“He knew Steel Montgomery, one of the partners at Steel and Steal, the company that was going to buy SureFired. He flew to New York and got a meeting with him, then called me to explain what had happened with SureFired.”

Claire had to sit down. “That’s shocking.”

Marty continued. “When I snuck out of the hotel before the FBI burst in, he saw me break part of the window frame and confronted me about it.”

Lucy laughed. “That’s hilarious. And then he decided to help you?”

“Pretty much,” Marty said with a shrug. “He’s sort of a scary dude, and he didn’t believe me at first, but I guess he did in the end.”

Lucy looked down at Claire. “Are you okay?”

She realized that she had her hand covering her mouth. “Yes, sorry. This is just a lot to take in.”

Poor Chip. He’d ended up getting involved after all.

“Well, thank God for Chip,” Lucy said. “Otherwise, Marty and I would’ve been wearing orange jumpsuits for a couple of years.”

Claire shook her head. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay him.” Maybe by leaving the island forever...

Lucy shrugged. “You could take him on a date.”

“No, Lucy,” Claire said, shooting her a look before standing up to grab her coat and her purse. “I need to see him.”

“Right now?” asked Lucy. “Aren’t I entitled to a post-prison meal?”

Claire felt, for the first time in a week, that she knew exactly what to do. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”

They didn’t protest, and she rushed out of the cabin and into her car.

When she pulled up to the hotel, it looked nearly deserted. The guests must’ve run away in fear.

Claire pulled into a parking space and hesitated about what to do next.

What were the chances that Chip was even still there? It’d be better if she met with him in the morning, arranged a time to discuss her plan. It’d be even better if she didn’t look like a prison escapee when she gave him her apology and her peace offering. She was planning to give him the hotel, no strings attached, and disappear from his life forever.

She sat, debating if it was best to wait. On the other hand, she knew he apparently hadn’t hesitated to help Marty and Lucy. She wasn’t going to wait, either.

Claire got out of her car and made her way to the building. As she walked through the lobby, she savored the delicate smell of lemongrass. She would miss that smell. She would miss everything about this place, especially the dream it had held for her.

A head popped up from one of the couches and surprised her. “Hey!”

She took a step back. “Chip! You’re still here.”

“I am.” He stood. “I was hoping you’d come back tonight.”