Valerie Wolzien - Death in a Beach Chair

“We want to see that large coral reef we’ve heard so much about,” Joann called back. “Just follow us.”

James looked over at Susan and shrugged. “That one, she likes to have her own way.”

“She seems to get it, too,” Susan muttered, guiding her kayak toward the east. She looked down into the water at a row of sand dollars lying in a line on the floor of the sea. “It’s amazing how close everything looks,” she said, momentarily distracted.

James chuckled. “It is close. Tide is low. Water not more than one, one and a half meters deep here.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No. Course, tide coming in. Soon it will be much deeper.”

Susan paddled along, considering whether or not this might have any bearing on the murder. “Can a person walk-wade-to the gazebo when the tide is low?”

“A tall person, yes. The water is maybe five meters at low tide this time of year. Later, in the summer, it is less. There is a blackboard in the bar. There, low tide and high tide are listed. The person who tends bar makes daily change.”

“That’s good to know.” Susan thought about this for a moment.

“You are wondering if someone walked out to pier and kill that woman,” James said.

“I was thinking of that, yes. Do you think it’s possible?”

“Not last night. Last night tide was high. Killer either walk on pier or swim.”

“Or kayak,” Susan suggested.

“Not kayak. Not in one of my kayaks. They are locked up when sun go down.”

“Why? Are you afraid someone will steal them?”

“No. Kayaks used to spend the night up by gift shop. They were leaned against walls. No one thought anything about it. Then one night some guests got drunk, took two kayaks, and drifted out to sea. They were rescued by U.S. Coast Guard the next day. Suffered sunburn and nothing else. Damn lucky they didn’t drown. One man was a lawyer. He threatened to sue. Said kayaks should be locked up. So now we lock them up. Can’t let stupid people do stupid things.”

“Where?”

“In lockers. Behind gift shop. There’s lots of things locked up behind the gift shop.”

Susan frowned. They didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. “How well did you know Allison-the woman who was killed?”

“I do not fraternize with guests. It is a rule.”

“I’m not accusing you of anything like that,” Susan assured him. “I just was wondering if she talked to you about anything-anything that might help my friend.”

“Yes, of course you must help your friend,” James agreed. “Many people here-we worry about your friend.”

“Then you’ll help me?” Susan asked, relieved.

“How can I help you? I don’t know what you want.”

Susan could hear the hesitation in his voice. “I need two things. I need to know who you saw on the beach yesterday. They may have had nothing to do with the murder, but anyone who was there might have seen something. And I need to know if anyone on the staff saw something-or was told something-that might give me a clue to what really happened.”

James didn’t respond for a few minutes.

“I’ve investigated murders before,” Susan explained.

“Yes. But the staff here has not been involved in anything like this until this. And this is good place to work. People who work here want to keep working here. These people, they are my friends, my family.”

“Of course. I understand. That’s a nice way to feel. Do you think-maybe I should talk to Lila and she could assure everyone that their jobs aren’t in jeopardy?”

“No. Lila already told staff what to do. We are to help police and keep the guests from being upset. And we are not to talk to press.”

“But I wouldn’t involve Lila in my investigation. I wouldn’t want to bother anyone here or cause anyone to lose their job. Really. And I think I could investigate, just ask a few people a few questions, without doing anyone any harm.” She stopped talking and concentrated on her paddling. She realized she was going to need James’s help in gaining the cooperation of the rest of the staff. And she had no idea how to convince him that she wouldn’t hurt anyone. “I-”

Before she could say anything more, Joann coasted over to her side. “Have you gotten the hang of this yet?”

“I’m doing fine now,” Susan said, immediately offended. “I’m just not accustomed to this type of kayak. In Maine-”

“Really? I find this very easy. Almost relaxing.”

Something about Joann’s voice implied that Susan was a complete klutz. “I’m just not used to this type of kayak,” she started her explanation again. “See, in Maine-”

“I’ve been thinking about the murder,” Joann interrupted. “I think it’s possible that Allison knew someone was going to kill her.”

Susan was astonished. “Why?”

Joann scowled at Susan and then managed to give James a look that was both imperious and demanding. “I believe my husband could use your assistance.”

“Of course. If Mrs. Henshaw doesn’t need me…”

“You go ahead. I’ll be fine,” Susan assured him. “I’ll call if I think I’m going to fall in.”

“What’s he going to do? Pull you out and dry you off?” Joann asked as James spun his kayak around and pointed it toward her husband.

“I’ve got the hang of this now. Why did you say what you said?”

“Not in front of the servants,” Joann said, putting one pudgy finger to her lips.

Susan waited until she deemed James out of hearing range to ask the question again. “You said that you thought Allison knew someone was trying to kill her?” She liked this woman less and less, but was curious to know where this would lead.

“Yes. I said that. And I can tell you why.”

“Why?”

“I must tell you that Allison and I had a very interesting talk two days before she was killed.”

Susan made an effort to keep her impatience to herself. “Really? You talked about murder?”

“In a way. We talked about death.”

“What about it?”

“Perhaps I should start at the beginning.”

“Please do.”

“Well, I was lying by the pool-in the shade, of course. I cannot understand what these people are thinking when they sprawl out in the scorching sun for hours and hours. Haven’t they heard of melanomas?”

“Was Allison lying in the shade, as well?”

“No. And now that I think about it, that was unusual. She was talking about the value of life when, in fact, she was practically squandering it.”

“She was talking about the value of life? Is that what makes you think someone was trying to kill her?”

“No, that’s what led to the comment that makes me think she knew someone was going to try to kill her. I do think I should tell this story in my own way.”

Susan doubted if Joann was capable of telling anything any other way. “That’s fine.”

“So there I was, lying in the shade, relaxing, enjoying being on my own-and then Allison sat down a few chaises away from me and almost immediately began to talk about herself. To tell you the honest truth, I was irritated. Yes, I was irritated and I can honestly admit now that she is gone that I’m ashamed of feeling that way.”

“But how could you know she was going to die?”

“Exactly! How could I have known she was going to die?” Joann shook her head so hard that her kayak rocked back and forth.

Susan hoped Joann wasn’t going to fall into the water now that they were finally getting to the topic she found interesting. “Go on,” she urged. “What did she say about herself?”

“She started out by saying that she was relaxed for the first time in years. Well, I disregarded that. We’re all here to relax. It would be almost immoral to say anything else. I don’t remember how I responded. I probably said something like, ‘I know how you feel.’ In fact, now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I said. I know I didn’t encourage her to keep talking about herself. But she did anyway. You know how some people are.”