Part 41 (1/2)

Dar decided Kerry needed a hug. Accordingly, she slid an arm around her and pulled her closer, then enfolded her in both arms.

She felt Kerry's exhalation warm against her skin. ”All right,” she murmured. ”Let's hold on a minute and see if we can get a handle on this.”

”Buh.” Kerry buried her face into Dar's shoulder. ”I want my milkshake.”

Dar chuckled faintly. ”Listen.”

”I'm listening.”

”We fixed Bud and Charlie's problem.”

Kerry nodded. ”Right.”

”We ticked off Wharton, and maybe now he'll call DeSalliers on the carpet.”

”Right.”

”Here's what we're gonna do. The cops are on their way here to talk to us. We're gonna tell them the whole seven-layer Mexican bean dip these last couple days have been. The pirates, DeSalliers, the works.”

”Okay.”

”Then we're gonna go out, and dive a gorgeous blue hole and see that cave I was telling you about before we left Miami.”

”Ooh. This is getting more interesting.”

”Then we're gonna have dinner on the boat under the stars.”

Dar rubbed Kerry's ear gently. ”And when we get back here, we're going to enjoy that hot tub with a bottle of cold wine and a big bowl of strawberries.”

”Mm.” Kerry relaxed against Dar's body. ”That sounds awesome,” she said. ”But you know what?”

”What?”

”I'd be just as happy to spend the entire time just like this instead,” Kerry said. ”I like the idea of telling the police everything, Dar. Even if they are in on whatever is going on with the pirates, it would make me feel better just to say it.”

Dar nodded. ”So here's how I think we should play it.” She felt a little more stable. ”Let's not mention that we know who the pirate is, or that we know it's not the first time. We'll do the outraged- American-executives-on-interrupted-holiday routine.”

”Gee, that's a stretch.” Kerry chuckled.

240*

”You know what I mean.”

”Like we did with the hotel manager.” Kerry nodded. ”I get it.”

She considered. ”Because if we tell him all we know, the first question they're going to ask is why didn't we come forward before?”

”Mm.”

”And, why we didn't just leave the island and get out of the situation.”

Dar sighed.

”Wish we had?”

”Yeah.” Dar nodded. ”But you know what? Once they'd gotten it into their d.a.m.n stupid heads that we had something from that wreck, I'm not sure we could have.”

No. Kerry thought back over the last few days. Their big mistakes were diving the wreck, and saving Bob. She straightened a little inside the circle of Dar's arms, not sure she would have avoided either event, despite what they were going through now.

She thought about Dar's observation. ”You know, I think you're right.”

Dar grinned. ”However, if you want to go on feeling crummy about it, I'll be glad to sit here and comfort you all day long.”

Kerry started laughing. ”G.o.d, you know, this whole thing is just so ridiculous,” she said. ”The only thing that could top it, is if it started snowing.”

Dar glanced at the window in pure reflex. ”Right.” She unclipped her phone and dialed a number. ”Better tell Bud what room we're in.” She listened, but after two rings the phone switched to voice mail. ”Hm.” Dar waited for the beep, then spoke.

”Bud, it's Dar. Give me a buzz when you get this, and I'll tell you where we are.” She closed the phone.

Kerry eyed her. ”You don't think he's going to run off, do you?

He seemed really spooked about those men who were following us up the hill.

”I don't know.” Dar c.o.c.ked her head as she heard footsteps approaching. ”Ah. That's either room service or the cops.” She reluctantly released Kerry and went to answer the knock. ”Or both.”

Outside the door were the manager, a tall, thin man in a khaki uniform, a room service waiter, and most importantly, two chocolate shakes and a pot of coffee. Dar opened the door and waved them all in, neatly stealing one of the shakes as the waiter pa.s.sed by.

The manager waited until the waiter put down the tray and Dar signed the check. After the man left, the manager cleared his throat.

”Ms. Roberts and Ms. Stuart-this is Captain Alalau, who is in charge of the police. I have asked him to come and investigate this*241 destruction of our property and of your peace of mind.”

Kerry almost applauded at the speech. The police captain seemed reserved, but politely friendly. ”Captain, why don't you sit down? This might take a few minutes to explain,”she said. ”And you too, Mr. Brack.”

”Thank you, Ms. Stuart,” the policeman answered in a gracious tone. He and the manager sat down. ”You are most kind. I understand how upset you and Ms. Roberts must have been to come and find your room in such disarray.”

”After the week we've had?” Dar came around the couch and handed Kerry her shake, then sat down next to her on the couch facing the two men. ”You could say that, yes.”

The officer leaned forward. ”Mr. Brack tells me you knew this woman? Is this true?”

”We think so,” Kerry said. ”Based on the description from the housekeeper, she's one of two people who have been bothering us while we were here on the island.”

”Ahh.” Captain Alalau nodded. He had a handsome, finely sculpted face, and almost nonexistent hair. ”That would be Mr.

DeSalliers' two employees, would it not?”