by S. E. Smith
“You get some sleep. You can have the front bunk and I’ll take the one in the galley. Don’t worry about this stuff, I’ll clean up,” Henry instructed, rising to his feet.
“Thanks. I’ll be more coherent tomorrow,” she replied, holding onto the side of the companionway to keep from stumbling.
“Makayla…,” Henry called quietly.
Makayla glanced over her shoulder, her foot on the first step leading down into the galley. She could see the love and concern in his eyes. A part of her wanted to look away, while another part wanted to reassure him that everything was fine. In the end, it was the need to reassure him that won.
“I’m okay, Henry. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not broken. I’ve just been a little busy with school. I haven’t exactly been out of touch with the world, either,” she murmured. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Have a good night, sweetheart,” Henry said after searching her face to make sure she was telling him the truth. He seemed satisfied with what he saw there. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Makayla nodded and made her way down the steps. She passed through the galley, grabbed her small toiletry bag from off the shelf, and made her way to the head. It didn’t take her long to brush her teeth, hair, and wash her face. She didn’t bother with a shower. She was too exhausted and would probably fall asleep in it. Instead, she changed into a pair of pajama pants and an oversized T-shirt.
She barely made it to the bed before she collapsed. Rolling, she pulled the covers over her and wrapped her arms around the pillow. For a fleeting second, the image of a face from her past flashed through her mind before it was gone. Makayla didn’t even bother trying to hold onto it. The memory was gone before she knew it, lost in the fog of her exhaustion. She was too tired to think about anything but sleep at the moment.
Chapter 3
Two days later, Makayla sat back and gazed out over the water. She could already feel the itch to leave. She refocused on where she was polishing the safety railing. Henry had made some modifications to the Defiance over the last few years to make it more of an ocean-going vessel. She was still amazed that he had made it over halfway around the world already. This would be her fifth time joining him en route and the longest distance since he had started.
“What do you think?” Henry asked, standing near the mast.
Makayla glanced over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “I try not to,” she joked, watching an expression of exasperation cross his face at her snarky response. She laughed and turned to face him. “I was just thinking how impressed I am that you have made it this far. It is an incredible feat. You know, Mom still thinks that you’ve totally lost your mind.”
Henry bent and sat down next to her. She could see the thoughtful expression on his face while he gazed out across the harbor. His fingers played with the wire he was holding, rolling it back and forth between them.
“I’ve been smart about it,” he commented, turning back to face her. “I watch the weather and stay in the major shipping lanes. I’ve made some of the longer legs along with other boats. I’ve been planning this trip my whole life and I have to admit – I don’t have a single regret. I’ve seen places and met people that otherwise would have been impossible.”
“You’ve also had a few close calls,” Makayla reminded him. “The Philippines….”
Henry waved his hand. “I know, but that’s life. There are never any guarantees. One thing your grandmother made sure I never forgot was that there are never any guarantees in life. Her death was a huge blow not only to your mom, but to me, Makayla. When Mary Rose was dying, she made me promise that I wouldn’t let fear stop me from living my dreams. She reminded me every day to grasp life with both hands and live it, because as she pointed out, you never knew when your last day might be. I raised your mom and uncle as best I could. I wasn’t perfect, but I can say I did my best. Having you back in my life made me realize just how fortunate I am.”
Makayla sat in silence for a brief moment before she shook her head. “I think that’s the longest thing I’ve ever heard you speak,” she reflected with a grin before it faded and she grew serious. “You did good, Henry. Mom doesn’t blame you for what happened in her life. And as for me – well, I’ll be the first to admit you changed mine,” she said in a quiet tone, glancing away to look at the water again.
“You already had a good head on your shoulders, girl. You just needed to know what you had inside you,” Henry replied in a gruff tone. With a grunt, he stood up. “I’d better get the wiring completed if we are going to leave the day after tomorrow. We’ll be following a couple of cargo ships down to Guam, then over to Honolulu.”
Makayla nodded. “I saw the charts. It’s good to know we won’t be alone. The Pacific Ocean is a mighty big place to get lost in,” she said, picking up the polish and pouring more onto the rag she was using.
“There’s a market about a mile or so from here. I’ve got a couple of bikes and thought we could stock up on some supplies later,” Henry commented. “I went there the day before you arrived. They have a nice selection of items.”
“That sounds like fun,” Makayla said. “I could use some exercise.”
Henry nodded. “Looks like a good day to go, tomorrow it’s supposed to rain,” he reflected. “I’d better get the new wire run for the lights if we want to be able to see where we are going.”
Makayla turned back to her task. Henry turned on some music and all around them other boat owners talking could be heard. She glanced up when she saw a helicopter flying over the marina. Shielding her eyes, she saw it land on a yacht anchored offshore.
“That must be nice,” she muttered under her breath before a familiar song caught her attention and she became lost in it while she worked.
Makayla brushed her hair out and twisted it up into a messy bun. Several strands of dark brown hair fell and she impatiently tucked them up into the mass of twisted hair. Her gaze flashed to the clock on the microwave.
“Henry, if we are going to go shopping, we need to do it before it gets much later,” Makayla said, grabbing a pile of canvas shopping bags from off the table. She frowned when she heard Henry’s muffled reply. “What?”
“I’ve got at least another hour or two of work,” Henry said, glancing up at the sky. “I need to get this done now, especially since the front is expected to move through starting tonight instead of tomorrow.”
Makayla could see the frustration and regret on his face. She could also see the dirt and grease. Shaking her head, she glanced up at the sky before looking at him again.
“I can go,” she said. “It isn’t far. I saw it the other day when the taxi brought me here. I’ll go get what we need and be back before the weather turns bad. If you need my help here, we can wait and go tomorrow.”
Henry gave her an appreciative smile and shook his head. “If you can go today, it would be better. I’m not that wild about shopping, if you remember. At least if you go, I know we’ll have something worth eating,” he said.
Makayla nodded her head in agreement. They had been living on turkey and cheese sandwiches for the past two days. She had quickly discovered that was all Henry had in his refrigerator. At least he had also purchased some bread.
“If you’re sure you’ve got this, I’ll handle the food,” Makayla promised, stepping up onto the back of the sailboat before jumping down onto the dock.
“Coffee!” Henry called out behind her. “Don’t forget the coffee.”
“I won’t,” Makayla responded, placing the canvas bags in one of the baskets attached to the bike Henry had placed on the dock. “Anything else?”
“Just whatever you want,” Henry said, already focusing back on the wiring. “Don’t talk to strangers.”
Makayla didn’t even reply to Henry’s last comment. Instead, she adjusted the small purse she had draped across her chest and slid the straps of her empty backpack on. Grabbing the handlebars of the bike, she turned it and pushed it up the dock
. Once at the end, she slid her leg over and kicked off.
She enjoyed the exercise of riding the bike. She followed the road around to the front entrance. Raising her hand in greeting to the security guard, she rode down the short drive before turning right onto the bicycle path.
“What did you discover?” The man standing in the elegant office overlooking the bay asked.
Sun Yung-Wing poured himself a cup of tea from the small, antique silver teapot. The steam rose from the delicate white china teacup. He lifted the fragrant brew to his nose and inhaled with appreciation. The tall, slender, elegantly dressed man that had entered the room politely waited until his employer turned before he answered.
“Mr. Harrington is still in a coma,” the man stated.
Yung turned to look at the new man in charge of his security. The last one was now at the bottom of the ocean. He carefully studied Ren Lu. The man’s slender frame, perfectly cut black hair, and calm face were very deceptive. There was an air of something dark and barely controlled under his polished exterior. Ren Lu had dispatched with his previous boss without hesitation when Yung gave the order after the man screwed up with dealing with Harrington.
“He is still alive?” Yung asked with mild surprise.
“Yes, Mr. Sun. Until we can locate the information that was stolen, I thought it best not to kill him. There is no guarantee that he will survive. If he wakes, I have personnel in position to extract the information before eliminating Mr. Harrington,” Ren Lu explained in a quiet tone.
“And what are you doing about locating the information that was stolen from me?” Yung asked in a deceptively pleasant voice before he took a sip of his tea.
Ren Lu stared back at his employer with a cool confidence. “I have accessed the security cameras situated around the marketplace. I was able to narrow in on an encounter Mr. Harrington had with another individual shortly before he was struck by the van. The video was inconclusive, but I believe Mr. Harrington may have given the information to the man. There is a section of the video where it looks like he pulled something out of his pocket. It is unclear if the American was a contact of his or not.”
Yung walked silently over to his desk and placed the teacup down on it before he pulled out the chair behind the desk and sat down. Sitting back, he once again studied the man in front of him. The recent discovery of Harrington’s double cross had stung. He had prided himself on his ability to recognize someone who was being deceptive.
“Have you located this individual?” Yung asked.
“Yes, sir. The American has a vessel berthed at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht club,” Ren Lu replied.
“Bring him to me,” Yung ordered. “I have business offshore. I want no mistakes this time. I want the information that was stolen returned to me and anyone involved eliminated.”
“Yes, sir,” Ren Lu replied with a slight bow.
“Mr. Lu,” Yung said, stopping Ren Lu when he started to turn.
“Yes, sir?” Ren Lu responded.
“Remember what happens to those who fail,” Yung stated in a cold voice.
“Yes, Mr. Sun,” Ren Lu replied, bowing his head once again.
Yung watched his new security chief exit his office. He sat in silence for several long minutes before he reached for his cell phone. Pushing his chair back, he rose and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling, tinted glass windows and stared across the bay. In the distance, he could see the marina in question.
“Send for the helicopter,” he ordered his assistant on the other end.
With a press of the button, he disconnected the call. This was one situation where he would need to be personally involved. There was too much at risk. If his clients were to discover that their identities and locations had been compromised because of him, the United States and British governments would be the least of his concerns.
Capture of the Defiance
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