Kevin Andrews turned onto the boardwalk and felt the stinging spray of the ocean. Observing the low clouds overhead, he decided it wouldn't be surprising if they had snow later on. Most of the shops lining the boardwalk had already closed for the season and summer residents had already vacated their summer homes for their winter ones in a warmer climate.

He liked North Beach with its big Victorian homes, its quiet streets and friendly residents. He knew most of the homeowners. He knew their background, their habits, their likes and dislikes. He also knew a few secrets, one being that Lily Carrington, the beautiful golden-haired daughter of billionaire Samuel Carrington, wouldn't be returning to North Beach next season. And only he knew how she would die.

He walked down to the Caf� and entered. "Rose you look more vivacious than you did when I left in the spring," he said as an older lady rushed up and kissed him.

"Kevin, you are so smart to live here, while it is quiet in the winter. Then you leave when the tourists come in the summer?" The older but still attractive lady released him, stepped back, and looked him up and down. "Good tan, but eight or ten pounds lighter, we will take care of that."