“Or,” she paused, and they all leaned in, “Or she wants Tina to know.”  Kit turned to Tina.

They all began talking at once again, offering Tina their individual takes on what Kit had just said.

Shane sat back, her fingers touched together to form a steeple, lost in thought in the midst of the chaos created by Kit’s news, as the rest of the girls continued to react .  “Colombo, right, Kit?” she finally asked.

Kit nodded at Shane.  She turned to Tina and asked, “Can I get you something Tina?  I know you just flew in.  Some soup, anything?”

Tina said, “That would be lovely, thanks, Kit.  Since I’m continuing to nurse, I find I have to take more liquids in,” nodding her head.

Kit stood up.  Shane stood up also, saying “Let me help you get that, Kit.”

She had a theory and would need Kit’s help to prove it.

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A week later, Shane was being led into Bette’s private villa, which was set out in stilts, as if floating on the water.

The brunette was soaking in a Jacuzzi, which was facing the sea, on the terrace at the other end of the villa.  The glass doors were open, but at the same time the villa was angled away from prying eyes, which made the villa Jacuzzi appear like it was floating just on the edge of the end of the porch, with an exclusive view of the ocean.

Shane took a deep breath, then bowed also at the kind woman who was bowing at her, and who had let her into the villa.  She had explained that she was Bette’s cousin from another mother (the woman had found that hard to believe, but nodded when Shane somehow produced a picture showing Bette affectionately hugging her from the side, and giving her a big kiss).  She said further that her visit to Bette was not an intrusion, and she had wanted to surprise the brunette.

“I gotta say, Porter,” she said out loud, after the woman left. “You sure know how to spend it,”

She heard a loud splash of water, as Bette trashed around in the Jacuzzi, struggling to sit up, then partially stand up upon hearing Shane’s voice.  She had forgotten she was naked and was looking at Shane in total surprise, closer to shock.