“And the others?” Susan asked, momentarily distracted.

“Oh, crewing on some of the ships that take tourists out for deep-sea fishing, bartending… I can’t think of any more at the moment. But I can assure you that tearing around the island roads in those old Cadillacs that are used for taxis are jobs passed down from father to son. All the drivers know where to pick up their clients.”

“What time did you see them?” Susan asked.

“Around four. Right before my friends and I met for predinner drinks and a game, I guess.”

“You said you had lunch with her yesterday.”

“Yes, that’s right, I did.”

“And did she tell you that she was going to spend the afternoon with Jerry?”

“No, no.” Ro appeared to think for a moment. “I don’t believe either of us discussed plans for the day. That’s one of the nicest parts of being on vacation. You can just do things without planning. Free as a bird! At least that’s what I think.”

Susan didn’t bother to agree or disagree. “And did you happen to notice when they left?”

“No.”

“What about later in the evening?”

“I only wish I had! I saw Mr. Gordon eating dinner with your party, but I didn’t see them together again until last night on the beach.”

“And you said they were walking together on the pier at that time.”

“Yes. I did. I thought it was a little odd.”

“Why?”

“It seemed to me that Mr. Gordon was spending rather a lot of his vacation with a woman other than his wife. You know, I’m not the only person who noticed. That young couple-I can never remember their names-the ones on their honeymoon-were talking about it when I passed them by at dinner last night. The bride seemed to be concerned that her groom might treat her like that sometime in the future.”

Susan had noticed this particular couple cavorting in the pool, bronzed and bikini clad, as well as lying in the late afternoon sun, hands clasped. The bride wore a skimpy white lace bikini that had attracted Jed’s attention, as well. “I didn’t see them at dinner last night,” she said.

“Everyone who has been here for a while noticed. They arrived five days ago and have ordered from room service for most meals since check-in. My husband insists that they don’t want to get dressed for any reason other than to lie in the sun, not that they wear very much for that particular activity.”

Susan agreed. “But they aren’t the only ones wearing scanty swimwear. In fact, the first time I saw Allison she was wearing an amazingly tiny bikini.” That might have been exactly why she hadn’t recognized Allison, Susan realized. During summer visits, Allison had spent time at the Hancock Field Club and, as far as Susan remembered, had been seen only in a navy blue maillot-with a skirt.

“Yes, Allison was very proud of her figure, wasn’t she?”

“It certainly looked that way,” Susan said. She was interested in other things right now. “Was it odd that Allison spent so much time with Jerry? I mean, she was here alone. Did she… well, sort of team up with anyone else while she was here?”

“Let me think.” For the first time since Ro had introduced herself, Susan got the impression that her hostess was worried about how she answered the question.

“You said that you and she spent a lot of time together talking,” Susan prompted.

“I don’t believe I said a lot of time. We just chatted a few times. I like to get to know the other guests here. I told you that.”

“Yes, of course. It’s natural to talk to the person in the chair next to yours while you’re lying about the pool or whatever,” Susan assured her. Ro was getting nervous. Susan didn’t want their conversation to end just as she was about to learn something. “And I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you’re trying to help Jerry.”

“Well, he seems like a very nice man. And Allison seemed to think highly of him.”

There was a moment of silence as Ro seemed to realize that she had said more than she meant to-and Susan tried to figure out how to keep the revelations flowing. “Allison mentioned him and didn’t tell you that she had been his sister-in-law?” She finally settled on asking the question that most interested her.

“Allison never mentioned having a sister who was divorced.”

“Did she mention having had a sister who died?”

Ro was obviously shocked. “Her sister was dead? I never thought-no, no, she never mentioned that. My memory may not be what it once was, but I would have remembered that! So Mr. Gordon is a widower.”

“Was. He’s been married to Kathleen for almost ten years.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” Susan repeated the word.

“I thought I heard someone.”

“Who-”

A short, balding man, incredibly knobby knees shown off by his bright green plaid shorts worn beneath a purple polo shirt, had joined them.

“Ro, dear, we’ve all been wondering where you were. Did you forget our game?”

Ro, as if on cue, looked at her watch and gasped. “I had no idea it was this late!” she cried, standing up. “Everyone will think I’ve been terribly rude.” She turned to Susan. “You will understand if I dash off. My friends are waiting for me. The game cannot start without me.”

Susan stood up, too. “Of course I understand. My husband is probably wondering where I’ve vanished to, as well. I…” She didn’t know what else to say. “Thank you for-for showing me all this and talking to me and-and the drink,” she added quickly, moving into the Parkers’ bedroom and heading toward the stairs. “I guess we’ll see each other around.” Susan, feeling awkward, waved at the couple and started down the stairs.

She hurried across the first floor and back out onto the beach. She had gotten the distinct impression that Burt Parker was unhappy to discover his wife talking to her. Her impression was confirmed when these words floated down from the balcony:

“Meddling in the lives of others has gotten you in trouble before, Ro. I would have thought you had more sense than to get involved in a murder.”

TWELVE

Susan had hoped to speak with Kathleen, to assure her friend that she wasn’t alone, to start the investigation that would free Jerry from whatever hellhole the local police had locked him in. But she returned to her cottage to discover a note from Jed explaining-complaining-that he had not been able to find her, and as Kathleen had been given permission to see Jerry and hadn’t wanted to go alone, he had been forced to leave without talking with his wife. Susan, reading his message, realized he had been upset when he wrote it. Well, there was nothing she could do about that now, she decided, folding and putting it in the pocket of her shorts. She turned to leave the cottage and wondered what, if anything, she could-or should-do now.

She heard a knock on the door behind her and turned, hoping whoever was there would provide a solution to her problem. The worried expression on her face morphed into a smile when she recognized James.

“Mrs. Henshaw, your party signed up for kayaks today. I didn’t want to change your reservations or offer my boats to anyone else until I was sure you wouldn’t be wanting them. I-” He stopped and looked embarrassed. “I can’t say I know what to do in this situation.”

“Never had anyone die here before?” Susan asked, trying to sound casual.

“Oh, no, ma’am. We’ve had people die here. But not killed… except by love. Once.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, a few months ago this old guy came here. He must have been over fifty and he’d just gotten married to this young girl. Well, they scuba dived, kayaked, swam, ate and drank, and… and did what couples do on their honeymoon. And he was dead in less than twenty-four hours after check-in. Heart failure. He was too old to keep up with her. She should have married a young buck. At least, that’s what Lila said at the time. And he was not the only one,” James hurried on, possibly afraid he had offended her.