Six couples receive mysterious invitations for an all-expense-paid stay at the private island resort of a notorious billionaire, with only the names and a few vague ideas of whom the other guests are. Why they were all chosen, and for what purpose – they would have to accept to see.

The one commonality they do have, is each are major characters in individual stories I have posted on Wattpad.

Verna Scott/Richard Hart                                                                                   (The Necklace/Humpty Dumpty Circumstance)                   ­­­­­­­­­­­­­---------------------------------------------------------

"Malcolm Forrester, the entrepreneur."

"Never heard of him."

"Of course not. He isn't on Road Runner cartoons."

"Well then, he can't be very important."

"Well, he must think we are, Hart, because he has invited us to a couple's convention on his private island in the Gulf of Mexico."

"Let me see that. Probably some time-share scam."

"Well if it is, he picked some very unusual people to try to scam then."

"Are you saying we're unusual?"

"Cartoons, Hart?"

"Road Runner cartoons aren't all I watch, Verna."

"Well I'd like to go. We can always leave if we don't like it."

"What about work?"

"Harry can find a replacement for a week."

"I meant mine."

"Now that is funny. When was the last time now?"

"Being a private detective isn't a nine to five job, Verna."

"Good, then you can get away without any trouble. I've already accepted. Everything is paid for and we are going."

"You won't have turkey wraps, you know."

"I can manage for a week."

"When does this all happen?"

"Go home and pack, Hart."

Those eyes . . . the green tint . . . those magnificent eyes!

Gretta Lawrence/Arny Wainright

(A Matter of Trust/The Peruvian Affair/From The Grave/Another Kick at the Can)

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"Please don't tell me this is another Congress mission you just have to take on."

"Truthfully, it's not. It's an invitation to a convention on this man's island."

"What kind of convention? Who is this guy anyway? Why us?"

"In order of exasperated queries, a couple's convention. The man is a Mr. Malcolm Forrester, a billionaire entrepreneur. And us because we are a couple, Arny."

"What's the catch? It's the Congress isn't it, I can smell it?"

"Wrong, lover. It is a genuine invitation and I think it sounds mysterious enough to accept. Read it for yourself."

"How do you know who he is?"

"Well, I looked him up and would be happy to give you a little background."

"Right, another Gretta Lawrence encyclopedic speech."

"You can always wait until we get there and ask around yourself."

"You accepted didn't you?"

"Want that background, lover?"

"Just a thumbnail please."

"Malcolm Forrester, billionaire playboy and entrepreneur. He lives part-time on the island we have been invited to. He has residences in a number of capital cities and his mountain top estate in Marbella is the jewel in his crown. Associated with crime, politics and very, very big business."

"And he wants to spend a week or so with us. Right."

"Neat, eh, lover?"

"Who are the others?"

"Sorry, that info isn't included in the thumbnail."

"I don't know, I've got a lot on my plate at work--"

"Wrap it up to go. I accepted."

"Swell . . ."

Billy Estrada/Miller Hunt                                                                                   (Room with a View)                                       ----------------------------------------------------------

"This was addressed to both of us! How would anyone know?"

"I have no idea, Miller, but obviously someone does."

"Is this some- some old client?"

"I don't know if I should even consider answering that."

"Hey, be fair. You did- you were a- an escort, Billy, remember."

"Believe me, Miller, if I had escorted a billionaire I would remember . . . he would remember."

"A billionaire?"

"Yes, and one who has been in the news from time to time."

"Why"?

"Because he's a billionaire, Miller. They're always newsworthy."

"I meant why would a billionaire want to invite us to his private island resort?"

"Best way to find out is to go. Right?"

"Are you sure he couldn't be someone from when--?"

"Drop it, Miller. I'm accepting, whether you come along or not. I want some downtime, in the sun again . . . someplace different."

"Are you sorry you made the decision you did?"

"Only when you keep pestering me about it. I made it because I wanted to, Miller. I love you, okay?"

"Well, it's just that you- well you had more to do, before me."

"Miller, six months of the year I still do more. But now it's more of a public relations business at dad's resort, and a lot safer. You are a chronic worry wart."

"Hey, Billy . . ."

"Let's do this, okay?"

"Do you even know who any of these other people are?"

"Nope and I don't care. Maybe we'll get a room with a view."

Her grin said it all – and he loved her like crazy.

"Ah, yes, I have the Casa Faro . . . by request." He embraced her mood and recited the imagined pickup line from when they first met. "I like to be away from the tumult on holiday, when I'm watching unbelievable sunsets from my balcony, enjoying a tall drink. Perhaps you'd like to join me there and maybe stay the night."

"You should have used that at the time, Miller."

"Like you would have fallen for it . . . I saw the smirk, Billy."

Deborah West/Gordon Hardy                                                                         (Stray Dogs)                                                     ----------------------------------------------------------

"Gordon, did you read this mail?"

"No time, I was skimming the pool."

"Well you better take a look."

"Why, what is it, more bills? Cancellations?"

"Nope, it's a weird invitation."

"To what?

"A couple's convention on a private island in the Gulf of Mexico."

"Yeah, you wish."

"See for yourself."

"What the hell is this? Timeshare I'll bet. The whole week or so would be spent listening to sales pitches and touring villas."

"Gordon, did you read who it was from?"

"No, Deb, I didn't. Who is Malcolm Forrester?"

"Only one of the richest men in the world."

"Really? And you know this how?"

"I read, Gordon, news and magazine articles, not just the sports page."

"Fine, okay. So what does he want, a weekend here at the Posada de Jardines in exchange?"

"I don't know, but we haven't been away from the hotel for ages. An all expense paid holiday sounds like a great opportunity."

"Deborah, you forget I also have an obligation as mayor here. I can't just pick up and leave."

"Well I'll be sure to send a post card."

"Oh, good, and who looks after this business while we're gone?"

"We have two bookings confirmed for the month, Gordon, and the council is busy with the summer rodeo parade."

". . . I guess I could slip away for a short time."

Desdemona Jones/Parker Nevens                                                                   (The Comic)                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------

"Ms. Desdemona Jones and Mr. Parker Nevens are invited to spend an all expense paid week at a couple's convention on the private island of Mr. Malcolm Forrester. Date, time, blah, blah, blah. Did you see this Parker?"

"What is it selling?"

"Nothing, it's an invitation . . . a real invitation."

"And why did we get it? How did this guy even find us?

"He must have seen your act."

"Oh, that's funny, Des. You want to give me a hard time about my material now?"

"I'm not going to get into a battle of wits, Parker . . . I wouldn't fight an unarmed person."

"Oh now you're using my material against me."

"I'm teasing you, Parker, and I wouldn't do that. Your material leaves an impression."

"Thanks for that, Des."

"It's corduroy."

"We're going to this island aren't we?"

"Okay, if you say so."

Jessica Stroud/Jeff Bowen                                                                              (When First We Practice . . .)                              ----------------------------------------------------------

"I ran him, through our database. He's well known in the financial world, a billionaire with holdings all over the place. He has a history of criminal activity but no record. Malcolm Forrester is more than capable of flying below the radar."

"What do think this is about?"

"I don't know, Jeff, but my people want me to accept and see just what it is all about. This could prove very interesting indeed."

"So is this a case now?"

"Not officially, but he is a fixture on law enforcement's watch list - all over the world."

"So you are going then."

"We are going. It's couples and we're a couple . . . right?"

"You don't think it has anything to do with the last time we vacationed on a Caribbean beach, do you?"

"Only one way to find out, partner, try again. No?"

"And my name is on the invitation too?"

"I'm not a couple by myself, Jeff."