“I’m sure he’s grateful to have his family around at a time like this.” She climbed out. “Thanks aga
in more than I can say for the ride and your translating services.”
“I wanted to help. I’d like to do a lot more if you’d let me.”
There was no mistaking what he’d implied just now. He reminded her a little of the man she’d had dinner with in Lead on the night she’d received the call from Martha Shaw. Both men had been hurt by their divorces and were anxious to find someone else to love, but Terri wasn’t that person.
She shut the door. Through the open window she said, “You did that when you contributed to Juanita’s welfare. It was a very kind thing to do.”
He eyed her briefly before putting his hat back on. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Terri shut the door without giving him a response.
Though she’d told Ben Herrick she’d drop by the hospital, she knew in her heart of hearts it wouldn’t be a good idea. Everything was getting much too complicated.
Better to return to her life in South Dakota as soon as possible. Immersed in her work, she’d be too busy to think about how much she’d enjoyed her time with the bandaged stranger when he’d had no identity, no title, no family and no history that included Martha Shaw.
Twenty minutes later Terri had spoken with Captain Ortiz. He’d obtained the name and address of the fisherman, but so far the police hadn’t been able to talk to him. As for bodies, none had turned up in the vicinity the fisherman had described to the hospital authorities. However they did find some pieces of debris which might belong to the boat in question.
As for the other two drowning victims mentioned by Mr. Herrick, they weren’t employees of his company. The only person who’d been reported missing from work was Richard. That news made the case more complicated. Depending on the actual site of the accident and the ocean current, it might be days or weeks before any bodies were recovered. If ever.
According to the captain, he intended to visit Mr. Herrick that evening. If it didn’t hurt the burn on his hand too much, he would ask him to write down a few facts about the accident on paper. His testimony would make all the difference.
Terri agreed. Before she hung up, she told him there was nothing more to keep her in Guayaquil. She planned to fly back to South Dakota in the morning. If anything came up, the captain had her phone number and address in Lead.
He bid her a safe journey home. When they’d rung off, she phoned for room service, then called the airline and made a reservation for the flight leaving for Atlanta at nine forty-five in the morning.
After her dinner arrived, she lay on the bed and ate while she discussed everything with Beth.
“You’ve taken Richard’s death a lot better than I thought you would.”
“I think it’s because I know he had someone who loved him right up to the end. Juanita’s very young. You could tell she idolized him. He would have liked that.”
“You’re right.”
Terri finished the last of her crab salad. “Juanita’s the one I feel sorry for.”
“You did all you could. Honestly, Terri, I don’t know that many ex-wives who would throw their hard-earned money at their former husband’s lover!”
“She’s going to have a baby.”
“It’s not even his!”
“I know, but she was depending on Richard.”
“I still say your heart is made of mush. So tell me about the head of the Herrick Corporation. What’s he like?”
Terri’s heart raced. “I-it’s hard to say. He’s still hooked up to an IV and has dressings taped to his stitches. The doctors won’t let him talk yet.”
“Then how did you find out about Richard?”
Heat filled her cheeks. “It’s a long story.” Terri didn’t dare tell her sister how she’d played a variation of the same game with him she’d played with Beth when they were children. “We managed to communicate. He finally wrote down a few words.”
“I thought his hands were burned.”
“Just the palms.”
“It’s so bizarre to think it wasn’t Richard lying there.”