Deadly Deceit Read Online Free PDF

presence.”
    “Shame, isn’t it? But we have no economic or strategic interests here.” He paused. “Problem is, the islanders want to remain British.”
    “So I read in my background brief.”
    “They like having British passports, the safety net of British defence, foreign affairs, that sort of thing. And local politics can be partisan and poisonous. They might not trust us much, but they trust each other even less.”
    She smiled.
    “It’s a bit like the Falklands really,” he went on. “Until the people here vote to become independent, we won’t leave.”
    “Must be a bit of an uphill struggle, trying to get anything done though?”
    “Spot on,” he said, wearily. “They like the security of being a British Overseas Territory, but they don’t want British officials here. They especially don’t want us running things, or telling them what to do.”
    She gave a wry smile. “So, tell me, who are these American guests?”
    “Two are brothers – Brad and Charles Regan. They run the local dive company. Brad’s lived on Grand Turk for years. Came over as a young man, loved the diving and set up a business. He runs the day to day operation, mostly for tourists.” He glanced at Jess. “His brother Charles is a New York banker. I think he’s the financial backer. The business can’t make that much money because we don’t get the volume of tourists over here that Provo does. Charles is a pretty competent diver though. Visits as often as he can.”
    Jess nodded. “Are they bringing wives?”
    “No.” David shook his head. “Charles is divorced. His ex-wife lives in New York with the kids. And Brad has never married. Well, not as far as I know anyway.” He smiled. “He likes the ladies, and they like him – if you get my meaning.”
    Jess nodded. “So who’s the third American?”
    “Carrie Lynch.” David’s eyes lit up when he mentioned her name. “She runs the local kindergarten. She came down here on holiday, and fell in love with the island too. There was no kindergarten, so she set one up. Runs it with the help of a couple of local women.” He counted on his fingers. “Oh, and of course, the Governor’s PA Sally is coming too, which makes eight of us.” He glanced up. “We’ll need to keep an eye on Sally tonight. She’s very upset about the Governor’s accident.”
    Jess wasn’t quite sure what he meant about keeping an eye on Sally, and he didn’t explain.
    Instead, he looked at his watch. “I’ll pop through to the kitchen and get more ice before everyone arrives.” And with that, he disappeared into the house.
    Jess spotted a pad and pencil at the end of the bar and went over to get it. She’d picked up a tip from an Ambassador’s wife, a wonderful hostess, who’d advised her to keep a list of guests’ names in her pocket and check it regularly. That way she’d never find herself in the embarrassing position of forgetting one of her guests’ names.
    Jess always followed that advice, and now wrote out a list of this evening’s dinner guests in the pad.
    (UK) Dominic Canning (Chief Justice), and wife Rebekah.
    (UK) Sally – Governor’s PA – and David, Head of Governor’s Office.
    (US) Brad Regan (dive company) – his brother Charles Regan (New York banker).
    (US) Carrie Lynch – teacher/owns kindergarten.
    Jess tore out the piece of paper, folded it up and slipped it into her skirt pocket. She sat back on the bar stool and took a long sip of her gin and tonic. Delicious! Hearing the whine of a mosquito, she flapped it away from her ear. She was worried now about being bitten. Her long, black skirt covered her legs and ankles, but her strappy top exposed her arms. She was about to go into the house to find some insect repellent when she heard heavy footsteps on the verandah. She got up and walked over to greet the first guest.
    When the man turned the corner and saw her, his eyes widened. “The lady on the plane!”
    Jess recognised him at once – Blond