t say anything else, I prompted, “The police?”

“Police? No. No one asked. I didn’t really think about it until after her body was found. Then I told Gino, of course.”

Had Gino told St. John police? Why would he, if he was the one who killed her? Most of the evidence against Gino was barely circumstantial; this was damning.

Trevor Lance rushed into the bar. He looked exhausted, and also angry.

He immediately came over to me. “Mia, right?” he demanded.

“Yes,” I said automatically.

“Where’s CeeCee?”

He encroached so far into my space I saw the vein pulsing in his neck.

“I—I don’t know?”

“Do you or don’t you? You went to St. John with her yesterday, and she never came back. What happened?”

My mouth opened, but I had no words.

Callie came over. “Mr. Lance, can I get—”

He put his hand up to silence her. That rude gesture settled my nerves. “Trevor,” I said, “I did not go to St. JohnwithCeeCee. We were on the same ferry. That’s it.”

“She told me you two were going shopping and having lunch and would be back late. That was fine because I had work to do. But she never came back. The captain said she didn’t return, and I swear, if you don’t tell me where she is, I’ll—”

Jason came up behind me and put his hand out, effectively forcing Trevor to take a step back. “Tristan told me that he’s in contact with St. John police,” Jason said. “Gino, our security chief, is retracing her steps. We’ll find her.”

“Like you found Diana Harden?” Trevor snapped.

He was more angry than worried, I realized.

“Did you and CeeCee have an argument?” I asked before I realized I’d opened my mouth to speak.

---