Chapter 32

CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO

Maddie ignored the phone calls. Ignored the knocks on her door.

She didn't want to talk to anyone.

She'd had some time to mull things over. She supposed in one way Logan entering Josh's room could have been more suspicious. At least Josh hadn't been inside at the time.

But he had given the woman a key. She'd left the golf course and gone into his suite.

Had she given his key back? Or had she saved it to use later?

The questions swirled in Maddie's head.

Truthfully, she didn't even care if Josh wanted to be with Logan instead of her. But Maddie deserved the respect of him telling her first at least.

After staring into space for entirely too long, Maddie decided to take a shower. Her body ached from the fall. When Josh had grabbed her, her arm had jerked pretty hard, and now her shoulder was sore.

If only the shower could wash away her worries and concerns.

But the warm, pounding water did no such thing.

She took her time getting dried off and dressed. Then she stepped onto her balcony—careful not to go too close to the edge, mostly out of paranoia—and she saw the concert/dance party had started.

A cover band played, and disco lights shone.

Everyone from Benchmark should be there. Certainly Josh would be present and putting on his best game face.

Maddie knew going to the party would be fun. But with everybody occupied with the concert, this would be a good time to look for more answers.

She left her room and began to wander the lobby and outside patio. Random people mingled in the area, but no one she recognized.

Until she spotted a lounge chair tucked to the side of an outdoor area.

Darla sat there, the white bandage around her bicep a reminder of the tiki torch incident. The seat was secluded with plants and rocks surrounding it on three sides.

Maddie ducked back around a column to see what Darla was doing.

She had a laptop on her legs and was typing something.

The same laptop that Jared had sent those emails to? Had Darla ever told Detective Kalani about those? What if they were significant?

Even more so, how could Maddie find out?

She nibbled on her bottom lip as she considered her options.

She needed to find answers. But sometimes that required ruffling some feathers—something that wouldn't make Josh very happy.

What should she do?

When Darla got a phone call and stepped away, leaving her computer and bag on the chair, Maddie had her answer.

Maddie glanced around, making sure nobody else was watching.

There was no one.

She glanced to the side and saw that Darla had gone into the lobby.

Maddie couldn't believe the woman had left her computer out here. Maybe she thought it was okay because the resort felt safe. Because her chair was so isolated. Because she hadn't known that Maddie was watching.

If Maddie was going to act, she didn't have much time.

She crept closer to the computer, still glancing around yet trying to remain casual.

If she was caught doing this . . .

She couldn't complete that thought. It would be ugly.

But this opportunity had practically been handed to her.

She went toward the lounger and sat next to the computer.

The laptop was still on.

It seemed irresponsible for Darla to leave it like this, Maddie mused. Especially since there were so many company secrets that management was protective about.

But Maddie wasn't complaining. This was her chance to snoop.

She quickly glanced at the screen and found the emails app. She clicked on the icon.

The screen changed as emails filled it.

Maddie quickly scanned them, looking for anything from Jared.

She spotted his name.

Her heart beat harder.

Maddie glanced around one more time, just to be certain.

Still no Darla. But she didn't know how much time she had until the woman returned.

Maddie scanned the messages from Jared and frowned.

These had nothing to do with his death, at least not as far as she could tell. They were all about Jared wanting to go to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate his birthday with his coworkers. He mentioned something about wearing a sombrero and having everyone sing to him.

Had he been drunk when he typed some of this? That was how it sounded.

No wonder Darla had said the messages were strange—strange but not threatening or suspicious, however.

Disappointment pressed on her.

Maybe there were others . . .

She glanced around one more time, but Darla was nowhere in sight.

Quickly, she scanned the rest of the woman's emails. Maddie's gaze stopped on one from Nico.

Out of curiosity, she clicked on it.

Her eyes widened as she read Nico's words.

I'm glad to hear I have your support. I assure you if I'm promoted to CEO that you will benefit. I truly believe you deserve to be one of Benchmark's vice presidents. Your talent has gone unnoticed for too long. But not by me.

Maddie's heart pounded in her ears as she comprehended those words.

Darla was rooting against Josh becoming CEO?

Maybe Maddie shouldn't be shocked, but she was.

How many other people were nice to Josh's face while secretly plotting his career demise?

Would someone want him to fail enough that they might even try to kill him? Or sideline him by injuring Maddie?

Maddie still wasn't sure who was the target. She or Josh. But either way, someone was playing a deadly game.

A woman's voice sounded nearby.

Darla, she realized.

Maddie had to get out of here.

Now.