Remi lifted a shoulder. “I guess. Maybe. I let my curiosity go because everyone has so much fun with the fact that a few have seen an actual ghost ship, an abandoned boat appearing in the fog, and it looks so creepy and adds to the atmosphere.”
“Of this storm-watching lodge, too, I’d imagine.”
“That’s fair. And I guess now that you’re here bringing it to my attention, I’d like to know what it’s about. What happened to the crew? Why has it been left to float out there? The answer is probably at the museum. But if there’sanything unknown about it, you’re going to find that out for us, aren’t you?”
“That’s the plan. I have to talk to the right people first. Mrs. Monroe’s assistant told me last night that she was traveling and not at home.”
Remi’s face tightened. “I’ll look into things and see if I can get you that interview. If I can’t, I’ll let you know, and you can work your magic as a journalist. It’s all I can offer.”
“That’s all I can ask. Thank you very much, Remi. And I’d still love that interview withyou, so can we set that up?”
“Of course.” A knock came at the door, and Remi rushed to open it while saying, “Let’s talk in a day or two. I’ll carve out some time for you.”
The door opened, and a woman with long dark hair stepped inside.
“Hi, Jo,” Remi said.
Jo’s eyes landed on Cressida. “I was told I could find Cressida Valentine here.”
Cressida stood. “And you did.”
Stepping forward, the woman thrust out her hand. “I’m Jo Cattrel, and I’m a forensic artist.” She glanced at Remi. “Was I interrupting anything? I can come back, and we can work together at another time.”
“No, this is fine,” Cressida said.
“Great. I have an art studio here on the grounds. Follow me, then.” Jo smiled. To Remi she said, “I’ll see you later.”
Cressida perceived that they were friends, and she started to relax, if only a little. Though she’d been attacked on the beach and warned to watch her back, then Madeline had been nasty, there were still some solid and kind people around. She’d count Braden in that group as well.
And she wouldn’t forget his urging that she shouldn’t go anywhere alone.
Jo led Cressida away from the lodge and toward the woods. “I have a special cabin that serves as both my quarters—because I continue to work with Remi at Cedar Trails—and my art studio as well. I’ve been working so frequently as a forensic artist, though, I’m not sure how much longer I can work for Remi.”
As she talked, she led Cressida through the thick and beautiful woods, not so far that they couldn’t see the lodge, though.
“I’m so sorry that you were attacked on the beach. I know that had to be terrifying. Hidden Bay is for the most part a peaceful and safe place.” Inside the cabin, Jo motioned for Cressida to have a seat in a comfortable chair across from where she sat with a sketch pad. “Any danger that comes is usually brought here from the outside.”
“You mean people bring danger with them when they come?”
“Yes.”
So you have to ask yourself—what danger did you bring with you?Jo hadn’t said the question out loud, but Cressida had the feeling she was thinking it.
10
Waiting, Braden stood next to a tree near Jo’s cabin. He assumed that she and Cressida were still at work on the composite sketch. Remi had explained they left the lodge less than half an hour ago. So he’d give the two the time they needed.
After what he’d learned from Octavia last night, he’d been furious. He’d taken a ride on his bike on the dark, rain-slick roads. Even then, he’d still needed to cool off.
Octavia had known that eventually Cressida would show up in Hidden Bay for the simple reason that Cressida had taken on her father’s project. Though Octavia hadn’t told Braden, he fully expected that she had somehow been following or keeping track of her daughter. She’d tried to warn Cressida away from this project, but after sinking Cressida’s career over an exposé she’d been working on, Octavia had no more say in her life.
Cressida refused to speak to her mother.
The only connection Cressida still wanted was with her father—and he was dead. Braden understood that she’d thrown herself completely into finishing this book for himas a way to get through the hurt and pain. Still, he couldn’t imagine, for any reason, not speaking to family. But what did he know about it?
Octavia Dane was brilliant. Manipulative and powerful. A force to be reckoned with. He wanted to ask her why sinking the exposé had been worth risking her relationship with Cressida, but he’d cross that bridge later.
He thought back to the conversation.
