“So they’re out.”

“Yes.”

“What about Joann and Martin?”

“Yes. How she nags him. Now if someone had to die, why couldn’t it have been her? My guess is that Martin would be a very happy widower, although he would never put it like that.”

“So they stopped at your table?”

“Yes, but not to see me. Ro was dummy and sitting with me, and Joann wanted to talk to her about a kayaking trip. She sat down and chatted for a while, managed to let everyone within hearing know that she was tired of kayaking with her husband-apparently he can’t keep up with her-and then they both headed over to the pool. Joann needed to work on her tan.”

“How about Peggy and Frank?”

“I don’t think I know who they are.”

“Good-looking couple. He has bright red hair. Around our age. They’re from Connecticut. They’re very athletic. Always swimming laps in the pool or taking off on long kayaking trips. They’re here on their second honeymoon and like to tell everyone about it.”

“Oh, I know them. They stopped by and talked for a while. In fact, she gave me a message for you. She wanted to be sure you knew about some sort of scuba-diving class that James is holding tomorrow afternoon.”

“Really… I’ve always wanted to try that. Remember when we were in Bermuda with the kids and Chad learned? He’s always said that was one of the best trips we ever took.”

“I think that may have had more to do with the bikini-clad instructor than the submerged flora and fauna.”

“Oh, well, I’ll probably be busy tomorrow anyway.”

“This trip sure isn’t turning out to be the relaxing vacation we planned,” Jed said.

“No, but it may be getting better. Lila is on her way here. With two police officers-oh, no.”

“What?”

“Those officers were here this morning. They think Kathleen only pretended to be assaulted. I wonder what they’re going to say this time. Now that she might have been abducted and her cottage searched.”

It turned out that the officers were in a rut. This time, however, it was Susan they didn’t believe. And this time they threatened her with arrest if she-or any of her companions-continued to waste the island police department’s valuable time.

TWENTY-NINE

Susan was so angry she couldn’t sleep. She was also nearly paralyzed with worry. Jerry was in jail. Kathleen had been assaulted and then disappeared. And Jed, her husband, the person she loved more than anyone else in the world, had been drugged. The police refused to help out, and apparently, the embassy couldn’t. Jed, claiming to still feel the effects of whatever had caused him to sleep all afternoon, had dropped off as soon as he lay down. Susan hadn’t even bothered to take off her robe, and finally tiring of trying to read, she put down her book and wandered out on the deck.

It was still early and Compass Bay was hopping. Susan leaned against the deck rail and watched the vacationers. The bridge players were still at it, sitting at a round table, illuminated by the lights of the bar nearby. She wondered if the convenience of the light outweighed the convenience of so much alcohol close by. The honeymooners were sitting together on the breakwater, their arms locked around each other. This really was a resort for couples. Susan spied two women she didn’t recognize chatting together by the pool, legs dangling in the water. They probably were here with the two unknown men sitting at the bar. New guests had arrived. Their vacations wouldn’t be tainted by Allison’s murder.

She spied Joann and Martin heading down the path toward their cottage. They would soon pass by her. She hurried back inside, not wanting to talk to them.

Getting ready for bed, she realized that, in the morning, someone was going to have to tell Jerry about Kathleen’s disappearance. She went to sleep hoping that somebody didn’t have to be her.

Jed’s long nap combined with a good night’s sleep had him up at dawn.

“Sue. Hon. I’m going to go see Jerry. I’ll tell him about Kathleen and… and I guess I’ll take it from there.”

Susan, drowsy with sleep, muttered agreement, punched her pillow, and rolled over to find a cool spot on the mattress.

She woke up an hour later and stared at the ceiling. She was alone. Her friends were in terrible trouble. Not knowing what to do, she decided to head over to the restaurant. Food didn’t sound terribly appealing, but a cup of coffee might be a big help.

She found a seat by the wall and, her back to the still empty restaurant, stared out at the sea. A young woman approached almost immediately, and Susan looked up, expecting a menu. She was handed a folded sheet of notepaper. “Your husband called. He said to give you this. I’ll find your waiter.” Susan grabbed the paper and opened it anxiously.

“I’m with Jerry. I told him about Kathleen, and while he looked a little worried, he didn’t seem unduly upset. I’m going to see his lawyer. Maybe we can do something here. You stay there and relax.”

Susan frowned. Just like a man. Jerry “didn’t seem unduly upset.” What did that mean? And how could she stay here and “relax”? Relax? Surely Jed knew she couldn’t relax while all this was going on!

On the other hand, Jed knew his message would be read by others, possibly the murderer. What, really, could he say? Susan boiled the note down to facts: Jed was going to stay in town. She should stay here. “Coffee. A full pot, please,” she ordered from a nearby waiter, busy setting the tables.

He dashed off and returned immediately, pot in hand. Susan sipped from the cup and felt her spirits rise. Jed must be planning to do something in town. He didn’t need her help. Now she had to decide where her efforts could best be used here.

She considered the various possibilities. The thing to do, she decided, was spend as much time as possible with the people who had known Allison here before she was murdered. There must be a connection between at least one other guest and Allison-and that person must have killed her.

“Would you like to order breakfast now?”

“Ah… yes. I’ll have the crab and avocado omelet and some fresh fruit.”

“Of course, Mrs. Henshaw. Shouldn’t take any time at all.”

Susan smiled and looked back at the water. She’d see who showed up next for breakfast. If logic and orderly investigation couldn’t solve this murder, she would just have to depend on serendipity.

As luck would have it, the next guest to arrive was looking for her.

“Susan Henshaw! You’re just the person to take my husband’s place this morning.”

“Doing what?” Susan asked, turning and looking up at Ro Parker.

“We’re taking the kayaks out to see the eastern beaches. They’re almost entirely deserted and well worth the trip. And, I don’t know about you, but I could stand to burn some calories.” Ro pulled up a chair, sat down, and lowered her voice. “We heard about your friend vanishing. I just want you to know that I, at least, don’t believe her vanishing act means she-or her nice husband-really did kill Allison. I just wanted you to know.” She put her hand on Susan’s arm and gave it what she probably thought was a friendly squeeze.

Susan knew anger would get her nowhere. “Thanks.” She leaned closer to Ro. “What are people saying about Kathleen?”

“Oh, dear. Well, I know she’s your friend, but I must say her stunt yesterday didn’t win her many friends here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, pulling a vanishing act makes her look very guilty.”

“But she was abducted. Her room was searched!”

“I know it looks like that. And I suppose it’s just possible. But, if you want to know what people think…”

“I do.”

“They think she’s taken off to try to deflect suspicion from her husband.”

“But her cottage-”

“She trashed it before she left. I don’t believe it, but you said you wanted to know what people were saying.”