Mayan Murder

by Martha Brack Martin

  Mike led us to a golf cart that already had our bags loaded. The bellhop drove quickly, dodging guests walking up the paths. In no time we were walking into our suite. I felt my jaw drop, but I couldn’t help it.

  The place was almost as big as my whole house! There was a bedroom with two beds and a massive, fancy bathroom. Mike and Kat were sharing that. There was also another bathroom and a living room with an eating area. The guy showed us how to pull a big bed out of the wall. That was for me. Both the living room and bedroom had sliding glass doors to the balcony. I stepped out to get a better look at the Gulf of Mexico sparkling in the sun. I’d never seen water that blue.

  “What do you think, Tom?” Mike was grinning from ear to ear. “Pretty nice, eh?”

  “It’s incredible,” I said. “Thanks again for letting me come.”

  “We’re glad to have you.” Mike looked like he meant it. “Now let’s get unpacked and get out there!”

  Chapter Four

  We headed to the pool. It was mid-afternoon, so most of the loungers were taken. Kat and I managed to find two together. Mike grabbed a single under an umbrella.

  “You kids go have fun. Don’t worry about me. I just want to lie here and have me some mojitos.” Mike called over the pool server. Kat wouldn’t leave her dad until she’d slathered his bald head with sunscreen.

  I’d called my dad earlier to tell him I’d made it here safe and sound. He’d made me promise to use sunscreen too. I dug it out.

  “I can put that on for you,” Kat offered. I pictured Kat rubbing lotion all over me. I’d need a cold shower before she was through.

  “I’m good.” I put on the sunscreen fast. “I just want to get into that pool. It looks amazing.”

  The resort had a jumping cliff in the pool. We took turns making crazy poses as we jumped. The water felt great. Before long Mike was napping. The two empty mojito glasses might have had something to do with that.

  “Let’s grab a soda,” Kat said. “I’ve missed just hanging out with you.”

  “I’ve missed it too.”

  The swim-up bar was packed. The bartenders poured and mixed drinks faster than my eye could follow. The people were fun to watch too. Drunk, loud or crazy—and sometimes all three.

  A number of people in blue resort uniforms were moving around the pool area. They seemed to be rounding up guests for something. I didn’t care what. I just wanted Kat to myself. We found a spot away from the crowd, where it was more private.

  Kissing Kat is always incredible. But kissing Kat under the Mexican sun, with the smell of salt water on the breeze? That was a whole new level of awesome.

  It took me a second to realize Kat was pulling back. A shadow stood over us. I was dimly aware that someone was tapping Kat on the shoulder. Then I noticed the blue resort uniform.

  Do they have a rule about kissing in public?

  “Señorita! My name is Pedro! I am part of the animation team at the resort.” He pointed proudly at his uniform. “Come and play the water polo with us. We need a beautiful girl on our team!”

  I couldn’t believe this guy! Some nerve, interrupting us. I was just about ready to tell Pedro where he could go when Kat said, “Let’s play!” Then she saw my face. “Oh, come on! It’ll be fun. We have lots of time for us later.”

  I didn’t want to be a jerk, but I was mad. There was no way I was playing water polo. Even whipping the ball hard at Pedro wouldn’t make me feel better.

  “You go if you want. I’ll watch.”

  “You sure? Don’t be mad. I’ll make it up to you later.” Kat lifted one eyebrow in that way I loved. “Daddy’s headed over here anyway.” She pointed at Mike.

  “Okay. But see if you can hit Pedro in the head for me, eh?” I said. Kat laughed.

  Mike was carrying all his stuff. “I’ve had enough sun for the first day. I’m going back to the suite.”

  “We’ll join you when she’s done,” I told him. We watched Kat score a goal.

  “Did you see that, Daddy?” she yelled. Mike nodded, gave her a thumbs-up and then headed off.

  A lady was standing near me in the pool. “Your friend is a real beauty. She sounds like she’s from the South, like me. My name’s Alex. Where are y’all from?”

  I had to remind myself not to be suspicious. Don’t freak out. She’s just being friendly.

  “I’m from Canada. My friend and her dad are from Virginia.”

  “I thought so!” Alex was nodding. “I’m from Virginia too. Lynchburg. I’m a high-school history teacher. What part of Virginia are your friends from?”

  Because of Mike’s job, I didn’t think I should answer that. “I forget. But my friend”—I pointed at Kat—“is crazy about history. You guys will have to talk.”

  Right then Kat swam over to me. “You should have played with us!” She splashed me.

  “Kat, this is Alex. She teaches history in Lynchburg.”

  “Well then, Alex, you should join us for dinner,” Kat said with a big smile. “If you’re here with friends, bring them too.”

  I looked at Kat like she was crazy. It was our first night here, and Mike had said he wanted to relax, not meet strangers.

  “I’m here on my own. My friend had to cancel at the last minute. I decided to come anyway.” She laughed. “Teaching high school is scarier than traveling alone!”

  “You should join us for sure then. Want to meet at the buffet around six?”

  “Well, thank you. That sounds great. This is my second day, and I haven’t met many people.”

  “It’ll be fun. I’m sure my daddy, whose name is Mike, would love to have some grown-up company,” Kat said.

  I wasn’t so sure.

  As we walked off, Kat whispered in my ear, “She’s perfect for Daddy! She’s pretty and smart—and she’s from Virginia!”

  “Were we supposed to be finding Mike a date?”

  “Daddy’s lonely. It’s been years since Mama died. And Alex seems great!” Kat almost squealed. “Daddy will be thrilled.”

  “I hope you’re right. Because I don’t want to see Mad Mike again. Mad Mike is scary.”

  “Trust me. He’ll like her. Plus…” Kat took my hand. She pulled me toward her. “If Daddy is busy with Alex”—she paused, her lips an inch away from mine—“that means we can have more time alone.”

  “Unless there’s a water-polo game.”

  “Stop being a baby.” She closed the space between us with her lips. My mind filled with ideas of all the ways we could spend that alone time.

  “I love how you think,” I said.

  Chapter Five

  Kat told Mike about Alex when we got back to the room. He took it better than I’d expected he would. He said he was too tired to be charming, but he did put on a nice shirt.

  “You’ll like her, Daddy. And she’s all by herself on this trip. I couldn’t let her eat alone.” Kat fixed Mike’s collar. “You look great. Come on. We’ll have fun.”

  We headed out. On the main path some locals had set up little stalls full of all kinds of local crafts and trinkets.

  “Oh. Let’s shop!” Kat squealed.

  “After dinner. Our guest is waiting, remember?” Mike steered Kat away.

  We made our way to the buffet. There were special restaurants at the resort too, but you had to book them ahead of time.

  I was expecting something like my high-school cafeteria, but I was blown away by the spread.

  “There’s every kind of food here I can think of! How do I pick?” I asked Kat.

  She laughed and grabbed some sushi. “Try a little of everything. You can come back as many times as you want.”

  “This really is paradise,” I said.

  Dinner was fun. Mike and Alex hit it off like old friends. It was weird to see Mike relaxed and…well…normal. I could tell Kat was thrilled.

  After dinner we checked out the stalls. Alex and Kat looked at silver stuff. I looked for things I could bring back for my friend Nate and my dad. Mike walked ah
ead.

  After a minute, I looked up and noticed Mike off to the side, talking quietly with one of the sellers. He looked intense. Clearly FBI Mike was back. My eyes scanned the shoppers for Kat.

  She was heading my way. Alex was nowhere to be seen.

  “Check out your dad,” I said, pointing. “What do you think that’s about?”

  “Maybe he’s asking for tour ideas?” Kat tried to joke, but I knew she could see her dad was back in FBI mode too. Mike saw us. He stopped talking and walked toward us.

  “What’s going on?” Kat asked. “You’re up to something.”

  “I was just shopping.” Mike tried to put us off.

  “Nice try. You were getting intel from that guy,” Kat said.

  Mike sighed. “I was just trying to get a feel for things. How safe it is. What the word is from the locals.” He waved at Alex, who had come into view. “Now drop it. Here comes Alex.”

  “The fire show is about to start by the pool,” she said. “Do y’all want to stay and watch?”

  It sounded good, so we grabbed drinks and found seats. The dancers were dressed like the Mayans in my dream. But instead of spears, they tossed fire. The drums, the flames—it was amazing! When it was over I realized I’d been holding my breath the whole time.

  “I think I need a nightcap at the beach bar,” Alex said. “Anyone care to join me?”

  “I’m too tired,” Kat said. “And Tom and I are getting up early to see the sun rise.”

  We are? So much for sleeping in.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to take a rain check too, Alex. This has been one hell of a long day. A great day—don’t get me wrong. But I’m ready for bed,” Mike said.

  “Well, maybe I’ll see y’all tomorrow?” Alex looked hopeful.

  “For sure!” Kat said. “Sleep well.”

  We walked back to our suite. Mike headed straight to bed.

  “Let’s check out the stars from the balcony,” Kat said.

  The moon was a big ball of silver. I was used to seeing it hover over the river at home. But here it looked bigger. Brighter. Stars dotted the sky. Kat and I lay beside each other on the balcony hammock. The music from the beach bar drifted up. It was perfect.

  Kat was perfect.

  We started picking up where we’d left off in the pool. Then I remembered we weren’t alone.

  “Your dad’s in the next room,” I reminded Kat.

  “He’s probably asleep by now,” Kat said.

  As if on cue, Mike’s voice rang out from the bedroom.

  “I left my balcony door open so I could hear the waves,” he said. “And I’m still wide awake.”

  What did he hear? Could he see us?

  Kat started laughing. Then I started laughing too.

  “Thanks for the heads-up, Daddy!” Kat said.

  “Well, since you two plan to be up for the sunrise,” Mike went on, “you might want to get to bed now.” He paused. “And by that I mean…right now!”

  When your girlfriend’s dad is a protective, six-foot-four-inch FBI agent, romance is a real challenge.

  “Yes, Daddy.” Kat gave me a quick kiss. “See you bright and early!”

  Bright and early.

  Ugh.

  Chapter Six

  “Tom. Tom. Wake up!” I’d been dreaming about Kat. It took me a minute to figure out she was really there. “Come on. We’re going to miss the sunrise.”

  I was so tired, I wasn’t sure I could open my eyes.

  Somehow I managed to pull myself out of bed and get to the beach.

  Kat took a ton of pictures while I walked around like a zombie. A few other people were around. Workers cleaned up from the night before. Guys raked the beach. Two guests were putting towels on chairs.

  “We need to claim some chairs too. Here,” Kat said, handing me her camera. She had brought towels with her. I’d missed that. She picked three loungers by the pool. “They call this the towel game,” she said. She tucked our towels into the chairs. She topped one with a blue floppy hat. “That’s how we can tell they’re ours.”

  “Great. Any chance we can go back to bed now?”

  “Sure can. We’re all set.”

  We headed back to the room. In seconds I was dreaming again.

  My second start to the day was much better. It involved a hot shower and a buffet breakfast. I wished Dad was here to see the mountains of bacon. I pigged out.

  “Let’s check out the rest of the resort,” Kat said. “You can start walking off some of that bacon! And we can sign up for that bike tour into town.”

  “I need to go to the marina,” Mike said. “I want to ask about fishing and snorkeling trips.” Kat opened her mouth. He cut her off. “I know you want us to contact the local tour guides in town. But it won’t hurt to ask. You can probably sign up for the bike tour there too. Why don’t you come with me?”

  The marina was farther up the beach, at the very end of the resort.

  “Holy cow. Dad would kill for this,” I said when we got closer. It was beyond impressive.

  In the marina office, maps and posters of the Mayan coast were all over the walls. Mike talked to an older man at the back while Kat and I looked around.

  “Can I help you?” a young guy asked as he walked into the office. He was wearing a white T-shirt with the resort logo on it. He looked about twenty.

  “We’re just waiting for my dad,” Kat said. “My name’s Kat. This is Tom.” I smiled a hello. “We want to sign up for today’s bike tour into town. Can we do that here?”

  “You can. Let me just put it into the computer.” He kept talking as he typed. “My name is Antonio. And you are all set for the tour. You need to meet in the lobby in thirty minutes.”

  “We’d also like to snorkel the reef. But I think weʼre going to do that from town. My father is just checking your prices,” Kat said, pointing at Mike.

  “Well, the reef is great for sure, however you get there. But if you want to see our sea turtles, you should also plan to visit Akumal. It is a protected place for them. You can snorkel right off the beach.”

  Mike was finished talking to the older guy, who introduced himself as the marina boss. “Ready to go, kids?” he asked.

  Kat nodded and turned to Antonio. “We’d love to come back again later, if that’s okay? Tom’s family owns a marina. You two could probably talk for hours.”

  “Our marina can’t compare to this one,” I said. “We’re small. On the Detroit River. The Canadian side.”

  “I would love to hear more about your marina and your river. And I will tell you more about Akumal,” said Antonio. “I am very interested in marine biology. I want to study it in university. But first I need to make enough money.”

  We said goodbye and made our way back to the lobby. It turned out Pedro was leading the tour. Great. Kat laughed when she saw my face.

  The town of Puerto Morelos was cool. Pedro pointed out the main sights. Then we had an hour to do our own thing. Kat wanted to visit a bookstore called Alma Libre. She bought some more guidebooks while I waited outside.

  All around the town square were posters for the Rap in the Riv Fest. I was reading one when a cab pulled up. A woman stepped out. She spoke rapid-fire Spanish to the driver. When she turned I saw that it was Alex.

  There is nothing weird about this, I reminded myself. People take cabs.

  Kat came out of the store. “The pier where we can book a guide and boat is right there,” she said.

  I pointed out Alex, and Kat called her over.

  Alex looked happy to see us. She was in town to book a snorkeling trip too. Then she was going to do a little shopping, she said.

  “Perfect!” Kat said. “You can come snorkeling on our boat with us.”

  “I don’t want to crash your party. I can join some other group.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Before I knew it, Kat had booked a trip for all four of us for the next morning. Our captain had two gold teeth right in the middle of his smile. His name was equ
ally cool.

  “I am called Crispy Bacon,” he said. I couldn’t wait to tell Dad. He’d love that.

  It was almost time to rejoin the bike tour. Kat bugged Alex until she agreed to join us for dinner. We were planning to try the Japanese restaurant.

  We biked back to the resort quickly. We grabbed a bite at the snack bar by the pool and found Mike. He didn’t look surprised to hear that Kat had booked our tour. And he seemed fine with Alex joining us for dinner and the trip. I sat beside him in the shade while Kat grabbed a pool float. She wanted to “get her tan on.”

  Mike and I looked over at a group of college girls at the swim-up bar. “People-watching is part of the fun down here,” Mike said. The girls had clearly already done a bunch of shots. Now they were holding one of those pink lawn flamingos upside down like a funnel, calling it a “flabongo.”

  “Why would they even bother?” I asked.

  Mike shrugged. “Who knows.” He smiled. “Kids do stupid things.” He turned to me, his face suddenly serious. “That’s why it’s so important to be careful. I’m glad you always have your eyes open, Tom. Bad guys can show up anywhere. Sometimes where you least expect them. That’s why we need good guys.” He paused. “That reminds me. I need to call my old buddy Jack. Hopefully he’s not too busy to meet us. With this rap fest, he’s probably up to his eyeballs in crazy.”

  Mike got up and grabbed his phone and towel. “Tell Kathleen she needs more sunscreen,” he said before he walked away.

  Chapter Seven

  Dinner at the Japanese restaurant was very cool. The chef cooked right in front of us. It was more a show than a meal. At one point he shot a piece of fried egg at me. I caught it in my mouth, and everyone cheered.

  “I see you have some untapped skills,” Kat said.

  “You have no idea,” I said.

  We were eating our main course when Mike turned to Alex.

  “The kids and I are going to snorkel off the beach at Akumal on Wednesday morning—hopefully spot some sea turtles. Any chance you’d want to join us?”