“A blank. I was knocked out with something they held over my face – chloroform or something. It still doesn’t seem real.” I got out of bed and looked outside. There were more cars on the drive, and a couple of people stationed about in casual clothes that I knew were security. “I don’t think it’s going to seem real for a couple of days.”
“Do you think they would’ve hurt you?”
“Honestly, no. I don’t think Tommy’s cousin would’ve known what to do to hurt me. I think they knew the police wouldn’t be getting involved. Maybe they’d have left me trapped somewhere, but when I woke up they seemed nervous, they were glad when they saw I was awake.”
“And then Tommy got there.”
“Yes.” I remember looking up as I heard his voice at the door, my heart finally steadying when I knew he was there. “They were scared of him, I think. He punched his cousin and it looked bad.”
“He’ll have been pissed that he didn’t stop them.”
“He knew they might try. He was meant to give them the info how to take one of us so they could get this money.” We went through what we knew – what I’d heard last night and what Lala had got from our mother this morning, speculating which left me feeling sore.
I knew in a few hours I’d feel like I’d been hit by a bus.
“What’s happening with Tommy?” Lala asked the question I knew she’d been saving.
“It’s over.” I blinked back tears.
“Why? You’ve said he didn’t pass on info about where you were. He didn’t want you involved. He wasn’t just with you to find out what he needed; he’d have found out enough just by us all hanging aroundCòctels.”
“Lala, he was involved. How could I trust him? How do I know he was interested in me and not just to find out shit?” The tears had started now. “It was going to be over in a few weeks anyway. This just means it’s sooner.”
“Jay, I get it. I don’t know how I’d feel in your shoes. I just kind of feel sorry for Tommy.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s the one who’s losing out most here.”
“He wasn’t kidnapped.”
“I know. And you really should make an appointment with your therapist.” She gave a laugh. “I have mine on retainer.”
“And I know you’re not joking.”
“Jay Jay, will you be there still when I get back?” I heard the apprehension in her voice.
I bit my lip. The weather was beautiful again, the sea that delicious azure. Just another day on the White Island.
“I don’t know. I may go to New York sooner. This place – I need to get away.”
“Right now you do, but in a few days you’ll have settled more. This wasn’t your fault. You know that, don’t you.”
“Of course.”
“Good.”
I hadn’t lied to her. I knew it wasn’t my fault. I knew I had less drama in my life than Lala had in a few months of hers, and I knew that I hadn’t come to any harm.
I went back inside my room, trying not to think about the sudden memories of finding Tommy on my balcony that night of the beach party.
Suddenly, this wasn’t about leaving the island because of last night. It was about the man I knew I’d let myself fall in love with, and he couldn’t love me back.
“I’m going to go, Lala. I think a day by the pool with a book is on the cards.”
“Good. Enjoy the sunshine. I’ll check in with you later and I’m going to pull out of the Paris job and come home.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
