by Dara Girard
“There was just something about her that worried me, and after doing a search I found a connection between her and this island.”
“What?”
“She’s been coming here every year for eight years. She stays at one of the hostels and keeps to herself. Obviously, she’s never been able to afford staying at Red Beacon Villa Resorts, or maybe she has a reason to stay away.”
“That’s hardly criminal,” Rebecca said.
“Why pretend to never have been here before?”
“I’ve never asked her. I’m sure she would have told me if I had.”
“I just get the sense something bad happened. In town, she’s been known to go to a local spiritualist.”
“Again, that’s not criminal. What brought you here in the first place?”
“Gran had a dream.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes and slapped her forehead. “You didn’t really fall for that.”
“It proved to be true. Something is wrong with your show, or rather, was. Aren’t you glad that I might have solved this?”
“You don’t know Kelli like I do. There’s no real proof.”
“That’s where Aaron can help us.”
* * *
Harvey looked toward the hallway with concern. “Maybe we should go and see how they are,” he said. He had been with Aaron in the sitting room for the past twenty minutes.
“No, give them more time,” Aaron said, not looking the least bit concerned about what was going on.
“They could be fighting.”
Aaron shrugged. “Or having a heated debate, or talking about the price of bread.”
Harvey reached for his handkerchief, then stopped and drummed his fingers instead. “This isn’t funny.”
“No, and that’s why I’m not going to intervene yet.”
Harvey stood. “I—”
“Sit down. I promised Rebecca that I’d let her talk to her sister alone, and I intend to keep that promise.”
Harvey sat down. “But how much time does she need?”
Aaron shrugged again. “Rebecca will let me know when she’s ready.” Aaron looked at Harvey with a grin. “And Rachelle will appreciate it, too.”
“What?”
“Now I understand it all,” he said, gesturing to Harvey’s new shirt and haircut. “You like her, don’t you?”
“It’s not like that.”
Aaron’s grin widened. “I know you too well, H.C.”
“Yes, I like her.”
“We’re lucky she wasn’t Rebecca. Otherwise we’d both be in trouble. You looked ready to hurt me in jail.”
Harvey couldn’t help a grin. “I didn’t know I had it in me.”
“When are you going to make your move?”
“I’m sure she’ll be leaving the island soon.”
Aaron pointed at him. “Then convince her to stay.”
“Are you going to do that?”
Aaron shook his head and rested his hand on the table. “My situation is different.”
“How?”
“I have a son and a lot more baggage.”
Harvey sniffed, unconvinced. “You’re too afraid to ask her.”
“I’m not afraid,” Aaron said, too relaxed to be provoked by Harvey’s words. “I’m just not interested right now.”
“Then why even start anything?”
“Why not? I still like to enjoy myself.”
“If you love Rebecca half as much as I love Rachelle, you’re in trouble.”
Aaron laughed. “Spoken like a true romantic. Something I’m not. Once you’ve been burned by love and marriage, you’re a lot more cautious. I almost envy your untainted outlook. Cherish it.”
“What are you two doing?” Candace asked, walking into the room. “Wow, looking sharp, H.C. When did this happen? I was only gone a week.”
Aaron cast a glance at her. “Go into the kitchen if you’re hungry. We already ate.”
“What’s going on?” Candace asked, taking a seat. “I’d hoped to talk to Rebecca about the announcer for the show.”
Aaron stiffened. “What about the announcer?”
“He got himself drunk and in a bar fight. He has a black eye and several broken ribs, so we can’t use him.”
Aaron swore.
Harvey groaned. “Maybe the show is—”
Aaron shot him a glance. “Don’t say it.”
“We have to find someone quick,” Candace said. “Someone with a great speaking voice who knows about the show.”
Aaron glanced at Harvey. Candace did the same and smiled.
Harvey held up his hands, as if reading their minds. “Oh, no. Not me.”
“Why not?” Candace said. “You should show off your new fashion sense.”
“But—”
“Think of how happy Rachelle would be to hear what you’re doing for her sister’s show,” Aaron said.
“Who’s Rachelle?” Candace asked.
“Do you really think so?” Harvey asked with hope.
“She’ll be very impressed,” Aaron said. “If I were in your shoes, I’d use it as a great opportunity.”
“Who is Rachelle?” Candace asked again.
Harvey nodded. “Okay, you’ve got yourself an announcer.”
“Thank you.”
Candace pounded the table with her fist, making both men jump. “Who is Rachelle?”
“Rebecca’s sister,” Aaron said. “We’re waiting for her to finish talking to her right now.”
“Her sister is on the island?”
“Twin sister,” Harvey added.
Aaron waved his hand before his sister could ask. “It’s a long story,” he said, and before he could elaborate, Rebecca and Rachelle appeared in the entryway. “We’re ready to talk now,” Rebecca said.
Candace gaped at them, then stood up. “Amazing!”
“Are you sure you’re identical?” Aaron said. “I just don’t see it.”
Everyone turned to him, surprised.
“What?” he said, perplexed by their looks. “Sure, I can see the resemblance, but they don’t look exactly the same.”
“Yes, they do,” Candace said.
“But Rebecca’s—” He stopped.
“Eyes aren’t as brown,” Harvey finished.
Aaron shot him a glance. “Of course they are.”
Rachelle grinned at Aaron. “You think she’s prettier, don’t you?”
Aaron stood, looking uneasy about being put on the spot. “Never mind. I’m sorry I mentioned it. Let’s go talk about what’s really important,” he said, then walked past them into the living room.
Rachelle looked at her sister. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
Rebecca knew, but still couldn’t believe it. Her grandmother always liked to tell them that there would be a man who would recognize and be able to tell them apart. She’d always considered it a silly family story, but now she wasn’t so sure. “Let’s go.”
“Harvey’s our new announcer,” Candace said. “The other guy got in a fight, and H.C.’s saving us from a big headache.”
“Oh, thank you, H.C.,” Rebecca said, taking Harvey’s hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Aaron popped his head back in the room. “What’s taking you so long?”
“We’re coming,” Rebecca said. But before she followed him, she saw her sister give Harvey a quick kiss on the cheek. He smiled in return.
But minutes later they sat in the living room, all good humor and smiles gone.
“We have to get her to confess,” Rachelle said after she’d shared all that she’d uncovered.
“How will we do that?” Harvey asked.
“I don’t
know.”
“She can’t create any more havoc,” Aaron said. “I’ve been having her watched.”
“I still don’t believe it’s her,” Rebecca said. “We need to know the true motive.”
“I think it’s simple jealousy.”
“Or maybe it’s greed,” H.C. said. “Maybe she thought she could convince Rebecca to sue Red Beacon Villa Resorts and wanted part of the money.”
“She wanted me to cancel the show because she was worried about me,” Rebecca said. “I know the snake incident scared her, too.”
“There haven’t been any other incidents since then, right?” Candace asked. “So it might be her or—”
“Plus, Wethers has been around,” H.C. interrupted. “I’m sure he wasn’t part of her plan.”
“I don’t know how you can be positive it’s her,” Rebecca said.
Rachelle threw up her arms. “What more do you need to convince you? You didn’t know she was familiar with the island, she had a snake carrier in her room, she disappeared at the oddest times and seemed more afraid about a supposed ‘curse’ than anyone. Maybe so that she could get you to believe it, too. If I still had my proof, I could show you,” Rachelle said, sending Harvey a significant look.
Harvey shook his head. “It wasn’t enough, and it wasn’t legal. But let’s look at things another way. What if Rebecca and the show aren’t the true targets?”
“What do you mean?”
“What if she wanted the show to be canceled for another reason?” Aaron said, understanding what Harvey was thinking.
“What reason?” Rebecca asked.
“Revenge,” H.C. said. “Having to cancel would hurt our image more than it would the Cromwell Collection.”
“Kelli loves the fashion world. She used to have a sister who loved it even more,” Rebecca said.
“What do you mean used to?” Aaron asked.
“She doesn’t talk about her much, but I know she passed away when Kelli was young.”
“I looked her up and didn’t find any family tragedies,” Rachelle said.
“Is Kelli Davis her real name?” Aaron asked.
“I used a hiring agency when I signed her,” Rebecca said. “I assumed they did a background check.”
“We’ll have to do our own.”
Rebecca shook her head. “I appreciate all this. I really do, but I still think Kelli isn’t the one. She can be difficult sometimes, but she seemed genuinely worried about me and the show. Plus, while she’s been here, all she’s done is drink and flirt, right, H.C.?”
“Yes.”
Candace laughed. “If she were a decade younger, she’d probably be on that party boat Aaron couldn’t stand.”
Aaron swore.
Everyone looked at him. “What?” Rebecca asked.
Candace’s eyes widened. “But that was years ago. You don’t think—”
Aaron nodded, his tone grave. “I do.”
“What is it?” Rebecca asked.
“We think we know Kelli’s motive.”
Before Rebecca could ask what it was, Brandon burst into the room, his eyes swimming with tears. “He’s dying! He’s dying!”
The five adults stood and stared at him.
“Who?” Aaron demanded.
“Trident,” he said. “You have to come quick.”
Chapter 15
They all followed Brandon to the enclosure, where the iguana sat motionless. Aaron pulled out his phone and called the vet, who instructed Aaron to keep Trident moist and bring him over right away. Rebecca looked at Aaron, surprised that he had such direct access. He just said, “I have special privileges,” then wrapped Trident in a soaked towel and put him in his traveling case. He gave him to Brandon to hold before the three of them piled in his car.
The veterinary hospital was located on the eastern side of St. James, and Aaron knew he needed to get there fast. “Hold on, everyone, I may have to break some traffic laws,” he said, and just as he had done years ago, Rebecca found herself traveling the winding back roads of St. James.
After what seemed like hours, they pulled up in front of the hospital and raced inside. The vet, Dr. Blaine Gladwell, a studious-looking man with long dreadlocks and round black glasses, stood waiting for them. Rebecca soothed Brandon while they looked on anxiously as Dr. Gladwell checked Trident.
After a quick examination, Dr. Gladwell shook his head and sighed. “I’ll need to run some tests, but if my guess is correct, he’s been poisoned.”
“Poisoned?” Aaron asked, stunned. “How?”
“There are many ways for reptiles to be poisoned. Most of them are not deliberate. It could be the wrong food he was given, or his water.”
“We haven’t changed anything,” Aaron said, looking at Brandon.
“I haven’t done anything differently.” A tear threatened to roll down his cheek.
“Have you changed his environment?” Dr. Gladwell asked.
“No,” Aaron said.
“Is he going to die?” Brandon asked, no longer able to hold back the tears.
“I don’t know,” Dr. Gladwell said. “Since I don’t know what made him sick yet, we’ll give him some intravenous fluids to keep him hydrated, and something to help his body absorb whatever it is he may have eaten. We’ll need to keep him here. With his age and how poorly he’s looking, things could go either way. I’ll have someone watch him overnight. There’s not much more we can do but wait.”
Back home, after tucking Brandon in bed, Aaron couldn’t help wondering why what was happening to Trident didn’t sit well with him. “First he goes missing, and then he gets sick. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“The statue,” Rebecca said, meeting him in the hallway.
“What?”
“That’s something new in Trident’s cage,” she said, heading there. “Your sister was showing me something she’d been given by one of the models who got sick when she went to the States. She thought it was ugly and planned to throw it away, but instead she put it in Trident’s cage as part of the decoration.”
They both went out back and entered Trident’s cage. There, Rebecca noticed the statue had fallen into Trident’s water dish, and a small piece of one of the ears had broken off.
Aaron snatched it up and swore, angered that something seemingly so harmless could do such damage.
“It may not be the reason.”
“We’ll have to find out,” Aaron said, returning inside. He grabbed his jacket. “I’ll drive it over to the hospital and leave it for Dr. Gladwell. He can check it out and see if it could be the cause. I hate leaving you here alone.”
“I’m hardly alone. There’s your grandmother and Brandon and—”
“I mean without me.”
“I’ll be fine. I can look after myself, and I can look after them, too, if necessary.”
“Thanks,” he said, reassured. Then he gave her a quick kiss before he left.
Once Aaron was gone, Rebecca went upstairs to check on Brandon. When she entered his bedroom, she saw that his bed was empty. She looked around, but couldn’t find him.
“Brandon, where are you?” she called out softly. She didn’t want to wake Aaron’s grandmother, whose bedroom was only two doors away. There was no response. Rebecca began to panic, then she noticed his blanket was missing but his slippers were still in his room. She hurried downstairs and checked the hallway closet. His jacket was gone. She quickly put on her coat and grabbed a flashlight from the top shelf in the closet and headed out back. As she approached Trident’s cage, she heard the soft sounds of Brandon crying.
“Brandon, you are a crafty one,” Rebecca said. “Your father and I were just here and didn’t see you.”
“I hid.”
“Why? What are you d
oing in here?” she asked, opening the cage door to let herself inside. He was huddled under his blanket in the far corner of the shed, where the temperature was still warm.
“He’s going to die. I know it.”
“We don’t know that, Brandon. The doctor said we will have to wait and see.”
“But I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Nobody said you did.”
“Then why did he get sick?” He sniffed.
“I don’t know. Sometimes things just happen.”
“I don’t want him to die.”
“I know. Why don’t we go back into the house and...”
Brandon shook his head and held his blanket tighter. “No, I want to stay here until Trident returns.”
Rebecca sensed that arguing wouldn’t work and decided to just go along with the situation. She held him close and let him rest his head on her lap.
After only a couple of minutes, he was sleeping soundly. She carefully wrapped him up in the blanket, gently carried him into the house and put him in his bed.
* * *
“Thanks for looking after Brandon for me,” Aaron said when he returned and Rebecca told him about Brandon’s mini-adventure. They sat in the living room, neither of them ready to go to bed yet.
“You don’t have to thank me again,” Rebecca said, affectionately stroking his leg. “I know he’s an important part of your life.”
Aaron covered her hand. “So you’re saying you have no choice?”
“No, I’m saying it’s an honor that you trust me with your son.”
Aaron closed his hand over hers. “He likes you.”
“And the feeling is mutual.” She sighed and looked at the blank TV screen.
“What is it?”
Rebecca hesitated, then said, “I hate to bring this up, but is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Aaron looked at her, suddenly wary. “What do you mean by that?”
“I still don’t believe Kelli is the one we should be looking at regarding the sabotage,” Rebecca said.
Aaron released her hand and folded his arms. “That’s because you’ve never been betrayed by someone you trust.”
“But why don’t you trust my judgment?”
“Because I prefer to trust the facts.”
