Laurie sighed glumly, setting her hands on her knees and cupping her chin in them. Think it might be due to the fact that weve chosen to live on a remote island where the tourists are usually married, and the staff are usually in college?
Alex laughed. Maybe, but youd thinksun, boats, islandfishing. Oh, well.
What do you mean, oh well? At least theres excitement in your life. Youve got the triangle thing going. Husband, lover.
Ex-husband and new acquaintance, Alex reminded her.
Ex-husband, new almost-lover. Vying for the same woman. And you know guys. They get into a competition thing. What a setup for jealousy and
Her voice trailed off, and she stared wide-eyed at Alex, like a doe in the headlights.
Oh my God! Laurie gasped.
She stared at Alex in pure horror. Alex frowned. What? Come on, Laurie. Believe me, its not that serious. You think that theyll get into some kind of a fight? No, never. In our marriageDavid just didnt notice. Didnt care. I cant begin to see him decking someoneand sure as hell not over me.
Oh my God, Laurie breathed again.
Laurie, its all right. Nothing is going to happen between David and John.
Laurie shook her head vehemently and slowly got to her feet, pointing. Oh God, Alex. Look!
For a moment, Alex couldnt quite shift mental gears. Then she frowned, standing up herself.
What? she said to Laurie. She grasped her friends shoulders. Laurie, what in the world is it?
Laurie pointed. Alex realized that Laurie hadnt been staring at her at all during the last few momentsshe had been staring past her.
She spun around.
And that was when she saw the body on the beach.
Chapter Two
Ive read about you, John Seymore told David. In the scuba magazines. That article on your work with great whiteswow. Ive got to admit, Im astounded to see you here. This place must seem pretty tame to you. Its great to get to meet you.
Thanks, David said.
Seymore seemed pleasant. He was good-looking, well-muscled probably naturally, since hed said he hadnt been out of military service long. Despite his surfer-boy blond hair and easy smile, there was a rough edge about him that betrayed age, maybe, and a hard life. David had a feeling his military stories would be the kind to make the hair rise on the back of the neck. Just as he had a feeling that, no matter how pleasant the guy might seem, he had a backbone of steel.
Theyd started talking during the swim, and when Seymore had suggested a quick drink at the Tiki Hut, David had been glad to comply. He was interested in what would bring a man of John Seymores expertise to such a charming little tourist haven.
I know the people here, David told John. The guy managing the place, Jay Galway, is a part-time thrill seeker. Hes been on a few of my excursions over the years. I like coming here, but this is the first time Ive stayed. The cottages are great. A perfect place to chill, with all the comforts of home, but you feel as if youre off somewhere in the wilds. What about you?
I know the water pretty well, but Ive never had any fun with it. Ive been out on the West Coast. I left the militaryand, Im afraid, a painful divorce.
So you retired from the military, David said. Living a life of ease, huh?
Seymore laughed. I did pretty well with the military, but not well enough to retire the way Id like to. But my time is my own. Im doing consulting work now. Because of my work in the service, I made some good contacts. But I needed a break, so I found this place on the Web. Seemed ideal, and so far, it has been.
Seymore was leaning on the bar, looking across the lagoon. Everyone was gone, but Seymore was staring as if someone was still there. Someone with features so delicately and perfectly proportioned that she was beautiful when totally drenched, devoid of all makeup, her hair showing touches of its radiant color despite the fact that it was heavy with sea water.
Despite himself, he felt a rise of something he didnt like. Anger. Jealousy. And an age-old instinct to protect what was his. Except that she wasnt his anymore.
He had no rights here, and when he had first seen Alex this morning, after the initial shock in her eyes had died away, they had been narrowed and hostile each time they had fallen on him.
He lowered his head for a moment. You were the one who filed the papers, sweetie. Not a word to me, just a legal document.
I didnt come here because of you, he thought.
Okay, that was a lie. There had been no way he wouldnt show once Alicias message had whetted his curiosity. He had come expecting to find Alicia Farr, even though, after he had returned her call and not heard back, warning signals had sounded in his mind. He wasnt surprised that she wasnt here, but he was worried.
And now he was feeling that age-old protective-instinct thing coming to the fore with Alex againwhether he did or didnt have the right to feel it. He told himself it was only because he was already on edge over Alicia. And anyway, maybe nothing was going on here. Maybe Alicia had made other arrangements and gone off on her own.
Or maybe someone was dead because of something going on here.
Unease filled him again.
Whatever had happened between Alex and him, the good and the bad, he couldnt help the tension he was feeling now. Especially where his wife was concerned. Ex-wife, he reminded himself. He wondered if he would ever accept that. Wondered if he would ever look at her and not believe they were still one.
Ever fall out of love with her.
Impatience ripped through him. He hated fools who went through life pining after someone who didnt want them in return. He hadnt pined. His life hadnt allowed for it.
That didnt mean that she didnt haunt his days, or that he didnt lie awake at night wondering why. Or that he didnt see her and feel that he would go after any guy who got near her. Or that he didnt see her, watch her move, see her enigmatic sea blue-green eyes, and want to demand to know what could have been so wrong that she had pushed him away.
All that was beside the point now. Yes, he had come here to meet Alicia. But he had come to meet Alicia because of Alex.
And now he was going to find out what was going on. Alex, of course, would believe that he was here only to find Alicia, to share in whatever find she had made. In her mind, he would be after the treasure, whatever that might be. Wanting the adventure, the leap into the unknown. No, she would never believe his main reason for being here was her, to watch over her, not when the danger wasnt solid, visible
Well, David murmured, swallowing a long draft of beer before continuing. So you had a bad breakup, huh? They say youve got to be careful after a bad divorce. You know, watch out for rushing into things.
Yeah, well, John told him, a half grin curving his lips, they also say youve got to get right back on the horse after you fall off. Besides, Ive been divorced about a year. You?
The same. About a year.
John Seymore studied him, that wry, half smile still in place. I admit it. Thats half the reason I wanted to buy you a drink. I know you were married to our dolphin instructor. Her name and picture were in one of the articles I read. I guess I wanted to make sure I wasnt horning in on a family reunion.
David could feel his jaw clenching. Screw Seymore. Being decent. Man, he hated that. He leaned on the counter, as well, staring out across the lagoon. We split up a year ago, he said simply. Alex is her own person.
What the hell else could he say? It was the truth. He could only hope his bitterness wasnt evident. Yet, even as the words were out of his mouth, he felt uneasy. He was, admittedly, distrustful of everyone right now, but this guy was suspicious of him, too. Here was an exnavy SEAL, a man who knew more about diving than almost anyone else out there, at a resort where the facilities were great for tourists, buta man with his experience?
A thought struck him, and he smiled. He was an honest man, but maybe this wasnt the time for the truth.
Well, he said, as far as she knows, she is, anyway.
What does that mean? Seymore asked him.
David waved a hand dismissively. Thats one of the reasons Im here. Theres a little technicality with our divorce. I wanted to let her know, find a convenient time for us to get together with an attorney, straighten it all out. But, hey He clapped a hand on Seymores shoulder. Its fine. Really. I think Ill go take a long hot shower. Im beginning to feel a little salt encrusted. Thanks for the beer.
Seymore nodded, looking a little troubled. Yeah, II guess Ill go hit the shower, too.
My treat next go-around, David said. Then he set down his glass, turned, and left the Tiki Hut.
It was definitely a body. Alex and Laurie could both clearly see that, despite the seaweed clinging to it.
Alex started to rush forward, but Laurie grabbed her arm. Wait! If shes dead, and you touch her, we could destroy forensic evidence.
Youve been watching too much TV, Alex threw over her shoulder as she pulled free.
But she came to a halt a few feet from the body. The stench was almost overwhelming. It was a woman, but she couldnt possibly be alive. Alex could see a trail of long blond hair tangled around the face.
She had to be sure.
Turning, taking a deep breath and holding it, Alex stepped forward and hunched down by the woman. She extended a hand to the throat, seeking a pulse. A crab crawled out of the mound of seaweed and hair, causing her to cry out.
What? Laurie shouted.
Crab, Alex replied quickly. Bile rumbled in her stomach, raced toward her throat. She gritted her teeth, swallowed hard and felt the icy coldness of the womans flesh. No pulse. The woman was dead. Alex rose, hurrying back to Laurie.
Shes dead. Ill stay here, you go for help.
Im not leaving you here alone with a corpse.
Okay, you stay, Ill go.
Youre not leaving me here alone with a corpse!
Laurie
Shes dead. Shes not going anywhere. Well both go for help.
Yes, but what if someonewhat if a child comes out here while were gone?
What? Laurie demanded. You think Im going to throw myself on top of a corpse to hide it? Theres nothing we can do except hurry.
Im not afraid to be alone with a corpse.
You should be. What if the person who turned her into a corpse is still around here somewhere?
Alex felt an uneasy sensation, but it was ridiculous. She shook her head. Laurie, shes drifted in fromfrom somewhere else. Shes been in the water a while.
Maybe. Neither one of us is an expert.
Laurie, thatstink takes a while to occur.
Lets just hurry. We wont be long, and she wont go anywhere.
All right, then, lets go.
They tore back along the path they had taken and minutes later, neared the Tiki Hut. Laurie opened her mouth, ready to shout.
Alex clamped her hand over it. No!
Laurie fought free. Alex! Did you touch that corpse with that hand? Maybe she died of some disease.
Alex had to admit she hadnt thought of such a possibility. She winced, but said, We cant just start shouting about a corpse. Well cause a panic.
She scanned the Tiki Hut. The mothers who had been on the swim earlier were therethe teens were evidently off somewhere else. She would have liked to see John Seymore. Since he was an exnavy SEAL, he would surely know how to handle the situation.
She would even have liked to see David, Mr. Competence himself. Cool, collected, a well of strength in handling any given situation.
Lets find Jay, she said.
She caught Laurie by the elbow, leading her past the Tiki Hut and along the flower-bordered stone pathway that led to the lobby of the lodge. They burst in, rushing to the desk. Luckily, no one was checking in or out. Len Creighton was on duty. Thirtyish, slim, pleasant, he smiled as he saw them, and then he saw their panic and his smile faded.
Len, I need Jay. Where is he?
Len cast a glance over his shoulder, indicating the inner office.
She headed straight back.
Jay wasnt there.
Hes not here, she called.
Ill page him.
His voice was smooth as silk, hardly creating a blip against the soft music that always played in the lobby.
Moments later, Jay Galway, looking only slightly irritated, came striding across the lobby.
He was tall and lean, with sleek, dark hair, expressive gray eyes and a thin, aesthetic face. Patrician nose. His lips were a bit narrow, but they added to the look almost of royalty that he carried like an aura about him. She really liked her boss. They were friends, and he had always been ready to support her in her decisions, even if he didnt agree with them. Shed known him before shed come to work here. In fact, hed called her about the job when hed heard about the divorce.
He paused in front of the counter, perfect in an Armani suit, and stared at her questioningly.
What on earth is this all about? he demanded.
He was still a short distance away from her, and a few guests had just come in and were heading in their direction.
I need to talk to you. Alone. She glanced meaningfully at Len.
I hide nothing from Len.
Alex glanced at Len and wondered if there was more going on between the two men than she knew. Not that she cared, or had time to worry about it now.
Theres a body on the beach, she said very softly.
A body, echoed Laurie, who was standing behind her.
He stared at her as if she had lost her mind. This is Florida, honey. There are a lot of bodies on the beach.
Alex groaned inwardly. A dead body, Jay.
A dead body? Len exclaimed loudly.
They all stared at him. Sorry, he said quickly.
Jay gave his full attention to her at last, staring at her hard, his eyes narrowing. His focus never left her face, but he warned Len, Shut up. I mean it. That reporter is around somewhere. All we need is him getting his nose into this.
Alex stared back at him, aghast. Someone is dead, Jay. Its not a matter of worrying about publicity. Will you call the sheriffs officeplease?
Right. Len, call the county boys and ask them to send someone out. Someone from homicide.
Homicide? Laurie murmured. Maybe she justdrowned.
It still needs to be investigated, Alex said, still staring at Jay. His behavior puzzled her. They had no idea who the dead woman might be, where she had come from, or even if there was a murderer loose in paradise, and he seemed so blasé.