“What was all that about between him and Skip just now?” She fell into step with Donna along the shore.

“Who ever knows, with Neale…?” Donna shook her head. “Skip was supposed to meet Beth that night, so I guess Neale thinks Skip can clear up the mystery somehow.” Donna steered her away from the beach through the trees. “Come on, the diner’s this way.”

Kelsey straggled up the hillside, stopping to catch her breath as she saw the old building with its west diner sign,

“Fancy, huh?” Donna swept long hair back from her face and waited for Kelsey to catch up. “The busiest part of the beach is farther down, past your cottage. That’s where everyone really hangs out. But this place doesn’t have so many tourists. No offense.” Winking mischievously, she tied Rex to a post by the door and pulled Kelsey inside.

“Aren’t you afraid to leave him?” Kelsey asked as Donna nudged her into a booth by the window.

“Kelsey, it’s so safe on this island, it’s positively boring.” Donna gave the menu a cursory glance. “We get some important people here, like Eric, of course. Artists. Writers. People who rent for the summer. The others are tourists—they only come for the day.”

Kelsey unfolded her napkin. “How come the media isn’t beating down Eric’s door? People must know what’s happened, and he’s well-known.”

“Yeah, but that’s where Skip’s father comes in. Skip’s grandmother was Beverly, if that tells you anything.”

“Beverly?” Kelsey stared at her, totally baffled, and Donna leaned across the table, her face animated.

“Beverly Island.”

“Oh!” Kelsey’s eyes widened. “You mean that Beverly?”

“That Beverly!” Donna looked pleased with herself and bounced back against the torn upholstery. “Well, I can’t actually remember which grandmother, but it was one of them. The island’s been in the family for generations.”

“So when he said he owned the beach, he wasn’t kidding.” Kelsey let it all sink in, shaking her head. “Is that why Neale doesn’t like him?”

“Well, let’s face it, Skip’s not very discreet about his position around here. Like I was saying about his father—Eric didn’t want reporters around, so Mr. Rochford took care of it. He’s got money and power, and what he says goes. Skip usually gets what he wants.” Donna greeted the waitress and ordered coffee and rolls for two. “I don’t think Neale liked Skip hanging around Beth. She had kind of a crush on him.”

“Maybe he’s just an overprotective big brother,” Kelsey suggested.

Donna shook her head. “They were all stuck in boarding schools most of the year. And summers were spent with relatives and friends ’cause Eric never had the time. That’s what Skip told me, anyway.” Donna sat back as the waitress placed a steaming mug of coffee in front of her. “Eric farmed them all out after their mother died…they never really saw each other while they were growing up.”

“How does Skip know all this?”

“He and Justin have roomed together at school the last few years. They’re best friends—swim team, honors, all that good stuff.”