Island Holiday (Brookwell Island #4)

Prologue

Surveillance sucked.

Trying to keep tabs on someone without being noticed was borderline impossible. At least for her. It didn’t help that she was a forensic accountant, with no real skills in the field. Of course, since joining the Guardian Agency, she had taken classes on self-defense, basic evasion, and general field work tactics. She’d enjoyed the classes, though the main purpose was to help her understand the challenges for protectors in the field so she could better support them.

Even then, it was rare that she worked a case in tandem with someone in the field. After two years with the agency, Sonya Inman, introvert extraordinaire, could still count those instances on one hand.

She was aware she had no business going out on her own like she was today. But the stakes were low enough. All she had to do was chat a little with a stranger.

All, she thought with a skeptical snort. Random conversations were not her strength. Maybe she could channel her friend Harper Ellington. As the daughter of hotel and resort owners, Harper had practically been bred to socialize and put people at ease.

But Sonya had to do it. She needed more information. In this particular situation, the financial forensics were only getting her so far. And this wasn’t an official case. Yet. It was more of a pet project she wanted to take to her bosses.

She needed proof first. Preferably something more substantial than claiming a client from her former career as a financial advisor was a jackass. Her bosses Gamble and Swann were two of the most ethical men she knew. They wouldn’t support a personal witch hunt.

They encouraged their employees to take the initiative and exercise independent thinking, but they didn’t want their private investigations agency to gain the wrong reputation. As lawyers, they held firm to their obligation to the law and legal process.

What Sonya was doing danced along a blurry edge.

Speaking with a stranger wasn’t out of line. She could do this. Any relevant information would add to her growing file. Then she could ask her bosses to take official action.

She hiked her backpack over her shoulder and approached the younger woman with the unique suitcase as she headed for the line to check-in for her flight.

The airport wasn’t too busy, so Sonya had to be quick. “Hey. Pardon me,” Sonya said. “I noticed your suitcase. Is that the same brand showing up all over social media?”

The woman gave the suitcase a little swivel. “It is. I love this pattern.”

“Must make it easy to find at baggage claim.”

“It does!” the woman gushed. “And it’s as great as advertised.” She smiled at Sonya. “Seriously. Like it’s the best ever.” She cocked a hip, as if prepping for a hidden camera infomercial. “I wasn’t sure about the hype, but y’know, when I got selected to give it a test drive this past weekend, I jumped on it. Who doesn’t love a quick getaway, all expenses paid?”

Sonya loved a quick getaway, though she paid her own way. “How’d you manage that?”

The girl tilted her head. “Y’know I’m not really sure.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “This guy was in the food court on campus and he had these vouchers.” She leaned close, lowering her voice. “They paid me like five grand.”

“No way. That’s like the best work study ever.”

“I know, right?” The line advanced and paused again. “I double-checked the website and my bank account before I got on the plane. But the suitcase showed up and the money was there.” She shrugged. “The round-trip tickets were legit and I got this awesome weekend at the beach.”

“What a win.” This woman was a bit more polished than other students who’d been given similar perks under the guise of testing the viral-sensation luggage. Most of the previous testers Sonya had found through her financial investigation were from a lower income bracket, leaning on grants and loans to cover tuition and expenses.

Closer to the lower-income bracket of her childhood.

“Definitely. This getaway was the best refresh. I needed it after my midterms. Plus, y’know, the money.”

“Do you have a card or any contact info?” Sonya asked as the line moved. “I wouldn’t mind getting a payday like that for grad school.”

The girl gave the suitcase another spin on its perfect wheels. “Um, no.” Her brow furrowed for just a moment. “You can go to the website.” She brightened. “The guy who hired me is named Zach or Chris or something.”

His name was Christopher Zimmer, but Sonya didn’t try to correct her. Instead, she feigned hesitation. “He didn’t try to meet you here, did he?”

“No!” She touched Sonya’s arm. “It’s nothing like that. I’ve never seen him since. He texted me once or twice. Just making sure I was having a good time. I know it sounds like way too good to be true, but it’s all legit, I swear.”

Sonya pulled out her phone. “What’s the name of the website? I don’t see a link on the luggage site.”

“No, it’s different. Do, um, Consumer Study 101, I think. All one word.” She leaned over as Sonya typed the words into her browser.

“Yeah. That one. There you go.” She watched the site load. “Good luck!”

As Sonya ducked out of the line and walked away, she patted herself on the back for great progress. This was exactly the break she needed.