After the Storm

by Cynthia Hickey

  She found Chase nailing plywood that had protected the windows onto the roof of the VIP cottage. “How bad?”

  “With tarp and this wood, the cottage will be liveable.” He jumped down, landing nimbly in front of her. “What’s up?”

  “Have you checked the other cottages?”

  He shook his head. “Keeping the governor safe and happy is top priority. I’ll be finished here in an hour. I’ll find you and we’ll take a look at the other cottages together. You can prioritize them for me.”

  “Alright. I’ll take a walk around and get a feel before meeting up with you.” She turned to go.

  “Boss lady?”

  She glanced back over her shoulder. “Yes?”

  “I like you in jeans with your hair down.” He grinned and, gripping the edge of the roof, pulled himself back up.

  Face flaming, Kayla ducked her head to hide a smile and strolled down the sidewalk. Chase certainly knew how to fluster her. She liked jeans, too. With all the debris lying around, a skirt and heels didn’t seem practical. It wasn’t as if Grandfather would arrive for an inspection.

  As she moved around the island, she didn’t find a single building not in need of some type of repairs. A couple of the smaller cottages had been completely decimated. One could no longer be seen, swept into the ocean by surging waves. How the governor’s cottages had survived was a mystery.

  “I’m telling you he has to be a cop.” An angry voice came from the other side of a gazebo.

  Instinct told Kayla to step out of sight. She peered around what was left of the structure.

  Bill Davis, seated on a concrete bench, glared into the face of a younger man with dark hair. A native, possibly one of the staff.

  “Why would a cop go undercover as a maintenance man?” Davis crossed his arms. “The man works like an ox.”

  The younger man waved his arms. “To throw off suspicion. Dude. My uncle checked him out and he’s a San Francisco police officer. I’m telling you to listen. You are in deep—”

  Kayla stepped back, snapping a twig under her shoe. She froze.

  “Come on, Davis. We can’t talk here.”

  The sound of footsteps faded away.

  Kayla leaned against a palm tree. They had been talking about Chase. A cop? She pushed forward and stomped back to the governor’s cottage. She glared up at a grinning Chase.

  “Back so soon?”

  “You’re a cop?”

  ~

  Chase’s smile faded. He jumped to the ground and pulled Kayla out of the open. “Where did you hear that?”

  She yanked her arm free. “I’m asking the questions.”

  “Yes. I’m undercover to stop a potential assassination of the governor.”

  She blinked rapidly. “Why wasn’t I told?”

  “To keep things under wraps. Not even Governor Lowery was supposed to know, but Dalton caught me snooping and almost shot me.” He shook his head. “You have to keep my true identity a secret, Kayla. Lives might depend on it.”

  “I will. But why are you working instead of guarding Lowery? Stop working right this—”

  “Someone needs to make the repairs, and I have to keep my cover.” He cupped her face, so smooth under his hand. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you upfront, but my chief said it was best to keep as few people as possible from knowing. Do you understand?”

  She nodded. Her eyes widened. “You’re here to keep an eye on Davis, aren’t you?” She told him of overhearing one of the younger staff members talking to Davis. “You aren’t the only one undercover here.”

  “Which makes my job that much harder.” How many more of the staff could be on Davis’s payroll? Or was Davis in someone else’s hire? Chase had more questions than answers. “Go back to the main building. Don’t talk to anyone about this. I can’t have your safety on my mind on top of everything else.”

  “Okay. Come get me when you’re ready.” She pressed her lips together, gave a definitive nod, and headed back toward the main building, head high, back straight.

  Chase grinned. What a woman. Beautiful, strong, and smart as a tack. Maybe he’d see where a relationship with her could go when this was all done. He still planned on seeing whether he could get in with local law enforcement.

  Whistling, he finished the repairs on the governor’s cottage. Before meeting with Kayla, he found Dalton and Lowery where he’d left them and explained about his identity possibly being compromised. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open, but the two of you need to be on alert.”

  Dalton exhaled heavily through his nose. “We will. Thank you. Have our food brought to the cottage for each meal. We won’t be leaving until a boat arrives to take us out of here.”

  “I think that’s the wisest course of action.” Chase watched them leave, then headed to the main building.

  Kayla sat in her office next to a conscious Alana. “Look, Chase, she’s awake.”

  “That’s good news. How do you feel?” He knelt next to her.

  “Sore.”

  “Can you tell us what happened?” He took her hand in his.

  “The hurricane came, and we all gathered in this building.” Her brow creased. “I was closing the front window, and…” her eyes widened, and she glanced over Chase’s shoulder. “That’s all I remember.”

  He turned to see Davis in the doorway. “I heard our lovely Alana woke up,” the man said, leaning against the doorjamb. “Very good news.”

  “Very.” Releasing her hand, Chase got to his feet. “She’ll still need watching, Kayla.” Please understand what I’m trying to tell you without saying it out loud.

  Kayla’s eyes narrowed. “I agree.”

  Good girl. Chase couldn’t help but wonder what part, if any, Davis played in Alana’s injury. He didn’t believe for a second that she didn’t remember anything more. He’d seen the flicker of fear in her eyes when she’d spotted Davis.

  “Ready to survey the damage, Kayla?” He motioned his head toward the door.

  She grabbed a clipboard off her desk. “Yes. Mara, tell Daniel we’ll have a cottage to move Alana to soon. She’ll get top priority of the staff residences.”

  “I gather we’re headed there first,” Chase said as they left the building.

  “You think she might be in danger. We can set a better guard there, less people.”

  The bottom floor of the two-story building was virtually untouched. A few dings and bangs, a few boards hung loose on windows, but some of the staff could return home that day. “Good. Easier to keep Alana safe on the bottom floor,” Chase said. “Do you think Daniel would help keep an eye on her?”

  Kayla laughed. “I’m sure of it. They haven’t told me, but I’m pretty sure the two are seeing each other.”

  “Why keep it a secret?”

  Her smile faded. “Because I made it against the rules for staff members to date. I’m going to change that right away. As long as it doesn’t interfere with someone’s job, who am I to say they can’t fall in love?”

  “You’re a good boss, Kayla.”

  “I’m trying to be. I learned a lot during the hurricane. I may be the boss, but I cannot do the job alone. I need good staff around me.” Her lips twitched. “Took a disaster to teach me that lesson.”

  They continued their tour while Kayla listed repairs in order of importance. If guests didn’t mind a few shattered windows, more could return to their rooms than originally thought. Chase could leave the boards or take them off, but there would be no new windows until they found a way to the mainland.

  “I found a boat.” Daniel rushed toward them. “It’s not one of ours, but it got rammed between two pilings by the swimming dock. I’ve pulled it out. Want me to go?”

  “Can you wait until morning?” Chase asked. “We need you to keep an eye on Alana. Please don’t repeat this to anyone, but her life may be in danger.”

  “What?” The big man’s face hardened. “Who would want to hurt her?”

  Kayla put a hand on his arm. �
�I know you care for her. Will you do this? I’ll send someone else to the mainland. You’re needed here. Please get Alana settled safely into room 1 in the resident building.”

  Daniel nodded, his gaze on Chase. “You have some explaining, Mitchell. Just as soon as you are free.” He turned and stormed to get Alana.

  Too many people knew Chase’s real identity. This couldn’t be good.

  Chapter Seven

  While Chase went to the Mainland with Daniel to see about getting power restored, medical attention for Alana, and repairs to the bridge made, Kayla made the rounds of the guest cottages. Chase would, presumably, do some “explaining”. She smiled and knocked on the door where Alana recuperated.

  Mara answered the door, a smile gracing her smooth face. “Aloha. Alana is much better.”

  “That is good news.” Kayla approached the sofa where Alana reclined, a book from the small library in hand. “Daniel and Chase have gone to get help.”

  “That is good. I feel better, but want a doctor to tell me I’m fine.” Alana started to move her legs.

  “Stay put.” Kayla shook her head. “I’m just making rounds. Call me on the radio if you need anything, and keep your door locked.”

  Alana paled and nodded.

  “Why won’t you tell me what you know of how you got hurt?”

  Avoiding Kayla’s gaze, she said, “I don’t remember.”

  Kayla lowered her voice. “Of course, you do. You’re scared, which lets me fill in quite a few of the pieces missing from your excuse. Stay inside.” After thanking Mara and assuring her the rest of the staff could manage food prep and clean up, Kayla moved back outside.

  Guests strolled the mostly cleared grounds. Kayla greeted each of them with an “Aloha” and received assurance they were enjoying their stay at the resort despite the adventure of the hurricane. Maybe Kayla would make a success of her managerial position after all. The main good thing about no electricity or cell phone service was the fact her grandfather couldn’t call and beat her down.

  “Aloha.” She kept the smile pasted on her face as she greeted Davis. Now, where was that traitorous landscape employee?

  “Aloha, Ms. Denton. This is the weather we all signed up for, isn’t it?” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes as he motioned to the clear skies.

  “Most definitely. I do believe there are some guests going wind surfing this afternoon. Perhaps you’d like to join them?”

  “I thought I’d do a bit of snorkeling. Aloha.” He turned and headed back to his cottage.

  Snorkeling sounded fun. Maybe she’d manage some time in the water after lunch.

  Few customers had complaints, loving the cool breeze through their windows, the sunshine, the water activities. If not for the scarred outside walls and missing shingles, a few broken windows, you’d never have known the destruction of the storm. With a bounce in her step, Kayla strolled to the dining room to make sure a buffet was set out for lunch.

  Everything looked in order. Sushi, local fruit, sweet rice wrapped in seaweed. Confident her employees could handle things for an hour, Kayla filled a plate and went to change into her swimsuit.

  Wearing a black one-piece suit with a floral sarong around her waist, Kayla ate on her way to where the snorkeling equipment was kept. After eating, she put on the gear and slipped into the water. Ah, the warmth eased the tension from her muscles. She put the mouthpiece and goggles in place, then skimmed the ocean’s surface.

  Seaweed waved from under her. Fishes in every imaginable color darted here and there in attempts to escape her. Kayla needed to make a point of snorkeling or swimming every day. From now on, after dinner, this would be her relaxation. If Grandfather removed her as manager, she’d buy a small house somewhere on Maui and live the life of her dreams.

  She stayed within sight of the resort and found herself emerging a few yards away from the governor’s cottage. Two scuba suit covered heads broke the water’s surface under the cottage. One of them seemed to be wiring something under the floor. When the other man, she couldn’t recognize him through the gear, glanced her way, she ducked her face into the water and did her best to appear as if she’d never brought her head up.

  With strong kicks, she swam away from the cottage and further out to sea. When the water grew rougher, she headed back in. That had been close. She’d bet anything the two divers were Davis and Lonny, she remembered his name. Kayla would have to tell Chase about the wires the instant he arrived.

  Something hit her in the back of the head. A hand twisted in her hair. She found herself dragged through the water by a rope around her waist. Minutes later, someone tied her tightly to a piling under the governor’s cottage, all without her catching a single glimpse of her attacker. She spit her mouthpiece from her mouth. “Let me go!” A bandanna gagged her.

  She turned her head as far as she could. Nothing but a ripple to show where her attacker had submerged.

  She glanced over her head, her gaze following the wires to a square box with red numbers counting down. A bomb? If she read the numbers correctly, her world would explode in an hour. She screamed through the gag.

  ~

  “You still should have told me,” Daniel said, hefting a box of food onto his shoulders. “I bet the boss lady was upset.”

  Chase laughed. “A bit peeved, yes.” He grabbed another box, grunting under the weight. “She won’t be happy to hear that electricity to the island isn’t a priority when others are in worse shape. At least the doctor arrived before us. Ah.” He motioned his head to see the doctor marching their way.

  “How’s Alana?” Daniel asked.

  “Recovering nicely. The concussion is all but gone. I’ve given her a shot of antibiotics and orders to stay in bed another three days. Then, she can slowly resume her normal activities. Is there anyone else I need to see?” He handed them a hand radio. “Call me, if there is.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” Chase grinned and clipped the radio to his belt. “Aloha.”

  After clearing the boat, Chase went in search of Kayla.

  “I saw her go snorkeling right after lunch,” Mara said. “I filled a plate for me and Alana and saw her head toward the storage shed near the back dock.”

  Chase frowned. “I can’t imagine her being gone this long.” His heart lurched. He sped up until he reached the shed, then shed down to the bathing trunks he wore under his clothes. Maybe he’d find her if he swam around the island. He had no idea how strong of a swimmer she was. Anything could have happened. No, he refused to let his mind dwell on unpleasant possibilities.

  He rounded the corner of the island and froze at the sight of a struggling Kayla tied to a piling. With strong strokes he reached her side and pulled the gag from her mouth.

  “Forget me. Get the governor out. It’s a bomb, Chase.” She glanced up. “You only have ten minutes.”

  “Be still.” He pulled a knife from his zippered pocket and cut the ties holding her in place. “Now, go.” He swam around and pulled himself onto the dock. “Dalton!” His feet pounded the wooden planks. “Get out now. Bomb!”

  Without questioning, Dalton burst out the cottage door with the governor in tow. A quick glance at Chase, and the two men dove into the water and swam away from the building. Chase dove in after them, submerging in hopes of swimming around to where he’d left Kayla. Please let her have listened to him and swam far enough away.

  The concussion of the explosion slammed him in the back and pushed him deeper into the sea. He fought his way to the surface, lungs burning, and searched the water for signs of Dalton, Lowery, or Kayla.

  Frightened faces stared down at him from passing wind surfers. “You okay, man,” a teen boy asked.

  Chase waved him on. “Just fine. There’s a woman and two other men out here somewhere.”

  “Me and my friends will take a look.” He leaned back, caught the wind in his sail, and skimmed across the water.

  “Chase!”

  He turned to see Kayla swimming toward him. “The
governor?”

  “I don’t know yet. They dove into the water just seconds before the explosion.” He ran his gaze over her. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “I couldn’t see through their masks who tied me to the post, but two men in scuba suits wired the explosives. Davis?”

  “That would be my bet, but we need proof. Let’s get to land.” He needed to find Lowery.

  Daniel leaned over the dock and pulled Kayla out of the water before reaching down to Chase. “What happened?”

  “Someone wired the governor’s cottage to explode.” Chase took a deep breath to slow his racing heart. “Any sight of him or Dalton?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I’ll help you look.”

  “I’ll check on Alana,” Kayla said. “She needs constant protection if the danger is escalating to this degree.”

  Chase shook his head. “No, that just puts you in danger. I’ll call the doctor and ask him to return and take Alana back with him. That’s the safest thing for her.” He locked gazes with Kayla. “You should go, too.”

  “Absolutely not. This is my resort. My responsibility.” She smiled. “Besides, I have you to protect me.”

  He gripped her shoulders. “What if I can’t?”

  “I trust you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t be a failure again, Chase. I have to stay.”

  He nodded, then leaned his forehead against hers. “Don’t leave my side. Not ever.”

  “There’s Lowry.” Daniel pointed behind them. “Other than looking like a drowned rat, him and Dalton seem fine.”

  Chase pulled away from Kayla. “Good to see you two.”

  “Thanks to you, Mr. Mitchell, I’m here to see another sunset.” The governor stuck out his hand. “But it appears I’ll need another cottage.”

  “Sir, I think it best we not let anyone know where we put you.” Chase glanced at Kayla.