Page 34 (1/2)
Duh, Eht That was an understatement
The woman went on to say that Emily would have a love affair but never , happy life E for some sort of reference to Jordan, but the wo, she patted Eo Go forth and be happy"
E else to tell me?"
The woman frowned "No, that’s all" She pulled out a rubber stamp from under the table, pressed it on an ink pad, and stamped Emily’s hand "It marks that you’ve been here already I don’t do repeats"
Emily stood, unable to hide the disappointe suddenly felt like the I Spy books she used to look at in the school library She would drive herself crazy trying to find the hidden snowman or tiny la unobservant and unintelligent when she failed Or maybe Jordan just didn’t know her that well Maybe Eed over to Iris, as a line Iris let Eely "What’s on your hand?"
Eiven her "No repeats," she ht flashed on it, she noticed the stae black circle with the initials JR in the center She stopped short Could that stand for Jordan Richards?
She broke out of the conga line, held her hand directly under a recessed light by the buffet, and squinted hard The mark looked like a stamp on an envelope Around the initials was the word Bonaire Could that be some kind of clue as to where Jordan was? Was Bonaire a post office? A town?
Emily darted out of the ballroohter, and fished out her old cell phone The clock at the top said ten PM exactly Luckily, the WiFi signal in the hotel was strong, so when she typed BONAIRE into the browser, quite a few results immediately popped up Bonaire was a little island in the Caribbean E to the site, Bonaire was a popular spot for snorkeling The site showed a slideshow of i in a turquoise ocean Then, a photo of an old-timey movie theater flashed on the screen On theattractions, were the words I MISS YOU, EMILY
E, at the website, worried she was seeing things But then the iasped "I miss you, too, Jordan," she whispered
She watched it scroll through six more times Then, at 10:01, it disappeared E anyone had ever done for her If only she could book a flight to the Caribbean tonight and find Jordan But she was sure Jordan was much too smart for that Even if she had been in Bonaire, she was one by now
"There you are, Miss Fields!"
A cold, slender hand landed on her bare shoulder Eent Fuji’s sray suit looked out of place a me?"
Emily’s mouth iive you a chance to explain soht now"
Emily’s mouth fell open Explainwhat?
Without waiting for Euided Emily to the end of the hall, where it was quieter "I received an anony priceless art in your house," she said sternly She leaned closer "Do I need to get a search warrant, Miss Fields?"
Harboring priceless art? "There’s no art at my house!" Emily blurted out
Fuji raised an eyebrow "Is it in soirls had so we should know about If it’s not you, who is it?"
TheA had toldbut A hadn’t told everything It was a brilliant sche on Eain "I-I don’t knohat you’re talking about"
"Oh really?" Fuji placed her hands on her hips "Are you sure about that?"
Eround After a moment, Fuji pulled at the strap of her briefcase and spun on her heel "You better not be lying," she warned
She strode away, her phone glued to her ear before she’d even left the building Emily felt hot, then cold What had she just done? Where was Fuji going? As soon as the cops found that painting, they were done
She ran back into the ballroom and looked around for her friends, but she didn’t see any of them anywhere Her burner phone was at the bottom of her clutch; she whipped it out and dialed Aria’s number "Not it!" she screamed after the voice "Not it, not it!" she yelled at both of them
"Are you okay?"
Iris was behind her, breathless froa line E scattered "Uet your surprise? You ran out of here so quickly, and" Iris trailed off abruptly, her eyes widening at so across the rooaze Was Fuji back? Was there a SWAT teaowns and tuxes The DJ was now heading the conga line, bopping his head back and forth
Iris started to treuy who visited Ali at The Preserve"
Eoatee, beady eyes, and a fireplug of a body "Really?"
Iris nodded, her gaze fixed "I would recognize his picture anywhere"
Suddenly, E at a picture on the easel ROSEWOOD DAY MAY DAY PROM KING AND QUEEN! read swirly lettering at the top Beneath it was the picture of the king and queen in their crowns This year’s king and queen A king Eold watch on his wrist It was the saold watch she’d seen in that photo from Tripp’s house The one that had been taken of Ali at The Preserve
She stared at Iris, all feeling leaving her extreravely and with authority "I’d bet my life on it"
29