I stood on the edge of the deck, against the wood post. Charlotte startled me when she asked, “What are you doing?” I hadn’t heard her come back from the gym.
“Looking for animals,” I answered. It sounded believable, to me.
“No you’re not. You’d angle the binoculars higher if you were. What are you looking for?” She approached me and angled her vision to match the binoculars’ view. “Are you trying to look into other people’s rooms?”
Still looking through the binoculars for evidence, I answered, “No, that’s not possible.”
“And you know that how?”
“Because it was in the guidebook, Charlotte. Who wants to stay in a place with a wall made out of a window if your neighbor can see right into your bedroom? And bathroom?” I also knew because I tried before she came out, but the real answer was because it was in the book.
I scanned the area below the rooms again, this time more slowly, searching for anything out of the ordinary. My third survey revealed the same results—nothing. No blood-soaked clothing. No blood-soaked knife.
I put the binoculars down and sat on the lounge chair. “I thought if someone wanted to get rid of something, they’d throw it out there.”
Charlotte remained standing and looked at the surrounding vegetation. “Instead of just throwing it in the garbage can like everyone else?” she asked.
“Well, if they had to get rid of it without anyone finding it. No one would find it out there.”
“Well, maybe if you took a closer look.”
I got up and wondered how close I could get. I got on my stomach, slid under the post, to look down. The ground was only a few feet below. I could get down there for a closer look. I’d already jumped over a door, twice, today. This might be easier. I wish I had our brother’s drone. That would have been the easiest way for the closest look.
“I was kidding, Naomi. You can’t go down there!”
She was wrong. I could get down there, but I’d have a heck of a time getting back out. I doubted she would help pull me back up onto the patio. I could probably climb around to the front of the building but with no paths to follow the going would be tough.
Plus, someone would notice. My exploration through the high grasses and bushes would cause them to shake. Someone would think it was wildlife causing it and get excited.
Geri would call everyone, like the first day with the herd of elephants, and everyone would run out to look for the wild animal. Only to find me.
I got back to my feet and plopped onto the empty lounge chair next to Charlotte.
“Why are you so sweaty?” she said, inspecting my clothing. “And dirty? Did you go the gym? I didn’t see you in the gym.” She made a face. “That’s what you wore on the game drive. You weren’t this dirty after breakfast. That’s not gym clothing.”
“Who brings gym clothing on vacation, Charlotte?”
“People who want to stay in shape.”
“Were you the only one in the gym, Charlotte?”
“Yes, but—”
“And you’re the only one you brought gym clothing on safari.”
Charlotte would be horrified to know I didn’t own gym clothes. With strict luggage allowances on the domestic flights, my packing space was limited. Gym clothes would not have made the list. Plus, safari clothing was expensive. I could only afford so many outfits.
I closed my eyes and plotted my next move. I heard Charlotte get up. “Want something to drink?”
“Sure, that bitter lemon soda if they have it.” She slid the door open into our suite. I hollered in, “Can you get my camera too?”
I looked at the plunge pool longingly. It was hot and I was sweaty but it would take too much effort to go in and put on a bathing suit.
Charlotte returned and handed me a glass of the yellow cloudy beverage. It was like lemonade with bubbles. It was refreshing and delicious. I finished my glass before she even lay down on her lounge.
I picked up my camera, which she had placed at my side. I turned it on, tapped a few buttons, and pulled up the photos I’d taken.
I scrolled back to the first day and swiped through the photos, stopping to inspect only the ones I was interested in.
“Slow down,” Charlotte ordered. “Why are you only looking at the photos with people in it?”
“I’m looking at their outfits.”
“Their outfits?” she repeated.
“I’m looking to see if anyone is wearing the same outfit.”
“As each other?”
“No, if they’ve repeated clothing, because they had to throw out some of their clothing.”
“Haven’t you worn the same outfit more than once?”
“Well, yes. But it wasn’t dirty.”
“I’m not saying they were. Although I think this one needs a good wash.” I didn’t disagree. The pants were filthy from my expedition for evidence and the top smelled from my exertions.
“I can’t really afford the laundry service.”
“You don’t have to send it out. Just wash it here. I brought soap.”
“Really? Why?”
“So I could hand-wash my clothes. It was on the packing list.”
I just used common sense and brought what I thought I needed, and what one coworker told me to pack—neutral-colored pants, long-sleeved shirts, a couple of T-shirts (which I’ve since learned were inappropriately colored), sturdy shoes, a hat, sunblock, and insect repellant. And my usual travel toiletries bag.
“I didn’t read it.”
“Of course you didn’t.”
“But if I wash the clothes here, it’ll take forever to dry.”
“It’s quick dry clothing. You wash this now,” pointing to my clothing, “it’ll be good for the morning.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she assured me.
“So you could wash something in your room?”
“Yes,” she repeated.
“What about something with blood?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Naomi! Just get up and wash your clothes! The soap is in my toiletry case.” She got up to get another drink. I think it was going to be something a little stronger than ginger ale. She walked around me. “And take a shower while you’re at it. You stink.” She stopped behind my lounge and tugged at my hair. “Is that a stick in your hair? What did you do this afternoon?”