Death in a Beach Chair Read Online Free Page B

used to it, but recently it’s begun to drive me nuts again. I know it’s irrational, but . . .”
    “But when you’re annoyed with one thing, everything else is exaggerated, as well,” Susan said.
    “I guess. We probably should head back to shore,” Kathleen suggested. “James is down by the water with another couple. They may have reserved these boats for the next hour.”
    “Sure.” Susan started to paddle a bit more enthusiastically. “Kathleen, if there’s anything I can do . . .”
    “Susan, I don’t want to ruin your vacation. I don’t want to ruin my vacation. I’m glad you’re my friend and I know I can always come to you for help. But let’s just try to have fun while we’re here. Remember, in a week’s time we’ll probably be up to our knees in snow again.”
    “Don’t remind me!” She put a bit more oomph into her stroke, and the little kayak zoomed across the water.
    The movement of the waves pushed them into shore, and in moments they were stepping off their kayaks. That is, Kathleen stepped off. Susan, shifting her weight in the wrong direction, slipped right into the surf. James was in the water immediately, making sure she was okay, helping her get back on her feet.
    “I’m fine,” Susan assured him, laughing. “I’m just getting to my morning swim a little earlier than I had planned.”
    “Well, at least you waited an hour after eating,” Jed said, appearing on the beach with two large fluffy towels. “Here,” he continued, offering both to his wife. “I was planning on offering one to each of you, but your need appears to be greater than Kathleen’s.”
    “There are extra towels piled on the chair out on the gazebo,” James informed them.
    “We’re okay,” Kathleen assured him before turning to Jed. “Where’s Jerry?” she asked.
    “To tell the truth, I have no idea. He went back to his room after breakfast, but when I knocked on the door a few minutes ago, he wasn’t there. There was a young woman cleaning, and she said that he had come in for a few minutes and then left almost immediately. But don’t worry. It won’t take any time at all to find him. This is a pretty small resort and there aren’t a whole lot of places to hide.”
    “I could use something cool to drink,” Susan said.
    “Why don’t you two go find a place to sit and I’ll get some juice,” Jed suggested. “Orange, tomato, cranberry, or pineapple?”
    “Anything as long as it’s cold,” his wife replied.
    “Cranberry mixed half and half with some Perrier if they have it,” Kathleen answered. “I’m going to find Jerry, so save me a seat. I’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
    But Susan and Jed had emptied their glasses of juice by the time Kathleen returned, a worried expression on her face.
    “I brought cranberry juice and Perrier, but I think it’s warm by now,” Jed said, standing up. “Why don’t I go get some more ice?”
    “Don’t bother. I’m not really thirsty. I’m worried. I can’t find Jerry anywhere.”

 
    FOUR
    “He probably went for a walk.” That statement was repeated a few times as the Henshaws and Kathleen asked members of the Compass Bay staff if they had seen Jerry. But where? He could have gone for a walk on the beach that stretched out beyond the stone jetty that bounded the resort to the west. He could have strolled down the road in either direction, ending up at the tiny grocery store in the nearby community in one direction or into an enormous stand of palm trees in the other. They couldn’t find anyone who had seen him, so they had no way of knowing. Kathleen wanted to organize a search, but Jed and Susan talked her out of it.
    “It isn’t like Kath to overreact like this,” Jed said to Susan as they headed back to their room for more sunscreen. “What’s going on?”
    “She’s worried about Jerry. She says he’s been looking at photos of June and the kids.”
    “Oh, but that might be because—” A loud knock on the door