Island of Secrets

EXCERPT

Prologue

Present Day

She’d never liked boats. The fact she stood on the deck of one bound for who knows what and who knows where was evidence she’d lost her mind..

Were the people in charge crazy? Couldn’t they tell her press ID was fake?

Judging from the look on the man’s face who’d taken her invitation, she doubted any of them cared.

Lila looked around. She knew most of the reporters from watching them on TV. The others wore clothing embellished with some pretty impressive insignias. There were reporters here from all over the world. Fortunately, none of them appeared to be paying her any attention.

Was being dishonest this easy?

She really had tried to refuse, but Cassie’d been so supportive of her it seemed wrong to deny this small request. It wasn’t fair that she missed this opportunity. Lila knew it might be her roommate’s big career break.

Lila looked out over the stormy looking gray water. It was 2:30, and she knew Cassie would be on the couch, her ankle propped up on all the pillows in the apartment. Talk about a bad break. She’d be off her feet for at least a month, maybe even longer. In the fast-paced world of journalism, that was plenty of time for a career to tank.

Lila didn’t approve of Cassie’s plan, but the rent still had to be paid, and since she wouldn’t start her new job for another two weeks this was the only way she could help.

A storm appeared to be gathering in the distance, even some of the more seasoned passengers had commented about the rough ride, but since bumper boats in a calm bumper pond were as close to a boat as she’d ever come, her nautical knowledge was limited.

She was just happy to have survived the first thirty minutes of the ride without incident. Another thirty without losing her breakfast and she’d count it a pretty successful afternoon.

Lila spotted an empty chair over in a corner and made a quick dash for it. Sitting was preferable to standing and swaying. She reached into her purse and pulled out the orientation materials she’d been given.  Now was as good a time as any to prepare.

Cassie had already filled her in on most of the details. It all stemmed from a nasty breakup. She actually felt sorry for Mr. Alexander. A lapse in judgment could jeopardize his plans to make Leigh Island the hottest new resort on the East Coast.

The press until now had all been great. Already rumors of movie stars and singers spending small fortunes to spend weeks at a time had made all the gossip columns.

Then he made the jump from the gossip column to tabloid covers and the sight hadn’t been pretty. His ex-fiancée claimed she’d seen ghosts and that the entire island was bewitched.

Well, if it really was haunted, she was headed straight for it! At least in the daylight discussions of ghosts and bewitching weren’t as frightening as they had been the night before.

Lila continued to read. Suddenly, for the first time since she’d boarded the “Winship Whisper,” relief washed over her.

The owner of the island, Mr. Alexander, according to the orientation materials, would select one reporter to stay on the island. They would stay a week, all expenses paid, so that they could determine the truth of the matter.

Lila glanced around. There were over fifty other reporters. If he really wanted to put the rumors to rest, he’d be looking for the most recognizable face in the bunch, and fortunately, her face was anything but recognizable. Cassie would be disappointed, but she couldn’t be the one.