is penny still alive?

So, apparently, tonight's episode is about Penny and Desmond. If I remember right, when bloodied Ben called Jack and told him to pick up Locke's body because he was "delayed," Ben was calling from a pay phone on a pier. Could he have been visiting Penny and Desmond's boat?

Perhaps Ben was trying to kill Penny Whidmore! Yikes! I suppose this is inevitable, however, since Ben did vow to kill Whidmore's daughter in revenge for the death of Alex.

I really hope Penny, Desmond, and little Charlie don't get hurt. Of all the people in this show, I think that Desmond and Penny are two of the most likeable. I mean, c'mon, do you know anyone who doesn't like Penny or Desmond?