“Oh. Did you ask her what she meant?” Susan asked. “I mean, what sort of violence?”
“Of course not! I just told you that I was quite upset by what she said. Why would you ever imagine I’d encourage her to continue talking about it?”
“But-you said she predicted her own murder?” Susan protested.
“I believe what I said was that it was possible she knew she was going to be murdered. She talked to me about a violent end to her life. What is more violent than murder?”
Susan wouldn’t have argued with that even if she had thought there was half a chance that Joann would listen to anything she said. She just paddled back toward land with the rest of her group, wondering if she had learned anything this morning.
Later, reviewing what little she had been told, she realized the high point of the morning had been Joann’s kayak flipping over and dumping its passenger in the water as she passed the gazebo. Even Martin had smiled at that one.
FOURTEEN
Kathleen was sitting on the deck of her cottage, apparently writing postcards, as relaxed and content as any tourist.
Susan, recognizing a facade when she saw one, rushed to her friend’s side. “How’s Jerry? Did you see him?”
The smile that appeared on Kathleen’s face was real. “He’s okay, at least for now. There’s an American embassy office here. Not a big one, but the woman who runs it has been wonderful. I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to convince the higher-ups in the local police department that everyone concerned would be better off if Jerry was incarcerated on U.S.-held property. Fortunately, the embassy offices were built on the ruins of an old English fort. Jerry’s locked up in a guarded room on the ground floor. It’s a bit musty and damp, but he has a sensational view out over the sea. For the time being at least, he’s safe.”
“What did he say? Did he tell you anything about Allison, or-” Susan stopped, realizing that Kathleen probably didn’t know that Jerry and Allison had been together the day of her death. “-or anything,” she concluded.
“A police officer stayed in the room with us, so we were both careful about what we said,” Kathleen answered. “But we talked for a bit. In fact, I’ve been writing notes here. I’m trying to figure out whether or not he was trying to tell me something that no one else would understand.”
“What do you mean? Some sort of code? What did he actually say?” Susan repositioned the card closest to her so that she could read the words written in Kathleen’s perfect Palmer-method script.
“Not a code. I thought he might be saying things that only he and I would understand. If that’s what he was trying to do, he failed. At least, I didn’t get it.”
“What did he say?” Susan asked again.
“He started out by telling me that he was fine, being treated well, not to worry. All that type of thing. He’s worried about the kids. What will happen to them if this hits the news back home and they hear about it.”
“Is there any reason to worry about that? Has there been any sort of news coverage about this?” Susan asked, momentarily distracted.
“Not that I know of. And Ms. Adams-she’s the woman in charge of the embassy office-says that as far as she knows, nothing has been reported back to the States about it. But she also said that all it would take for the story to hit the news at home is for one bored American journalist here on vacation to hear about it.”
“Let’s just hope Jerry’s out of there before anything like that happens.”
“Yes. I can’t imagine trying to explain this to the kids.” Kathleen was silent for a moment, playing with the rest of the postcards she’d written.
Susan sat quietly, waiting for her friend to continue.
“We didn’t have much time to talk,” Kathleen began again. “Jerry asked about the kids and then he asked about you. He wanted to know what you were doing-where you were.”
Susan nodded. “He was probably wondering if I was investigating.”
“I thought that at first, but then he said something interesting. He said that you were the only person who could help him.”
“He’s saying that he wants me to investigate Allison’s murder.”
“No, he emphasized only. The word only. I’m pretty sure of that. I got the impression that he was making this point for a reason. He may have been trying to say that he doesn’t want me involved in any investigation.” Kathleen picked up a card showing a gaudy sunset behind palm trees and examined the words she had written on it. “I’m pretty sure he said you were the only person who could help him. But it may have been should help him. I wish I could remember.”
Susan was still thinking about Kathleen’s first thought. “What does he expect you to do? Lie around the pool working on your tan?”
Kathleen dropped the card she had been studying. “You don’t think he was trying to tell me to go home, do you?”
“I don’t know,” Susan answered slowly. “Maybe he thinks you should be with Alex and Emily. If that’s what he means… are you thinking of leaving?”
“Absolutely not! I’m going to call Jerry’s parents and tell them what has happened. If it does hit the news, they should be prepared to deal with the kids-or maybe just get them away from town for a while or something-but I’m not leaving Jerry here alone and I am going to investigate this with you!”
“Of course you are! And I can’t imagine Jerry thinking you would do anything else. So what could he have been talking about?”
“I have no idea. But he wasn’t upset. I mean, he knew perfectly well what he was saying. And he probably knew we were only going to have a short time together. It must have meant something.” Kathleen picked up her cards and placed them in a neat stack. “Maybe Jed will be able to tell us more.”
“Where is Jed?” Susan looked around as though expecting to discover her husband nearby.
“He’s still at the embassy offices. They’re trying to find a lawyer to represent Jerry. The lawyers he called in Hancock all suggested he find someone familiar with the laws-and customs-on the island.”
“Have they actually charged Jerry with the murder?”
“Not officially. The term they’re using is assisting with the investigation of the untimely death of Allison McAllister. But apparently there aren’t a lot of laws on the books here to protect the rights of suspects. They can hold Jerry pretty much as long as they want. Ms. Adams agreed that a lawyer familiar with the island’s laws and court system, such as it is, should be hired. She suggested two names-expatriates who are practicing here-and they should be talking with Jerry right now. Jed offered to help us out. He’s contacting our bank at home to have money transferred here so we can give the lawyer a retainer. He said to tell you that he’ll be back as soon as possible.” Kathleen picked up her pile of cards and tucked them in the pocket of her linen slacks. “So what have you learned this morning?”
“I’ve been talking to people,” Susan said, realizing again that she was going to be uncomfortable discussing Allison and Jerry with Kathleen. “To tell the truth, they’ve been talking to me. Allison’s been here for a few weeks and she spent time chatting with other guests. They’ve been seeking me out and-and telling me about her. In fact,” she continued, suddenly inspired, “why don’t we go get some lunch and see who else wants to talk to us?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You should eat something. But even if you just have some iced tea, we’ll learn more in the restaurant than we will sitting here alone.”
“I suppose. But these people don’t know us. They might think Jerry actually did kill Allison.”
“They might, but that’s not important now. What’s important is that we know Jerry didn’t do it. And it’s more than likely that a guest-or someone on the staff here-did.”