“I don’t really know them.”

Again I mentioned the age difference between Jasper and Flynn. “How are things with them, relationship-wise?”

“Not all brothers and sisters get along.”

“So you wouldn’t say they’re close? What makes you so sure? You and Jasper have been together for, what, a few months?”

“Two.”

“Two months. You think that’s enough time to get a handle on the subtleties of sibling relations?”

Again I sensed hesitation. “It’s the way they treat him—Flynn especially. He’s an asshole to Jas, and to Ned, too. Don’t make me go back out there,” she said. “I can’t just sit there while they sip their coffee and pretend everything’s fine!”

“Abella, if we’re going to find Jasper I need your help. You were with him last night, all night. You were here yesterday, too. If you know anything, saw anything that might explain what happened, now’s the time to talk.”

She brought her thumb to her lip and scraped her teeth along the nail. Abella’s fingernails were ballet pink and had the high-gloss shine of a professional manicure. She was in the spotlight this weekend, and she knew it. She’d wanted Jasper’s family to be impressed.

The moment she decided to spill it, Abella’s chin quivered and her eyes filled with tears. The story I was about to hear was going to be different from the one Flynn recounted, no question. I hoped it would be the truth.

“It’s my fault,” she said.

My body went rigid. “What’s your fault, hon?”

“It’s my fault he’s gone.”

“Did you do something to him? Hurt him, or . . .”

“No.” She met my gaze with big, watery eyes. “But I know who did.”

NINE

The island was a secret paradise Abella couldn’t reconcile with the world she knew onshore. Just that morning she’d been in Manhattan, and now she stood by the water’s edge in a heavy fall sweater while Jasper hugged her to his side and whispered dirty propositions in her ear. He was trying to distract her from what was coming, and she appreciated the effort, but they were out of time. Norton pulled the skiff up to the dock, and out crawled Flynn Sinclair.

“Your better half’s already here,” Jasper said.

“Better at what?” Flynn replied. “Making bad choices, or being an ungrateful prick?” Flynn didn’t hug his brother or even shake his hand, and Abella assumed Flynn was in a shitty mood after the five-hour drive from Manhattan. Jasper turned his back on Flynn and offered to help tie up the boat, but Norton waved him away.

“One last run to the market before the weather turns,” Norton said.

“Seriously?” said Jasper. “You were just there yesterday. Aren’t you supposed to be getting things ready inside?”

Her boyfriend’s comment struck Abella as rude, and that wasn’t like him at all. Something was grating on Jasper, though she couldn’t imagine what it was. Norton’s smile, when he managed one, was forced. Abella’s was, too.

“Lots to prepare,” said Norton amiably. “Won’t be long.” Pushing off, he revved the engine and headed back to shore.