Suspicion At Sea - Amie Nichols Page 0,1

he has absolutely no control over what I do. Never has, and it frustrates the hell out of him.

“Love you,” I tell him before I hang up the phone. Once graduating with a degree in criminal justice, I was accepted into the FBI training program. After my parents were murdered in a home invasion I focused on nothing else but bringing their killers to justice.

Being an only child, I have no family other than an aunt I never talk with. The last relative I was close to was my grandfather, and he died four years ago of a heart attack. Cody is the closest thing to family that I have and I love him to death. He has been my rock; my solid foundation that always brings me back down to earth when needed.

He's six-foot-two, muscular with chiseled features, and the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. The ladies love him, but right from the start he took me under his wing, brotherly almost. I've never thought of him in any other way than family.

Chapter 2

I pull up to the B&B where I had rented a room. I decided a homey feel would be more relaxing than a hotel. The house is right on the beach with the front facing the road and the back facing the ocean. It is large and built on gigantic round pillars; much like the other houses on this stretch of road.

Parking my car on the road in front of the house, I throw my purse over my shoulder and pop the trunk. I balance my duffle bag and makeup bag on top of my large rolling suitcase, and when I think I have it, I start to roll it down the walk. I've always been a one trip kind of girl. I get it from my father, and it drove my mother nuts.

I smile thinking of when they moved me into my dorm freshman year. My father and I were determined to get everything in one trip. It took us forever because we kept dropping stuff and having to resituate. Laughing so hard our stomachs hurt, my mother mumbled under her breath the whole way about how stubborn we were.

My smile fades as I feel the loss of my parents. I always do this. I remember a happy time, but it gets crushed. They were brutally murdered, and the reason I was part of one of the largest and most successful undercover operations to date.

The sign on the door says 'welcome, please come in'. Turning the knob and opening the hefty wood door, I maneuver my bags into the foyer. Stepping into the front room, there's an older woman with gray hair sitting in a rocking chair reading a book. I clear my throat since she hasn't seemed to notice me yet.

“Oh dear.” She jumps at the sound. I told her on the phone what time I would be arriving.

“I'm Ellie Marks, we spoke on the phone a few days ago,” I introduce myself, wondering if I have the wrong B&B.

“Oh yes, I wasn't sure you were still coming with all the rumors,” she says, getting out of her chair with a grunt.

“Excuse me, rumors?”

“You know, the aliens,” she says high-pitched, her hands going up in the air. I stare at her wondering what in the hell she is talking about.

“Aliens?” I repeat, not knowing what else to say.

“Everyone's chattering about it, so I just figured you weren't coming,” she announces like it makes complete sense.

“I don't know what you are talking about, but—”

“Well of course you don't; you're not from around here,” she interrupts me and her eyes do a half roll. “How would you know, silly girl?”

Okay, either I am really missing something or this woman is bat shit crazy. I'm leaning towards the latter.

“Well, aren't you a pretty little thing. I can't believe you are staying here alone.” She does a one-eighty and grabs for my makeup bag. “Let me show you to your room.” She takes off toward the stairs. I'm still standing there dumbfounded when she turns to me once she reaches the bottom step. “This way, dear.” She waves her hand for me to follow her.

I walk up behind her, she opens the door to my room and stands aside while I enter. It's a very open large room with a couch and chair, and a bay window overlooking the ocean. There are French doors leading out onto a private deck and a second room with a king-size