Sure. Well wait, he said, and he hoped to hell it wasnt going to be long. Now, more than ever, he didnt want Alex out of his sight.
The others rose, stretched and started to file out.
And that was when they heard the scream.
Somehow, the instant he heard it, David knew they werent going to have to wait for Granger after all.
Chapter Six
Everyone came running.
Alex wasnt thrilled about that, but after her last experience, shed had to sound an alarmshe wasnt letting this body drift away. Before the others came pounding down the dock, though, she dived in. Though the man was floating face downward and sure as hell looked dead, she wasnt taking any chances.
The water right by the dock was far from the pristine blue expanse featured in tourist ads. She rose from a misty darkness to grab hold of the mans floating arm.
With a jolt, she realized it was Seth Granger.
By then the others had arrived. David was in the lead and instantly jumped into the water to join her. He was stronger and was easily able to maneuver the body. John Seymore, with Jeb at his side, reached down as David pushed Seth upward; between them, they quickly got Seth Granger lying on the dock, and, despite the obvious futility, Jeb dutifully attempted resuscitation. Alex heard someone on a cell phone, telling a 911 operator what had happened. By the time she and David had both been fished out of the water and were standing on the dock, sirens were blaring.
Jeb, youthful and determined, kept at his task, helped by John, but Seth was clearly beyond help.
He still reeked of alcohol.
Two med techs came racing down the dock, and when they reached Seth Granger, Jeb and John stepped aside. The men from Fire Rescue looked at one another briefly, then took over where John and Jeb had left off.
Anyone know how long hes been in the water? one of them.
Couldnt be more than twenty minutes, John Seymore said. He was definitely inside twenty minutes ago.
Lets get him in the ambulance, set up a linegive him a few jolts, one of the med techs said. In seconds, another team was down the dock with a stretcher, and the body was taken to the waiting ambulance.
Then the sheriff arrived. He didnt stop the ambulance, but he looked at Seth Granger as he was taken away, and Alex noted the imperceptible shake of his head. He took a deep breath and turned to the assembled crowd.
What happened? Nigel Thompson demanded.
Well, he was drinking too hard and too fast, thats for sure, Hank Adamson commented.
We were at a table together, Jay told Nigel. He pointed around. Seth, John, Hank, David and myself. Davids phone rang, and he decided to take it outside. I needed to pick up a few things, so I headed down the street, and then He looked at the other two who had shared the table.
I went to the mens room, John Seymore said, and looked at Hank Adamson.
I walked up to the bar.
When did Granger leave the bar? Nigel asked.
His answer was a mass shrugging of shoulders.
Hell, Nigel muttered. All right, everyone back inside.
David was already on his feet. He reached a hand down to Alex, his eyes dark and enigmatic. She hesitated, then accepted his help.
She realized, as she stood, that John Seymore was watching. He gave her a little smile, then turned away. It seemed that day suddenly turned to night. She shivered, then regretted it. David slipped an arm around her shoulders. You all right? he asked.
Of course, she said coldly.
Alex, you dont have to snap, he said softly.
She removed his arm from around her shoulders and followed the others. She meant to find wherever John was sitting and take a place beside him.
Too late. Zach was on Johns left, Hank Adamson on his right. There was one bench left, and there was little for her to do other than join David when he sat there.
She suddenly felt very cold, and, gritting her teeth, she accepted the light windbreaker he offered. She instantly regretted the decision. It felt almost as if she had cloaked herself in his aura. It wasnt unpleasant. It was too comfortable.
The sheriffs phone rang. Thompson, he said briefly as he answered it. A second later, he flipped his phone closed. Well, its bad news but not unexpected. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Mind if we go over Mr. Grangers movements one more time? Nigel asked.
He came, he drank, he fell in the water, a businessman whod been on the dive said impatiently.
Thanks for the compassion, sir, Nigel said.
Sorry, Sheriff, the man said. But the guy was rich and being a rude pain in the you-know-what all day.
Well, thank goodness not everyone whos rude ends up drowning, the sheriff said pointedly. Id have myself one hell of a job, Nigel commented.
Sorry, the man said again. Its just thatwere all tired. I only met the man today on the dive, and he wasnt the kind of person to make you care about him. And Im on vacation.
Well, then, Ill get through this just as fast as I can. First things firstthose of you from Moon Bay. Anyone checking out tomorrow?
No one was, apparently. Or, if so, they werent about to volunteer the information.
Good. Okay, Im going outside. One by one, come out, give me your names, room numbers and cell-phone numbers, and I may have a quick question or two. Then you can reboard and get going.
Squeaky wheels were the ones oiled first, Alex determined. Nigel asked her whining diver to come out first.
This is kind of silly, a woman who had been on the dive complained. A pushy rich man got snockered and fell in the water. Thats obvious.
Nothing is obvious, David said, his eyes focused on the woman. Alex felt the coiling heat and tension in his body before he continued. Nigel Thompson is top rate. Hes not leaving anything to chance.
The woman flushed and fell silent.
Alex felt as if she were trapped, so aware of David in the physical sense that she was about to scream. In this room full of people, in the midst of this tense situation, she found herself focusing on the most absurd things. Like her ex-husbands toes. His muscled calves. Legs that were long and powerful. When he inhaled, his flesh brushed hers.
She forced herself to look across the room at John Seymore, instead.
In the room, conversations began. David turned to Alex suddenly. You all right? he asked softly.
Of course Im all right, she said. He was studying her gravely. Then a slight smile curved his lips. Why? she asked cautiously.
His head moved closer. His lips were nearly against her ear. When he spoke, it seemed that his voice and the moisture of his breath touched her almost like a caress. Youve been undressing me with your eyes, he told her.
You are undressed, she informed him. And what Im thinking about is the fact that a man drowned.
Did he?
Of course! Damn you, David, we were both there.
We were both there to pull the body out of the water, but we werent there when he died.
He drowned, she insisted.
Isnt this getting to you just a little bit? His voice lowered even further. Youre in danger.
He drowned, she insisted.
Isnt this getting to you just a little bit? His voice lowered even further. Youre in danger.
And youre going to protect me? she demanded.
You bet.
Are you going to keep sleeping on my porch?
No, youre going to let me into the cottage.
Dream on. I dont know what this absurd obsession with me is, but do you really think youre going to scare me into letting you back in my bed?
Only if you insist, and if it will make you feel better.
In that moment she hated him with a sudden intensity, because she had been so secure, so ready to explore a relationship with another man, and now
David had played on her mental processes. She knew he could make her feel securethat his flesh against her own could feel irresistibly erotic, compellingShe wanted to curl against him, close her eyes, rest, imagine.
Youve got some explaining to do, too, he informed her. Suddenly his eyes reminded her of a predatory cat.
She stiffened. I have to explain something to you?
About Danny Fuller.
Danny Fuller?
They both fell silent.
As more people filed outside, those waiting to be questioned began to shift around. Alex saw her opportunity and rose, placing as much distance as she could between herself and David.
And then, with nothing else to do, she found herself pacing the room. Danny Fuller? What the hell was he talking about?
She was idly walking in front of one of the long benches when she nearly collided with Jay. He caught hold of her shoulders to steady her, then sighed, turned and took a seat on the bench right behind him.
She gazed at him where he sat. His hands were steepled prayer fashion in front of him, and he was looking upward. Thank you, God, he barely whispered. Thank you for making this happen here and not on Moon Bay.
Jay! she gasped, horrified.
He looked up at her and flushed. Well, he was a mean old bastard, and hed lived out most of his life, Jay protested. He liked to drink way too hard, and never believed the sea could be stronger than he was. Well, you cant turn up your nose and think youre better than the Atlantic.
This is still horrible.
Yeah, Im sure all his ex-wives are going to be crying real hard, Jay murmured.
She started to say something, then fell quiet. Without her noticing, the room had been emptying out.
It was just her and Jay left to speak with the sheriff, and Nigel was coming toward them.
Well, its a miracle, but no one in this place saw Seth Granger walk out. No one. Not the bartender, not a single waiter, waitress, busboy, cook or floor scrubber, none of the locals, and certainly none of your guests from Moon Bay.
Nigel, the guy was drunk, Jay said wearily.
Nigel shook his head. Seth Granger was always drinking, from what Ive heard. Strange that he would just walk into the water, though. Stranger still that no one saw him do it. Never mind. He pointed a finger at Alex. I want to talk to you at some length. Tomorrow. Got it?
Me?
Two days, two bodies, Nigel said.
Butyou told me there was no second body. Or first body. Other body.
Alex, I already told you, I did all the checking I couldand I sent men out to walk the grounds. You know I didnt discount your story entirely. Anyway, well talk. Ill be out to see you tomorrow. For nowwell, Ive got some crime-scene people taking a look around here. At this point, it looks as if Seth got a bit too tipsy, took a walk, met the water and then his maker. Theres going to have to be a hearing, though, and an autopsy. The medical examiner will have to verify that scenario.
Jay nodded glumly. Still, he murmured, at least it happened here, not at Moon Bay. The other two looked at him. Hey, Im sorry, but it matters.
Well, take your guests home, Jay, Thompson said. You. He pointed at Alex. Ill see you tomorrow.
Sure, she murmured.
They left, bidding Warren goodbye. Alex hoped the restaurant wouldnt end up paying for Seths alcohol consumption. She knew Warren usually watched his customers and had been known to confiscate keys from any driver he thought shouldnt be on the road. His staff was equally vigilant.
From what she had seen, there had been a pitcher of beer on the table. Seth had probably been downing pitcher after pitcher himself, but the waitress had undoubtedly assumed the beer was being consumed by a party of five.
As they walked along the deck toward the boat, Jay stopped Alex. Ill go back on the dive boat, he told her. Damage control, he said with a wince.
Theres room for us both, she said.
Take a break. Go back on the Icarus, he said. Thats okay with you, right, David? Jay asked, turning slightly.
She hadnt realized that her exor not quite exhusband had been right behind them. Sure, he said.
Great. A ride back with David, John Seymore and Hank Adamson.
Still, she didnt want to make a draining evening any worse, so she shrugged. At least the ride wouldnt take long.
Along with a sympathetic smile, John Seymore offered her a hand down into the little dinghy that would take them back to the Icarus. She wound up sitting next to Hank Adamson, while David and John had the oars. Once again, it was John who gave her a hand on board the Icarus, but once there, she hurried aft, hoping to make the journey back alone.
No luck.
She had barely settled down on the deck, choosing a spot she had often chosen in years past, when David joined her.
She groaned aloud. Dont you ever go away?
I cant. Not now.
She stared at him. You know, Im trying to have a relationship with someone else.
I dont know about him yet.
What dont you know about him?
He looked at her, blue eyes coolly touching hers. I dont know if hes in on whats going on or not.
She groaned again. David, he hasnt been out of the military that long. Hes from the West Coast. Hes not into salvage.
Hes into things connected with the sea, thats for certain.
So?
So I still dont know about him.
How about letting me make a few judgments on my own?
Did you see a corpse on the beach or not? he demanded.
She looked away, silently damning him. Yes.
And are we absolutely positive that Seth Granger just got up, left a bar, fell into the water and drowned?
No, she admitted after a moment. But its the most likely scenario.
Most likely doesnt make it fact, he said flatly. The body that you foundand yes, Im convinced you found a bodywas Alicias. Im certain of it.
How do you know that? she demanded, but then she knew. One of his best friends, Dane Whitelaw, worked in Key Largo, leading his version of an ideal life, running a dive service and an investigations business. Never mind. Youve had Dane looking into it.
Yup.
So do you understand now?
Understand what?
Why I need to keep you under my wing for the time being.
Under your wing? she snapped.