"Might as well get a rental car," she muttered to herself.
At the rental car booth, she was startled to learn she would drive on the opposite side of the road."How hard could it be?"she took it in stride.When her luggage finally arrived, she loaded it into the small compact car she'd rented.It would only be hers for a few days, long enough to maintain her ruse.Gray couldn't know she was here, and doing recon.
The details of her plan still felt murky, especially how she was going to swap out the videotapes.She hoped a solution would come to her once she got to the Lagoon.
For now, her priority was figuring out how to get there.Every brochure she'd read insisted the Lagoon was only accessible by boat, but that didn't add up.How did the staff get there every day?Did they all commute by boat?It was something she'd have to investigate once she settled into her hotel.
The hotel room Mark had booked wasn't anything special, but it was adequate for her needs.
Earlier, she had casually chatted with the car rental agent and gleaned some useful intel.He'd mentioned a place called the Square where everyone hung out at night, and when Shelley said she was interested in a dolphin experience, he had helpfully circled the Lagoon on the map.Of course, he reiterated that it could only be reached by boat.
Now, looking at the map in her room, Shelley noticed a network of lines that had to be roads.Maybe one of them leads to the Lagoon?That would be her first stop later in the day.
She'd overheard Gray talking on speakerphone with Dr.Terry and knew the team finished work at 4 p.m.To be safe, she explored the area before 5 p.m.in case those lines on the map were roads.Hopefully, her little compact car wouldn't need to handle any rough terrain, but she'd find out soon enough.
For now, food was the priority, along with getting her bearings at this Square place.She doubted Gray would be there.He should still be at the Lagoon, but she wasn't taking any chances.Pulling a giant sunhat and oversized sunglasses from her bag, Shelley checked her reflection in the mirror.The disguise was ridiculous, so unlike her usual style, but it made her giggle.With a last look in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and headed out.
Chapter 40
Eavesdropping
ArrivingattheSquare,the bustling midday crowd surprised Shelley.In the centre, a colourful mosaic of paving stones formed an actual square, surrounded by bars, restaurants, trinket shops, and a few tour kiosks.This is cool,she thought, her eyes scanning the crowd to ensure Gray wasn't anywhere in sight.
Her gaze swept across the perimeter and landed on something unmistakable—dolphin trainers.She'd recognize them anywhere.At the far side of the Square, four people in matching shorts and polo shirts sat chatting.The glint of training whistles around their necks caught the sunlight, making them even more conspicuous.
"Well, well," Shelley murmured to herself, a sly smile creeping onto her lips."This might be even better recon than I thought I'd get today."
Taking the long way around to avoid being noticed, she slipped into the booth next to theirs.Thankfully, the privacy screens between the booths gave her cover.A waitress appeared almost immediately, and Shelley, not trusting her voice to stay steady, mimed that she couldn't speak and pointed at a drink on the menu.The waitress smiled and nodded before walking off.
Shelley leaned toward the adjoining booth, her ears straining to catch the conversation.
"Man, an extra day off!I'm so chuffed about this," Declan leaned back, patting his stomach."I wish mine were today; it's perfect weather.But I'm glad Gray and Riley are out on an adventure."
"Where did she take him?"Marta popped the last fry into her mouth.
"She planned a whole day at the mangroves," Cici finished her drink."Bowen lent Gray his kayak, and I think they were going to relax on the beach afterward."
"Ohhh, you mean the secluded beach?"Declan teased, waggling his eyebrows.
Cici swatted his arm."Seriously, how old are you?"Though her blush betrayed the fondness for her reprimand.
Declan chuckled."What?Just saying."
"I think it's great--" but their sentence was cut off as the waitress returned.
"All paid up, folks.You're good to go whenever."
The group offered their thanks, gathered their things, and left, their cheerful energy trailing behind them.
But Shelley hardly noticed their departure.Her mind buzzed with questions.What was great?What adventure?And who the hell is Riley?
The urge to follow them gripped her, but she knew that would draw attention.She'd have to figure this out another way.
"Miss?Are you okay?"
Startled, Shelley looked up to find the waitress standing there, waiting for her order.Shelley realized she'd been so lost in her thoughts that now she really couldn't speak.Flustered, she pointed at the first item on the menu and handed it back.
"All right, fish and chips it is!"
