“Oh my word.” Ash is instantly awake. “You’ve hadstalkers? As in,multiple? Hope, what can we do?”
“You’ve reported them, I assume,” Caro says.
“Of course,” Hope says. “But they do tend to crop up.” She shrugs. “It’s part of the job, but it also shouldn’t be, you know?”
“You say the word, and we willfindthem,” Ash says, vehement and wide-eyed. “We willfightthem. We will take care of it for you.”
“I appreciate that very much, Ash,” Hope says, smiling. “Now, should we do one last toast before we lose you completely?”
“I’m fine,” Ash insists. “I’mawake.” She opens her eyes wide to prove it and the other two laugh.
“You’re sleep-drunk,” Hope says.
“I’mnotdrunk,” Ash insists. Her eyes are already half-closed again.
“I know,” Hope says. “I mean, you’re so tired, it’s like you’re drunk. You work so damn hard, Ash.” Love and concern and amusement mingle in her voice. “Thank you for staying up so late to hang out.”
“Anytime,” Ash says.
Caro raises her empty Gatorade glass. “What should we toast to?”
“Friendship?” Ash says, then cringes, because it sounds so basic, so cheesy. But—
“Perfect,” Hope says. “What could be better?”
“To friendship,” Caro says.
“And to Agatha Christie,” Ash says. “For bringing us together. And, actually, to wine.” She lifts her empty glass.
“And to Gatorade,” Caro says.
“Now we’re getting carried away,” Hope says.
We are, they each think.And it’ssonice.
Hope goes to open a window. Caro gets up to close one. They return. Ash sinks down into her pillows. They keep talking, voices slowing, softening, until, eventually, they fall asleep. Ash is first, Caro second. Hope is last, but not by much. She is not alone for long.
DAY THREE
Thursday
On the chalkboard outside the Sonnet resort main office
MOVIE.................................
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 1989, PG-13, directed by Steven Spielberg
FILM FACT.................................
Keep an eye on the opening sequence! It begins with a shot of a rock formation in Utah that lines up perfectly with the Paramount Pictures logo.
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TELL ME YOU HAVEmoney without saying a single word.
Buy not one, butthree$70 sweatshirts without batting an eye.
