by Vivi Holt
Another text from Callum: Just kidding. Tempted, though.
She grinned. What if I said friends kiss?
Then you’re not fired.
U know that’s workplace harassment.
Apologies. Won’t happen again. So about the kissing, where did we land?
She shook her head again. Where r u?
If you’re poolside, headed your way.
She glanced up just in time to see Alton appear at the pool’s edge. He waved to Liliana, who swam toward him and climbed out. Alton handed her a towel, and she wrapped it around herself quickly, covering her black one-piece and pale skin.
There was a nudge at her elbow and she found Callum beside her, a mischievous grin on his chiseled face. “Hi, friend.”
She threw her arms around his neck, almost knocking him off-balance. “I’m glad we’re still friends,” she whispered in his ear.
He laughed. “Of course we are.”
By the time Alton and Liliana packed up and headed back to their room, Jessie had had enough sun for the day. She’d slathered herself in sunscreen, but still knew she’d be red before sunset. She took one last dip in the pool before drying off. As the other couple walked by her, she smiled and waved, but they didn’t seem to notice her. More interestingly, she heard Alton call his wife a nickname – an odd one. Did it mean anything?
Back in the room, she waited patiently for Callum to finish showering while she used the complimentary hair dryer. It left a lot to be desired, but it got the job done eventually.
Callum stepped out of the bathroom with a white towel around his waist, chest still gleaming with moisture. “So how was your morning?”
She swallowed hard and looked away. “Um … not much to speak of. Liliana was still swimming with her head out of the water and in full makeup.”
“Huh. Like she’s hiding her identity. Though why she doesn’t just stay in her room if that’s the case is a mystery.”
“Maybe she’s trying to enjoy herself – though she really should tell her face. And I heard Alton say something interesting just as they left.”
“Oh?”
She finally turned to see him pulling on a white undershirt. He hadn’t even dried off. She shrugged – she wasn’t his mother. “Yes, when they walked past me at the pool, she was grousing about something and he said ‘remember the endgame, Susie-Q’.”
Callum paused in the middle of buttoning his dress shirt. “Hmm … that is strange. But it’s not an unusual nickname. Isn’t it a song lyric or something?”
She pulled out her cell phone for a quick search. “Yes, it’s a rockabilly song. Dale Hawkins, 1957, covered by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1968. The Rolling Stones did a version too. Now this makes even less sense – that song’s not only older than Alton, it’s probably older than Liliana.”
“And why would he call her ‘Susie-Q’ instead of ‘Lil’ or ‘Lily’ …” He paused, as if he’d had an idea. “… eh, maybe it’s just a cutesy name between them.” He pulled up his slacks. “We’ll file it away and see if it makes sense down the line.”
She nodded trying not to watch him dress. It was getting more and more difficult to share quarters with her new “friend” and “colleague.” She was already dressed in a red off-the-shoulders sheath dress which Callum hadn’t noticed – or she hadn’t noticed him noticing. She resisted the urge to sneak further looks by brushing her hair, pulling it into pigtails and twisting them into buns on either side of her head.
She knew what else she could do to distract her from Callum. She picked up her phone again and dialed home. “Hello?” a small voice answered.
“Scott! It’s Mommy – how are you, buddy?”
“Mom, I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Not long before I’m back, though, and I can’t wait to see you.”
“What are you doing right now?” he asked.
Tears threatened and her throat tightened. “I’m just about to go and have dinner with my boss, Callum. What are you and Nana up to?”
“We’re about to eat too. I had my first baseball practice today.”
She smiled through the tears. “That’s great sweetheart. How was it?”
“It was so awesome, Mom! I got to pitch, and Coach says I have a natural arm. He’s real strict, but I like him, even if he did make us run a lot.”
She chuckled. “He sounds great. I can’t wait to meet him.”
As she wrapped up the call and hung up, she felt a sob well up from her gut. She stifled it with a sniff and set the phone on the dresser in front of her.
“How’s the family?” asked Callum.
She looked at him over her shoulder. He was fully dressed now with his hair freshly combed and his skin tanned and glimmering in the afternoon light. “They’re great. Scott started baseball practice and he’s so excited about it.” She sniffed again and hung her head.
He came over and set his hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I just miss Scott. But it was good to call – hearing his voice reminded me of my priorities and what I’m here for. Ready to go?”
“Sure. I’m ready.” He pulled his hand away, his eyes narrowed.
She stood and walked to the bed where she’d thrown her wrap earlier and sat while putting it around her shoulders. She knew she might feel chilly in that dress, but a wrap should keep her warm enough. All she could think about, though, was home and how snug and warm her mother’s cramped little kitchen would be as she served them at the tiny table with the floral tablecloth.
“I know it’s hard.” Callum sat on the bed beside her, lifted a hand, then let it rest in his lap with a sigh.
She caught his gaze and held it until the air between them snapped with tension. Her throat ached and her head spun with thoughts, dreams, desires, responsibilities.
“I know we’re just friends. I got the memo.” There was a twinkle in his eye. “But do friends comfort friends?”
Jessie could only nod. He wrapped his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder, her heart warming as tears fell. He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her closer as the tension dissolved. She felt safe in that moment, and at peace with the world. Friend, colleague, whatever – she was just glad he was in her life.
The next morning Callum’s phone beeped. He glanced at the screen – it was a reminder he’d set the night before to call Katrina. The client wasn’t likely to be happy with their lack of progress – she was paying them to spend ten days on a luxury cruise, and so far they only had hunches and guesses about Alton Meer and his new wife. He shrugged and dialed her number. He had a few minutes to spare while Jessie was freshening up in the bathroom before breakfast. He was determined that they break the case soon – the clock was ticking.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Katrina – Callum McKenzie.”
“Callum, how are you? How are things on the high seas?” She laughed.
“We’re good. Unfortunately we don’t have much to report.”
“Oh?”
“Alton and his wife keep pretty much to themselves. They’re hiding something, that’s certain, but we’re not sure what yet. His wife’s name is Liliana, but he calls her Susie-Q. She wears dark glasses and a scarf pretty much everywhere, even in the swimming pool, so it’s hard to see much of her face. She’s quiet, withdrawn, never smiles and has him on a short leash.”
“Hmmm … that’s interesting. I don’t know what Susie-Q is about, but it’s a bit strange given that his mother’s name was Susan.”
Callum nodded. “A bit Freudian for my liking.”
She laughed. “I’d say so.”
“Anyway, the boat’s stopping in Curacao today and we’ll follow them again. We’ll try to make contact with them, see if we can get anything else. Other than breaking the law and entering their cabin to do a thorough search, I’m not sure what else we can do if they won’t divulge anything. Did you get the photos I sent?”
“I did, thanks. It’s Alton
, all right, but I’ve never seen his wife before – or I can’t tell if I have because she’s so covered up. Her hair looks dark and long …”
Callum nodded against the phone. “That’s right.”
“I do have some good news,” Katrina continued. “I hired that forensic accountant you recommended, to see what Alton’s doing with the estate. He’s sold off a lot of smaller assets, mostly for cash. He’s holding on to the property and the major firms, but he had several million in cash sitting in his bank account here in Atlanta.”
“Had?”
“Yes, that’s the interesting part – the accountant said the money’s been moved offshore.”
Callum’s pulse quickened. “Does he know where to?”
“A bank in Zurich, Switzerland. The accountant’s still looking into it – he said he can’t be sure it’s still there, but he’ll get back to me today with a confirmation.”
Callum paced around the cabin. “That’s good news. If we can track the money to its final destination, we can get some idea of Alton’s plans. Otherwise, it’s all just guesswork.” And he had truly had enough of guesses. He needed hard facts, yesterday.
Callum stuck his fork into his scrambled eggs and mushrooms and took a bite. The breakfast buffet was just what he needed. His mind was buzzing with possibilities from his phone conversation with Katrina. He had an inkling, but couldn’t say for sure what Alton Meer was up to. Still, he’d gotten in a workout that morning, there was good food in front of him, and every day seemed to yield more clues. He was optimistic.
Jessie dropped into the chair across from him with a sigh. Her plate was full of grapes and sliced strawberries.
“What is it?” he asked, aiming his fork at another mushroom.
“All this rich food is giving me heartburn. I just really need some fruit, some salad — a few light, healthy meals.”
He grinned. “I’m sure they have salad on the lunch buffet.”
“Yes, along with so many things that aren’t salad. It’s hard to resist.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll buy some more Tums from the pharmacy.”
To him, she seemed healthier than a week ago – more curves, and her cheeks had a healthy pink hue. He wanted to tell her she was stunning, but swallowed it – professionalism first. They were co-workers right now, he’d insisted on that, and she’d agreed. But watching her eat breakfast across the table from him, he could imagine doing it every morning for the rest of his life, and the thought was a lovely one.
“Did you call Katrina?” she asked.
He nodded. “Alton’s funneling money from the estate to a Swiss bank account. She’s going to get back to us later today about where he’s sending it from there.”
Her eyes widened. “He’s running.”
“Seems likely.” He pushed the eggs around his plate, his appetite gone.
“Just as well we’re tailing him, then. Are you okay?” she asked.
He forced a smile onto his lips. “Sure, I’m fine … friend.”
She cocked her head. “You don’t want to be friends now?”
He swallowed and met her gaze. Her eyes softened and his hands itched to hold her. He wished he could pretend everything between them wasn’t real. But it had become real, and now things were different. “Of course I do.”
“I’m glad, because I could really use a friend in Atlanta. I hardly know anyone – even the few people around from the old days have moved on. They’ve changed, I’ve changed.”
“Well, you have a friend if you want one. I’m here for you – whatever you need.” His throat tightened and he looked away. She was adjusting better than he was, it seemed.
“Thanks. I hope you know that means a lot.”
He nodded. “I know we need boundaries and I’ll respect that. If it’s a friend you need, that’s what I’ll be.”
Jessie smiled and returned to her plate.
Callum frowned. It had to be said – he wanted her to know he’d be there for her. He hoped for more than that, but whichever way it worked he wanted her in his life. If that meant being her friend only, even though it made every part of him ache with longing, that’s what he’d do. For now.
11
The buildings of Willemstad, Curacao were brightly colored and looked as if they perched on the sparkling azure ocean itself. Green, pink, yellow and orange, tall and narrow or short and squat – Callum took it all in through squinting eyes. The sun reflected bright and hot off the water, and the small boat ferrying passengers from the liner to the island town bumped up and down on the waves.
Jessie stood beside him, one arm linked through his and the other hand shading her eyes. His nerve endings fired at her touch. Her chestnut hair whipped around her face and her long tanned legs peeked out from white denim shorts.
He glanced behind him to where Alton and Liliana sat in the back of the boat. Liliana held her wide-brimmed straw hat in place and Alton hovered over her, looking anxious. He offered her a bottle of water, but she swatted his hand away. He stuffed it into his shoulder bag, his face a mask of misery. Callum almost felt bad for him.
The boat slowed and stopped at the dock, swaying on its own wake as one of the staff secured it with a thick rope. As soon as he stepped ashore, Callum let his eyes survey the landscape. It was a stunning town.
“It looks like Alton and Liliana know exactly where they’re going,” stated Jessie, waving toward the couple who were rapidly disappearing into the crowd ahead of them.
Callum grasped Jessie’s hand and pulled her along after him. They hurried down the narrow dock and along the shoreline. He thought he’d lost Alton and his wife a few times, but suddenly there they were directly in front of him, speaking with a local in a white button-down shirt and faded jeans. He stopped short and Jessie ran into him, almost knocking him over. He turned to catch her and she giggled in his arms. “Sorry – I was looking at that chapel. Isn’t it beautiful?”
He laughed and steadied her while glancing at the building. It was beautiful, like nothing he’d ever seen before. The whole island looked like something out of a fairytale, as if it wasn’t quite real.
When he returned his focus to Alton and Liliana, he noticed they’d climbed aboard a mid-sized boat with Skippy’s Scuba and Snorkeling written in blue cursive along the side. They were going diving. He nodded at the boat.
Jessie cocked her head. “I guess we’re going snorkeling, huh?”
He nodded. “I guess we are.”
“Wow, I really hate my job. It’s getting so that I can hardly bear it – the hours, the working conditions …” She grinned and skipped toward the boat. She glanced over her shoulder at him with a wink. “Come on!”
He chuckled and followed her.
After buying two tickets and climbing aboard, he sat down to fill out the paperwork for their snorkel gear hire as the boat pulled away from the dock. People milled around, found seats in the cabin or stood alongside the railing. Jessie stood at the bow, her hands on the rail, staring out over the ocean. Her hair blew around her face as the boat picked up speed.
He studied her longingly. She seemed so free, so confident and full of life. She wore a bright green shirt over her white shorts and he’d noticed how much the color complimented her eyes and skin. She favored bright colors, in her clothing and her makeup, and it suited her.
He knew they wouldn’t be working together forever, and wasn’t sure how he felt about that. On one hand, it meant nothing would stand in the way of them being together. On the other, she might decide she didn’t want a relationship anyway, or might be too busy getting her own PI business going. The idea of not spending time with her made his heart heavy.
He finished the paperwork and carried it back to the captain. Alton and Liliana sat quietly inside the cabin, Alton looking out the window and Liliana reading a book. He waved to Alton who nodded in reply. He wanted to keep that relationship open, but the couple had seemingly no intention of developing a friendship. For now, he’d just keep his eyes and ears open
. He joined Jessie by the railing and leaned his forearms on it. “Beautiful day.”
She smiled. “Yes, it is.”
“Ever been snorkeling before?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Paul and I went to Hawaii on our honeymoon, and we vacationed once in California. But I have a feeling today will blow both those trips away.” She smiled and ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it away from her face.
“Sounds like you were happy together,” he stated.
The smile vanished. “We were. At least I was.” She sighed. “Do you ever want to marry?”
“I’d like to someday, if I find the right woman. What about you? Would you get married again?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe. I mean, I’m not opposed to it, but I never really thought I’d find someone again. Not after everything that happened. I have Scott to think about as well. I didn’t have to consider a child when I dated in the past, but now he’s my priority. It makes everything more complicated.”
“I bet it does.” He pondered her words – they made sense, and were the right thing for her to say. But it gave him hope that she didn’t dismiss the idea completely. He’d dated plenty of women over the years, but at this point he had no desire to date anyone he didn’t have some hope of marrying. There was no point – it would be a waste of time and energy and would only end in unnecessary heartbreak for one if not both of them.
“And being a Christian …” Jessie added with a shrug.
He smiled. She had no idea how much those words set his heart soaring. “I figured you were, since you mentioned finding a church right after we first met.”
She nodded. “Yep. I have been my whole life, although my faith has really grown the last few years. I needed God to help me get through my grief. At first I blamed Him, you know, but then He helped me to see He didn’t cause Paul’s death – He was the only one who could comfort us and bring Scott and I through the pain.”