Part 9 (1/2)

So much information and misinformation had leaked in the Natalee Holloway case that the Aruban authorities ultimately came off looking like the Keystone Kops. Eldridge seemed determined not to let that happen under his command.

Still, I had a job to do here, and he knew it.

”Can I at least a.s.sume that you have your entire CID working on the case? Every inspector? Every person, down to your last constable?” I asked.

I'd already done a little homework on the setup down here. Whereas NYPD detectives were ranked by grade-first, second, and third-on Turks and Caicos there were four levels of seniority to the CID, or Criminal Investigations Division: detective inspectors, then sergeants, followed by corporals and constables.

h.e.l.l, the way I saw it, even the janitor should've been trying to catch the killer.

”Yes, you can a.s.sure Mr. Breslow that we have everyone working on the case,” said Eldridge. ”Everyone including you, too, now. Can I a.s.sume you'll be heading over to the Governor's Club as soon as possible?”

I nodded. ”Yes.”

”I'm sure you know that the Governor's Club is a private resort, and they can press charges for trespa.s.sing, if they so desire.”

I stared at Eldridge again, trying to get a read on him. I couldn't. Was he really trying to stand in my way?

”Do you think that's a possibility?” I asked. ”I mean, would they really consider my being there to be trespa.s.sing?”

”It's very possible,” he said. ”They cater to a high-cla.s.s clientele, people in the know, and are very sensitive about respecting the privacy of their guests.”

It suddenly dawned on me what Eldridge was doing. He was actually trying to tell me something, only not in so many words. This was off the record. Between the lines. Code.

So long as I was smart enough to figure it out.

”Yes, I see what you mean,” I said. ”I'd hate to put you on the spot with something as frivolous as a trespa.s.sing charge. You'd have to arrest me, wouldn't you?”

”Yes, I'm afraid I would,” he said. ”Without hesitation.”

I stood up and shook his hand. ”Then I'll do my best to save you the trouble.”

Chapter 14

I FELT A little like a kid with a secret decoder ring from a box of Cracker Jack. Quite cleverly, Eldridge had managed to tell me that he had no leads and would appreciate my help, although I'd have to help him on the sly. The management of the Governor's Club had apparently been uncooperative, and while they couldn't block his access to the staff, the guests at the resort-people in the know-were another story.

As for that talk about my being arrested for trespa.s.sing, that was just Eldridge advising me to check into the resort as a guest. They could get wise to me and kick me off the property, but it wouldn't be for trespa.s.sing. They couldn't press charges.

So after only an hour on Turks and Caicos, my plans were changing yet again.

”Would you like smoking or nonsmoking, Mr. O'Hara? We have both types of rooms available.”

The polite and pretty brunette behind the check-in desk at the Governor's Club didn't let on, but it didn't take a rocket scientist or even a suspended FBI agent to figure out that in the wake of two guests being murdered at the resort there'd be, oh, maybe just a few cancellations. How else to explain my walking in without a reservation in June-peak honeymoon season-and getting a room?

”Nonsmoking, please,” I said.

”Very good, Mr. O'Hara.”