Free Echoes by Laura K. Curtis Page B

in questions about whether she had any friends or acquaintances on the island, whether this was her first trip, whether—aside from the theft—she was enjoying herself. He kept the whole discussion light and innocuous, eliciting the information he needed without Callie becoming aware of the interrogation. Unfortunately, none of her answers—which Mac judged honest despite his reservations—exposed any connection to Nikki.
    When they left the station, Callie insisted Mac drop her back at the Paradis so she could get her car. As he couldn’t follow her from the hotel inconspicuously, he took the afternoon to check the feelers he’d put out about Nikki’s whereabouts, updating them to include requests for information about Callie. His description of her as his wife’s virtual double raised some eyebrows but conveniently explained his curiosity.
    Rumors of the body on the beach had multiplied, and Mac found himself spending more time giving answers than getting them. Especially once word got out he’d rented an apartment overlooking the marina in Marigot. He stocked the kitchen in the new apartment and hauled the three boxes of books he’d packed up from his old house to the new place, then wandered down to his favorite bar and settled in a corner where he could see every one of the restaurants that lined the marina. If Callie planned to write about the island, chances were good she’d show up sooner or later, as the open-air eateries along the lagoon in Marina Royale attracted more casual diners than did any others. Having ordered a beer, he opened a book and kicked back to wait.
    A few people stopped by his table as the night wore on, but his mood must have been evident; for the most part, they left him alone.
    At seven, Mac ordered a pizza. At eight, his quarry approached. He tensed, afraid she’d choose his restaurant for dinner, but she stepped into one two doors down instead. Finally, something was going his way. From his position he could watch her without her being aware of him.
    She’d changed clothes, this time dressing down in khaki walking shorts and a boatneck tee, and he wondered how she’d occupied herself during the day. She’d switched rooms at some point, down to one of the fancy bungalows. Lewis’s offer had set every alarm ringing in Mac’s skull. What the hell did the man want with her? Not sex, despite the goading insinuations Mac had made, because Lewis always kept his women away from the hotel.
    And what did Callie want with Lewis? Having spent a little more time with her, he was pretty sure she wouldn’t trade her body for a five-star room, as she’d let him believe that first day. Which made liars out of both of them.
    She chatted with her waiter, flirting a little, laughing a lot, drawing a fair amount of attention and more than one double take. He’d hear soon enough from friends of Nikki’s. Full dark fell while Callie ate, but she didn’t immediately head back toward the parking lot when she left the restaurant. Rather, she passed directly in front of his position, strolling in an unhurried fashion toward the main shopping street.
    Marigot’s business district was well lit, and Mac kept several yards back as he tracked Callie’s progress. Once in a while she’d stop and make notes on a pad she pulled from her black tote. When she hesitated a moment and then turned down an alley, Mac picked up his pace, not wanting to lose her. He couldn’t imagine what had drawn her attention; no stores or tourist attractions lay down the dark lane. Could she be meeting someone? Five feet from the corner he paused. Adopting a nonchalant manner, he sauntered past the narrow opening, glancing into the shadows as he did.
    Callie wasn’t alone, but she clearly hadn’t arranged the situation. At first glance, Mac counted three young men wearing dark clothing and baseball caps pulled low over their brows. Backing