Read Online Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax - Free Book Online

of
Psycho
. But only
after
they fumigated.”
    â€œThe fact that it’s seriously in need of attention could work in our favor,” Avery said. “They’ve only just managed to keep it from falling down.”
    â€œRenée wants it to fall down,” Kyra pointed out.
    â€œBut she might change her mind if it were renovated and made attractive to a buyer,” Avery said, her enthusiasm apparent. “This is an incredibly valuable piece of property that no one is making a penny from.” She shot a glance at John, who’d come to a stop at the end of the walkway. “Plus it’s barely a mile from Bella Flora.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Nikki said. “We’d need to put together a renovation and production budget before we could even consider soliciting sponsorships or funding of any kind. And I don’t have any confidence that Renée would give her permission even if we could find the money. Or be able to talk her sister into it.”
    â€œAnd I’m not sure she should,” Maddie said, setting Dustin on his feet. “She can’t even bring herself to set foot on the property. I doubt she’ll open herself up to the kind of attention that could surround a renovation here.”
    â€œDawn!” Dustin pointed toward the Realtor and began to toddle toward him. They followed him to where John stood staring at a two-bedroom unit set apart from the others. Largely obscured by the overgrown hibiscus, its fadedblue paint was chipped and peeling. Unlike the other units, it had no sign. Its door was padlocked and hurricane shutters had been pulled down over its windows. The other units had looked deserted; Maddie thought this one looked downright desolate.
    â€œThis is where Renée and her family lived after the war while her father was helping to run the hotel.” John’s voice was quiet, almost drowned out by the rustle of nearby palms. “She was the one who found him.” They stood in silence for a time before John seemed to rouse himself.
    â€œWould you like to see the hotel brought back, John?” Avery asked.
    His shrug was anything but casual. “I don’t know,” he said finally. “In almost any other case I’d rather see something restored and enjoyed than torn down. But this isn’t your usual situation. Renée has always wanted to make it disappear, though I doubt even that would ease the hurt and loss. Annelise was only five when it happened and she’s never gotten over it.” He lowered his voice so that Dustin wouldn’t overhear him “Annelise is convinced that her mother didn’t do it, that an intruder killed their father and abducted her mother, even though there’s never been any evidence to support that.”
    He sighed and turned his back on the cottage. “But then what child wants to believe their mother could kill their father and then run away and leave them behind?” He ran a hand over his face. “We’ve had offers to sell the property ‘as is,’ but Annelise has refused them all. Their grandparents’ will left the property to them equally and stipulates that they have to agree.”
    â€œBut why leave it to rot?” Maddie wondered aloud. “What does that accomplish?”
    â€œAt first I think Annelise just wanted to preserve the time before her life fell apart,” John said. “Then I think she convinced herself that there might be clues to what happened that night that would clear her mother’s name and explainwhat really happened.” He shook his head sadly. “She’s become quite addicted to
Forensic Files
and
Cold Case
and the like and has been trying to get the case reopened for a decade. But then, she’s never been a big fan of reality. She’s always been somewhat . . . fragile.”
    Kyra stopped shooting. Slinging the video camera over one shoulder, she bent to pick up Dustin,