Kelsey nodded, tried to swallow the lump in her throat. Donna and Skip disappeared into the hall and Neale lowered his face into his hands, his voice surprisingly steady.

“You thought it was me.”

“I thought it was everyone,” Kelsey said hollowly. “Except Justin.” She couldn’t look at him, yet she felt his eyes upon her, calmly assessing.

“I could never have hurt Beth—she was the only one who really cared about me. About any of us. The only one in the family who tried to keep us all together. It was Beth who wanted this summer together, not us. Dad adored her, did anything she asked. He never wanted sons…thought they were too much bother, better to stick them off somewhere so he could get on with his career. Except for Justin—Justin made him proud. Justin made up for all the bother.”

Kelsey glanced at him guiltily. “I found one of your letters to Beth. While you were in that hospital.”

He nodded, a half smile forming on his lips. “She was the only one who ever wrote me. I never heard from Dad—he was too busy being ashamed of me, I guess. And as for Justin…well…”

“What…were you in for?”

“You make it sound like a prison sentence.” He did smile then, much to her embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, I—”

“No, it’s okay,” he brushed her apology aside. “Not terribly intriguing, I’m afraid. I was depressed, and I didn’t know what to do with my messed-up life. The usual stuff. Except I didn’t have anyone to talk to…so I went kind of crazy. Even thought of doing myself in.”

“You tried…to kill yourself?”

Another nod, this one regretful. “Stupid. Stupid thing to do. It happens when you think the world’s against you. I know better now, of course.” He shook his head slowly. “I thought I was the only one with problems. I wish I’d known about Justin…”

“Then you didn’t suspect him?”

“No. When things kept happening around the island—I thought it might be Skip.” He looked so sorry, and Kelsey’s eyes blurred.

“And your dad—he didn’t suspect anything, either?”

“I guess it’s hard to suspect someone who’s so perfect. Perfect grades. Perfect looks. Perfect personality.” He dropped his eyes, his face sad. “Perfect disguise.”

Kelsey was silent a moment. “You were in the same town while he was in school.”

“Yes, that was Dad’s idea. To ease his guilt. He put Justin there so someone in the family would be close by. Of course,” he added almost as an afterthought, “Justin never came. He was too busy—” his look was filled with unspoken horror— “doing other things.”

Kelsey felt a chill go through her.

“Cold?” Neale tucked the blankets around her. She was surprised at how carefully he did it, almost tenderly, and she smiled.

“I’m fine. Have you had lots of experience, tucking girls in?” For the first time she saw a blush creep over his cheekbones. He cleared his throat, trying to look unperturbed.

“You’re getting kind of personal, aren’t you?”