Page 75 of While You Were Spying
“It’s still a possibility. But so far I haven’t found anything that sets off warning bells. If it’s an inside job, I have no idea who might be involved.”
“Are you still planning to hack into Bernard’s computer tonight?”
He nods. “He might not be aware there’s a link between one of his employees and the alleged crimes. If I’m lucky, I’ll find the connection somewhere on his hard drive.”
“Or discover that heisthe connection between the alleged break-ins and the victims,” I say, “and he hired us to throw the scent off him. What better way to move suspicion from him than by being the one who reaches out for help investigating the crimes?”
“Do you think he started to feel the heat from somewhere, and that’s why he involved my grandmother in convincing us to help him?”
“That’s always a possibility. Maybe I’ll be able to answer that once I’m on his computer.”
“Ifyou get into his computer.”
Landon shrugs in the easy manner of his. “Don’t worry, I’ll find a way.”
“We still can’t exclude any of the guests—both past and present,” I remind them. “Isabelle and I have only gotten to know a few individuals.” We’ve had a chance to spend time with the people in the sex class, but we’re still a long way from learning their dark secrets.
And they’re just a small fraction of the guests staying here.
During the five days we’ve been at the resort, we’ve had the opportunity to talk to more guests and observe others, but we’re no closer to eliminating any of them when it comes to the alleged break-ins.
“Is there anyone who seems suspicious?” Landon asks.
Isabelle and I exchange glances and shake our heads. “If any of them are guilty,” I say, “they’re doing a damn good job of looking innocent.”
“Blake and Virginia were ten minutes late for the group session this afternoon,” Isabelle says. “But judging from their slightly disheveled appearance when they finally showed up, I’d have to say the only thing they’re guilty of was fucking each other senseless somewhere and losing track of time.”
I’m not so sure about that.
Not the part about fucking each other senseless—although I have no doubt there was some of that involved at one point today. Now that Isabelle has mentioned it, something else about their appearance seemed out of character for them. Like they had been chasing after something…or been chased.
The difference in them was subtle, as if they had quickly straightened themselves moments before entering the class, breath still a little fast, eyes slightly wild.
But at the time, I just chalked it up to them being late and not wanting to miss anything.
Which could also be true.
26
Isabelle
The restaurantwhere Jayden and I are meeting members of our group is relatively busy when we arrive. The hostess leads us to a large table, and we take our seats. Virginia and Blake are already here, as are Anthony and Demek, and several other couples. They’re all chatting animatedly.
They greet us and ask Jayden and me what we thought of class today.
“I didn’t realize there were so many different ways to tie a person’s hands to the bed frame,” I say.
Everyone nods in agreement.
“My favorite has to be the one with the giant red bow like a Christmas present,” Mildred says, which makes me and the other women giggle. Mildred is in her sixties. But given her and her husband’s escapades—including the tree incident—none of us are too surprised by her comment.
A few minutes later, Gabrielle approaches the table, along with Caroline and Davis.
Jayden groans, the sound too quiet to be heard by anyone but me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He flashes me the sexy one-sided smile of his that gets me wet in record time. “Nothing.”
