Bahama Crisis

They told me about it, extensively and in detail. They were going to bring twenty children each month for a two-week stay.

"I had a bit of trouble with the school boards about that," said Debbie.

"But I pointed out that both Cora and Addy are teachers and the whole thing is one big geography lesson, anyway with sport thrown in. They went for it."

Cora and Addy were to give the kids lessons in basic arithmetic and English, and they were to learn the history of the Bahamas in relationship to the United States. That took care of the education bit. Debbie said tentatively, "You said something about the Family Islands. I thought a week here and a week on one of those…"

"Sure," I said.

"That's easy. While they're here those kids who can swim can go along to the Underwater Exploration Society and learn scuba-diving. They'll give you a low rate. Those who can't swim can have lessons here in the hotel pool. We have an instructor."

"That's great," said Cora.

"I can't swim maybe I'll take lessons, too."

And so it went with much enthusiasm. I took time off to introduce them to people I thought they ought to know and then let them loose in Freeport. Before they went back to the States I took Debbie to dinner at the Xanadu Princess. I had engineered that tete-a-tete by sending Cora and Addy to Abaco with an introduction to Peggy.

As we got out of the car Debbie looked up at the hotel.

"Does this belong to the Theta Corporation?"

I laughed.

"No, I just like to keep tabs on what the opposition is up to."

Over cocktails I said, "I like Cora and Addy. Where did you find them?"* "Oh, I just asked around and came up with the jackpot." She smiled.

"Neither of them is married. From what I've observed in the last few days they could very well marry Bahamian boys. Your menfolk sure move in fast." The smile left her face and she said soberly, "How are you doing, Tom?"

"All right. The Theta Corporation is keeping me busy. So much so that I'm thinking of selling the house. I don't spend much time there now; usually I sleep at the hotel. "

"Oh, you mustn't sell that beautiful house," she said impulsively.

"I rattle around in it. And there are too many memories."

She put her hand on mine.

"I hope it's not too bad." We were quiet for a while, then she said, "Billy talked to me. He said you'd told him about Kayles. Any more news?"

"Nothing. Kayles seems to have vanished completely. If it weren't for all the inconsistencies I'd be inclined to believe he went down with Lucayan Girl that it was a genuine accident."

I changed the subject deliberately and we talked of other and lighter matters, and it was pretty late when I took her back to the Royal Palm. As we walked towards the parking lot, something flashed out of the darkness and Debbie ducked, and gasped, "What was that!"

"Don't worry, it's harmless it won't hurt you. It was just a bat. We call them money bats."

Debbie looked up doubtfully and I could see she did not altgether believe my claim that the bats were harmless.

"That's an odd name?

Why money bats? "

I chuckled.

"Because the only time you see them is when they're flying away from you."

That night, lying sleepless in bed, I had a curious thought. Could the mind play tricks on one? Had I given Debbie Cunningham the idea of bringing American kids to the Bahamas just so I could see more of her? It had not been a conscious decision, of that I was sure. With Julie and Sue just dead a week I would not, could not, have made such a decision. But the mind is strange and complex, and perhaps it had put those words in my mouth, the idea into Debbie's mind, for reasons of its own.

All the same I felt happier than I had felt for a long time, knowing that I would be seeing Debbie Cunningham monthly for the foreseeable future.

The months went by. Seven months after I became President of the Theta Corporation we had the Grand Opening of the Rainbow Bay Hotel on Eleuthera. I invited a crowd of notables: Government ministers, a couple of film stars, a golf champion and so on. I also invited Deputy-Commissioner Howard Perigord and his wife, Amy. And the Cunninghams came; Billy and his father, Billy One; Jack Cunningham, who looked upon me with some mistrust, and, of course, daughter Debbie.

To make sure that everything went like clockwork I pulled the best of the staff from the other three hotels. The service in those hotels might have suffered a little at that time, but not much because, in general, the quality of our staff was high. In the event all went well.

Before we flew to Eleuthera the Cunninghams and I had an informal board meeting. I handed out copies of the survey made by the American company, and added my report with its detailed recommendations.

"You're not expected to read all this now, but I'll give you a brief summary."

I ticked off the points on my fingers.

"We go into the Family Islands." I paused, and said in parentheses, "They used to be known as the Out Islands but the Minister of Tourism thinks that the Family Islands sounds more cosy."