While she was dressing for their meeting, she wondered how the world-renowned event planner would handle the whole situation. Jessica did not hide her ambition. She had a long list of celebrity weddings under her belt, many of which were featured in Us Weekly, Vanity Fair and even Vogue. Marissa had agreed to let their nuptials be documented in exchange for a big cut in Jessica’s fees. She had not wasted any time flying down photographers and journalists to cover the event.
Marissa would bet money that Jessica had never let a wedding falter under her eager yet steady hand. But she doubted murder of a bridesmaid had ever been on the table.
“I’ve asked Simon to have your breakfast ready at the pergola overlooking the beach so you eat comfortably while we talk,” Jessica said, extending a black-clad arm toward the area.
Marissa could see a private table and chairs set up along the beach, with a full spread of food waiting for them. She kept close to Ethan as they left the shelter of the resort lobby and walked toward the beach. He kept a hand around her waist as they walked, the warmth from his body giving her a small bit of comfort. She could feel Jessica’s eyes on them as she trailed silently in their wake.
Once they had settled into their pale blue upholstered chairs, Marissa reached for a cup of coffee and gulped it down. The pergola they were under was swathed in white gauze curtains that rose and fell with the wind from the ocean. The day was clear; intense blue skies hung overhead and the sun continued to rise up from the ocean. She could feel the coral maxi dress she’d hastily dressed in become slightly damp and cling to her skin.
Jessica politely waited for them to enjoy a few bites of food in silence before she began to speak. She looked ready to spring, like a race horse waiting at the gates of the Kentucky Derby. Marissa was impressed with her self-control, having kept silent for this long.
“Darlings,” she began, “I know you have been through a horrific, unimaginable experience in the last twenty-four hours. You’ve lost your friend and you have my deepest condolences.” She paused and tucked a chunky black sliver of hair behind her ear. “But you are here now, and I’d like to know how I can help.”
Marissa slowly placed her fork back on her plate and dabbed a white linen napkin at the corners of her mouth. She began to speak, but Jessica held up a hand and stopped her.
“Just say the word and I can put the entire wedding on hold until you are ready.”
Marissa cleared her throat. “Actually, Jessica, we’ve decided that we’d like to go through with the wedding.” She glanced at Ethan, who nodded his support. “We feel that Lizzy would have wanted us to follow through with our plans. We just want to make sure this is done in a way where we are being respectful of her family and her legacy.” The last few words stuck in her throat. She paused for a moment to collect herself before continuing. Ethan reached over and put a hand on her back. “We’d like to prepare a statement for you to send to all of our guests.” She fumbled with the napkin in her lap. “And we’d also like to pay a small tribute to her during the ceremony.”
Jessica’s eyes sparkled in response. Marissa could tell she was brimming with joy at the news. Pulling this wedding off with everything that had happened would be a huge coup for her. The media coverage alone would likely have her booked out for years. But despite Marissa’s knowledge of her selfish ambitions, she knew that if anyone could handle the situation with grace, it would be Jessica.
“Of course, of course. I think that’s a wonderful idea. Don’t you worry dears, I will take care of everything.”
With a sudden burst of energy, she reached down into a large canvas bag and pulled out her laptop. She began making notes and typing out the notification to guests. Marissa felt herself relax for a moment, knowing she was in capable hands.
Ethan sat next to them in silence as they hammered out the rest of the details for the wedding. She glanced over at him several times, wondering what had him staring off toward the ocean. She wasn’t sure if Lizzy’s death had sunk in for either of them, but grief aside, neither of them knew what had caused Lizzy’s death.
Or rather, who.
Just as she began to get distracted with the notion of Lizzy’s murder, a large elegant cake stand arrived with small pieces of cake tucked underneath a large glass dome. The professionally dressed waiter opened up the stand, and the smells of fresh baked cake and vanilla-flavored frosting wafted over to them. Thinking about Lizzy had caused Marissa’s appetite to leave her, but Ethan didn’t seem to mind. He helped himself to a few slices of wedding cake.
“Before I forget,” Jessica said, adjusting her red-rimmed glasses. “We’ve had a last-minute RSVP to the guest list. Apparently a well-known businessman in the Caribbean.” She had raised her eyebrows as she said this, and Marissa wondered why. Ethan paused and looked up at Jessica, his fork suspended in midair with a piece of red velvet cake wobbling on top. “Does the name Vincente Estavez ring a bell?”
Ethan dropped his fork back on his plate. He reached for a one of the tall skinny glasses of water and took a deep drink.
“Oh yes, he’s a business associate of mine,” Ethan said, clearing his throat.
She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something about the way he said it made her uneasy. She had watched Ethan play enough charity poker to know his tell.
Something was wrong.
Ten
Sydney
Sydney felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her head, which contrasted sharply to the heat that had risen in her cheeks. The room she was in began to fall away, and all she could focus on was the two men in front of her. One asking the impossible, the other she barely knew.
“You want him”—she wagged a finger at Alex—“to go as my date?”
“Yes, he will be undercover and will be joining you for observation only.”
Sydney made a huffing noise, which seemed to bounce off the walls in the room. Alex looked as though he wanted to speak but kept his lips still. Sydney threw her hands up and brought them down, causing the gold bangles on her wrists to slap against the table. “Do I even have a choice?”
“Yes, you have a choice. But I strongly suggest that you choose to work with us.” He took a breath that rattled down his throat. “I wouldn’t want to have to charge you with obstruction of justice.”
Sydney placed her hands back in her lap. Despite what he said, she knew she didn’t have a choice. Of course, it made sense—law enforcement wanted to get close to everyone involved and see them with their guard down. Asking someone questions in a room like she was sitting in now was way different than having a few cocktails in you and making casual conversation. The latter setting was a much better way to get someone to let a few details slip. But with a date? She looked again over at Alex. No.
“Okay, I get it. But even if I said yes—which I haven’t yet—it would never work.”
“And why is that?” O’Connell arched a thick eyebrow at her as he spoke. “You don’t think Alex is believable enough? He’s roughly your age, single and good-looking.”
Sydney raised an eyebrow.
“Is he single? I saw a small indent on his left ring finger. Looks like a mark from a wedding ring to me.”