“No,” says Steve. “But the Coldplay T-shirt made it easier.”
Rosie nods down at her jumpsuit. “You know that means we’re married now?”
Steve stands over Nelson and offers his hand. Nelson is in a great deal of pain, as is his bodyguard.
“Let’s get you both to a hospital, shall we?” says Steve.
“Plenty of time for that,” says Amy. “He’s got a good four hours before he bleeds out. So maybe a few questions first.”
Steve drags Nelson to his feet and helps him over to a sofa. Amy slings the young bodyguard over her shoulder and dumps him next to Nelson.
“Tell us about Bella Sanchez,” says Amy.
Nelson looks blank.
“The girl who got murdered at Emerald Bay?” says Amy. “With a bag full of money.”
“I don’t know anything,” says Nelson. “I know a girl got murdered, that’s it.”
Amy motions for Steve to hand over his gun. Steve shakes his head. Amy gives him a withering look. Steve rolls his eyes and hands it over. Amy takes the gun and holds it against the whimpering Nelson’s left temple.
“I don’t believe you,” says Amy. “Tell me everything you know or I pull the trigger right now.”
“Steady on, Ames,” says Steve, then turns to Rosie. “This is why we always let her win board games at Christmas.”
Amy hasn’t taken her eyes off Nelson. “Somebody is trying to kill me.”
“Me too,” says Nelson.
Rosie laughs, then mouths a silent “sorry” to the furious-looking Amy.
“Forget these two,” says Amy to Nelson. “I’m the one you have to worry about here. If I shoot you, it won’t be in the leg. Who’s your guy in Dubai?”
“I don’t know,” says Nelson, and tilts his head toward his injured bodyguard. “Can we get him to a hospital?”
Steve can see the bodyguard slipping into unconsciousness.
“Amy,” says Rosie, “I trust you know what you’re doing? There are few things in life I haven’t tried at least once, but I don’t want to add killing someone to the list.”
“You’ve never killed anyone?” Steve asks. “I’m actually surprised.”
“A Danish pop star once had a heart attack in my hotel hot tub,” says Rosie. “But that was different.”
Amy looks at her watch and says, “He’s fine.”
“He’s my nephew,” says Nelson. “My sister will kill me.”
“Not if I kill you first,” says Amy. “Who killed Bella?”
“A local cop,” says Nelson. “Bought a speedboat right after.”
“Anything else?”
“They found blood at the scene,” says Nelson. “But it didn’t match no one.”
“There we go,” says Steve.
Amy nods. “Okay. I need you to send your friend a message.”
“Anything,” says Nelson.
“Tell him that Rosie D’Antonio and Amy Wheeler are flying to Alaska.”
“Okay, sure, okay,” says Nelson. “Alaska.”
“No,” says Steve. “Eddie’s not going to fall for the same trick twice. Tell him they’re still holed up at Emerald Bay. A little truth will keep Eddie on St. Lucia longer than a big lie.”
Amy nods. “Okay. And do it while I’m watching.”
Amy watches Nelson key in the message. Steve is still thinking of Nelson’s reaction to the name “François Loubet.”
Satisfied the message has been sent, Amy picks up the unconscious nephew once again and carries him over her shoulder.
Steve helps Nelson to his feet, and Nelson drapes an arm around his shoulder.
“I don’t think Nelson is going to report us to the police,” says Amy. “Let’s get Coldplay to a hospital, pick up our passports, and head to the airport before Eddie Flood shows up to waste his time at Emerald Bay.”
“Who do you think is messaging you, Nelson?” Steve asks. “If you had to guess? It’s François Loubet, isn’t it?”
