Death in a Beach Chair Read Free

spots. And this dreadful winter had probably made small problems appear to be big ones. But things would be different now that they were together in this wonderful place. Not just different, better.
    A tray bearing a pot of coffee, cream, sugar, and a small vase of flowers showed up by her side. Susan thanked the young man who brought it and was busy stirring cream and sugar (it was her vacation, after all!) into the steaming brew when she noticed an attractive blond woman strolling down the long pier toward the charming gazebo that stood on stilts a good ten feet above the water. A long peach kimono fluttered behind her in the morning breeze. Susan had seen that robe just a few weeks ago in Bergdorf Goodman. In fact, Kathleen had considered buying it—before checking out its price. Now Susan realized that her friend must have been unable to resist, after all. She sipped her coffee and smiled. If Kathleen had worn the nightgown that went with that kimono last night, there was little reason to worry about the state of the Gordons’ marriage.
    “What are you smiling about?” Kathleen Gordon slid into the chair across from Susan.
    “I—” Susan looked out on the pier. “I thought I was watching you. Out there. I thought that woman walking on the pier was you.”
    “I’m flattered,” Kathleen said. “She’s gorgeous. Jerry could hardly take his eyes off her yesterday. Of course, she was wearing the tiniest swimsuit I’ve ever seen then, not a robe,” she continued while Susan’s mouth dropped open.
    “I . . . you know how men are,” was Susan’s inadequate comment. Both women had been married for many years. They did know how men were, but that didn’t necessarily mean they excused them.
    Kathleen didn’t respond.
    “Would you like some coffee?” Susan asked. “The waiter is around somewhere.”
    “Someone will be over in a minute. The staff here is very attentive.”
    “Have you and Jerry been having fun? What have you been doing? How was dinner in town last night?”
    “Awful. I think we picked out the worst restaurant on the island. It was dirty, noisy, and the food was dreadful.”
    “Why did you go there? Did someone recommend it?”
    “No, we were just walking by. The menu was posted. It looked okay. You know how it is.”
    “Sure, but . . . I don’t understand why you went into town. The food here is supposed to be wonderful. Don’t tell me it isn’t.”
    “Oh, no! We arrived in time for lunch. The food here is fabulous! I had a piece of grilled fish—I think it was grouper—and it was delicious. Really light and the spices were so unusual. And Jerry had a shrimp salad that was sensational.”
    “Then why did you go into town?”
    “Damned if I know.” Kathleen frowned. “It was Jerry’s idea.”
    Susan, who was happy to sympathize if a female friend wanted to criticize her own husband, but knew enough not to be the one to start it, changed the subject. “Was your flight on time?”
    “Yes. Thank heavens. Alex was up almost the entire night before we left. He claimed to have had a series of nightmares, but I think he was worried about us being gone. I got on the plane and fell asleep almost immediately. I didn’t wake up until the pilot announced that we were about to land. So I arrived feeling wonderful. I only wish the same were true of Jerry. He says he didn’t even nap, and he’s completely exhausted from that mess at the agency. I’m really worried about him. I can’t remember the last time I saw him relax.”
    “You mean that new account Jed and Jerry took over in December?”
    “That and everything else,” Kathleen answered vaguely. “Oh, there’s that nice young man who keeps track of the kayaks. I watched a young couple paddling around in the water yesterday afternoon and it looked like they were having so much fun. I want to reserve two for Jerry and me. Do you and Jed want to try, too?”
    “I . . . I think I’d rather watch first. To tell the truth, my plans