Eyes of Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

Mary.
    Sam almost groaned aloud, wiping her finger on the grass by the path. She stood, smiling at Jerry, feeling like a fool.
    Tomato juice had become drops of blood in her own slowly decaying mind.
    It was because that damned man was back.
    â€œOh, did I spill? I’m so sorry!” Jerry called contritely.
    â€œJust a drop, no problem. It’s nothing.”
    â€œStill, I’m sorry. Everything is so immaculate here.”
    â€œNearly perfect,” Sam muttered.
    â€œWhat was that?”
    â€œNothing, nothing. It will rain soon, a few little drops of tomato juice are no problem,” Sam said.
    â€œThanks. Still…I can get something and clean them up.”
    â€œJerry! We’re outside! Trust me—the birds never apologize for what they do to the walks.”
    Jerry smiled and laughed softly. “You really grew into a beautiful young woman.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re just a sweetheart,” Jerry said. “The island is great, and you do a wonderful job here.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œMust have been a good dive. The others are right behind you. They look tired.”
    â€œIt was,” Sam agreed. She wanted to escape. She needed time alone, and Jerry, as usual, wanted to draw her into conversation. Most of the time she liked Jerry. Just not now.
    â€œThose little cuties are all scattering to their own cottages. A few of them will be coming our way soon, I imagine. Come join me before they get their hands on you. I’ll make you a Bloody Mary.”
    â€œThanks, but I really want to bathe and change first. You go on in. I’ll join you soon.”
    Still feeling like a fool, Sam waved Jerry inside and started walking quickly away once again.
    Â 
    In a pleasant room inside the lodge, a phone rang.
    He quickly picked up the receiver. “Yes?”
    â€œYou’ve got company.”
    â€œO’Connor?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI know. He’s already arrived.”
    â€œYou’ve seen him?”
    â€œHe came in on the afternoon mail boat right when the dive party was returning.”
    â€œHmm. Did he say why he was on the island?”
    â€œA dive vacation.”
    â€œRight. What else?” There was a moment’s silence. “What was Miss Carlyle’s reaction to his appearance?”
    â€œNo reaction.”
    â€œShe was polite?”
    â€œShe pretended not to know him.”
    â€œO’Connor is never anywhere unless something is going on. The stakes have just doubled. You’ll have to keep your eyes wide open. What did he bring with him?”
    â€œNot much. A duffel bag.”
    â€œNo electronic equipment?”
    â€œNot so far as I could see.”
    â€œCheck it out.”
    â€œSure. I like grabbing a tiger by the tail.”
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re afraid?”
    â€œLet’s say I have a healthy respect for the man.”
    â€œHealthy respect or—”
    â€œDon’t worry. I’m on it.”
    â€œHe’s one man. He can’t be everywhere at once.” Again there was a brief silence. “Remember that. He’s just one man. Human. Things happen. And when they don’t, people make them happen. Do you know what I mean?”
    â€œYou’re suggesting something could happen to O’Connor?” There was a note of derision in the question. “He’s one of the best divers in the world.”
    â€œJustin Carlyle was one of the finest divers in the world, too. The sea ate him up. It can happen to anyone. Bear that in mind.”
    â€œJustin Carlyle was a marine biologist who loved the sea. O’Connor has been both a Navy and a police diver. He’s here with his guard up, you mark my word.”
    â€œ You mark my word. No man is invulnerable. Especially when you go through a woman to reach his Achilles’ heel. You stay awake there, you hear?”
    â€œYeah. Who is O’Connor working for?”
    â€œIt’s