by Joya Fields
Hal grasped his hand and nodded. “Good luck.”
Garrett glanced at Stephanie and crossed the boat. “You done? I’m taking her to the hospital to make sure she’s okay.”
Stephanie nodded and gave Brooke’s shoulder a friendly squeeze. “We’ll let you know what the drug tests reveal.”
“Thanks, Officer Cooper.” Brooke faced Garrett. “No hospital. You’re not—” Her cell phone rang cutting the conversation short.
****
The old man disappeared and the young, good-looking man reappeared as he pulled off the gray wig, the latex mask, and the chin disguise. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror.
Pity to cover up such a handsome face. After all, he was no supporting actor. He was a leading man. But he would play any part he had to in order to keep his secret safe and his perfect life intact.
Damn rope. He should have thrown her overboard. They could not ruin what was his, what he was entitled to.
He patted the hundred-dollar-an-ounce cleanser on his face with his pinky, and then used a cloth to scrub off the adhesive and pieces of latex. He could fool them all and everything would return to normal.
He was a good actor. He could have fooled his own mother.
If he hadn’t already killed her.
Chapter Six
“That’s great!” Brooke stood so fast that everything around her on the vessel swayed. Lightheaded, she sat and steadied herself, her legs shaking from the exertion.
The others stared at her, questions written all over their faces. She covered the mouthpiece with her palm and stage whispered to them, “Linda’s been upgraded to serious condition. She’s showing signs of regaining consciousness.”
Stephanie Cooper gave her a “thumbs up” and the others nodded. When everyone else turned their attention away, Garrett’s gaze still bored into her.
She tried to concentrate on the nurse’s words, but either the drug she’d been given or the intensity of Garrett’s stare made it hard to follow the conversation.
“No, Jeff’s not with me,” she said. Garrett lifted each seat, one by one, and looked underneath, probably still searching for clues. And Diego’s wallet and phone.
“I wonder if he went back to the motel to get some sleep,” she added. But it didn’t make sense. Jeff wouldn’t leave Linda. Not when she was still in such fragile condition. And not without someone else by Linda’s side.
Garrett closed the short distance between them.
“Yes,” Brooke said. “Two policemen and two deputies are with me.”
Brooke held her cell phone out to Garrett. “They want to know if you think Jeff is with the police.”
Garrett took the phone and kept his gaze on Brooke’s. “Diego, talk to the hospital about Jeff.” He handed the phone to Diego.
Garrett squinted and cupped her elbow in his palm, guiding her toward a seat. “You look pale again. Sit.”
She hated being bossed around. She’d had to listen to doctors, nurses, physical therapists—for months. But just as they’d been telling her to do things for a good reason, Garrett was, too.
She took a seat.
Diego moved to the stern of the boat, talking in low tones to the hospital staff.
“You okay?” Garrett sat on the beige cushion. He smelled like saltwater and an ocean breeze and she inhaled deeply. Every time she turned around, he was there.
The thought terrified her. If she’d learned anything in the two years since the earthquake, it was that she couldn’t expect to lean on others.
“I’m worried about Jeff. Nobody can find him and his cell phone was lost in the explosion. I have no idea how to contact him.”
Deputy Cooper cleared her throat as she approached them. “We’re heading out.” She glanced at Garrett, then Brooke. “We can’t talk you into getting checked out at the hospital?”
Brooke shook her head.
The deputy nodded. “It might be a few days before we find out what he used to drug you. You have my card?”
“Yes, thanks. And please thank your partner, too.” Hal Fisher must have heard her, because he appeared behind Deputy Cooper and nodded at Brooke.
The two of them—along with the paramedic—disembarked onto their own boats.
Diego flipped Brooke’s phone shut and crossed the vessel. “Nobody’s seen Jeff for a while, but since he doesn’t have a cell phone, it’s hard for him to keep in touch. I checked with the sheriff’s office. He’s not with them. He probably found a spot to get some shut-eye.”
Brooke fidgeted with the strap of her halter—the darn thing didn’t want to stay up today—and thought for a minute. She sighed. “That makes sense. He’s got to be tired. He’s been sleeping in a chair in Linda’s room, and in the waiting room, but...”
“What?” Garrett’s brown eyes gazed into hers.
Brooke shrugged and decided to let it go. “Nothing,” she said. But a part of her couldn’t believe Jeff would actually leave Linda’s side unless someone forced him to.
Garrett’s bare leg brushed against her jean-covered leg, and she suddenly wanted to move closer, absorb his strength.
“Sorry I stranded you guys.” She glanced at Diego before daring to look into Garrett’s eyes.
“No worries. Glad you’re okay. We ready to head back now?” Diego asked.
“Yeah,” Garrett said. “No more diving today.”
Brooke nodded, wishing their search hadn’t been interrupted, but glad to be heading back to shore. “I’d like to get back to the hospital to see Linda as soon as possible.”
Diego moved to the helm and started the engine.
“It’s a shame you didn’t have time to find anything today,” Brooke said, inhaling the scent of saltwater as the craft started gliding through the ocean.
Garrett didn’t say anything. He stared into her eyes as if searching for something. What? An apology?
He gently lifted her chin with his fingers. “You sure you’re okay?” His gaze held hers in an intense stare. She wasn’t sure if her insides were ever going to be okay. In spite of the way this trip had turned out, her belly performed somersaults at the feel of his rough hand on her face.
Suddenly, the memory of his sweet and salty lips slammed into her consciousness.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” She willed her pulse to slow. “I just want to see Linda as soon as possible.”
A speed boat raced by them, leaving a strong wake that rocked the craft just enough to toss her against him. His hand moved fast from her chin to her waist to steady her.
“Damn kids,” he said. His strong arms started a slow caress from her side to her ribs as if to comfort her. “You okay?”
She wished he’d stop asking her that. She straightened in the seat and tried to right herself on the cushion. She nodded, not sure if she wanted him to hold her tight or let her go.
“I’m fine. I can handle a little boat wake.” Her voice sounded defensive, even to her own ears. “Sorry. I’m just worried about Jeff.”
“Hospital staff thinks he’s fast asleep.” Garrett’s hands slipped from her waist and he turned to look out over the water.
“I sure hope so. What do you think?” She missed the warmth of his touch the second he took his hands away.
“I’m more worried about you.” The Amigo steadied in calmer water and Diego guided the boat back toward the Intracoastal Waterway. Garrett turned to face her. “I think you should go to the ER.”
His eyes captivated her—deep brown with flecks of gold. She leaned toward him to get a better look.
“So?” He raised a brow and narrowed his eyes.
“Uh—what?” He must have asked a question, but she hadn’t heard it…or forgot it. Damn, maybe that drug was affecting her.
“Hospital? I’ll take you.”
“I’m fine.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to be poked or questioned any more today.” She’d told the authorities everything she knew, and she had a feeling only time and rest would help her remember
anything else. “I’m a little headachy—like a hangover—but that’s it.”
He drew a deep breath and huffed it out.
She shifted her attention over his shoulder at a seagull diving to catch its prey, then soar back out of the water again. The late afternoon sun burned hot and strong. She sat up straight and crossed her arms. “No hospital. Thanks, really…but no hospital.”
“Okay.” He squinted at her, as if trying to figure out whether or not he should force her to go.
“I just want to go home, take a shower and then get to Linda.”
“She’s gaining consciousness?” he asked, leaning toward her. No sawdust smell this time, but that salty, ocean breeze smell. And the gentle wind blew his dark hair and made him look rugged…rough. She really wanted to kiss him again.
She locked eyes with him and resisted the temptation to pull his head close. She couldn’t use the excuse of drugs this time. “Apparently Linda’s thirsty, and her head hurts. She wakes up for a minute or so, and then drifts off again.”
Diego steered the boat onto the Waterway. She forced herself to look past Garrett and focus on the way the late afternoon sun threw shadows on the water’s surface as the Amigo cut through the current.
When they turned into the canal by Garrett’s house, her thoughts drifted to Linda. She hoped Garrett would keep her informed about the investigation—and push for answers. She needed to know what caused the explosion. And if the red streaming from the box was human hair, a murderer could be trying to stop all of them.
It only made Brooke twice as determined to get the container.
Brooke admired the billowing sea grass and palm trees planted at the property edge of the colorful homes along the canal and tried to make sense of the events of the past two days.
Her cell phone chirped again and she hoped for good news about Jeff. She glanced at the caller ID, smiled, and flipped it open.
“Mrs. Yi?”
“She’s getting better, Brooke. Now that I’m here, she’s getting better.” Mrs. Yi’s voice carried enthusiasm and weariness at the same time. It’d been a long plane trip home from Japan.
Brooke laughed. “I’m glad…she’s a strong girl. Strong like her mother. You made it here fast. Have they found Jeff yet?”
“No. We haven’t seen Jeff,” Mrs. Yi said.
Brooke whispered a silent prayer that Jeff was fast asleep somewhere. “Why don’t I give you a few hours to visit with Linda, and then I’ll come relieve you at the hospital.” The Yi’s had to be exhausted after their long flight home.
“Okay. See you later,” Mrs. Yi said, in her usual no-nonsense way before she clicked off.
Diego steered the boat into the slip outside Garrett’s house.
Garrett stood, grabbed a rope and smiled at Brooke. “Good. Now you have time to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
His lips curved into a smile. “Pizza…”
She chewed her bottom lip. Pizza. One of her few vices.
Diego threw a rope over one of the poles and secured the Amigo. Garrett threw another one and then held out his hand. “Come on…pizza. Then you visit. You won’t be any good for Linda if you don’t eat. I’m either taking you to the ER to get checked out or to my family’s restaurant to eat. You decide.”
He had a point. She’d be no good to anyone if she let herself get worn down. “Okay. Pizza it is. Thanks.” She accepted his hand, savored its warmth, and let him help her off the boat.
She reached out to touch Diego’s arm when he joined them on the dock. “Do you think the Coast Guard will search again? Now that there’s been a second attack on someone trying to look for the box?”
Diego studied her for a moment and sighed, looking every bit the cop. “Let’s hope,” he said. A shadow passed over his eyes. “Truth is, a woman alone being drugged and kidnapped…” He hesitated as his gaze shifted to Garrett and then back at her again. “Well, there are other reasons besides buried secrets that make criminals do that.”
****
The man lifted his chin and tossed the whiskey down his throat. He shuddered at the taste, stared at the shot glass, then fired it at the slate patio, shattering it.
He’d never been the drinking type. Too easy to lose control.
Dumb, freaking luck. Instead of being stranded and dying…letting that archaeologist take the blame for leaving the divers when the boat drifted ashore, they’d flagged down a passing vessel, then caught up with their own craft. He should have killed Brooke Richards when he had the chance. Now he stood to lose everything he’d worked for because of her. Well, he could cause trouble if that’s the way she wanted to play.
All three of them needed to die. The cops couldn’t find the box, but he’d overheard enough conversations at the hospital to realize the three out-of-towners considered finding the crate a challenge. They wouldn’t rest until they located it.
Well, they’d all rest all right…rest in peace.
****
“Okay, what’s up?” Garrett closed the sliding glass door behind him and held the phone between his shoulder and ear. He’d had to walk outside to take the phone call—images of Brooke in his shower made it tough to concentrate inside his house.
“Brooke was right,” Diego said. “The kidnapping attempt got the Coast Guard’s attention.”
“Finally.” Now Garrett wasn’t alone in thinking that someone didn’t want that box to be found.
“And you were right about Linda and Jeff’s vessel.”
Garrett dropped into a cushioned chair at the round deck table. “The boat was rigged?” He didn’t look forward to telling Brooke.
Diego filled him in on the details and Garrett closed his eyes, trying to figure out the best way to break the news to Brooke.
Ten minutes later, Garrett tucked the information away. He’d wait to tell her. After dinner.
He held the truck door open for her, purposely letting himself get distracted by the way her jeans hugged the curve of her bottom in all the right places. An early evening canal breeze swept into the garage and billowed her white shirt enough to reveal an enticing area of tanned back above her waistband.
She’d showered at his house…easier than taking her to her hotel and then coming back. His sister had left a few articles of clothing at his house and he’d offered them to Brooke. She’d picked out a loose-fitting white t-shirt with a rock band logo on the front.
She turned to face him and smiled. Had she caught him checking out her butt?
He made his way to the driver’s side and shook his head. He shouldn’t be admiring Brooke’s rear end and sexy back. She needed to focus on her best friend’s health and he had to focus on finding Tessa.
His gut told him they were close. And the attack on Brooke today was proof to him that someone didn’t want them to find the box. He needed to check with his sources to see if Rico had used his credit cards lately.
Garrett climbed into the driver’s seat and smelled his own soap scent in the cab of the truck. Same soap, but it smelled better on her. He swallowed hard and decided to focus on driving instead of the fresh scent of the sexy female beside him.
He started the engine and she shot him a smile that made him wish for a tiny cab that would have them sitting hip to hip. What was it about this woman? Even when she wasn’t nearby, her slow smile and athletic curves crept into his thoughts. Not to mention, the kiss they shared had ricocheted through his body. The memory of it made him swallow hard.
His thoughts brought him back full circle—to his mission to find Tessa. He backed the truck out of the drive and headed for the restaurant, frowning.
“What’s wrong?” Brooke asked.
He shook his head, glanced at her, then looked back at the road.
She settled back into her seat, but he knew she continued to stare at him.
“You were frowning. I thought maybe you heard something about the investigation while I was in the shower,” she said.
He glanced at her, admiri
ng her small nose and white-blonde short hair. The cropped cut gave her an air of confidence. Yet she still looked feminine. Even with her hair spiked up with dried ocean salt, as it had been earlier, she looked every bit a woman.
As much as he wanted to keep her from getting hurt, he needed to be honest with her. He swallowed hard, clicked on his right blinker, and pulled to the side of the road.
Once stopped, he turned to face her. May as well be direct.
“We found evidence that the explosion on Linda and Jeff’s boat was intentional.”
Brooke’s eyes narrowed and her mouth moved as if trying to find the words. She turned and smacked the dash hard enough to shake the truck.
“I knew it. I just knew it!”
Garrett nodded. “Me too. Divers found the gas line with wire fused to it.”
She stared straight ahead, lips compressed, but didn’t speak, so he continued.
“The explosion originated at the engine and that raised suspicion. Finding a wire fused to it means someone rigged it to explode. We also found pieces of what seems to be a disposable cell phone. Used to detonate the explosives. Luck was on our side. If we hadn’t found those pieces, the explosion would have been chalked up to being mechanical failure…accidental.”
The color drained from her face and she rubbed her temples and looked at him. “Any clues about who did it?”
He shook his head. “None yet.” He reached out, intending to lay a hand on her arm for comfort, but he stopped short, dropping his hand to the seat between them. “I’m sorry. I know it must be hard to hear this.”
She lifted her chin and blinked several times as if trying to keep tears at bay. “It only makes me more determined to get that box. It has to lead to a killer somehow.”
He admired her ability to adapt to a crisis. Was it a hard-learned skill? Maybe it was time to take her mind off the explosion for a while and find out more about her. Flicking on his left blinker, he eased back into the travel lane.
“Have you called your family?”
She blinked as if she didn’t understand his question. “What?”
“You called Linda’s family…and you made sure Jeff called his. Did you call yours to tell them what happened? Did you call your boyfriend?”