Early morning Florida sun flickered off the crystal-clear waters as we drove toward the boat ferry. I yawned so hard my jaw hurt. We had to discuss our definition of early flight before our relationship went any further. I'd recently learned Broadrick's idea of early was about five hours earlier than mine, but the view outside our car window almost made it worth it.

Almost.

It probably looked just as nice in a few hours.

Our driver pointed to something in the distance, but I only saw the sun's reflective glare past the shore. "The island's original founder never wanted to see the island opened to tourism, but such is progress."

I nodded along, acting like I saw whatever he'd pointed toward and found it riveting. "Why open the island now?"

"Mr. Astor died a year ago. With him no longer in control, the board moved forward with expansion plans."

Broadrick leaned against me to whisper in my ear. "And the economy tanked."

"If they're poor now, why not just use the regular police department? How are they paying Ridge to be here?"

Our driver gasped. Apparently, I asked my question loudly enough for him to hear. "No one on the island is poor. They've decided to share the experience of wealth on Killdear Island with everyone. The local police are based on the mainland and require the ferry to access the island. Crime has never been an issue with America's elite, but a few residents have concerns with the new population."

I heard that to mean... poor people.

A large dock with a dazzling white boat resting against it waited off shore. The metal walls of the boat actually sparkled against the bright sun. It definitely looked like a rich person's boat. Our car slowed.

"Will we be staying with the elites?" I asked Broadrick as we turned into a small parking area beside the dock.

The driver answered, "Oh no. As part of the changes, the island converted one of the smaller housing complexes on the island into a beautiful spa and hotel. We can't have people visiting all parts of the island whenever they see fit. Tourists will need to stay in designated areas, of course."

"Of course." I rolled my eyes and tilted my head toward Broadrick so he saw. This shit was ridiculous.

Whoever heard of a private island only for rich people? I didn't believe him at first until I googled it. Killdear Island isn't even Florida's only exclusive privately owned island. They had so many rich people here they had room for more than one island. Although the internet said Killdear was the most exclusive.

It cost thirty-five thousand dollars a year in membership fees. They packed the people into tall yet spacious condos that started at two million dollars to purchase. Yet somehow they had eight hundred families living on the island at least part time. Part time! That meant they paid even more to live somewhere else the other part time.

Rich people were weird. Who knew the world had so many of them?

Once we'd stopped, Broadrick led us to the boat as our driver-I'd totally forgotten his name-carried our luggage to the waiting boat crew. He really got into the entire exclusive experience. This place made me feel rich-and also out of place.

"I bet you didn't drive one of these boats in the military, huh?" I asked as Broadrick held my elbow to help me make the short jump from the plank.

He snorted. "Definitely not."

The boat fit probably fifty people, but we were the only two on it as we took spots toward the back in a long row of pure white seats. How did they keep it so clean?

We waited in the back of the boat, the wind a gentle breeze against my covered shoulders. The sun beat down on us, and I grew hot... and sweaty.

"Who else uses this boat?" I asked as the crew yelled a few commands to one another, and someone untied us from the dock. Were we leaving already?

"This is my first time here, too, Vonnie." Broadrick stretched out his arms across my seat and the empty one next to him.

I rolled my eyes. They were going to get a lot of exercise on this trip. "You still know more than I do about the place."

He grinned, proving me right. "I'm pretty sure this boat, and the one taking off from the island, are only for residents and visitors to the island."

Seriously, how rich were these people? Their idea of an economic downturn and mine had to have a hundred miles between them.

I recrossed my legs and watched the waves hit the boat as we took off toward open water. If I squinted, I almost made something out in the distance, but I turned away, preferring to wait until we were closer to take everything in.

The boat picked up speed, and water splashed up the sides, missing us by a foot. "It reminds you of our cruise. Doesn't it?"

This boat probably didn't have unlimited bacon, though. Maybe I could talk to the boat captain about a few upgrades.

Broadrick pursed his lips. "Except for a few thousand fewer people."

"Yeah, there's that." I crossed my legs the other way. "No dead bodies either."

Yet.

Broadrick groaned. "Don't remind me. Just sit back and enjoy the waves without death and destruction."

Right.

That's exactly why I agreed to this two-day vacation, and I couldn't forget it. I had to relax and clear my mind, so when I returned to Pelican Bay, I could catch Emma's killer and get my uncle out of jail. I needed clarity and focus.

"How long is this ride?" I asked when we didn't seem to get any closer to the island.

Broadrick checked his watch. "About forty-five minutes. I think."

My eyes widened, but I kept my comments to myself. "Great."

He chuckled, keeping his gaze on the horizon as if he expected The Black Pearl to pop into existence at any moment. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and braced for a long and boring boat ride.

"How do the people handle these tedious boat rides back and forth all the time?" I asked. I bet they all had private helicopters.

The boat slowed, and I glanced up from my phone. Ahead of us, giant honeycomb-looking buildings stretched into the sky. Their white balconies created thick straight lines topped with brick red roofs. In front of them, on the island closer to us, stretched lush green grass before being broken up with a row of storefront with cute matching awnings.

Broadrick smiled as I stared at our destination while the boat docked, and two men ran toward us to secure our spot. "Why leave? You have everything you need here."

Maybe for him, but it didn't have my favorite bakery or my best friends.

"Not everything," I whispered as we stood and made our way toward the opening to leave the boat.

Broadrick grabbed my hand. "Try to have a good time."

"Enjoy your stay on Killdear Island, Mr. and Mrs. MacGregor," the boat attendant said as he saluted us for our departure.

I turned back toward him quickly. "You too."

Oh crap. I lowered my head. What a wonderful first impression to make by being a moron and saying "you too" to someone who wasn't here on vacation.

"Do you think the boat guys live on the island full time?" I asked Broadrick as he led us to a large four-seat golf cart with a green canopy. One of the boat crew busied themselves putting our luggage on a rack in the back section of the cart.

Broadrick shook his head. "No idea, but I liked the ring of Mr. and Mrs. MacGregor. Didn't you?"