Page 11 of Mai Tais and Murder

“We observe,” Mel said, picking up her phone again. “But not get carried away with it.”

Helen reached for Mel’s hand. “Says the woman who just looked into our neighbor’s background.”

“Occupational hazard,” Mel said with a small smile. “Once a detective, always a detective, I suppose.”

“And that’s one of the reasons I love you,” Helen replied softly. “Your need to help people, to solve puzzles, to make things right.” They sat in comfortable silence for a moment and watched as the light in Abramson’s apartment went out.

ChapterFive

While the coffee’s water came to a boil, Mel measured coffee beans with practiced precision as she thought about their neighbor across the courtyard. She had already wandered onto the balcony for a brief look, and although the blind was open, the man was not at his desk. With all the nervous energy he displayed so far, Mel would have thought Abramson would be an early riser, but perhaps not. There was also the possibility Brigitte talked him out of writing whatever story seemed to possess him, and Abramson finally crashed to sleep for a week.

“I can hear you thinking from here,” Helen called from the bedroom, her voice warm with amusement. “Whatever happened to our agreement about taking a break from the mystery?”

Mel smiled despite herself, carefully pouring hot water into the French press. “Not sure what you mean,” she said. “I’m just making coffee.”

Helen appeared in the kitchen doorway, already dressed in her new swimsuit with a light cover-up thrown over it. “Mmm hmm,” she hummed, crossing to kiss Mel’s cheek. “And I’m pretty sure I heard you go out onto the balcony already this morning. Am I wrong?”

“No,” Mel said with a smile, turning to pull Helen into a proper good morning kiss. The familiar scent of Helen’s shampoo mixed with the rich coffee aroma, grounding Mel in the present moment. “Though I will point out that the blind is open and there is no sign of—”

“Ah!” Helen pressed a finger to Mel’s lips, stopping her mid-sentence. “No detective work until after we try snorkeling. You promised.”

Mel sighed, knowing she was caught. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She finished preparing their coffee, adding a splash of cream to Helen’s cup before handing it to her. “Are you nervous about trying it?”

Helen accepted the coffee, wrapping both hands around the warm mug. “A little,” she admitted. “It seems silly to be afraid, but...”

“Hey,” Mel said softly, reaching for Helen’s hand. “It’s not silly. And I’ll be right there with you the whole time.”

After breakfast, they gathered their snorkel gear, and Mel double-checked that Helen’s mask was properly adjusted. The resort’s concierge had recommended a quiet cove just a short walk from their building, perfect for beginners.

“You’re sure about this?” Mel asked as they made their way down the path, noting how Helen clutched the mesh bag containing her gear. “We could start in the swimming pool if you prefer.”

Helen shook her head. “No, I want to do this properly. Besides,” she added with a small smile. “I trust you to keep me safe.”

The words warmed Mel’s heart. Trust. Such simple words, but ones that carried so much weight. Like Abramson trusting her with his cryptic warning about finding his story if anything happened to him. There was certainly something odd there, but Mel cut off that line of thinking. The morning was about Helen, about sharing something she loved with the woman who had brought such unexpected joy to her life.

The cove was exactly as the instructor had described. The sheltered inlet was calm, and the crystal-clear water was perfect for first-time snorkelers. A few other early morning swimmers dotted the beach, but the water was relatively empty. “Okay,” Mel said, setting their gear on a patch of sand. “First thing is to get comfortable with the mask and snorkel on land.”

She helped Helen with her equipment, showing her how to clear water from the snorkel and create a proper seal with the mask. Helen listened intently, asking all the right questions. Mel was confident Helen would do well. “Now,” she continued. “We’ll start in the shallow water. Just get used to putting your face in while standing.” She demonstrated, making exaggerated breathing sounds through her snorkel that made Helen laugh.

“You look a little ridiculous.”

“That’s the point,” Mel replied after lifting her head. “Takes away some of the anxiety when you can laugh at it.” They waded deeper into the warm water together, and Mel felt Helen’s hand tighten on her arm as the water reached their waists. “I’m right here,” Mel assured her. “Just take your time.” Helen nodded, adjusting her mask one final time before slowly lowering her face to the water. Mel watched as Helen’s body tensed, then gradually relaxed as she got used to breathing through the snorkel.

After a moment, Helen lifted her head, eyes wide with excitement behind her mask. “I did it.”

“You did,” Mel agreed, feeling a surge of pride. “Ready to try actually swimming?”

They moved slowly into deeper water, Mel keeping one hand lightly on Helen’s back for reassurance. The morning sun penetrated the clear water, illuminating the sandy bottom and occasional darting fish. Helen’s movements became more confident as they progressed, though she still stayed close to Mel’s side. Watching Helen discover a new world filled Mel with a joy she hadn’t expected. Every time Helen spotted a particularly colorful fish or interesting coral formation, she surfaced with childlike excitement to share her discovery. It reminded Mel of her early days as a detective when each new clue would bring that same rush of discovery. As they floated over a deeper section of the cove, Mel couldn’t help but notice how different things looked beneath the surface. Just like their situation with Abramson, what might appear straightforward on top held layers of complexity underneath.

* * *

Helen adjustedher mask once more, determined to make Mel proud. The water was so clear she could see every detail of the sandy bottom below, scattered with patches of coral formations that ranged from deep purple to vibrant orange. Tiny, iridescent fish darted everywhere. She had just started to feel truly comfortable when something dark moved in her peripheral vision. Her heart leaped into her throat as she turned her head sharply, losing the seal on her mask. Cold water rushed in, and suddenly she couldn’t see. Panic seized her chest as she tried to remember which way was up. Then strong hands gripped her shoulders, guiding her to the surface. “I’ve got you,” Mel’s steady voice cut through her fear as they broke the surface. “You’re okay. Just breathe.”

Helen clung to Mel’s arm, gasping slightly as she pushed her mask up. “I’m sorry,” she managed, embarrassed by her reaction. “I thought I saw something big and dark, and then my mask leaked, and—”

“Hey,” Mel said softly, keeping them both afloat easily. “No apologies needed. It was probably just a shadow from the coral. Even experienced snorkelers get spooked sometimes.”

The gentle waves rocked them as Helen’s breathing steadied. She felt Mel’s solid presence beside her, an anchor in more ways than one. “I think maybe I’ve had enough for today,” Helen admitted.

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