MAJOR EDMUND QUINN sat perched on a barstool in his favorite Goldsboro, North Carolina pub, nursing a lukewarm beer. Damn it. No need to rush home to an empty apartment. The minute he and pilot Steve Shorner, former drinking buddy, former boon companion, and now absentee roommate, had finished for the day, the smitten flyer took off like he’d hit the afterburner.
Quinn sipped the beer. His mouth twisted into a grimace. Frowning down into the glass, he gave a reluctant shrug. Awww, what the hell. His pal Steve was in love. Not simply lust, although he was that, too. No, the pilot had fallen hard. Poor bastard was down for the count.
Studying the faces around the pub, Quinn narrowed his eyes. If he wanted company, why not call one of the women he’d met last weekend?
Quinn’s phone buzzed. Or, maybe one of them was calling him. He tapped the screen. “Hello?”
“Eddie?”
Nobody called him Ed, Eddie or Edmund except his family. Sounded like his younger sister. He checked Caller ID: Olivia.
“Hey, peanut.” His evening perked up. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” Uh oh. Clearly someone in his baby sister’s wide circle of family and friends wasn’t fine. “Did you get my email?” she persisted.
“Haven’t been home yet.” He braced himself. “What’s up?”
“I’m worried sick about DeAnna.”
“Who?” Quinn knew he’d made a mistake the instant the word left his mouth. There was a loud, exasperated huff through the phone.
“You know very well who. DeAnna. My sorority big sister at UNC? My bestie ever since. I told you. Eight months ago, she announced she had a job opportunity out of state. Then she disappeared off the face of the earth. Remember?”
“Sorry, Ollie. Yes, I recall her name and history.” He also recalled his baby sister’s tendency to exaggerate. “Is there a new development?”
“Her phone goes straight to voice mail. I used to get long chatty emails. Now I’m lucky to get a pitiful paragraph. I need to know exactly where she is. That she’s really and truly okay. You gave me your solemn promise you’d help.”
I did? “And I always keep my promises to you, don’t I?”
“Well, so far.”
Shit, was that a sniffle? “Ollie honey, tell me what you want me to do.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s in Hawaii. You need to help me find her.”
“Olivia. I will keep my promise. However, you need to remember I have a day job. It’s not as a private investigator.”
She giggled. “I know. You work in the back seat of an F-15. The best Weapons System Officer, WSO in the entire—”
His phone chimed with an incoming call. “Ollie. I’ve got to take this. Call you right back. Pinky swear.”
“Okay.”
He heaved a sigh of relief. What did Olivia think he could possibly do? Reading the new ID, his mouth spread into a grin. Frank Whitney, a fellow WSO stationed at Mountain Home AFB.
“Hey, Whitney, what’s up?”
“Quinn, my man. How much leave you got left? I need your help.”
“Where?”
“White sand beaches, beautiful women in string bikinis, and all the single malt scotch you can drink.”
“Damn. How many bodies are we burying?”
“Would you believe, it’s a favor for my old man?”
“That helps.”
“I need you to spend ten days in Hawaii with me. On a secret spy mission for Dad.”
“Are you punking me?”
“No joke. Piles of dollars at stake. Dear ole Pop has zero sense of humor when his money’s involved.”
“Got the leave. Listening.”
“The old man’s considering a huge investment. Needs to choose between two Hawaiian hotel chains. The one he doesn’t choose to rescue could be forced to close one of their island hotels. I’m rooting for Dad to resuscitate the one called Fragrant Gardens of Kauai Resort and Spa. So that’s where you and I are going.”
“The name’s a mouthful.”
“The other contender has a resort in deep trouble on Maui.”
“Doesn’t your dad employ minions for this shit, like pro spies?”
“Sure he does. They’ve already started looking at both locations. Haven’t been able to get much in the way of on-the-ground due diligence. While the books on both the hotel chains look straight, each has one location in financial trouble. To get the straight scoop, Dad decided to embed non-employees. Us. We’ll look around, help him determine which location to invest in.”
“Why put more money in either company? Especially since he knows each one has a resort going downhill?”
“Makes the shares cheaper. Which means more profit for the resort that does the recovering. Some changes and boom. Revenue soars.”
“It’s not the best time for me. Shorner just got back—”
“We heard. Seems Stevie-boy nailed the TDY, and I hear the Tokyo wedding reception rocked.”
So, the grapevine knew the details of his roommate’s temporary duty to Japan and the wedding that followed? Quinn signaled the barkeep for another beer. “When does your father want us there?”
“This weekend.”
Quinn groaned.
“Don’t forget,” Frank said, “beautiful women in bikinis. All expenses paid.”
“Seriously?”
“Sure, those beaches are crawling with—”
“Space-A to Hawaii is a nightmare. Expenses paid? You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack. Repeat: the old man doesn’t screw around. He’ll spring for airline tickets, room, food, drinks, and expenses. His staff even made up a stupid-man’s questionnaire. Fill in the fucking blanks.”
“I’m in. Thank him for me?”
“Will do. Just remember, for him, it’s all a tax deduction.”
Quinn was composing his mental to-do list when Olivia’s cell sent his call-back straight to voice mail. Damn it.
CHAPTER 2
By the time DeAnna reached the Hawaiian Air departure gate in Honolulu International she gave herself a mental high-five for checking her suitcase. One less distraction in the crowded terminal. Adjusting the strap to the laptop bag on her shoulder, she eyed the public waiting area.
For the last three nights, sleep had been elusive while she replayed the interview in her mind and planned how to maximize her time on Kauai. Punching her pillow and kicking the sheets to the floor, her excited anticipation cut into sleep time.
At dawn today, she’d finally called a halt to the speculative mental process. She knew what information to gather. It could all be obtained by asking the right questions. And by soaking up details and forming impressions. Until she had a firm itinerary, she couldn’t plan any further.
Right now, she desperately needed a quiet corner and a serious shot of 3 pm caffeine. In the travel documents, Mr. Martin’s assistant had included a pass to the airline’s VIP lounge. The spacious Plumeria Club was just upstairs from the departure gate.
Stepping inside the lounge, she took a long, slow breath. The tasteful décor and quiet were certainly conducive to relaxation. She ordered a large iced coffee, claimed a seat in the back of the main room, and opened her laptop.
DeAnna considered the past months. Her original decision to take the hospitality job in Honolulu had been spur of the moment. Just like agreeing to Mr. Martin’s working interview on Kauai. And both snap-judgements ran contrary to her previous, well-thought-out, life choices.
It was high-time she returned to her normal decision-making pattern. To adulting. She’d go to Kauai. Gather as much data as she could. After all, one of her managerial strong points was convincing hotel staff to confide in her. Then she’d take the promotion and begin banking a chunk of the big salary. Forget the larger apartment, forget the car.
Better to sock away money, give herself a security cushion. She was finished with rash decisions. Light-headed with relief, and possibly caffeine overload, she opened her email.
She’d restore t
he authentic DeAnna, and reconnect with her family and friends. Particularly the group she knew were genuinely worried about her. Since the move, she’d avoided explanations. Dodged the question: why had she suddenly put a big stretch of the Pacific Ocean and most of the continental United States between herself and them?
Family first. In the email to her brother, she confided, “Since running away from home, I’ve been living and working in Hawaii. This past week I had a great interview for a promotion with a re-location. Today I’m flying to another island for a week to ten days on a temp assignment. I’ll email again as soon as I know the outcome. I promise to let you know where I am once I settle. Give my love to everyone. Take care. I love you, DeAnna.”
She clicked Send. Then sent similar messages to the rest of her family.
Finishing off the coffee, she started an email to her bestie, Olivia. Fingers hovering over the keyboard, DeAnna’s memories of her senior year at UNC and the sorority washed over her. Newly elected as the chapter’s pledge chairwoman, she’d been on the lookout for the single legacy expected to rush that fall. She’d heaved a sigh of relief when lovely freshman, Olivia Quinn appeared at the Fall Pledge Tea. The entire chapter had been charmed by the vivacious young girl. DeAnna volunteered to be Olivia’s sorority big sister.
Refilling her tall coffee container, DeAnna grabbed a chocolate chip cookie and returned to her corner table. Then had to swallow a laugh as she recalled the rash of pledge class antics that semester. Olivia, her unique hazel-green eyes twinkling with mischief, quickly became the prime suspect. When DeAnna confronted her, the guilt written across the young face instantly gave her away. Most of the pledge pranks had been instigated by Olivia Quinn.
Finally, a desperate alum committee voted to hold DeAnna responsible. She could either rein-in the wild-child or suffer their wrath. Good times.
After DeAnna’s graduation, while Olivia finished college and started her career, letters and emails flew between them, fat and frequent. But all that dried up the day DeAnna moved to Hawaii. Since arriving here, the emails she’d sent to Olivia could best be described as skimpy.
In a way, the tables had turned. Now Olivia had her back. She was the one person who didn’t seem to blame DeAnna for her rash decision to move. She never gave up sending emails. Olivia turned out to be the one friend who never judged.
DeAnna wiped her chocolate tipped fingers on the napkin.
“Dear Ollie,” she typed, “Here comes the email you deserve, my super patient friend.” With a slight smile on her lips, she quickly tapped the flat keyboard, sharing a myriad of details. She wrote paragraphs about the hotel where she worked, describing the grounds, pools, and the beach. She shared the physical appearances and personality quirks of most of the hotel staff and a couple of the more interesting managers. Without revealing any names.
Then went on to confess the details of a date or two. Ended the epic email with several funny stories about resort guest mishaps.
At a good stopping point, DeAnna flexed her fingers. She’d save the whole interview, secret shopper assignment, possible island relocation until it was all settled.
“Here’s my new phone number.” Hesitating, she frowned at the blinking cursor. “Olivia, please don’t share the number with anyone else. Starting with you first, Bestie, I’ll be contacting old friends at my own pace. Just as soon as I get settled again, I swear, I’ll call you. I promise to spend half a paycheck on the phone bill so we can catch up.” She ended the email, sent it, and closed the laptop.
Before she moved to Hawaii, social media and email exchanges used to take up large parts of her day. Recalling Ollie’s bubbly personality, she reached another decision. As soon as she got moved, she’d invite Ollie for a visit.
Pressing the heel of her hand to her chest, she realized her heart ached.
THE MINUTE QUINN deplaned in Honolulu, his phone rang. He fished it out and read the Caller ID: Frank Whitney.
“Hey Frank? Where are you?”
“Aloha, buddy. I’m in the airport. Proceed to the Interisland Concourse. Hawaiian Air’s VIP club is on the third floor. Meet me there.”
“On my way.”
Quinn stepped inside the Plumeria Club, scanned the room. He spotted Frank sitting dead center at a small table with a full view of the door. He beckoned Quinn to join him.
Sliding his computer bag under the chair, Quinn shook hands and noticed the frown line between his friend’s brows. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s annoying, a screw-up. Dad messaged me. The Maui guys won’t be able to get on-site until mid-week. So, I need to go on to the Maui resort while you get started in Kauai.”
“It’s sounding less and less like a wingman mission.” He shrugged. “Better brief me. What else do I need to know?”
“The hotel business in Hawaii is cutthroat. Primary goal is to fill rooms and then persuade the guests, especially those on a package deal, to spend buckets of extra money. Apparently, it’s also essential to convince departing guests to leave rave reviews to fill more rooms.”
“People read those things?”
“Somebody does. I called Dad back. The man sounded like he was about to have a stroke. The Island Trip Advice Kauai website showed the closest competing resort to The Fragrant Garden has over 2600 reviews at 4.5 to 5 stars. To top it off, the Garden also lost out on some award, a Certificate of Excellence.”
“Horrors.”
“No joke. O’Luina Villa also beat us out in the review race. And the Garden dropped one slot in the latest 10 Best in Kauai when Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club pulled ahead.”
“Okay buddy,” Quinn said, “Calm down. I’m on it. I realize now I was out of line reading up on Kauai’s tourist attractions. Clearly, I should have spent my time memorizing resorts and comparing amenities.”
Quinn forced his lips into a grim line, raised one hand. “WSO word of honor, I’m on target now. A couple hours on the Internet and I’ll be ready to fill out your Dad’s questionnaire, critique the staff, recommend the best way to ask for reviews. I already printed an island map so I can scout more of the competition.”
After sending Frank off to catch the next flight to Maui, Quinn gathered his computer bag and moved to a remote table to call Olivia. He glanced at the shapely, dark-haired woman sitting alone in the corner, and felt a twinge of déjà vu. Where had he seen that face?
Checking his watch, he confirmed the time difference in Greenville, South Carolina, before calling his younger sister.
“Hey, peanut. I’m in Hawaii. Before you pitch a fit, I’m here on business.”
“O my god, Eddie. Really? You and Steve got deployed to Hawaii?”
He couldn’t hold back a laugh. The gorgeous woman at the corner table looked up, startled. Trying to appear contrite, he shrugged and shot her an apologetic grin. Then lowered his voice. “No sweetie. I agreed to help out a friend. You remember Frank Whitney from Idaho?”
“No, how could I? You never introduce me to your friends.”
“Sure I do,” he insisted. Then hesitated. She had a point. By now, his and Ollie’s seven-year age difference didn’t mean much. But still, lots of his WSO and maintainer buddies and all pilots were off-limits…er, inappropriate for a little sister.
“Anyway,” he said, gesturing with his free hand. “Frank and I are…look, I’m in Honolulu, on the way to Kauai. My mission is to check out a hotel Frank’s dad wants to invest in.”
“Why do seriously undeserving people have all the luck?”
“What can I bring you?” It was his go-to peace offering.
“Something sparkly and disgustingly expensive.” His baby sister’s default response.
“Uhh...”
“Eddie, I just heard from DeAnna. This evening, literally minutes ago. Finally, she sent me a long, chatty email…along with her phone number. From Hawaii. She’s there, too.”
“That’s great. Now you don’t have to worry about her any more. If she’s communicating again it must mea
n whatever was wrong is fixed. It’s all over and your friend’s fine.”
“Not so fast. I’m still worried. Why’d she bolt in the first place? Don’t try to wiggle out of your promise, big brother. I’m holding you to your word. Either you call her today, or I’ll fly there myself. Track her down. I have just enough in my savings account to buy a last-minute airline ticket to Hawaii.”
“Damn it. Listen, Olivia Marie Quinn. Don’t you dare touch your savings. I’ll call her, I promise. But—”
“Great. She’s working at a fancy hotel and I’m sure it’s on Waikiki. You can go see her for yourself. Make sure she’s alright.”
“Peanut, I don’t have time to leave the airport. I’m not staying on Oahu.”
“Well, all right. Just call her from the airport. Eddie, she was my best friend at college and ever since. I haven’t had more than three-line emails from her in months.”
“What good will a call from me do?”
“It’ll let me know for sure she’s really all right.”
The silence was deafening. Olivia brought out the big guns.
“Hey big brother, guess where I am this very minute?” his sister purred. “At home.” She paused for the news to sink in. “Mom is downstairs. Shall I tell her you called me? That you’re on the phone right now?” Olivia threatened.
“Please, no.” Quinn repressed a shiver. He loved his mother, but in the past year her casual interest in his girlfriend status had morphed into an obsession. Did mothers with grown children, potential grandmothers, have their own biological clocks? The woman was insistent, had made it abundantly clear. As her firstborn, it was Quinn’s duty to marry ASAP. And produce grandchildren for her.
In theory, he had no objection to the plan. But so far, he hadn’t met the right woman. An air force wife was special. The service offered lots of shit to endure. Long deployments were only the tip of the iceberg.
Take his pilot buddy Steve, for example. He’d married the wrong woman his first time around. Quinn wanted to get it right. He needed to be sure.
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