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“I’m pretty sure he didn’t have any intention of eating us,” I assured my friend.

“But then what was he doing here?”

“I have no idea.” I glanced at my human, who was sitting up and yawning, looking pretty bedraggled. Even under normal circumstances Odelia isn’t a morning person, but now she looked as if she’d gone through several spin cycles in a washing machine. So I decided to wait to tell her what had happened until she’d had her breakfast.

Still, it was a portentous way to start our trip. Nocturnal visitors filming us while we were sleeping? Not good!

Chapter 12

Breakfast was also an opportunity to meet some of the members of the production team. Kimmy was there, of course, but also her boss, Clint Bunda, a barrel-chested man with a head shaped like a bullet and gleaming like one, too. Either he’d had a close shave, or he was naturally hairless. Odelia was greeted with a cordial handshake, and so was Chase.

“I’m so glad Kimmy found you,” said Clint as he put his feet under the table. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. The couple who were supposed to come turned out to be marriedand pregnant! Which of course is strictly against the rules.”

“Well, we’re neither married nor pregnant,” said Chase, earning himself a laugh from the producer.

“Have the other couples arrived already?” asked Odelia.

“Yeah, I think they’ll be here soon,” he said, twisting his head to scan the dining room. “That couple over there is part of the lineup,” he said as he gestured to a young couple seated at one of the tables.

“They’re very young,” said Odelia.

“Yeah, most participants are,” said Clint. “Not everyone wants to jeopardize their relationship this way. The younger the more adventurous, and also the less invested in their relationship, of course. How long have you guys been together?”

“Three years,” said Odelia.

“Long time,” said the producer, nodding as he sedulously buttered his bagel. “And still willing to risk it all, huh?”

“Yeah, we’re planning to get married soon,” Chase explained, repeating the story they’d rehearsed. “And we figured the prize money would come in handy.”

Clint chuckled.“Getting married can cost an arm and a leg. I would know. My daughter got married last year, and it pretty much ruined me. I told her if she ever gets divorced, she’s going to pay me back—with interest!”

“Ha ha,” said Chase obligingly.

“Ha ha,” said Odelia pleasantly.

The only one who wasn’t laughing was Kimmy. She probably was used to her boss’s peculiar sense of humor.

The dining room was filling up quickly, and Odelia eyed the breakfast buffet eagerly.

“Don’t worry,” said Kimmy, leaning in as she caught Odelia’s look. “There’s plenty.”

She laughed.“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“Because I thought the same thing when I first came out here. This hotel is one of the best in the city.”

“We went out last night and I have to say the nightlife is impressive,” she said.

“I know. Did you go to Khao San Road?”

“We did! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people having such a good time.”

She and Chase had both been pretty tired, but had still walked around for an hour or so before returning to their hotel. The flashy lights, music and people everywhere had been intoxicating, and it was obvious Bangkok was a city that never slept—unlike them.

“The weirdest thing happened last night,” said Odelia the moment Clint had gotten up to chat with the other couple. “I woke up in the middle of the night and I could have sworn there was someone in the room with us, filming us with his smartphone. When I called out, he quickly disappeared.”

Kimmy frowned thoughtfully.“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.” She wasn’t, of course, still convinced it had simply been Max having a nightmare. When he’d repeated his story that morning, and added he’d had a real nightmare later on, this time featuring a cat-eating villainous figure, she’d been even more inclined to favor the nightmare story. Then again, Max was no fool. If he said he’d seen someone, it was better to check.

“Do you think there’s a way to see who it was?” she asked. “Security cameras in the corridor, maybe, or even the room?”

“I’ll ask hotel security,” said Kimmy, nodding. “I don’t think there’s cameras in the rooms, for reasons of privacy, but the hallways and corridors are probably watched.”

She got up, and so did Odelia. She’d been eyeing those little muffins and other pastries for a long time, and finally couldn’t resist the urge. And as she walked over, a young couple entered the dining room and glanced around. He was sporting an intricately cut hairstyle, with what looked like a name razored on the side of his head. It spelled ‘Hot Dude.’ He also was wearing shades and a tank top that showcased his chiseled physique. She was blond, extremely tan, and had a nose ring. In her daisy dukes and crop top she looked like the perfect candidate for Passion Island.

Odelia smiled in their direction, and opened her mouth to introduce herself, when they both pointedly ignored her and walked the other way.