Of all of them, Beck was the only one who felt compelled to keep rehashing everything that had happened, making it clear to Sierra that he was the sort of person who actually liked to talk about his feelings.
What a foreign concept.
But he didn’t want to just talk about Alicia’s note and the Game Master. He wanted a plan. What were they going to do? When were they going to go to the police about Ranielle?
Sierra’s answer was always the same. She’d go to the police when she had evidence. Solid evidence.
She kept hoping that maybe the police would figure it out on their own. That maybe this time Ranielle had left behind some trace DNA, fingerprints,somethingthat would pin Louis’s murder on her. Then Sierra could come forward with Alicia’s note and explain her theories, and finally, finally her sister would have justice.
But she’d been watching the news, and so far the only sightings of Ranielle had been coverage of thegrieving widow determined to continue her husband’s legacy . . . with another season of the blockbuster reality show already in preproduction.
Gross.
“Are we ready for today?” Sierra said, grabbing the last scone and slathering it with a heavy dose of butter. “Semifinals.”
“Do you think we’ll still get a clue?” said Carter.
“I’d say everything will be the same, including the dexterity challenge. Speaking of, I’ve nominated Beck as our competitor.”
Beck rubbed his hands together. “I hope it’s something epic, like riding one of those bucking bull machines. I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Sierra smiled faintly, pulling the scone apart bite by bite. “Has anyone seen Adi this morning?”
As soon as she asked, Adi emerged from his bedroom, freshly showered and fully dressed.
“Whoa,” said Beck. “Someone’s getting an early start.”
“Got a meeting.”
“With who?” asked Sierra.
“Ranielle,” Adi said. “That promo thing for Sweetbrier Resort, remember?” He reached for the plate that had once held scones, then made a face. “Who took the last scone?”
Sierra made a big show of cramming it into her mouth.
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll grab something from the dining hall.”
“Don’t forget to get some deets on Sweetbrier!” Beck said.
“You really think Ranielle is going to tell me anything important?”
“She’s got to have information on her laptop. If I ever get a chance to search the property, it would be really helpful to know if there are, like, underground tunnels, or what the security system is like. That sort of thing.”
Adi stepped into his tennis shoes. “So you want me to log on to Ranielle’s laptop, find confidential information, and steal it somehow . . . all while Ranielle’s back is turned?”
“I mean. You know. You could. If it works out.”
“Right,” Adi drawled. “That’ll be a no from me.”
He opened the front door to reveal Lisa on the other side carrying an enormous package. It was flat, about the same size as the top of the coffee table and covered in brown paper.
“Delivery for Team Helsing,” she said.
“Thanks?” said Adi, helping her bring it inside.
They set it on the dining table. “Have y’all been holding up all right?” Lisa asked.
“What’s it to you?” said Sierra.
