The Mysterious Stranger (Triple Trouble) Read Online Free Page A

return in pieces or it could all come back at once. She’ll probably remember odd bits of information while forgetting seemingly simple things. The brain is a complex organ.” John finished his Scotch. “In the meantime, what are you going to do with her?”
    “She’s not my responsibility. In the morning Frank will drive her back to the resort. My housekeeper’s theories aside, I doubt she came from one of the neighboring islands. I’m sure she has a few friends who are expecting her back tonight. I’ll return her to them.”
    John rosé to his feet. “It’s your call. But I can’t believe you’re not the least bit curious about her.”
    “Why would I be?”
    “A beautiful woman washes up on your private beach. She doesn’t know who she is or where she’s from. Think of the mystery, the fantasy, the possibilities.”
    Jarrett grimaced. “The lawsuit.”
    “You have no romance in your soul.”
    True. He didn’t have a soul at all. At least, not one he’d felt recently. He’d turned off all his emotions a long time ago. Life was easier once he’d learned not to feel. He depended on logic and action. They were enough.
    John walked to the door. “Call me if anything changes, but she should be fine. Don’t forget to feed her dinner. You could even invite her to share the meal with you.”
    “Goodbye, John.”
    John winked. “Lucky SOB. Why doesn’t stuff like this happen to me?” He waved and left.
    Jarrett stared after him. If John knew the truth, he wouldn’t want Jarrett’s life or his past.
    * * *
    Anna Jane paused outside her uncle’s study. The big door stood open. She didn’t want to go inside. She didn’t want to tell her uncle the truth and have him be mad at her. Maybe she didn’t have to. Maybe Leona wouldn’t say anything and she could just—
    Nana B. had taught her to be honest. Her nanny often explained that honesty wasn’t just about telling the truth. It was also about living a life without deceit and manipulation, although Anna Jane still wasn’t sure what manipulation was.
    She swallowed hard once, then tapped softly on the open door. Her uncle looked up and saw her. For a moment, his hard expression softened as he beckoned her inside.
    “I would have thought you would be with our mystery guest,” he said lightly.
    “She’s sleeping. Dr. John says she’s going to be all right. Is that true?”
    Her uncle nodded. “She’ll be fine. I’m sure she has friends waiting for her at the resort. As soon as they get in touch with the hotel manager, he’ll tell them she’s okay. They can come and get her in the morning.”
    Anna Jane reached into her shorts pocket and pulled out a damp piece of paper. After smoothing it flat, she passed it to her uncle.
    “She did get my note. That’s why she tried to find me. It’s my fault she almost d-drowned.”
    Her uncle scanned the note, then turned it over and looked at the map. “You put this in a bottle?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she whispered.
    He frowned. “The tide would have carried it north, not south,” he said, almost to himself. “Where did you drop it in the water?”
    “I know I’m not allowed down to the beach by myself. I didn’t go there. I put the bottle in the pond by the house. The stream carried it away.”
    “That makes sense. That’s an inland waterway. Your bottle never made it to the ocean. So our mystery guest could only have come from the resort.” He gave her a smile. “Thanks for telling me. This will make her identity easier to discover.”
    “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
    “The woman isn’t really hurt, Anna Jane. None of this is your fault,” he said.
    She nodded, hoping he would motion her closer and hug her. But he didn’t. He seemed to be waiting to see if she had more to discuss.
    “Can she come downstairs for dinner?” she asked.
    The faint tightening of his features told her Uncle Jarrett wasn’t pleased with her request, but he didn’t refuse her. “If she feels up to