Authors: Lance Zarimba
Sergio rubbed sunscreen over his legs and arms. I lay back on my lounge chair, and an ice cold prickling started at the base of my neck.
At first, I thought it was the sunburn acting up, but then it bore deeply into me.
Eyes.
I could feel someone watching me, just like on the way to the jungle cruise. I scanned the beach, avoiding the nude flesh.
Tom was gone.
Logan was gone.
The chill sent goose bumps across my skin, despite the heat.
Someone was watching me.
"What's wrong?” Sergio pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead.
I rolled over. “I think someone's watching me,” I whispered.
"I know, isn't it great?” Sergio smiled at me, and then he frowned, finally understanding what I meant. “Where?” He sat up and scanned the beach and surf for the observer.
"I don't know.” My eyes continued to search the area. “All I can tell you is that someone is watching. I had this feeling right before the jungle cruise, and you know how that turned out."
A drop of ice water dripped on my back and drove me up into a sitting position.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you,” Tom apologized, handing me a bottle of water. “Want one?” he asked Sergio, who nodded. Tom tossed him a bottle and put one on Logan's chair. He leaned over the notebook and squinted at the pages. “Should we take a look and see what he's been working on?"
"Don't you dare,” a voice commanded.
Tom stood up and spun around. Sergio and I turned to find Logan standing there.
"I can't even run to the bathroom without you guys trying to sneak a peek at my work.” Logan frowned at each one of us separately, but focused on Tom, who was standing closest to his notebook.
"You shouldn't leave it lying around,” Sergio said, “tempting us. Personally, I don't see what the big deal of reading a mystery is all about. All you have to do is look at the last chapter, and you'll know who did it."
Logan looked like Sergio had punched him. He opened his mouth, but before he could reply, Gary walked across the volleyball court and headed in our direction. “Good, I found you. Do you want some company for lunch today?"
Logan returned to writing in the notebook, oblivious to us. Tom looked like he had fallen asleep.
I glanced at Sergio, who was looking over the top of his sunglasses.
Gary turned his back to Sergio and stared at me.
I started to say no when Sergio began nodding his head and mouthed, “Yes."
I followed his nod and said, “Sure, why not?"
"Twelve-thirty?” he asked.
"Fine, I'll meet you in the cabana,” I said.
Sergio made an okay sign with his fingers.
"Good, see you then,” Gary said and turned toward Sergio, who quickly ran his “okay” signed fingers through his spiky blond hair. “Are you going to join us?” Gary asked.
Sergio nodded curtly. “Why not?"
Gary bowed his bald head and then followed the path John had taken to the cabana.
"Aren't you just turning out to be the belle of the ball?” Sergio smirked.
I rolled over onto my side, turning my back to him. His laughter burned in my ears, so I sat up and turned to him. “Why do you want us to have lunch with him?” I demanded.
"So we could pump him for information, why else?” Sergio shook his head. “Duh."
"Good thinking,” I said.
"And you're the mystery reader. Ha."
When we entered the cabana, Gary was nowhere in sight. A table for eight sat empty in the back corner. “Why don't we use that table and see who he picks,” Sergio suggested. Each one of us chose a spot with one open chair between us. I faced the pool. Sergio sat to my right, while Tom had the pool to his back, and Logan sat to my left.
No sooner than we had settled into our chairs, Gary appeared by the pool. He glanced around the dining area. He waved when he recognized us and headed in our direction.
Gary walked over to Sergio and laid his hands on his shoulders. “Two guys signed up for haircuts this afternoon. Okay?"
Sergio swallowed hard. “Ah, sure."
"Good, I know they're big tippers,” Gary said.
"No problem,” Sergio said.
Gary looked over at Tom and Logan and nodded. He then pulled out the chair between Sergio and me. He sat down with his back to me and still looked at Sergio.
I smiled to myself. He picked Sergio. He picked Sergio. Ha, ha, ha.
Gary turned around and smiled at me. “So, are you having fun?"
"Oh shit,” I said under my breath.
"I hope you're still not upset about the fingerprints.” Gary scooted his chair closer to me. “You have to understand we don't have the manpower for such a large task here.” He waved his hand over the crowd.
"Let's forget all of that for a while. I'm hungry,” Sergio said, “let's eat.” He made a break for the buffet tables.
Logan and Tom followed close behind.
Watching them leave, I thought,
You guys are rats fleeing from a sinking ship. I wish I was running with you
. I turned back to Gary and smiled. At least he wasn't the one who threw that snake at me.
But a voice echoed in my mind.
He could have been involved
.
I ignored it and plunged forward. “Gary, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Why didn't you want me to change seats on the jungle cruise?"
A shadow crossed his eyes and then disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. He scratched his head, thinking. “What do you mean?"
"Do you remember when Tom walked up to the boat, and I offered to move to the back with him? You told me to stay in my seat. Why?"
Gary took a deep breath and exhaled. “I didn't want you to tip the boat over when you got up. It was almost full, and we were ready to leave. It wouldn't have been good if you tipped us over just before we even took off. Would it?"
"But you didn't seem to be that concerned when I got in. Why all the concern when I was going to move back? You practically yelled at me."
Gary hesitated before blurted out, “Liability. You know how many people are suing resorts for accidents with faulty equipment. It happens all the time. And the cost for insurance is going up and up, like I need to tell you that.” He folded his hands and rested them on his lap. “I just wanted to make sure that our trip was fun and safe."
"Oh.” I eyed him carefully, not completely believing him.
Reading something in my face, he changed the subject. “Aren't you hungry?” he shoved his chair back and stood up before I could respond.
I pushed away from the table and stood. “I hope they have something better for lunch than they had yesterday or last night.” My stomach began to rumble in response.
Gary moved his chair out of the way and motioned me to go first. “After you,” he said.
Such a gentleman.
I wove my way through the maze of tables to the food with Gary close behind. Too close behind. As I neared the table, Sergio approached with a plate heaping of food, balancing it in one hand. “Can you grab a Diet Coke for me? I forgot.” He batted his eyes at me.
What did he mean by that? “Sure,” I said.
Before I could ask, Sergio cut between Gary and me. He bumped into Gary hard and pushed him back with his free hand. “Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to get some silverware too,” he apologized.
When Gary stepped back, Sergio fisted his free hand and slipped it into his pocket. Quickly, he pulled it out and reached for a set of utensils. “Thanks,” he smiled at Gary. “I hate to be such a bother."
I turned and grabbed a plate. Whatever.
Lettuce and salad fixings covered the first table. I passed. The next table was covered with large silver serving pans. Whole shrimp with the heads still on were piled high in the first pan. Slabs of fish, dressed with slices of lemon not big enough to hide its skin, swam in oil.
Leftovers from last night? I kept going.
The next table had Spanish rice and mashed potatoes. Good thing I had breakfast this morning. I scooped a clump of potatoes, hoping that they had gotten it right this time, and then tossed on a few dinner rolls, just in case.
After grabbing a Diet Coke for Sergio and a Coke for me, I headed back to the table, not bothering to wait for Gary.
Sergio leaned forward as soon as I sat down, but stopped at seeing Gary rapidly approaching. He whispered, “I'll tell you later."
As Gary neared, Logan asked, “So, how long have you been working for Club Fred?"
Gary set his plate down. “I've been with them for about nine months.” He glanced at my plate. “Aren't you hungry?"
"I don't seem to be having very good luck with the food around here.” I saw what he carried. A thick, juicy cheeseburger sat on a toasted bun with crisp French fries. “Where did you get that?” I asked.
Gary turned around and pointed to the grill. “Over there."
Now, why hadn't I seen that?
"Did you want me to get you one?” he offered.
"I'll get one when I finish this,” I said, scooping up a spoonful of cold mashed potatoes. It was almost to my mouth when a black bug buzzed my hand. It sounded like a hornet, so I swiped my hand away, trying to avoid a sting and an allergic reaction. The clump of potatoes flew through the air and landed on Gary's lap.
Before I realized what I was doing, I reached over and plucked the blob off Gary's shorts. When patients dropped food on themselves in dining group at the hospital, I'd just wiped it up automatically.
The surprised look on Gary's face made my face turn red, white, and then red again.
"Not at the table, Taylor,” Sergio scolded. “There's other places for that."
"I'm so sorry.” I apologized and reached for the napkin and wiped Gary's lap again, trying to remove the last of the potatoes, and stopped when I realized what I was doing and felt his response.
"No problem.” Gary smiled at me and winked.
Sergio laughed behind me.
The clump of potatoes was still between my fingers in one hand, and the napkin in the other. I turned away from him and dropped them onto my plate and picked up a roll. I ripped the hard crust easily between my fingers, glancing at Sergio.
Sergio swallowed hard, forcing his laugher down. “So Gary, do you work for Club Fred full-time, or do you have another job?"
Gary took a bite out of his burger. Mayo and burger juice ran down his chin. He wiped it away with the back of his hand. He chewed quickly and swallowed. “I have a bunch of odd jobs back in California. That way I don't get bored so fast."
"This must be an exciting job, getting to travel and meet a lot of interesting people,” Sergio pressed.
Gary smiled as he picked up a French fry and dipped it into the ketchup. “You wouldn't believe the things I've picked up on these trips."
"I can just imagine.” Sergio smirked.
"It's not like that. You have to be careful, you know. I mean, all the things that I've learned about people and how they operate. You'd be surprised at what I've seen."
"You should talk to Logan,” I suggested. “He may be able to use some of your ideas in one of his books. Maybe you could come up with a motive or two."
"A motive for what?” Gary asked.
"Murder,” I said, just as he took another bite of his burger.
A violent coughing spell hit him.
Sergio jumped to his feet and started pounding on his back. “Breathe, breathe!” he yelled at Gary.
Gary spat out his chunk of burger and coughed. “I'm trying to, if you'd stop knocking it out of my chest.” Gary gasped for breath.
"Sorry.” Sergio scanned the dining area at everyone staring at him. “I thought he was choking,” he said to his audience and sat down in his chair.
"Are you okay?” I asked Gary.
"I must have tried to swallow without chewing.” He tentatively picked up his burger and took another bite, smaller this time. After he chewed and swallowed, he asked Logan, “So you write mysteries?"
Logan nodded. “I'm doing some research and working on my new novel right now. It's set in a gay resort."
"Well, you've come to the right place.” He leaned forward toward Logan. “If you want, I could tell you about a few things that go on behind the scenes.” He raised his eyebrows.
"That would be great. Have there been any murders at this resort?” Logan asked.
Gary opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again. He took a long sip from his can of pop. “Not that I know of.” He set his can down. “But I'm sure you could ask someone on the local staff. This place has been open for ten years."
"Is that all?” Sergio blurted out and shrugged his shoulders. “It looks a lot older than that. The heat must have beaten the hell out of this place."
Gary paused before taking another bite. “I don't know about that, but the tropical storms can get pretty fierce."
"I can believe that,” Logan agreed. “Well, if you find someone willing to talk to me about any murders that took place at this resort, I'd greatly appreciate it. I know I will have some questions for you, but we can talk later. I have them saved on my computer."
"No problem.” Gary put down his burger. “I'm here to make sure you have a safe and memorable vacation."
Gary droned on and on about Club Fred and all the events they had planned for the rest of the week. While he spoke, everyone else ate. Logan and Tom quickly finished their meals and made their escape. My rolls were gone, but the potatoes remained on the plate.
"Well, Taylor.” Gary pushed his chair away from the table. “I hope I get to see a lot more of you over the rest of the week. Maybe we could have supper...?"
The word “alone” hung unspoken in the air, and I was glad when Sergio said, “That would be nice. Thanks for inviting us."
Gary frowned. “Well, I have to head back to work. It's my turn to man the Club Fred table. Stop by later on and sign up for a snorkeling trip.” He leaned forward. “I'll even give you guys a discount. How about that?"
"Great, we'll stop by,” I promised.
"See you then.” With that Gary went back to work.
"So what do you think of Gary?” Sergio asked.