Beyond the Cabin

by Dana Ridenour

  “It’ll be nice to sit on the porch and have a sweet tea with Beulah. I’ll catch up on the island politics while I’m here.”

  “You sure you don’t mind?” Lexie asked.

  “Nope. It’ll save me the trouble of telling you all about the island. Rommy here can give you a better tour than I can.”

  Lexie smiled from ear to ear. “Thanks, Captain.”

  “Don’t you be eating all of Momma’s cinnamon swirl cake while we’re gone, Capt’n. Save some for the paying customers,” Rommy said.

  “Your momma has cinnamon swirl cake? You kids run off and have fun. I’m off to get me some of that cake and some peach tea.”

  ***

  Lexie returned from the tour with Rommy and the other four guests. Captain Meade helped Beulah put out a spread of fried chicken, green beans, chicken bog, cornbread, sweet peach tea, and cinnamon swirl cake.

  “How was the tour?” Meade asked Lexie.

  “Amazing. Rommy is a great tour guide.”

  “Should I be worried that he’s gonna take my job?”

  “Your job is safe, old man,” Rommy said as he slapped Captain Meade on the back.

  The eight new friends perched themselves on the picnic tables and devoured the fresh Gullah food. The chicken bog smelled like black pepper and tasted like heaven.

  “The food is delicious, Miss Beulah,” Lexie said. “Thank you for allowing us to stay and eat with you.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  “Wait till you try Momma’s cake,” Rommy said. “That is if the captain hasn’t polished it all off while we were gone.”

  Captain Meade smiled. “I might’ve saved a few pieces for y’all.”

  Lexie tried to pay Rommy and Beulah for the tour and the food before they left, but both refused to take any money. Before leaving, Lexie used the restroom and deposited a $20 bill into the small wooden tip box sitting on the counter.

  Lexie shook hands with the four tourists since she hijacked their tour. She hugged Beulah and Rommy and left Spirit Island with Captain Meade. She promised to come back and visit soon. Lexie intended to make good on that promise.

  ***

  “You’re grinning like the cat who ate the canary,” Captain Meade said.

  “That was absolutely amazing! Thank you, Captain.”

  “My pleasure, little lady.”

  “I learned so much from Rommy. He’s such a nice person.”

  “He’s from good people,” Meade said.

  The two rode along, sipping on cups of tea that Miss Beulah gave them. On the other side of Spirit Island, Lexie spotted another island.

  “What’s that island?” Lexie asked.

  “You stay away from that island, you hear me?” Captain Meade said in a stern voice.

  Lexie’s eyes widened. “Why?”

  “Trust me, girl. That there is no place for you. Promise me, you’ll stay away from that place.”

  “Okay. Okay. I’ll stay away. But why?”

  Captain Meade glared over the top of his sunglasses. His steel blue eyes had a fire in them.

  “Nothing good goes on over there. People have been known to disappear from there and never be seen again. Trust me on this, girl.”

  “I promise I’ll stay away from there. Does the island have a name?”

  Captain Meade increased the boat speed. “Its official name is Cat Island, but the locals call it Plat-eye Island.”

  “What’s a plat-eye?” Lexie asked.

  “Plat-eyes are mysterious creatures with glowing eyes. They can resemble a familiar animal like a dog or a cat. According to legend, if you have committed a crime or an unjust deed against another person, you can expect a visit from a plat-eye who will chase you and torment you until the evil deed has been made right.”

  “Sounds like a nasty beast.”

  Over the boat motor, Lexie heard the sound of a small plane. She looked up and saw a small seaplane preparing to land close by.

  “That’s the first seaplane that I’ve seen in these parts,” Lexie yelled over the sound of the boat motor and the plane noise. “Is it a tourist plane?”

  “That’s another thing you don’t need to worry about. It goes along with that evil island. It’s none of your concern, so you leave well enough alone, girl.”

  Lexie shuddered. She had a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. Usually this feeling meant that something was about to go horribly wrong.

  12

  “Tell me everything that you know about Cat Island,” Lexie said into her phone.

  “Hello to you, too,” Don said.

  “Sorry. Hello, Don. Tell me everything you know about Cat Island.”

  Lexie heard Don chuckle.

  “I’ve heard crazy rumors about that island since I transferred to this office.”

  “What kind of rumors?” Lexie asked

  “Everything from the island is haunted by the ghosts of old pirates, to a drug cartel using the island as a drop off point.”

  “You don’t believe the rumors?”

  “About the ghosts or the drug runners?”

  “Both,” Lexie said, laughing.

  “I don’t believe either one.”

  “Why not?”

  “One, I don’t believe in ghosts. And two, I don’t believe the Colombian drug cartel would use a shit hole island off the coast of South Carolina as a drop off location. It doesn’t make good sense. There isn’t anything out on that island, so they wouldn’t have any means of refueling their planes or boats. Aren’t you on a drug squad in New Orleans?”

  “Yes,” Lexie said.

  “Does it make sense to you?” Don asked.

  “I don’t know enough about the location to make a decision yet.”

  “What do you mean yet?” Don asked.

  “While I was out with Captain Meade, we saw a seaplane land somewhere over there. Captain Meade’s demeanor completely changed. He insisted that I stay away from that island.”

  “You should listen to the captain. That island has nothing to do with our case. And since you mentioned it, are you sure this captain of yours isn’t involved in something? You have no idea what his background is and he obviously knows the waters well enough to get away with most anything out there.”

  “What? Captain Meade isn’t involved in anything illegal.”

  Lexie remembered the captain talking about owning a sneak boat and also the camouflage paint on the boat.

  “At least I don’t think he’s up to anything illegal,” she corrected.

  “Be careful what you say in front of him,” Don said.

  “I will. How do you know that the seaplane doesn’t have anything to do with our investigation?” Lexie asked.

  “Why would it?”

  “I don’t know, but I think it deserves further investigation. I’d at least like to know who owns the seaplane.”

  “I have a contact at the airport. I’ll see if I can find out who owns the plane. It might be difficult without a tail number, but then again, there can’t be that many seaplanes in the area. You stay focused on the ELF investigation.”

  “Speaking of the investigation, what happened at the contractor’s house?” Lexie asked.

  “It appears to be the same group who blew up the two work sites. They used ordinary gasoline for the accelerant. There were no timers found so someone ignited the accelerant with a cigarette lighter or a match.”

  “What about the incendiary device found under the wife’s car?” Lexie asked.

  “Turned out it was a fake, probably to scare the victim.”

  “So, these guys didn’t use any kind of incendiary device? They simply soaked the boat and truck in gasoline and set them on fire? Seems a little unsophisticated.”

  “It did the trick. Total loss of the boat and the truck. Only some scorch marks on the house. Pike was able to get his family out of the house and prevent substantial damage to the house.”

  “How’re the victims doing now?”

&nb
sp; “Pike is mad as hell. His wife is a total mess. She wants him to quit the GRI project, but he isn’t willing to give up the contract. After the first attack, GRI offered him a large bonus if he completes the bridge project. He’s not willing to give up that kind of money.”

  “I wonder how far ELF will go with their scare tactics?”

  “They better not come around Pike’s place again. He owns a couple shotguns and a forty caliber Glock. I think he’ll be ready for them if they choose to return.”

  “That could get ugly,” Lexie said.

  “Yes, it could. How’re things on your end?”

  “Good. I’m learning a lot about the area and I’ve been ingratiating myself with some of the locals.”

  “You need anything from us?”

  “The seaplane information will be helpful, but other than that, I’m good for now.”

  “I’ll get the seaplane information for you, but promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

  “I promise.”

  “I mean it, Lexie. Don’t go off half-cocked and get yourself in trouble out there. Stick to our investigation.”

  “I will.”

  Lexie heard a loud sigh. “Why don’t I believe you?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” Lexie grinned as she hit the end call button.

  13

  Bruce Springsteen’s raspy voice blared from the radio as Lexie tapped the steering wheel. Her voice joined Bruce’s for the chorus of “Backstreets.” She parked her VW as the song was ending and gathered her things for her second day of training with Captain Meade. As usual, he had the boat ready to go.

  “Good morning, Captain. I don’t know how you’re going to top yesterday.”

  “You have that fancy camera with you?” Meade asked.

  “I do.”

  “Good. We’re gonna get you some good gator photos today.”

  “I like that plan,” Lexie said.

  As the day progressed, Captain Meade tutored Lexie on navigation and using the tide charts.

  “You’re a quick study,” Meade said.

  “Thanks. You think I’m ready for my own boat?”

  “Whoa, Nellie … don’t get ahead of yourself. You still have a lot to learn.”

  Lexie laughed. “I know. I’m kidding.”

  “I never know about you. You’re a mystery.”

  “Who? Me?”

  “Here put this on,” Meade said as he tossed Lexie a Captain Meade’s Tours baseball cap. “You don’t want to burn your face. You’ll look like one of those old, shriveled up raisin ladies you see wandering the aisles of the Piggly Wiggly.”

  Lexie laughed. “Thanks, Captain.”

  “Slow down some, we’re going to slide back one of these canals. There is a big bull gator who makes this canal his home. You should be able to get some nice photos of him lying up in the bulrush. Let me take the wheel while you get your camera ready.”

  Lexie relinquished control of the boat to Meade and readied her camera. It didn’t take him long to find the large male alligator.

  “There he is,” Meade said, pointing.

  “Wow, he’s a big fellow.”

  “I call him Big Bubba. He seems okay with the name. He hasn’t complained.”

  Captain Meade cut the engine and they drifted along. The only noises were the birds and the click of Lexie’s camera.

  “Mornin’, Big Bubba,” Meade yelled to the alligator.

  The alligator ignored the boat.

  “You should be able to count the flies on Bubba with that lens.”

  Lexie looked up and smiled.

  “These photos are amazing!”

  Big Bubba finally tired of the attention, slowly slid into the water, and swam away.

  “Thank you, Big Bubba,” Lexie yelled.

  Lexie pulled out two bottles of water from the cooler and offered one to Meade.

  “Thanks, but dig a little deeper and hand me one of those beers. Feel free to help yourself.”

  The two sat in silence, slowly drifting and sipping.

  “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been,” Lexie said.

  “It’s a special place,” Meade agreed.

  “After spending yesterday on Spirit Island, I’m convinced that building that bridge is a bad idea. I’m glad that it got blown up,” Lexie said. “I wish I knew who did it. I’d give him or her a medal.”

  “I’m sure it was several someones,” Meade said.

  “Why do you think that?”

  “According to the paper, there’s been three attacks.”

  “Three?” Lexie played dumb.

  “This morning’s paper said the main contractor for the bridge had his vehicles set on fire. That makes three if the reporter knows what he’s talking about.”

  “Hmmm. I heard about the first two, but I didn’t read the paper this morning.”

  “That’s what the paper said, but you never know how much of that shit you can believe.”

  “You believe that theory that it’s an environmental group doing it?” Lexie asked.

  “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I ain’t never heard of an environment group in the area doing anything like that.”

  “I know. It doesn’t make sense,” Lexie said. “I wonder how the police are coming along on the investigation.”

  “The police. That’s a joke. They couldn’t investigate their way out of a wet paper bag. I had a boat motor stolen outta my backyard a few years ago. I told the police who did it and everything. They never arrested anyone and I never did get my motor back. So, I don’t have a lot of confidence in the police. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.”

  A slight shiver ran up Lexie’s spine as she thought about the captain’s last statement.

  “The television news said the FBI is working with the local police,” Lexie said. “Think that will help or hurt?”

  “I never had any dealings with the FBI people, but they’re from the government, so I can’t imagine them being any better.”

  “Maybe the third attack will scare off that big company and they’ll give up on the bridge project,” Lexie said.

  “If you believe that, then I’ve got some nice swamp land to sell you, girl. That bunch of slimy bastards ain’t going away because someone caused a little property damage. Hell, that’s not even a drop in the bucket for them. That CEO is slicker’n owl shit. He’ll find a way to come out of this smelling like a rose. Trust me, he won’t be scared off that easy.”

  Lexie took a drink of water and nodded.

  “Say, you ain’t a cop, are you?” Meade asked.

  Lexie choked on her water.

  “WHAT? Why would you ask me that?”

  Captain Meade laughed.

  “Because you’re a bit peculiar. And you ask way more questions than an aspiring photographer should.”

  “So you think I’m a cop?”

  “Just a thought. I’ll figure it out eventually.” The captain took a swig of his beer and laughed. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, girl. Relax. I’m just messin’ with you.”

  14

  Since she wasn’t meeting the captain until later in the afternoon, Lexie went on a morning beach run. Lexie realized that if she was going to continue to eat the local cuisine, then she needed to get more exercise. She stopped to catch her breath and looked up and down the mostly deserted shoreline. There was something magical about the ocean in the morning. She took a deep cleansing breath and watched the shorebirds forage for their morning meal.

  After lunch, Lexie arrived at the marina but didn’t see the captain anywhere. She wandered around the marina until she heard Captain Meade’s voice coming from the bar area of the restaurant. She stopped abruptly when she realized he was talking about her.

  “That girl better watch herself or she’s going to get hurt,” a raspy male voice said.

  “She’s harmless,” Meade replied.

  “She’s been asking a lot of questions. You know as well as I do, there are p
eople in these parts who don’t take to people sticking their nose where it don’t belong. I’d hate to see her hurt or worse … gone,” the unknown male said.

  “Look here, Otis Ray, that girl ain’t gonna cause anyone any trouble. She’s naturally curious about the area and wants to learn all about the people.”

  “Curiosity killed the cat, Meade. If you don’t want that girl to end up like the cat, then you better put a leash on her.”

  “Don’t you threaten me or her,” Meade said. His voice suddenly low and menacing.

  “I ain’t threatening you. I’m stating the facts. People who ask too many questions sometimes end up as gator bait in these parts. Nothing but a friendly reminder.”

  Lexie dashed around the corner and ducked into the ladies’ room so Meade and Otis Ray wouldn’t see her.

  What the hell have I gotten myself into? Lexie thought. Take a breath. Think.

  Lexie looked in the mirror. Pieces of her blond hair had escaped the ponytail holder. Sweat trickled down her cheeks. Without make-up, her face had a natural, youthful appearance.

  Lexie splashed some water on her face, straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and walked out.

  As Lexie approached the boat, she saw Captain Meade drain the excess water from the cooler.

  “Afternoon, Captain,” Lexie shouted.

  Meade jumped.

  “Jesus, girl, you scared me.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Where’ve ya been? I saw your car in the lot.”

  “In the ladies’ room,” Lexie said. “You need any help?”

  “Naw. I got it. You ready to shove off?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Lexie said as she grabbed the line and prepared to push off from the dock.

  “Let’s trade places,” Meade said. “See if you can ease the boat out of the slip.”

  Lexie’s eyes popped open.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I think you’re ready. Go easy and you’ll be fine.”

  Lexie took the helm and perfectly eased the boat from the slip.

  “Nice work. There’s hope for you yet.”

  Lexie smiled.

  ***