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Keith Henson.
He swore softly.
Then he disappeared back into the shadows.
16
THE CLUB LOOKED EXQUISITE. The florists had arrived at the crack of dawn. The dining-room staff began at the same time, and soon after, electricians were out stringing the special lights. The theme was hot and tropical, and by afternoon, the place had been transformed.
Beth came at ten. She’d slept late, knowing she would wake alone. As she left the house, she glanced at the hibiscus bush.
She was tempted to ask Ashley to rip the damn thing out!
Nick’s was already buzzing. Cheerful waiters and waitresses called a good-morning to her as she hurried around to her car.
She felt silly for letting herself get so spooked the night before. And elated because she’d been with him. Because he’d said he was falling in love with her. Angry…
Because even though she’d been with him, so little had really been said.
She told herself to forget him for now and try again for a little bit of dignity and distance when she saw him again.
Beth spent the day in an uneasy fog. She ran around as she was supposed to, ensuring that the flowers were right, the tables set and the dais specially arranged for the commodore. Champagne was chilled; the correct wines arrived.
At three she went up to her office, ready to lock her door for a few minutes and collapse into her chair.
She started when she walked in and discovered that Keith was there. She stared at him accusingly.
“You didn’t lock it,” he told her.
“I don’t usually during the day, when I’m up and down. I can see now that I should have.”
He heard her tone and ignored it, speaking crisply, “You’ll need to lock it tonight, and I’ll need a key.”
At the moment he was in dock shorts and a T-shirt. There was a garment bag hanging off one of her shelves, next to her own.
“You’re here for good, then—I mean, from now till the party’s over?” she asked.
He nodded.
“I have one question for you,” she told him, trying to keep her distance.
“And what is that?”
“Why isn’t my brother in on what’s going on?”
“I’m working on a need-to-know basis here,” he said, his eyes level upon hers.
“I see. Maria needed to know all about you, but my brother shouldn’t?”
He sighed. “Beth, Maria knew from Manny.”
“So because they knew who you are, they’re in the clear?” she asked.
“No one is in the clear,” he said grimly. “Beth—”
She took a step back. “I don’t think today is really the time to get into a heavy conversation.”
“You’re right. Let it go. I’m not accusing your brother of anything. He just doesn’t need to have anything more dumped on him right now.”
She felt a twinge of irritation coming on. “That’s a crock. You think my brother can’t be trusted.”
“Beth, do we have to do this?” he demanded.
“You asked me if you could be here, remember?”
Something hard touched his eyes. “I’ll need a key.”
“Top drawer, on the left. It’s in a compact,” she told him.
“Interesting hiding place.”
“I never needed to be all that worried about hiding it before,” she told him.
She no longer wanted to collapse into her chair. She left the office. Downstairs, she decided to grab something to eat in the kitchen. The chef asked her to taste the blackbean soup, which was delicious. She was so nervous, though, that she could only manage a few spoonfuls.
When she returned to her office, Keith was gone.
She called Ashley, who assured her that the man watching Amber had called in. Her niece would be getting out of school soon, then heading home and getting ready to come to the club with her father. Beth decided to get dressed for the evening. She headed down to the women’s lockers with her clothing.
Extra staff had been hired for the evening, and caterers were working on the patio and dockside bars and chair arrangements. All the permanent staff and extra personnel were wearing tuxedos for the evening, the men and the women. She nodded with approval as Henry waved to her.
There was a large man helping Henry. He seemed a little awkward. He noticed her watching him and came over to her. “Officer Greg Masters, MissAnderson,” he said quietly. “I just wanted you to know we’re here. Blending in.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. Blending in? She wasn’t so sure, but he was there, and that was enough.
She crossed the side patio and entered the hallway that led to the women’s lockers.
No one was in the area. In the locker room alone, she felt chills along her spine. She went through the place, looking into every bathroom stall, every shower.
She was definitely alone, but she still had the eerie feeling that she was being watched. She showered and dressed quickly, then emerged, still with the uncomfortable feeling of being watched. She wondered why she was so nervous, knowing that the police had already arrived and Keith was there, as well.
What about Lee and Matt? she wondered. They had been invited by the Masons. Were they there already, too? And exactly where was Keith at that moment, and why had he been so determined that he needed to be there so early.
She made a few last-minute checks in the kitchen, the dining room and the bar. The band arrived to set up, and then Eduardo Shea appeared, dashing in an elegant black-and-white salsa costume with ruffled sleeves. She knew she had to behave naturally, and she managed to greet him with enthusiasm. All the while, though, it seemed that her blood ran cold.
“Has Maria arrived yet?” Eduardo asked her.
“No, not yet. But, please, come say hello to Commodore Berry and his wife, and I’ll show you where your table is. The band is set up, and everything will be exactly as you requested.” She smiled and took him by the arm.
Commodore Berry was standing outside, looking totally the part in his white suit and captain’s hat. He was gazing out at the docks with pleasure. He turned to Beth, smiling. “Look, there’s a group coming in from the Belle Haven club. Rumor says this is going to be the end-of-summer party to outdo all the others.” He lowered his head as if he was about to whisper to her, then noticed Eduardo. “Good evening, sir. Welcome.”
Beth fled. If Commodore Berry could carry off his part so well—knowing that police were watching his party for uninvited guests—surely she could carry it off, too.
Ashley and Jake arrived, and then Ben and Amber.
“You all right?” Ashley asked.
Beth stared at her friend. “I guess you saw Keith this morning.”
“Yes,” Ashley said, flushing. “But I wasn’t referring to Keith. I was talking about this evening. But, um, of course, Keith is welcome in my home anytime. But…as to tonight…?”
“As long as you stay right on Amber every minute,” Beth told her, “I’ll be absolutely fine.”
“I’ll be with her, I promise,” Ashley assured her. She looked at Beth anxiously. “You know…nothing may happen. No one will act if they don’t see anything out of the ordinary.”
Beth nodded. “I almost wish something would happen. Something…so that I can stop feeling as if I were on pins and needles all the time.”
“It will be all right,” Ashley said, and squeezed her arm. “Everything looks fabulous, by the way.”
“Thanks,” Beth said wryly. “There’s Maria. Lord!”
Maria was in a short sequined dress that hugged the perfection of her body. Her hair was swept back, and she wore a red rose tucked behind her ear. The dress sparkled with her every movement. Beth noted that the short skirt would swirl and glitter as she danced. Maria turned, saw Beth, and nodded gravely.
“People are beginning to arrive,” Ashley said.
“Time to play hostess.”
“Have you seen Keith?”
“Hours ago. I don’t know where he is now. Excuse me.”
For the next hour Beth was insanely busy, so much so that she nearly forgot that her sparkling contribution to the yachting club social season had become a charade. Despite the insanity, she found herself anxiously looking for Amber all the time. Her niece wasn’t alone. Ashley was with her, as she had promised. Apparently Kimberly’s parents had dropped her off to enjoy the event, as well. Both girls were stunning in their fancy outfits and heels.
She caught her brother watching her, as well. He still wore a look of accusation every time his eyes turned her way. They had been so close all their lives. She felt a pain in her heart because now he felt she had betrayed him. She longed to tell him she wasn’t at fault, but she couldn’t. Not yet.
The other dancers had arrived. Mauricio stood beside Maria.
The Masons were there, ringed around Eduardo, Maria and the dancers.
Then, in the crowd, she saw Matt Albright, and a small distance from him, helping himself to a glass of champagne, Lee Gomez.
Still, no sign of Keith. But then, he’d said he wanted to stay unseen, and apparently he’d meant it.
As she greeted some of the members, Commodore Berry came to her side. “Beth, this is incredible. Already a hit, and we’ve hardly even started.” He lowered his voice. “I know the place is crawling with police, but how can you tell who’s who in such a crowd?”
He had a point, she decided. In a moment of panic, she excused herself and threaded her way through the crowd.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Ashley was still with Amber. Sticking like glue.
The band stopped playing just then, and the commodore asked everyone to start taking their places for dinner. People began to file to their tables. An older man, tall and well built, with thick white hair, beard and a mustache, and sea-green eyes, passed her and smiled. She smiled back, though she had no idea who he was. There were too many guests from their sister clubs that night, she decided. She watched the others file into the dining room and take their seats. The dance instructors were together at a table with Manny and Eduardo Shea. The Masons were all in attendance, including Gerald. They were at a table with Matt and Lee.
If Brad and Sandy were present anywhere, she hadn’t seen them.
The commodore gave his welcome speech. Beth joined her own family at last. When she sat, she was at Jake Dilessio’s side. Ashley was beside her husband, and Amber was on Ashley’s other side, with Ben next to her, and Kimberly next to him.
She tried to relax, tried to eat.
Whoever the man was with the white hair and Colonel Sanders mustache, he must have been a friend of Commodore Berry’s, because he had a seat on the dais.
The commodore announced the menu, welcomed the members and guests, and hoped that all the docking arrangements had gone smoothly. He thanked the chef and the staff, and made a special announcement, thanking Beth, as well, and introducing her. She was startled when he demanded that she rise, which she did, and she tried not to feel awkward as she received applause.
Her brother clapped with the others, politely, but he stared at her as if he felt he had nurtured a traitor. She wondered if she would ever be able to fix things between them.
Yet again, she wondered where Keith was.
Dinner was served, and it was as delicious as the chef had promised. Kim and Amber chatted; even Ashley and Jake seemed casual.
As courses came and went, people hopped sociably from table to table. Amanda joined them for several minutes, complimenting Kim and Amber, flirting with Ben. Hank dropped by, then Gerald.
There was a tap on Beth’s shoulder. She nearly jumped a mile. It was Matt Albright. “Hi. I just came over to see how you’re doing,” he said cheerfully.
“Great. Good to see you,” she told him.
“Have you seen Keith?” he asked her. “He was supposed to be here with us.”
“No, I haven’t seen him in here,” she answered honestly.
“There’s just no telling with that guy,” he said, and shrugged. “Well, I hear there’s dancing later. Save something for me, huh?”
“Sure. Though I hear it’s salsa—and your best partners are over at that table,” she said, pointing to Eduardo and his group.
“I have a feeling you’d be a great partner,” he told her.
“Well, thanks,” she murmured.
Roger Mason stopped by next to greet her brother.
Amber rose. “Where are you going?” Beth asked sharply.
Amber stared at her, surprised by the tone of her voice. “The bathroom, if it’s all right.”
“I’ll go with you,” Beth said.
“Aunt Beth, I know where it is.”
“I know, but, um, I need to go myself.”
“We’ll all go,” Ashley said cheerfully, rising. “Kim, join us?”
