“Yes,” Jason said. “We saw the sign on the road. If you don’t mind me asking, why is there an orphanage on an island this small?” He noted the sadness in her eyes—and wished he hadn’t asked the question.
She sighed. “A little over a year ago, there was a fire at an office building on another island. The Sandlin Building. No one on the second floor survived.”
“I’m sorry. That’s horrible.”
Rose nodded. “Twenty-two children were orphaned that day, without family to take them in.” Another sigh escaped her lips. “Morghana is a small country. We didn’t have an orphanage. But, with some work, our church purchased this property and provided a home for the children. It’s really not big enough. Only six bedrooms. But it’s better than nothing.” She pointed at the house again. “It used to be a tourist rental.”
“I’m sorry it needed to become an orphanage, but your views are beautiful.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “Sometimes people come out this way to explore and enjoy the views on this side of the island. And I’m pretty tolerant of that, as long as they don’t come too close to the house. That’s why we have the sign,” shesaid, pointing to another sign near the parking area. “Normally, we have kids running around here.”
“Normally?” asked Leland.
“All twenty-two of our kids are in Morghana City for a few days enjoying some city experiences we don’t have on Isadora, like museums, theater, and baseball. I came back early to work on some things.”
“That sounds nice,” said Jason. “So, the house has been empty the past few days?”
“Yes. No one else has any reason to come up to the house. Except, occasionally, Alec Drakos.”
Leland froze.
Jason tried not to sound as suspicious as he felt. “Mr. Drakos? Really? Why would he come out here?”
“Oh, the house has a basement. He rents the space from us, just for storage. It’s actually very kind of him. The rent helps us pay the bills. I know he could easily afford to build a storage room for himself somewhere closer to his resorts, but he says he enjoys the drive.” She laughed. “I think it’s just his way of helping us out. He does that a lot. He’s the one who arranged and funded the kids’ trip to Morghana City this week.”
Jason forced a smile and a casual nod—to mask the warning sirens blaring in his mind. He didn’t need to look at Leland to know they were on the same page.
“Well, thank you for your time, Ms. Donning. Mind if we take in the views for a few minutes before we leave?”
“Of course. And I hope you find your friend.”
They thanked her again and Jason made a bee-line for the unpaved area beyond the parking lot. He’d noticed some disturbance in the grassy area while they were talking with Ms. Donning.
Leland followed.
Unease gnawed at his insides the closer they came to what were obviously tire tracks. Two sets.
He studied the ground. And looked at Leland.
“This way,” Leland said, forging ahead another thirty yards. To the edge of a cliff.
Jason saw him hesitate before looking over the side. They both knew what they would find.
Chapter 4
Tayla’s eyes flew open. Had she fallen asleep?
Apparently.
Why was her pulse racing? She was still in Jason’s living room, curled up on the sofa. She checked her watch. Leland and Jason left an hour and a half ago.
Goosebumps rose on the back of her neck. What was going on? Her whole body was afraid, but her mind didn’t know why.
She’d probably had a nightmare. That would make sense.
The silence in the suite was deafening. She needed something—anythingto help her feel not so alone. Ah. The tv. That will hel—
All her muscles seized. And thistime, she knew why.
