she demanded. “What’s so important about you being there with my blessing?”
“I told you, I need free access. Everyone who was on the island will be there,” Keith said.
She shook her head, a wry smile in place. “Not exactly. Brad and Sandy aren’t invited.”
“I have a feeling they’ll be there anyway.”
“They wouldn’t dare be so obvious,” she protested.
“I think they’re confident enough in their ability to disguise themselves to risk it.”
“Then the police should be there.”
“The police will be there,” Keith said, glancing at Ashley.
“Then they can arrest them the moment they see them,” Beth said.
“They’ll have to know who they are—but it goes beyond just identifying them. Beth, here’s the thing. We don’t think they’re working alone. Or that they just want to get to you. They’re looking to get paid.”
“Paid!” she exclaimed.
“They disappeared really quickly after attacking you. I looked into the property surrounding your house, specifically at the block around the corner. Do you know who owns most of the houses in the area?”
“Who?” she demanded.
“Eduardo Shea.”
Beth stared at him in surprise. “You think Eduardo is in on the piracy? I don’t understand.”
“Among Mr. Shea’s investments are a number of boatyards on the South American coast,” Keith told her. “We know that whoever is stealing luxury vessels has to be making them over somewhere. The police have investigated all the local facilities, and everyone comes up clean. It would also make more sense to get the boats far away from this country, where all of them have been registered.”
“Now I’m really confused,” Beth murmured. “I don’t understand why Sandy and Brad would risk being at the club.”
“I think that Eduardo was talking to them on the phone the other day,” Maria put in.
Beth stared at Maria.
“Eduardo was distressed. He was threatening someone. Then, he said that he’d see them at the club. I told Manny,” she explained. “Manny was very upset. He contacted Keith and said we must tell him.”
“But…that’s so…I mean, they must know that they’d be in danger of exposure at the club.”
Keith shook his head, offering her a rueful smile. “How? They don’t know the police will be there. They don’t know that Eduardo Shea’s finances have been investigated.”
“Still, it would be a ridiculous risk!”
“Hide in plain sight,” Ashley murmured, joining into the conversation at last.
“I’m sorry. I still don’t get this,” Beth said, eyes hard as she stared at Keith again. “What is your involvement? Because, according to what you’ve told me, you were never out at Calliope looking for the pirates.”
He sat back. “My involvement is personal. I happen to believe that, if they’re apprehended, Sandy and Brad can answer a lot of questions,” he said flatly.
“I still don’t understand why you need me—why you need to be out of sight,” Beth murmured.
He lowered his head for a moment, then looked up. “There are a few other dynamics I need to keep an eye on. I’m asking you—no, begging you—to trust me. And not to demand answers that I can’t give you yet. I had Manny set up the dive—and no, your brother doesn’t know that Manny arranged all this on purpose—because I hoped that if you met with Ashley and Manny and me, you would be able to have faith in me.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I have faith in you,” Beth told him. “But sure, be my guest. I still don’t understand. You can have access to all areas of the club and hide out in my office or wherever.” She stared at Ashley. “The more cops the merrier.” She felt as if her head was reeling, and she didn’t understand anything. “Commodore Berry knows the police will be at the club? And the board of directors are aware of what’s going on, as well?”
Keith nodded to her.
“Then you really didn’t need my permission for anything,” Beth said.
He stared at her. “Yes, I did.”
The tension seemed heavy. Manny and Maria remained silent. She didn’t know on exactly what level he meant his words, or if being with her had been part of his undercover work or also something personal.
She just wanted to get away.
“I think we should join the others now,” she said sharply. “The rest of the divers must be up.”
Keith stood. “I’m going. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“Right,” she said stiffly.
He went topside with Manny. Ashley took his place at the table. “You’ve got to understand my position. Please, Beth,” she said. “Trust me.”
“I trust you,” Beth said, the implication that she didn’t care not to be trusted herself quite evident.
Ashley flushed.
“You really need some tea,” Maria said.
“I really need a drink,” Beth replied.
BETH WAS FINDING IT impossible to sleep. Usually, the night after a dive, she crashed immediately.
Not tonight. She was at Ashley and Jake’s place, the kids were sleeping. Ashley and Jake were sleeping. And she was tempted to join the crowd hanging out late at the restaurant.
There were sure to be cops among their number.
Then again, Brad and Sandy had apparently patronized Nick’s, as well. Still, when she went to the window and opened the drapes, she could see the docks. As late as it was, she could see several people sitting on one of the ice chests on the walk, talking, beers in hand. She craned her neck to look to her right, toward the restaurant. People were still filling the patio seats.
Restless, she dressed and stepped out, locking the door, pocketing the key Ashley had given her. She walked toward the patio and took a seat, then ordered a beer. That might help her sleep. God knew, she needed to sleep.
People at Nick’s were friendly. Several said hello. She was asked if she wanted to join in a game of darts but declined.
At last the crowd began to thin out. She rose, heading back to her friends’ house.
As she walked, she heard the sound of a chair scraping. She spun back, cursing at herself for being such a goose.
But
