Chapter 30
A police officer walked up to Adrian when they reached the lobby of the hotel.
“Adrian Brisbane?”
“Yes,” Adrian said. Cora reached out and grabbed his hand.
“A word, please,” he said, and led them into a long hallway.
What was going on? Was Adrian going to be questioned about Zooey’s murder? Was he suspected for that, too? Oh, this was getting ridiculous! And his lawyer was sleeping it off in Cora’s room!
The officer opened the door and turned to the group. “Only Mr. Brisbane, please.”
Adrian’s brows knitted as he glanced at Cora and Jane.
“We’ll wait right here,” Cora said.
He nodded and went into the room.
“Actually, I should go and fetch Cashel. You wait here,” Jane said.
“Good idea,” Cora replied. “Here’s my key.”
“How drunk is he?” Jane said as she grabbed the key.
“He passed out on my bed,” Cora said. “What does that tell you?”
“If you can rouse him, throw him in the shower,” Cora added.
“With his clothes on?”
“I doubt he’d have time to change . . . it wouldn’t work,” Cora said. “How else can we sober him up quickly?”
“Coffee? Does that work?” Jane asked.
“Yes, but you have to wake him up first,” Cora said.
“Okay, Well, it’s been a little while, maybe he’s slept it off,” Jane said, with a note of hope in her voice.
“Good luck,” Cora said.
“Thanks,” Jane said as she turned to go.
Cora leaned on the wall outside the room where Adrian was being questioned. Of course, since he was suspected for the first murder, they’d question him about the murder of Zooey. It was procedure, right? But he’d been in his room most of the time because he was so exhausted from all that had been happening, especially from getting roughed up on the beach. They couldn’t even try to pin Zooey’s murder on him, could they?
The door opened.
“Ms. Chevalier?” a voice came from inside. “You may enter.”
“Oh,” she said, and stepped across the threshold.
“Adrian says you can vouch for his locale between the hours of one and three this afternoon,” the officer said.
“He was in his room,” she said.
“How do you know?”
“Well,” she said, and found herself blushing, even though she had nothing to blush about. “I saw him and then we texted a few times,” she said, and pulled out her phone.
“Not necessary,” the officer said. “We have his phone. We needed some corroboration.”
“Do I need my lawyer?” Adrian asked.
“No, you are free to go. For now,” the officer said. “Just please don’t go off resort grounds.”
Cora’s stomach tightened. He was still being watched. Still wearing his bracelet. At some point his rights as a person to move about freely would have to be considered.
“Can he take that thing off?” Cora asked, pointing to the bracelet.
Adrian held up his arm.
“No, not yet,” the officer said. “Sorry.”
“You know his every move,” Cora said. “Then why did you question him for Zooey’s murder?”
Adrian bit his lip.
“We don’t owe you any explanation,” the officer said. “But the murder did take place in the same resort as your boyfriend here is staying. He’s the number one suspect for a high profile murder case on Sea Glass Island. You’re dammed straight we needed to question him.”
The room silenced.
Cora’s chest tightened, again. Calm down, she told herself. It was procedure. And they were letting him go. Now all they had to do was clear him for Marcy’s murder. She inhaled air, felt the oxygen circulate in her body.
He reached for her hand. “It’s okay,” he said. “I have faith this will work out.”
She smiled at him. “Me too.”
“Now, if you don’t mind taking all this sweetness out of the room, I have other things to do,” the officer said.
“Oh, okay,” Cora said. He didn’t have to tell them twice. They exited the room right as Cora received a text message from Jane.
He’s not here, it said. Cashel is not here. I’ve gone to his room. There’s no answer at the door.
Adrian’s phone received a message next.
“It’s from Cashel. Finally!” Adrian said. “He’s at the hospital. He said he thinks he was drugged and is getting blood tests.”
“Drugged?” Cora’s heart lurched. His search must be leading him in the right direction. Someone was watching him. That same person could be watching them now.
He’s at the hospital. Just got word, she texted Jane back.
“We need to check on him,” Cora said.
“I can’t go,” Adrian said. “I don’t think you should go either.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “It might be dangerous.”
“Poor Cashel,” Cora said, remembering Mathilde asked that they stay on the resort grounds. “You’re right. I told Mathilde we wouldn’t leave.”
Where’s Ruby? With him? Jane texted.
I don’t know, Cora replied.
I’ll find out and meet you at the mermaid fountain, came Jane’s response.
“Let’s head over to meet Jane,” Cora said, slipping her arm through Adrian’s.
“I’m going to need a drink—soon,” he said. “Something sweet.”
“Okay, once we hook up with Jane, we’ll bring you some juice,” Cora said.
“Sounds good,” he said. “With a splash or two of vodka would be better.”
Cora saw the strain in his eyes. Such a sweet guy being hounded for murder. Two murders, that is.
As they walked toward the mermaid fountain, Cora noted knitters and crocheters scattered about the area. They were working out their stress via their craftwork, which was exactly what they were meant to be doing here. Relaxing. But this weekend had gone terribly, terribly wrong.