by Dara Girard
“What are the facts, really?”
“She’s got the means, she was around and available and your sister found those incriminating items.”
“You still haven’t told me the motive.”
“Until I get to confer with my investigator, it’s still just speculation, but—”
“Say it straight. What do you and Candace know?”
“Kelli could be on the island to avenge what happened to her sister. There was a case about an assault that happened on the party boat ten years ago. The police’s handling of the incident didn’t go well.”
“It was covered up?”
“Not by us, but...it wasn’t pretty. Things like assaults against visitors are bad for St. James, and they tend to disappear from the headlines, if they even make it there. By tomorrow I should know Kelli’s real name.”
“But I’m telling you, in my gut, I don’t think Kelli would do this to me.”
Aaron’s cell phone buzzed. He glanced down and read the text, then replied and put his phone away. “We just got our motive. That was my investigator. Kelli’s last name isn’t Davis, and she’s related to an old case.”
“That’s still not proof—”
Aaron stood, agitated. “It’s motive and that’s all we need to get an arrest.”
Rebecca stared up at him, horrified. “You’re going to have her arrested?”
“Of course. What else do you expect me to do? Invite her over for tea and have her explain things?”
“At least let me talk to her.”
“No, you stay away from her and let me deal with this. You may not like the way I do things, but I know how to take care of my family, and I know how to take care of you.”
“By destroying someone close to me because you’re so determined to have a suspect?”
“I’m not trying to destroy anyone. I’m only trying to get answers, and that’s the end of it,” he said, then stormed out of the room.
* * *
He couldn’t understand why Rebecca wouldn’t trust him, wouldn’t listen to him. He started up the stairs, knowing that for the first time in days he’d be sleeping alone. But he halted when he saw his grandmother sitting on the stairs.
“What are you doing up?”
“I couldn’t help overhearing.”
“Trident’s at the vet,” he said, guessing she’d wonder about the commotion over the iguana. “We won’t know anything until morning. Go back to sleep.”
“That’s not what I was talking about,” she said, standing. “I heard you and Rebecca.”
“It’s nothing. Just a simple disagreement.”
“But it bothers you, doesn’t it?”
Aaron felt his temper flare, remembering Rebecca’s accusations against him. “She’s not being rational. She doesn’t understand how important this is to me.”
His grandmother gently touched his shoulder and said, “You were this way with Ina, too.”
Aaron took a deep, steadying breath. “Careful, Nan. I’m not in the mood for this.”
“Sometimes you need to listen rather than just talk,” she continued, unafraid of his dark mood. “Evidence isn’t always what you see it to be. I sense that you need her. Don’t let this push her away from you.”
“My job is to protect her, no matter what she thinks of me. Even if I have to push her away to be able to. Night, Nan,” he said, softening his words with a kiss on her cheek before walking up the stairs.
He knew that what happened with Ina was different. She didn’t want to listen to him, and what she saw as him holding on tight was his way of being there for her. He hadn’t meant to suffocate her. But if Rebecca was feeling the same way, then his decision to remain single was the best for him.
* * *
Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn. How could he be so stubborn? He was wonderful in so many other ways, but this trait was infuriating. Rebecca stood staring out the window, unable to go to the room she’d been sharing with him, even though she knew he probably wouldn’t be there. She needed to sleep, but couldn’t. This moment was so unlike ten years ago when she’d hoped the night would never end. Now the night seemed to last forever. She heard the soft sound of footsteps and turned to see his grandmother.
“Did you want to watch TV?” Rebecca asked.
“No, I wanted to see you and talk to you about Aaron.”
“There’s really nothing you need to say. I know he’s a good man and—”
“I didn’t come here to defend his character. I don’t believe I need to. I just want you to understand a few things.”
Rebecca sat down and folded her arms. “So that I won’t feel like strangling him?”
She smiled. “Yes. Has he told you much about his ex-wife, Ina?”
“No.”
“She was a shock to all of us. She was completely different from Aaron. Ina was wild and reckless, which at first thrilled him and then became the main contention in their marriage. She would go out all night and meet strangers, and she used her looks as a model to get whatever she wanted. She loved traveling the world. Aaron was always nervous, because he knew of the dangers out there, but he couldn’t get her to settle down, even when she became a mother. That was the beginning of the end for them. She’d enjoyed the first month of motherhood until the joys of it were swallowed by the realities of not being the center of attention.
“When Brandon was two months old, she was back on the party scene and nearly lost her life twice—once in a drunk driving accident, and the second time after using a dangerous mixture of drugs. When Aaron put his foot down, alienating her suppliers and the shady friends she was hanging out with, she filed for divorce. She gave up custody of Brandon, and she told Aaron that she didn’t want to be burdened with a child. She said she was too young, that she had too much living to do to just become someone’s mother.”
“But I’m nothing like Ina,” Rebecca said.
“No, but Kelli is, from what I’ve overheard and seen. He sees her as dangerous to you. So don’t be too harsh with him. All the Wethers men have been trained to do the same—honor and protect. They are bound by the courage and spirit of those who have gone before them. I’m sure you’ve heard about the great pirate Pierre LaCroix. Well, he was one of our great ancestors, as was Maureux. Our capital is named after him. They were men who fought for the very existence of St. James. They and others like them shed their blood fighting to protect what was theirs. That same blood runs in Aaron’s veins. You can question his methods, but never question his devotion to you.”
* * *
A light tapping on the door woke Rebecca from a restless sleep. She glanced at the clock, surprised by how early it was. “Come in,” she said in a groggy voice, then sat up in surprise when Aaron came in.
“I just heard from Dr. Gladwell,” he said.
She swallowed and waited, unable to read in his expression whether the news was good or bad. “And?”
“It’s good news,” he said with a soft smile. “Trident is beginning to respond to treatment, and the statue was the source of the poisoning. When it had fallen over into the drinking water, some of the phosphorus material seeped into the water and was slowly getting into Trident’s system, killing him. They will keep him in the hospital a few more days, then Brandon can go get him and take him home. He’s not awake yet. I thought I’d let you tell him at breakfast. They’re sending the statue back to us in case we want it.”
“Where are you going?” she asked, now noticing that he was wearing his jacket, but the moment she asked the question she knew the answer and regretted it. Seeing him getting ready to leave caused her to feel an odd loss. She’d grown used to having him constantly by her side. “Never mind.”
“I have someone who will take you to the exhibit hall and be with you until I’m free.”
/> She wanted to beg him to change his mind, but knew he wouldn’t. “Okay,” she said, hating the distance that had come between them. But she didn’t know how to close it.
Chapter 16
Kelli was enjoying an early-morning swim when a shadow blocked her sunlight. She glanced up and saw Aaron.
“Changed your mind? Care to join me?” she asked with a flirtatious grin.
“The snake was a mistake.”
“What?” she asked, getting out of the water. She grabbed a large towel and wrapped it around herself before sitting down.
“I can explain away the stage malfunction, but the snake was a mistake. That is considered attempted murder.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“That’s what you can be charged with.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I would never hurt Rebecca.”
“But you wanted to hurt me?”
“No.”
“I’m sorry about your sister.”
Kelli paused, as if he’d struck her. “How did you...? You have no right to talk about her.”
“The party boat had nothing to do with Red Beacon Hotel.”
“I never said it did.”
“You wanted to get back at us,” Aaron continued, “because you think we covered up what happened to your sister, and you were angry.”
“Yes, I was. My sister left St. James broken. Coming here was supposed to be one of the best times of her life, and instead she was assaulted. She never recovered, and she killed herself two months later. I almost couldn’t believe it when Rebecca decided to set her show here. Suddenly all the memories came flooding back, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it. But I wanted to prove that I could face the past—especially you. I found your name in her diary, along with Red Beacon Hotel. Back then, it wasn’t a grand resort like it is now.”
Aaron froze, amazed that her sister had written his name down. He still remembered everything—that night on the boat, a young coed who was a little tipsy but having fun. “I’m a woman now. I can do whatever I want,” she’d told him.
“But you still have to be careful.”
“You’re one of the babysitters, right?”
“A chaperone.”
“A pretty name for the same job. But you’re to look after us.”
“I do my best.” He took her drink. “No more of these, and careful of those guys,” he said, then glanced up and saw Rebecca go overboard. “Excuse me,” he said before racing off and getting caught up in her rescue. He’d completely forgotten about the other young woman.
Kelli watched his face, amazed. “You remember her?”
“Yes,” he said with a heavy sigh of regret. “I never forgot her.”
“You were there to protect her. And you failed. You left her all alone.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“It doesn’t matter. When I think of her all alone after being raped and beaten, with no one to take care of her, it makes me so angry. Did you think she deserved it? Did you—”
“I didn’t know, honest. There were so many people on the boat, and I was nervous about how it was being operated, but it didn’t belong to us. It was owned and operated by another company. Thankfully, after several other charges of assaults on visitors, the company went out of business. That night, once I saw Rebecca go overboard—”
“Rebecca? Rebecca was there?”
“She was trying to escape the same fate as your sister, but she decided to be more daring.”
“So you didn’t just leave my sister alone?” Kelli asked.
“No. I wouldn’t have done that.”
Kelli covered her face in her hands. “I wish that made me feel better. When will the pain go away?”
“Why did you wait so long for your revenge? I know you’ve come to the island many times before. You could have done something then.”
Kelli looked at him, confused, her eyes red rimmed. “Revenge? I come to the island every year on the anniversary of my sister’s death just to remember, and do the things she can’t. It took me two years before I could come to St. James, and it was only this year that I had the courage to visit the Red Beacon.”
“You tried to sabotage the show to get back at me.”
Kelli shook her head. “No, I didn’t.”
Aaron’s voice hardened. “Kelli, no more lies.”
“I’m not lying. I’d never hurt Rebecca.”
“You were seen going into town to see Mama Soo.” Mama Soo was known for making native potions, and it was her house that H.C. had seen Rachelle leaving.
“For good luck. She gave me a lizard, but it escaped.”
“A lizard...not a snake?”
“No. And I bought a piece of jewelry that was supposed to help me get rid of bad spirits. I swear I had nothing to do with the sabotage. Mama Soo warned me about the Wetherses, and I thought Rebecca might get hurt like my sister did, that’s all. Please believe me.”
Aaron hesitated as pieces started to come together. Kelli going into town would look suspicious to anyone, especially Rebecca’s sister. She probably asked Mama Soo why Kelli visited her, but he knew that Mama Soo would never reveal what went on between her and her clients. “Did you call the TV station?”
“Why would I do that?”
Aaron swore. He believed her, but he didn’t want to. He hated the thought that the person who was behind all this was still at large. He hated not knowing who it was, or why they’d done all this. He couldn’t let his guard down, not until the show was over and Rebecca was off the island.
“Where’s Rebecca?” Kelli asked, studying his face.
“At the exhibit hall. Don’t worry, I have someone watching her, and security is tight.”
“So far it’s worked. Nothing has happened.”
“And I intend to make sure it stays that way,” Aaron said, his words a promise.
* * *
Harvey had just finished the final run-through as the announcer when he saw a message from Rachelle asking him to meet her. He excused himself and found her by the cove.
“I guess I should be going,” she said, “but I wanted to see you first.”
“So soon?” he asked, hating the thought of her leaving. “Why would you leave before your sister’s show?”
“I never stay for her shows. I don’t want anyone spotting me.”
“You could wear a disguise,” he said with a smile.
“I also have to get back to my grandmother.”
“Oh.”
“But are you free for lunch?”
“Yes.”
A half hour later, the two met in town at Bawley’s Jerk Favorites, the same location where they had eaten the jerk chicken legs.
“H.C., you want my special?” Edmund asked, greeting them with a knowing smile.
“Yes.”
“What’s the special?” Rachelle asked.
“Baked fish and breadfruit, wrapped in banana leaf.”
“Sounds delicious.” And it was. Edmund, sensing romance in the air, added his own flair with two glasses of homemade ginger ale and fresh sliced pineapples with mango-flavored ice cream for dessert.
“We’re not all sun and sand and resorts here,” Harvey said, looking out at the blue waters. He saw a man walking his goat and an escaped rooster pecking its way along the beach. “We have a thriving community of excellent schools, hospitals and stores.”
Rachelle grinned. “Are you trying to sell me on the island?”
“Yes,” he said, his tone and gaze without humor. “I have an aunt who works as a nurse at one of the finest nursing facilities here, if you were ever interested in moving.”
“And why would I do that?”
He shrugged.
“Maybe if you met someone you wanted to be with.”
She playfully nudged him. “But why would I move? Why wouldn’t he move?”
“Because he makes a lot of money and would be able to provide a good living for you and your family. You’re a freelance graphic designer, so you can live anywhere.”
She chewed on a piece of the breadfruit for a moment, considering it, then said, “It’s a risk. He could grow tired of me.”
He shook his head. “That won’t happen.”
“You sound like a romantic.”
He rested a hand over his heart. “The moment I saw you, I knew you were the only woman for me. I know I’m a lot older than you, but I’ll be good to you, I promise you that.”
She playfully nudged him again. “Your age doesn’t bother me.”
“It may bother others.”
“I don’t care. I like my men seasoned.”
He flashed a shy smile. “I’m glad.”
“But I still have to think about it.”
“Don’t think too long,” he said.
“Because you’ll change your mind?”
“No, because otherwise I have to start looking for another job in the States.”
She laughed until she realized he was serious. “Oh, H.C.,” she said, looping her arm through his and resting her head on his shoulder. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you feel the same. Even if it’s a lie.”
“I would never lie to you.” She lifted her head and looked at him. “And I do feel the same. I guess it can’t be helped.” She covered her face and groaned. “I shouldn’t do this. You’ll make me miss my flight.”
“You can always catch another one.”
She let her hands fall and looked at him. “What’s her name?” Rachelle asked.
“Who?”
“Your aunt. Before I go, I want to see this facility you’re talking about. They may not have space.”
H.C. jumped to his feet as if on springs. “I’ll make sure they do. I should also show you where I live. We can get home care if you want. After the wedding, we can decide on which district you’d like to settle in permanently. I’ve lived as a bachelor, so we may need to find a more family-friendly place.”
