Read Model Suspect 3 for Free Online

blinked and turned to stare at me. “I beg your pardon?”
    I repeated the information, adding that I was pretty sure the shots had come from the direction of the jungle. By the time I finished, the employee was already shaking her head.
    “I’m sure this was a very frightening experience, miss,” she said in a smooth, sympathetic voice. “But as the person who gave you that boat should have explained, there are a few spots with very sharp coralthat can tear the rubber pontoons if one isn’t careful. I’m sorry you weren’t properly warned about this.”
    “No, you don’t understand.” I cast another quick look around to make sure neither of the cameras was too close. “It wasn’t the coral. Someone shot out those pontoons! You’ll see when you bring the boat in.”
    “All right, we’ll take that under advisement.” The woman’s tone indicated quite plainly that she was humoring me, though her polite smile never wavered. “I’ll send someone out to get it first thing tomorrow.”
    “Tomorrow?” I exclaimed. “No, you need to bring it in now! If someone looks at the punctures, maybe …”
    My voice trailed off as I realized one of the cameramen had stepped closer and was filming me. The other camera was still aimed at Sydney and Vic.
    “I’m very sorry your visit with us started out with this sort of unfortunate occurrence,” the employee said in that same smooth, professional voice. “We at the Oro Beach Resort would like to make it up to you with a complimentary massage at our world-class spa.”
    With that, she turned away. I stared at the back of her head, feeling frustrated. Chief McGinnis of the River Heights Police Department might not be thesharpest tack on the bulletin board, but at least he usually took me seriously! It was clear this woman didn’t. She wasn’t even planning to drag that pontoon boat out of the lagoon until the next day, let alone warn people that there might be a gun-toting maniac on the loose. So what was I supposed to do now?
    I glanced around. Vic was still holding Sydney. She was crying, and he was trying to shield her from the camera with his body. Nearby, Bo and Jamal were just standing there, shifting their weight from foot to foot and looking uncertain.
    “Please!” Sydney wailed as the cameraman stepped around for a better angle. “Can’t you just leave us alone for a second?”
    Vic glared at the cameraman. “Yeah, have a heart, dude,” he said. “Give us a sec, okay?”
    “Sorry, Vic. Just doing my job,” the cameraman responded calmly, taking a step closer and focusing on Sydney.
    Vic scowled and gently lowered his new wife to the sand. “Listen,” he blustered, clenching his fists. “You know I’m usually cool with the whole all-access thing. But I asked you nicely, and now I’m telling you. Back off. Or I’ll have to make you do it.”
    Uh-oh. He sounded pretty steamed. And it looked like the cameraman wasn’t planning to back down—hewas a big guy, almost as broad and burly as Butch or Bo. I glanced around, wishing Madge or Donald was around to break this up, but neither of them was anywhere in sight.
    “Listen, both of you,” Bess said in her most soothing tone. “Let’s just take a deep breath….”
    “Yes, please,” added the female employee I’d spoken to. “I’m sure we can work things out, gentlemen.”
    Vic just glared at her. Before he could respond, there was a loud buzz from the direction of some beach chairs nearby.
    “Dude, it’s your phone,” Bo said, grabbing something off one of the chairs and tossing it to Vic.
    Vic caught the cell phone and glanced at it, seeming distracted. Then he blinked and brought the phone closer to his face, peering at the tiny screen with an expression of confusion and dismay.
    “What is it, Vic?” Sydney asked, stepping closer for a look. When she saw whatever was on the phone, she let out a loud gasp. “Oh, no!” she cried.
    “Hey!” Madge’s loud, abrasive voice broke into