Rising Tide

by Patricia Twomey Ryan

  No, he knew what the only way out was for him. It was too late. But he also knew a couple of big scores and he’d be home free. May make enough to buy himself a bar. He liked the thought of that.

  But now this, and with a sinking feeling, he realized why the redhead and the kid’s mother had looked familiar.

  Could they trace it? he wondered. His hands started to sweat and he wiped his nose on his sleeve. His head itched and he raked his hands back and forth through his hair. If it was just a simple gold bangle it would be pretty hard to trace. They might be able to trace it to the States, maybe back to the maker or distributor, not much more. But now, he had witnesses. The older one had said she couldn’t really see him – she had bad eyes. But the other one, the kid’s mother … The older one had said that the kid’s mother had seen him. He couldn’t believe she’d noticed him. She’d passed him so quickly on the path and he’d turned his head away. He started to pace around his small room. He was almost sure she was at the rehearsal before he met up with Ariana. Maybe he was overreacting. He had looked back a couple of times and seen her going down to where the chairs were set up on the beach.

  What the fuck was he going to do? He’d have to do something about her. There wasn’t anything he could do about the bracelet – too late for that – but the witness …

  TWENTY-ONE

  Thomas pulled up to the front gates and looked around. Three cars were parked further down the road, obviously press. The security guard approached his car.

  ‘Are you a …’ he said.

  Thomas immediately flashed his badge.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Inspector Moller. I should have recognized you.’

  ‘No problem,’ Thomas answered. ‘Those guys?’ he continued, nodding at the cars.

  ‘Reporters. They’ve been trying to get in here for the last two days, but they’re real riled up now.’

  ‘It’s only going to get worse. I’ll talk to Martin, see if we can give you a hand here. Is this the only entrance?’

  ‘The only one people really see, but there are a couple of service entrances. I think Martin has staff covering those.’

  ‘OK, I’ll see what we can do.’

  Thomas drove up to Reception and parked around the back. He could see that the resort was busier today. The dining room was back up and running, lively with guests enjoying lunch. It looked vastly different from yesterday. The tables were dressed in sparkling white linens. Gone were the wilting birds of paradise, replaced with vases overflowing with neon hibiscus. Quiet conversation and gentle laughter filled the room. Thomas checked briefly to see if Emily might be there, but she wasn’t. He headed to Reception and found Penny – also looking much brighter today – fielding guests’ questions. In a way, it was hard to imagine that yesterday had even happened.

  ‘Inspector Moller,’ she said as soon as Thomas entered. ‘I guess you’re looking for Mr Maitland. Here, why don’t you wait in the office and I’ll find him for you.’ She immediately opened the office door and ushered Thomas in.

  ‘Thank you, Penny,’ he said, thinking that she figured the guests seeing him might bring the mood down.

  ‘Thomas,’ Martin said as he entered. ‘I’m so sorry. I saw the interview. I can’t believe it. Joanne has always been … Annie is furious. Wants me to tell Joanne to leave, but I don’t think it would help. There’s really no stopping her. How was the press conference?’

  ‘What you’d expect. I tried to downplay the bracelet and I didn’t give them Peggy’s last name, but it will take them no time to find out and they’ll be all over this place. We should talk about security.’

  Martin sighed. ‘I was trying to avoid having the police around … the guests and all. But if you believe—’

  ‘Let’s think about it. Maybe it’s not necessary, or we could use some plainclothes guys if—’

  ‘Thomas, I’m so glad you’re here,’ Annie interrupted, coming in from the terraces. She looked drained. ‘I just got back from Kat’s …’

  ‘How is she?’

  ‘A little better, but do you know anything more?’

  ‘Not much,’ Thomas said. ‘We do think Ariana was down in San Nicolas after she left here on Saturday night. We’re sending a team to start doing interviews down there. It sounds like she may have been at Charlie’s bar.’

  ‘Charlie’s? What would she have been doing there? Have you talked to her friends?’

  ‘Some of them – her ex-boyfriend and a couple of girlfriends. We’ve got a few more names but they haven’t exactly been forthcoming. They think they’re protecting Ariana. Too late for that. We’ll push them a bit harder.’

  ‘Kat talked a little more about the changes she’d seen in Ariana. Nothing big. A couple of broken curfews, less interest in school, a little more reticent than usual … normal teenage stuff. But Christiaan also said that Ariana had been hanging out with a couple of new friends, girls he and Kat didn’t really know that well. I could ask her for their names.’

  ‘I’m heading over there after I leave here. If it’s OK, I’ll mention what you’ve told me.’

  ‘Of course. There’s nothing you can do about all those news vans and reporters outside their house?’ Annie said. ‘So disturbing.’

  Thomas shook his head, reluctant to mention that those crews might well be outside the gates of the Bluffs once they got hold of Peggy’s last name and the inscription on the bracelet. He’d have to warn Christiaan and Katrien about that, too. It was hard enough for them already, but once the newspapers got hold of it all, the speculation as to how Ariana had ended up with that bracelet would be devastating.

  ‘Are Peggy and Emily around? I looked in the dining room but didn’t see them,’ Thomas said.

  ‘They took Maggie to the Butterfly Farm,’ Martin replied. ‘They were anxious to get away for a little while. We thought it was a good idea. Nelson took them and … I asked him to stay with them. They’re on their way back, but this would be a good time to show you—’

  ‘I’m sorry. I forgot you said there was something you needed me to see.’

  ‘Let’s head down to the suites on the bay beach. It’s down there.’

  A number of guests observed Thomas, Martin and Annie as they headed down. Thomas noticed the stares and more than a few whispered comments as people watched to see where they were going. Martin did his best to wave and smile at them. Nobody was fooled. Martin stopped at the door of Peggy’s suite and Thomas immediately noticed the broken glass. ‘What happened?’

  Martin just pointed to Emily’s door. ‘The lights have been smashed. Both doors. We—’

  ‘When?’ Thomas asked with rising unease.

  ‘Sometime last night, we believe. Peggy noticed the light was out, but she had a small flashlight with her so it was OK. She didn’t notice the glass. Emily did.’

  ‘But I was here with Emily last night,’ Thomas said. ‘We walked by the beach and then, well, I walked her almost to the door. I left her at the end of the path. Everything seemed fine. Martin, we’re going to have to bring in a forensic team. I’m sorry. I know how difficult it will be to have this going on again.’

  ‘No, no, Thomas. Please, whatever you need to do.’

  ‘I don’t want anyone else down here. Can you have Nelson bring Emily and Peggy straight to your house?’

  ‘I’ll call him right now,’ Martin said.

  ‘Thomas.’ Annie’s voice was full of concern. ‘What do think is going on?’

  ‘I don’t know, Annie. But no one besides us knew about Peggy and Emily’s connection to this case last night. They’ll all know shortly, but last night? There’s only one person who could have had any idea, and that person is the one who killed Ariana Van Meeterens.’

  Annie and Martin looked stunned. No one said anything as they made their way back beyond Reception and up the path to Martin and Annie’s house. Nelson was just pulling up and Emily quickly jumped out, anxious to see Thomas. Without hesitation she ran up and kissed him quickly on his lips.
Thomas thought how beautiful she looked, animated like this. Then she turned to Martin and Annie.

  ‘Martin, what a wonderful suggestion. The Butterfly Farm was perfect. So relaxing, and quiet. But full of life,’ she said.

  Peggy joined them, carrying Maggie. ‘Maggie loved it,’ she said. ‘A spectacular blue and black butterfly with yellow spots landed on her hand. And she just sat there still as anything … One actually landed on my nose. There was another one that was the exact color of Emily’s hair, a sort of ginger—’

  At the same moment, they both noticed the strained look on Thomas’ face.

  ‘We should go inside,’ Annie said.

  ‘I need to talk to you about what happened to the lights outside your rooms.’ Thomas wasn’t wasting time.

  ‘It was just a couple of broken bulbs,’ Peggy said. ‘Kids horsing around. I’m sure you’re not happy about it, Martin, but I don’t think there’s any reason to be too concerned.’

  ‘We don’t really have problems like that here, Peggy,’ Martin said. ‘But both of your rooms, on the same night – and nowhere else on the grounds.’

  ‘Well, it’s kind of isolated down at that end,’ Peggy continued, scoffing at Martin’s apprehension, ‘so it’s no surprise …’

  Emily realized what Thomas and Martin were getting at. ‘You think someone did this to our rooms deliberately.’

  ‘I do,’ Thomas said. ‘And you have to remember that up until today no one really knew about your connection to—’

  ‘What do you mean, up until today?’ Emily asked. ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘I’m sorry about this, Emily, but Martin’s sister-in-law …’

  ‘Oh, no, don’t tell me,’ Peggy said, her voice echoing the concern in Thomas’ voice.

  ‘Peggy, I’d hoped that we could keep some of this information out of the press, at least until we had more to go on, but Joanne told a reporter that you saw the young man with—’

  ‘I never said that, Thomas. I saw a young man on the path right before rehearsal and there was something about him, but I didn’t see him with Ariana. I …’

  ‘Well, I’m afraid that wasn’t Joanne’s version. She gave them your name …’

  ‘My name? What’s wrong with her?’ Peggy instinctively hugged Maggie a little closer to her.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Peggy,’ Martin said.

  ‘She only gave them your first name,’ Thomas continued, ‘but I’d be amazed if they don’t have your last name by now … and she also told them about the bracelet.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ Emily said. ‘Do they know about where it came from? The inscription?’

  ‘Not yet, but they will shortly. We can’t keep that secret anymore. Someone may have seen Ariana wearing the bracelet or know how she got it. We need that information.’

  ‘Then the lights must have been someone looking for information from us, maybe a reporter, someone trying to get pictures. Martin, you said yourself that you were concerned about reporters on the grounds. That’s why you got the security …’ Peggy said, trailing off.

  ‘No one had this information last night, Peggy. Whoever smashed those lights already knew about you and Emily. And they weren’t just looking for information.’

  ‘What do we need to do, Thomas?’ Annie said. She knew what was coming, you could tell by her face.

  ‘Martin, Annie, I know you don’t want the resort tarnished by the press and I know a police presence will disturb the guests, but I don’t think we have much choice at this point. I told the press there would be another update later this afternoon. I’ll have to give them the information about the bracelet; they’ll already have identified Peggy. They’ll have a lot of questions.’ He turned to Peggy. ‘Just the usual things. Where you’re from. Why you’re here. How much time did you spend with Ariana? How much time did she spend with the baby? And don’t be surprised if there’s a picture of Maggie on tomorrow’s front page.’

  ‘Oh, Thomas,’ Peggy said, discouraged. ‘I don’t think I can face this. Maybe Ted is right – Maggie and I should head back to New York.’

  ‘Please, Peggy, not until we’ve had some time to follow-up on what you saw.’

  ‘But it was just a young man on the path. He could have been anyone. I assumed he was staff. I thought …’

  ‘But you said something bothered you about him. What was it?’

  ‘Well … he looked familiar, but that could’ve been because I had seen him working somewhere. The beach, or the dining room.’

  ‘OK. We’ll have you look through the photographs we have of all the staff; maybe you’ll recognize him. What else?’

  ‘I know this is going to sound foolish, but when he walked by me he looked away. I mean, he actually averted his eyes. All of the staff here are so friendly, always a greeting and a smile. It just seemed odd. Then when I was walking on, I turned to look back and he was looking back at me. I know it sounds silly, but—’

  ‘There’s nothing silly about it. Our instincts are one of the things that often warn us of danger ahead and it’s important to listen to them. Now, I’m going to get a sketch artist over here and I’d like you to sit down with him. Let’s see if we can come up with something. And I think we need to talk about security,’ he said, turning to Martin.

  ‘Absolutely,’ Martin said. ‘Whatever you think is best. We have a guard at the gate but there are other ways to get on the property.’

  ‘I think we can help out there, but let’s leave the same security guard out front. He’s good. And we don’t want people to become too caught up by the police presence; it will only incite more interest. But …’

  ‘I’m uncomfortable having Peggy, Maggie and Emily remain in those rooms on the bay beach,’ Annie said, interrupting Thomas.

  ‘You’re right. It’s too isolated at that end of the resort … Maybe the rooms closer to the main house would—’

  ‘No.’ Annie was adamant. ‘I want them to move up here. I won’t take the chance of anything happening to them. I just couldn’t …’ Tears started to fall from Annie’s eyes. She wiped them away quickly. ‘I just think it’s best,’ she said.

  ‘I agree,’ Martin said. ‘I hope that’s all right with you, Peggy?’

  ‘Martin, Annie, thank you, but I just don’t think that’s necessary. We’re fine in our room. Maggie is comfortable there and switching to someplace new … it would just take so long to get her settled again. If I thought there was something to worry about, believe me, I’d be up here in a flash. But I don’t. Anyway, if you’re putting on extra security, maybe someone could be assigned to that area. I’m sure that will be enough.’

  Martin turned to Emily. ‘And you, Emily?’

  ‘I have to agree with Peggy. I can’t imagine anyone trying to harm me. I know so little. I’m not so sure about you, Peggy, but are you sure you want to stay down here?’

  ‘I can’t see us moving. It’s just too much of a hassle and it will be terrible for Maggie. With extra security, I’m sure it will be fine. And,’ she turned pointedly to Thomas, ‘it will only be for a short time.’

  ‘Well then, I’ll stay down there with you,’ Emily said, her voice firm.

  ‘Oh, no! Emily, Maggie,’ Annie said. ‘I couldn’t possibly think of you …’

  ‘Look, Annie, I agree with you, but why don’t we talk about this again later? We’ll definitely ramp up security down there. Now, I have some calls to make and it would be best if we set up a room to work out of. Martin?’

  ‘Yes, yes, Thomas,’ Martin answered, and for just a moment visions of last year passed before his eyes.

  ‘You two must be hungry,’ Annie said to Peggy and Emily. ‘Why don’t I arrange lunch, Thomas?’

  ‘Sorry, Annie. I’d like to talk to Emily for a few minutes and then I have to head back to the Van Meeterens’.’

  TWENTY-TWO

  Emily and Thomas walked out onto the veranda. They sat at the far end where it was quiet and for a moment Emily just stared out at the ocean. It was
clear and sparkling, the sun dancing off each ripple. The waves were high and rolling with a dazzling white spray as they broke. This wasn’t an angry sea – its roar was muted. You could imagine riding its swells with abandon.

  ‘You seem discouraged.’

  Thomas nodded. ‘We just don’t seem to have anything solid. Charlie’s bar is our best lead, but I’m sure that place was packed on Saturday night. Loads of tourists, and a lot of them young girls. I don’t know; it just doesn’t seem like Ariana’s scene. Something’s been going on with her over the last month or so, but … I wish those friends would talk. Maybe this new girl, Liliana Florek.’

  ‘I keep trying to think of myself at seventeen,’ Emily said. ‘Who was I? It’s hard to remember.’

  ‘And then there’s the bracelet,’ Thomas said. She wondered if he’d even heard her speak.

  Emily thought about the bracelet. She had loved it once. Not anymore. ‘I can’t believe that Ariana stole that bracelet. It’s just not possible. There may have been stuff going on with her recently but I can’t imagine that she would do something like that. Why? Why would she do it?’

  ‘I know, it doesn’t feel right. That’s one of the things I have to talk to Christiaan and Katrien about. Could it be that she has a history of that? We have to know. It won’t be an easy conversation but it has to happen.’

  ‘No, you can’t avoid that. But I don’t think there’s anything there. Someone else stole that bracelet, and whoever did gave it to Ariana – and probably killed her.’

  ‘Then it had to be someone who was at the Bluffs,’ Thomas said, his face tightening, his eyes intense. ‘We’ve interviewed everyone who was here – guests, staff, day workers, delivery men, everyone. And so far—’

  ‘Nothing,’ Emily said.