Deep Waters by Jayne Ann Krentz

accents. “Unparalleled knowledge of our own true sexuality and an understanding of the philosophical laws of the universe shall be ours. Our bodies will be made perfect by advanced alien science. Our lifespans will be vastly extended in order that wemay have the time to learn all that we are destined to discover.”
    The crowd sent up a rousing shout of agreement.
    â€œThat is one angry lady,” Elias said softly.
    Charity glanced at him curiously. “How do you know that?”
    â€œIt takes a lot of rage to pull together an operation the size of this scam.”
    Charity recalled what he had just finished telling her about his own plans to destroy an old enemy. Elias knew whereof he spoke, she thought. She would do well to bear that in mind. The sizzling sexual attraction she was feeling was certainly interesting, but that was no excuse for being stupid where this man was concerned.
    â€œMaybe she really is simply deluded,” Charity mused. “I suppose it’s possible that she actually believes that the spaceships will arrive.”
    Elias studied the scene on the beach. “If you’re prepared to buy that, I’ve got a nice pier I can sell you. No, she’s not crazy, she’s got an agenda. Be interesting to know what it is.”
    â€œPower?”
    â€œThat’s probably part of it, but not the whole. If she just wanted to run a cult for the sake of exercising power, she wouldn’t have announced such a close deadline for the arrival of the spaceships.”
    â€œI wondered about that myself,” Charity said. “The Voyagers just got here last month, and the fifteenth of August is only five days away. She’s bound to lose a lot of credibility when the ships don’t show.”
    Elias braced a booted foot on the bottom rung of the fence. He kept his grip on Charity’s hand. “There must be some significance to the deadline.”
    â€œMost people think she’s in it for the money. Newlinsays that his girlfriend, Arlene, and the others have turned over their life savings to her.”
    â€œThat’s standard procedure for this kind of thing. But why bring her followers to Whispering Waters Cove? The place has got to hold some bad memories.”
    â€œAnd humiliation.” Charity grew thoughtful. “The new Mrs. Pitt is here, after all. Gwen and Jennifer must run into each other at the grocery store and at the post office. A little awkward, to say the least.”
    â€œHow’s Gwen’s ex, the real estate broker, dealing with it?”
    â€œAre you kidding?” Charity made a face. “I’m sure Leighton is thoroughly embarrassed by the situation, but he can’t force her to leave. She does own half-interest in this campground, after all. He’s trying to ignore her.”
    â€œAnd the second Mrs. Pitt? What’s her response?”
    â€œI don’t really know Jennifer very well. No one does. She’s from California.”
    Elias grinned briefly. “That explains a lot.”
    â€œFrom what I’ve seen, she’s keeping her cool about the whole thing,” Charity said. “I guess she figures all she has to do is wait it out until the fifteenth. But it can’t be easy for her, either.”
    â€œNothing like having the first Mrs. Pitt running a cult on the edge of town while the second Mrs. Pitt tries to establish herself as the new wife of one of the most influential men in the area.”
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œWere you here at the time of the divorce?”
    Charity shook her head. “The scandal broke shortly before I arrived. But I know most of the juicy details, thanks to Radiance.”
    â€œWhat’s Radiance got to do with any of this?”
    Charity chuckled. “She does the second Mrs. Pitt’s nails. She’s actually grateful to her because Jenniferdid a lot to help make fancy acrylic nails fashionable here in town. Until Jennifer showed up with her