Death in a Beach Chair Read Free Page A

for today include a short swim in the pool and lots of time spent with a paperback in one hand and a cool drink in the other. Maybe tomorrow I’ll feel more energetic.”
    “Then I’ll just ask him to reserve two. Oh, there’s Jed! I’ll tell him we’re over here.”
    “Great.”
    Susan picked up her coffee and resumed her contemplation of the ocean.
    “Hi, hon.” Jed leaned down for his morning kiss. “Sleep well?”
    “Sure did.”
    “I’m surprised you’re up so early.”
    “I’m planning a leisurely day of dozing in the sun. Thought I’d get an early start.”
    “Just be careful that you don’t get a burn,” Jed warned.
    “I won’t. I packed three different sunscreens. Besides, there are umbrellas set up all over the place.” She looked around. “It’s really nice here, isn’t it?”
    “It certainly is bright.” Jed looked over his shoulder. “Where have Kathleen and Jerry gone?”
    “Kath is trying to reserve kayaks for them to use today, and I haven’t seen Jerry yet. Maybe he’s sleeping late. Kath says he’s been exhausted.” She thought for a moment before asking a question. “Have things been going on at the agency that you haven’t told me about?”
    “Probably. I don’t tell you everything, after all. But I gather you’re referring to something specific?”
    “I don’t know. Kathleen mentioned problems, and you hadn’t told me anything unusual. Oh, here they come. Let’s order. I’m starving.” If she had been a bit less hungry, she might have noticed the change of expression on her husband’s face when she mentioned problems, but Jed had reassumed his relaxed facade by the time Jerry and Kathleen arrived at the table. They were followed closely by a perky waitress who offered menus and coffee.
    They spent the next few minutes deciding on their orders. Jed and Jerry stuck to eggs and bacon, but both Kathleen and Susan threw caution—and their diets—into the Caribbean winds and decided on coconut French toast and fresh tropical fruit cup.
    The food arrived promptly and it was wonderful. More and more hotel guests began to appear, many of them barefoot, dressed only in swimsuits and flowing cover-ups. Susan noticed that the casual atmosphere hadn’t forced some of the diners to leave their jewels at home. One deeply tanned woman wore gold chains around her neck, both arms, and one ankle. A thin gold chain draped around her hips just below her navel completed the ensemble. The man she was with had adopted a yachting theme—boat shoes, navy slacks, a navy and white striped knit shirt—and a hat proclaiming him to be the captain shielded his eyes from the already warm sunshine. Susan leaned toward Kathleen. “Look at the woman over there. She’s . . .”
    But Kathleen wasn’t listening. She was staring at her husband with her mouth hanging open and a distressed expression on her face. “But I thought you wanted to kayak. Yesterday when we were watching that young couple, you said it looked like lots of fun.”
    “No, you said it looked like lots of fun. I just didn’t disagree with you. Kath, I am not going to go out on the ocean in a little slip of plastic that could flip over at any minute. Period.”
    “But—but I don’t want to go out alone.”
    Susan realized the Gordons’ vacation wasn’t starting off on the right foot, and she hurried in to help. “I’ll kayak with you, Kath. I was just telling Jed that it sounded like fun.”
    Jed looked up from his plate. “But I thought—”
    “I was planning to lie around all day,” Susan admitted. “But now that I’ve consumed about a million calories, I think some exercise is an excellent idea. Maybe we could get another kayak if you want to join us. Right, Kath?”
    “Sure. There are five or six available. Do you want me to check with James?”
    “Who’s James?”
    “He’s the young man who keeps track of the sports equipment and the towels and stuff like that. There’s a little cabana/kiosk