See You at Sunset

by V. K. Sykes

  “Such as?”

  “Well, she’s become obsessed with the man. According to some of the other staff, she talks about him constantly. Apparently, she’s quite jealous and often very upset with him. We’ve all noticed quite a difference in Brandy since she started seeing him.”

  “Can you be more specific?” Micah asked.

  Watson shrugged. “You should ask the staff who know her better than I do. But lately she’s been too antagonistic for an employee who serves at the counter. I had to give her a written warning a few weeks ago after she was rude to one of our oldest customers. You’ll see the letter in the file.”

  “We’ll take the file,” Turner said, rising. “We’ll make copies of anything relevant and get it back to you.”

  “Could we talk to a couple of your people now?” Micah asked. “Carrie in particular.”

  “Of course,” Watson said. “You can use this office. I’ll send her right in.”

  “So Keele’s apparently been a generally reliable employee. Hardly a ringing endorsement,” Turner said after Watson went to get his employee.

  “I’ve seen her temper myself, back on the island,” Micah said.

  Turner stood up. “It’s still not going to be a slam dunk for a warrant, but it’s good enough for me to give it a try. Can you follow up with the staff while I start tracking down a judge?”

  Micah breathed a sigh of relief. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Progress, at last. For everyone’s sake—but especially Holly’s—Micah would like nothing better than to show up at Logan Cain’s house with a search warrant. And then he’d wipe the smug grin right off the asshole’s face.

  Holly rang up the last of the purchases and handed the nicely packaged mugs to her customer, a thirtysomething woman who was part of a Portland cycling group. The club had spent the day riding on the island and had stopped at the store to pick up bottles of water and snacks for the ferry back to the city. To Holly’s delight, they’d gone crazy over her new stock. The women oohed and aahed and snapped up a dozen ceramic mugs along with three suncatchers and six pairs of earrings.

  It was the store’s best day in a long time.

  As the group reassembled outside, Micah’s cruiser pulled up right next to them. He got out and said something to the closest rider, making her laugh. The rest of the women zeroed in on him like a pack of hungry wolves, and the animated little chat that followed went on for several minutes. He was still smiling when he opened the screen door and strolled in. “Hey, those women sure seemed pleased with their purchases. Said they really liked the new look of the store.”

  Seems like they liked the look of you too, Deputy Hottie. She certainly couldn’t blame the women for falling all over the rugged, sexy lawman.

  “I know,” she said. “A couple of them even told me they were going to make sure the rest of their club knew about the store. That’s good progress, I’d say.”

  He nodded. “Too bad Florence wasn’t around to hear that. Is Beatrice still home?”

  “No, she headed back to the hospital. I’m going to close up in a few minutes and go over too. I’ll spend the evening with them and take the last boat back.”

  “I just got back from the city myself. Detective Turner and I had some questions for the owner and staff at Watson’s Pharmacy. That’s why I stopped by, to fill you in.”

  “Oh, okay,” she said, feeling a bit deflated. Given how she’d been the one pushing him away, it was irrational to hope that he’d stopped by simply to see her.

  “It turns out that Brandy Keele is a pharmacy technician at Watson’s. We think she’s been feeding Cain information on customers with narcotic prescriptions from Watson’s—like Beatrice and Fitz.”

  Holly blinked. “Wow, that really sucks.”

  “Keele was apparently reliable until she took up with Cain, but she’s been erratic since. Another technician told me she’s over-the-top jealous about the guy because she doesn’t trust him. Keele even said she’d kill herself if Cain ever left her.”

  “Yuck. He is such a creep,” she said, remembering the jerk’s behavior at the dance. “I can totally see him manipulating her.”

  “Turner is trying to get a warrant to search their house. When he faxes it to me, I’ll be at Cain’s place three minutes later.”

  She perked up. “Do you think you’ll find Florence’s jewelry?”

  If Cain was guilty, he should be brought to swift and sure justice of course, but Holly couldn’t help focusing on recovering her aunt’s precious keepsake. It would mean the world to Florence.

  “Hard to tell,” Micah said. “Since it’s been such a short time since the theft, the odds are obviously higher than if it had been longer.”

  “It’s just that it would be so much easier on Florence if she knew the brooch was safe.” She waved a vague hand. “I mean, obviously I really want you to catch the guy. But mostly now I’m worried about my aunt.”

  Micah nodded. “I get it.”

  They both fell silent. Micah stared at her with an intent look, as if he had something important to say. Sadly, Holly just felt tongue-tied and awkward. She and Micah would have to talk soon—really talk—but now wasn’t the time.

  At least that’s what she wanted to believe. The truth was, she didn’t know what she wanted from Micah. A big part of her wanted him in her life, but could she really give him what he needed?

  More important, was she ready to open up her heart again?

  A moment later, he breathed out what seemed to be a frustrated sigh. He took his sunglasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on, transforming back into the grim-faced lawman. “Well, I’d better get to the office and wait for that warrant.”

  At a loss for words, Holly just nodded.

  He headed to the door, then turned back to her. “We will talk, Holly. Whenever you’re ready.”

  She could only hope she’d be ready sooner rather than later.

  Chapter 27

  One thing Holly had loved about her aunts’ store was that she could glance out the windows and see the ferry docking. She’d gotten adept at waiting until the very last minute to head over there to catch the boat, often making the dash just before the crew hauled in the gangway.

  She fast-walked from the parking lot, hurrying on board at the last minute. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and dozens of passengers had already lined the rails on the top two decks. Since both decks were crowded, she headed downstairs to the small open area at the stern, where she could enjoy fresh air and unobstructed views while avoiding the crowds. While there were a few people inside the lower cabin, she had the small, open deck all to herself, at least for now.

  And boy did she need the peace and quiet, if for no other reason than to think through the situation with Micah—not to mention the rest of her increasingly complicated life. She took a few minutes to breathe in the sweet sea air, trying to calm the low-level anxiety that seemed to dog her almost constantly these days. Except, of course, when she was in Micah’s arms, because then she felt wonderfully safe and… happy.

  About ten minutes later, as the ferry slowed to line up with the small dock at Diamond Cove, Holly pulled out her phone to call Beatrice. Because the boat would discharge passengers from her side of the vessel, she headed for the opposite side, glancing into the cabin as she passed by.

  And stopped dead in her tracks, as if she’d hit a wall.

  Logan Cain.

  A moment later her brain unstuck, and she took in the way he hovered over Brandy Keele, who was sitting on one of the benches, a small suitcase and a sports bag on the floor beside her. She looked nervous as hell.

  Shit.

  While Micah was waiting for a warrant so he could comb through their house for evidence, Cain and his girlfriend were on the ferry, obviously leaving the island. Maybe it was a completely innocent coincidence and they were just going on a planned trip. But Holly’s head and gut told her they were skipping town.

  No doubt with her aunt’s jewelry an
d whatever else they’d stolen.

  Whatever they were up to, Micah needed to know immediately that they were on the ferry. Holly slipped farther away from the cabin door and punched in his cell number.

  He picked up after the first ring. “Holly?”

  “I’m on the ferry,” she whispered, as if Cain could hear her. It was silly, but she suddenly felt supernervous. “We’re just about to dock at Diamond Cove. Logan Cain and his girlfriend are on this boat, Micah. And they’ve got luggage with them.”

  “Damn,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Have they seen you?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. They’re inside the lower cabin, and I’ve been standing outside since we left Seashell Bay.”

  “Are there a lot of other people around?”

  “Not out here,” she said. “Some in the cabin.”

  “Then get up to a deck where you’re surrounded by people. I’ll call Turner and have him stop those two as soon as the boat docks in Portland. He’ll hold them in custody until I’ve searched the house.”

  She nodded, as if he could see her. “I’ll go upstairs right away. I have to say I’m a little creeped out.”

  “Honey, you’ll be fine. Just don’t go near them, and stay close to other people.”

  His warm, steady voice helped slow her racing pulse. “I will. But what if they get off before the city? I know it’s unlikely, but this ferry stops again at Great Diamond.”

  “Okay, keep an eye on the gangway if you can and call me back if you see them getting off. But only if you can do it safely, all right?”

  “I’ll be careful. I promise.” She risked a glance back into the cabin. Cain was staring right at her, his gaze narrowed and intent.

  Uh-oh.

  “Holly, I’m going to head right to—”

  “He’s spotted me, Micah. I have to go right now.”

  Holly disconnected but kept the phone in her hand. She fully intended to follow Micah’s advice and get up to the crowded second deck as fast as she could. Unfortunately, to get back upstairs, she had to pass through the lower cabin.

  Well, it’s not like they’re going to attack you or anything, right?

  Screwing her courage to the sticking point, Holly strode to the cabin door and pushed it open.

  Micah’s gut was doing a high-wire act as he blasted north on Island Road and then cut straight across the island to the marina. Fortunately, he’d reached Turner right after Holly disconnected, and the detective had said he would personally intercept Cain and Keele at the Casco Bay Lines terminal in Portland.

  Micah had every intention of joining that welcoming party—after he made sure Holly was safe.

  Two minutes later, he wheeled the cruiser into Sea Glass Marina, parked in the closest open spot, and then raced down to the float where his boat was moored. With its massive 250-horsepower engine, he figured his Catalina stood about a fifty-fifty chance of catching up by the time Holly’s ferry reached its Great Diamond stop. His plan was to board the ferry, stick close to Holly, and not let Cain and Keele out of his sight until Turner put cuffs on them. He didn’t want to arrest them on the boat unless he had to, not when a confrontation could put the safety of the passengers in jeopardy.

  And knowing that asshole Cain, he could be carrying a gun or other weapon.

  If he didn’t make it to Great Diamond in time, he’d just power past the ferry and wait with Turner at the terminal. But that was definitely not his preferred option. What he needed to do was get between Holly and Cain fast.

  Holly hurried through the lower cabin and up to the second deck, not even glancing at Cain and his girlfriend. But when she reached the top of the staircase, she risked a look back.

  Logan Cain was starting up the stairs behind her.

  She rushed through the passageway and out onto the open deck. Dozens of people stood at the rail, taking in the sun-dappled blue waters of the bay and the islands in the distance. Holly headed for a group clustered around a baby stroller. A Border Collie was sitting like a guard dog beside it. Right now, she was wishing she had a dog too—a great big Doberman with enormous teeth.

  When she reached the red metal railing, she turned around, trying to look natural.

  Cain was heading straight toward her through the crowd. Despite the warm day, he wore a blue windbreaker, partly zipped, and a black baseball cap. His right hand was stuffed into his jacket pocket. She couldn’t see his eyes because he’d put on sunglasses, but he had a big, phony smile on his face.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here, Holly,” he said in a friendly voice when he approached, as if they were old friends. “But I’m glad we ran into each other.”

  He gave the wagging dog a quick pat on the head and then leaned in close to Holly. “There’s a big fucking knife in my pocket,” he whispered, “and my hand’s on it right now. So don’t move or do anything stupid. I swear I’ll cut you right here if you do.”

  His menacing tone froze her feet to the deck. She darted a glance to the group beside her, but no one was paying any attention.

  This cannot be happening.

  A few seconds later, her mental wheels started turning again and she heard the echo of Micah’s words.

  Do not take any risks.

  He was right. If she just kept her mouth shut, Cain would probably leave her alone. Doing something dumb now could endanger not just her but possibly others too, like that sweet baby in the stroller. The man was obviously crazy to threaten her in the middle of a crowd, so who knew what he would do if she defied him?

  “Fine,” she said. The word sounded like a frog’s croak.

  “Good. We’re just going to have a quiet chat. Smile, okay?” He turned around so he was standing side by side with her, his back against the rail like hers. She could feel the hand in his pocket as it pressed into her side.

  “What do you want?” Fear roiled her gut.

  “I want your phone.”

  Her heart skipped a few beats. If he checked the call log, he’d see she’d just called Micah. But what choice did she have? She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone, handing it to him.

  He hit a couple of buttons. “I know you were calling your boyfriend the deputy. You’re not very good at hiding shit, Holly. It was all over your face.”

  Now she was starting to get pissed off, but she kept her mouth shut.

  “I know he and that Portland cop are getting a warrant,” Cain said, his voice still very soft but now flat. “So Brandy and me are heading out. Time to say good-bye to your weird little island and all the morons who live there.”

  “Guess we’re not all morons,” she said tersely. “What with you having to flee and all.”

  He ignored her jab as he fiddled with her phone. “Ah, there it is. Okay then. Now we’re going to go back downstairs and sit for a while. And just before we get to Great Diamond, you’re going to call Lancaster again.”

  Holly stared at him, struggling to understand. “Seriously?”

  The bastard laughed. “Sure. And I’ll tell you exactly what you’re going to say. Come on, let’s go.”

  “You’re on a boat,” she said in disbelief. “Where the hell do you think we can go?”

  He took her arm in an unforgiving grip. “That’s my problem. Now, move.”

  Chapter 28

  Cain pushed Holly onto the bench beside Brandy Keele and sat down, sandwiching her between the couple from hell. The few people sitting in the lower cabin paid them no notice. Everyone was either reading or looking at their phones or talking to the person beside them.

  Holly had no intention of causing a scene anyway. Cain still held his hand against her side, and she could feel what she thought was the butt end of his knife.

  “Stupid bitch,” Brandy softly hissed at her. Her slender body was practically vibrating. “I told Logan he should push you overboard. Make it look like an accident. You deserve it.”

  Actually, going overboard would have been Holly’s preferred option. She was a strong swimmer
and would have been thrilled to get away from these two.

  Maybe Cain and Keele were high on some drug. Holly had always been a straight arrow, so she didn’t really know what to expect in terms of how they would look or act if they were, but Brandy did seem wired to the point of nuttiness. The woman’s wild-eyed gaze and jiggling legs certainly made it clear she was pretty close to the edge.

  Don’t take any risks. Micah’s voice filtered through her fear, calming her. Holly took a deep breath and felt her heart rate start to slow.

  She glanced out the cabin window and saw they were getting close to Great Diamond.

  Cain handed her the phone. “Here’s what you’re going to tell the deputy,” he said quietly. “You’re going to tell him the ferry’s just pulled away from Great Diamond, and you thought he’d want to know that we didn’t get off.”

  Damn. That meant they were planning to get off the ferry and wanted her to misdirect Micah. But what did they plan to do about her? They must know that as soon as they left the boat, she’d call Micah right back and tell him the truth.

  Unless they intended to take her with them.

  Her heart fluttered for a moment until she managed to tell herself that trying to take her with them would be really stupid. Logan Cain might be a dirtbag and a criminal, but he didn’t strike her as stupid. No one in his right mind would try to kidnap someone off a public ferry, with only a knife to keep her in line.

  Would they?

  She sucked in a few more calming breaths to try to settle her stomach and clear her brain. Maybe Cain had a boat stashed away on Great Diamond. If so, they could be long gone by the time Micah or the Portland police could do anything about it.

  “Did you hear what I said?” Cain’s voice, low and hard, interrupted her thoughts.

  “I heard you.”

  “Then call him now. Say what I told you to and get right off the phone. Make something up if you have to, but don’t get in a conversation.”

  When Holly dialed Micah’s number, he answered immediately. “Holly, what’s happening?”

  She tersely told him what she’d been instructed to say.