invitation,” Axel said.
Andrew looked at Nigel. “Hot date!”
“It’s not a date. We all know whoever is doing this knows the Everglades. And many of the attendees will be people who know the area well,” Axel said.
Nigel looked at Andrew. “Hot date.”
“Seriously, Raina Hamish has been incredibly helpful,” Axel said.
“Seriously, the air drips with pheromones when you’re together.”
Axel merely arched a brow to the two of them. “Whoever is doing this has a plan and an agenda. And they know the Everglades. As you said, Jeremy Gray is going. Rangers will go, and rich people who like to play in the Everglades will go. It’s a chance to see how people are reacting to what’s going on.”
“Sure,” Andrew said.
Nigel shook his head, his smile fading. “And we could be barking up the wrong tree. God knows. These murders might have been committed by someone over in Naples or Fort Myers, someone we haven’t even begun to suspect yet.”
“Well, we haven’t suspected anyone yet. It would be nice to have a roster of suspects,” Axel said. “At worst, I’ll go donate to a good cause.”
“At worst,” Nigel said, grinning at Andrew again.
“Hey, my friend,” Andrew said to Axel, “what’s wrong with that? Think of it. Which of us has much luck when it comes to relationships? We see too much—too much that’s far too difficult to explain to others.”
“It all comes from the pirate ship,” Nigel said quietly. “We saw the damned pirate ship.”
“We’ll meet again tomorrow,” Axel said, leaving the two of them at last.
* * *
Axel wasn’t late to the fundraiser, but he was among the last to arrive. Raina had to admit to herself she’d been afraid he wouldn’t come.
She wasn’t sure why. He had asked her for the invitation.
And it was a little alarming, feeling that rush of fever that was becoming more and more prominent within her each time she saw him.
She had been talking about the proposed plans for the children’s facility with her brother, Tate Fielding and Lucia when she saw him come into the country club.
He cleaned up very nicely. Dark hair combed back and shimmering from a shower, shoulders filling out the blue suit. She watched his face, loving the contours, as he looked around the room.
“Raina?”
Her brother was frowning. He’d apparently spoken to her.
And she hadn’t replied.
“Robert, Axel just got here,” she said. “I guess I should greet him. I doubt if he knows many people here.”
“Ah, sure. Yeah. Bring him over,” Robert said.
As she headed toward the entry, she saw that Axel did know people there—Jeremy Gray, one of the Miccosukee council members attending, had greeted him. He turned to her as she reached them, smiling and asking her if she remembered Jeremy.
She assured him she did. “Mr. Gray, you are an incredible speaker and gave us all so much on the culture, history and geography of the area. I loved being out there. It’s a pleasure to see you again. We did meet, but I imagine you’ve been through so many school groups that—”
“Miss Hamish, it’s hard to forget a student truly interested in all that was said,” he told her. “A pleasure to see you here—and a delight to know you’re involved with helping.”
“Thank you,” she said. She smiled. “I think the lectures and walks and history and culture you bring to all young people are wonderful. I’m glad we’re involved. I’m an animal trainer, but I must admit, I don’t know much about alligators except to keep away during mating season!”
“And that’s a good thing to know,” he assured her.
“I see your brother,” Axel said to Raina. “Jeremy, will you excuse us? We’re going to head over and talk to Robert.”
“Looking forward to your performance, Raina,” Jeremy said.
Raina smiled. She was very aware Axel had taken her arm as they moved across the room. By the time they reached Robert, he was surrounded by her old friends.
“Hey, all,” she said as they joined the group. “I don’t know if you remember back when we all met—”
“Axel Tiger!” Tate said, reaching out a hand. Tate had grown into a good-looking man. He was a lawyer, already moving up in his father’s firm. Sandy-haired and blue-eyed, he had a charming smile and an easy way about him. Lucia liked to tease that he made the perfect lawyer—he was snakelike. “Tate Fielding,” Tate continued, offering his hand. “And yes, you told some damned good stories.”
“I was there, too,” Jordan Rivera said, offering his hand, as well. He and Tate had been