The Corpse in the Cabana

I usually thought of hazel eyes as being warm, but his were icy and cold. “I’m just doing my job.”
I sighed. It was true. “Sorry, what was it you asked, Detective...?”
“Detective Diego Costa, ma’am.”
I wished he’d stop calling me “ma’am.” It made me feel ancient. “I’m not that old,” I muttered under my breath.”
“Excuse me, ma’am?”
I barely resisted the urge to growl. “Nothing, Detective.”
He gave me a blank look that was downright scary. “When was the last time you saw the victim alive?”
“Like I told Officer Smith, Natasha Winters was alive and well at about ten p.m. I saw her in the courtyard arguing with her almost-ex-husband, Jason Winters.”
“Almost ex-husband?”
“It’s a long story.”
He stared at me with those scary eyes. “I’ve got time.”
“Most of what I know is only third-party gossip, mind you.”
“Understood.”
“Fine,” I agreed. “When Natasha first started making money as a writer, she hired a personal assistant, Piper Ross. Piper was young, good looking, and...well, one thing led to another.”
“I see.” There was zero expression in Costa’s voice. I had no idea if he approved, disapproved, or plain didn’t care.
“Basically, word is that Jason and Piper had an affair, so Natasha fired Piper, threw Jason out on his, er, backside, and filed for divorce. They’ve been fighting nonstop over the money and the divorce still isn’t final.”
“No pre-nup then?”
I shrugged. “Wouldn’t think so. Natasha and Jason were married for something like twenty years before Natasha hit it big. Until then it was Jason supporting them.”
“I’ll check on that,” Costa assured me. “The fight. What was it about?”
I relayed what I’d heard, knowing the almost-ex-husband would be suspect numero uno. I felt bad for Jason. He didn’t seem like a killer, but he had been the last person to see Natasha alive. Probably. Still, I couldn’t see him committing cold-blooded murder. Or hot-blooded murder, for that matter. He was just so...mild. There was always the possibility that after their argument, Natasha had met up with someone else who had it in for her.
Wow, that really narrows it down, I thought wryly. Half the convention had it in for Natasha. Probably half the hotel staff, too, by now.
After a few more questions, Detective Hottie, I mean Costa, gave me a stern look. The kind meant to make suspects quail in their boots...or flip-flops. I bet he practiced it in the mirror. “That’s all for now, ma’am.” Ugh. There was that foul word again. “You can go back to your room, but please don’t leave the island.”
Which meant I was a suspect. Goodie. Of course, since I’d found the body, I wasn’t terribly surprised.
“Of course not,” I said, giving him a guileless smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Have a good evening, Detective.” And with that, I strode across the smooth, white sand, putting a little extra sway in my hips. If I thought that would distract Detective Costa, I was bound for disappointment. A quick glance over my shoulder told me he was completely focused on the crime scene. He hadn’t even given me a second glance. More’s the pity.
My natural curiosity got the better of me, and with the detective focused elsewhere, I slid behind the first cabana that was a few feet away from the one housing Natasha’s body. Huddled behind the billowing white canvas, I attempted to eavesdrop. I’d seen Jessica Fletcher do it plenty of times. Surely I was smart enough to pull it off. Maybe I could learn something. After all, Cheryl would want all the details, and I couldn’t disappoint. Not to mention, with myself as one of the prime suspects, I felt the need to clear my name as soon as possible. Couldn’t do that unless I knew what was going on, now, could I?
Costa’s voice was a low rumble against the background of wind and waves. I tucked a strand of errant hair behind my ear, as if that could help me hear better. He was talking to Smith. No doubt getting her recorded version of events. She’d been first on the scene, and I knew from my crime shows, that meant her observations would be important to the lead detective. I wondered what she was saying about me. I couldn’t make out their conversation.
Frustrated, I finally gave up, right about the time the coroner prepared to load the body on a gurney. I really didn’t want to stick around to watch them haul Natasha away. The thought of her lying dead squidged me out. Even more, I didn’t need Detective Costa catching me lurking around the crime scene. No doubt I’d go to the top of his suspect list pronto.
With a quick glance to make sure no one was watching, I slipped through the shadows toward the pool. My bare foot hit something hard, sending the small object skittering across the sand. With a frown, I leaned over to pick it up. It was a simple, narrow, silver bracelet. The adjustable kind. It looked like maybe there was something etched on it, but the light was poor. I thought for a split second about turning it over to Costa, then hesitated. The bracelet might have nothing to do with the murder. It was nowhere near the body, after all. Plenty of people played on the beach every day. It could belong to anyone. I’d do a little research on it. If I couldn’t find the owner, well, then I would think about turning it over to Costa.
Mind made up, I tucked the bracelet into my capris pocket and hurried across the sand toward the resort. Circling the pool, I huddled against the side of one of the buildings as the coroner passed by with his burden, then slipped down the passageway toward my building. I didn’t relax until I was inside my room with the door locked and bolted.

Chapter 4
The Mystery of 415
VIOLENT POUNDING STARTLED me from a dead sleep. I sat bolt upright in bed, hair half covering my face. Flailing wildly, I managed something resembling, “Wha...