Dead, Actually Part 11

JoJo said 'sorry? OMG, when did she learn that word? Did she even know what it meant?

Meanwhile Jade continued to screech, which turned out to be a good thing, because it brought Macey charging down the stairs.

'Whats the big deal? Willows looking for her bag! Macey explained. 'Seth told me youd come to look for it, she added, glaring at me pointedly.

Of course. Such a simple explanation. 'Thats right. Looking for my bag.

Jades eyes narrowed. 'And that would explain why youre holding my Juicy Couture? Theres nothing else like it on the bed, so why would you think its yours?

Good question. My eyes flew back to Macey, who gave me the 'do I have to do all the thinking? look which I promptly answered with the 'well, h.e.l.l yeah! look.

Clomping down the last two steps, Macey sighed. 'Because shes got one just like it at home and she thought for a minute that it was hers. Right?

I looked at Jade then realised that the 'right had been directed at me. 'Oh yeah, right. I, um, I thought it was mine.

Maybe Jade was smarter than Id ever given her credit for, because she then looked me up and down, slowly. 'And youre teaming this hot-pink Juicy Couture designer handbag with a lime-green off-the-rack top?

Busted.

Or maybe not . . . It was Maceys turn to narrow her eyes. 'Of course she was! My G.o.d, you do know that matchy-matchy is so out. Dont you read Vogue? She shrugged. 'For crying out loud! It was an honest mistake, she continued as she reached out and took the bag. 'But she knew immediately it wasnt hers. Willow would never be caught dead with a knock-off JC, would you, Wills? In fact she was just trying to cope with the shock when you walked in.

Jades face flamed. 'This is so a real designer bag! How dare y- Macey made some sort of tsking sound. 'With that clasp? I dont think so.

Okay, at this point I feared that Jade was going to explode. What I couldnt work out was whether it was from exasperation or embarra.s.sment, because I didnt have a clue whether the bag was genuine or not. She grabbed the bag and spun, obviously intending to storm back upstairs, bag real or not tucked under her arm, but at the last minute she turned to Macey. 'This bag is genuine! And if you dont believe me, I have just two words for you: Goo-gle!

'Google? Is that with three 'gs or four?

All Jade could offer was a blank stare that morphed into a confused blink before she raced back up the stairs.

I slumped against the cabin doorframe. Okay, yes, it was funny, and yes we could have laughed, but to be honest, right then I needed to wallow in the relief was.h.i.+ng through me. The big picture was closing in fast. 'We have to get out of here. If Jade starts blabbing up there, we could be in some hot water.

Macey shook her head. 'She wont. That bag really is a knock-off. Its a high-quality one, but its a fake and theres no way in the world shes going to let that slip to those babes up there.

An idea was forming. 'All that stuff is big to the Angels, yes?

Macey nodded.

'So, could that be a reason to blackmail someone? Like if maybe they werent quite who they were pretending to be?

'Well, I guess if you wanted to fit in like if it was really important to you to fit in . . .

'And Jades dad had hit some hard times, according to Seth. I shook my head. 'JoJo was such a b.i.t.c.h.

'Speaking of the b.i.t.c.h, you told me that she was your lookout.

'Shes had some kind of fade-out. Power drain. Battery overload. I dunno. One minute she was there and the next she was fading to white. That was the stuff we were reading about in that Wiki entry, remember?

'Oh yeah . . . I did a bit more research last night. I think it has to do with the energy it takes for them to move about. I suppose its too much to hope sh.e.l.l end up somewhere else?

'Way too much. I figure shes just back at my place. Thats where her centre is; kind of like her energy source. I think shes recharging.

Macey threw an arm over my shoulder. 'Ewww. A rechargeable JoJo sounds like something Mattel should bring out for the X-rated market. She sighed. 'Come on. Lets get back upstairs.

When we got upstairs my eyes flew to Jade, who was acting as though everything was peachy cool, and I mentally gave Macey the thumbs-up. The girl was good.

Seth was sprawled out on 'my lounge, and as I neared he lifted a hand and pulled me down beside him. Whats more, he pulled me in tight. Frowning, I went to pull away when his lips went to my ear, his breath sending a million s.h.i.+vers through my body. 'Learn anything?

'Only that your sister is brilliant. I sighed. 'Anything going on up here?

'Demi and Teahna were getting a bit heated over behind me. They tried to keep their voices down, but it looks like JoJos Facebook page has been updated. Someones still posting. Ive been trying to scope out whos using their phone, because theres been an entry since weve been here. Trouble is, nearly everyones used their phone at some stage. Apparently it was something about wondering whos going to get lucky with your friend Simon.

I shuddered. 'Not my friend, I reminded him sharply. 'And I wouldnt envy the winner. The guys a pervert.

'Wonder if Chloe knows that?

'What do you mean?

'Shes been glued to him for the past hour. The wind cracked the sails above us and Seth leaned in even closer, his voice a deep rumble against my ear. 'What Im trying to work out is if shes serious or if shes just trying to make someone jealous.

'Hmmnn. I sat back and let my eyes rove over them all. Actually it was so fascinating that I started wondering if I should change my career plan and consider either psychology or sociology. Honestly, it was like watching animals in the wild. 'You know, I said after a while, 'I think its got more to do with claiming JoJos place. I mean, if she was alive, who do you think would have hit on Simon first? JoJo. Shed have eaten him for breakfast. I nudged Seth to turn him around. 'Look at the glares Chloes getting from Demi and Teahna. And Jade! Did you see that one? Theyre circling ready for the pounce!

It was like a private little performance being played out just for us. When Chloe had to tear herself away from Simon, we watched her plant a juicy pash right on his mouth before offering a pout and a little wave. But when she handed him her drink to hold, I figured it was like marking her spot her territory.

'Im just going to follow her check out where shes going, Seth whispered.

My gaze followed them as Chloe made her way up the other end of the deck, but a p.r.i.c.kle of unease sent it skittering back to Simon.

It was a movement that had caught my eye. His movement; hed shuffled closer to where Macey lay on her own sun-lounge directly opposite us. Dont ask me why, but I didnt like it. The wind had picked up speed and his attention was fully on Macey, specifically where the breeze was playing with the ruffled V-neckline of her Georgiou halter that lifted and fell. I didnt need X-ray vision to work out what Simon could see: flesh, full and firm. And man, was he transfixed. OMG bare minutes ago hed been all over Chloe and now he was ogling Macey? Just the sight of him had my flesh crawling.

Sitting straighter, I yelled, but what wasnt swallowed by the wind was drowned by the crackling sail above. And then just as I was about to launch myself at him, Demi arrived. Demi, who smiled and reached out to stroke his arm as she spoke. Demi, who asked him a question that had him blus.h.i.+ng.

And Demi, who took his hand and led him to the stairs and the cabins below.

Obviously he needed a tour of the galley . . .

Seth returned within seconds, and I truly wondered if I should tell him that Simon had ogled his sister. Maybe later when there wasnt so much deep water around . . .

'Simons gone downstairs, I told him instead. 'With Demi.

'Bible studies? He shook his head. 'Chloe only went to find her bag, but she didnt use her phone, he whispered. 'But shes not going to be happy that Simons missing.

I slowly glanced over the others; some catching rays, some eating, drinking . . . 'Do you think its weird that theyre not trying to pump me for info again, like at Teahnas?

Seths eyes were hidden, but I knew he was taking in the scene just as carefully as Id been. 'I dont think they want to show their hands. Maybe theyre just keeping an eye on you. He flashed me a grin. 'Or maybe theyre not game to talk to you with me around.

His grin was infectious and I returned the favour. 'Okay, so apart from pus.h.i.+ng you overboard to get you out of the way, do we have a plan?

He was quiet for a long moment. Then he sighed. 'Okay then, lets think. How do we go about eliminating people?

'Eliminating people? I-sh-nt that a bit extreme? A giggle right beside us accompanied the words. Kristie. She and Jade were the Angels I knew least, and that was saying a lot because I didnt really know any of them very well. She sidled up and perched herself on a teeny edge of the sun-lounge Seth and I shared, in a strategic position that placed her b.o.o.bs almost in Seths face.

He sighed and shuffled slightly sideways to back off. I guess the poor guy needed breathing room. 'Youve had too much to drink, Kris.

She giggled again.

She took another sip from her Cruiser bottle and I remembered I hadnt seen her without one in her hand all day. With her practically in my face, I took the opportunity to study her, but strangely after a couple of seconds I had more questions than answers. Unlike Macey, I wasnt a fas.h.i.+on expert, but even I could tell this gal had applied her makeup in a hurry. And there was something about those nails. Salon quality? I didnt think so . . .

Even if I was a fas.h.i.+onista, I wouldnt have been able to tell if her bikini was designer, because there wasnt enough fabric to make an accurate identification. I bet there wasnt even enough room for the label. Or maybe she was wearing the label? That was the one thing I knew about Kristie that she always seemed to wear the skimpiest clothes. Hey, I was no saint, but there was always something about Kristie that made me think she was trying waaay too hard.

Shed now been sitting on the lounge for about two minutes and hadnt uttered another word. Just sitting there grinning a vacuous grin.

'So, whats happening? Seth finally said.

Kristie leaned forward and went to grab Seths knee, only to slip and almost lose her balance. 'Oopsh. Need to be s . . . sserious. Shethy? I need your help. Like, why is everyone so uptight? Her head swayed. 'You know? Like its like theres thish big sssecret? You know? Whatss goin on, Shethy?

I leaned back quietly, waiting for 'Shethy to reply. Against my back I felt his heart pick up speed and I was fairly certain it had nothing to do with her hand on his leg, or the almost-there bikini. In truth, my own heartbeat was echoing his; this could be a breakthrough.

Seth chose his words carefully. 'Not sure, Kris. What do you thinks going on?

'Everyonesh afraid. She took another long guzzle, then tilted her head closer to his, like I wasnt there. 'People are shaying that Willows doing some bad shtuff, you know? She leaned closer and dropped her voice to a sloshy whisper. 'Is she, Shethy? You can tell me. I wont tell annnyonnnne . . . She finished by putting her finger to her lips in a shoos.h.i.+ng motion.

Seth stayed close to her. 'Ill tell you the truth, he whispered back, but I still heard every word. 'Willows not doing anything. But someone is. And I guess its going to come out sometime. I suppose itll get down to where everyone was on that day. He paused and I heard the fake concern dripping from every word. 'Are you okay, Kris? Like, you werent anywhere near the accident that day, were you?

She sat up quickly and stared at him for a moment, her eyes hidden under her outsized gla.s.ses. Funny how the gla.s.ses were so big and the outfit so small. Maybe her problem wasnt bad taste but no understanding of proportion. 'I wasnt anywhere near that d.a.m.ned accident! she said, then got up and started to walk away.

But not before I accidentally b.u.mped the bottle she was holding and sent liquid splas.h.i.+ng across my leg and top. 'Oooh, sorry, I muttered, pretending to wipe myself down.

Kristies mouth tightened as she stood over me, and I readied myself for the blast that didnt come. Instead, she just spun on her heel and stomped off.

Pretty steadily for someone so drunk . . .

Macey sauntered across to us, trying to look nonchalant, but I knew she was as curious as we were. She squeezed onto the sun-lounge, pus.h.i.+ng me up closer to Seth, whod dropped his head down low so that his mouth was protected by my shoulder. 'Whatd you make of that? he asked.

Macey leaned in closer. I was sandwiched between them, so that Seths breath tickled my shoulder and tingles were running up and down my spine, and there was no way I could have halted the s.h.i.+ver that rippled through me. 'Two things, I finally got out. 'One is that we have to find somewhere more private than a crowded yacht to talk, and two, that Kristie Negerson is a fake and a liar.

The words were barely out when I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of dej vu. My brain did an immediate scope but came up blank. Why had I thought Id heard that before? That was the thing, I hadnt . . . So why did it seem familiar?

Seth was still trying to get his head around what Id said. 'What?

Macey just stared like I was some sort of mystic sage.

Shaking off the weird thoughts, I slid back to the present and licked my finger, the same finger that had just swiped up some of Kristies spilled drink. 'Shes sober. That was an act. The only thing in that bottle is fizzy lime drink no vodka.

Macey slid her finger through the remaining drops of drink and tasted. 'Youre right, no vodka.

I felt Seths surprise in the quickly drawn breath. 'But vodkas tasteless.

'Not completely, and its still got an alcohol smell, right? Ive watched her drink all day but there was no alcohol on her breath. And no smell in that drink.

'I dont know, Wills, she seemed pretty p.i.s.sed to me, he argued.

Suddenly, the fog in my brain cleared, and my heart started thumping so loudly I was sure everyone would turn and stare. I swivelled so that my mouth was right against Seths ear. 'Oh my G.o.d, I hissed. 'Now I remember! It was because of the question you asked . . . I darted a quick glance around us, but no one was near enough to eavesdrop, though even then Seth had to strain to hear. 'Kristie was near the accident that day. Seth, she went through the drive-thru about ten minutes before JoJo.

Chapter Ten.

When the boat finally docked we headed back to my place to drop off Simon and pick up Maceys car. Shed had a couple of drinks, so it was a no-brainer that Id drive her car and follow them home. But the real reason was that I simply needed some s.p.a.ce from Simon.

Of course, extra time with Seth was kind of a bonus.

I arrived at their house in time to see Seth swinging Macey off the ground his face beaming. As he waved me inside, Macey scrambled out of his arms and ran towards me, almost jumping out of her skin, waving her phone. 'Oh my G.o.d! Oh my G.o.d! Look at this! She thrust the phone under my nose and then immediately pulled it back and began reading out loud. ' "Weve been following your blog and wonder if youd be interested in writing a column for our paper. Were a small independent, but with a readers.h.i.+p of almost 60,000, we can offer you great exposure."

Maceys excitement was contagious, and I squealed along with her. 'This is it! The break youve been working for! I was so proud of her!

'This, she continued, 'could be the first step to being offered a cadets.h.i.+p on one of the nationals! Or a magazine! We jumped and squealed some more. 'Oh my G.o.d I have so much to do. I have to get the blog out. I have to ring them and organise a meeting. Oh my G.o.d I have to ring Dad . . . Suddenly, though, her face changed and I could see other thoughts finally penetrating. 'Oh h.e.l.l, Wills! I cant believe I almost forgot all your stuff. I mean, I- I hugged her. 'Mace this is huge. You have to focus on this! Ill be okay. Truly.

'But you need me! I mean, you cant do this on your own.

Seth had reached us and tossed an arm over my shoulder. 'Shes okay, Mace. Well handle it until you take care of your stuff. Then he winked. At me. A slow s.e.xy wink that made me gooey all over again. 'Besides. Ive got an idea . . .

If he was playing a game with me, he was very, very good at it.

While she scampered inside, Seth and I shared a table and bowl of corn chips and hot chilli salsa out by the pool. It felt weird being out there again after last night and I forced back the memories that would serve only to give me another headache because I was still confused.

The chilli was home-made. A load of stuff forced on me by Suzy when Id raced in to pick up Maceys keys. And I made my parents proud by silently giving thanks to G.o.d for Suzy. And salsa. Maybe I could talk Mimi into letting her and Carlos live in; it wasnt like we didnt have room. That would be too cool.

I downed a huge scoop. 'You know, I think we made progress today.

Our legs were stretched out towards each other and Seth had trapped mine between his. As he began to speak, his legs began a rhythmic rock against mine. 'How so?

'For starters, I realised I probably wouldnt even get a job on Blues Clues, let alone be a detective.

He grinned. 'Yeah?

'It hit me when you asked Kristie about what shed been doing at the time of the accident, I mean. And I was there thinking, why hadnt we thought of that before? Correction: why hadnt I thought of that before? Like, alibis? h.e.l.lo? How basic is that? And really? I think thats where we should start.

'Yeah, he nodded between salsa scoops. 'And I think we need to know the strength of everyones motive. Like who had the most to lose.

'You know, I really dont get that. Were this pretty ordinary school . . . I paused at his incredulous look. 'Okay, so any ordinary school where the parents incomes average seven figures. But, I mean, take away the trust funds, clothes, yachts, cars, houses, holidays and stuff and were just like other kids.

By now he was totally cracking up. 'Wills, if you take away that stuff were totally different people.