Chapter 28

CHAPTER

TWENTY-EIGHT

Maddie remained around the corner, holding her breath as she listened for whatever Robert would say next.

"I've noticed you've been looking a little sluggish," Robert said. "I used to feel that way also. Then I discovered NutriHealth."

Her brow wrinkled. NutriHealth?

Maddie and Brody exchanged a look. A wrinkle of confusion formed across Brody's brow.

Robert continued, "These shakes have changed my life by giving me the energy and nutrition I need on a daily basis."

Realization washed through her.

Robert was trying to get William involved in an MLM scheme, wasn't he?

She pressed her lips together and held her breath as she tried to contain her laughter.

She and Brody exchanged another look before creeping away. As soon as they were out of earshot, Maddie laughed so hard that her stomach hurt.

She'd had that totally wrong.

Robert wasn't a corporate spy. He was a salesman trying to hustle anyone he encountered who looked tired or worn down.

She bent forward, grateful for a moment of levity amongst the stress she'd been under.

Brody gave in and laughed along with her as he ran a hand through his hair. "I guess you can rule Robert out."

"I guess so. And I can make a note to avoid him if I'm ever tired."

"What are you guys doing?" A voice cut into their conversation.

Maddie looked over to see Josh standing a few feet away, accusation in his gaze.

Maddie quickly straightened as her giggles instantly faded. "Nothing."

How could she explain that she'd been following Robert and that he wasn't guilty?

"It doesn't look like nothing." Josh's gaze slid back and forth from Maddie to Brody.

Josh had assumed she and Brody were flirting, hadn't he?

"It's not what you think," she started.

His cheeks reddened. "Then what is it?"

"Let's talk." Maddie stepped toward him, trying to stop him from making a scene. "But not here."

He turned on his heel and began to walk at a fast clip back toward the west wing.

Maddie muttered an apology to Brody before following Josh.

Talking to him right now was the last thing she wanted.

But she would try to mend fences . . . for now.

"So you're hanging out with that Brody guy now?" Josh stared at her, something flashing in his eyes.

He didn't speak to her until they were in his suite with the door closed.

Typical Josh. Maddie was surprised he'd made a scene in the lobby at all.

"Brody was helping me with something," Maddie insisted. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Josh tossed his navy-blue Titleist hat on the dresser. "I'm just saying the two of you looked pretty cozy laughing while you were tucked in the corner."

"Cozy?" She nearly gaped. "We weren't cozy . And we weren't tucked in anywhere. We were talking ."

"It looks bad for my fiancée to be hanging out with another man." He threw her a pointed look.

"I'm sorry I might have made you look bad." However, there was no sincerity in Maddie's words, only anger. All Josh cared about was how people perceived him.

He shot daggers at her with his gaze. "Look, you know it's a big responsibility to be my fiancée."

"You've said that many times." She turned before he could see her exaggerated eyeroll.

"Are you sure you're up to the task?"

"As we've talked about before, no, I'm not sure at all. I'm not sure at all that we should be together. But you already knew that."

Silence rippled between them.

Maddie licked her lips, hesitating just a moment before asking, "Where did you go on the morning Jared was murdered? I know you left your suite."

Surprise flickered in his gaze. "I went to the gym to work out. Police can check the record if they want since I needed my keycard to get into the workout room."

Maddie said nothing.

"Wait . . . you don't think I had something to do with that, do you?" Irritation saturated his gaze. "I didn't kill him if that's what you're implying."

"I'm just asking questions."

He let out a long breath as if trying to remain in control. Then he opened the patio door. "Okay. We both need to cool off. Maybe some fresh air would be good for us."

Fresh air sounded like a great idea.

She stepped onto the balcony.

Then she heard Josh behind her and turned toward him.

He stepped closer and grasped her hand. "I thought we were giving this another chance. Giving us another chance."

"You asked me to wait until after the retreat to make any decisions. But I feel like the decision is being made for me."

"Madison . . ." His voice turned whiny soft.

She pulled her hand away from his touch. "Don't Madison me. I don't appreciate your insinuations."

His whininess disappeared as his gaze darkened and he stepped closer. "I wish you would just be cooperative!"

"I think I've been plenty cooperative!" She took a step back, trying to put space between them.

As Maddie went to lean against the railing, she felt it give.

The next instant, nothing but air was beneath her.