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Before alk out, Beth shows me the rest of the house It’s spacious and tastefully furnished The decor is modern, with just a hint of tropical influence and subtle Asian h here and there, I see an unexpected pop of color in the foron sculpture There are four bedrooms--three upstairs and one downstairs The kitchen on the first floor is particularly striking, with top-of-the-line appliances and glearanite countertops

There is also one room that Beth says is Julian’s office It’s on the first floor, and it’s apparently off-limits to anyone but him That’s where he supposedly takes care of his business affairs The door is closed alk past it

After we’re done with the house tour, Beth spends the next two hours showing me the island And it’s definitely an island--she didn’t lie to me about that

It’s only about twoto Beth, we’re somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, with the nearest populated piece of land over five hundred miles away She eh she’s afraid I ht take it into my head to try to say

I wouldn’t do that I’h swimmer, nor ao up to the highest point of the island It’s a s on one’s definition of these things The view froht blue water wherever the eye can see On one side of the island, the water is a different shade of blue, reat for snorkeling

Julian’s house is the only one on the island It’s sitting on one side of the mountain, a little ways back from the beach and somewhat elevated That’s the most sheltered location, Beth explains; the house is protected fro winds and the ocean there It has apparently survived a nue

I nod, as though I care I have no intention of being here for the next typhoon The desire to escape burns brightly withinme the house, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there If Julian is able to work from the island, then there’s definitely internet connectivity And if they’re foolish enough to let me roam this island freely, I will find a way to reach the outside world

We end the tour at the beach near the house

"Want to go for a swi off her shorts and T-shirt Underneath, she’s wearing a blue bikini Her body is lean and toned She’s in such great shape that I wonder about her age Her figure could belong to a teenager, but her face seeht out I would never be so tactless under normal circumstances, but I don’t care if I offend this wo held captive by a pair of crazy people?

She smiles, not the least bit upset at my impolite question "I’m thirty-seven," she says

"And Julian?"