We were exploring, Beth said.
We met a guy, Amber said.
Wicked cute, Kimberly added.
Beth groaned.
Wicked cute young, or wicked cute old? Ben asked, a sparkle in his eyes.
Wicked cute your age, or Aunt Beths agewell, I dont know, Amber said. Hes not a kid, anyway.
Ah. Ben winked at Beth. They trying to play matchmaker?
I hope not, she said too sharply.
So, he wasnt wicked cute?
Oh, no, he was good-looking.
But? Ben teased.
Not my type, she said quickly.
Amber sighed dramatically. The two of you are hopeless.
Hes a total stranger, and you dont go around trusting total strangers, Beth snapped.
Ben arched a brow. She tended to be the one who nagged him to lighten up on Amber.
Girls, go grab the barbecue equipment, will you? Beth asked.
Shes going to tell you about the skull, Amber said.
Skull? Ben had been fiddling with one of the tent poles. He went still, staring at Beth with a wary question in his eyes.
Kim stubbed her toe on something, andI think its actually a skull, Beth said.
Did youpick it up? Ben asked.
No, I thought you and I should go take a look. And then, if its what I think, radio the authorities. I didnt want to dig it up with the girls there, Beth said. She bit her lip. ExceptIm not so sure we should leave them alone on the beach.
Ben shook his head. Beth, this island has been a boaters paradise forever.
I know that.
The naval base has been closed for decadespeople who come here have boats and arewell, boat people.
I know that, too.
So? he said softly.
She cleared her throat, glancing at the girls, who clearly werent about to leave.
Ben, damn it! Remember that coupleTed and Molly Monoco?
What about them? Ben asked, frowning.
They were last seen here, on this island.
He sighed, shaking his head. So what? They had a state-of-the-art yacht and intended to sail around the world, Beth.
They disappeared. I heard it on the news several months ago, she responded stubbornly.
Ben let out a deep sigh. Beth, a friend called in, worried about them, thats all. They might be anywhere. The news loves to turn anything into a tragedy. He caught Ambers eyes and grimaced. Maybe your aunt does need to meet a tall dark hunk, huh?
Ben!
He was blondish! Amber said, laughing.
Okay, girls, you stay here and set stuff up, and Aunt Beth and I will go check out that skull.
I dont think we should leave them alone, Beth said.
Shes afraid of the guy we met, Amber explained.
Im not afraid of him, Beth protested.
Its all right, Ben said. I just saw Hank and Amanda Mason, and her dad and a cousin, I think. Theyre just down the beach. Girls, scream like hell if anyone comes near you, all right?
Amanda Mason. Great. Normally, the concept of Amandawho could be totally obnoxiousbeing around on the weekend would have bugged Beth to no end. At the moment, though, she was glad that the Masons were there on the beach.
Within screaming distance.
You bet, Kimberly said.
Unless its a really hot guy with a beer, Amber said.
That brought her father spinning around.
Just kidding! Amber said. Dad, Im joking. Aunt Beth? Tell him.
Shes just teasing you, Ben. Give it a break, Beth told him.
He rolled his eyes, starting off ahead of her. Why does she do that to me? he demanded.
Because you tend to be completely paranoid, and youre on her tail like a bloodhound most of the time, Beth told him, following him through the brush, pushing palm fronds out of her way.
Right, and youre not being just a little bit paranoid?
Ben, I honestly think we found a skull. Im worried with reason. If you make Amber crazy enough, then youll have reason to worry, too.
You wait til you have kids, he warned her, stopping and turning back to her. Shes everything Ive got, he said softly.
Beth nodded. So let go a little bit.
Shes only fourteen.
Just a little bit. Then shell come back to you and tell you all the wild stuff going on with her friends. Youve got to let her live a little.
He nodded, serious then.
They reached the clearing. It was empty.
Okay, I dont see any guy.
I hardly thought he would just stand around waiting, Beth said.
All right, then. Wheres the skull?
Right hereI pushed a palm frond over it.
She walked over to where they had been. Tentatively, she moved away the fallen debris.
There was nothing there. Nothing at all. It didnt even look as if the earth had been disturbed. I She looked at her brother. He was staring at her with skepticism. Damn it, Ben, the girls saw it, too!
So where is it?
I dont know! She stared around the clearing. There was plenty of debris about; area storms could be fierce, blowing hard against fragile palms and pines.
But though she kicked up every inch of the clearing, dragging away every palm frond and branch she could see, there was no sign of anything that so much as resembled a skull.
Then
Aha! she cried, and dug, only to dig up a conch shell.
Theres your skull, Ben said.
No, this isnt it. Ben, Im telling you, I saw a skull. And I didnt dig it up while the kids were here because it looked like there was still hair attached, even rotting flesh.
Come on, Beth. Youre too into CSI and Autopsy onetwo-three-four-and-up-to-fifty-or-a-hundred-or-whateverit-is-now. Im heading back to the campsite.
Ben!
What? he demanded, turning back to stare at her.
Im telling you, there was a skull. And then there was that guy
You know what, Beth? Im a guy, a lawyer, and yes, I tend to be a little nervous because I know the kinds of people who are out there in the world. Hell, I have a gun, and I know how to use it. But think about it, Beth. You just saw the guy a few minutes ago. And what you thought was a skull had to be down to the bone.
Not completely, she murmured, feeling a little ill.
Beth, Ben argued, how could a guy who just got here be responsible for a skull that may or may not exist, and, if so, is almost down to the bone? I am not going to ruin this weekend with my daughter and her friend, so please
She stood up, dusting off her hands again, lips pursed. She nodded. I know its the weekend. I know that its bond-withyour-daughter time. Yes, well have a good time. I promise.
He started back along the trail to the beach.
Beth hesitated. She felt night coming, felt the breeze whispering through her hair.
Could she have been mistaken?
No!
Damn it! She had seen it, and it had been a skull. A human skull. So where the hell was it now?
A chill settled over her.
Had he taken it?
Was the skull the reason he had come to the island?
The palm fronds around her began to whisper. She turned quickly toward the trail. Ben?
He started back along the trail to the beach.
Beth hesitated. She felt night coming, felt the breeze whispering through her hair.
Could she have been mistaken?
No!
Damn it! She had seen it, and it had been a skull. A human skull. So where the hell was it now?
A chill settled over her.
Had he taken it?
Was the skull the reason he had come to the island?
The palm fronds around her began to whisper. She turned quickly toward the trail. Ben?
Her brother didnt reply.
She glanced around quickly, then called out again, Ben! Wait for me!
With those words on her lips, she raced after him, clinging to the words he had said to her.
I have a gun, and I know how to use it.
But did he have it with him?
And what if the other guy had a gun and knew how to use it, too?
2
THERES YOUR GUY, BEN SAID as they walked back onto the beach. He pointed down a stretch of sand.
And indeed, there he was. Along with two other men, one dark and Hispanic looking, the other a blazing redhead, he was securing a large tent pole in the sand. They had respected the silent privacy rule all boaters who used the island obeyed, staking out their territory a distance away from anyone else. From where they stood, Beth couldnt make out the expressions of any of the men.
The redhead stopped working, however, elbowed Keith, pointed toward them, then waved.
Ben waved in return.
Youre not waving to your new hottie, Ben teased.
Hes not my anything, Beth retorted.
The girls were impressed.
The girls are young and impressionable, she snapped.
Her brother looked at her quizzically. What is the matter with you?
Nothing. Its just that, no matter what, I know I saw a skull.
Which we couldnt find.
No, she admitted. But Im telling you, there was something there. That guy was there, too. And now the thing isnt there, and the same guy is on the beach!
I can walk over and ask him if he just dug up a skull, Ben said.
She glared at him. And if he did, hes just going to say yes?
Beth, what do you want me to do? Ben demanded, shaking his head.
Be careful.
All right, Ill be afraid. Very afraid.
Ben
Beth, honestly, Im not ignoring what you said. But dont ignore what I said, either. Im capable of watching out for my own family. I never forget that I have two teenagers in my care when I take the girls out. Okay, you got spooked and you remembered that missing couple. But I read the stories, too. They wanted to explore the world, take off by themselves. They planned on an endless trip, on going wherever they chose.
But still, they justdisappeared, Beth said stubbornly.
Beth, its legal for adults to disappear, if they want to.
Their friends were concerned.
Maybe they wanted an escape from their friends, Ben suggested.
Who would do that? Beth demanded.
Beth, please. This is a weekend. Were here to have fun. Just let it go, okay?
She exhaled loudly in exasperation, spinning away from him and heading toward the girls. The were studying a Hollywood-gossip magazine and seemed to have forgotten that they might have stumbled across human remains.
But Amber looked up when Beth hunched down and joined them in the little outer room of their tent.
Was it a skull? she asked.
I dont know. It wasnt there anymore.
A strange look filtered through Ambers eyes.
Do you think he took it? Kim demanded.
Shh, Amber commanded. Hes here.
Beths head jerked around. The man who had introduced himself as Keith Henson was therestanding just outside the tents, where Ben had been building a small fire to cook their evening meal.
The other two were also there: the tall, lean, redhead and the darker man with the stockier, well-muscled build.
Beth overheard introductions and realized her brother was telling Keith that she had mentioned meeting him earlier.
Beth sprang into action, hurrying out. The girls followed her quickly. More introductions were made. The other two were Lee Gomez and Matt Albright.
Keith was still wearing the sunglasses, allowing no insight to his thoughts. He was smiling, however, and Beth had to admit that he was gorgeous, with classic bone structure that also offered a solidly sculpted strength. Lee Gomez was also striking, with his dark good looks, and Matt, though freckled, gave the initial impression of the charming boy next door.
Keith was just saying that they brought a portable grill and have enough fresh fish to feed an army, Ben said.
She stared at her brother. He wanted them to join these strangers?
Ive also made a mean potato salad, Lee offered, grinning.
We must have something to offer, dont we? Ben asked Beth.
The salad, Amber answered for her. We have chips, too, tons of soda and some beer.
Sounds great. Were right down the beach. Hopefully the alluring aromas will bring you right over, Matt said.
Well? Ben asked her.
Of course, Beth said, seeing no graceful way out of it.
We met some other people, down the beach on the other side, Keith said. They said they know you. Theyll be joining us, too.
Oh, the Masons, Ben said.
Thats right. The Masons are here, Beth murmured. She could see Hanks yacht, Southern Light, out on the water. She was a fine vessel, forty-five feet, forty years old, but her motor had been completely rebuilt and the interior redone. She was often referred to as the Grand Dame at the club.
Actually, Im not straight on exactly whos who yet. Except for Amanda, Keith said.
Of course hed gotten Amanda right. She was five-five, shaped like an hourglass, with blue eyes and light blond hair. Few men ever missed Amanda.
Theres an older man, Lee said.
Roger Mason, her dad, Beth said.
Hank has to be here, Ben said. Amandas cousin. The boats his.
Yes, right. Hank. And the other guy is
Probably Gerald, another cousin, Beth said. He lives just up the coast from the rest of the family, in Boca Raton.
Sotheyre all cousins? Matt asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
Hank, Amanda and Gerald are cousinssecond cousins, I think, Ben said.
He hadnt seemed to notice the hope in the question. He wouldnt, Beth thought. He was always too busy being a father.
Theres a young couple camping just beyond them, Keith said. Even though Beth couldnt see his eyes, she knew he was staring straight at her. Maybe you know them, too. Brad Shaw and a woman named Sandy Allison?
She shook her head. The names arent familiar. Again she looked out to the water.
She had missed the fourth boat because it was anchored just beyond Hanks Southern Light.
The last vessel was a small pleasure craft. She looked as if she needed paint, and she probably offered no more than a small head, galley, and perhaps room enough for two to sleep in the forward section. There were lots of small boats docked at the club, and some of thoseespecially the motorboatswere incredibly expensive.