Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard Read Free Book Online Page B

It wasn’t smart or safe. But the rangers hadn’t issued any warnings or closed down the hotel, so perhaps they believed only Alec Gordon had been the target. I chose to take the high road of thinking the rest of us were safe. For now.
    The cozy, overstuffed chairs, soaked in firelight, called to me. I strolled toward one of them. Two tall chairs faced the fire at an angle, and I approached from behind. A hand unexpectedly dropped from the arm of the chair.
    I froze.
    Why had I thought I’d be the only one here? Could it be the killer? I took quiet steps until I could see who’d disturbed my own private sitting room.
    Spencer!
    He’d been part of my imaginings, and there he sat, in the flesh. Something serious had happened, Rene was getting married, and I needed all my faculties about me. Spencer’s presence didn’t suit my purposes. I took one step back, thinking to return to my room before he spotted me.
    My, but he was handsome.
    A sigh escaped.
    Did I do that? Had he heard me?
    His head jerked around. “Ah…Polly. You couldn’t sleep either? Or…have you been with Rene all this time?”
    I nodded and smiled. “I think the wedding is on again.”
    “Yes, but for how long?” He rubbed his chin. Even in the low light, I could see the shadow of stubble.
    “You know, I think it’s going to last this time.” I approached the fire to rub my hands. Spencer came to stand beside me. This cozy, romantic atmosphere was probably the worst place for me to be with the man. I had to get a handle on my decade-old feelings for him. He wasn’t the same person I’d known before. I wasn’t the same person.
    “I hope you’re right. For our sakes as well,” he said.
    We stood side by side, staring at the fire. Once the warmth became too much, I rubbed my neck, thinking I needed to head to bed.
    Spencer must have sensed my intentions. He’d always been good at that. “I know it’s late, Polly, but I was hoping we’d have some time to talk.” He motioned for me to sit.
    A nervous laugh escaped me. “No time like the present.” I plopped into a chair, feeling tired yet enlivened all the same. I could listen to Spencer’s accent for the rest of the night. Or forever.
    Spencer shared delightful tales of his travels to Thailand and other exotic countries. Though I’d not wanted to speak of my past at dinner, his easy ways brought out things long left unsaid. He sounded sincerely sorry when I told him about Brandon’s disappearance. Though sitting with him and reminiscing warmed my heart, at the same time, a sense of dread chased me. All this talk of things gone wrong. I should have learned something by this time.
    Spencer pushed deeper into his chair. “Whatever happened to us, Polly?”
    I dared to glance at him, afraid my eyes would reveal what I’d not even figured out.
You couldn’t commit to me
. “It was so long ago.”
    “Yes, but I’ve missed you. I can’t for the life of me figure out why I let you—”
    “Stop… !” I stood and faced him. “There’s no need to go back. We’re here for mutual friends. I hope we can remain on friendly terms as well. It’s been nice discussing the past with you—”
    “But?” Spencer raised his left brow.
    How could I tell him I didn’t want to get hurt again, that I feared I was already there? I couldn’t form the words, as if my mouth were full of crackers—the white-flour, trans fat kind.
    “Before you go, I have a…a confession of sorts.”
    Exhaustion began to overwhelm me. Finally. “Is it really necessary? I’m not sure there’s anything you need to confess.” I said the words, yet I sat again and waited.
    “The truth is, I arrived here yesterday—a full day before Rene and Conrad.”
    What was he trying to say? “Travel to a remote location is hard to manage sometimes. You don’t always arrive when you want to.”
    “Polly, that’s not it. I was anxious to see you after all these years. I hoped to catch you before the others