“Do you think we could stop at one of the stands?” Jennie asked. “I’d like to buy something—maybe one of the dolls like that woman back there was selling.”
Dominic glanced back at Gram and J.B. as if seeking their approval. J.B. leaned forward and said, “The cruise director warned against it. Said we should stick to the shops in town.”
“Oh, please,” Gram, Lisa, and Jennie chorused.
J.B. shrugged. “Looks like we’ve been outvoted, fellows. With six of us, we shouldn’t have any trouble.”
Dominic pulled off at the next craft booth and Jennie, Lisa, and Gram shopped while the guys watched. Gram bought a set of carved wooden birds from one of the men. From a child no more than eight, Jennie bought a crudely made doll with a black face and colorful Jamaican costume. “How much?” Jennie asked.
“Eight dolla’,” the girl answered, her black eyes bright with the prospect of a sale. Jennie handed the girl a ten and told her to keep the change. With every braid on her head bobbing, the little girl scampered off to show a woman who Jennie supposed was her mother. Lisa bought a carved tropical fish in blues, yellows, and greens from a young boy.
Their shopping done, Jennie, Gram, and Lisa tried to return to their car, but the natives—a dozen more thanhad been there at first, circled them. In an almost desperate attempt to sell more goods, they dangled other crafts in their faces. At first Jennie felt sorry for them, then grew frightened at their insistence. She felt a tug on her shoulder strap and glanced behind her. A Rastafarian wearing a dirty red and green knit cap glared at her. Jennie tightened the hold on her bag. As the man reached toward her someone grabbed her from behind.
16
“We must go,” Dominic said. He tightened his grip on Jennie’s arm.
J.B., Dominic, and Matt muscled their way into the tightly woven circle, creating a human wall to give Gram, Lisa, and Jennie an opening to the car. Dominic hopped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and put the car in gear.
“Be careful, don’t hit them.” Jennie bit her lip as the dark-skinned faces converged on the limo.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Gram frowned. “I wanted to help, but…”
“They are very poor, Señora Bradley.” Dominic let the car roll ahead a couple of feet. Jennie glanced out the side window into the face of a little girl with pleading brown eyes and matted black hair holding a doll like the one she’d just purchased. Jennie looked away, tears filling her eyes.
“Couldn’t we do something, Gram?” Lisa asked. “I slipped them some extra money, but…”
“Extra money? Let me guess—you all felt sorry for them and gave them more than what they asked for. Am I right?” J.B. shook his head.
Lisa, Gram, and Jennie all nodded.
“It is no wonder they swarm over you like flies.” Dominic honked his horn and drove onto the road. The vendors backed away.
“Don’t say we didn’t warn you.” J.B. smiled, taking the edge off his I-told-you-so.
“I’m glad we stopped.” Gram punched his arm playfully. “We may not be able to end their poverty, but we’ve at least given some of them food for a few days.”
“You sound like Tío Manny,” Dominic said as he speeded up and negotiated a sharp turn. “He has created many more jobs than necessary at his resort. He and his wife, Maria, do much to try to reduce the poverty here.”
“Your uncle sounds like a generous man.” Gram lifted her wooden birds, admiring them. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
A few minutes later, Dominic drove the car through the gates of an upscale resort on a hill overlooking the Ocho Rios harbor.
Uncle Manny, whom Dominic introduced as Señor
Manuel Bernardo García, his mother’s brother, greeted them as they entered the lobby. Dominic’s uncle was cute, Jennie decided—nearly as wide as he was tall and as jovial as Dominic was intense.
“I am honored to meet you,” he said, bowing slightly.
Jennie couldn’t help thinking that if he bowed any more he was likely to roll away. “I trust my nephew treated you well this morning.”
“Very well, thank you,” Gram said. “I’ve been looking forward to our visit. Jamaica is most impressive. Did Dominic tell you I was a writer?”
“Sí, señora. And I would be delighted to have you stay as long as you like—as you Americanos say—on the house.”
“Thank you for your kind offer, but unfortunately, we’ll only be in Ocho Rios for the day.”
He seemed genuinely disappointed. “Then you must come back when you can stay longer.” He showed them around the vast gardenlike lobby and into a tiled courtyard with a fountain at its center. Señor García seated them at a table in the courtyard off the restaurant and signaled for a waiter.
Within moments their table was laden with iced tea, crisp green salads, fruits, and a wide selection of freshly prepared seafood.
“This looks wonderful,” Gram said, “but will it be safe for us to eat the fruits and vegetables? I understand that we need to be careful of the water and uncooked foods as they can cause some rather unpleasant symptoms.”
“Ah,” Señor García grinned. “That is wise advice. But be assured, the food here is safe.” He held up a bunch of red grapes. “Flown in from Florida only this morning.” He set the grapes on his plate, then lifted the water goblet as though he were offering a toast. “The resort has its own processing plant. Rest assured, my friends. It is pure as God himself.”
That seemed to satisfy Gram and J.B. While they ate, Gram took pages of notes and promised Señor García that she would include his resort in her segment on places to stay in Ocho Rios. Before they left, Dominic showed them three of his watercolor paintings. One was of sailboats with mountains as a backdrop.
“Wow!” Jennie gazed up at the framed canvas. “You really can paint. I’m impressed. Is this a real place?”
“Sí. I am surprised you do not recognize it. This is from a photo that was taken of the sailboats on your Columbia River. That is Hood Mountain in the background.”
“Mount Hood!” Jennie studied the painting, amazed at how he’d captured the wind and the sunlight on the water. “How many times have you visited Oregon?”
“Two, three times, maybe.”
“Dominic, these are truly exquisite.” Gram put on her glasses so she could examine them more closely. “The blend of colors…”
Dominic seemed pleased. “This one,” he said, pointing to the watercolor he’d done of two children at the seashore, “was from a photograph taken of my sister and me—and my mother.”
“Would you ever consider doing a show?” Gram asked. “I have some friends in the States who would love to feature you. And I could do an article…”
Dominic’s muscles stiffened beneath Jennie’s hand. He shook his head. “Thank you, señora, but I cannot.” Gram smiled in understanding. “Of course, but perhaps someday.”
“Perhaps.”
“You said you sculpt as well. Is this one?” Gram walked over to a large bust that stood on a pedestal.
Dominic nodded. “My grandfather.”
A gold plaque beneath the bust read Juan Carlos Ramirez. Jennie looked from the older man’s face back to Dominic’s. “You look like him.”
“And my father.”
They did look alike, but there were subtle differences. The bust revealed a regal man who could be as hard and unapproachable as the bronze he’d been cast in. His stern expression told Jennie he was a man who knew what he wanted and usually got it. No wonder Dominic didn’t feel he could go against his wishes.
At two in the afternoon, they said goodbye to Dominic’s uncle and resumed their tour of Jamaica. Dominic drove them to Dunn River Falls, the waterfall they’d heard so much about. They changed into swimsuits at the resort and, after abandoning their clothes and belongings in the car, set out
to climb the falls. Milky white water cascaded down a sloping hill that went on for what J.B. guessed to be about a mile. They entered the water and began their climb to the top.
By the time they reached the upper portion of the falls, they were exhilarated, exhausted, soaked, and bruised in half a dozen places from falling on the slippery rocks. Jennie would have repeated the experience if they hadn’t had to be back on board ship by four p.m.
With thirty minutes to spare, Dominic pulled up to the dock and dropped everyone off. “I must return the car to Tío Manny. Would you please stay with me, Jennie? I would like your company.”
Jennie shrugged. “Sure, if it’s okay with Gram.”
He glanced through the door at Gram. “Señora Bradley?”
Gram and J.B. looked at each other, then at Jennie. “I don’t see why not. Just make sure you don’t miss the boat.”
Dominic agreed. As he backed the limo around, Jennie twisted in her seat. Gram waved, then disappeared inside the customs office. Jennie’s stomach lurched as though she’d just dropped ten floors on a fast elevator. Funny how seeing Gram disappear like that could cause such a strong reaction.
Dominic grinned and took hold of her hand. “Did you have a pleasant day, Jennie?”
“Super.”
“Jamaica is one of the loveliest islands in the Caribbean.”
They made small talk on the short drive to the resort and during the walk back. When they arrived at the customs office at five till four, Jennie breathed a sigh of relief. “Made it.” Jennie smiled back at Dominic as she handed her bag to the inspections officer at the counter.
“Did you have any doubt?” Dominic’s smile faded.
He stared at something behind her and she turned to follow his gaze. The official behind the counter had dumped the contents on a table and opened the zippered compartment. He pulled out two small plastic bags Jennie had never seen before. Panic oozed into her body like a toxic chemical and spread to every fiber of her being.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out what the white powder was or what was about to happen. “That isn’t mine,” Jennie insisted. “Dominic, tell them it isn’t mine.”
Dominic didn’t answer. He just stood there, his face revealing a blend of concern, anger, and disgust.
“You will come with me, please.” The officer took hold of her arm and propelled her forward.
“What’s going on? That isn’t mine. Please listen to me. I have to get on board the ship.”
“You will not be going anywhere,” the official said. Two armed guards appeared on either side of her. “You are under arrest for possession of narcotics and drug trafficking.”
17
“I can’t believe this. I’m innocent.” Indignant and angry tears filled Jennie’s eyes as she pleaded her case. Her arguments fell on closed ears. Either the guards couldn’t speak English or they’d heard it all before.
“This is crazy. It can’t be happening.” Jennie took a couple of deep breaths to calm her rising fears. Her world was crashing down around her. She had to stay calm. Get a grip, McGrady. You’re not going down without a fight. Think. There has to be a way out of this. Gram. She had to get hold of Gram.
“Can’t you at least call my grandmother? She’s on the ship. I need to let her know…”
“In due time, miss,” the arresting officer said. So they could speak English—and quite well. She supposed they had to with all the American-speaking tourists coming through.
“What about the guy I came in with—Dominic? I want to talk to him.”
“Mr. Ramirez is being detained. As soon as we finish questioning him, you may speak with him.”
“Then let me call the American Embassy. I have a right to do that, don’t I?”
The official who found the cocaine ignored her and instead nodded his head toward a door at the opposite side of the customs office.
The guards escorted her into a tiny room. After depositing her in a chair next to a battered wooden table, they took their positions near the door and stood at attention. Legs together, rifles cocked and ready to fire if she made a wrong move.
“This is insane. You can’t treat me like this. There are laws protecting American citizens.”
One of the guards aimed his rifle at her. “Quiet.” Jennie gasped and pressed her back against the chair.
He wouldn’t shoot her, would he? It would be an international incident. The President…Who are you kidding, McGrady? You got caught with the goods. With the war against drugs, the only ones who would sympathize would be the drug dealers. All you can do now is pray they release Dominic so he can get word to Gram and J.B.
Jennie tried not to imagine what would happen if they kept her. She’d heard about people being thrown into prisons in other countries, where prisoners were tortured and nearly starved to death. “Oh, God, no. Please help me,” she whimpered. “Don’t let me go to prison. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Jennie spent the next hour praying and trying to think positively. Maybe Gram would miss her and come back to find her. Maybe they’d let Dominic go back to the ship to tell the others. And maybe you’ll spend the rest of your life in a rat-infested prison.
Jennie squeezed her eyes shut to block the images forming in her mind. She clenched her fists, trying to stay calm, trying not to cry.
“Jennie!”
Dominic was back. She bounced to her feet and threw her arms around his neck. Her imprisoned tears flowed onto his shirt.
“Hush, querida. Please do not cry.” He stroked her hair and held her, but Jennie could feel his discomfort. Did he think the drugs were hers?
“Dominic,” she said, pulling away from him to wipe her nose on a tissue she found in her shorts pocket. “I didn’t do it. That cocaine isn’t mine. You’ve got to believe me.”
Dominic frowned. “I will try to believe you, but why would someone put drugs in your bag?”
“Maybe someone bought them and used me to smuggle them on board the ship.”
“It is such a small amount to smuggle on board, and who would be so wicked as to do such a thing?”
“Oh, Dominic, I don’t know.” Jennie heaved a deep, shuddering sigh. “The only other thing I can think of is that someone wants me off the ship, away from Gram and J.B. and .. .” Roberts. She almost said his name out loud but stopped. “Forget it. That idea is even crazier than the first.” No, it isn’t,McGrady. After what’s happened it makes perfect sense. Jennie pushed the menacing thoughts away. She couldn’t talk to Dominic about it, and right now she had to concentrate on getting out of there and back to the ship.
“What is it, querida? What are you thinking?”
“It isn’t important. Look, I don’t know why this has happened. All I know is that I’m innocent. Someone planted that stuff in my bag—either when we stopped in Fern Gully, or while we were at Dunn Falls. I’ve got to get out of here. You haven’t been arrested. Maybe they’d let you call Gram.”
“It’s too late for that, miss.” The voice belonged not to Dominic but to the official who had detained her. “The ship left fifteen minutes ago.” He stood in the doorway between the two guards, his arms crossed, looking as though he enjoyed tormenting her.
For a moment, Jennie thought of throwing a punch at him. While he lay on the floor, temporarily immobilized from having his breath knocked out of him, she’d grab the two guards and ram their heads together. Then she and Dominic could run for it. Right, McGrady.
Feeling the hope drain out of her, Jennie closed her eyes. Dominic wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. “Do not worry, querida. I will get you out of here.”
“Can you do that?”
“Perhaps.” His voice dropped even lower. “Tío Manny is well known here. If I tell them I am his nephew and offer them some dinero…”
“You mean bribe them?” Jennie squeaked
.
“Stay here.” Dominic let her go and walked over to the official. She couldn’t hear what he said, but the official nodded and the two men left the room, closing the door behind him.
A few minutes later, the official stepped back into the room and dismissed the guards. He leaned toward her, a cigar in his mouth and yellow-stained teeth holding it in place as he talked. A bulge in his shirt pocket left no doubt in Jennie’s mind that Dominic had bought her freedom. “It appears that we have made a mistake. You are free to go.”
Dominic took her arm the moment she stepped out of the room.
“Where are we going?”
“Tío Manny’s.”
“Oh, Dominic, I don’t know how to thank you. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but how will I get back to the boat?”
“This is not a problem. I have a plan. We will spend the night here with my uncle.”
“But—”
“Do not worry, señorita,” Dominic interrupted. “My intentions are honorable. You will have your own room.”
“Great, but that wasn’t what I was going to say.” Jennie smiled. He really was a thoughtful guy. “I was just hoping we could take a motorboat and try to catch them tonight.”
“I know you are anxious to catch the ship, but no. It is already getting dark. We will stay here tonight, get a good night’s rest. In the morning we will fly to Georgetown on Grand Cayman. We can meet the ship there.”
Jennie didn’t argue. Having a room of her own in a luxurious resort and getting a good night’s sleep sounded infinitely more appealing than trying to catch up to a fast moving cruise ship in the dark.
Señor García embraced them both and treated her as though she were a gift from heaven. “I want to hear all about your ordeal, Señorita McGrady, but first, we must alert the ship that you are safe. Your grandmother will be worried.”
Jennie had wanted to call earlier, but Dominic didn’t have a cell phone with him. She placed her call on the resort’s phone, and after letting the ship’s officer know she had been detained, he let her talk to Gram who apparently was with him, and had been reporting her missing.
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