Before either could answer, the roar of a boat engine drew everyone's attention.Cam and Gray were maneuvering toward the slip, the boat cutting through the water with precision.
Cici tilted her head toward the harbour."C'mon, let's catch up with them and compare notes."
The scowl on Cici's face as they approached the dock was enough to alert Cam and Gray that something was wrong.
Gray glanced at Cam."I wonder what happened?"
"No idea, but it doesn't look good."Cam shifted the boat to a lower gear as Gray stepped off to tie it to the dock.He realized how grateful he was that everyone had worked hard to get his sea legs up to snuff so he was useful around the boats.
By the time Cam had grabbed his pack, the team was standing there, radiating tension.
"Cam, we have a big problem," Cici announced, hands on her hips, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Cam sighed."Let's sit down.It sounds like I'm going to want to hear this from the beginning."He motioned toward the picnic tables near the booth.
"Okay," Cam began once they were all seated."What's going on?And where is Shelley?"
Cici launched into an explanation, detailing the tour, the bar, and Shelley's disappearance.Declan filled in the blanks about Shelley's odd questions during the drive.
"Then she asks about rent, roommates, and long-term plans," Declan said, throwing up his hands."And apparently, Gray, you're part of her future living arrangements."
Gray groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose."Why am I not surprised?"
Cam rubbed his temples."All right.Weird, but that still doesn't tell us where she is now."
Marta spoke up."Her luggage wasn't at the guest booth; seems she went to the dive booth.Malcolm then sent her over to the Conch Shack and had Dustin bring her to the Lagoon.They probably thought they were doing a favour for you, Gray."
"And Riley?"Daniel cut in; his gaze sharp."Has anyone seen her?"
Cam and Gray exchanged uneasy looks."We assumed she'd come back while we were at the Thatchers.Phoenix was in his pen, and everything was locked up.Her Jeep's gone, so she must've been back," Cam said.
"But she wasn't with us," Declan added.
"And we didn't see her leave," Daniel said, frowning.
Gray threw up his hands."So, we've got two missing women.One to figure out what she's up to and the other to make sure she's okay.Where do we start?"
Marta jingled her massive keychain."I'll check Riley's place.Bear's there, and there's no way she'd leave him."Marta was grateful they all had keys to each other's places for times just like these.
Declan snickered."Why haven't those shorts ripped?"
Marta shot him a glare."Keep it up, and I'll rearrange your place while I'm at it."
Declan paled."Not funny, Marta."
"Since we kinda lost Shelley, how about Declan and I go for a wander around the Square?Maybe we'll get lucky and find her watching the show."
Each evening, entertainers in the Square hosted a grand performance.Shelley was the tourist type they enjoyed pulling into their show for audience participation.
"I'll go find Dustin at Fish Fry.He'll be easier to talk to if it's just me, as we're still friends, and it won't seem suspicious that I'm there tonight since my sister is working at her lemonade stand."Daniel said as he stood up to get ready to leave."Maybe she told him something when he drove her to the Lagoon?"
"That leaves us.What should we do?"Gray turned on the bench to Cam.
"I hate to say this, but I think we should go to your place.Maybe she found a way there and is waiting for you?"Cam hoped that wasn't the case, but if it was, it would be easier if he was with Gray.
"Marta, as soon as you get to Riley's, whether or not she's there, go to Fish Fry after so you and Daniel are together.Cici and Declan, stay in the Square looking.Once we're done at Gray's place, we'll go grab Marta and Daniel from the fish fry so we don't have 3 vehicles, and we'll all meet back there.Hopefully, Riley is at home, and I'd prefer her to stay there.Let's say 1 hour?"Cam showed his watch so that everyone would look at the time.
"It's a plan!We'll figure this out.Riley is probably at home hanging out with Bear; those two are inseparable."Cici said with more conviction than she felt as they all headed in their assigned directions.
