Page 68 of Last Ticket to Paradise

Georgette’s lips tightened. “That’s an odd way to commit suicide.”

“The Frenchman had drugs and alcohol in his system, Ms. Lawson. He was probably half conscious when he went into the water.”

“And then his bungalow burned down?”

“Jake mentioned an unextinguished lamp. Do you know something more?”

Jake coughed. “No. That’s what it was.”

“Then maybe Jean-Claude set that up, too, before his suicide attempt. I think I may have solved the mystery. I am sorry for your loss, Ms. Lawson.”

“But...”

Jake grabbed Georgette’s hand. “We’ll wait for the findings.”

The island medical examiner, Dr. Mendoza, joined the group.

“I got a call about some bones.” He waved his hand in front of his face. “That’s some strong lye. That won’t decompose bones, but it will decompose flesh.”

Jake glanced at Georgette. The skin around her mouth looked white, but she touched the doctor on the arm.

She asked, “Is one month enough time for a body to decompose and leave just the bones?”

Dr. Mendoza adjusted his glasses. “That depends on the circumstances and the climate. We certainly have the climate here in Palumba to lead to quick decomposition, especially if the body was left out in the elements. One month? It could happen, but perhaps that’s the reason for the lye—to complete the decomposition.”

“Dr. Mendoza, that’s all speculation at this point.” Clive took the doctor’s arm. “Hadn’t you better take a look at the bones before making wild guesses?”

“Quite right.” The doctor tugged on the hem of his Hawaiian shirt. “But the lady did ask.”

“Thank you, Dr. Mendoza.” Georgette shot a glance at Clive from beneath her lashes.

Clive spread his arms. “Everyone is going to have to back up now. We have a crime scene.”

“Let’s go, Georgette.” Jake tugged on her hand. “You’re not going to do any good here. The doc isn’t going to do an examination from the suitcase. Clive, Dottie, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep our names out of this. That goes for the rest of you, too.”

Dottie, the officer who’d accompanied Clive, nodded at him and winked. “I’ll make sure of it, Jake. Don’t worry.”

Jake led Georgette out of the airport. When they got into the Jeep, he started the car and let the engine idle, waiting for Georgette’s breakdown.

“Clive’s theory is BS.”

Jake twisted his head to look at Georgette. “You don’t think those are Jamie’s bones?”

“I’m not sure.” With the tip of her finger, she caught a tear leaking from the corner of her eye. “But if Jean-Claude did murder Jamie, like Clive thinks, and then returned to stash her bones in the locker before trying to commit suicide, what about Hallie? We got to that locker because of Hallie’s mother. Where is Hallie? How are she and Jamie connected? Jamie rented that locker, and Hallie and Fiso knew about it. Why?”

Jake let out a long breath. He should’ve known Georgette wasn’t the type of woman to fall apart. “I agree with you, and what about the money Jean-Claude started throwing around?”

“And the money Jamie had? She never told our mother she planned to island-hop for four months. She was going to use Dad’s insurance money to travel the world for six months and then move to New York.”

“I think those things are all linked, but don’t get on Clive’s bad side right now. I thought you were going to bite his head off.”

“I felt like it.” She drummed her fingers on the dashboard. “You said Fiso was a druggie. What about Hallie? Did she use drugs?”

“Not that I know of. Fiso’s drug habit was a point of contention between them. Why?”

“When I searched Jamie’s room, I found something she’d hidden.”

“Drugs?”

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