Page 32 of Secret Weapon

“Ms.Black?Can you shed any light?”

“Call me Emmy.And we haven’t actually been introduced.”

“My apologies.”He held out a hand.“Nico Belinsky.I own the Peninsula.”

He had a sensible handshake—not too limp, not too firm, not too skeevy.Why did Nine avoid him?Knowing her profession, I had to assume death and destruction were involved somewhere along the way.

“Congratulations.My assistant’s a huge fan of the spa.And the gift shop, and the breakfast buffet.”

“And you?”

“I prefer the bar.”

He chuckled.“Try the Beluga vodka if you haven’t already.I can recommend it.”

“Thanks.If the second half of the day goes as well as the first, I’ll need the whole bottle.”

“Care to tell us what happened?”

“We were outside the café on Main Street when we heard a woman scream in the forest nearby, and when we went to check it out, we found a girl we now believe to be Ottie Marquette.She was carrying Leona’s credit card, and she had dark red hair.”

“What happened?”Leona wiped her face with a hand.“How did she get hurt?”

“It looked as if somebody gave her a beating.I’m sorry.”

Nico patted Leona on the shoulder, awkwardly, as if he wasn’t accustomed to offering comfort.

“The sheriff’s office will get to the bottom of this.How bad were her injuries?”

“I’m not a doctor, but she was still breathing.”

“Ms.Marquette is in the hospital in Coos Bay?”

“I believe so.”

“Leona, I’ll arrange a car.You shouldn’t drive while you’re upset.”

“I…I… What about my afternoon class?”

“Marcella can cover for you.”

Before Nico could act, Hallie raised her hand like a kid in class.

“You have a question?”

“Uh, yes?Leona, you said earlier that Ottie never went out.Why is that?”

Another good spot, and an excellent question.This was a beautiful part of the world—why bother coming here to stare at the same four walls every day?And what did Ottie do for a living?Even if she was camping out in Leona’s room, she’d need spending money.

“She…she…” Leona focused on her hands, probably to avoid her boss’s probing gaze.I was guessing that whatever the problem was, neither of them had mentioned it to Nico.“I think she was having trouble with an ex.”

“Youthinkshe was having trouble?”he asked.

“That’s what she said.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I…I was worried in case you said she couldn’t stay here.And she thought it would be okay.Like, if she just laid low for a while and kept out of sight, then he wouldn’t find her.”

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