Page 1 of Wild Tempest

1

"I'm really worried about her," Courtney said when we talked to her at her apartment near campus.

She was a cute blonde with hair that hung just above her shoulders. With tawny eyes, a friendly face, and a trim figure, she was easy on the eyes. Dressed in a tank top and shorts, her face was contorted with anxiety. "Peyton went out to the island with Garrett and Marcus to film a documentary. She should have been back by now, but I haven't heard from her. I've called, left voicemails, sent texts. Nothing."

"Documentary?" I asked.

"The Witch of Whistler Cay," she replied.

I shared a look with Jack. We’d heard the legends. Everybody had. Urban folklore. The kind of thing that sparked curiosity among tourists and locals alike. But I never considered it to be anything more than a ghost story.

"When did they leave for the island?" I asked.

"Friday. They were supposed to be back Monday. They were going to camp out all weekend and try to capture images of the witch.”

"How well did Peyton know Marcus and Garrett?"

"They’re friends. Both Marcus and Garrett are film majors at Vanden. Peyton is studying journalism with a minor in radio-television-film. She wants to be an on-camera personality. She's got the looks for it." Courtney bit her bottom lip, tormented. There was something on her mind.

“Anything else we should know?”

"The breakup with Trevor is really bothering me."

"Trevor?"

"Peyton's ex-boyfriend." Courtney paused. "They broke up just before she left. He didn't want her to go with Garrett and Marcus.” She groaned with disgust. “He’s such a jerk. Possessive. Insecure. He kept accusing Peyton of having something going with Garrett."

"Did she?"

Courtney grew defensive. "No. Peyton's not like that." Then she added, "But he does have a massive crush on her. I mean, who wouldn’t have a crush on Peyton? She's gorgeous!”

I shared another look with Jack, then said to Courtney, "You think Trevor might have gotten jealous and gone out to Whistler Cay?”

Courtney nodded.

"Tell me about their relationship. Did Trevor ever get violent with Peyton?”

Her lips scrunched. “Well, Trevor has a temper. Explosive. He can fly off the handle at the smallest things. He scares me. I’ve been trying to get her to break up with him for ages. I don’t know why she stayed with him for so long. She could do way better.”

“Do you think Garrett’s a better catch?”

“100%.”

“I’ll need contact information for everybody,” I said, handing her a card.

Courtney nodded and texted me their phone numbers.

I thanked her for the information and told her we’d be in touch.

“Do you think she’s okay?”

“We’ll talk to Trevor, then head out to Whistler Cay. I’m sure they’re still out there. Cell service is spotty out there.”

JD and I left, plunged down the steps, and strolled through the maze of buildings. The sheriff had already spoken with Peyton’s next of kin. They lived out of state and hadn’t heard from her since last week.

We pushed out of the pedestrian gate and stepped onto the sidewalk. I ran Trevor’s background through the online portal. He lived a block over in the Laguna Lofts.

JD and I walked the block, then buzzed various units from the call box at the main entrance. I didn't want to give Trevor a heads-up. I’d rather just show up at his front door.