“That’s what we were thinking. It’s why we sent that note to your table at lunch,” Frank explained. “You see, we know something you don’t know.”
Susan almost giggled at the childish expression. “Something about Allison,” she guessed.
“And something about your husband,” Peggy added to Kathleen. “We think we know why he was arrested.”
“He was arrested because the police have made a terrible mistake,” Kathleen said.
“Oh, we don’t think he was guilty of murder,” Frank explained quickly. “We think he was guilty of love.”
“My husband believes-and I must say I have come to agree with him-that your husband was in love with Allison McAllister,” Peggy explained, reaching across the table and placing her hand on Kathleen’s forearm.
Kathleen shook off the caress and sat up straighter. “And exactly how did you get that impression?” she asked coldly.
“I can assure you that we didn’t make it up,” Peggy insisted.
“And we in no way want to distress you,” Frank added.
“You see, Allison herself told us,” Peggy answered.
“How did that happen? Were you sitting together and she saw Jerry and just said, ‘I’m in love with that man and he’s in love with me’?” Kathleen sounded furious.
“I’m afraid you need to explain more. We have to understand exactly how this all came up,” Susan pointed out.
“My husband was not in love with another woman,” Kathleen insisted, ignoring Susan.
Peggy reached out for Kathleen again and then, apparently thinking the better of it, put her hand around her glass. “I understand exactly how you are feeling. You see, about a year ago, my best friend came to me and told me that Frank was in love with someone else. I was shocked. I had had no idea. But before we go on, you should look at Frank and me. We’re here on our second honeymoon. Our marriage is stronger than ever. This could be the enlightening moment when you see your marriage for what it has become. And only by confronting reality can you change it. You and your husband will be just fine. I promise.”
“My husband is not in love with someone else,” Kathleen repeated.
“But-”
“Perhaps we should tell these women just why we’re saying this,” Frank said to his wife.
“That’s an excellent idea,” Susan agreed.
“I’d like another drink.” Kathleen drained her glass.
Frank Romeo was apparently one of those men who could demand instant attention from waiters and waitresses. One wave of his hand, a quick order, and less than five minutes later, everyone at the table was enjoying a fresh drink and Peggy began their story.
“I suppose I must begin by explaining honestly that I did not like Allison McAllister.”
“But I did-” Frank started.
“Of course you did. She flirted outrageously with you,” Peggy said, glaring at her husband. “Now if you will allow me to continue…”
“Please.” He narrowed his eyes and glared back. Susan wondered if this was going to be one of the shortest second honeymoons on record.
“Allison approached us the first morning we were here. We had spent the night in a motel near the airport in Miami, took the first plane out in the morning, and were here in time for brunch.”
“That way we get an extra day at the resort without paying for an extra night,” Frank explained. “We always do that on vacation.”
“I’m sure these women aren’t interested in your cheap ways.” Peggy picked up her glass and then put it back down without drinking. For one moment, Susan had thought she was going to pour it over her husband’s head.
“So Allison approached you,” Kathleen prompted.
“We were placed at a table right next to her. And, of course, we said hello right away.”
“Frank has a hard time ignoring attractive women. Even when he’s on his second honeymoon.”
“We don’t have all day,” Kathleen announced, downing her drink in a few gulps and acting as though she was about to get up.
“And we’re going to tell you about meeting Allison,” Peggy said. “I’m sorry. Sometimes it’s difficult to forgive and forget. As you will learn,” she added to Kathleen.
“You sat next to Allison while you enjoyed the first brunch of your second honeymoon,” Susan prompted.
“Yes. And, of course, we introduced ourselves, as people do in a place like this. And Allison was very helpful. We couldn’t get into our cottage immediately, and she suggested we use her cottage to change in so we could use the pool and start to get some sun.”
“How nice of her,” Susan said. “Which cottage was she in?”
“Number nine. It’s the first two-story cottage you come to walking down the beach. I think she may have been the only single person here staying in a cottage that large. I must admit I was disappointed when I discovered that we had reserved one of the smaller cottages nearer the restaurant.”
“We’re all staying in one-story cottages,” Kathleen said. “So you went to number nine and changed into your swimsuits.”
“Yes, and we-the three of us-went out to sit in the gazebo. We were actually sitting together so close to the spot where she died that it makes me shiver. Perhaps even in the same deck chair. Even now when I think about it…” Peggy actually shivered.
“My wife is very emotional,” Frank said.
She glared at him before continuing. “Frank was tired and he took a rather long and noisy nap, but Allison and I got along so well. We chatted about ourselves-you know the way you do-and I told her about our second honeymoon. And she told me that she was here to meet a man, a man she has been in love with for years. At first she didn’t mention your husband by name. But then she started saying Jerry. She did seem to feel slightly uncomfortable admitting that this Jerry-well, your Jerry,” she added, glancing at Kathleen. “That he was married. I mean, I’d told her about the woman who wrecked-almost wrecked-our marriage, so it was quite natural that she wouldn’t feel comfortable admitting to being the other woman, although in a very different situation, of course.”
“Why do you think the situations were so different?” Susan asked.
“Well, Frank’s affair was just a physical thing.” Peggy looked over at her husband, and Susan thought the expression on her face just dared him to disagree with her. “Allison, on the other hand, had been in love with your husband for years and years. I believe she actually said decades.”
“So she claims she was in love with him when he was married to her sister,” Kathleen said.
“Yes. I suppose that’s why they kept their affair a secret.”
“And did she explain why they didn’t get together after she died?” Kathleen asked.
Apparently Peggy didn’t hear the sarcasm in Kathleen’s voice. “She did mention that. She said he was so broken up over her sister’s death that he didn’t know what he was doing for years afterward.”
“He didn’t know what he was doing?”
“She said he had a breakdown. Poor man. Anyway, he married you and had children and then, years later, Allison ran into him.”
“Where?”
Peggy looked at Susan as though she had asked something odd. “In the town he lives in, of course.”
“Oh.” Susan looked over at Kathleen. She knew they were both wondering what had brought Allison back to Hancock after all these years.
“Yes, she said she ran into him on the street while she was shopping. I told her that their meeting like that sounded like it was meant to be, and she agreed with me.”
“And then what happened?” Susan asked.
“Their affair started up again almost immediately.”
“She kept coming to Hancock?” Kathleen asked coldly.
“No, she said they met at her place in New York City. He took her out to dinner, to see the latest plays, and to art exhibits, as well. She said the last few years have been the best of her life.”
“Years?” Susan asked. Kathleen merely glared at her empty glass without speaking.