the surf.
She lay in bed and gazed above her, wondering if an early-morning shower had found its way through holes in the roof to write a different ending to her dream. But she was dry, and so was the ceiling. Since going back to sleep was impossible, she dragged on shorts and a tank top for an early run.
When she had the time, she liked running to the point and back. The shelling was best, and few people got up early enough to compete. She usually had the point to herself at dawn, but this morning she had company.
“Hey, Janya!” She waved and jogged faster. “You’re up early.”
The sun was just rising, and the light was rose-tinted. The gulf lapped lazily at the shore just beyond, but the beauty of the moment seemed lost on the other woman.
“I’m often up early,” Janya said. “Rishi is in a hurry to get to work, and I walk so I won’t be in his way.”
“I never see you.”
“One day I’ll show you my favorite spot. Perhaps you have yet to discover it.” But Janya made no move to do so, as if the words were spoken while she was thinking of something else.
“Are you okay?” Tracy asked. “Your husband didn’t mind you being gone last night?”
She shook her head, and her lovely hair was a cloud around her face. “He is a very determined man, my husband. He wants to succeed, so he’s often not at home himself. I suppose he will succeed. I’m told he’s brilliant.”
Tracy thought that was a strange way to talk about one’s own husband. Then again, what had she really known about CJ? Only what he wanted her to.
She couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Was your marriage really arranged? Did you know Rishi at all? Or did you meet him on your wedding day?”
“It is a complicated story, but no, we met before the day of our wedding. And I was free to agree to the marriage or not.”
Tracy had a million more questions, but she sensed Janya wasn’t in the mood. “You didn’t say if you’re okay. Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“We know each other that well now?”
Tracy turned her hands to the lightening sky. “Guess so.”
“I woke this morning to find all the plants on my patio had been turned upside down. Some pots are in little pieces. Many of the plants were uprooted or broken and won’t survive. And my little fountain…” She sighed. “It’s good not to get attached to things.”
“But that’s awful!” Tracy was outraged. “Vandals? They didn’t get inside, did they?”
“Rishi is very careful that we should lock our doors at night and while we’re away.”
“Teenagers, I’ll bet. Out to make mischief, maybe find a place to drink beer and hang out. When did it happen, do you know?”
“I found them this morning. I had no reason to check last night after I came home. But I heard nothing during the night.”
“I bet somebody was out here while we were at dinner or the track. I wonder if anybody else got hit? I guess I’d better check around my place and talk to the others.” Tracy wondered if the tile she hadn’t yet installed was now in broken shards.
“What if this was somebody we know?”
“Who do we know? I haven’t made any enemies, except maybe Marsh Egan, and even he wouldn’t stoop to that kind of thing.”
“I think, perhaps, I have made an enemy.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Symington was angry with me the night we were invited to Alice’s.”
Tracy almost laughed. “Lee?”
“You think this is silly?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think you’re silly, but I don’t think Lee’s that kind of person. Look at him. He’s a devoted father, a devoted son-in-law.”
“You must have noticed how hard he tries to keep Alice from being with us. And when I…” She looked frustrated. “I can’t remember how you say this. Stood on his toes?”
“Stood up to him? Stepped on his toes?”
Janya nodded. “Stood up to him. He was angry. He refused to meet my eyes.”
“Janya, he was upset with all of us. There’s no question he’s overly protective, but he apologized, remember? And he seemed to mean it. Besides, he was gone last night when this probably happened. When we dropped Alice and Olivia at their house, he wasn’t home, and I saw him drive by about half an hour later.”
Janya was silent.
“Come on,” Tracy said. “I’ll help you clean up the mess.”
“That is unnecessary.”
Tracy thought it probably was very necessary. Janya had been taking exquisite care of Herb’s