the lush tropical foliage.
Directly behind the main building were a well-maintained but lackluster pool and tiki hut bar. Flanking that were two rows of whitewashed cabins. And beyond all that was the ocean. A perfect golden beach, exotic trees, clear blue water. She sighed. Everything she’d been craving.
“Nice.” Stella jabbed her companion. “If you like sand in your crotch. I’ll take that.” She nodded at the pool and bar.
Her companion laughed. “You’re here for a psych eval, Stella. You might not be allowed any booze once they figure out you’re crazy.”
“Crazy like a fox,” Stella joked in return.
Kendall wondered what, exactly, their relationship was, especially after Juan showed them into the same room. Then it was her turn. Her guide led her to the cabin closest to the beach. This one was set off a bit from the others and, instead of having one door, it had two side by side.
“This is a split accommodation,” Juan explained. “Each space has its own amenities, but you share a common verandah and there’s a door separating the rooms which can be opened to provide a suite for families.”
“Who’s got the other side?” Kendall didn’t want to make a fuss, especially since she wasn’t paying for this trip, but she really wanted to be alone.
“Nobody right now.” Juan flashed her a broad grin. “But we do have a full house at Corazon del Mar this session.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Kendall took the old-fashioned key from him and let herself into the space. Her bags had already been delivered. The room was small and plainly furnished, but it looked comfortable. All she really wanted right now, all she needed, was to slip into her bathing suit and head out to the beach.
“The phone connects directly to the main building. Your schedule of events is there in your welcome packet. Breakfast is in the main house or by the pool from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m., and the other meals are listed in the packet, along with the planned activities. If there’s anything you need…”
“Thank you.” Kendall cut the young man off as politely as she could and wondered if she was supposed to tip him. Probably, but she had no ready cash. Juan backed out of the room with a little nod. He’d definitely expected a tip.
The door closed and Kendall took a deep breath, then gave the schedule a quick once-over. She tossed her carry-on to the floor and went to the bathroom to freshen up. To her surprise, the room looked as though it had been recently, and expensively, upgraded. While the main room clearly showed the years of wear and tear it had undergone while in the drug lord’s service, the bathroom could have been showcased in a home decorating magazine.
Kendall eyed the shower, big enough for two, and its multitude of jets and showerheads. A low bench ran along the back of the tiled wall, and built-in niches held small bottles of shampoo and lotions. A plastic-wrapped loofah sponge dangled from the towel rack.
For one grisly moment, Kendall allowed herself to imagine a reason why the bathroom had been remodeled. To remove bloodstains perhaps? She shuddered and forced the thought from her mind by crossing to the wide pedestal sink and splashing her face with cool water. According to the packet on the desk, she had barely half an hour before the orientation session and then a full panel of mandatory health screenings, including every blood test known to man.
She had just enough time for a quick wash and change. She stripped quickly and used a washcloth to clean her important bits, then pulled a dress from her garment bag. She touched the filmy fabric with hesitant fingers before yanking it firmly over her head. It had been too long since she’d worn anything this feminine or pretty. Her standard work attire was heavy boots, thick trousers and oxford shirts, complicated with a heavy weapon or two strapped to her in places that usually chafed. Now she slipped her feet into pretty open-toed sandals that took her five feet six inches up to a decent five feet eight.
She touched a bit of color to her lips and highlighted her eyes with shimmering powder and dark mascara. With her hair worn loose around her shoulders instead of in a tight ponytail, Kendall felt like a woman instead of an agent. She even spritzed on a light body cologne that matched the island’s tropical ambiance. She tucked her key into a small straw bag and was