‘Or?’

Graham’s piercing eyes locked onto hers. ‘Sorry, Laura, but we have to look into the possibility of suicide.’

Laura’s tone remained even. ‘Like I said before, I want all possibilities explored – no matter where they lead.’

Graham nodded. ‘Okay, let’s get started.’

‘What do we do first?’

The sheriff let a small laugh pass his lips. ‘We?’ he repeated. ‘There’s no chance I’m going to convince you to let me do this on my own, is there?’

‘None.’

Graham shrugged. ‘Well, I always wanted a beautiful partner,’ he said. ‘Okay, the first thing we should do is find Gina Cassler.’

‘Who’s she?’

‘An old friend of mine,’ Graham replied, ‘and the owner and manager of this hotel.’

Gina Cassler was a stately-looking woman in her early sixties. Her neatly bunned hair was gray, her posture straight, her head held high in the air. She wore a gray business suit and her personal appearance was perfectly groomed and manicured. It made a shocking contrast with the cluttered desk she sat behind. Files and loose sheets of paper formed three-feet alps over what Laura assumed was a nice wood finish. Occasionally, papers floated onto the floor but Mrs Cassler didn’t seem to mind.

‘Jeez, Gina,’ Graham said with a shake of his head, ‘how can such a beautiful dame be such a slob?’

Gina waved her hand as if to dismiss him. ‘Still a charmer, eh, Graham?’

‘Trying.’

‘And who is this lovely lady with you?’

Graham turned toward Laura. ‘This is Laura Baskin.’

‘Ah, yes, the founder of Svengali,’ Gina said, gently shaking Laura’s hand. ‘I bought one of your suits last time I was in San Francisco. I understand you’re going to start marketing here in Australia.’

‘Yes.’

‘It’ll be a big hit, I’m sure,’ Gina said with a smile. ‘Now what can I do for you, Graham?’

‘We’re investigating the death of Mrs Baskin’s husband. Did you hear about it?’

‘Of course,’ Gina replied. ‘It was all over the papers and telly. Such a terrible thing. We haven’t had a drowning in this region in what? Three years, Graham?’

‘Two and a half,’ he corrected.

‘Whatever. And I read he was a good swimmer.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m very sorry, really I am.’

‘Thank you,’ Laura said.

Graham cleared his throat. ‘Gina, we need to see a list of your clientele for the time period surrounding Mr Baskin’s death.’

Gina looked puzzled. ‘A guest list you mean?’

‘Right.’

‘From June?’

‘June 17th.’

‘That’s almost six months ago.’

‘Five and a half,’ Graham corrected.

‘We don’t have them.’

‘What do you mean you don’t have them?’

‘We don’t save daily rooming lists,’ she explained.

‘Sure, we have a customer list in the basement but it’s not done by the dates they stayed here.’

‘There’s no way we can find out who stayed in the hotel on June 17th?’

‘None. Unless… wait a sec.’ Gina looked up, her face scrunched in concentration. A few moments later, her eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. ‘Are you looking for a foreigner?’

‘What does that have to do – ’

‘Just answer my question, Graham,’ she interrupted impatiently. ‘Are you looking for a foreigner?’

‘Probably. Why?’

‘The passport cards.’

‘The what?’

‘Each foreigner has to leave his passport at the front desk so we can fill out a passport card for them. Immigration collects them and keeps them at town hall.’

‘Can you get the ones filled out on June 17th?’

‘It would probably be faster if you made the request, Graham.’

The big sheriff shook his head. He did not want the government involved in this case yet. ‘I’d appreciate it if you took care of it. Just say you need it for tax purposes or something.’

Gina shrugged. ‘No worries. It’ll probably take a couple of days. Red tape and all that, you know.’

‘It’s important,’ Graham stressed. ‘I also need to see your long-distance phone bills for that month.’

Gina released a long whistle. ‘Look around you, Graham. Do I look like the type who saves old phone bills?’

Laura’s eyes scanned the disheveled room and cluttered garbage cans. The answer was obvious.

‘I need those phone bills.’

‘My nephew works for the phone company in Cairns,’ Gina said. ‘He’ll be in the office tomorrow. I’ll give him a call.’

They thanked her and left.

‘What next?’ Laura asked. ‘Do we go see the coroner?’

‘Easier said than done.’

‘What do you mean?’

The big sheriff opened the door for her. ‘The coroner who handled your husband’s case was not from around here.’

‘He wasn’t?’

Graham shook his head. ‘He was flown in from a place called Townsville.’

Stan heard Gloria’s key in the lock. He quickly rose and moved toward the door. When she opened it, Stan grabbed her and kissed her passionately.

‘Welcome home.’

Gloria beamed. ‘You certainly know how to greet somebody.’

He took her briefcase from her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. ‘I missed you.’

‘I missed you, too,’ Gloria enthused. ‘Mmmmm, what smells so good?’

Stan put the briefcase down and took her in his arms. ‘I did a little grocery shopping and decided to cook us dinner.’

‘You made dinner,’ she asked, ‘for me?’

He nodded. ‘So how was work?’

‘Good, but busy. Laura was away.’

‘Where did she go?’

Gloria shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. Estelle said she had some business to take care of somewhere and just decided to take off. What are you cooking in there? I’m starving.’

‘Pasta Primavera.’

‘Mmmm. I love pasta,’ she enthused.

‘It’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes.’

Silently, Gloria took his hand in hers and led him onto the terrace. They sat on the love-seat together, their fingers still intertwined. Gloria closed her eyes for a moment and rested her head on his chest. ‘I love this,’ she said.

‘What?’

‘Everything about us. I’ve never been so happy.’

Stan gripped her hand. ‘I feel the same.’

They sat back and just watched the Charles River. More than anything else about his relationship with Gloria, this part amazed Stan the most. They could just sit together without speaking, just enjoying the experience of being with one another. It didn’t make any sense to him. Gloria was different from any woman he had ever known. She did not ramble on incessantly, trying to say something ‘meaningful’ or ‘deep.’ She did not pester him about not finding a job yet. She never even mentioned the one hundred thousand dollars he owed her. Gloria was content to just be with him. She demanded nothing of him and, as a result, he gave her more than he had ever given to a woman.

A few minutes later, Stan rose to get dinner ready. Gloria followed him into the kitchen. ‘Laura left us a message,’ she began.

I bet, Stan thought. ‘Oh?’

‘The Celtics are retiring David’s number at the Boston Garden Saturday night. It’s the Opening Game of the new season. She said she’d appreciate it if we were both there.’

‘Both of us?’

Gloria nodded. ‘You were his brother. I know you and Laura don’t see eye-to-eye yet, but she’ll come around.’

‘Don’t count on it.’

‘I’d like to go, Stan. I think it’s important that we’re both there.’

Stan sprinkled a little Parmesan cheese over the pasta. ‘Okay,’ he said, ‘tell your sister we would be honored to attend.’

‘My parents will be there too. So will my aunt. It’ll be a nice opportunity for you to meet them all.’

‘I’d like that,’ he said.

Gloria lit the candles and dimmed the lights. Stan watched her move about the room. Though he would never admit it to himself, he loved to watch her move, loved to watch everything she did. She was so goddamn kind and gentle that sometimes he wondered what she was truly up to. What was her angle on all this? What was she after? What did she want from him? Was her tenderness nothing but an unfamiliar ploy to lull him into an unprepared state, a state where she could get her hooks into him and take control?