by Nella Tyler
“We could set up the transfer tomorrow. And the FBI can be waiting for Doug and his people when they go into the treasure room,” Noah added. “I like it.”
“So do I,” Drake said. “What about you, Kai?”
Kai nodded thoughtfully.
“It could work. It’s a good plan.”
“Then we have a plan of action. That’s such a relief,” Beni sighed heavily.
“And by this time tomorrow, Meggie will be back with us and this whole mess will be over,” Ashlee said hopefully.
Drake was quiet as the others talked around him. He could only hope that everything went exactly as they planned. But he couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that engulfed him.
*****
Meg woke with a start the next morning. Something had awakened her. She sat up on the cot leaning on one elbow. She listened. Voices were coming from the outside. They sounded as though they were near her window.
“What now? He hasn’t called yet,” Doug said urgently.
“He will. He only got the note last night. He’ll call,” Denise said.
“And if he doesn’t? You’re counting on the notion that he cares for Meg. What if he doesn’t?”
“He does. He won’t let her remain in danger and do nothing.”
“You don’t know that for a fact. We don’t know him,” Doug muttered.
“I know him well enough. He’ll do anything to get her back. I envy her,” Denise mused. “She has what every girl dreams of: a man who truly loves her.”
“I love you,” Doug protested.
“You love what I can give you,” Denise spat.
“If you feel that way about me, why are you with me?” Doug pouted.
“I’ve asked myself that very question a thousand times,” she said. I can only think that I saw something between us that wasn’t real. And convinced myself it was. But no matter. We’ll be going our separate ways when this is over”
“Separate ways? What do you mean? We’re in this together,” Doug protested.
“But not for the long haul.”
“But you said you love me? That you would stay with me forever,” he objected. “You need me.”
“Get over yourself. I won’t need you the moment this scheme is over. And I certainly don’t want you,” Denise scoffed.
Meg could hear her walking away. After a moment she heard a door open and footsteps coming toward her room. She laid back and closed her eyes. She didn’t want Denise to know that she overheard their conversation. Footsteps came into the room.
“Wake up, Meg,” Denise said loudly.
Meg slowly opened her eyes.
“Drake?” she mumbled as though she were disoriented.
Denise was mocking.
“No. Your superhero isn’t here. But I am expecting his call.”
“I need to use the bathroom,” Meg said quietly.
“I thought you might. I’ll untie your feet. You’ll have to make do with your hands bound,” Denise said.
She untied Meg’s ankles. Meg stood up then fell back onto the cot immediately. Her feet were numb from the ties. She bent over to chafe them.
“Come on. Get up,” Denise said in annoyance.
Meg rose again and this time remained upright.
“In there.” Denise indicated a closed door inside the room.
Meg opened the door with her bound hands and saw a toilet and sink. It was surprisingly clean. She closed the door and looked around. There was a window, but it was too high up for her to reach it, even if she stood on the toilet. She sighed and took care of her needs then left the bathroom. Denise was sitting on a chair near the window. Meg moved to stand beside her. She glanced out the window as well and saw threes and water beyond it. It was the ocean. She looked down the road and saw a familiar café. And there was a dress shop next to it. She wasn’t far from the hotel; only a few blocks away. If she had the chance, she could make a run for it and probably make it back there before getting caught.
“Don’t even think it, Meg. If Doug had a clear shot, he would shoot you. And I really don’t want that to happen.”
“Is the money so important that you would risk your freedom, Denise?” Meg asked softly.
“It is. You think I have the perfect life. Rich, pretty. The world is my oyster,” Denise said. “But it actually is just the opposite. My world is dark and lonely.” Denise lit a cigarette and Meg pushed up the window. Denise laughed. “You can be such a prude.”
“I prefer not to die from second hand smoke. You really should quit,” Meg said.
Denise shrugged.
“I will. Maybe when I’m truly happy I won’t need cigarettes. But right now they fill a void that’s damned hard to live with.”
Meg sat on the cot.
“Why aren’t you happy, Denise?”
“Because I haven’t figured out what will make me happy. I went after Doug because I was jealous of you. I was positively green with envy,” Denise said. “You were so full of joy and I wanted it. I thought having a man in your life was the reason for that happiness. So I decided to take Doug from you. Little did I know I was doing you a favor by stealing him away. You were right when you called him a prick. He’s that and so many more despicable things.”
“Then why are you here with him committing a horrendous crime?”
“I needed him for the menial chores of the operation. I needed him to employ Larry and Moe and keep them in order, give them their instructions. I wanted to remain in the background as much as possible,” Denise explained.
“Until it was absolutely necessary to be seen.”
“Exactly. When those two fools allowed Beni to escape, I knew I had to show myself and get the project back on track. So we came to Oahu and booked a suite at the Tropics Resort,” Denise stated. “Saying at the same hotel would make it easier to keep tabs on you. It didn’t take long to figure out that you were on to the treasure. It was just a matter of following you. I knew eventually you would lead us to it. But when you put the padlock on the ancient door it put a spoke in our plan. So we had to change it a bit. Doing so landed you here with me.”
“And Doug is Mister West,” Meg said.
“Ah yes! Doug’s bright idea to use an alias. It seems a moot point now, doesn’t it?” Denise chuckled.
“Even if you get the treasure, how do you intend to get away?”
Denise stood.
“That, dear Meg, is my secret. I’ll bring you something to eat.” She then left the room.
Meg’s feelings about Denise were changing. There was definitely a lot more to Denise than she had previously thought. It was hard to be angry with her now.
*****
Meg followed Denise into the other room. She stopped and looked about. It was a fairly large space with a couch, two chairs, and a rocker by the fireplace. Meg was sure the fireplace was seldom used as this was Hawaii. Across the room was a round dining table for six and the kitchen was beyond that. Denise was in the kitchen and Meg moved to its doorway.
“Why not get out now before you do something really bad,” Meg said.
“I’ve already done something really bad. Your kidnapping would get me five to ten years, if not more.”
“If you let me go now, I won’t press charges,” Meg offered.
Denise turned to look at her. He face was hard.
“How generous of you. But letting you go will only leave me under my father’s thumb. And I will not suffer his cruelty and domination a minute longer. So you will have to remain with me until you or Drake tells me where the treasure is.”
There was a high table with two matching stools in front of the window. Meg moved to sit on one of the stools. She thought about telling Denise what she wanted to know. By now Drake would have brought the police into the situation. And they would have secured the treasure. So it really wouldn’t matter if she gave Denise the information. She was confident that Denise would let her go if she did.
“All right. I’ll tell you,” Meg s
aid resignedly.
“Well, you’ve finally have seen the light.”
Meg looked up to see Doug leaning against the doorjamb. He regarded her insolently. Meg couldn’t wait to see the police put the cuffs on him. He was repugnantly and evil and deserved to spend a very long time in prison.
“Shut up, Doug!” Denise snapped. “Go on, Meg. Give us the location of the treasure.”
Meg shook her head negatively.
“How do I know you will let me go after I tell you? What’s my insurance that I will be set free?”
“You have my word,” Denise replied. “I promise to let you go.”
“That’s not good enough, Denise.” Meg said.
Denise’s phone rang. She looked at the viewer.
“It’s Drake.” She pulled a device from her pants pocket and attached it to the top of her cell. “Hello.”
Meg realized that the device distorted Denise’s voice. Meg was amazed at Denise’s ingenuity. Of course, Denise had the money to buy whatever she needed to pull off this enterprise. Denise listened to what Drake was saying.
“Twelve o’clock. Parking lot on sixth and Lahani Road. No cops,” Denise said sharply. “If you want to see Meg alive you had better follow my instructions.” She then disconnected the line. She took the device from her phone and grinned smugly at Meg. “This is a handy little device.”
Meg rolled her eyes at her.
“What did he say?” Doug wanted to know.
“We will meet him at the parking. I will call him at noon and he will give us the location of the treasure as Meg is walking toward their vehicles,” Denise said.
“We’re not really going to be there, are we?” Doug exclaimed.
“No. Larry and Moe will deliver her to the parking lot. We won’t be anywhere near there. If they bring the police, the only people they might catch are those two thugs,” Denise said.
Doug grinned broadly.
“Excellent plan. You think of everything.” He tried to kiss her neck. Denise moved away from him.
“I always do. Go tell your friends what they have to do,” she ordered.
He frowned at her but left to do her bidding. Denise turned back to the counter to prepare breakfast. Meg watched Denise and prayed she would keep her word and let her go.
*****
“It’s set?” Ashlee asked.
Drake dropped his cell phone into his pants pocket.
“It’s set. We meet them at noon in the parking lot on sixth and Lahani Road.”
“That’s not very far from here,” Noah said. “Do you think that’s where they’re holding Meg?”
“No. They wouldn’t tell us where they are. Even Doug is too smart for that,” Drake returned.
“They were using a voiced distorter. And the phone is a burner. I couldn’t trace it,” Lono said.
Kai had told his cousin about their situation and he had arrived at Drake’s suite with his tracking equipment. Ashlee observed Lono closely. He was a good-looking Polynesian man of about six feet with thick, black hair. His muscular physique was evidence of his profession. She could see the resemblance between the two cousins. They even had similar voices. Over the phone, you wouldn’t know which one you were talking to.
“Thank you for coming to help us, Lono,” Ashlee said.
“No worries. Everything is in place. FBI agents are making their way down the tunnel as we speak; along with the museum curator and his team. They want to briefly inspect the property before transporting it,” Lono said.
“So when Doug and Denise arrive to steal the treasure, they will be caught,” Beni said.
“Yes. My focus is on making sure Meg is returned to us safely,” Lono said. “Six snipers will be in position on rooftops to cover all areas of the parking lot. I will take cover on the ground along with three other agents. If there’s a problem, we can handle it. Meg will be safely returned to you.”
“Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams couldn’t set it up any better,” Beni chuckled.
Lono laughed.
“They couldn’t do half as well.”
For the first time, there was lightheartedness in the room. Drake felt confident that they would get Meg back safely. But he still felt a niggling uneasiness. Maybe it was just nerves. It wasn’t every day that he was involved in a hostage exchange. While everyone was talking, he pulled Lono out to the balcony.
“What’s wrong, Drake?”
Drake pushed his hand through his hair.
“I can’t shake this ominous feeling. Something isn’t right.”
“Everything is in place for the exchange. Try not to worry. We will get Meg back,” Lono said confidently.
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Then what’s bothering you?” Lono asked curiously.
“I can’t put my finger on it. Something feels off. Almost as though what we’re doing is too easy. It’s like the other shoe will eventually fall,” Drake explained. “I know it doesn’t make sense. But that’s how I feel.”
“And I take your instincts seriously. You’ve been working from your instincts since this whole thing started and they haven’t led you astray. We won’t discard them now,” Lono said seriously. “I’ll have my men do some checking.”
“I mean, they have to know that there may be police waiting for them at the treasure room. They have to a plan B,” Drake reasoned.
“You’re right. And we will be prepared for whatever that plan B is,” Lono replied. “Try not to worry. This will all be over soon.”
Lono clapped Drake’s shoulder then went inside the suite. Drake stared out at the sea and prayed to the mighty I Am for Meg.
Chapter 24
Meg sat in the back of the van and stared out the rear door window. She could see buildings rushing past as the van sped down the street. She looked at her watch. It was eleven fifty-three. Only seven more minutes. They should be arriving at the lot soon. The van turned left on a narrow street then made an immediate right turn into a lot filed with trailer trucks. Some of the trailers were without the cabs. Then the van stopped.
“I’ll send a text that we’re here,” Larry muttered.
“There they are. Drake and his two buddies,” Moe noted worriedly.
“So what? They just want her,” Larry said. He jerked his head backward to indicate Meg. “They ain’t gonna do nothing stupid.”
Moe looked through the windshield at the lot cautiously. He looked in every direction.
“I don’t know, Larry. I got a funny feeling.” Moe uttered.
“You always got a funny feeling. Just sit tight. Mister West is making the call,” Larry muttered.
Moe continued to scan the trailer yard. He was uneasy. Something was wrong. His gut told him so. He decided he would make a run for it when he let the girl out. He turned to look at Meg. Meg could see fear in his eyes. That worried her. Moe was the loose cannon, and if anything could go wrong, it would be because of him.
“Take her out of the van and walk her halfway to them,” Larry ordered.
“I thought we would let her go by herself,” Moe objected.
“Just do it,” Larry snapped. Larry knew that if things went south, he would take off and leave Moe to take the fall alone.
Moe didn’t trust Larry, but he jumped out of the van and rounded the van. He could feel Drake’s eyes watching his every movement. He opened the door.
“Get out,” he demanded to Meg.
She scrambled from the van. Moe grasped her arm tightly and walked her to the front of the van. He stopped to look around.
“Go on!” Larry shouted out of his window.
Moe moved Meg forward slowly. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and looked up to the roof of a building. He saw it again.
“Cops!” he yelled.
His gripped tightened on Meg’s arm as he turned to run. Meg tried to pull away from him as he pulled her with him. Larry took off leaving Moe to fend for himself.
“Larry!” Moe shouted.
&n
bsp; “Stop!” someone shouted.
Moe kept running, pulling Meg with him. Then she heard gunshots. The van’s wheels were shot and it careened into a fifty-foot trailer. Larry jumped out of the van and started running. Another shot rang out and Larry fell to the ground clutching his knee. Moe saw Larry go down and decided he could make faster time without her. He pushed her to the ground and sped away. Another shot rang out and Moe fell to the ground, grasping his thigh. Meg got up and started running toward Drake who was racing toward her. She collapsed in his arms and wept.
“Meg! Are you all right?” Drake asked urgently.
She looked up at him. Tears streamed down her face.
“Yes. I’m okay. Just frightened.”
Drake used his thumbs to wipe away her tears.
“I was so afraid for you when the bullets started flying,” he said softly.
“No more so than me,” she said faintly. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “I shouldn’t be weeping. I’m safe in your arms now.”
“You have every right to cry. You’ve been through a horrific ordeal,” Drake assured. He kissed her cheek gently. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
They moved to the SUV and Noah and Kai moved to greet her. Lono pulled Drake aside.
“We will deal with these two thugs. I’ll let you know what they have to say. I’m sure they’re ready to sing like birds since they’ve been caught,” Lono said.
“Thank you, Lono. For everything,” Drake said gratefully.
“Just doing what we do,” he smiled. “I’ll be in touch.” He walked away.
Drake moved to Meg’s side.
“Let’s go home. The girls are anxiously waiting for you.”
“I’m more than ready,” Meg murmured.
They all got in the SUV and headed toward the hotel.
*****
They were unable to drive into the lot of the hotel. A barricade had been set up preventing them from entering. The place was in uproar. They exited the van and made their way to the front of the crowd. There were fire trucks, ambulances, and police everywhere. She saw smoke and flames billowing from the hotel. She turned to Drake.