6
Saint Aurelia looked like a fantasy from the air.
Green hills rose above turquoise water.
White sand curved around private coves.
No large hotels crowded the shore.
The people who visited wanted beauty without witnesses.
The Jefferson villa occupied the western side of the island.
Three floors of glass and stone overlooked the ocean.
An infinity pool stretched toward the horizon.
A detached guesthouse stood beyond the palms.
Private stairs descended to a secluded beach.
The eastern side of the property ended near steep black cliffs.
A villa manager named Arthur Vale greeted them.
He had silver hair, tanned skin, and the careful posture of someone employed by rich families long enough to understand danger usually dressed well.
“Welcome back, Mr. Jefferson.”
Bart shook his hand.
“Everything ready?”
“Yes. Staff will remain until eight each evening and return at seven in the morning.”
Jamal looked toward the grounds.
“What happens if there is an emergency after eight?”
“Emergency numbers are posted throughout the residence. The satellite system operates continuously.”
Vale looked at the group.
“The eastern trail is closed due to erosion. Please stay behind all marked barriers.”
Chase smiled.
“How bad is it?”
“Bad enough that I am not making a suggestion.”
Bart glanced at Jamal.
“Scared of heights?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Vale’s eyes moved between them.
“The cliff is not a place for competition.”
Jamal almost asked what he meant.
Bart began assigning rooms.
Cameron and Peter received the lower west suites.
Madison and Emily took the east rooms.
Chase chose the guesthouse.
Bart and Lauren occupied the master bedroom.
Jamal was placed upstairs across from Lauren’s dressing suite, a small private room attached to the master corridor.
He noticed immediately.
“Why am I here?”
Bart carried a bag past him.
“Best view.”
“Cameron wanted the upper room.”
“He changed his mind.”
Cameron appeared behind them.
“I did?”
Bart looked at him.
Cameron paused.
“Yeah. Stairs.”
Jamal studied both faces.
Bart smiled.
“Relax.”
The word already felt overused.
Inside his room, Jamal opened the balcony doors.
Ocean air filled the space.
Far below, water struck rock.
His phone showed two bars.
He called Cleo.
She answered before the first ring completed.
“You landed?”
“Yes.”
“You sound tired.”
“You sound relieved.”
“I will be relieved Sunday.”
He switched to video and showed her the view.
“Beautiful,” she admitted.
“See? No murder music.”
“Turn the camera.”
He did.
“Again.”
He showed the room.
“Door?”
He walked toward it.
“Lock works.”
“Balcony?”
“Too high for anybody to climb.”
“People can walk from the next balcony.”
Jamal looked outside.
A narrow decorative ledge connected the structures.
He had not noticed.
“I’ll lock it.”
“Who is across from you?”
He opened the door.
Lauren stood in the hallway.
She wore white shorts and a pale blue top.
“Pool in fifteen,” she said.
“Okay.”
Her eyes moved toward the phone.
“Hi, Cleo.”
Cleo’s face went still.
“Hello.”
Lauren returned to the master suite.
Jamal closed the door.
“Bart put her across from you,” Cleo said.
“It’s a dressing room.”
“Why does she need a dressing room when they have a master suite?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ask.”
“I’m not asking Bart why his girlfriend has a room.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’ll think I’m interested.”
“He already thinks that.”
Jamal sat on the bed.
“You’re going to ruin the trip from North Carolina.”
“Bart is doing fine without my help.”
“Can we not?”
Cleo closed her eyes.
“Okay.”
“Thank you.”
“Call me before eight.”
“Why eight?”
“The staff leaves.”
“How do you know?”
“You told me.”
“I just told you?”
“You said it when you walked through.”
Jamal smiled.
“You listen to everything.”
“Somebody has to.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
He ended the call.
A knock sounded immediately.
Lauren entered without waiting.
Jamal stood.
“You should knock and wait.”
“I did knock.”
“You skipped the waiting.”
She smiled.
“Bart wants everybody downstairs.”
“I’ll come.”
She remained.
“What?”
“Cleo really doesn’t like me.”
“She doesn’t trust your intentions.”
“Do you?”
Jamal looked at her.
“You’re Bart’s girlfriend.”
“That didn’t answer the question.”
“It did.”
Lauren crossed her arms.
“You never wonder what it would have been like?”
“No.”
The quickness hurt her.
“You don’t have to answer like I’m insulting you.”
“You asked a question that disrespects two relationships.”
“Bart and I barely have one.”
“Then end it.”
“It isn’t that simple.”
“It is simpler than making me part of it.”
Lauren looked toward the balcony.
“You always know the right thing to say.”
“No. I know what I’m not doing.”
She turned.
At the door, she paused.
“He hates how easy everything looks for you.”
“It isn’t easy.”
“I know.”
“Does he?”
Lauren looked back.
“No.”
She left.
Jamal locked the door behind her.