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
