Actually, I know who you should see, Bethany murmured.
Who?
Audrey Lynley, Bethany said.
Audrey? The We-went-to-school-with-her Audrey Lynley? Genevieve said. It was her opportunity to stare at Bethany as if she were completely mad.
Yes, Bethany said firmly.
Genevieve shook her head. Oh, come on, Bethany. She doesnt even pretend that anything she does is real.
Excuse me, but arent you the one telling me youre seeing a ghost? Bethany demanded belligerently.
She reads palms, Bethany. Or she pretends to read palms. And she does tarot cards. I think she even has a crystal ball and pretends to see the future in it sometimes.
Youre acting as if you dont like her, Bethany said.
I like her finemainly because she uses her act for tourists and she entertains themshe doesnt pretend she really has any answers.
What could it hurt to talk to her?
Genevieve sighed. If it got back to the guys that I was talking to her
Hey, shes an old friend. Theres no law against talking to old friends.
Genevieve shrugged and started to speak but broke off when she heard a voice calling them from outside her front door. Hey, in there! It was Victor. Are you guys ready yet? Im starving. Lets go.
Were ready, Bethany called back. Then she turned back to Genevieve and spoke more quietly. Ive got Audreys number, if you want it. Then again, shes got it posted all over Key West. If
I have her number. We live in a really small place, remember? Genevieve said softly, shoving Bethany toward the door. And dont you dare whisper a word of what Ive said.
Of course not, Bethany said.
Do you believe in ghosts at all, Thor? Bethany asked, sitting across from him at one of the groups favorite seafood places on Whitehead Street.
She was cute, he thought, and apparently an excellent diver, as well, with a round, charming face that made her appear even younger than her twenty-something years. There was a simple eagerness and honesty about her that was very appealing. Different, of course, from the way Genevieve Wallace was appealing. Genevieve seemed to throw off a musk of sensuality and sophistication without the least awareness. Bethany was like a puppy, ready to be cuddled.
Ouch! Bethany cried suddenly, reaching down for her leg.
Hed felt the kick. Genevieve was seated next to him, so there was no way he could miss knowing that she had kicked Bethany beneath the table.
Its an innocent question, Bethany said.
He glanced at Genevieve. She stared at him, her expression unfathomable. She was close to him. Very close, in the small booth. Once again theyd ended up together. Not that he would normally have had anything to complain about. Her perfume was subtle, an underlying tease. Shed worn yellow, a halter dress that contrasted perfectly with her dark hair and bronze skin, and set off the elusive green of her eyes. Her every movement aroused his baser instincts, a fact to which she seemed indifferent, maybe even unaware. She was accustomed to being with friends. She obviously took pride in her appearance but did little to enhance what nature had given her. He was in a polo shirt and shorts. The sleek feel of her legstretching out as she kicked Bethanyhad rubbed along his like a brush of living silk.
She smiled. Sorry. After the other dayyou know. She stared firmly at Bethany. Were not going to talk about ghosts.
I just asked if Thor believed in them, Bethany said.
No, he said flatly, and stared at Genevieve again.
Pass the bread, will you, please? she asked.
Have you been to our cemetery? Bethany persisted.
Bethany, drop it, Genevieve warned. He doesnt believe in ghosts.
I didnt say he did. If he hasnt been there, its kind of a cool place, thats all, Bethany said.
We used to try to walk the girls by there late at night and scare them, Victor put in from across the table, next to Bethany. It is a cool place. It was established in the 1840s, after a hurricane washed up a bunch of old coffins. You should check it out. The graves arent set up like in New Orleans, though there are a bunch of mausoleums. Theyre stacked on top of one another. Theres a nice little memorial to the Maine. And if you go by at nightits creepy. I tried to make out with Genevieve there the first time.
Genevieve let out a sound of exasperation. The first time?
He laughed. Okay, the only time. It was sad. She was three feet taller than me at the time. I needed a ladder.
Very funny, Genevieve told him.
He blew her a kiss.
We could take the ghost tour, Bethany suggested.
Genevieve groaned aloud. I do not want to take the ghost tour. I thought we were going barhopping?
We are barhopping, Alex said from the end of the table.
Actually, thats when most people see ghosts, Jack chimed in ruefully.
Yeah, the Hard Rock Cafe is supposed to be haunted, Bethany said.
Were not going to the Hard Rock, Genevieve said. She had sounded a little impatient and looked at him with just a hint of apology. The Hard Rock is fine, and the building is supposed to be haunted. One of the Currys committed suicide upstairs and a prominent citizen shot himself in front of the fireplace. The staff tends to be super nice and the food is fine. But you dont believe in ghosts anyway. Its still a fine place. Its just thatwere going to our local friendly favorite places. Hey, Clint is playing tonight, you know. Weve got to take our guests to hear Clint. She looked at Thor again. He can do anything. His own stuff, country-western, Buffett, the Eaglesand U2.
Hey, the girl down at Duffys is good, too! Marshall called.
Yeah, shes great, Genevieve agreed.
Their entrees came, some fish, some chicken, some steak. Just like the appetizers, their main courses were delicious.
Just then the check came, and Thor picked it up.
Genevieve turned to him. Are you going to put it on a card? Ill just give you cash.
Dont give me anything.
Its not as if were all on a date.
And its not as if Im paying. We get reimbursed for meals, he said.
Well divvy it up later? Marshall called to him.
Doesnt make any difference. Ill just put it on the expense report.
Marshall gave him a thumbs-up sign. Genevieve flushed uncomfortably and hoped no one noticed.
By the time he had paid the check and returned to the table, the group had risen and was milling outside the front door. This town wasnt as insane now as it was during Fantasy Fest or the dead of winter, when the snowbirds flocked down, but the streets in Key West were busy year round. People did what they called the Duval crawljust shopping and barhopping up and down Duval Streetinto the wee hours. In Old Town, shops, restaurants and bars often kept their doors open, air-conditioning wafting out onto the street. With the amount of people around them as they headed to the first bar, Thor didnt realize at first that both Bethany and Genevieve had disappeared.
In the bar, they found tables near the street-side door, far enough from the singer to be able to talk, enough inside that they werent deafened by the crowds outside. Champagne all around, Marshall said. We can toast our first find.
In the bar, they found tables near the street-side door, far enough from the singer to be able to talk, enough inside that they werent deafened by the crowds outside. Champagne all around, Marshall said. We can toast our first find.
Great. Where is the rest of our party? Alex asked. Genevieve and Bethany are gone. Why would Genevieve disappear? She and Thor were the ones who made the discovery.
Theyll be right back, Victor said.
Whered they go? Alex demanded.
Victor shrugged. Some errandI dont know. They know the path were following. Theyll find us.
Well, hell, I say we toast without them, Alex said, rolling his eyes.
We should wait, Lizzie said politely.
Toast, Marshall said, shaking his head. Theyll get here when they get here.
Champagne will give me a splitting headache tomorrowmind if I toast with a beer? Zach asked.
The sentiment went around. Marshall shrugged. Beer will be a lot cheaper. All right, beer all around.
Order two extraif our delinquents dont show up soon, well drink them anyway, Im sure, Victor said.
Thor glanced out the open door, letting the conversation flow around him.
Thanks to Genevieves height, he was certain he saw her.
She was just passing into an alleyway at the far end of the block.
Be right back, he said, and left to follow her.
This is nuts, Genevieve told Bethany.
Bethany stopped walking to stare at her. Genevieve had explained pretty much everything that had happened to her. Shed had to, since Bethany knew she wasnt prone to simply walking out into the surf in her nightshirt. Bethany had been practical at first.
No pirate bones are going to rise up and come get you, she had said thoughtfully. I mean, think about the time and the conditions. The sea, storms, sandthose skeletons are not intact anymore. Unless, of course, the pirates were buried. But then why would they be coming at you from the sea? Can you imagine being here after that storm when all the bodies floated up? Ugh!
Im sure the skeletons were just a dream, Genevieve said.
But you were all covered in seawaterand seaweed, Bethany said. And then you saw the ghost again.
But she was trying to help me. Thats whats so weird.
And thats why you have to talk to Audrey. I called her and told her wed have about ten minutes. Shes waiting for us. Shes a great researcherthats where she gets all her ghost stuff when she tells visitors whos following them down Duval Streetso she may know something after all. Hey, what can it hurt?
They had come to a small wrought-iron gate that led to a walkway between two buildings. A small cottage from the late nineteenth century was sandwiched in at the end of the walk. On the sign above the gate were written the words: Oracle; Tarot and Palm Readings. Appointments Suggested, Walk-ins Welcome.
Genevieve let out a sigh and opened the gate. Bethany followed her through.
Audrey was, as promised, waiting for them. She was standing at the wooden door to the house, opening it wide as she saw them arrive. Hi, guys! Amazing, we live and work in the same town and hardly ever see each other. But your new project must be really exciting, huh? Welcome. Come in, come in.
Audrey wasnt quite as tall as Genevieve, but she was a respectable five-nine, and she bowed a bit to give Bethany a hug, then reached up just a shade to welcome Genevieve. She was a pretty woman, with long dark hair and flashing dark eyes. Genevieve had been afraid she would find her old friend dressed up in a shawl and scarf, calling herself Madam Zena or something. But Audrey was wearing a simple, fashionably casual cotton skirt and halter top, with sandals.
Its great to see you, Audrey, Genevieve said, feeling guilty. They did live in an incredibly small community. Why didnt they keep up with old friends?
You look great, Bethany said.
So do you two. But then again, youre athletes, huh? Living in bathing suits, diving, diving, diving. So whats up? I cant believe you came for a tarot reading, she said, and looked curiously at Genevieve. Bethany said you only had about ten minutes.
Shes seeing ghosts, Bethany said cheerfully.
Audreys brows shot up as she looked at Genevieve. You? she said incredulously.
No, not really
Good God, tell her the truth! Bethany exploded.
All right, I think Im seeing a ghost near the site where we think a wreck is lying. But shes turned out to be a helpful ghost, Genevieve said, feeling ridiculous.
I can do some historical research for you, see what I can find. She shrugged and grinned, looking at Genevieve. Ive never, uh, seen a ghost. I mean, this is a cool way to make a living, but She shrugged wordlessly. AnywayIm sure I can find something if I look into your wreck more deeply.
Ive done all kinds of research, Genevieve said. Im still not sure who this woman might be.
Wait, Bethany protested. You said Gasparilla was in love with the captains daughter. Maybe thats who youre seeing. Maybe she spurned him and he drowned her.
Genevieve stared at Bethany. She didnt know why she hadnt thought of that possibility.
Yes, she did. She hadnt believed the first time that shed really seen a ghost. Shed been looking for a pranksteror the victim of a recent murder.
I dont know, she murmured. Thats an idea, certainly. She winced, looking back at Audrey. When I didnt freak out at the sight of her the second time I saw her, she led me to the first find.
Really? Audrey said, staring at her.
Dont you dare tell any of this to anyone, please? Genevieve begged.
Audrey shook her head. Dont worry, I wont. But if anything comes out of thisIm working on a book of Key West ghost stories right now. If theres something to this Gasparilla connection, can I use this?
Sure. But for the moment, if my co-workers think Im seeing a medium so I can communicate with the dead, I wont be working on this project much longer, Genevieve said.
Audrey smiled and said softly, Id never betray a friend. But, hey, let me see your palm.
Genevieve was tempted to lock her hands behind her back like a frightened child.
Give her your hand, Bethany said impatiently.
When Genevieve did so, she was instantly disturbed.
Because Audrey seemed disturbed. She frowned deeply, her mouth pursing. Interesting, she said at last.
What? Genevieve asked warily.
Oh, nothing, really. I just go by the books. Its all a lot of bull.
Audrey, what the hell do you see? Genevieve demanded.
Audrey stared up at her for a moment, then shrugged. See your lifeline? It doesnt stop herebut it suddenly gets very jagged.
What does that mean? Bethany asked.
Um. Wella tremendous disruption.
Like what? Bethany asked.
Listen, like I said, its all a load of shit.
Like what? Genevieve persisted.
Audrey shrugged unhappily. A disruption in lifecatastrophic illnessor a deadly peril. According to your palm, youre going to face an incredible danger. And theres a break that means you may survive it and