by Diane Rapp
They took the elevator downstairs and joined the departure line. Flashing I.D. badges and scanning bags had become an everyday occurrence, thanks to terrorists. Natalia often regretted failing to invest in a company that manufactured security scanners when she sold her grandmother’s heirloom necklace the previous year. After taxes and paying off her parents’ mortgage, she had enough money left to buy a condo in Florida. The small rental income went straight into a retirement account, sensible but not very exciting.
The weather was pleasant but already warm. Jason donned a baseball cap with the logo for the Rockies baseball team. Natalia remembered the drive to Denver with Kayla and Steven for a ballgame, and the argument that had ensued between the girls and the guys about the merits of cricket over baseball. Natalia loved the memory of eating hotdogs and popcorn with the two Brits. By the end of the game the men had cheered for the Rockies, and Kayla promptly bought each man a baseball cap to wear.
“Love your snazzy cap, honey,” Natalia quipped.
“It’s rather becoming, and a good way to maintain my disguise.” Jason tugged on the bill to shade his sunglass-covered eyes.
“Yeah, you look just like a Yank,” she replied. “Especially wearing plaid Bermuda shorts.”
“Yanks don’t wear Bermuda shorts?” He sounded shocked. “Why ever did you let me wear them?”
She giggled. “I love to see your cute knees. But don’t worry, I’ve seen Americans wearing those same shorts. Too bad they’re usually pushing sixty with knobby knees.”
He scowled and she dodged the fingers that reached out to tickle her.
Jason’s leather sandals clomped down the causeway until they reached the shops stretching along the lagoon. Snuggling against his shoulder, Natalia unfolded a map and pointed at the route they planned to take.
They looked like two young lovers as they entered jewelry stores and gawked at engagement rings. Jason kept track of the time while Natalia enjoyed checking out the sparkling gems. She could easily forget the danger that awaited except for Jason’s constant scrutiny of their surroundings.
Entering the Diamonds & More store on Olivia Street, Natalia was embraced by Jacquie and escorted to the back of the shop. However, contact with Jacquie spurred a vision.
Jacquie sat in a funeral home surrounded by weeping women. The photo of a handsome young man stood on a tripod next to a mahogany casket; his honey-colored hair and hazel eyes identified him as a close relative of Jacquie.
Eulogies told the story of a talented young man struck down too early in life by a debilitating disease. Jacquie dabbed at tears that wouldn’t stop flowing. Henri should never have died! It was all the fault of Genetics Ultra. She hated that woman, Kathryn Foster, and pledged to make her pay for her company’s ineptitude.
Natalia broke away from Jacquie’s touch, feeling suddenly dizzy.
“Is something wrong?” Jacquie asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
“No. It’s just all the excitement. I need a few minutes to catch my breath,” Natalia responded, trying to maintain a smile.
Xander stepped forward, wearing a white wig. “You and Jason should take a few minutes to try on engagement rings so no one thinks anything is wrong.” He gestured to a cabinet filled with sparkling jewelry.
Both Jason and Natalia had grown weary of viewing standard engagement rings, sparkling diamonds in solitaire settings. Natalia skimmed her fingers along the glass case holding designer rings. Jason pointed at a lovely ring, a blue star sapphire surrounded by diamond chips set in dark gold that swirled around the gem. “That one is extraordinary!” he exclaimed.
“I agree. I’ve never been partial to large diamonds,” Natalia added. “See how this star moves with the light?’
Xander explained, “Star sapphires are illusionary with light creating an image inside the stone. The gold setting is formed by a lost-wax method. An artist creates the design in wax, covers it in plaster then pours molten gold through a hole in the casting. The wax runs out, the gold remains, and the gems are set.”
Xander removed the ring and handed it to Jason. “Have her try it on for size,” Xander said.
Jason slipped the ring on Natalia’s finger and grinned, “Would you marry me, Tally?” he asked. He bent down on one knee.
“What? I thought we were just shopping for a ring.” Staring at the beautiful ring with tears flooding her eyes, she nodded. “Of course I’ll marry you, my darling. I thought you knew that.”
He bounced up and wrapped her in his arms. “A gent never takes a lady for granted, my dear.”
He turned to Xander and held out a credit card. “I assume you accept American Express?”
Xander processed the purchase within moments and said, “We need to celebrate this special occasion. I’ll have my assistant take care of the store while we slip out the back.” He spoke to the girl up front and unlocked the back door with a key.
*****
Melany and Penny enjoyed the Trolley Tour as much as it was possible under the circumstances. “Are you feeling as nervous as me?” Melany whispered.
Penny held a small hand over her pink T-shirt and nodded. “It’s good that we planned to visit the Butterfly Garden, I have them fluttering around in my stomach. You think they’ll let me leave a few behind?”
Chuckling, Melany shifted the heavy tote bag that sat between her feet. “I’m glad we don’t need to carry this too far. I didn’t realize bullet-proof vests are so heavy.” She glanced nervously around, afraid someone on the trolley might hear her whispers.
Penny blinked rapidly and her cheeks paled. “If you need help, I can trade off with you when we start walking, sister.”
“Many thanks, but you have heavy bottles of water in your bag. I can handle my burden.”
The Trolley stopped in front of the yellow clapboard building with white trim. Most of the passengers climbed off the trolley and entered the shop filled with butterfly memorabilia. The girls browsed for a few minutes before buying tickets to enter the gardens.
The glass-covered conservatory felt humid and hot. The girls quickly removed their hats and tied their outer shirts around their waists before wandering along brick paths among lush tropical plants. Butterflies and large moths with “eyes” on their wingtips fluttered through the terrarium, landing on orchids, dew-covered waxy green leaves, or plates filled with sticky fruit slices—treats left out to attract the insects.
The two sisters sat for a moment inside a Victorian gazebo, enjoying the atmosphere. Small birds flitted across the enclosure, and flamingos waded through a shallow pond. Royal blue wings quivered as one butterfly hovered to drink from a delicate long flower, while another velvety black-and-gold creature landed on a piece of papaya. The pinks and yellows of the exotic tropical flowers created a vibrant backdrop to the delicate creatures that seemed to float through the damp atmosphere.
Calmed by the serene ambience, they felt a renewed determination. The girls smiled at each other without saying a word. They purchased a few trinkets, including plastic butterflies they clipped to their thick black hair, and walked slowly toward the Hemingway House.
Fear no longer filled their minds.
*****
An electric blue Chevy Volt was parked in back of the jewelry store with its cord attached to a wall socket. Xander grinned, unplugged the car and announced, “When in Key West, it’s best to present a certain image.”
They all climbed into the car and silently drove through the narrow streets.
In the back seat, Jason held Natalia’s hand, rubbing his thumb over the engagement ring. “Are you disappointed that I didn’t choose a more romantic location to propose?” he asked.
She shook her head. “You’d never be able to keep it secret; after all, I am a psychic. This was a grand surprise, and I’m very happy you pulled it off.” She gave him a warm kiss that sent tingles up her spine.
The car twisted through narrow alleys and finally slipped into the garage of a small shingled cottage.
“Home sweet home,” Xander said. “I kept my eye out for anyone following, and thought it would be best to change inside my house. No one knows where I live.”
The cottage was beautifully decorated with antiques and Persian rugs on its polished hardwood floors. “Have a seat while I change. I ordered a cold lunch delivered here, so we’ll eat soon.” Xander gestured toward the parlor and entered a nearby door.
Jacquie excused herself to use the bathroom. Natalia and Jason nodded to each other and positioned themselves outside the bathroom door. Drew emerged from his bedroom, looking like a younger version of himself. Jason held a finger in front of his lips and pointed to the bathroom door.
Soon Jacquie emerged and was confronted by three people with arms crossed over their chests. Jason held out his hand and demanded, “Give me your phone, Jacquie. We know all about it.”
Sighing, she glanced at Drew with sad eyes. “I never meant to harm you, never knew that you were the man Rose wanted to find. I’m so sorry.” She handed Jason the phone and they all walked into the dining room.
As Drew fetched plates covered in plastic wrap from the kitchen, Jason scrolled through Jacquie’s text messages. He shook his head and handed the phone to Natalia. “We figured someone aboard was helping Rose but couldn’t understand the motivation,” Jason said. “When we searched the ship for Rose and Jaimie Martin, you hid them from us. Later you helped them get off the boat.”
Jacquie nodded. “They slept in my cabin that night and snuck off before sunrise. When I heard about the attack on Grand Cayman, I felt devastated about my part in the scheme.”
Drew set a plate filled with deli-sandwiches and chips before each person. “My suspicions about you were triggered when you told me that you blamed Kate and her company for the death of your brother,” Drew stated. “I advised Jason, and we decided to set a trap for you here. I’ve had a cellphone disrupter installed, so that message you just sent has not gone through.”
“No! You must let her receive that text or Felix might be in more danger,” Jacquie begged.
Natalia had been reading the text messages. She asked, “Why didn’t you tell Raven about Drew’s true identity?” She handed Jacquie’s phone to Drew.
He read the last message aloud, “Found out Drew is on the ship and agrees to trade himself for Felix. You reassured her but didn’t mention my identity. Why?”
“I read her last message and realized that she is skeptical about you turning up. I thought I’d better tell her that you will come,” Jacquie stated. “She’s getting frantic and might hurt Felix.”
Jason asked, “How did you get involved with Rose?”
“We met at Henri’s funeral, and she seemed so sympathetic about my anger. She explained that Kate was also responsible for her husband’s premature death and claimed that she wanted to make her company pay. I had no idea about her true plans.”
Drew groaned. “She’s such a liar! Kate had nothing to do with Jim’s death and he was definitely not her husband. Plain and simple, Raven wants to kill me. I’ve been running from her brand of crazy revenge for nearly forty years.”
Tears trickled down Jacquie’s cheeks. “Knowing you these past months, I’d never believe you could kill anyone. But I got in so deep with her schemes that I saw no way out until now. Have me arrested as Rose’s accomplice or let me help you catch her.”
Drew wrapped his arm around Jacquie’s shoulder. “You’re guilty of helping a friend unless you let Felix get killed. Let’s revise your text to help with our plans, and I’ll turn off the cellphone blocker.”
Natalia shook her head. “You didn’t answer my question. Why didn’t you tell her about Drew’s current identity?”
Jacquie stared at her plate. “I was afraid she had confederates on the ship and might send them to kill Xander before you were ready to catch her. He’s my friend.” She raised her tear-laden eyes. “I can’t let him be harmed so now we should send that message before she goes crazy.”
*****
Six divers in black combat gear slipped silently into the water and checked their SCUBA gear for leaks and proper airflow. They promptly divided themselves into two-man teams of “buddies” who watched each other’s backs during the mission.
Floating just under the surface, Geraldo and Roberto formed an “O” with their gloved fingers before releasing air from their buoyancy compensator vests. Bubbles trickled out of the BCs, allowing them to sink gently to the shallow bottom. Three extended-range Diver Propulsion Devices were stationed on the bottom.
To an untrained eye, the DPDs resembled the metal shells of torpedoes with chunks cut out of the tops. To the divers, these machines were powerful underwater scooters that enabled them to travel faster and conserve energy.
Each team efficiently boarded a DPD. Geraldo, the lead diver on his team, operated the controls inside the nose by laying on his stomach and looking out a window in the nose. Roberto clipped on a safety tether and rode piggyback, gripping hand-holds. Dual propellers turned silently when engaged, powered by high-capacity batteries.
Esteban and Amanda maneuvered into position next to the twins on their own DPD, while the third machine was boarded by highly-trained SEAL operatives. Members of three government entities ensured an efficient covert military operation. The DPDs traveled across the sandy bottom through warm Caribbean currents, looking like dangerous predators to smaller fish.
*****
Having stopped into several art museums, Suzanne and Tania seemed to have their fill of viewing pricey art they couldn’t afford. Matt was eager to reach the Segway shop and get on with their plan. However, they needed thirty minutes of driving lessons before they could float down the street.
Matt listened to the instructor instructions about the Segway with half of his mind. “Hold the Segway upright and place one foot on the platform,” the instructor said. “Don’t get on the device just yet. Several red lights will rotate as the internal gyroscope is calibrating. Once this is complete a beep will sound and the red lights will turn green.”
They followed his instructions to the letter.
“Hold the Segway upright and release the kickstand, placing both feet on the platform. Slowly lean forward to move straight, and then lean in the direction you want to turn. Lean back and the gyro will come to a stop. Hold the on/off button, step off, and replace the kickstand. These particular machines are set to ‘turtle mode’ to keep speeds lower in town.”
Suzanne was the first to ride in circles. Tania quickly got the hang of turning and stopping, but soon the girls stared at Matt.
He stood frozen in place and blushed. “Sorry my mind got distracted,” he said and climbed onto the platform. Leaning forward the Segway inched ahead, then he leaned harder and the machine went faster. Soon he followed the girls around the parking lot. Matt discovered he enjoyed the sensation.
The instructor said, “If you go inside a shop, turn the key off and take it with you. No one will drive off with your device.” He handed each person a small neon-colored bungee cord with a key and his business card attached to it. “You won’t lose these if you keep them on your wrists. Call me if you run into trouble. This town is so small, I can be anywhere in minutes.”
Matt thought the man might not be so eager to let them go if he knew their plans for the machines. Oh, well. Nothing ventured, nothing destroyed by gunfire.
*****
Paul and Abby discovered during their early conversations that they shared a passion for shipwrecks. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum was on the top of their bucket lists, so they walked straight to the museum after exiting the ship.
Abby exclaimed, “I’ve seen television shows about Mel Fisher and his incredible story. I even took SCUBA lessons in a local swimming pool hoping to join a treasure dive one day.”
Paul held the museum door open for his sister. “I may be the skier in the family, but I took diving lessons as well. I got my open water certification on a trip to the Bahamas, spotted sharks and barracuda on my fi
rst dive. It nearly scared me to death.”
“I got my open water certification in Lake Michigan, and it was so cold. You were lucky to dive in warm water.” Abby pointed out the ticket desk. “Let’s buy tickets right away. We still need to board our Trolley Tour at noon. We should buy a sandwich to take on the tour or we might get hungry.”
“Good idea.” Paul purchased both tickets, waving off Abby’s offer to split the cost. They entered the museum and wandered wide-eyed past exhibits filled with gold booty. Abby squealed when she saw the wall display filled with gold chains, some links as wide as a knuckle, others delicate and dainty.
Hefty silver bars were stacked alongside sparkling smaller gold bars, but there were also chunks of gold at least two inches thick. Time sped by as they read each sign. Abby marveled at the beautiful jewel-encrusted cross suspended inside its own cabinet. “Can you imagine wearing something that beautiful?” she asked.
“It looks too heavy to actually wear. I bet it was ceremonial,” Paul replied.
They had no idea that the upstairs rooms contained displays of other shipwrecks and historic information. Paul glanced at his watch and frowned. “We’re running out of time. If we want to buy lunch before the Trolley Tour, we’d better get moving.”
Abby agreed and headed down the steps toward the exit. She glanced into a sales room and sighed. “I wish I had the money to buy a piece of eight.”
Outside they took a few moments to pose for pictures with the pirate man and girl. Then they ran toward a small market that sold fast food. With lunch in hand, they climbed aboard the trolley and displayed their tickets. The driver took note of the marks on their tickets and promptly handed each of them a tote bag. He said, “Be sure to put these vests on before we get to the Hemingway House.”
Abby and Paul understood. They glanced around at other passengers but everyone was staring outside and paid no notice to them. Abby unbuttoned her shirt, revealing a white T-shirt underneath. She slid the Kevlar vest over the T-shirt and Paul helped her tighten the straps. After she covered the vest with her shirt and buttoned it up again, she helped Paul get into his own protective garment. As they sat eating bagged lunches, their expressions turned wary. The fun at the museum forgotten, they could only think about the danger that awaited the twins’ group. What were they thinking, trying to be heroes?