Vanished Visitor (Pearl Sands Beach Resort Cozy Mystery Book 5) by Danielle Collins & Millie Briggs

Author:Danielle Collins & Millie Briggs [Collins, Danielle & Briggs, Millie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fairfield Publishing
Published: 2024-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

9

Charlie stumbled to the beach with Nelson close behind, the straw hat in hand.

“But where did it come from?” Lucas asked for the third time.

“How am I supposed to know?” Oliver said, pulling his kayak to the sand.

Jamal stood at the kayak station, welcoming them in with a smile and a tray of drinks. “How did it go?”

“Do you know where Edie—Ms. Herrington—is?” Lucas demanded of the young man.

“I— Pardon?” Jamal looked between them all, confusion evident on his tanned features.

“Dad, you know this is all just part of her ‘game’.” Oliver made air quotes around the last word.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing too, though,” Nelson said. “Do you at least know if she’s safe?”

“I— I do not know.” Jamal shook his head adamantly, his eye still darting every which way.

“Isn’t it cause for alarm?” Charlie added. “Someone missing, that is.”

“Well, knowing Edie, I suppose not.” Lucas let loose a deep sigh, then his eyes narrowed. “Say, how do you know Edie again?”

“We met on a cruise. Charlie only just met her.” Nelson sounded a bit more protective than Charlie would have hoped, but Lucas didn’t seem to catch on.

“Well then, you know she is prone to stunts. Like Oliver says, it’s part of her game. Including the hat. Hmm, I wonder if there’s a clue.” He reached for the hat, but Nelson held it back.

“And if this isn’t part of the game and something really is wrong, how will we know?”

“We’ll stop getting clues,” Oliver said. He reached out and snatched the hat from Nelson, peering close to inspect.

Charlie met Nelson’s gaze over the young man’s bent head. “I thought you weren’t interested in playing the game? That you had bigger things to worry about?”

“Might as well have some fun while we can, eh, son?” Lucas stepped closer, and Oliver handed over the hat.

“I’m going to head up to shower and change. See you at lunch.” Oliver stalked off up the beach.

After one last glance at Lucas, Charlie began to follow him. Nelson started after her, saying, “I’m going to stay behind and see what Lucas says. Maybe I can get something out of him like what their letters said or something.”

“Time to divide and conquer?” She grinned. “I was planning to see if I could get Ruby away from Nash to talk for a bit, maybe I can fit that in before lunch.”

“You did great out there today.” His smile stretched across his face. “Very brave.”

She laughed, feeling a little self-conscious. “It was a little harrowing in parts but worth it. I’d do it again.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” There was a softness to the way Nelson looked at her then, and it sent her stomach spiraling. “And, Charlie?”

She pressed hand over her abdomen and took a breath before replying. “Yes?”

“Be careful.”

“I always am.” She flashed a smile that he returned and then continued toward the path through the trees.

The temperature and humidity increased the moment she entered the shaded path, but it wasn’t completely unpleasant. The

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