Quietly, she went upstairs, going to the bedroom next to Renée’s, thinking she’d feel closer to her this way. Trying to put together details of what happened since she’d been on the island, she stepped into the shower, letting the hot water rinse the sweat and salt water off her skin. She shampooed her hair twice, then just stood beneath the powerful jets, the water easing the tension in her neck and shoulders.
When she finished her shower, she saw a white robe and matching nightshirt hanging on the back of the door. She slipped them on, then wrapped a large bath towel turban-style around her wet hair. Beside the sink were several unopened toothbrushes and tiny tubes of toothpaste. She brushed her teeth, then opened a drawer, where she found brushes and combs still in their wrapping, plus travel-size bottles of hair conditioner, hair spray, and just about all one would need. Valentina had thought of everything, though Ali couldn’t help but wonder why she had all these bedrooms equipped like a hotel. Neither she nor Renée had mentioned having guests often, but again, she’d only just met them. She towel-dried her hair, making sure to leave the bathroom as she’d found it, minus what she’d used.
The bedroom was as luxurious as Ali remembered. The floor-to-ceiling windows faced the beach. She stood gazing at the view, amazed that soon she’d be in her own home, where she’d have almost as good a view. As she watched the ebb and flow of the tide, at the opposite end of the beach that she’d yet to explore, she saw a light, though not a flashlight or the kind of lights fishermen used.
Straining to see, she ran downstairs as quietly as possible. She went out on the deck for a better view. When she realized what she was seeing, it took a couple seconds for her to absorb.
Branches stacked in what appeared to be a pyre-like shape burned bright, the red and yellow flames spewing sparks into the night sky. Ali ran down the three flights of steps. Her cottage was visible, yet far enough away from any danger from the fire. She raced down the path to the beach, then to the public parking lot.
Scrunched down behind a copse of overgrown pygmy date palms, she watched people in gold and red robes circling the fire, chanting, though she couldn’t make out what they were saying. This must be the cult Kit was investigating. She knew it as certainly as she knew the sun would rise tomorrow.
Fear trickled down her spine like the touch of tiny spider legs against her skin. Goosebumps mottled her arms and legs. The chanting grew louder, more forceful. Straining to hear, she didn’t understand their words, thinking they spoke in another language. She needed to return to Val’s to call Kit. Hoping he’d reached Miami, she stayed low to the blacktop, praying no one would see her. As soon as she reached the beach, she ran as fast as she could toward Val’s. Once she was on the path leading to the deck, she was relieved she’d made it back without being seen. As soon as her foot was securely on the first step, a hand yanked her back so hard her head hit the pad of cement at the bottom of the stairs.
Fear clutched her. Scream, she thought, but no, she didn’t want Val hurt. Her arms were gripped above her head by strong hands, her heels dragging through the sand, rubbing against clumps of grass and shell. She felt a knot on her head where she’d hit the pad of cement.
She was unable to see whoever was dragging her, as they had their back to her, but they had to be incredibly strong. Bumping along the wet shore, her hair matted against her face, she took a deep breath, then tried to pull her arms free.
“You son of a bitch! I’ll kill you!” she shouted. Knowing Val was out of earshot, and therefore safe, she dug her raw heels into the sand, trying to slow him down. A beast with inhuman strength, he pulled on her arms so hard, she felt a snap as her shoulder popped out of its socket.
The world went black.
Chapter Seventeen
When Alison woke, unsure where she was, a cool hand touched her forehead.
“You’re going to be fine, Alison. ”
Then she remembered. Violet had taken her to the hospital in Cincinnati. She was tired. Though she didn’t feel any pain in her arm, she remembered the nurse giving her something that made her feel like she was sleeping on a cloud.
“The doctor wants to keep you here tonight. You’ve had surgery—a few pins in your arm to keep your bone in place,” Violet explained. “You’ll be just fine here.”
It took a few seconds for her to completely understand what Violet meant. Using her good arm to push herself upright, Alison tried to swing her feet to the side of the bed, when a wave of queasiness hit her.
“Lie down, dear. The anesthesiologist said you’ll feel a bit nauseous from the pain medication. Try to relax.”
“The bus?” she asked.
“Another bus comes tomorrow, same route,” Violet told her.
“I can’t stay here,” Alison said. “I don’t have any way to pay.” She turned her face away so Violet couldn’t see her tears. Ashamed, she wished Violet would just leave and let her take care of things the way she was used to.
By running away.
“Let’s not worry about that, dear. I’ve called my son in Atlanta and explained the delay. I’ve already booked a room at the Holiday Inn across the street. I’ll stay there, and tomorrow you and I will resume our trip.”
Alison turned to look at her. “Why? You don’t even know me. People don’t do this,” she said, because in her world, it was true.
“Something tells me you haven’t been exposed to the good side of this fascinating world. There are good people, Alison, people who help others less fortunate simply because it’s the right thing to do.”
Staring at this sweet woman, Alison wondered if she was an angel. Maybe she had died during the fight earlier, had fallen down the rabbit hole like Alice, and this was Wonderland.
“I don’t know if this is real.” She waved her good arm around.
“You want me to give you a little pinch?” Violet teased, “This is very much the real world, and today I am going to see to it that you’re taken care of. Tomorrow is a new day, a chance for a brand-new start. Now, I am going to let you rest, as I have some things I need to take care of before I go to the hotel. I’ve given Dr. Grant the number at the hotel, should you need me. Get some rest while you can.” Violet placed a hand on her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Tears rivered down Alison’s face. She nodded, then reached for Violet’s hand and squeezed it. “Thank you so much.”
Alison drifted into a drug-induced, yet restful, sleep. During the night, nurses came and went. She heard their footsteps, the door opening and closing, but she was so satisfied in this half-state of sleep, she didn’t care who came into the room. It was so peaceful in spite of the noise, the machines beeping, and voices sounding over an intercom system. It might be nice to just stay here forever.
She was unsure how much time had passed when she woke again, because it was dark outside. The lights in her room were dim. Someone had placed a bottle of Coke and a cup of ice on the bedside table. Filling the cup, she used a straw that bent, which she thought too cool, but no one was here to witness her reaction when she’d figured out its purpose. She was hungry, but she was used to the gnawing sensation. No more had this thought passed through her mind when her door opened, and a girl probably not much older than her carried in a tray. Delicious smells filled the room.