Another hot, humid day. Melody wiped the sweat off her neck and glanced over at the map. How much farther? She sipped on her bottled water, throwing it down in disgust. It was lukewarm. She was hot and thirsty and for once was tired of driving. She passed a road sign. Well, it looks like Ill be able to take the cutoff to the coast in another twenty miles or so. It had been more than four hours since shed left Boston, probably closer to five. Shed gotten all turned around in the city, driving south rather than north. This long detour plus frequent stops for drinks and potty breaks had added an extra couple of hours to her journey. And in the middle of one of the worst heat waves shed ever experienced. She was definitely ready for some cool sea air.

The first thing Im going to do is get a little dog. Im tired of living alone and a dog would be great company. She nibbled on a power bar. No, the first thing is to get something cold to drink, find a place to stay and get a job. Her stomach was queasy as she thought of how low her savings had fallen.

There at last was the exit for Boothbay Harbor. So preoccupied she nearly missed it, she abruptly swerved toward the exit. A sudden loud horn nearly deafened her as a red pickup truck sped by on her right. Evidently he was almost into the exit when she made her hasty turn, and had barely enough room to squeeze by her. She caught a glimpse of strong jaw, and deep set eyes which at the moment were nearly shut as their owner glared at her.

Melody slowed her speed. Ive driven all the way from Chicago with no problems, she stewed. Only to find some jerk in such a hurry he has to pass me on the right to beat me to the exit. Then scare me half to death with his stupid horn.

Pulling into the first gas station she came to, she parked and looked at her map. Looks like its only five or six miles now, thank God. After filling her tank she felt calmer and bought a candy bar and pop at the Wee-Serve.

She was amused at the attendants accent and the conversation. Im so thirsty, been driving for hours in this heat without anything to drink, she said.

He was confused when she asked for a pop, or at least he pretended to be. Oh, you mean tonic? he asked.

Tonic? she replied. No, I mean pop. You know, soda pop, like in coke?

Coke? Ohayuh. You want tonic, like I said. He pulled out a bottle of coke from a chest freezer behind him and set it on the counter.

She sighed in relief and had all she could do to keep from snatching it and gulping it down right then and there. She was so thirsty. And he was so slow. Names Spade. He grinned at her. Whats a pretty girl like you doing traveling by yourself?

Im moving to the area, she said, trying desperately to hide her impatience. She was anxious to finish her journey now that she was so close to her destination. Could you please hurry? At last he rang her up, gave her change and she was on her way. Spade stood near the door, admiring the way her rear swayed as she hustled to her car. He took a camera from the display window and snapped a photo of her and her vehicle.

Unaware of his interest, Melody drove slowly toward the coast, taking in the sights of the country and occasional houses she passed. Already she could smell the sea. The first thing Ill do is take off my shoes and run into the ocean. She wiped the sweat from her brow.

***

The man brooded on the girl. She was a spitfire, he was sure of it. Just his type, passionate and defiant. Hed knock that fire out of her and shed be whimpering for mercy before he was through. But he could wait. First hed enjoy her smoldering passion when she came to him. He picked up the phone and dialed an ex-private eye and talented locksmith hed met in prison. The man owed him a favor. Severau, Ive got a job for you. I need some more photos. Heres what I want you to do He replaced the phone a few minutes later and smiled in satisfaction.

***

Rounding a bend in the road, Melody let out a squeal as she found herself in a picturesque town with white, clapboard houses, quaint boutiques and nautical restaurants, set against the bluest harbor shed ever seen. Her first impression was one of color. Vivid reds, blues, greens, and yellows with splashes of white, as summer tourists sauntered along the sidewalks peering into store windows, while others spilled out of shops onto the road. Business establishments and people were gaudily arrayed as if for a festival. Melody couldnt drive and take it all in. She found a parking place someone was just vacating and squeezed her little car into the narrow space. Then sat. She just sat staring and dreaming for several minutes.

I could be happy here. Somehow she felt as if shed come home. Finally she stirred. Looking again at her map, she found the address of the Chamber of Commerce and decided to go there for information. A half hour later she left the old fashioned dwelling which housed the Chamber, armed with the names and addresses of three Bed and Breakfasts.

She drove slowly through town checking out each one and finally settled on the Windjammer, smallest of the three. Partly because it was cheaper, and partly because it was located close to the bay within walking distance of many of the businesses. She didnt notice the dark sedan driving slowly behind her.