"The Senora is troubled?" he said.
Karyn looked up sharply. "What's that?"
Luis Zarate's dark, liquid eyes regarded her seriously from the rearview mirror. "Forgive me, Senora, I do not mean to speak out of my place. But I am a gypsy, comprende, and through my blood I have a gift for knowing when someone is in trouble."
"Really?" Karyn said. "You're a gypsy?"
Luis' eyes twinkled at her. "Well, a little bit. My great-grandmother on my mother's side was said to be a gypsy. Anyway, it takes only a little such blood to make you a gypsy, no?"
"I suppose so," Karyn said, smiling.
They drove on in silence for a mile before the taxi driver spoke again. "The Senora is visiting Mazatlan all alone?"
Karyn answered carefully. "No... I'm meeting a friend at the hotel."
"It is well. Mazatlan is a beautiful city, and visitors are welcome, but as you have seen, there are bad people here as there are in all cities. It's not wise for a lady to travel too much alone." He was silent for a moment, then added, "You will be here long?"
"I don't know," Karyn said. "Not very."
"Forgive me," said Luis with a little shrug. "I ask too many questions. I just thought maybe the Senora could use a guide. Someone who will charge you a fair price, and who knows Mazatlan and the jungles and hills behind the city like the lines in his own hand."
Karyn could not suppress a smile. "Someone like Luis Zarate?"
"Si, Senora. Forgive my boast, but it is the truth.
"I appreciate the offer," Karyn said, "But I don't think I'll be doing much sightseeing."
"Eh, bien, you will keep Luis Zarate in mind, yes?"
"Yes," Karyn told him, "I will."
Luis drove on out of the city and along a stretch where tree branches with broad green leaves over-hung the road on both sides. They turned back toward the sea then and followed the lip of a bluff for a short distance before starting down to the crescent of beach belonging to the Palacio del Mar. Karyn was pleased by the symmetry of the white main building with its red-tiled roof and the cabanas, like miniature copies, extending in a curved row on either side like arms embracing the beach.
As Luis drove along the roadway skirting the beach Karyn looked for Chris Halloran, but did not see him. The closer she came, the more her nerves jumped. There were so many questions. What would be his reaction to seeing her? Would he reject her? Was it fair for her to come back into his life bringing a horror that was no longer his concern? For a moment Karyn had a wild impulse to order the taxi around and head back to the airport. But then where would she go? There was no place left. There was no one else to go to.
"Senora?"
At the sound of the driver's voice, Karyn realized they had come to a stop before the hotel's wide Spanish-style veranda.
Luis jumped out and opened the door for her with another flourish. He retrieved her bag from the tied-down trunk and followed as Karyn walked up the steps and into the tiled lobby of the old hotel. She crossed to the registration desk, where a light-complexioned man with a high arched nose watched her with a small professional smile. A metal plate on the counter before him spelled out in raised letters:
J. Davila, Manager
"Good afternoon, Senora," he said.
Karyn nodded to acknowledge the greeting. "I'm looking for a gentleman I understand is registered here. Mr. Halloran."
A shadow flickered across the manager's eyes. "Ah, yes, Senor Halloran. You are... a relative?"
"No, I'm a friend. If he's registered here, I'd like to see him, please."
Senor Davila checked his registration cards in a businesslike manner. He pulled one of the cards out of the file and examined it. "Yes, Mr. Halloran is one of our guests."
"May I have his room number?"
"He is registered in Cabana Number 7."
"Thank you. Is there a phone I can use to call him?"
"I am sorry, there are no telephones in the cabanas."
"Then if you'll show me where it is, I'll go and find him myself."
"Ah, but that would be of no use. Senor Halloran is not in his cabana now."
Karyn's temper began to fray. "Well, where is he? I came here to see Mr. Halloran, and I don't have time to waste."
Luis Zarate stepped up to the desk. "Permit me, Senora," he said, then spoke briefly in Spanish to the man at the desk. When he had finished, the hotel manager turned to Karyn with an apologetic smile.
"Senor Halloran is presently at lunch in our dining room," he said.
"Thank you," Karyn said coolly. "Now if you will just tell me where the dining room is?"
Davila looked uncomfortable. "I am obliged to tell the Senora that Senor Halloran is not lunching alone."
"Oh, for heaven's sake. So he has a girl with him. It makes no difference to me. What did you think... that I was his wife?"
"One is never sure," said Davila. The relief was evident in his expression. Permit me to show you to the dining room, Senora."
"Do you wish me to wait?" asked Luis.
"No," Karyn said, "I don't think so." She paid the fare and added a generous tip.
"Muchas gracias," said the taxi driver. "You will not forget, if you need any form of assistance while you are in Mazatlan, no one is better prepared to deliver than Luis Zarate."
"I won't forget," Karyn assured him.
Luis deposited her bag behind the registration desk and walked back out the entrance. Davila came around the desk and Karyn followed him out through the lobby and beneath an archway into the dining room.
It was a big bright room with sunlight streaming in through tall windows along one wall. The tables were widely spaced, covered with clean white linen and set with gleaming silver.
It took Karyn only a moment to find Chris. He hadn't changed much, she thought. Still the same firm features, the unruly brown hair, and as always a deep tan. He was a touch more serious around the eyes, maybe. But who wouldn't be, after two years?
Chris was seated facing Karyn, but not looking in her direction. On the near side of the table sat a girl with long, shiny auburn hair. From the way the girl sat erect and held her head cocked to one side, Karyn could tell she was young and lively. Karyn was surprised at the pang of jealousy.
The hotel manager started to lead the way across the room to Chris's table.
"Never mind," Karyn said. "I see him."
She walked alone toward the table. When she was ten feet away Chris looked up and saw her. Ever since she had left Los Angeles, Karyn had tried to prepare for this moment when she and Chris Halloran faced each other again after two years apart. However, she was not ready for the montage of memories, good and bad, that flashed across her mind. Chris's face reflected many of the same emotions she felt, with the added shock of seeing her so unexpectedly. He sat frozen for a moment, then rose from his chair.
"Karyn. What... what a surprise."
"Hello, Chris."
"It's been a while."
"Yes, it has."
They stood for a moment looking at each other, with a thousand things to say, and nothing that could be said.
The girl sitting at the table set her water glass down with a distinct thump. Chris looked down suddenly, as though surprised at finding her there.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Karyn, this is Audrey Vance. Audrey, an old friend of mine, Karyn Beatty."
"It's Karyn Richter now."
"Oh. I see. Excuse me."
Audrey looked up from her chair with a dazzling smile. She ran her eyes over Karyn appraisingly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Richter. I haven't met many of Chris's old friends."