Loni began to write on the form. Sofia started to calm down and Banyon studied his shoes. Soon, Loni presented the finished product to Sofia.
“I get a tax deduction, too?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll sign it,” she said, reaching for the pen.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Loni with her usual genius for making things appear and disappear made the paper vanish.
“I will send you a copy of the form,” she announced formally. She then turned to Banyon and grinned like a beaver.
He glanced at her and then leaned forward. “I’m interested in the herb for the recipe,” he said. “Do you remember? The one with no name. What did you call it?”
“The recipe had the amount of the mixture but not the name. The Chinese called it ‘the weed that grows fast.’ The commandant who brought us the leaves called it something else. I can’t remember the name he used, but the weed was common in Japan, he said.”
“Well that may help us in searching for the plant. We want to thank you for your time Sofia, but we must leave before the boat sails. I promise you we will come and visit you after this all gets sorted out.”
“I think you may see me sooner than you think,” she answered.
“Why is that?” Banyon asked.
Sofia pointed her finger towards the patio doors which led to the balcony. “We sailed about a half an hour ago.”
***
The boat had sailed with Binh Handa aboard, as well. He had patiently waited for the people to leave the old woman’s cabin, but they never did. The boat had sailed and he was now trapped on it too. He needed to find out when the boat would dock, and he needed a hiding place. He set about both tasks with grim determination.
Chapter Seventy
“But, you must turn the boat around,” Banyon beseeched the captain. “We need to get off the boat.”
“It’s a ship, not a boat, and I can’t turn it around.” The proud captain, Marty Rowe, answered patiently, as if he was talking to child.
“I thought a captain could do anything when the ship is at sea,” Banyon noted. “We are at sea, aren’t we?”
“I can and I’m not turning the ship around so you can get off. It ruins our timetable and it’s against company policy,” Captain Marty replied with a smile.
“But we never heard an ‘all going ashore’ call, and we didn’t even hear the announcement for the fire drill. I’ve been on cruises before. That is mandatory,” Banyon pressed the captain. “It was your mistake. Is this how you Rowe your boat?”
“Not for our long-term customers. They would have to participate in the drills every couple of days. We exempt them from the hassle. You just didn’t hear the alarms,” the captain said in an official voice.
“But we are on a very important mission. There is a lot at stake here,” Banyon argued.
Loni and Sofia stood to the side. They were in Captain Rowe’s quarters. He had agreed to speak to them because Sofia told the purser to arrange it immediately. The young man stood next to the women.
“I can’t see what all the fuss is about,” Loni commented to Sofia. “It’s only four days.”
“Perhaps he is concerned about you, my dear,” Sofia replied.
“Are you kidding? I couldn’t have hoped for a better situation,” Loni gleefully answered.
“Maybe that’s why he is so upset,” Sofia said.
“Oh.” Loni decided to think about that.
Sofia turned to the purser. “Dear boy, could you fax something for me? I would also like a copy of the fax for my friend here.”
“Of course, Ms. Kerns,” he said.
“Loni give him that waiver and the telephone number. He can send a copy to the museum and give me the original. At least we can be productive while your boyfriend argues a lost cause.”
“He is not my boyfriend,” Loni responded with frustration in her voice. “Yet.”
“He said the same thing about you, but I don’t believe it. I can see how he treats you,” the older, wiser woman said.
Loni rummaged in her small purse and handed the waiver to the purser. She then produced a sticky note and a pen. She wrote “Dr. Thorne” and a short message at the top. She added the phone number to the bottom of the page and handed it to the purser. He excused himself with the tip of his hat.
“I don’t know,” Loni confessed. “We have been friends for a long time. There used to be another man in my life, too. We were all friends. But Colt is different. He represents everything I want in a man.”
“And he is making you crazy because he feels guilty about his old friend, right?”
“I can’t do anything right around him. I tried showing him pornography, dressing sexy, and just about threw myself at him from the aphrodisiac I took. He acts so official with me. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Maybe you should show him more of yourself,” Sofia suggested.
“Or, maybe I should visit with you later for some tips and techniques,” Loni replied with mischief in her voice.
“It would be my pleasure to help.”
Chapter Seventy-One
“So, can we get off the ship at Cozumel?” Banyon asked as he read itinerary from the brochure that the captain had given him.
“Yes, but there are no refunds, and it might be hard to get a plane back to Mobile,” Captain Rowe answered in frustration.
“We get there the day after tomorrow, right?” Banyon continued.
“Look. You have a cabin. We are a fun ship. Why don’t you just enjoy the ride?”
“But, we don’t have any clothes,” Banyon pointed out.
Sofia quickly butted in. “They have some fine clothing stores on the ship. They are located on the promenade.”
Loni suddenly perked up. “Great! Then that’s where I’m going as soon as the purser comes back with the copy of the waiver. I’ll meet you in our cabin at five-thirty, Colt. Don’t be late.” She flicked her eyebrows at him.
“Dinner is at eight o’clock, sharp,” the captain smiled. “Perhaps a little dinner dress would be appropriate. Gentlemen don’t have to wear ties to dinner. But if you want, you can charge purchases to your cabin.”
The purser soon returned and stood at attention near the captain. Loni grabbed the copy of the waiver from him on her way out. “Don’t worry Colt. It will be so small that it won’t cost much,” she baited him as she wiggled out the door.
“Great,” Colt muttered.
Chapter Seventy-Two
A frustrated Banyon went to the cybercafé onboard to check his e-mail. He found the usual spam and business e-mails sent by his sons. They ran his business now and copied Colt on all correspondence, seeking his advice. He busied himself with replies.
Eventually, he decided that things weren’t so bad. They had made a fifty thousand dollar commission and he knew he would enjoy the cruise. He just didn’t know what to do about Loni. She seemed almost too eager to please him, especially after taking the herbal aphrodisiac. Would she regret it later, he wondered? If she felt guilty, he would feel worse. He was more than ready, but there was the guilt surrounding his good friend. What if Carl accused him of taking advantage of Loni? He’d always taken the high road when dealing with relationships. Jumping into bed with his best friend might change things he didn’t want to change. But his resolve was paper-thin now. He ached to feel her smooth skin next to his own and to smell of her hair up close. He wanted to hold her and make her giggle. He wanted to explore the true essence of this mysterious woman. He decided to buy a pair swim trunks and some clothes in which to dress for dinner before he thought any further on the subject.
When he entered the cabin with his bag of clothes, he knew Loni had returned. There were several empty bags scattered around the room. He knew Loni loved to unpack things as fast as humanly possible. Where the wrapping—or, in this case, the bags went—did not concern her. From the shot-gunned positioning of the bags, he deduced she was pleased with her purchases. S
he and her purchases were getting acquainted in the bathroom.
“Loni, I’m back,” he said.
“I want you to see my new dress,” she answered breathlessly. “I’ve been waiting to show it to you forever. Where have you been?”
“I was buying clothes, myself,” he replied.
“Well get ready, because here I come.”
He walked over to the bed and sat down with his purchases at his feet. “I’m ready,” he said.
The door to the bathroom opened and Loni slinked out in a curve-hugging black dress. It was cut very low in the back and ended well above her knees. She also wore black spike heels which matched the dress. She posed with her back to him. She was bare skinned to the waist with only a thin lattice crossing her back. She peeked at him and giggled.
“I can’t wear a bra with this one,” she declared.
Colt knew what she wanted and was happy to oblige. “Turn around and let me see how it moves with you.”
She twirled slowly in place and then started runway walking towards him, her head thrown back, her long hair trailing behind, and her eyes glued on him. She stopped inches from him.
“Well?” she asked, throwing her arms open in presentation.
“Just don’t ask me to get up,” he replied.
“Good, it has the desired effect. The swimsuit is next. Then we are going up on deck to get some sun,” she announced.
“But Loni, it’s five-thirty,” he protested.
“I was told that the sun will not go down until seven-forty tonight. I hope you bought a swimsuit.”
“In fact, I did.”
“Good, put it on while I change into my suit,” she called from the bathroom.
He quickly stripped and had just pulled up the suit when Loni flung open the bathroom door and bounced out. He sat right back down again. She had pulled her hair back in a long ponytail. She wore a two-piece thong suit. Two triangles the size of postage stamps comprised the top. He couldn’t believe she would be so bold. She sometimes dressed sexy, but this was downright erotic. He reacted with a gasp.
“It fits like a glove,” she said. “The color matches my skin, don’t you think?”
He was at a complete loss of words and stayed focused on the beautiful creature that bounced before him. He had seen her legs before; he had recently seen her smooth back; the neck and the shoulders were a given. But now he stared at her almost-naked ass. It was perfect in every way. Then he noticed the tattoo.
“Come closer,” he managed. “I want to see your tattoo.”
She skipped over to him and jumped up and down, her toned muscles coiling and recoiling. “And look! Nothing falls out when I move about.”
“When did you get a tattoo?” he stammered.
“You may not believe this, but I got the tattoo when we were working on our last case. I infiltrated a tattoo parlor that was a center for white supremacy. I saw this tattoo and had to have it. It was good cover. It also represents my name in Chinese.” She then backed into where he sat to give him a closer look. He could clearly see a small yellow butterfly on the center of her right cheek. She bent over and placed her hands on her knees.
“Do you like it?” she inquired as she looked at him from her vulnerable position.
He wasn’t sure what she meant. Was she talking about the suit, her body, her ass, or her tattoo? “I like it,” he managed.
She slapped her ass and galloped off to put on her matching wrap. “Let’s go up on deck,” she said.
He struggled to his feet and had to make adjustments to his bathing suit. When he looked up, she was watching him with a satisfied look on her face. She didn’t blush.
Chapter Seventy-Three
Loni chattered aimlessly as they walked to the elevator and took it to the top floor. She had bought sunglasses which now covered her eyes and cheap rubber sandals that made a flip-flop noise as she walked.
“Sofia told me that the very front of the top deck is the best place to sun,” she remarked.
“Sofia would know,” he replied. He carried a book he had bought in the commissary and his own pair of sunglasses. He used the book as a shield.
They climbed the stairs to the uppermost deck and found a small area with lots of people reclining in the warm sun. Loni pointed to a narrow walkway and kept going. Colt noticed a small sign on the wall. It said, “Topless area, adults only.” Loni didn’t seem to notice the sign and plowed ahead, picking up two sets of towels from a bin at the end of the narrow passage.
They entered a lounging area that was enclosed by glass walls on all sides. It was open on top, but protected from wind. They were at the very top of the ship; only some antennas and the smokestack rose above them. About fifty people lounged on deck chairs. Most were woman and all were topless.
Banyon knew that breasts came in all shapes and sizes. He quickly put on his glasses so he could take his own survey as they wove through the bodies lying passively for his inspection. Loni was headed for two chairs along the left wall. He followed two steps behind, reveling in his survey. She spread the towels on two chairs and sat down next to the window. Colt took the other chair and turned to adjust the chair back. When he turned back to help Loni, his mouth dropped open.
She had stripped off her top and was grinning at him, her breasts inches from his face. He could see his reflection in her sunglasses and closed his mouth.
“Isn’t this cool?” she asked. “I’ve always wanted to be naked in public. I am so excited.”
“I can see that,” he commented.
“Come on, don’t be a prude, Colt.”
“I’m not a prude, sweetie. I am very excited, myself.”
“I can see that, too,” she replied, pointing to his crotch.
“You love to tease me, don’t you?”
“I could not do this with anyone else. Please know that, Colt.” She was serious when she said it.
“So you had a plan for this cruise,” he said. “That’s why you let us miss our exit window at the dock.”
“I won’t lie to you, Colt. I wanted us to spend some quality time together in the best of conditions. I wanted nothing to distract you but me.”
“Well, you have certainly done that. Your breasts are beautiful.”
She immediately threw her head back and jiggled them in front of his face. The laugh which escaped her mouth was filled with joy. She sat facing him with her legs crossed on the lounge chair.
“You could not be more provocative,” he said. “Sofia told you to bring me here, didn’t she?”
“She told me to show you more of myself,” Loni replied. “Do you like what you see?”
Colt suddenly realized that Loni had misunderstood what Sofia had said. Sofia meant that Loni should show Colt more of her personality and feelings. Loni thought, as only her impulsive nature would allow, that Sofia meant body parts. Loni was systematically stripping for him to show him what she looked like underneath her clothes. She only had a G-string left to discard. Then what? he thought.
She looked at him in a funny way. He was lost in thought. She was unwrapping herself like a present, a gift for him. He had to stop her somehow. They were friends. But he wondered if he was kidding himself because of the guilty feelings or the possible change in their relationship. Or was it that he worried that he could not live up to the idolized standard she had set for him? She was throwing herself at him and he was resisting. What was wrong with him? He certainly knew her well enough. He even understood why she was literally exposing herself to him.
She repeated. “Well, do you like what you see?” There was a touch of panic in her small voice.
“Loni, I love you,” he stammered.
She was suddenly alert and sat up straight. “What did you say?”
“You heard me,” he replied.
“No, say it again, Colt.” It was an order.
“I do love you, sweetie. You mean more to me than anything, except maybe my sons,” he joked.
“No, joking, say it
properly or it doesn’t count.”
“Okay, no fooling. Since you came into my quiet life, you have brought me more joy and happiness then I deserve. I think of you constantly, and I admit that I love you unconditionally.”
“Wow, if I had known that my breasts could make you say that, I would have stripped for you a long time ago.”
“Somehow, I believe that you mean that,” he commented.
“So, you admit that my naked breasts did the trick.”
“No, but, they are beautiful. I started to love you long ago, but I was a fool not to say it. I know you have been tempting me, and I love you for that, too.”
“Oh, Colt, I love you just as much. So, what do we do now?”
“Well, let’s just talk for a while,” he replied. She continued to sit crossed-legged in nothing by a tiny, skin-colored thong and he sat just inches away, and they talked.
After some discussion, no decisions seemed the best choice. The fact that they both admitted they loved each other was enough for today. They didn’t discuss things like marriage, commitments, and the usual emotional subjects. They agreed that no one else needed to know how they felt—after all, it was their life. They would continue to forge ahead just as they had been and see what the future would bring. Loni asked for only one concession: half of Colt’s closet in the bedroom. He told her he had two closets.
Colt reached over, placed his hand on her neck and pulled her to him. She came forward willingly. Her body was warm and giving. They fenced with their tongues. They didn’t care if other people on the deck could hear their moans. Both were reassured that passion, not lust, was the basis for their feelings. They then talked some more.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Eventually, the discussions led back to the road trip, the cruise, Sofia, and business.
“Loni, several things are bothering me about this case,” Colt said.
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