The helicopter circled one end of the island, passing over the graceful two-story home surrounded by magnificent landscaping, then settled down on a helipad at the side of the house. As soon as the rotors stopped spinning, the pilot jumped out, opened the passenger door and helped Miranda to alight.

A tall, slender man with straight black hair, dressed in linen slacks and a silk shirt the color of his hair crossed the lawn to meet her. Silver eyes raked her from head to toe ...