“Dead!” Neale scoffed. “Of what? Feeling sorry for yourself?”

“It just might interest you to know that Isaac almost strangled me tonight!” It was out before she thought, and Neale’s eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean?”

“He threatened to kill me!” she went on, but some of the boldness had gone from her voice. “He said I might wash up on the beach some morning like all the others.” She shut her eyes against a sudden image…a body…by the lighthouse…in the weeds…

“Isaac said that?” Neale’s voice sank even lower, his stare going through her like a lance.

“He saw me go on his boat today,” Kelsey admitted reluctantly. “He said again that he didn’t kill Beth…but—”

“But what?”

“What he told me before. That he knows who did.”

Neale wasn’t even looking at her now. He was gazing out to sea, and the wind lashed his hair, giving him a wild, frightening look. Kelsey heard his voice, carefully controlled.

“Did he say who it is?” Neale asked.

She shook her head. “No. Just that he knew. But he didn’t tell me.”

Something snapped on the path behind them, and Neale was on his feet so fast that Kelsey wasn’t even certain she had seen him jump up.

“Relax,” Skip’s voice came out of the dark. “It’s just us.”

It was obvious that Neale didn’t appreciate being eavesdropped on. He reached down and pulled Kelsey roughly to her feet, glaring at the newcomers. “What do you want?”

“We were getting worried,” Donna said, annoyed at Neale’s greeting.

Skip just laughed it off. “So old Isaac has the murderer picked out, huh? Well, this island is just crawling with smart detectives—”

“That’s not funny, Skip,” Donna glared at him.

“Sure it is. Almost as funny as you and Kelsey are.” Skip grabbed her arm, but Donna shook him off. “Oh, come on, be a big girl and use your head—you remember, that place where everyone else has a brain?”

“Drop dead, Skip,” Donna muttered, and Kelsey stood there helplessly, watching her go.

“Donna!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” Donna called back, strangely choked. “Are you walking on the beach in the morning?”

“Yes, but—Donna, wait!” Kelsey ran after her, only half conscious of the boys heading back to the house. “Donna—”

“It’s my fault, you know—” Donna wiped angrily at her tears, tried to smile. “He’s such a total jerk, and I’m so stupid—”

“No, you’re not. I think Skip likes you more than you know—more than he knows—”

“Now who has an empty head?” Donna’s laugh was weak, and she shivered. “Listen, can I borrow your jacket? It’s a cold walk home.”

“Why don’t you wait a minute,” Kelsey slipped out of her windbreaker, handing it over. “Let Justin give you a ride—”

“No thanks.” Donna jerked the hood up over her head and dug her hands into the pockets. “See you in the morning.”

Kelsey trudged back, going up to her room without seeing anyone. The boys were all in the kitchen and, she supposed, still having fun at her expense. She tried to put herself in their places, but it only made her angrier. I’d believe Justin…I’d believe Justin, no matter what he told me…