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“Alani—” I started.
“I didn’t do it,” she said, interrupting me before I could continue. “I swear, Molly, I didn’t do what they’re saying I did.”
“I know that,” I replied confidently.
“You do?” she asked, sounding incredulous. “You really believe I didn’t steal that choker?”
“I do,” I nodded.
“Why?”
“Firstly, because you’re my friend, and I think I know you well enough to know that you wouldn’t do steal,” I replied honestly. “And secondly because you get paid a decent salary, and I can’t see you risking your job by doing something like this.”
“Exactly,” Alani nodded. I could see the relief on her face. “Exactly. Why on earth would I risk such a good job for a choker? Even if it is worth so much.”
I pursed my lips. There was much being said about the value of the choker, and I knew that the Beaumonts would not let this go easily. I would need to find some way to appease them if this choker was not found. I wondered what Tristan would suggest; I would need to speak with him first before I made a decision about anything.
“Have you spoken to them?” Alani asked. “Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont?”
“I’ve spoken to both,” I nodded.
“And?” she asked, sounding nervous to even ask the question. “What are they saying?”
“They’re convinced that you’re the one that stole this necklace,” I told her honestly.
“Both of them?”
I frowned. “Yes.”
Alani looked down, and I noticed she was wringing her hands together as though she were guilty of something. I started to feel a little uneasy and wondered if perhaps she was not telling me the whole story.
“I didn’t do it,” she said again.
“Unfortunately, we need to offer the Beaumonts proof that you didn’t do it,” I said. “Which we can do—we have extensive camera footage. Tristan was diligent about making sure to cover all his bases. But first, I need to get your story.”
“My story?” she repeated.
“Mrs. Beaumont claimed that she found you in their suite numerous times,” I informed Alani. “She said you always looked too comfortable there, like you knew your way around.”
“I know my way around all the rooms in this resort,” Alani said. “It’s my job to be familiar with the spaces so that I can show the guests around.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you were in the Beaumonts’ room,” I said. “Unless she was just flat out lying?”
“She wasn’t lying,” Alani said, after a long moment. “But I wasn’t in there for no reason; I wasn’t snooping. I went because Mr. Beaumont requested items for the room, and he requested me to bring them up for him. I was just doing my job—being the manager and making the guest happy. It’s what we’ve been trained to do.”
I frowned. “What did Mr. Beaumont ask you to bring?” I asked. “All the rooms and suites come fully equipped, and the mini bars are restocked every other day.”
“He wanted some books brought up to his room from the library.”
“And, he couldn’t go himself?”
“I didn’t ask why he didn’t go himself,” she replied. “
It wasn’t my place.”
I looked at Alani carefully, and my suspicions became certainty as I realized she was hiding something. I leaned in a little and put my hand on hers.
“Alani,” I said softly. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
