Bens a lawyer, Roger explained.
What kind? Keith asked.
Ben laughed, a slightly dry sound. Criminal. I used to work for the D.A.s office, but now I get the scumbags off. Its a good living, butwell, I dont know how long I want to do it. He hesitated, glancing over at his daughter. Id like to get away from some of the ugliness. Im thinking about making a real switch into entertainment law or something like that.
Beth turned to Keith and asked pointedly, What do you do for a living?
She thought he hesitated for just a second before he said, Im a diver.
And you make a decent enough living? Hank asked.
Decent enough for what? Amber piped in.
Hank laughed easily. Well, enough to have friends like Lee with a boat like that.
Hey, the boat is his, Keith said.
Well, what do you do? Amanda asked Lee.
Nothing remarkable, Lee said. Family money.
I like that, Amanda said, and everyone laughed. The sound, however, had an edge to it, Beth thought.
Apparently Amanda had decided that Lee offered the best opportunity to go on living in the style to which shed become accustomed. During cleanup, she hung around him, flirting, giggling.
Later Ben sternly vetoed the idea of ghost stories, and the others agreed, staring at Beth. Someone suggested music, and a boom box appeared from somewhere.
As the music played and the conversation went on around her, Beth found herself thinking about the Monocos again. Was there some connection between them and the maybe-a-skull shed found? Or was she getting carried away worrying? As Ben had said, they were adults, and they could travel the world without reporting to anyone, if they chose.
Whether shed seen a skull or a conch shell, she was absolutely certain that people were behaving strangely.
The feeling of being in the middle of something she didnt understand sat heavily over her. The rest of them were acting like the world was a great place and everyone just loved everyone. Well, except Ben. Her brother seemed to be brooding, for some reason.
And Keith.
He had managed to hang back and avoid conversation.
He was watching, she thought. Watching everyone.
The thought gave her chills. And yetdespite his strange behavior, she was still drawn to him. She should have been wary, but, ridiculously, she sensed in him a kind of strength, anethic. Was she crazy? Was it only because she couldnt remember when she had met someone who so attracted her? But if hed wanted to hurt her, hed certainly had the opportunity, and he hadnt. Instead, hed protected her.
She decided that she wasnt going to say anything more to Ben or anyone else about the skull or her sense of uneasiness. But when she got home, she was definitely going to start finding out more about the Monocos.
On the other hand, maybe the need to know that seemed to fill her every waking minute now would ebb once they returned to real life. She would see Amanda and Hank again, and Roger and Gerald. But there was no reason to believe she would ever cross paths again with Sandy and Brad, or the independently wealthy Lee, Mattor Keith Henson.
The group split up late. Beth tried to act nonchalant as she made her way back to their site, but when she was curled up in her own tent, she realized that she still felt uneasy.
If he hadnt had any idea what Brad and Sandy were up to, why had Keith been so determined not to reveal their own presence?
She felt a hot flush rise within her when she remembered the way they had stood, listening, for what had seemed like aeons.
She lay awake, just listening, for a long, long time.
Then, just when she was finally relaxing into sleep, she heard something. A rustling. The wind in the trees? She strained to hear.
Great weekend. She should have been suntanned and relaxed. Instead she was a nervous wreck, more tired than when theyd started out.
In the night, she imagined that she was hearing all kinds of things.
At last, with a sigh, she untangled herself from her sleeping bag and carefully stuck her head out through the opening of her tent.
There was nothing around. No one to see. The night was silent.
She crawled out of the tent to stretch, then froze.
She wasnt alone.
Looking down the beach, she realized that what had appeared to be a shadow against a tree was a man.
The realization sent a flurry of fear snaking along her spine. She stood still, staring.
The shadow lifted a hand. Said, Hey.
Hey, she responded automatically.
It was Keith.
Barefoot, in her oversize T-shirt, she walked down the length of the beach to him. The night wasnt especially dark. In fact, it was beautiful. The moon was out, along with dozens of stars. The breeze was gentle, and it wasnt too humid.
Enjoying the weather? she asked.
It is nice, isnt it? he asked. He sat down and patted the sand by his side. Join me?
She hesitated, then sat. What are you doing? she asked him.
Enjoying the weather, just like you said.
Its the middle of the night.
I have strange sleeping habits.
Ill bet you do, she murmured.
He smiled, handsome face rueful. Is there a hidden meaning behind that? he asked.
She shook her head and looked away.
You just dont trust me.
No, I dont. She let out a sigh.
He laughed. By the way, what happened to your brothers friends?
Pardon?
The guys who were supposed to be joining you. You know, the great big lugs who can open beer bottles with their teeth.
She stared at him with a deep frown, having no idea what he was talking about at first. Then she remembered what shed said when they met.
I guess they gotsidetracked. Theyre not coming.
And they never were.
Okay, so I dont trust you much now and I certainly didnt trust you at all when we first met.
He looked forward again and spoke softly. Well, were not pirates, if thats what youre thinking.
I didnt suggest you were pirates. Pirates belong in ghost stories.
He shook his head, looking her way again. No. Modern-day pirates are very real. Ask your brother. Sail in the wrong direction and youre asking for trouble. Think about itthe sea is vast. You can be close to civilization, but on the water, far, far from help. Dont ever think of pirates as being something from the past!
She frowned, surprised that he had spoken with such passion.
Pirates, because of the drug trade? she asked him.
He shrugged. Pirates because some men will always covet what other men have. He watched her intently, then turned away again. And pirates because sometimes what another man has is knowledge thats worth its weight in gold.
The way he spoke sent shivers down her spine. She was sitting close to him, not touching, and she wasnt sure if she wanted to stumble quickly to her feet and say good-night, or move closer into the aura of his warmth. He was definitely a compelling man, built like rock and steel, with his strange easy smile and chiseled features. And chemistry.
She knew she should be drawing back just because she wanted to move so close. She realized in shock that she was envisioning sex with the man.
Not a good thing when she didnt trust him at all, much less what was happening here on the island.
He seemed to be warning her again.
Go back to your life tomorrow. Forget anything you might have thought while you were here. And for Gods sake, dont talk about it, he said softly.
She shook her head. Youre very scary, you know.
Am I? He looked away again. I dont mean to be. Its just a good thing not to get involved.
A good thing how? And involved with what, exactly?
He let out a sound of impatience, flicking at a few grains of sand from his knee. Youre trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, he said, shrugging. Just leave it alone. When you dig for one thing, you may find something else that you dont expector want.
The breeze seemed to grow chilly. She was silent for a moment. Just what is it that you know, or at least suspect? Why were you so determined that Brad and Sandy shouldnt see us today?
He groaned. There you go. I dont know or suspect anything. Hey, Im a diver, remember? I like the sea, the sand, the windgoing down deep where its peaceful and calm and the world doesnt intrude. I like fishing, islands, Jimmy Buffett and the easy life. So I keep out of things that dont concern me. And thats what Im strongly advising you do, too.
She stared back at him, shaking her head. Youre talking in circles, and the strangest thing is, no matter what you say, I dont believe you.
Oh? He arched a brow, features slightly tense, then easing as he offered her a rueful grin. Is that a challenge? Or an accusation?
Neither. Im just saying that I dont trust you.
How amazing. I never would have realizedespecially since weve just discussed that fact.
Youre sarcastic, to boot.
Sorry. If I bug you that much, you might remember that I claimed this tree first.
She stiffened and started to rise.
He caught her arm. Im sorry.
Ill leave you to your tree, she told him, teeth grating.
I said I was sorry. Its just that you came over here and started attacking
I didnt attack.
You accused me ofsomething. I just dont know what you want from me.
She hesitated, feeling his hand lingering on her arm. His eyes were so steady on her. So sincere.
Why couldnt she have met him at one of her brothers small get-togethers? At the yacht club, or on a local dive trip? Why couldnt he have been an old school friend of someone, anyone, who could be trusted? His touch was the kind that made little jolts of electricity tease the bloodstream, and when she was close to him like this, all she wanted was to touch and be touched.
She gave herself a serious mental shake. He wasnt one of her brothers old school friends, and she had met him under very strange circumstances. And she seemed to be having trouble answering him, though he wasnt pressing anything. He was just looking at her, and they were very close. Close enough so that she knew she liked the arch of his brows, the strength of his features, the way his jaw could seem as hard as a rock until his smile changed everything about him.
Beth, seriously, I dont know what you want
The truth, she murmured.
He released her and leaned back against the tree, looking up at the night sky.
The truth? he asked, sounding edgy again. I dont know anything about anything. My motto is simply to be very careful. Thats the truth. I just think you should be careful, too, thats all.
Because Brad and Sandy were behaving suspiciously?
Because you think you found a skulland youre pretty much letting everyone know.
It was her turn to be aggravated. There you gotalking in circles again. I think I found a skull. If I didnt find a skull, then what is there to be worried about?
Maybe nothing. Probably nothing.
Do you know youre incredibly exasperating? she demanded.
That rueful smile slipped easily into place again. Do you know the line that should come after that one? Lets see. Youre incredibly beautiful. I dont think Ive ever met anyone quite like you. But that wouldnt sound much like the truth to you, either, would it? And its probably something youve heard a million times before. The fact that he didnt touch her then, or move closer to her in any way, made his words seem all the more compelling. She felt the urge to move closer, but she forced herself to maintain her distance. She felt as if there was at least a grain of honesty in his compliment, and she doubted he was a man who got turned down often.
Thanks, she murmured uneasily, and looked at the swaying palms against the night sky. She worked with the public herself, knew how to smile and play a part, how to manipulateand when she was being manipulated.
She turned to him squarely, Actually, it sounds like the kind of line you use when youre trying to change the subject.
Ive just offered all that I can on the subject that Id be changing, he told her.
Her eyes fell on Lees yacht. Quite a boat, she murmured.
A seventy-five-foot motor yacht, he agreed. You should have come aboard. Shes one glorious lady.
She turned to him. You could show her to me in the morning.
He seemed surprised by the suggestion. I could, yes. He watched her curiously for a moment, a slow smile creeping over his lips. Ah. Youre going to check her out. Look for bodies or evidence of evildoing.
Beth averted her eyes. No such thing. Shes a beautiful boat. I work at a yacht club.
So you see lots of beautiful boats.
I love to be able to discuss them with the members.
He laughed easily. You can check her out. No problem.
Which means, of course, that if you were concealing something, it would be well hidden, she informed him.
Did you study criminology? he demanded. Or do you suffer from an overdose of cop shows on television? If youve been paying attention, one more time, Ms. Anderson, its smart to keep out of things that dont concern you.
So I shouldnt go on the boat?
He groaned. Youre more than welcome to see the boat. I told youwere not pirates.
Does that mean youre not pirates but you are some other kind of criminal, or that some people are pirates, even though you and your friends arent?
If I say good-morning when I see you and the sun is up, will you be dissecting those words, as well? he asked her.
She shrugged. I dont know.
He stood, reaching a hand down to her. Well, I suggest we get some sleep and find out, he said.
She hesitated before accepting his hand. As he helped her to her feet, she came up against him. The length of her body brushed against his. When she was up, she remained close, thinkinghoping?he was going to touch her.
She thought she might lose all sense of reason and reach out and touch him, place her fingers on his face.
No line, he said softly. You arelike a flame. Id give my eyeteeth to be the moth that was consumed.
She blinked. His voice was deep, sincere, and yet he was distant. He didnt even try acting on his words. If anything, they were wistful.
Dont worry, he assured her, and a dry smile twisted his lips. I know how to pine from afar. He hesitated. You really dont need to be afraid of me, he assured her.