Page 2 of Wild Tempest

Somebody finally buzzed us in, and we stepped through the gate and meandered through the hive. It was a massive complex with multiple three-story buildings situated around a central pool with a barbecue. At a complex like this, there were always cuties in skimpy bikinis, sunning themselves around the pool.

We found Building F and took the switchback staircase up to unit #303. I put a heavy fist against the door and shouted, “Coconut County!"

Music inside filtered through.

Footsteps approached a moment later, and the peephole flickered. In a cautious voice, Trevor asked, "What do you want?”

I flashed my badge to the peephole and said, "We just have a few questions about Peyton Williams.”

After a moment, Trevor flipped the deadbolt and pulled open the door.

He was a tall, skinny guy with a narrow face, close-cropped blond hair, blue eyes, and the kind of wiry muscles that made him dangerous in a fight. At 6’3” with long arms, he had a good reach. There was something about his stare. Angry and intense. Right away, I got the sense he was full of coiled energy, ready to strike. A few beers and the right provocation could tip him over the edge.

I flashed a disarming smile. "I'm not sure if you're aware, but Peyton is missing."

He shook his head. "Peyton is not missing. She's out with those idiots on Whistler Cay, looking for a ghost.”

"When was the last time you talked to her?” I asked.

He shrugged. "Last week.”

"I heard you broke up."

His brow knitted. "Where did you hear that from?”

"Sources.”

"Well, your sources are wrong. We're taking a break.”

"What's the difference?”

"The difference is we’re getting back together.”

"It's my understanding you weren’t too happy about her going out to the island with Garrett and Marcus.”

His brow wrinkled. "How would you feel if your girlfriend went away for the weekend with two guys that you know want to bang her?”

"I don't think I’d feel too good about it.”

"I think I'm perfectly justified in being a little upset.”

"Did you go out to the island this weekend?"

"No.”

"Are you sure? Not even to check up on them?”

His jaw tightened. "Look, I told her I didn't want her going to the island with those guys. We got into a fight. I warned her that if she went out there, we were done. She said, I guess we're done and went anyway. I’m not going to go out there and chase after her. That's a bitch move. I'm not a bitch."

"How long had you two been dating?”

"A little over a year."

“If I were you, I’d be pissed,” I said, egging him on.

He dismissed it with a scrunch of his mouth and a head shake. “I’m not pissed. It is what it is. I’m not letting that bitch affect me.”

“I think I’d want to go out to that island and beat some ass,” I said, still trying to elicit a response.