"As you said, he's happiest when he's working." Natalie smiled. "And he likes you."

A slight flush came to Ruth's cheeks. "Do you really think so?" Then she laughed. "My goodness, I sound like I'm twelve."

"Well I shouldn't offer coffee to a twelve-year-old, but I put on a fresh pot not too long ago. Would you like some?"

"Please. I hate these nights when I can't sleep. I get up and do any work I can think of. The next day I feel dragged out. I could use some caffeine."

"Coming right up. Cream? Sugar?"

"Just cream. I gave up sugar a couple of years ago along with some pounds."

Natalie glanced at Ruth's trim body dressed today in aqua slacks that matched her eyes and a V-necked white knit top. At her throat hung a cameo on a gold chain.

Ruth reached up and touched the pendent. "My husband Walter gave this to me for our anniversary. He died four years ago. Cancer."

"I'm sorry."

Ruth accepted the coffee cup from Natalie. "It was a prolonged illness. That was in Virginia, right outside of D.C. Walter had a government job. After his death I stayed for a while, but I just couldn't enjoy our house or my old life."

"Why did you decide to move to Port Ariel?"

"Walter and I toured the Great Lakes in the early sixties shortly after we were married. We spent a couple of nights here. I liked it. As a matter of fact, we stayed at that lovely old hotel The Blue Lady. Such a shame it burned down."

"The dance pavilion is still standing."

"But it's closed and terribly unsafe, according to Andrew. I'd like to see it again, but I wouldn't take the risk, even if it weren't locked up. Besides, I've heard about those awful murders that happened at the hotel just a few years after my honeymoon. So frightening!" She shivered. "No, you wouldn't get me near that place "

A scary history and unsafe construction didn't stop me from going to the old place at night, Natalie thought uncomfortably. Not me and a nut claiming to be a dead woman.

"Anyway," Ruth went on, "I came to Port Ariel for a quick visit after Walter's death and I made an impulse move five months ago."

"So you're just getting used to the town."

"Yes. I've made quite a few friends through church and the suicide hotline-that's how I met Tamara, you know- but I'm ashamed to say I haven't unpacked all my boxes yet." They sat at the kitchen table and Ruth looked out the big window. "This is such a spectacular view."

"Yes, although today is overcast. The lake looks bleak."

Ruth's smile wavered, "A couple of weeks after I moved here I took a walk by the lake. It was late February and such a dismal day. The lake looked so vast and gray and lonely I felt overwhelmed by it. I gave serious thought that night to moving back home. The next day the sun came out and I felt better. I knew this was where I was meant to be."

Blaine padded into the kitchen. Ruth beamed and reached out a hand to the dog. "Here's the pretty girl! You've settled right in, haven't you?" The dog licked her hand and panted happily. Ruth looked at Natalie. "I saw your ad in the newspaper. Has anyone called about her?"

"No, thank goodness."

"You want to keep her, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Your father says you live in a condominium complex. Do they allow pets?"

Natalie hadn't given the problem a thought. Pets were not allowed at Kenny's place and she had no intention of giving up Blaine except to her owners. If I really intended to go back to the condo, wouldn't I have considered what I would do with the dog? she asked herself.

"I'm moving," she said abruptly.

"I didn't know. Are you planning to buy a house?"

"I'm not sure." Natalie took a sip of coffee. "My father has probably told you about my romantic relationship and living arrangement."

"No, dear, he hasn't," Ruth said mildly. "He's mentioned that you see a doctor from the veterinary clinic where you work and I get the impression Andrew doesn't care for him, but he's never said much."

"Oh," Natalie said in surprise.

"It's your personal business, dear. Andrew respects your privacy."

So her father might have something to say to her about every aspect of her life, but apparently he didn't broadcast his disapproval to everyone he knew. She had always assumed the worst, certain nothing she said to him was held in confidence. That hadn't been fair, she thought, especially because he never told her personal things about anyone he knew.

The phone rang again. "The machine will get it," Natalie said. She and Ruth sat in silence until after the second ring when Kenny's disembodied voice floated into the kitchen. "Nat, it's me again. I didn't like the way we left things. We need to talk more. If you're there, please pick up." Natalie sat perfectly still. "Okay, call me back later. I'll be home all day. Love you."

Natalie's gaze met Ruth's. "The reason I'm here."

"So I thought. Love can be wonderful. It can also be unbearably painful."

"Lately more painful than wonderful." Her headache was getting worse. She rubbed her neck.

"Tension headache?"

"I'm afraid so."

Ruth gave her a sympathetic smile. "I barged in on you before you even had a chance to get dressed. Why don't you take a couple of aspirins and a hot shower? You'll feel like a new woman. I'll be on my way."

"Oh, don't go," Natalie said, suddenly hating the idea of being alone with Kenny's calls fresh in her mind. "I'd love to talk with you more. I'll make the shower quick."

"Well, if you're sure you'd like for me to stay…"

"I am."

"Then take as long in the shower as you like. I'll have another cup of coffee."

Natalie went into the small bathroom beside her bedroom. She stood in the shower stall letting the hot water massage her stiff neck muscles for at least five minutes. She was rinsing shampoo out of her hair when Ruth tapped on the bathroom door.

"Natalie!"

She turned off the water. "Yes?"

"You just got a call from your friend Lily. She wants you to meet her. She says it's urgent."

In two minutes Natalie stood in the hall wearing an old terry cloth robe she'd found in the depths of her closet and a towel on her wet hair. "I was standing on the terrace with Blaine," Ruth explained. "The phone rang twice and of course I knew the machine would pick up. Lily left her message. When I heard her say urgent I rushed in, but she'd already hung up."

The light on the answering machine blinked twice. Natalie pushed the play button. The first message was Kenny's. Then a breathless female voice began. "Natalie, it's Lily. Are you there? I'm at Tamara's. Meet me here. It's urgent."

"My goodness, she sounds half frantic," Ruth said.

"Yes. She didn't even wait for me to answer if I'd heard the call. I'd better hurry."

Ruth frowned. "Dear, do you think it's safe for you to go to Tamara's?"

"Safe?"

"Yes. The two people who lived in that house were murdered and Lily doesn't say what's wrong."

"Tamara and Warren weren't murdered in the house and Lily wouldn't ask me to come to a dangerous place."

Ruth looked concerned. "I'm not sure your father would want you to go."

"Dad would like for me to sit in the house and watch TV. But Lily needs me, Ruth. I have to go."

"I see I can't stop you," she said unhappily. "I want you to be careful, though. With all these awful murders, no one is safe." She paused. "I do wish you would give this a second thought. A lovely young woman wandering around by herself. Anything could happen. The world has turned into a dangerous place…"

Ruth continued to warn and fret until Natalie handed the woman her purse and nearly pushed her out the door. Then she rushed back to her room, slipped on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, ran a wide-toothed comb through her wet hair, and pulled it back with a large clasp. She grabbed her shoulder bag and headed for the front door.