Right, Beth murmured.
A thud sounded from behind. Beth jumped, ready to cover the girls with her own body against any threatened danger.
Aunt Beth, Amber said, it was a palm frond.
Beth exhaled. Right, she murmured.
The girls were looking at one another again. As if they had to be very careful with her.
As if she were losing her mind.
Come on, lets find your dad, Beth said to Amber.
* * *
The woman had to be one of the strangest hed ever come across, Keith decided, watching as the threesome walked away.
Shed acted as if shed been hiding something.
As if she was guilty of...something.
He shook his head. No, not with those two teens at her side. They were far too innocent and friendly for anything to have been going on. Not that teens couldnt be guilty of a lot. But he had learned to be a pretty good judge of character, and those two were simply young and friendly, like a pair of puppies, fresh and eager to explore the world, expecting only good things from it.
But as for the woman...
Beth Anderson. She and the tall girl were obviously related. Both had the same very sleek dark hair. Not dead straight, but lush and wavy. And Beth had the kind of eyes that picked up the elements, that could be dark or light, that held a bit of the exotic, the mysterious. Very nicely built, which was more than evident, since all three were in two-piece suits. She appeared to be in her mid to late twenties, naturally sensual and sexy, though not in an overt way. Athletic. With shapely legs that went forever...
She was compellingly attractive.
And a little crazy.
No. Frightened.
Of him?
This was his first trip to Calliope Key. But he surely looked the part. So why had he appeared so menacing to her?
She wouldnt ever have come to the island with the girls if she had been afraid of something from the get-go. So...?
They must have found something.
He looked quickly around the clearing. There was nothing immediately evident that would have disturbed anyone, whatever theyd found had to be right around where they had been standing.
For a moment everything in him seemed to tighten and burn; his jaw locked. The heat of anger filled him, the raging sense of fury that the world was never just, and no effort on his part could change that.
And that was part of the reason he was here, he reminded himself, though he kept that fact private. Keep your eye on the prizethat was the standing order. There was one objective. Find what they were seeking, and do it discreetly. Then the rest would fall into place. He hoped. He wasnt certain anyone else really believed that, and he would be damned if he even knew what he believed himself.
He heard his name called. It was Lee.
He forced a deep breath, aware that he had to tamp down his emotions over his current situation.
He shouted back, Im over here.
A minute later, Lee Gomez and Matt Albright appeared in the clearing. Whats going on? Lee asked him. Half-Ecuadorian and half-American mutt, Lee had brilliant blue eyes and pitch-dark hair, and skin that never seemed to mind the sun.
Not much. Met a woman and two girlstheyre with the womans brother, maybe some other people, camping on the island tonight, Keith said.
Matt shook his head, swearing. He was the redhead in their group, quick to anger, quicker to apologize, but at all times easily irritated. Theres more. Two more good-size boats, both anchored not far from us. I saw a dinghy coming in with several people.
Well, what are you going to do, Keith asked with a shrug. Boaters have been coming out here since...well, hell, probably since forever.
Yeah, but dammit, they shouldnt be here now, Matt muttered.
Hey, we knew wed be in public view, working around whatever happened and whoever appeared. People are here, so lets make the best of it, Keith said. And think about it. Its not much of a shock. Its a weekend, the perfect time for boaters to take a little break.
You dont think we could dress up as pygmies and scare them all off the island, do you? Lee murmured dryly.
Pygmies? Matt said.
Some kind of tribal islanders, maybe cannibals? Lee teased.
Keith laughed. Oh, yeah, that would make us really inconspicuous. Besides, while theyre on the island, theyre not out on their boats, checking out the reefs. Its a weekend. Lets do like the others. Play tourist. Get to know the folks. Check out what they knowand what theyre thinking. And what theyre afraid of, he thought, but he kept the possibility that anyone on the island might suspect them of something to himself.
Lee shrugged. All right.
So we roll out the cooler and the tent and make like party people, Matt said. He laughed suddenly. Not so bad. One of the people on the boat was a woman, and man, she sure as hell looked like a hottie. From a distance, anyway.
One of the people on the boat? Keith thought. You should have seen the woman in this very clearing, just minutes ago. And I wasnt any distance from her. None at all.
Doesnt matter if shes hot as blue blazes, no getting too close to the locals, not tonight, Lee warned sternly.
Hey, Im just going to be a party boy. A friendly guy, just looking for fun, a good ole boating fool, Matt assured him.
Well, you can be a good ole boy later. Im not hauling stuff off that boat by myself, Lee said. If were turning into Boy Scouts and doing the camping thing, you guys can do some of the lugging, too.
Actually, camping isnt such a bad idea, Keith said.
No, and getting to know folks from the area isnt a bad idea, either, Lee said. He grinned. I think Ill own the boat.
Hey! Matt protested.
Someone has to own the boat, right? Lee asked.
You can own the boat, Keith said.
I get to own it next time, Matt said.
With any luck, there wont be a next time, Keith said. He stared at the other two, and he couldnt help feeling an edge of suspicion.
Lee stared back at him. His eyes were enigmatic. Ever the optimist, huh?
I just know what Im doing, Keith said.
Lee assessed him for what seemed like an eternity. I hope, Lee said. I hope to hell youre focused on what were doing.
Im focused. You can count on it, Keith said, and he knew his tone was grim.
Cmon, then, lets go play tourist, Lee said.
Sure. Be right there, Keith said.
Hey, were all in this together, you know, Matt reminded him, his eyes narrowed.
Yup.
They were in it together, true. But the other two didnt know that hed been warned specifically to keep an eye on them.
Damn, Keith, youre acting bizarre, Lee said, staring at him. Think of whats happened. Focus is the most important thing here.
More important than human life? Keith wondered. Ill be right with you.
Hes working on that instinct thing hes got going for him, Matt said, shrugging. Come on, Lee, lets get started. Wonderboy will be along.
Keith waited until they walked back toward the northern shore.
And then he began to search the clearing.
Oh, yeah. He was focused.
There were certain images a man could never quite get out of his mind. Dead men. Dead friends. Friends whod had everything in the world to live for. Young. The best of the best.
Oh, yeah. He was focused.
There were certain images a man could never quite get out of his mind. Dead men. Dead friends. Friends whod had everything in the world to live for. Young. The best of the best.
He stiffened, listening. People were coming. The island was becoming more crowded by the minute. He swore softly.
Hey there, came a throaty, masculine voice.
A man of about sixty, followed by a petite young woman and two men about his own age, was entering the clearing.
Hey, Keith replied, stepping forward, a smile on his face.
Ah, yes, the masses had arrived. He didnt know why he was suddenly so certain that he and his associates werent the only ones traveling incognito.
* * *
Beth and the girls emerged from the lush greenery in the center of the island to reach the beach. It was beautiful. Once upon a time there had been a very small naval base on Calliope Key, a research center. It had been abandoned, but back toward the interior the ruins of the old buildings remained, allowing a safe haven of sorts if the weather turned really foul. Today, though, the sun was streaming down, a soft breeze was blowing, and the sea appeared incredibly serene.
Ben was on the beach, barefoot, in cutoffs and shades, dressed remarkably like the man who had just scared Beth. He glanced up when he saw them coming. Back so soon? I thought you were exploring, seeing if there was anyone else around.
At thirty-four, Beth thought, her brother was in his prime. He had, however, taken the task of raising his daughter to heart. Despite the fact that he had lost his wife years ago, he was still far more prone to spend his nights at home rather than out at the boat clubsthough he did belong to Rock Reef, where she worked as a social directorseeking companionship. Beth actually wished he would be more of a sinner at times. She knew how much Amber meant to him, but she was afraid that he wasnt allowing much room in his life for the future. He had been madly in love with Ambers mom, his high-school sweetheart, and nothing had ever changed his desire to see that Amber had everything he could provide, including his companywhether she wanted it or not, since Amber had reached that age where she wanted to spend her nights prowling the malls with her friends, rather than bonding with her dad. She adored him. She was simply being a teenager.
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 age...well, 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, and... I think its actually a skull, Beth said.
Did you...pick 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. Except... Im 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 are...well, 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 couple... Ted 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 here... I 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!