I don't think there has ever been any romance between Kit and myself. Not really. I suppose we're like close cousins, although lately… Anyway, Kit and I protect each other and have vowed never to talk against each other. We've always had the sort of relationship that's difficult for others to understand, except for those in our group. For some reason they get it.
Not only are there no romantic feelings between Kat and myself, but also none in the group that I'm aware of. We are all just the best of friends.
Kat and I are the only regular church goers in the group, so when I say "we've" been praying for a perfect graduation day, I'm referring to just the two of us.
On some special occasions the group does join us at church. It's rare, but they go once in a while. Kat and I still ask them just about every Sunday to go with us, and we are encouraged when someone says, "Yes." Sue and Erica are the ones most likely to come with us, although they never talk about the service afterwards. But they seem to take things in.
Last Sunday all eight of us went to church together. I think the group came with us mainly because they knew it would be our last Sunday together for a long, long time. Afterward, Sue was real quiet and for the first time mentioned how much she enjoyed the service. That was a first, and was encouraging to us. Kat and I often pray for our friends.
We've all dated other people, mostly from the university, but we all agree that the most fun we have is when the eight of us are together.
After this week, we'll be scattered around the globe. There are job offers that will take some to other states. Two are going to Africa, and two on to their Masters. Kat and I aren't sure what we're going to do. We do know that whatever it is, we're going to do it together. We're both praying and asking the Lord for direction.
At this time, we're leaning towards becoming missionaries somewhere in a foreign country for a year. Then when we return, we plan to go back to school. Unlike Paul, we feel no pressure from our parents, so we're waiting on the Lord's direction.
Our church back home is also praying for us, and we'll be meeting with them next week. They've told us they'd like us to join one of the missionary teams that they support. We're excited to see where they want us to go.
We've both majored in criminology. We've even thought of opening a detective agency together, and have had fun trying to decide what to call it. Maybe The Kit and Kat Detective Agency, or Kat and Kit Detective Agency or maybe just K and K Detective Agency.
But one thing for sure, wherever we go or whatever we do, we know the Lord will direct our paths, because we pray for His direction in our lives every day.
After our short time away, all of us will be moving on in our new directions. Most of us will be leaving the day we return from the island. Right now though, all of our thoughts are on spending quality time with each other.
We know it's most likely the last time for all eight of us to be together for a long, long time. Perhaps never again.
This is why we're going to spend the next five days together, just the eight of us on Paul's Island.
Chapter 3
Graduation is now over, and everyone is set to leave. But before we go, let me introduce you to our other friends and their goals after graduation. Steve and Nat are joining a team in Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in Africa. Their major is horticulture, so they'll be going there with a team to help the local people find the best way to grow fruits and vegetables. They'll also be giving them guidance and direction on proper diets.
They've signed up for a year's commitment, but we're sure they'll stay longer. We feel it will take considerably more than a year to complete what they plan to do there.
Erica and Sue, with their teacher's credentials in hand, are both heading to the same high school, Erica teaching history and Sue mathematics. Their plans are to teach for just a couple of years, then return to school to get their Masters, and then apply to teach in the university. After that, they plan to get their Doctorates.
Sue Greene, who was a team swimmer for our university, will also be the swimming coach for the school that she and Erica will be teaching in. She and the swim team have brought many trophies to our university.
Nadia is returning to our university to receive her Masters in the study of science. We call her and Paul "The Einsteins," as they like to read, study and debate on any subject that's brought up. And most of the time they win the discussion, but it's all done in fun and love.
Chapter 4
Well, here we are at last. We arrived at the Main Island later than we wanted to. Our flights were delayed, which was a good thing, as Sue was running late. She had a doctor's appointment for a physical, and told us that it was for her new coaching job. She thought she had given herself enough time, but because of some delay at the doctor's she'd had to rush. Sue seems a bit uptight. I just hope the doctor hasn't found a serious problem.
Here on the Main Island, the skipper of the barge that's supposed to take us to Paul's Island has already gone. Someone tells us that the skipper, who's called Henry, waited over an hour for us and has probably gone home. Paul is trying to hunt him down using his cell phone to call Henry's home.
Paul says there's no answer, so he looks around the pier and finally finds the skipper at one of the pier taverns, but with too many beers inside him. After downing Henry with a pot of coffee, and with Paul feeling it's safe for the man to maneuver the barge across the water to his parents' island, we begin putting our luggage on board.
Everyone is laughing and enjoying the ride, which takes about thirty minutes. When we arrive, we men grab the suitcases and our carry-ons. The ladies take their own carry-ons. The suitcases are small as we've all packed light: mostly shorts, tops and swimsuits. We've also packed for one dressy night, which is to be tomorrow, our first full day.
Paul has made arrangements with the servants to fill the freezer and refrigerator with hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, bacon, eggs and veggies before leaving. He also asked them to provide sodas and whatever else they thought we might need for our five days of isolation.
In an hour or so it will be dark, but we can still see everything clearly for now. The dock is built like a huge deck right on the water. A prominent sign on the end of pier warns that this is a private island, and trespassers will be fined heavily and their boat confiscated.
When Henry, the barge skipper with a Peter Lori voice and a little nervous laugh, says he'll be back for us in five days, we look at each other with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. We are going to be stranded here on Paul's Island without a boat.
On the way over, Henry told us that his life is boring, but that it's going to change very soon. Paul thinks that Henry has no family and lives all alone. There's something a little odd about Henry, and I have to admit that I'm glad to watch him leave the island in his old barge.
We all head for the building that Paul calls the castle, with the women trying to keep up with us men in the gathering dusk. Every once in a while we make crazy sounds, stop, turn around and shout "Boo!" The girls scream and laugh all at the same time.
As we get close to the house, the sensor lights go on. Paul is right: the house does look spooky.
The servants have put out two round umbrella tables on the large patio deck overlooking the sea, with four chairs around each. There are also lounge chairs facing toward the sea, with smaller tables in between. The servants have arranged a tall bar-like table with two high stools. It all looks like something out of a 1940's movie. I can almost visualize Joan Crawford lying on one of the lounge chairs with maids and butlers scurrying around her, with her big dark glasses and white bathing suit. The furniture is white with green and yellow cushions, and the deck is covered with green indoor-outdoor carpet.
It's almost completely dark now, the light failing surprisingly fast. We all agree that the scene on the deck has become like the set of one of those old horror movies on TV. We are all movie fans, and met twice a week at university to watch the T.C.M. movies and eat popcorn.
I look at Kat, wink and give her a big smile. Kat winks back at me. She really looks beautiful in the moonlight that now glistens off the water. I think of a song we've heard many times while watching old movies on TV. I believe Bing Crosby sang it, but I'm not sure. At this moment it's going through my mind as I look at Kat. I'm not sure of the words, but they go something like this: "Moonlight becomes you, it goes with your hair. You certainly know the right things to wear, moonlight becomes you so. "
I'm mouthing the words while singing it under my breath. When I look up, Kat is looking at me with the same big smile on her lips. Those lips move, saying, "Thank you."
Paul is rushing to get to the castle door first, but I beat him to it. There's a note scotch-taped to the door. I wait for everyone to arrive at the porch. The envelope says, "Welcome", done on an old typewriter. I wait for everyone to gather on the porch before saying anything.
Nat asks, "Who is it from? Who knows we're here?"
I open the envelope and read it to myself first. The note is done with a computer, and it's chilling. I don't want to frighten them, so I slip it back into the envelope. "It says, 'Have a good time.'"
Kat asks, "But who is it from? Let me see it."
I pull it away but Steve snatches the envelope out of my hand. But before he can open it, Nadia grabs it from him. She opens it and says, "Oh no! Who wrote this? It must be a joke, and I don't like it."
Everyone says, "Nadia, just read it to us."
Nadia has a nervous smile on her face. Her voice is quiet, almost a whisper, as she reads the contents of the letter. "Two of you will die before your five days are up."
We don't know if we should laugh or take the note seriously. We turn to Paul for some kind of explanation. He is mischievously silent. We look at each other and burst out laughing. The consensus is that someone is playing a prank on us, and all the evidence points to Paul.
We go into the castle, which is really just a large, secure house built perhaps a hundred years ago. In days gone by, on a headland like this in Europe, it would have been constructed as a real castle.
It's gloomy inside, even with the lights on. Electricity comes from a generator in an outside building. Paul explains, "The generator is rather small, so we have low watts in all the rooms except the kitchen and library. And those are only bright because my parents say you need to see to cook and to read."
The dining room has a long table that sits fourteen comfortably, with six chairs on each side and ones with arms at each end. The lights are certainly dim, but there's a large candelabra at each end of the table that will give us enough light to see what we're eating.
Paul tells us, "My parents also say you need lights to eat!"
My stomach is growling. "Talking about eating, I'm starving."
There are seven shouts of agreement.
Since leaving the university dorms, we haven't eaten except for a light lunch. The women start to prepare hamburgers, French fries, salad and sodas. The men carry the luggage upstairs to the rooms Paul has assigned each of us.
There are three bedrooms on each side of a wide upstairs hallway, each with their own bathroom. On the east side, Sue and Erica are sharing a room. They're the best of friends, and will be sharing a small apartment when they arrive at their new jobs. The school has found them a place to stay, but they're not obligated to keep it if they don't like it. They're both happy to be roommates here at the castle. Kat and Nadia each have their own room.
On the men's side, Paul and I each have our own room, while Steve and Nat will share one, just like they're going to do in Africa.
We sit down to eat, and Kat and I look at Paul. He says, "What?"
No one says a word. Kat says, "I think we need to thank the Lord for this food," and with a smile adds, "also for our protection from whoever wrote that note."
No one disagrees. With smiles we all hold hands and bow our heads as Kat gives thanks.
After dinner we sit around and talk. By 11:00 we are all tired, so we make plans to meet for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. The ladies have agreed to do the cooking. We men will set up the dishes, silverware and glasses outside on the patio deck, looking over the water. It sounds like fun.
We are excited and looking forward to our first full day on the island. No one mentions the letter that was scotch-taped to the door.
Chapter 5
We get up earlier than expected, and start the breakfast about half an hour before schedule. Everyone's agreed to do this, except for Sue who isn't with us.
Erica explains, "Sue got up really early and told me she was going for a swim in the sea. She wants to keep in shape. She also says that tonight is dress-up time, and she has a special dress that's going to be a surprise for everyone." The dress-up night was Sue's idea.
Breakfast is ready, so we men start to take the table settings out to the deck. Nadia's looking out the kitchen window, and says, "Look, there's Sue. She's sitting on one of those lounge chairs. I can see her arm."
We go outside, carrying the food. We call out to Sue, but she doesn't answer. Paul runs to her, shouting out, "Sue, get up, breakfast is ready!"
Still no movement.
Paul kneels down beside her, and looks up at the six of us. His face is drawn, his color gone. He says, "She's not breathing!"
Sue has a robe on over her bathing suit. He pushes the left side of the robe open to check her heartbeat. When the robe opens, we see a knife in her chest near her heart. Paul begins to cry, leans over and puts his arms around her, calling out her name while rocking back and forth.
We feel confused, and some of us begin to cry. It all seems so unreal. It's like being in a daze.
Our cell phones have been showing a no service signal since we left the Main Island yesterday. Paul has earlier shown me where a land phone is in the house, emphasizing it's to be used only for emergencies. Well, this is an emergency. I look up the number for the police station on the Main Island, and make the call. As best I can, I explain what's happened. It seems like a dream … a nightmare.
I return to the group, telling them, "The police will be here in about an hour. They say for us not to touch anything. And we're not to try to contact Sue's family. The Inspector will do that later. And we aren't to let our parents know anything until Sue's family has been informed of her death."
That warning has only just come in time. I was planning to phone my mom and dad right away, and probably the others are planning to do the same with their parents.
Nat has covered Sue with her beach towel, and we go quietly into the living room. Paul is still crying, emotionally falling apart. We all look at him and, like me, the others must be wondering why he seems to be taking it harder than the rest of us. Even Erica, who was Sue's best friend, seems to have her emotions more under control.
Paul is the newest to the team, so we all knew Sue so much better than he did. Yet he's the one who can't control himself.
Kat says, "The letter says that two of us will die before our five days are up. Who has it?"
Nadia says, "I don't remember, but after I read it someone grabbed it out of my hand. Who took the letter from me?"
Steve sighs. "It was me. I put it on the counter in the kitchen." He gets up and returns shortly. "It's not there!"
Kat says, "The girls cleaned up after we ate dinner last night. Maybe it was thrown away."
Paul is now more under control with his emotions." I put it in my room." He gets up and goes to his room. He returns after a long time with the note. Everyone is quiet.
We've been in a daze for some time, sticking closely together and having coffee. Suddenly there's a loud knock on the door. Kat and Nadia let out a scream of fright. I'm sure all our hearts skipped a beat. It's a female police officer with a young man, and a tall man in a black coat who introduces himself, saying, "I'm Inspector Charles. Which of you is Kit?"
I raise my hand.
"You're the one who made the phone call to my office?"
I nod my head.
We all get up from where we're sitting, except Erica who is staring into space, tears filling her eyes. Reality of what has happened to her best friend seems to be taking over.
Inspector Charles sounds officious. "I want you all to stay where you are, apart from you, Kit. I want you to show me your friend's body."
I take them outside, and walk the Inspector, the detective called Donna, and the young police officer to the deck. I point to the lounge chair. "She's there, under the beach towel."
The Inspector walks to the chair, turns. "Is this some kind of a joke?"
I say, "What do you mean?"
The Inspector looks angry. "Come here, Kit." He turns to police officer Chung. "Bring the others out here."
My six friends come out, but stand far from the lounge chair. They clearly don't want to see Sue's body.
The Inspector says, "Okay, all of you come closer and explain this."
We walk over to where Sue's body is.
"Will one of you tell me what's going on? I'm not in the mood for games, especially from graduating students out to have fun on behalf of small town police inspectors."
We look at each other and then at the Inspector. He picks up the towel. "Okay, where is this body that you all claim you saw?"
Sue's body is gone.
Chapter 6
We look at each other, and again tears come into our eyes. Where has Sue's body gone? Who moved it? Was it one of us? Or is there someone else on the island? We're discussing these thoughts out loud when Detective Donna calls out, "Inspector, come here. I think we've found the missing body!"
The Inspector walks to the edge of the pier; we follow him. Paul is losing it again. We look over the side. Sue's body is floating face up, nearly submerged, with the knife still in her chest. Her body is tied to one of the pier posts. Officer Chung is busy taking photographs with a small digital camera.
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