by Rachel Woods
“Where did you take Amal?” Vivian demanded.
“She requested that I drive her to the Palmchat Rides and Rentals,” said the property manager. “It’s a rental car company near downtown.”
Skeptical, Vivian asked, “What time was this?”
“Why, if I remember correctly, it was around ten o’clock,” said the older man.
“You took her to a rental car company at ten o’clock at night?” Vivian asked. “And the place was still open?”
“I believe it was,” he said, looking at the ceiling for a moment and then back at her. “I mean, I think so. Unless it was ten o’clock in the morning. But, no, that couldn’t be right because my program comes on at eleven o’clock and I can’t miss it, so I wouldn’t have been able to—”
“Was it one of the rental car companies at the airport?” Vivian asked. Most of the major rental companies had offices at the St. Killian International Airport and had extended hours to accommodate travelers who often arrived on the island after midnight. Palmchat Rides seemed local, but maybe they had an office near the airport.
“Oh, no, I didn’t take her to the airport,” said Mr. Higginbottom. “She wanted to rent a car, you see. She wasn’t trying to catch a flight.”
Vexed by his muddled information, which she realized she couldn’t count on, Vivian thanked the man for his time and exited his office.
Ten minutes later, back at the condo, Vivian stood in the small courtyard. Covered by an awning which blocked the sun, the area was accessed from a door at the rear of the attached garage. It was quaint and cozy. It had bistro tables and potted hibiscus plants, and the ground was pea gravel and flagstone.
Vivian stared at a hibiscus flower. Its bright yellow petals fluttered in the balmy breeze.
Amal’s behavior was at once confusing, annoying, and troubling. Vivian didn’t know if her conflicted feelings demanded action, but the investigative reporter in her wanted answers. Had Amal rented a car? If so, why? Amal didn’t need her own car. Vivian was more than happy to play chauffeur.
Vivian tried to remember what time she’d lost sight of Amal at the street circus but then recalled the text Amal had sent her about hooking up with Landon. Back inside, Vivian grabbed her cell phone from the purse she’d deposited on the breakfast bar and searched for the text.
After finding it, she focused on the time Amal had sent it—11:16 p.m. Mr. Higginbottom claimed he’d driven Amal to the rental car company around 10:00 p.m., which would have been an hour before Amal’s text. Why would Amal ask the property manager to drive her to a rental car company and then, an hour later, send a text to Vivian about hooking up with Landon? Had Amal driven the rental car to meet Landon somewhere? But, why rent a car when Amal could have easily taken a cab to hook up with the waiter?
Vivian shook her head. Speculation was pointless. She needed the truth, and one person could provide answers. Landon George. But, would the waiter be honest with her? Or, as he had when she’d questioned him before, would Landon try to deceive her with misdirection and misinformation?
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Also by Rachel Woods
PALMCHAT ISLANDS MYSTERIES
Married journalists, Vivian and Leo, manage the island newspaper while solving crimes as they chase leads for their next story.
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THE SILENT ENEMY
THE BLOODSTAINED BRIDE
THE PRODIGAL CAPTIVE
THE VENGEFUL CALLER
THE SHAMEFUL ACCUSER
THE PALMCHAT ISLANDS MYSTERIES BOX SET: BOOKS 1 - 5
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SPENCER & SIONE SERIES
Gripping romantic suspense series with steamy romance, unpredictable plot twists and devastating consequences of deceit.
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FLAWLESS MISTAKE
FLAWLESS DANGER
FLAWLESS BETRAYAL
THE SPENCER & SIONE COLLECTION BOX SET: BOOKS 1 - 3
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STAND-ALONE BOOKS
Stand-alone romantic mystery novels all set in the fictional Palmchat Islands.
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THE UNWORTHY WIFE
THE PERFECT LIAR
About the Author ~ Rachel Woods
Rachel Woods studied journalism and graduated from the University of Houston where she published articles in the Daily Cougar. She is a legal assistant by day and a freelance writer and blogger with a penchant for melodrama by night. Many of her stories take place on the islands, which she has visited around the world. Rachel resides in Houston, Texas with her three sock monkeys.
For more information:
www.therachelwoods.com
[email protected]
About the Publisher
BonzaiMoon Books is a family-run, artisanal publishing company created in the summer of 2014. We publish works of fiction in various genres. Our passion and focus is working with authors who write the books you want to read, and giving those authors the opportunity to have more direct input in the publishing of their work.
To receive special offers, bonus content and news about our latest ebooks, sign up for our mailing list on our website.
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For more information:
www.bonzaimoonbooks.com
[email protected]