‘You’ve got no right to.’

‘I want to help, then,’ I say.

‘That’s rich.’

I apologize even though I don’t want to, even though it’s a lie. ‘I’ll stay out of things. I was just curious.’

‘You’re not here to be curious. You’re here to work. And it’s a privilege.’

I bite my tongue. ‘You’re right.’

And she gets in close again, so close to my face that I can smell the mildew on her apron. ‘Now, go on. Back inside.’ Just like that it’s business as usual. ‘I wasn’t gonna say nothin’ but I thought I saw Betty short of coffee. And go say something sweet to Carol, woman in the dress. Her dog died, sweet old Labrador, and she’s not taking it well.’

I text Ellis on the walk back to the dorms.

Me: Did you tell Mary Anne that we read Roxy’s police report?

Ellis: No. I swear.

Me: Someone did.

Ellis: I promise it wasn’t me. Who do you think it was?

Me: I don’t know. It could have been either Booker or Frank, because we’ve spoken to both of them personally.

Ellis: Weird.

Me: Would your mom have said something?

Ellis: Idk. Maybe.

Me: Mary Anne basically threatened me. She said she didn’t want us speaking any more + would fire me if we did. Do you know why she’d be so upset over this?

Ellis: No, I’m sorry, my mom might know more but I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask.

Me: Well, I’m not listening to her, obviously.

Ellis: Idk. Aren’t you worried about if she does actually fire you? You’d have to go home.

It occurs to me that Ellis thinks I came to have my summer vacation on Sandown Bay and would be disappointed, primarily, by alleged good times cut short. The reality is more that there is no reason to be here at all, unless I can speak with Ellis.

Me: It’s OK. I don’t start what I can’t finish.

Ellis: I didn’t know we started anything.

Me: We definitely have, based on Mary Anne’s reaction.

Me: Are we still on for tonight?

My heart quickens at the thought. What had Ellis said? He had something to show me?

I’m excited.

Ellis: Yes. No-Names parking lot. 9.

Mary Anne’s reaction has shocked me and so I desperately want to know more. I want to speak to Archie but this, of course, is complicated. He might not know – more accurately, remember – anything, and if I ask I’m risking him telling Mary Anne, which seems a predicament ending well for nobody.

Is the town hurt by Roxy having gone missing instead of relieved by it? Is that what Mary Anne implied? She could have been lying.

I can’t wait to see what Ellis has to show me.

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15