The street was quiet except for a few elderly people standing about under the palms or else strolling but not seeming to be going anyplace in particular. From the main street Lowry and Terry were able to see the quiet waves breaking on the beach, which lay at the foot of the low cliff on which the little town appeared to have been built.

Carrol had slowed down to pass through the town. Another car got between them, but Lowry kept the maroon car in sight, and as soon as he could he passed the intervening car. As they came out of the town, Carrol once again began to pick up speed. They were driving along the oceanfront again.

About two miles down, Lowry saw Carrol take a turn to the right toward the beach. He nodded in satisfaction. “That’s what I’d figure him to be doing,” he said. “We’re in luck, Terry.”

“I wish I understood—”

“You will, honey. Just be patient.”

Lowry began to crawl along at fifteen miles an hour. When they came to the point where Carrol had turned, they saw a short, sandy road leading to the beach. There was a low, white stucco house almost on the sand of the beach, surrounded by transplanted palms and shrubs. Carrol’s car was parked at one side of the drive. Lowry pulled in behind it.

“You stay here, Terry,” he said. “This isn’t going to take very long.”

“Like hell I will,” she retorted. “You think I want to get sun-stroke?”

“You may be safer out here.”

“I’m coming in there with you, Ned.”

Lowry shrugged. Terry followed him out of the car and they went up the short walk to the house. It was terribly quiet all around, except for the subdued sound of the beating of the surf on the shore.

Carrol had left the front door open. They walked in, finding themselves in a cool, low-ceilinged room, furnished in soft, cream-colored fabrics. There were bookshelves lined with novels along one wall, and a small spinet-type piano.

“Listen,” Terry whispered.

She pointed toward the interior of the house. The sound of footsteps moving around on a wooden floor could plainly be heard. Lowry put his hand on Terry’s shoulder. He stared levelly at her. “You’re the one who wanted to come in with me. Do you feel like a tough guy, Terry?”

She nodded her head quickly.

Lowry’s smile was tense and brief. “Okay. I want you to go in there.”

“With Carrol?”

He nodded. “When he starts blustering, say anything that comes into your head, just to stall him until I can get in behind him. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“He’ll probably have whatever he came for by now. Go on. I’ll be waiting.”