“What are they doing out there?” Kelsey wanted to run from them. “They’re too close to the rocks. Shouldn’t you warn them?”

Neale looked down at her, his face hard. “They’re looking for Beth. They found her things on that ledge over there.”

Kelsey didn’t want to look, yet felt her eyes following the point of his finger. The ledge was only partway up the cliff, easily accessible, and surrounded by water that appeared fairly shallow.

“It’s not so deep now,” Neale went on, and Kelsey jumped as if he had read her mind. “You could wade in it as long as the current doesn’t slam you up against those rocks. But later…when the tide comes in…” His voice dropped, and Kelsey stepped away from him. “Should I go on?” Neale asked in mock politeness.

“I don’t like it here,” Kelsey forced some authority into her voice that she didn’t feel. “I’m going back.”

“Suit yourself. It’s not fun to think about. Being trapped here.”

Kelsey turned on her heel and fought down the urge to run. Neale had done this to her on purpose, and she didn’t know what he was trying to prove anyway. He didn’t seem to be taking his sister’s death very hard, and he certainly didn’t seem to like her. Kelsey wondered if Neale cared about anything. She ducked through the tunnel, falling gratefully out into the daylight at the other end. She didn’t know if he was following or not as she hurried back along the beach. To her relief there were other people out now, the sounds of distant shouting and laughter. Kelsey quickened her pace. She wouldn’t let Neale upset her; she’d just try to stay out of his way and—

“Look out!”

The dog came out of nowhere, and as it leaned its huge paws on Kelsey’s shoulders, she heard shouting from all directions.

“Donna, you know the rules! No dogs on the beach!”

“I know the rules, Neale Connell! He broke his chain! What do you want me to do?”

“Hey, it’s okay—he won’t hurt you!”

As three people converged on her all at once, Kelsey managed to free herself from the dog’s embrace.

“Gosh, I’m really sorry—I hope Rex didn’t scare you—Oh! Are you Kelsey? I’m Donna Westin—I heard you were here for a visit.” The blonde girl now paused for breath and pumped Kelsey’s hand warmly, a contagious smile lighting up her whole pixieish face. Kelsey smiled back, but before she could reassure the girl, Donna rushed on. “Skip here told me he met you—now we’re all practically neighbors—only some of us are more sociable than others.” She glared at Neale, who didn’t seem at all perturbed.

Kelsey looked into Skip’s green eyes and felt her own smile widen. “Hi.”

“You should keep better company.” Skip grinned. “Having fun?”

Kelsey had forgotten all about Neale, but now he spoke up and moved out from behind her.

“She seems to think that one death’s not enough excitement around here.”