Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
I figured the light would be off and everyone out. Instead, the two cooks moved about the space, taking pots out and preparing for breakfast. Vivian sat at the dining table in the area on the right where we’d all eaten yesterday. Like in the old days, she’d wrapped the book in a brown paper bag, concealing the cover from everyone. She used to do it when she read naughty little stories about women having orgasms that lasted several hours. I attempted to read one and couldn’t finish it, after blushing so much. I hadn’t even been kissed yet.
“You couldn’t sleep?” I asked.
“No. Not when there’s an ogre stomping around the house yelling your name.” Vivian closed her book and set it on the table.
“What are you reading?” I reached for it.
She blocked me and moved it closer to her. “None of your business.”
Ooh. You’re reading something really naughty.
“Wipe that wicked smirk off your face, Jasmine. It’s not that type of story.” She flipped me off.
“I’m just hoping animals aren’t involved.”
“Ewww,” She shrieked in horror. “You’ve been around this sicko too long.”
Chase raised his eyebrows. “Am I the sicko you’re referencing?”
“Yes. You’re the one.” She pointed.
“Thank you. I just needed clarification. Let the record show that at no time have Jasmine and I used animals. Yet.” He smirked.
“You are not funny,” I said.
“I’m glad everyone can be all chummy and laugh.” Troy sat down in his seat. “If you all had been out on that beach, then you wouldn’t be joking around.”
“And why’s that, Inspector Fadget?” Vivian asked.
Chase leaned my way. “Fadget?”
“When Vivian calls someone a fake something, she takes off the first letter of the original name and places an ‘F’ there,” I explained. “So you have Inspector Gadget or in Troy’s very ridiculous case, Inspector Fadget.”
“Got you.” He returned to his sitting position.
I put my arms on the table and lay my head down on them. “So go ahead, Inspector Fadget.”
Troy’s face wore a neutral mask. “Benny is here.”
That garnered everyone’s attention. I actually sat up at the news.
“Chase’s men can’t do shit, but they look pretty in their little black uniforms. Half the time I thought they took five-minute breaks to check on their lipstick,” Troy said. “When Benny’s men stepped on the beach with metal detectors and guns, I knew they were his. They tried to blend in with Chase’s men, wearing the same uniforms. But these guys had Benny’s stink all over them—both hands holding guns, scars on their necks and faces. His men found everything with these high-tech metal detectors and other equipment. It was like from one of those Navy SEAL action movies. He must’ve called in a lot of favors.”
“Did you see my dad?” Vivian asked.
“No. But all his top guys are here. You know the one with the eye that has that circular scar around it as if someone took a knife, held him down, and drew a loop around it? Well, he was on the beach.”
“Dad doesn’t go anywhere without him,” Vivian said.
“Are you sure?” Chase asked.
“His name is Garfield. His face is in every childhood memory of mine. He barely talks and says only a few words to me at a time, but he lived in the basement of our house. When there were birthday parties, Thanksgiving, or any celebration, he was right there at Dad’s side. Troy is right. If he’s here, then Dad’s here.”
“And if Benny is here, then who the fuck else can be here? One of those psycho chicks,” Troy said. “Once Benny’s men got on the beach, they started giving out orders to your guys.”
Chase’s hardened mask cracked a little. “Is that so?”
“Yes. They had your frilly men digging and hauling out sand. Next thing I know, they discovered bones all over the beach. I’m talking in separate places with lots of distance between them. Who does that? Kill a man, cut him up, and take the time to bury different parts of his body all over the beach?”
“Benny,” Chase muttered under his breath.
“Exactly.” Troy hit the table. “If Jazz hadn’t told me that story, we would’ve been out of here. See, Benny, being in charge changes everything. It means there is some method and rules to his madness. Here, I thought that this was some unknown person that did that.”
Troy continued to explain the rest of the night at the beach. Chase had stopped tapping those fingers. Instead, he rubbed the side of his phone back and forth. Someone was going to lose his job, most likely starting with his security. I checked Vivian. My body froze. She stared at Troy and Chase in pure shock—eyes wide open, mouth agape, fingers shaking more with each second.
Oh, shit. Benny. I forgot she doesn’t know him like we do.
“M-my dad cut someone up on a beach?” Vivian mumbled.