Seductive Suspect

Paul dropped his fork on his plate with a clang. “So, we’re going to sit here in silence all night?”

Laura tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “What else is there to say?”

“Anything.” He started tapping the fork on the edge of the plate, and then switched to spinning the stem of his water glass when Isabel shot him a dirty look. “We can talk about the shitty weather, rehash how we got here, debate social issues…all of those sound better than watching the clock, waiting for the next calamity.”

“Some of us don’t mind a little quiet,” Isabel said.

Laura pursed her lips. “And it’s hard to concentrate on something other than the latest victim you just took to her room.”

Dylan rolled his eyes. “Engaging in conversation, however banal, isn’t going to make her any deader.”

Her glare threatened to bore a hole through him. “Do you have any respect for anyone besides yourself?”

“Right now? Not really.”

“Charming.” She flicked her crimson hair back over her shoulder and took a sip of water. “Too bad you’re not a teadrinker,” she muttered.

His lip curled up in a smug half-smile. “Was that an admission of guilt I heard?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Next to me, Adam rubbed his forehead. “So much for attempts at conversation.”

We decided to retire early for the second night in a row. “Let’s plan to meet at the stairs at eight o’clock tomorrow morning,” Victor said before we left the dining room. “Under no circumstances should you open your door to anyone before then.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice.Once inside my room, I wedged a chair underneath the doorknob and gave it a good shake to test its stability. Looking back over my shoulder, I remembered the second door to the balcony. Constructed mostly of glass, it wouldn’t keep out a determined intruder. I slid one of the heavy wooden dressers in front of it, hoping it would provide a deterrent to anyone trying to kill me, or at least produce enough noise to wake me up in such an event.

I changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth in the bathroom. Sitting on the closed toilet, I propped my elbows on my knees and buried my head in my hands. Last night, I’d been excited about the burgeoning mystery at the lodge. Now, I worried I might be the next victim in this real-life story of danger and death.

Exhaling, I stood and exited to the bedroom. I repeated my prior routine of turning off the lamp and yanking the covers up to my chin. Before I settled against the pillows, movement outside the window caught my eye.

A high-pitched gasp squeaked past my lips and I froze. Squinting into the darkness, I wondered if fear had caused me to imagine things. A minute passed, and the shadows shifted again. Someone lurked on the balcony.

I debated the best course of action. Part of me wanted to hide under the quilt and act like I hadn’t seen anything—or pretend this entire trip was nothing more than a bad dream—but I knew I’d never fall asleep if I didn’t investigate. Keeping the light off, I hunched over and crept toward the window.

The rain had stopped, leaving moonlit puddles across the balcony’s polished surface. A tall figure leaned against the railing, staring out into the forest. Even with his back to me and the dim lighting, there was no mistaking the man’s identity.Adam.

I watched him, but other than the natural rise and fall of his shoulders, he didn’t move. Again, I struggled with what to do. Part of me knew I should ignore him and go back to bed, that I shouldn’t trust anyone. But, on the other hand, he didn’t appear to be plotting anything nefarious at the moment. And it wasn’t like I’d get much sleep, anyway.

Flicking open the latches, I raised the window. “Adam?” I whispered through the screen. “What are you doing?”

He stiffened when I called his name, then relaxed. “Hey there.” He turned around and smiled. “I came out to get some fresh air. Being cooped up inside for so long doesn’t help anything.”

“I understand.”

Extending one hand, he took a few steps toward my room. “Care to join me?”

His enticing grin was difficult to resist. The way the silvery light illuminated how his snug white undershirt clung to his lean frame added to the temptation. I glanced at the pile of furniture I’d used to barricade the door and shook my head. “I’d like to…but I can’t yet. I mean, I’m sure you wouldn’t fling me off the balcony or anything, but I don’t want to take any chances.” I bit my lower lip. “I’m sorry.”

“No worries.” His expression remained pleasant. “Sorry if Idisturbed you. I’ll go back inside soon.”

Despite not feeling fully comfortable around him, I didn’t want him to leave. “You’re not bothering me, and I don’t mean to kick you out of a shared space. In fact…” My pulse raced, and I took a deep breath. “If you want to stay out there and talk for a little while, I wouldn’t mind.”

Adam chuckled and ran a hand through his dark hair. “Sure. What do you want to talk about?”

I let out a long groan. “Anything outside of this horrible place.”

“Well, with you here, it’s not so bad.” His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “But I know what you mean. I need the diversion, too.”