He read the first message that popped up, which came from his secretary, Alice.
Documents are ready. I’ll have them with me when I see you later.
Ethan nodded to himself, quickly typing a response. And there is no trace of what happened? Nothing to raise any suspicion?
Everything is perfect, she typed back a few moments later. Just as we discussed.
Thanks Alice, you are a life saver.
Anything for you my dear, she responded.
The bartender returned with his scotch. Ethan took a long drink, staring thoughtfully at the back of the bar. He knew Alice would do anything to protect him. She had been like a second mother to him and Jack. The only person in his life, other than his brother, he felt like he could trust.
“You the man who’s getting married tomorrow?” asked the bartender, interrupting his thoughts.
Ethan took another swig of his glass. “So they tell me.”
“I’ve seen you with the lady—she is a beauty. You are a lucky man.”
Ethan finished his glass. “Yeah, lucky,” he said, staring at the bottom of the glass. “I’ll have another.”
He had felt lucky when he met Marissa. She was beautiful, smart, and incredibly wealthy. Unlike many of the rich business-tycoon types he dealt with, where ego was king, Marissa handled her wealth with grace and humility. Marrying her didn’t just mean landing the catch of the decade; it was also a direct reflection of his own success. They would make a powerful pair.
As he drained his second glass, he noted an unread message from an unknown number. He knew it was from his private investigator, Derrick Bishop. He had hired Bishop to make sure Sydney didn’t cause any problems at the wedding. Knowing she was in a fragile state, Ethan worried she wouldn’t show up. Ethan knew that if Sydney didn’t show, Marissa would call off the wedding. They were already on shaky ground after the incident on the plane.
He peered down at his phone.
She’s arrived on the island, the message read. A man came with her. He looks like former military. Possibly a fed.
Was she at the party last night? Ethan texted back. He had heard a few whispers that she had showed up but had not seen her himself. He was too busy managing the entire ordeal around Lizzy’s death, not to mention Marissa, who was understandably distraught the whole night.
Yes. She was with the man. They spoke to Will Sauder and left.
Ethan tapped a finger against his glass. Will seemed pretty harmless, but he needed to be handled carefully.
Keep following her. Be careful, if her date is a fed, he’ll spot you from a mile away.
Don’t worry man, I got this.
Suddenly, he felt a soft hand work its way down his shoulder. Ethan nearly jumped out of his bar seat.
“Ethan!” Marissa said, looking perplexed as she leaned in and gave him a kiss. “Where have you been all morning? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
He quickly put down his phone, darkening the screen before she could catch sight of his messages.
“I’m sorry, I was just out running a few errands.”
“We had a meeting with Jessica this morning at nine. Did you forget?” She furrowed her perfectly drawn brows at him looking irritated.
“Oh no, I forgot,” he said as he tapped his hand to his forehead, emphasizing the point. “I hope you were able to get through it without me. I trust Jessica is still doing a good job?”
Ethan reached over and brushed a long strand of auburn hair off her shoulders. She was wearing a navy-blue jumpsuit that fell off her shoulders and highlighted her bronzed skin. He could smell the jasmine oil in her hair mixed with some expensive perfume. She gave him a pouty look, then settled back into her seat.
“Yes, she’s doing fine. But I would have liked to have you there.” She paused and looked off toward the beach. He could see the stress of everything was beginning to weigh on her.
“I suppose I’m a little on edge,” she said, playing with her cocktail napkin. “With everything that’s happened.”
Ethan rubbed her shoulder. “I know, babe. It’s hard. We’ll get through it, I promise.” He reached over and slid a box in front of her.
“Look, I brought you something.”
He could see her eyes brighten at the sight of the small oblong box that was tied with a matching grey velvet ribbon. She reached for it and carefully untied the ribbon, balancing the box in her hand. As she pulled open the hinged lid, her eyes sparkled.
“Oh, Ethan, it’s beautiful.”
Ethan watched as she pulled a large diamond tennis bracelet out. Ethan had spent a fortune on the bracelet, quickly picking it out at an expensive boutique in Kingston called Joyaux des Iles. The shop was by appointment only, and he had called in a few favors to have them open up early. The sales associate had nearly giggled with joy as she wrapped it up for him. He was always amazed at the effects that diamonds had on women. In this case, it was the perfect way to win some goodwill with his emotionally fragile fiancée.
“Thank you,” she whispered and leaned in to give him a kiss.
“Only the best for you,” he said, helping her place the bracelet on her wrist. She smiled as she touched it lightly with the opposite hand.
“Listen, I have to run to another meeting. I’ll see you tonight before the rehearsal dinner?” she said, looking slightly teary-eyed.
“Of course. I love you, Marissa.”
“Love you too,” she said.
Ethan watched her as she walked away, her long auburn hair swaying like a river down her back, the bracelet sparkling in the tropical sun. As soon as she was out of sight, Ethan reached down and felt for the thin folded piece of paper in his pocket.
Joyaux des Iles had a strict policy about returning items without a receipt.
Sixteen
Sydney
Sydney awoke to a quiet but insistent knock on the door. She pulled her silk sleep mask up above her face and glared in that direction. The room was still dark but only because she had hastily pulled the heavy polyester curtains shut before passing out in her bed. She had slept deeply after taking another Ambien.
The door thumped again. She looked over to the sofa bed and saw Alex sleeping soundly in a T-shirt and boxer shorts. He looked sort of peaceful. His skin had a tiny bit of glow from their first day in Jamaica. His long brown eyelashes cast a small shadow over his cheeks. She wondered if he had fallen asleep right after her.
As she stood up and reached for her floral silk robe, a generous welcome gift from Marissa, the unsettling notion that they still had no solid leads in Lizzy’s murder returned. She swayed a bit before stumbling toward the door then pulling it open to find Maxwell with his ever-present smile.
“Good morning, madam. I am so sorry to wake you, but the pants for Mr. Alex are ready,” he said holding up a wooden hanger with the pants neatly folded over the side. “I thought he might need them for today?”
“Yes, thank you,” she replied, taking the hanger and tossing it on the large bed. She was impressed with how quickly they had handled his dry cleaning. She was sure it wasn’t the first time something like that had happened at the resort.
“I also brought you some fresh coffee and breakfast.”
She peered behind Maxwell and saw a small table with two silver domes. Coffee, orange juice, and bowls of fruit were carefully wrapped in plastic for freshness.