The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author:Jayne Ann Krentz [Krentz, Jayne Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

KEEVER’S BODY DISAPPEARED?” Talia stared at Luke, stunned. “Why would anyone move it?”

There had been a brief lull in the storm after Luke finished breakfast. They had used the opportunity to grab a board game and make it back to her cabin before the next squall line struck.

The cloud cover seemed darker than ever. She could have sworn that the plants in the gardens had grown taller, the leaves more massive, in the past few hours. The vines growing up the walls of the cabin were starting to obscure the windows, cutting off a lot of what little light was available. Claustrophobia was gnawing at the edge of her awareness.

“There aren’t many reasons for moving Keever’s body,” Luke said. “The obvious one is to make sure it doesn’t make it back to the mainland and into the hands of the authorities.”

Talia caught her breath. “No body, no questions.”

“When you think about it, there’s no reason why Keever’s death has to be reported.”

“But we all saw the body.”

“The only thing Jasper Draper, Oliver Skinner, and Marcella Earle care about is getting back to the mainland,” Luke said. “Reporting Keever’s death is not their problem. They’ll leave that to management.”

“Who won’t have to be bothered if there’s no body.” Talia paused, thinking through the logic. “Jasper and Oliver and Marcella won’t be a problem for Nathan Gill. The Venners probably aren’t, either. But you and I are. He doesn’t know that, though.”

“We have to assume he does know it,” Luke said. “The missing body isn’t the only news. Keever’s cabin was searched, but not for the drugs. They are still there. And here’s the next headline: no one is living in the Night Gardener’s cabin.”

“Meaning?”

“It’s empty,” Luke said. “There’s no indication that anyone has stayed there for a long time. No towels. No clothes. No sheets for the bed. A layer of dust on everything. It had the smell a room gets when it hasn’t been opened up in a long time.”

Talia sank down on the side of the bed. “This is so weird. If Pomona Finch isn’t living in that cabin behind the conservatory, where does she live?”

“Damned if I know,” Luke said. He sprawled in the room’s single chair, his legs outstretched, a fresh pair of socks on his feet. His boots were sitting in front of the small heater, drying out. “Probably inside the conservatory. That place is big, and there’s a jungle inside. You could conceal an entire camper van in there. The more interesting question is, why did Venner lie to us about the Night Gardener’s sleeping arrangements?”

“He and Octavia have been living here for six months,” Talia said. “By now they’ve probably learned a few things about whatever is going on here and they know not to talk about it.”

“Judging by that argument you overheard, Octavia has had enough. Maybe she’s ready to walk before the contract is up.”

“If she leaves, Nathan Gill can forget trying to keep the Unplugged Experience going as a cover. Her cuisine is the only thing that makes Night Island even moderately appealing.

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