"It won't work. I have a call with my COO at five."
"Another time then?" She sips her water.
"I don't think so. I'm not a big fan of letting strangers touch me."
"Okay, but you don't know what you're missing."
"I assure you I do.”
* * *
Markos answers his door only after I knock on it for a solid minute. Based on the state of his hair and breath, it's safe to say I woke him. "I have to go to that private island today with Vincent to take a look at it. I thought you might want to join me."
"Why would you think that?"
"I don't know … maybe to spend some time with your big brother, pretend you're actually working?"
"Nah, I think I’ll skip it. I'll stay here and hold down the fort."
"And by that I assume you mean you'll spend the day at the swim-up bar."
"Yes, but it's a very valuable reconnaissance mission,hermano. I'm getting to know everyone really well and soon I'll be able to tell who's trouble and who's not."
"Any front runners yet?"
"So far, everyone seems pretty terrific."
"Of course they do, but that's because you're incapable of seeing the negative in anyone until it's too late."
"And you, my dear brother, are incapable of seeing the good in your fellow man." He retreats to his bed, bare feet slapping the tile floor. "Now, I need at least two more hours of beauty sleep, but you have fun with Vincent today." He laughs, and I know it’s at the thought that anyone would have fun with Vincent.
"As always, thank you."
"No problem.” Yawning, he climbs into bed. “I'm happy to provide advice whenever needed."
I close the adjoining door, then change into a pair of cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and my hiking shoes, realizing that part of me is looking forward to spending the afternoon away from my hotel room. Although I could do without Vincent, the drama queen, it will be good for me to stretch my legs and get some sunshine. I pocket my room key and am about to do the same with my mobile phone when I remember what it says on the brochure:No cellular or Wi-Fi access for the ultimate escape. I send Jaquell a text to let her know I'll be unavailable for the next few hours but will return in time for the meeting at five o'clock.
By the time I arrive at the dock, I see that Vincent is already on the speedboat we’ll be taking—the Rogue Fun. He's wearing a life jacket that looks too big for him, and his face is set in a grimace.
A young man in the Paradise Bay uniform of a golf shirt and shorts waves to me. He has the look of the quintessential surfer—shoulder-length blond hair and dark tan. I bet he cleans up as far as hookups with lonely tourists go. "I'm Justin. I'll be giving you a ride over to Eden."
“Nice to meet you. I’m Theo.” Stepping onto the boat, I take a seat next to Vincent, leaving the one next to Justin open. "Should we get going?”
"We’re just waiting for Nora," Vincent says.
“Nora’s coming?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Yes, of course. That girl is becoming my right arm. She’s on top of everything,” he tells me. Then, leaning towards me a little, he adds, “Why? Do you have a problem with her?”
Only that she hates me. “No, of course not,” I say casually. Glancing at my watch, I say, “I’m just in a hurry is all.”
A few seconds later, Nora appears on the dock, rushing towards us and apologizing. She’s got her hair in two braids that flap with each step and is dressed much like me, only on her it doesn’t look out of place. She’s got that cute, outdoorsy girl-next-door thing going on. It takes me about thirty full seconds of appreciating how she looks to remember what she said about people bending over backwards for people like me (who also don’t know the first thing about true justice). “Sorry I’m late. Kat called to say that she won’t be in until noon so I had to find a replacement to man the desk for me.”
Justin holds his hand out and helps her into the boat, and for some stupid reason, the sight of it scratches at my chest a little.
“Good morning, Vincent,” she says with a bright smile. After giving me a quick nod, she adds a terse, “Hello. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Likewise,” I say, matching her tone.
