She slipped her hand into his, concerned that it was still icy and as lifeless as the body that lay on the bank. “You’re soaked through and frozen. Go get into dry clothes. I’ll wait for them.”
“I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving you. Or her.”
Thinking of warmth and comfort, she put her arms around him. “That was the kindest and bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do.” She pressed her lips to his throat, wanting to feel him give, respond. “You went in for her. You could have left her, but you went in. Getting her out wouldn’t have mattered to some.”
“It mattered.”
“To you. You’re a good man, Nathan. I’ll never forget what you did.”
He closed his eyes tight, then drew away without touching her. “They’re coming,” he said flatly. Even as he turned, Brian and Kirby came hurrying down the path.
Kirby took a quick look at both of them. “Go inside, get in a hot shower. I’ll take a look at you shortly.” She moved past them and knelt by the blanket.
Jo stood her ground. “It has to be Mrs. Peters. She was caught up on that branch. She must have fallen in sometime last night, and the storm brought her downriver.”
Jo steadied herself, reached for Nathan’s hand again as Brian knelt beside Kirby. Brian nodded grimly when Kirby folded the blanket down.
“That’s her. They came in for meals a couple of times. Goddamn it.” He sat back on his heels, scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’ll go find her husband. We need to take her somewhere—somewhere better than this.”
“No, she can’t be moved.” Kirby fought her words out over the thick beat of her heart. “You need to call the police and tell them to get out here quickly. I don’t believe she drowned.” Gently, she lifted the chin, exposed the raw bruising. “It looks as though she was strangled. She was murdered.”
***
“HOW could this be? How could this happen?” Lexy curled up tight in the corner of the couch in the family parlor. She gripped her hands together to keep herself from biting her nails. “People don’t get murdered on Desire. People just don’t. Kirby has to be wrong.”
“We’ll find out soon enough.” Kate switched the ceiling fan up to high to try to stir the heavy air. “The police will tell us. Either way, that poor woman’s dead, and her husband . . . Jo Ellen, stop prowling so and sit, drink that brandy. You’re bound to catch a terrible chill.”
“I can’t sit.” Jo continued to pace from window to window, though she couldn’t have said what she was looking for.
“I wish you would sit.” Lexy spoke plaintively. “You’re about to drive me to distraction. I wish Giff was here. I don’t see why he has to be down there with the others instead of here with me.”
“Oh, stop whining for five minutes,” Jo snapped. “Hold your own hand for a change.”
“Don’t. Don’t the two of you start.” Kate threw up her hands. “I can’t stand it just now.”
“And I can’t stand this waiting. I’m going back out.” Jo walked to the door. “I’ve got to see what’s happening. I’ve got to do something.”
“Jo! Don’t go out alone.” Kate pressed a hand to her head. “I’m already worried sick. Please don’t go out there alone.”
Seeing her cousin look suddenly old and shaky, Jo changed her mind. “You’re right. None of us should go out. We’re just in the way. You sit down, Kate. Come on, now.” She took Kate’s arm and led her toward the sofa beside Lexy. “You sit down and have a brandy. You’re worn out.”
“I’ll get the brandy,” Lexy said.
“Just give her mine,” Jo told Lexy as she rose. “I don’t want it.”
“If fussing over me will keep the two of you from snapping at each other, then fuss away.” She took the brandy Lexy offered her and smiled weakly. “We should have fresh coffee for when they come in. I don’t know when Brian last made any.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Lexy leaned down to kiss Kate’s cheek. “Don’t you worry.” But when she straightened she saw Giff in the doorway.
“They’re coming in. They want to talk to Jo.”
“All right.” Jo closed a hand gratefully over the one Lexy touched to her arm. “I’m ready.”
***
“HOW much longer will they peck at her?” Brian stood on the front porch, listening to the jungle sounds of cicadas and peepers filling the air.
“It can’t be much longer,” Kirby said quietly. “They’ve had her in there nearly an hour. They didn’t keep Nathan more than an hour.”
