That really got her going. I won’t repeat the words that came out of her mouth. Let’s just say it would have made a sailor blush.
The gist of it was that Natasha was done paying and Jason was trying to change her mind. Part of me wanted to stay and listen to the argument. Kind of like a rubbernecking at an accident on the freeway. But Dixon and Daphne were calling, and who was I to ignore the call?
The elevator pinged, and the doors slid open. Right before I stepped inside, I heard Jason yell, “You owe me, Natasha. You do this and you’ll be sorry.”
MY ROOM AT THE FAIRWINDS was more of a mini suite. The front room, next to the door, held two double beds with smushy pillow-top mattresses and perfectly pressed white cotton sheets. A short hall—the bathroom just off it—connected the bedroom to the front room. It was a nice bathroom. Nothing fancy, but it did have a rainfall showerhead and a very large tub. I decided I needed one in my own cottage back home. The rainfall showerhead, I mean. I already have a rather nice claw foot tub.
The front room contained a tiny kitchenette and sitting area to the right, and a dining table on the left. The wide glass doors opened up to the most amazing views of white sand beaches, the turquoise Gulf beyond. Breathtaking. And nothing like my own Pacific Ocean back home.
Unlike this stretch of Florida coast, Oregon sand was made of rocks, so it was dark, more tan-colored than white. Except on the sunniest days, the water tended toward a rich, stormy blue-gray. I missed it already. I loved the wildness of that rugged coast.
Still, the Gulf called to me. Suddenly the trials and tribulations of Dixon and Daphne couldn’t hold my interest. I needed a walk on that beach. Maybe clear my head a bit. Get over my annoyance with Natasha Winters and her nonsense so I could write.
Closing down my laptop, I threw on a pair of jeans capris, a thin t-shirt, and my flip-flops. I wrapped my long, dark brown hair into a bun—otherwise I’d end up with a rat’s nest— and tucked my cell phone in one pocket and my room card in the other. I quickly made my way to the elevator, across the courtyard, and out onto the beach.
The sand glowed softly beneath the nearly full moon, and the sound of the waves drowned out most everything else. They weren’t the loud booming crashes of the Pacific, but a softer, slower rush. Soothing.
Between me and the Gulf, rows of beach chairs huddled, dark shapes against the light sand. Two cabanas stood sentinel against the dark sky, their white canvas sides flapping slightly in the light breeze.
A breeze which in no way dispelled the oppressive humidity that lingered. According to the taxi driver on the way in from the airport, there had been a storm a couple days before. He’d assured Cheryl and me that the humidity would lift soon. I wasn’t holding my breath.
Wiping a light sheen of sweat from my brow, I strolled slowly across the firm sand, winding my way between the huddled shapes of folded-up lounge chairs. The cabanas were still up, which was unusual this late at night. Apparently whoever was responsible was having a lazy day. As I passed the cabanas, something caught the corner of my eye. With a frown I stopped, turning toward the second cabana. A dark shape was sprawled across the seat. Someone was inside.
I started to turn away, figuring it was a pair of lovers getting romantic in the moonlight. Couldn’t say I blamed them, except it was so darn humid the thought of touching another human being made me squidgy. Then I realized the shape wasn’t moving. Maybe someone had fallen asleep or passed out. I shook my head. Not my business.
But, of course, curiosity had always been my downfall, so I carefully picked my way across the sand and entered the cabana. It was so dark I couldn’t make out much of anything other than the person appeared to be a woman. She was on the slender side and wearing one of the white bathrobes the resort passed out to the better-paying guests. Her blond hair spilled across the white fabric of the cabana’s seating area as she lay prone on the lounge chair, her face turned slightly toward me, though I couldn’t make it out.
“Excuse me.” I cleared my throat. The woman didn’t move. I tried again. “Hello? Ma’am?” Still not a sound or flicker of movement.
One pale arm dangled from the couch. It was so still. Suddenly I had a really bad feeling.
Swallowing hard, I moved closer and reached down to touch that hand. Cold. Far too cold. Feeling a little queasy, I checked for a pulse like I’d seen people do in the movies. Of course, I had no idea what I was doing, so the action was pointless.
Then I saw it: the handle of a knife sticking out of her back, a dark stain spreading across the white robe. I swallowed hard. I should call the police.
I will, I assured myself. Just as soon as I see who it is.
I leaned over until I caught sight of her face. Holy crackers, it was Natasha Winters, and she was stone-cold dead.
Chapter 3
Detective Hottie
A UNIFORMED POLICE officer arrived first at the scene. She was short and stocky with mousy hair slicked back in a tight bun. Her pleasant, but serious, expression never wavered as she confirmed I was the 911 caller, then she ushered me away from the body and quickly set up a perimeter with crime scene tape.
