What was left to say? she asked with what she hoped was quiet dignity.
Hmm, let me think. Maybe your reasons for leaving me?
She got to her feet. You want the truth? I couldnt take it. I was so in love with you, it hurt all the time. You were all that mattered to me. My dolphins were far too tame for youand far too unimportant. Our agreement that wed spend time dedicated to my pursuits didnt mean a thingnot if a sunken ship turned up or a shark-research expedition was formed. Then it came to the point when I said you were welcome to go off even when you were supposed to be helping meand you went. And then that became a way of life. Theres the story in a nutshell. You were gone long before I sent those papers. And sometime in there, I got over you. I love working with dolphins. No, it isnt like finding a Spanish galleon, or even locating a yacht that went down ten years ago, maybe. But I love it. What you apparently needed, or wanted, was a different kind of wife. Either a pretty airhead who would follow you endlessly, orsomeone as fanatic about treasure as you are. So go to your room and put some clothes on, or take a stroll over to the Tiki Hut and give someone else a thrill.
She started inside, hoping he would stop her. Not because she wanted to be near him, but because he knew about the body.
Her back to him, she suddenly wondered how he knew. The question left her with a very uneasy feeling.
Alexandra, whatever anger youre feeling toward me, whatever I did or didnt do, I swear, Im just trying to help you now.
She spun around. How do you know about the body, anyway? Jay gave me very direct orders not to mention it to anyone.
He cocked his head slightly. Jays assistant talks.
What did you do? Flirt with Len, too?
He arched an eyebrow, curiously, slowly. She wished she could take back the comment. It made it appear as ifas if jealousy had been the driving factor in her quest for freedom. And it hadnt been.
Thankfully, David didnt follow up on her comment. I dont think Len could contain himself. He tried to be smooth and cool, but I guess he feels he knows me and that Im intelligent enough not to repeat what he said. He told me youd all gone off in search of a body, and then it turned out to be gone. I overheard Jay tell him that part.
She stood very still, watching him for a long moment. You know, I came back here to be alone.
So talk to me, then Ill leave you alone.
You know, this is very strange. Most people would scoff at the idea immediately. Bodies dont turn up on a daily basis. And yetit sounds as if you think that thereshould have been a body.
No, he corrected. I didnt say I thought there should be a body.
Alex pressed her fingers to her temples. I cant do this, she said.
She was startled when he suddenly moved close to her. Alex, please. If there was a body, and you saw ityou could be in danger.
She sighed. Not if no one knows about the body.
But I know, so others could, as well.
You said Len only told you about it because he trusts you.
Others might have overheard.
Just what do you want?
He was no more than an inch from her. He still carried the scent of salt and the sea, and it was a compelling mixture. She looked away.
I dont want anything. Im deeply concerned. Alex, dont you understand? You could be in danger! His hands fell on her shoulders then. It was suddenly like old times. You have to listen to me.
Shed heard the words before. Felt his hands before. Memories of being crushed against that chest stirred within her. She didnt want to believe that she had once been so in love with him just because he was so distinctively male and sensual. There had been times when they were together when his smile had been so quick, and then so lazy, when just a finger trailing across her bare arm or shoulder had
David, let go of me, she said, stepping back.
His eyes were narrowed, hard. Shed seen them that way before, when he was intent on getting to the bottom of something.
Talk to me, Alex.
All right. Yes, Jay acted like an asshole. Yes, Im convinced I saw a body. A woman. A blonde. Other than thatI couldnt see her face. The angle of her body was wrong, and she was tangled in seaweed. When we went back, she was gone. Even Laurie, who saw the body first, wasnt sure wed seen it anymore. She didnt actually go near the body even when it was there. Anyway, there was no corpse. So, are you happy?
He didnt look happy. Actually, for a moment, he appeared ashen. She wanted to touch his face, but he was still David. Solid as rock.
Please, will you leave me alone? she asked him.
His voice was strange, scratchy, when he spoke. I cant leave you alone. Not now, he said. And yet, contrary to his words, he turned and left her porch, disappearing along the back trail that led, in a roundabout way, to the other cottages and the lodge.
She stared after him, suddenly feeling the overwhelming urge to burst into tears. Damn it, I got over you, she grated out. And here you are again, driving me crazy, making me doubt myselfand not doubt myself, she finished softly.
She realized suddenly that twilight was coming.
And that she was afraid.
David had almost made her forget. No matter what anyone said, shed seen a body on the beach. That was shattering in itself, but then the body had disappeared.
She slipped back inside, locking the sliding-glass door behind her. Then she looked outside and saw the shadows of dusk stretching out across the landscape.
She drew the curtains, uneasily checked her front door, and at lastafter opening and finishing a new wine coolershe managed to convince herself to take a shower.
David sat at a table at the Tiki Hut, watching Alex. Not happily. He had been sitting with Jay Galway, who hadnt mentioned Alexs discovery, naturally. There might be a major exodus from the lodge if word got out that a mysterious body had been found, then disappeared, and Galway would never stand for that.
During their conversation, David had asked Jay casually about recent guests, and any news in the world of salvage or the sea, and Jay had been just as cool, shrugging, and saying that, with summer in full swing, most of their guests were tourists, eager to swim with the dolphins, or snorkel or dive on the Florida reef. Naturallythat was what they were set up to do.
David had showered, changed and made a few phone calls in the time since hed left Alex. Hed still arrived before her.
If shed seen him at the table, shed given him no notice, heading straight for the table where John Seymore was sitting with Hank Adamson. They were chatting now, and he had the feeling that part of Alexs bubbling enthusiasm and the little intimate touches she was giving Seymore were strictly for his benefit, her message clear: Leave me the hell alone, hands off, Ive moved on.
How far would it go?
All right, one way or the other, he would have been jealous, but now he was really concerned.
A womans body had been found on the beach, and he had not heard back from Alicia Farrwho was a blonde.
David couldnt stop the reel playing through his head.
From what hed overheard, Jay was convinced a trick had been played, or that Alex had assumed a dozing sunbather was a corpse. David didnt see that as a possibility. Alex was far too intelligent, and she wouldnt have walked away without assuring herself that the body no longer maintained the least semblance of a vital sign.
A trick? Maybe.
Real corpses didnt get up and walk away, but they could be moved.
If there had been a real corpse and it had been moved, it had been moved by someone on the island. That meant Alex could be in serious danger. After all, Len had told David what was going on, so who knew who else he might have told?
An exnavy SEAL, maybe? The perfect blond herobut was that the truth behind John Seymore being at Moon Bay?
Hopefully he would find out soon enough.
So?
Im sorry, what did you say? David said, realizing that Jay had been talking away, but he hadnt heard a word.
Well? Is it a photojournalism thing or a salvage dive?
What?
Your next excursion, Jay said.
Ohwell, I was looking into something, but my source seems to have dried up, David told Jay. My key source either dried up, or was killed and washed up on your beach, and then disappeared, he thought. Then his attention was caught by Alex again.
The band was playing a rumba. She was up and in John Seymores arms. Head cast back, she was laughing at whatever he had to say. Her eyes were like gems. She was beautifully decked out in heels and a soft yellow halter dress that emphasized both her tan and her tall, sinewy length. Her long hair was free and a true golden blond, almost surreal in the light of the torches that burned here by night.
The lights were actually bug repellents. There was no escaping the fact that when you had foliage like this, you had bugs. But the glow they gave everything, especially Alex, was almost hypnotic.
David turned to Jay. Sure you havent heard about anything? he asked him.
Me? Galway laughed. Hell, Im a hanger-on. The big excitement in my life is when I get a taste of something because of the big-timerslike you.
Well, Im looking at the moment, David told him. So, if you do get wind of anything, anything at all, Id like to know.
Youd be the first one Id go to, Jay assured him solemnly.
Interesting that youd say sowith Seth Granger here and ready to pay. And in the Tiki Hut at that moment, David realized. Granger was a big man and in excellent shape for his sixty-odd years. He was speaking with Ally Conroy, mother of Zach, at the bar. She was at least twenty years his junior, but hed gathered from their bits of conversation before the swim that she was a widow, worried about rearing her son alone. Seth wasnt all that well-liked by many people, yet Ally seemed to be giving him the admiration he craved. Maybe they were a perfect fit.
Sethwell, you know. Hes always looking for something to bug his way into. Hell, why not? Hes rich, and he loves the sea, and hed like to make a name for himself in his retirement years. Dont you love it? Tons of money, no real knowledge, yet he wants to be right in the thick of things. Executive turned explorer.
Why not? David said with a shrug. Most expeditions need financial backing.
Yeah, why not? Its what Id love to do myself. Ive got a great job here, mind youbut I sure wish I had his resources. Or your reputation. Every major corporation out there with a water-related product to sell is willing to finance youeven on a total wild-goose chase.
You know megame for anything that has to do with the water, David murmured absently.
Alex was leaning very close to John Seymore now. In a moment shed be spilling out of her dress.
Excuse me, he said to Jay, rising, then went up to the couple on the floor. Alex wouldnt be happy, but if John Seymore was really such an all-right kind of guyor even pretending to be onehe would show him the courtesy of allowing him to cut in.
A tap on Seymores shoulder assured him that he had correctly assessed the situation. The other man, his eyes full of confident good humor, stepped back.
Alex gave David a look of sheer venom. But she wasnt going to cause a scene in the Tiki Hut. She slipped into his arms.
What are you doing? she asked him.
Dancing.
You know I dont want to dance with you.
He ignored her and said, I guess you havent had a chance to talk with Seymore yet.
John and I have done lots of talking.
Well, I happened to mention to him one of the reasons Im here.
And it has something to do with me?
Definitely.
She arched a delicate eyebrow. I guess youre going to tell mewhether I want to know or not.
Were not divorced.
Dont be ridiculous, she said sharply. I filed papers, you signed them.
I dont quite get it myself, but apparently there was some little legal flaw. I must not have signed on all the dotted lines. The documents were never properly filed, and therefore the decision was declared null and void. I know what a busy woman you are, but I need to ask you when would be a good time to get together with my lawyer and rectify the situation.
She wasnt even pretending to dance anymore. She just stood on the floor, staring at him. His arms were still around her, tendrils of silky soft, newly washed blond hair slipping over his hands, teasing in their sensuality. He knew he needed to move away, but he didnt.
Thats impossible! she exclaimed.
Sorry.
She stared at him, still amazed. I dontIcant
Look, Alex, I know how eager you are to be completely rid of me. Im sorry. But as of this moment, we are still married.
He wondered if lightning would come out of the sky to strike him dead.
It didnt.
God must have understood his situation.
Itsits impossible, she repeated.
He shrugged, as if in complete understanding of her dismay. Im sorry.
Something hardened in the depths of her ever-changing, sea-green eyes. Ill make time to see your attorney.
Great. Well set it up. Well, lover boy is waiting, so Ill let you go in a sec. But first I need you to listen to me. Alex, Im begging you, listen to me. Youve got to be careful.
She pulled back, searching his eyes, then shaking her head. David, I understand why youre here, and frankly, Im surprised you took the time to actually ask me what would be convenient for me. But I dont quite get this sudden interest. Wheres Bebe whats-her-name? Or the thin-but-oh-so-stacked Alicia Farr, the Harvard scholar?
Her question sent an eerie chill up his spine. I think shes your disappearing body.
Alex, Im afraid youre in danger. His words, he realized, sounded stiff and cold.
She shook her head. No one else believes I discovered a corpse. Why should you?
He hesitated for a minute. I know you, he told her. Youre not a fool. You would have looked closely enough to know.
Well, thanks for the compliment. I wish Nigel Thompson felt that way. I couldnt get through to him that though its improbable that a body was really there and somehow moved, its not impossible. So if youll let me off the dance floor?
He released her. But as she started to step past him, he caught her arm. She looked up, and for a moment, her eyes were vulnerable. Her scent seemed to wrap around him, caress him.
Dont trust anyone, he said.
I certainly dont trust you.
He pulled her back around to face him. You know what? Ive about had it with this.