“What did Skip mean back there?” Kelsey interrupted, and Donna gave her a strange look.

“About what?”

“About people taking chances on the beach after dark, and your being lucky and finding them.”

“Oh. That.” Donna sighed and climbed over the rocks, obviously following some invisible path that she had taken many times before. “It happens sometimes, even when people are warned. It’s like I told you, the guys just can’t be on duty all the time. People think they’re safe ’cause they’re only going in for a minute, just to wade or take a quick dip…”

In spite of the hot sun, Kelsey shivered. “And they—”

“Drown,” Donna finished. “The tides are so strong…so different all around the island. People just get pulled out before they know it—and there’s no one around to help.”

Kelsey reached out to steady herself, but Donna was a few paces ahead and didn’t see.

“We’ve had two drownings already this summer. It’s not something we publicize—I mean, the last thing we want is for people to be afraid of this place.”

“That’s…horrible,” Kelsey murmured. She felt weak, and Donna was getting farther away.

“But like I said, it’s lucky they were found. They were both girls about our age—vacationing on the island. I’m glad I didn’t find them; I think I’d go nuts.”

Kelsey took a deep breath, a hesitant step. The rocks were hard to climb, but Donna didn’t seem to be having any trouble. “Who did find them?”

“Oh, you wouldn’t know him,” Donna’s voice was getting farther and farther away. “His name is Isaac. He’s an old fisherman who hangs around the island—really creepy-looking—with an eye patch.”

Kelsey stumbled, caught herself, trudged on. “I…I do know him…” She wasn’t sure if she had spoken aloud or only inside her head, but Donna was calling back.

“There’s a really neat view from up here, if I don’t have a heart attack first You can see all the cliffs and both beaches, and Skip’s house is just over there—there’s a road, but it’s usually locked up.”

“Road? Donna, are we going to the lighthouse?” Kelsey stopped, but Donna continued to climb.

“Sure! Don’t you want to see it?”

“I thought we weren’t supposed to—”

“We’re not.” Donna grinned sheepishly back over her shoulder. “But I love it up here, It’s so private and the view is the best. Come on!”

Sighing, Kelsey started after her again, already feeling little ripples of apprehension through her body. She didn’t want to run into Isaac again…or Neale…

“Here we are! Up you go!” Donna gave her a boost, and Kelsey stumbled onto solid ground at last, gasping for breath. “It’s a shortcut,” Donna said apologetically, putting her arm around Kelsey, steering her forward. “I should have put you in training first—sorry.” She didn’t seem to notice how Kelsey clung to her as they went closer to the lighthouse. “It’s something, huh?” Donna tilted her head, gazing up at the imposing structure. “It was built in 1824. The last lighthouse keeper lived here for over forty years.”