He frowned. What about that other girl? Colleen Rodriguez? For a couple of weeks, her disappearance was all over the news, and then people seemed to forget all about her.
Jeanne wrinkled her nose. Because the little twit obviously fell in love and decided to hightail it.
Odd. If you fall in love, dont you announce it to the world?
Jeanne was clearly getting bored with so much conversation about another woman. Maybe its some kind of a publicity stunt. You know, some kind of scam. I hope they put her in jail when they find hershe nearly ruined everything.
Oh? Arent you worried about her? Wasisnt she a friend?
Surewere all friends. But she behaved like a selfish brat. We were all on the island, shooting an ad, and everyone was happythen she just up and disappeared. With her purse and passport, Id like to point out.
But she didnt take all her things?
Jeanne waved a hand in the air. I dont know what she did and didnt take. I didnt room with her. I dont room with anyone. Its in my contract. You could talk to Lacy. They roomed together. That Colleen, she was clever. Lacy is the golden girl, and Colleen knew that and hung around her, looked out for her. If anyone knows anything, its Lacy. Of course, Lacy is tweaked half the time, so if Colleen walked by her on the way out and told her where she was going, Lacy might not have noticed.
He made a mental note to talk to Lacy about Colleen Rodriguez, preferably when she was sober. But tonight he needed to find Rene.
Jeanne was going on about her competition again, though. I dont know about Chloe Marin. Shes best for something a bit sporty. She does have those unusual eyes, though. And great breastswhich, from what I understand, are all hers. Personally, I think a little silicone helps the puppies stay right up where theyre supposed to be. And Ive yet to meet a man who objects, and most seem to prefer it. What do you have to say to that, Mr. Smith? Im right, arent I?
She was fishing for a compliment, he realized, leaning closer and actually coming on to him.
He lowered his head, trying not to smile and betray his amusement. She no doubt expected him to take her up on her not-so-subtle offer. There was a time in his life when he would have, those days of his youth when he was eager and raw, thrilled by the prospect of shagging just about anything that moved. But those days were long in the past. It wasnt that his life had come to fruition with a deep relationship. In fact, his deepest relationship had ended bitterly. He didnt know what he wanted yet, but he knew it wasnt what Jeanne LaRue was offering.
No sharp edges, no daggers, no bartering. Not in the bedroom.
As he considered his response carefully, he was joltedliterallyby the arrival of someone at his side.
Oh, Im so sorry. I didnt mean to push you out of your seat.
He turned, saved from having to make a reply by the arrival of the all-natural assets in question.
Chloe Marin had come up on the other side of him, and he couldnt have been more surprised by the effect she had on him, her eyes wide and intent, the soft and ethereal scent of her perfume sweeping over him. She was different from the others. He had an impression of the worlds most sinuous and elegant cat. It wasnt overt, and yet she had an amazingly sensual allure.
She continued to stare at him with those cool jaguar eyes, and he realized he was being studied.
She accepted two beers from the bartender and slid one in front of him, then leaned close to ask softly, Do you need rescuing?
Well
Its not a complex question. You may not want to be rescued. If thats the case, Ill slip away and let you enjoy Jeannes company. If not
Ill slip away with you, if I may, he returned, his own voice low.
She didnt smile flirtatiously. She hadnt been flirting, had simply noticed his plight and given him a chance to escape if he wanted to.
She spoke more loudly. Mr. Smith, Victorias cousin Brad has arrived. I mentioned him to you earlier.
He turned to Jeanne. If youll excuse me, Miss LaRue. Miss Marin has pointed out someone I need to meet.
Its Brad, Chloe explained. Hes going to need to rent transportation for his catalogue shoot.
He should just hop on a company boat, Jeanne said.
Hell want his own transportation. Anyway, the more boats, the more fun, Chloe said.
Jeanne frowned, as if wondering what experience Chloe was drawing on to support that statement, but Chloe didnt wait for the other woman to continue the conversation, just slipped an arm through his and steered him away. Brad owns a fleet of rental boats. And if youre going to be going back and forth to the island while we shoot, youll be glad to have your own transportation.
She was friendly, helpful, and yet she was also aloof. There was a contradiction somewhere in Chloe Marin that aroused his suspicions.
Is Rene Gonzalez going to be part of the calendar shoot? he asked.
She glanced over at him sharply. Rene? Im not sure.
I would have expected her to be here tonight.
Really? And what do you know about Rene Gonzalez?
Ive heard that shes very exotic looking, perfect for what I want for my catalogue, he said.
She is lovely, Chloe said, and offered nothing more.
At the far end of the pool, they found Victoria standing with two men, both of them late twenties or early thirties, dressed in the appropriate Miami-chic attire, handsome jacket, open-neck shirt, no tie, creased slacks, everything with a designer label. One was a sandy-haired man with a short, spiked-and-gelled cut, and the other was darker, his hair a thick fall that slashed across his forehead. They might have been a pair of rockers on their way up.
Mr. Smith, youve met Victoria, and Id like you to meet Jared Walker and Brad Angsley. Brad is Victorias cousin, she added, nodding toward the dark-haired man.
Nice to meet you, Luke said. Call me Jack, please, he added.
Jacks one of the up-and-coming designers here tonight, Chloe explained. He wants to do a catalogue shoot for his new line while were shooting the swimsuit calendar down in the Keys. And Ive told him that its simply no fun being out on an island if you dont have a boat. A nice little cabin cruiser. And who but you to hook him up? she asked Brad.
Its what I do, Brad told him, smiling with boyish charm.
Luke was startled when Victoria shivered. That islandwe shouldnt be going back out to that island.
Jared slipped an arm around her shoulders. There was sincere affection in both his eyes and his tone as he said, Victoria, theres nothing evil about the island.
Its where Colleen disappeared, Chloe said flatly. She was addressing Jared, but she nodded toward Luke. Mr. SmithJackis a new client for the agency. We should be hyping the shoot, not scaring him off.
Brad smiled at Luke. Shes right. And youll love the place. Its the agencys own little piece of pristine heaven. Not to mention that its three miles from Islamorada, which you must have heard of. Its the sportfishing capital of the Keys, for sure, maybe the world.
Still, its true. It is where Colleen suddenly went missing, Chloe said. Push-pull. She had said they shouldnt frighten him, yet here she was focusing on the other womans disappearance. Clearly she didnt want to let the conversation drop, and she kept glancing at him, which definitely struck him as strange.
Still, its true. It is where Colleen suddenly went missing, Chloe said. Push-pull. She had said they shouldnt frighten him, yet here she was focusing on the other womans disappearance. Clearly she didnt want to let the conversation drop, and she kept glancing at him, which definitely struck him as strange.
I did hear about that, Luke said. Are they sure nothing happened to her? I mean, why would she just disappear?
Jared shook his head. Who knows? Models tend to be emotional and just plain crazy.
Hey! Victoria elbowed him.
Most models. Some models, Jared said. Not you, Vickie. Youre totally sane.
But, honestly, Brad said, lowering his voice, though with the conversations going on around them and the pulsing music playing in the background, it was unlikely anyone could hear them. Tell me that Jeanne LaRue isnt a bit on the wacko side.
Shes blunt, thats all, Victoria said.
Jared snorted. Shed walk over her own mother in spike heels if it would get her where she wants to go.
But shes honest about it, Chloe said. I like that. Whats that saying? Something about the enemy I can see being less dangerous than the friend I trust?
Yeah, something like that, Brad agreed. He slipped a hand into his jacket pocket and produced a card for Luke. While Im thinking about it. Well get you set up for the shoot. Lots of people fly in, but youre not even talking fifty miles, and a boat gives you a lot more control over your schedule. You know anything about boats?
Actually, I do, Luke assured him.
Brad nodded. Then it will be up to you whether you want a captain to come along or not. Depends what youll find more relaxing.
Are you associated with the agency? Luke asked him.
Brad laughed. No, not really. But Im Vicks cousin, kind of like her big brother, so I watch out for her.
And Chloe, Victoria said.
Brad blinked. And Chloe. Of course.
Weve all known each other a long time, Jared said.
So youre all from the area? Luke asked.
Born and bred, Jared assured him, and grinned. I have no association with the agency at all, though. I just tag along because were all friends, and the girls set me up now and then. I wouldnt mind doing some modeling, though. He lowered his voice. This is actually a big night for me. First time Ive actually met Myra Allen.
Myra likes working from the mansion or, if she even goes along to a shoot, her hotel room. Shes not into the great outdoors, Brad said.
Shes a legend, though, and its really cool to finally meet her, Jared said.
Sounds like somebodys got a crush, Victoria teased.
My only crush is on you. Myra Allen is on a pedestal, to beworshipped from afar, Jared assured her.
He was speaking casually, but Luke had seen the way he looked at Victoria, how his eyes softened when he spoke to her, even jokingly. He was in love. Maybe hed been pining away for years. Victoria might set him up on dates with some of the other models, and he might go, but it meant nothing. He was in love with her.
Besides, Jared said, his eyes steely as he spoke, I dont buy it that Colleen Rodriguez just up and left. I think something happened to her, so if you girls are going out there, then Im going, too.
From the corner of his eye, Luke saw through to the living room and got a fleeting glimpse of someone slipping through on their way to the stairs.
What do you thinkJack? Victoria asked.
Pardon? he said, distracted. He needed to get away, get upstairs and see what was going on.
He turned to make his excuses and noticed that Chloe wasnt standing there any longer.
Luke excused himself quickly, saying he was on a search for the looa term that made them all smileand quickly headed inside. He moved carefully through the crowd and up the stairs.
The place was hugehe wasnt sure how many rooms were up here, but he had a sudden and inexplicable feeling that Rene Gonzalez was in one of them.
He opened the door to a large master suite. No one, though it looked as if someone was living there. He saw pictures on the dresser, and chanced a quick look. The images were of Myrawhen she had been young and incredibly perfect.
He left that room and tried the next. There was a bag at the foot of the bed, and the luggage tag said Jeanne LaRue. So she was making the mansion home, too, at least for now.
A third room turned out to be Lacys. Teddy bears adorned the bed.
He moved more quickly. The next room was occupied, as well, but it seemed that whoever was staying there was keeping the space impersonal.
As he glanced around, though, he saw movement. The sheer drapes over the doors that led out to the balcony were shifting. He hurried over and discovered a sturdy wooden trellis that could easily be reached by climbing over the balustrade.
And someonea womanwas running across the side lawn, on the other side of the trees that lined the pool. She was headed toward the back of the property. Luke had studied the plans and knew the wall went all the way around, unbroken except for a second gate that could be opened for easy beach access.
The gate shouldnt be open tonight, but that didnt mean someone couldnt open it. And he didnt see any guards there.
He was certain now that the racing figure was Rene Gonzalez, alerted by the fact that her thick dark hair trailed behind her in the wind as she ran.
Would she make it to the beach? Or would she find herself trapped? And was she running from him? Had she heard he was looking for her, or was she fleeing whoever had engineered the disappearance of Colleen Rod ri guez?
He quickly crawled over the railing and started down the trellis.
Then he heard someone clear their throat and looked up.
Chloe Marin was standing at the railing, staring at him with sharp suspicion.
Id heard you were looking for the bathroom, Mr. Smith. You really dont have to climb down from the balcony and make use of the beach as a loo, as you call itIm assuming thats the story youre going to give me? she asked sweetly.
Rene Gonzalez was slipping away.
Nothing like the great outdoors, he said, then swiftly climbed down a few feet, praying the trellis would hold, jumped to the ground and took off in pursuit of Rene Gonzalez.
TWO
Damn the man.
She wasnt dressed to go swinging from balconies and leaping to the ground.
But the man who called himself Jack Smith had been beyond suspicious even before hed climbed down from the balcony and followed Rene toward the beacha feat that put her in a position where she longed to call in the police. But at the moment, what would be the point? He had an invitation to be here, though hed certainly been a rude guest, looking into bedrooms, not to mention leaping off a balcony. Still, Victoria had told her that two years ago Bjorn Bradikoff, famed for his jeweled sandals, had streaked down the beach in nothing but a pair of his trademark sandals, proving their elegance, whether matched with cocktail finery, casual attire or nothing at all.
Compared to that, exiting via balcony wouldnt even begin to get a man arrested.
Swearing, she tossed off her borrowed designer heels and swung a leg over the balcony railing, carefully maneuvering herself to the trellis. She crawled down the latticework, amazed that none of the slender slats had broken. Just as she thanked her lucky stars, she grasped at a piece of wood that split in her hands, and tumbled down the last six feet, landing hard in a patch of mixed dirt and sand, but avoiding the sharp-toothed needles of the bougainvillea that grew in a riot of color around the house.