“Then we’ve got to get hold of the U.S. embassy right away.”

“There are embassy representatives here already. One of them was looking for Kath. They’re probably together now.”

“So what do we do?”

Jed shook his head, obviously perplexed. “Wait and see, I guess.”

“Wait and see? Are you nuts?”

“What do you propose? I’m willing to consider any other suggestion.”

“I-I can’t think of anything,” she admitted.

Jed surprised her by reaching out and putting his arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t you snuggle over here next to me?”

“Jed, I know we’re on vacation, but-”

“Let’s try to look as though you’re upset and I’m comforting you.” He interrupted her protest and pulled her closer. “We need to talk and this is not exactly a private place,” he added in a whisper.

Susan got the idea at once. “What?” she asked, turning and snuggling her face into his chest where she was sure no one would overhear or overlook their conversation. “Is Jerry actually under arrest?”

“I didn’t hear anyone put it quite like that. He was asked to come to the police station in town to answer some questions about Allison. I thought it was pretty obvious that they knew about his relationship with her. Anyway, the woman from the embassy suggested that it would be a good idea to do as requested, and she went along with them without anyone questioning her right to do so, as far as I could tell.”

“And Kathleen is with someone else from the embassy? Where are they?” Susan asked, leaning back and gulping a deep breath of fresh air.

“I’m not sure.”

“What do these women do at the embassy? Who called for them?”

“I don’t know what their positions are, but they got here in a timely fashion and they seem to be respected by the islanders who are in control of the situation.”

“I suppose that’s good. But do you think we can trust them?”

“Trust them?”

“To help us. To make sure Jerry isn’t accused of Allison’s murder.”

“I don’t think that’s their job, Sue. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t go over to the office and make some calls. I thought cottages without phones were such a good idea when I read about them in the brochure, but it’s turning out to be a real inconvenience.”

“Who would you call?”

“Friends at home. Lawyers. Anyone who might know the law down here and what we’re becoming involved in-”

“Yoo-hoo! Henshaws! Up here!”

Susan and Jed turned and looked up. Standing on the top of the breakwater was a heavyset woman Susan recognized as one of the card-playing group. She smiled weakly.

“I need to speak to you and it’s a lot easier for young people like you to come up the steps than for an oldster like me to waddle down.”

Susan and Jed exchanged glances.

“Now I might be interrupting a romantic moment or I may not, but I really think we should have a little chat. It has to do with the murder.”

The Henshaws acted as one, moving up the stairs as quickly as their “young” legs could carry them.

“What do you know?” Susan asked.

“What’s happened?” was Jed’s question.

“I know that you’re going to need my help here. Why don’t we find someplace to sit down and talk-preferably in the shade. In all the excitement, I’m not sure I applied sunscreen evenly before I left my cottage this morning.”

“There are some umbrellas leaning up against the wall over there,” Jed said. “I could find James and ask him to set some up for us.”

“Oh, my. You could try, but I imagine James is somewhere with the rest of the staff, gossiping about this horrible thing. He’s one of the best of the staff, but under the circumstances, I think we will have to fend for ourselves.” She looked Jed up and down and then turned to Susan. “Perhaps you could ask your husband to bring us an umbrella or two.”

“Of course. Jed…”

“I’d be happy to set up an umbrella for you both, but then, perhaps, I should go make those phone calls we were discussing.” He looked at his wife, and Susan realized that he had decided she was better off dealing with this woman alone.

“That’s a good idea,” she agreed. “In fact, why don’t you go do that and… and we can go over to the restaurant, sit in the shade, and we can talk there.”

“Better yet, we’ll go back to my cottage, order room service, and sit on the porch. Number 16 with a seagull by the door, down by the breakwater. Your husband can find us there if he needs to.”

Susan couldn’t think of any reason to refuse. “You’ll let me know if Kathleen needs me, or there’s anything else I can do, won’t you?” she asked her husband pointedly.

“Sure,” he agreed, hurrying off.

Susan suspected he had missed the point. She was stuck talking with this woman whether she liked it or not.

TEN

“Now, I suppose I should introduce myself. I’m Rowan Parker. Most people call me Ro and you should, too.”

“I’m Susan Henshaw, but you seem to know that already.” Despite Ro’s previous statements, she was no frailer than Susan, and moved quickly over the cobblestone walkway toward her cottage.

“I make it my business to learn the names of all guests the very day they arrive. My husband says I’m nosy, but I’m just interested in the people around me. And, over the years, you wouldn’t believe the fascinating people I’ve met here.”

“So you’ve been here before,” Susan said, following Ro up the steps to her place. The cottages at this end of the resort were comprised of two floors. Ro headed for the stairs on the far side.

“There’s an intercom upstairs we can use to call for food. Damn inconvenient-we have to climb up and down a dozen times a day-but what can you do?” she said, starting up the stairs. “And, yes, to answer your question, this is our fourteenth year here. My husband likes continuity. I’m always suggesting we try something new, but he says when you like something you stick to it. He has a point, of course. Best not to be disappointed when you’re on vacation.

“Sit down and I’ll order us something to drink,” she continued as they reached the second floor. “It’s foolish to risk dehydration in the tropics.”

“Thanks,” Susan murmured, looking around. “This is fantastic,” she said honestly.

“Yes, the large cottages are quite roomy, and, of course, the view from the balcony is incomparable.” Ro nodded toward the open plantation shutters, which revealed a second-story porch facing the sea. “Go on out and have a seat. I’ve gotta use the little girl’s room, and I’ll be right with you.”

Susan wandered onto the porch and sank down in one of the pair of batik-covered wicker lounges. A substantial glass-topped trunk of woven straw was the only other furniture. A couple of back issues of The New Yorker and Bon Appétit had been flung down beside a worn paperback thriller. On the other lounge a pigskin binocular case lay open, containing what Susan suspected were very high-powered spyglasses. She was still staring at them when Ro returned.

“Bird-watching,” Ro stated flatly, seeing Susan’s interest. “My husband says it relaxes him. Can’t imagine why watching a bunch of flittery little birds would relax anybody, but you never really know with people, do you? Even if you’re married to them, you never really do know.”

Susan agreed that this was true and then tried to change the topic. “You seemed… at least, I thought you knew something about Allison’s murder.”

Ro moved the binoculars and sat down across from Susan. “I know quite a bit about Allison. And some of it just might have to do with someone killing her.”

“Oh, you should tell me. I…” Susan hesitated. She didn’t want to sound foolish, but decided she had no real alternative but to go on. “I have helped the police solve a few murders in the past.”

“That’s what I understand. That’s one of the reasons I came to you when I heard about the murder.”