by Mimi Barbour
Sloan went and fetched both of the small devices he’d had Don bring to the house and passed them over to Sam. Within a few seconds, he’d explained how to set them up and where they should be placed.
“This is good. I will put one in the bathroom and the other in the bedroom. And I will send you a text when it is done.” Sam stood to leave.
Sloan shook the hand that Sam held out. “Wait until it’s clear. Don’t take any chances. Those two might be young but we don’t know if they’re dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful. Thank you, my friend. I feel a huge weight has been shared.”
Chapter Sixty
Sloan’s eyes felt like two balls of burning mush in their sockets. All he wanted to do was lie down and close out the world. But first he placed a call to the hospital. “Hey, Ryan. Thank goodness you’re still on duty. I need a favor.”
“Whatever you want, dude, unless it’s against the law like the last time you asked.”
“You found out I’m not with the FBI any longer.”
“Roy mentioned something.” The peevishness in Ryan’s voice said it all.
“He forgot to mention I’m on special assignment. Look, he expected me to be there all night. As you know, I had to leave.”
“Yeah. He asked where you were.”
Worry slammed into Sloan and made the muscles in his stomach grip tight to fight off the rising bile. “What did you tell him?”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not completely stupid, man. The dude’s already unsteady, so you figure I’m gonna add to his problems by telling him you went after a bunch of murdering scum? I told him that Kean wouldn’t settle unless you were there and so you had to go home.”
“Good. Great. He believed you?”
“Not one lyin’ word.”
“Dammit. I knew he’d be a handful.”
“Not really. Once we knew for sure his concussion hadn’t done any lasting damage, I gave him a sleeping pill. Man’s in lullaby-land and will probably stay that way for a couple hours. By the way, Les and his lady just got here and they’re hanging out.”
“Tell them we’ll be there soon. I owe you. Big time.”
“Right. In case you weren’t aware, my family and I really enjoy barbecues like the one Roy was talking about earlier.”
“Consider yourself invited. See you later.”
***
When they arrived at the hospital a few hours later, Sloan watched Kean rush past everyone to hug Roy, his face lit with the excitement of seeing his old friend looking a heck of a lot better than he’d seemed the day before.
“Les took the kitty back to the garage, Roy. She has to stay there with you ‘cause Sloan sneezes when she comes near him.”
Les joined them and pretended to whisper. “He’s a real wienie about getting the needles to stop the allergies.”
Sloan turned his head and glared but saw three pretend angels grinning back at him. How could a man hold a grudge when all three pairs of eyes were filled with glee mixed with affection?
“You guys messing with me over there? I can tell by your expressions you’re up to something.”
“Nah! Just having a guy’s conversation. Nuthin’ ya need to worry your little head about.” Les at his best was a pain in the ass but when he was in a playful mood, like this morning, he ragged on a person something terrible.
Roy’s grin was worth being the butt of jokes. He looked positively radiant, if a grizzled-looking old Santa Claus could appear so glowing.
Sloan shot them his best pretend glare. Then he offered to go for coffees. “Ryan said that they’re waiting for the last x-rays to be delivered and if everything looked okay, you’d be free to go Roy. In the meantime, anyone want a treat from the cafeteria?”
Plus, he needed to check in with Don and see if they had picked up anything yet on the audio listening devices Sam was going to hide in the guest room.
“I’ll come with you.” Alia had appeared shy this morning, back to her reticent self, but he wasn’t letting her get away with it. He reached for her hand and hesitantly, she gave in.
“Good.” They gathered everyone’s orders; Kean’s plea for a milkshake got an eyebrow lift from his mom and a wink from himself, and they headed down the hallway.
“I couldn’t tell you earlier with the boy there, but Sam came to see me this morning.” He filled her in on their discussion and ended with his suggestion about Janna and the children coming to stay with her at the house. “That’s a good idea. Of course I kept Kean home from school again, so he’ll be glad to have the kids around later. He’ll be bored by then. I was hoping we could have Roy come home with us for at least a day or two, if you don’t mind. He can sleep in one of the twin beds in Kean’s room and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Good idea about Roy but there’s a much more comfortable bed for you to sleep in, sweetheart. It’s king-sized and the mattress is firm.”
She pushed against his shoulder with her own. Her sassy grin warned him she’d have a comeback. “Then where will you sleep? Don’t forget, Kean thinks you’re his uncle and so does everyone else. Didn’t you notice the looks we got when you held out your hand to me in the room earlier?”
“Shit! You’re right.” He came to a sudden stop and she stood next to him. “I forgot all about the undercover roles we were playing. So much has happened.” He tucked his long hair behind his ears and continued to run his fingers through to link at the back of his neck. Then he looked down at her teasing playfulness. “So what are you going to tell them?”
“Not me, my friend. They’re your family. Until we get this case solved though, we’ll have to keep up the pretense. So no more of this affectionate stuff.”
A little hurt at her words, he couldn’t help his comeback. “You don’t like it?”
She pushed him again, a little harder this time. “I love it, you big baby. Now call Sam and let’s see if they’ve collected any data yet. I suppose the idea was for Sam to come over and listen to the tapes and translate?”
Sloan nodded, happy again after her teasing comeback. “What he doesn’t know is that you’ll be translating them also. We’ll see for once and for all if he is to be trusted.” Just thinking that his friend could be a liar, Sloan felt his stomach react and a headache form.
“Don’t worry, Sloan. He’s a good man. I’d bet money on it.”
“But would you bet the safety of your family? Because that’s what I’ve done and I’m beginning to wonder if it was the right thing to do.”
She stared at him and he saw the reaction his words had evoked.
By the time they returned to the room with everyone’s orders, root beer replacing the actual request Les had given, Ryan came to inform them that Roy was good to go. He transferred Roy’s clothes to the bathroom so the old man could get dressed in private, and then left them with a last reminder about his love of hamburgers cooked on the grill.
Sloan went over to where Les and Kean still hovered around Roy’s bed, and noticed that Libby took the moment to sidle over to Alia.
***
“I want to tell you how sorry I am about Paul taking Kean last night. He’s an asshole. I’m sorry I ever took his money or that my firm did any work for the prick.”
Alia read the truth in Libby’s expression, her gray eyes wide and this time hiding nothing. She spoke low, so only they could hear. “You helped us find Kean. Without your information, he’d most likely be in Chicago with Paul by now and I’d be the one up against the courts trying to win him back. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for your help.”
Libby looked uncomfortable but earnest. “Just so we’re straight. I would have taken him away from you myself at the beginning. Paul had described you in a very unflattering light and I have a soft spot for kids in trouble. If I hadn’t done my homework and seen what you did for that street kid, things could have turned out a lot different.”
Alia stiffened, thought over Libby’s words and made a decision. “Those street kids ne
ed us. I only do what I know best. Protect them. But there’s a hell of a lot more that’s needed after I get them to safety. And they’re looking for people willing to help.”
“What are you saying? That I could pitch in. Honey-girl, I’d love to but I have a business to run back home, a life, even if it’s a shitty one.”
“You can bring the business here, to Hawaii. There’s always room for a good PI firm. And… truthfully, I doubt if Les is going to let you go. He seems to me like a man who keeps what belongs to him.”
Libby reacted. She stiffened. “I don’t belong to anyone. I’m my own girl, always have been and always will be.” Her voice had roughened but there was a false bravado as well.
“And how’s that worked for you so far?” Alia couldn’t help her response. It seemed appropriate and she knew the truth when Libby deflated and shrugged.
“Okay. You might have something. I’ll see what the big guy thinks. If he wants me to stick around, I could do it for a while I guess, see how the wind blows.”
“As a good friend said to me while I was still making up my mind whether to take the job or not – Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii.”
Chapter Sixty-one
All the way back to their house, in the rear seat, Roy and Kean talked in low voices, youthful giggles and lower tone chuckles emanating, while Alia thought over the conversation she’d had with Libby. There was something about the woman that intrigued her. No doubt, she’d had a checkered past, but Alia felt deeply that she was also suffering.
In today’s harsh world, most everyone had something they regretted or wanted to forget, and Libby appeared to be a woman who fit into that mold. She only hoped when the time came, she’d make the right decision and give Les a chance.
From the way her face had lit up when he’d come to suggest they take a ride to a beach he knew and maybe hit the waves before he had to open the garage, Alia had decided that whether Libby was aware of his power over her or not, she had no doubts. Les would be a very strong motivation for the woman when making future choices.
Good. Once I go back to my real life, I’ll need a lot of friends to help me get over Sloan.
Thinking of the devil, he turned to break the silence. Ever since she’d warned him about their behavior, he’d been standoffish, almost comical in trying to behave. Except it wasn’t funny to her. She missed his special smiles and easy hugs.
“I’ll set up the barbecue out back and settle Roy and Kean in the yard. We can take turns in the sunroom watching the house. Don needs to be relieved.”
Guilt flooded and she quickly agreed. “I forgot about Don. He’s covered for us a long time. He must be exhausted.”
“Actually, don’t feel sorry for him. I’m sure he got more sleep than either of us did. But it’s time we let him have a break. I’ll make some lunch and you can watch Sam’s house. Then I’ll relieve you.”
She couldn’t argue with him, it made total sense. “I guess that’s how it’s got to be for the next while. Each of us taking turns and sleeping when we can. But you need to take the first break, not me. I actually got a few hours last night. You only had a short nap.”
“We’ll see. Thank goodness Don will be here tomorrow. I have to get back to the garage.”
“How’s the fellow working out that Jack found for you?”
“Truthfully, he’s a genius and being young he’s full of energy. And… he gets along with both the old brats, keeps them from killing each other when I’m not there. I don’t know how he’s managed, but the records are all up to date and the paperwork is correct from what I can see. He’s good with the customers and he’s a great mechanic. I’ve decided to keep him on after I return.”
“I’m so glad. You work too many hours, Sloan. You need to slow down.”
“I know. I’ve just felt so damn guilty after my dad died because I wasn’t here. I knew he’d kept the place running, and without him things wouldn’t go smooth. Roy and Les need to work; neither of them is ready for retirement yet. So there didn’t seem to be a choice. Either I pitched in, or Booker’s would close.”
“But that’s not your nirvana. You miss working for the agency.”
“Yeah, well, shit happens to everyone.”
***
Alia left Kean with Roy and Sloan, and made her way to the sunroom to deliver Don a hamburger before he left. “Sloan says you like it with just mustard and onions.” She passed the aromatic plate over and watched his eyes widen before he took his first bite.
“I don’t know what’s better – the smell or the taste.” She forgave him for talking with his mouth full and went to study the screens they had erected behind the room divider.
“It’s been quiet since they came home last night. Have you heard any discussion yet?”
“Not a lot. Here’s one conversation.” Alia listened with earphones and shook her head. “It’s nothing, just talk about whose turn it was to be nice to Janna and Sam. Neither wants to go and visit with their hosts but they’re arguing that it needs to be done.”
“Pathetic.”
“No kidding. They’re referring to Sam and Janna as Auntie and Uncle, as they should. Yasir wants to read something they got from their meeting last night. Leah agrees to go out into the kitchen, but says she needs to read the information also.”
Alia removed the apparatus from her head. “There’s nothing here.”
“I’d like to get a hold of whatever he’s reading that’s so important.”
“Me too. Maybe Sam can be convinced to check it once they leave again.”
“They’re going out?”
“Yes. Tonight. Same time. He’s told her to be ready; they’re to be picked up.”
“Good. I think I’ll borrow the neighbor’s Doberman, do a little dog-walking and show up about that time.”
She grinned. “Get closer to the vehicle so you can make out the numbers, you mean.”
“That too.” He brushed the crumbs from his hands, winked at her and walked to the outside door. “See you later.”
“Maybe not. I might be in my own car, waiting to tail them.”
“Good. You can pick me up.”
“Or you can stay here while Sloan and I do our jobs.”
“Or that.” He waved and left.
***
Alia had a hard time keeping her eyes open. Watching a house where nothing was happening called for a person who was wide awake and not one ready to pass out. Her head kept nodding and she lifted her millionth cup of coffee to her lips only to find it had turned cold.
Her stomach churned, making her nauseous. Not partial to the constant stress over the last few days, it had decided to repay her now with intermittent cramps. She stood and did another set of bends and stretches, hoping against hope that the exercise would keep her from falling asleep.
The door opened and she turned to give Sloan a piece of her mind. She’d fought with him over whose watch it had been and he’d given in, but not gracefully. The man wanted to protect her; she got it, but she was an FBI agent who had a job to do, and by golly, she’d be doing it.
She’d gotten twice as much sleep as he had. Fair’s fair. He’d finally agreed to go into his room and she’d wake him in a few hours. In the meantime, he’d left Kean with Roy, fed and happy to be together.
“Sloan, give it up. I’m good here.”
“It’s not Sloan. Can I come in?” Roy stood waiting for permission. Alia glanced around the room and gave the sliding screen a yank, hoping it covered the equipment behind sufficiently. She pushed the binoculars under her chair and slid the camera behind it.
“Sure, Roy. Of course. I was just dozing anyway.”
“Kean decided to have a nap. I coaxed him after he’d fallen asleep for the tenth time during our chess game.”
Alia pointed to the wicker chair across from hers. “I’m so glad you like chess. Kean picked up the game at his last school and when we moved here, he had no one to play with. He loves it.”
“He’s almost as
good as I was at his age. Maybe better. I have to go to the senior’s home around the corner to be able to play anymore. Les never did enjoy games, he’s an outdoor freak, loves the water and his Harley. And Sloan, he never wanted to learn, too busy with his drawings and sports.”
“Roy, where does your family originate from?”
“I was born in San Francisco, and came to Hawaii as a young man with Lester and Tommy Booker. I’d left a girl back home, one I wanted to make my wife, but when she chose to have an acting career rather than marry an old farm boy like me, I took my broken heart to the docks, signed up to crew on a ship and met up with those other two.” He pulled his wallet from his pocket and showed her a black and white photo of a pretty girl, dressed in a costume and her signature scrawled illegibly across the bottom.
Suddenly, Alia’s interest heightened. Before she could ask Roy if the girl’s name was the one she suspected it was, she saw the door across the street open and Yasir and Leah appear.
Reaching across to touch him, she stopped halfway and let her hand drop. “I really want to talk to you more about your travels, Roy, but something has come up. I just need to go out for a short time. Can you tell Sloan, I’m leaving for a while when he wakes up?”
Not totally understanding her, but being a gentleman who didn’t argue with women, Roy quickly stood as she rushed out. “Sure, Alia. I’ll tell him.”
She only had time to grab her sandals and her cellphone and rush through the French doors. Making sure they wouldn’t see her, she stayed on her side of the street and held her phone in her hand in case they turned around. She planned to pretend she was taking pictures, hoping her phone would hide her face.
The pair walked slowly, meandering as if they had all the time in the world. Until suddenly, a car pulled up next to them.
Friggin’, shittin’ hell! If they got in, she’d be screwed. By the time she could run to get her vehicle, they’d be gone.
Wait. They weren’t getting in. Something strange was going on. She ducked behind the nearby bushes and started taking a video. Two younger men got out of the car and met up with the couple on the sidewalk.