Help me, Dane.
He could remember her words so clearly, and now, with the lowering sun bringing the onset of evening, he found himself hearing their echo over and over again.
There were things he should be doing. But he had searched the beachfront over and over again, and he had found exactly what he had expected: nothing.
His first response upon examining the photo shoved under the door had been to search, regroup, search again, then think it all out and search for a third time.
No, his first response had been shock. Then sorrow. Deep, gut-wrenching sorrow.
Then had come the knowledge that he was being framed, and that no matter how hard he searched he wouldnt find fingerprints or proof of any kind that anyone but he had been on his private beachwith Sheila.
Who had hated Sheila viciously enough to kill her? Who was cunning, cruel and psychoticand held such a deep and maniacal sense of vengeance against him?
HEATHER GRAHAM
HURRICANE BAY
This book is dedicated with the deepest gratitude to
many people.
First and foremost, Choly Zequeira. You are a saint.
Sonia Fraser, Kettia Gaspard and Fay C. Watson.
Thanks for so much.
The incredible folks at St. Philips Episcopal
Church, Reverends Eric Kahl and Jennie Lou Reid,
David Karcher, Joyce and Glenn Downing,
Vida Welborne, Ron Theobald, Sylviane Sacasa,
George and Myrtice Hektner, Patrice Fike, Judy King,
Julie McCready, Ellen Sessions, Lee Turner, the Right
Reverend and Holly Richards, Manny and Laverne Diaz,
John Dickason and Kris Charlton.
For the Southeast groupespecially Doris McManus,
Audrey Fetscher and Rocco.
Sincere thanks also to Dr. Antonio Ucar, Max Sanchez
and Omar Garcia.
And with the greatest respect and appreciation to three
special Metro-Dade policemenSergeant Greenberg
and Officers Mallon and Szolis of the Kendall division.
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
EPILOGUE
PROLOGUE
Web loved the Florida Keys.
In fact, his old nickname, Web, had been born there. So few people knew that name. It was special and unique, to a time as well as a place, just like the islands themselves.
Like pearls cast against the ocean, the Keys meandered down from Miami in a southwest string of dazzling and opalescent beauty. The water lay on both sides of the many islands, shimmering in shades of aqua, blue, green, ever varying with the different depths. There were two ways to leave the mainland behind, Card Sound Bridge and US1, and once those routes were touched, the magic began. There was nothing in the world like sunrise on the Keys, the sun arcing into the sky in shades of crimson ecstasy, the heavens flaring with sudden light, golds as brilliant as the reds, pastels streaking from the bright colors with a soft beauty that seemed to caress the soul. Sunsets were even more heavenly, when the fiery globe of day began to fall in slow majesty, creating a new realm of color, magenta stretching fiery fingers out to the horizon, fading to threads of yellow-tinged pink and mauve, until silver and gray began to seep in and finally the orb of the sun disappeared with a last gasp of steaming gold and darkness fell.
There were few other places where darkness could be so complete.
Not, of course, on the beaten path. Not where the clubs stayed open, and the hotels and motels offered streaming lights for their clientele, and not where the laid-back Tiki bars still sent out soft beacons of welcoming, come-hither brightness. But away from civilization, where nature still prevailed, the darkness could be as complete as a stygian hole, as fearsome as a hell crawling with tiny demons, ready to eat away flesh and go deep enough to consume a human soul.
Ah, darkness. It could offer so much. Sweet secrets and sins, a place in which to hide
And so it was at night, in the darkness, that Web waited, reflecting on the mystery, beauty and romance in the solitude of night and nature. And the task at hand.
There was an element of danger, of course.
A small elementbut enough to give a little edge to the thrill.
There were those who thought of Key West as the main draw. But Web found the upper keys far more welcoming and natural. Close to the heady civilization of Miami, far enough away to offer the reefs, the sunrises and sunsets
Not to mention shadow and darkness. An aura of mystery in which to meet her tonight. A surprise, of course, since she would have no idea of all hed planned, the night, the breeze, the salty-sweet scent of the air, the beach
Eternity.
She was so beautiful. Even more so when caught in shimmering rays of lightand shadow.
Web had planned tonights event meticulously. Everything before her arrival had been set, and everything to follow was arranged to a T.
Almost.
The day had fallen into place perfectly, but now, as Web waited, the timing began to go awry. All the magic would be lost if she did not arrive soon. And this had to be the night, the night when so much would be solved, when reckoning would be met.
Webs watch ticked away the time. Minutes passed, then more minutes. Frustration, nervousness, set in.
Leave it to Sheila to be late.
It gave him time to reflect.
Every move she had ever made touched Webs heart and soul.
She had to come. And soon. Or all the detailed plans, the ebony mystique of the night, the brilliant ecstasy of dawn, would be lost.
And thena sound.
Her car on the road.
Web switched on the portable floodlight.
The bright beam blinded her. It was like the wrath of God. Her car veering, she braked to an abrupt halt. Web calmly walked to the drivers side.
She shielded her eyes with a hand.
It might all have gone badly then. She might have had the window closed and the air on; it was cooler at night, but they were into the dead heat of summer.
But she had been driving with her windows open, luckily. It was a nice night. The air touched with coolness, a forerunner of the storm that would come in during the next day or two. The storm, of course, was part of the perfect plan.
Whowhat the hell?
She had seen Web, of course.
What in the world are you doing?
You agreed to meet me, he reminded her politely.
For a minute, only a minute. And I never said Id meet you here, in the frigging middle of nowhere.
She was angry and impatient at having her time taken up. Actually she was frequently impatient with anyone who wasnt in her favor at any given moment.
Its so lovely here. I wanted you here with me, to see and appreciate just how beautiful it is here. I wanted to give you the night. Web sighed. I take it youre not glad to see me?
Look, I just saw you earlier today. And I said Id see you again, so we can talk then. Briefly. Her voice had a husky growl to it that meant she was getting really aggravated. But I never expected you to half blind me on this godforsaken road. And you are an idiot. I could have hit you.
But you didnt.
You could have been killed.
Interesting thought. But to see you, and alone, it was worth the gamble.
Suddenly she actually saw Web. Are you wearing gloves? she asked incredulously. Its summer.
Being Sheila, she didnt have a clue.
Its not so hot tonight. Theres a storm coming in. They havent named it. Its not a hurricane, a tropical storm, or even a depression yet. But you can feel it. Soon rain will pound. Lightning will soar across the heavens. Thunder will sound like drums.
Great, she said, bored. Poetry. That really explains the gloves.
Ohtheyre just diving gloves.
Diving gloves? With a storm coming in? Youre going diving now?
Web ignored her question. I told you, I really wanted to see you. Alone.
Great. She tossed her silky hair and looked straight ahead at the road. Youve seen me. But we arent going to be alone. I didnt agree to any of this ridiculousness. I have to go. I havent got time for your games.
Youre so wrong. Youre going to make time. To spend the night on the beach. To watch the sunrise. Toappreciate. You have all the time in the world.
I dont! She frowned, growing wary.
Yes, you do.
Her frown deepened. You have a camera.
For taking pictures on the beach.
Were not taking pictures on the beach. Look, I mean it, I have to go. I dont want to run over your feet, so get out of my way.
No, no, you dont understand. Theres so much thats worth experiencing, especially before a storm. The colorsyouve got to see them. You never really see whats right in front of your face. You never sawme.
She was staring at Web, completely confused and dismissive.
Look
Sheila, you are going to see the sunrise.
Web tossed the floodlight into her car, then reached for her. Real alarm rose in her eyes as she read something in his.
Web meant business.
She tried to hit the button to roll up the window. Too late.
Let go! Im leavingnow.
She hadnt expected the strength in the hands that curled around her wrists. She gunned the engine, but shed put the car in Park.
Dammit, what is the matter with you? You cant make me
Oh, yes, I can. And guess what, Sheila? Im going to.
Web got the door open and forced his way in, shoving her aside.
She started to scream.
But there was no one there to hear.
No one except for the mosquitoes that buzzed so annoyingly in the darkness, the night owl, the mangroves, the stars cast in the velvet sky and the sea breeze that drifted over the island.
And Web. But he didnt care. He just smiled, and within seconds, he had her silenced.
He was determined that they would share the coming of dawn.
Eventually the sun rose against the morning sky, the colors brilliant, despite the billowing clouds of the coming storm. Soon, soonthe rains would begin.
See how absolutely beautiful? Web asked.
Her eyes were fixed on the horizon.
Really quite glorious, Web continued.
For once, she didnt argue. She just stared.
You are as beautiful as the sunrise, Sheila, Web told her. And I wont take long. I just want a picture or two.
Aim, focus, shoot
The camera was a Polaroid. Instant gratification. He only had a few minutes to lingerto see the light, the shadows, the colors of this world.
The time had come. The scene had been set. The plan had been meticulously made.
But there was more to do, and he had to take care. The task must be completed, nothing left undone.
And so Web began.
Later the sun was full up, and Sheilahad moved on.
Anticipation filled Webs soul. Delight, glee, that each detail of the night and the dawn had come to such perfect fruition.
Now
Patience. Web had to practice patience.
There was nothing left to do but waitand watch as the plan unfolded.
CHAPTER 1
Kelsey Cunningham walked into the Sea Shanty like a diminutive whirlwind.
Dane Whitelaw was stretched out on one of the lounge chairs beneath the palm-covered roof of the back patio when he saw her walk through the rows of crude wooden tables toward him.
Hed been sitting there downing draft Budweiser as if it were water, and it still hadnt dulled the brutal dilemma that pounded through his mind like a storm surge.
Hed come here, far off the main road, to sit in the breeze and watch the boats out on the gulf because it was something he often did. The norm for him. Usually, though, he didnt inhale his beer.
If hed expected something to happen after his recent discovery, it sure as hell wasnt her.
The minute his eyes fell on her, he knew she just meant more trouble.
She wore designer shades, a straw hat, sandals and a brief white halter dress. She was tanned, and her hair was a light honey shade, not the kind of color caused by endless days in the sun but a natural amber. She had dressed the part for a lazy, laid-back place like this oneshe was even carrying some kind of fruity, umbrella-laden drink in a plastic cup. She looked like a tourist, which maybe she was now.
She knew him right away. Well, naturally. He hadnt changed much. She, on the other hand, had changed. Despite that, he had known her the minute she entered his vision. And a single word had come into his mind.
Fuck.
What the hell was Kelsey doing here now?
She made straight for him with long, no-nonsense strides and stopped right next to his chair.
Even with the heat, she managed to smell like some kind of expensive perfume. She was well-built, smooth and sleek, nice cleavage displayed above the bodice of the casual white dress that still managed to maintain a strange look of elegance on her form. She had gained an edge of sophistication in the years that yawned between them. And she didnt seem to remember him with any affection, or that they might once have been considered friends. Still, Kelsey was a beauty. Always had been, always would be. And a torpedo of pure determination.
And, long ago now, she had determined to keep herself far away.
So what the hell was she doing here now? Today, of all damned times?
She didnt give him a chance to ask, didnt even start off with so much as a simple Hello.
Wheres Sheila? she asked, a sharp note of demand in her voice.
His heart slammed. The name hit him like a blow to the head.
Sheila? he said, forcing a quizzical frown to his lips.
Yes, Dane, wheres Sheila?
He studied her for a long moment. Hmm. Not, Hi, Dane, how are you? Or, Long time no see. How are you?
Dont get funny. And dont pretend you dont know what Im talking about.
Kid, Im not pretending anything.
Dont call me kid, Dane.
Sorry. You are still Joes kid sister, arent you?