The Black Feather

by Olivia Claire High

  She gasped, and tried to pull away.

  He thrust something into her hand before relaxing his grip.

  “You’ve been warned,” a heavily accented male voice whispered harshly; then he released her, and was gone.

  Suzanne ran to the nearest door, jerked it open, and rushed inside, breathing a sigh of relief when he didn’t follow. Her heart was pounding so hard it took her a moment to realize something tickled the palm of her hand. She looked and saw she was clutching a black feather. She shivered and dropped it, watching as it drifted to the carpeted floor while she wiped her hand down the side of her pants.

  Warned about what? Had she imagined the cryptic message? What was with the feather? If this was part of the ship’s entertainment, she wasn’t amused.

  Two

  Suzanne climbed into her bed thankful that Heather didn’t stir. She wasn’t in the mood for a lecture on how dangerous it was to go out walking the deck alone at night. She’d rather concentrate on the day ahead of her instead of some creepy guy passing out bird feathers. Thinking about the strange encounter and spooky message sent icy fingers dancing down her spine making her huddle beneath the blankets.

  Suzanne took a last spin in front of the mirror, picked up her purse, and headed out to meet Thad.

  “No nanny today?” he asked, as they left the ship.

  “She bailed. I know your friends were expecting both of us. I’m sorry.”

  “No problem.” He glanced at her white linen slacks and peach silk blouse with its pattern of lime green leaves. “You look nice. That color looks good with your red hair.”

  “Thank you.” She eyed his navy shorts and pale blue polo shirt. “You look nice, too. You didn’t say if you were going to get a cab or rent a car, but either way I want to pay my share.”

  “Actually, my friends are going to pick us up. I told them we’d meet them across the street.” He took hold of her hand and laced their fingers together.

  “Ready?”

  His touch made her skin tingle with a pleasant warmth. She’d been doing her best to act composed around him. But in reality he only had to smile and her blood flared up. Her fiancé’s rejection had doused those flames, but being around Thad was rekindling the fire. Apparently her body was letting her know that she was ready for some sizzling sex with this hot man. The thought of that made her blush.

  “Um, I think so.”

  “Don’t look so worried. You’ll like my friends. I know they’re going to like you.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “They trust my judgment. So should you,” he added after a brief hesitation.

  Suzanne wondered for a moment if she heard a hidden meaning behind his words, only to have it vanish when he squeezed her hand and smiled. She intended to give him more than trust if things continued on the way they were going. The thought of that sent a little thrill zinging through her body.

  “Okay, I’m all yours.”

  “Not yet, but one can always hope.”

  She felt her heart skip a beat and quickly changed the subject.

  “What kind of car do they drive?”

  “They have two vehicles. They’ll be in a white Mercedes. The other one is a Jeep they use for off road excursions. Ah, here they come,” Thad said pointing, as the luxury car slid to a stop at the curb.

  They climbed in, and he introduced Suzanne to a thin dark haired woman.

  “Maya Lincoln, meet fellow shipmate, Suzanne Conway.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Suzanne. Welcome to Belize.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate you inviting me to your home.”

  “My husband and I are looking forward to having you.”

  “Where’s Linc?” Thad asked, as Maya eased back into the flow of traffic.

  “Something’s come up with the job. He’ll fill you in when we get to the house.”

  Suzanne thought the woman’s voice sounded strained, but she couldn’t be sure because they’d just met. She also had the distinct impression of some kind of undercurrent going on between Maya and Thad. First her feeling that he was hiding something from her, and now this. Suzanne pressed her lips together, annoyed that her brain was making her behave like some third rate seer.

  “Maya’s husband is a freelance photographer. He’s been asked to design several brochures for the tourist board here. He runs into snags sometimes.”

  Suzanne realized she hadn’t imagined Maya’s anxiety. At least Thad’s explanation provided a plausible reason for the woman’s tension. It didn’t take a psychic to know the last thing Maya needed right now was having to entertain a stranger.

  “It sounds like company will only complicate things. I don’t want to impose. Please just drop me off in town. I can do some shopping and get a cab back to the ship.”

  “Oh I wouldn’t think of it. I didn’t mean to put you off. We love having visitors, really.”

  Thad kept the conversation going while Maya drove. They arrived in a neighborhood filled with beautiful beach houses. She pulled into a driveway and barely shut off the engine when a man came out to meet them. Tall and rangy, he offered his hand along with a warm smile.

  “I’m Jacob Lincoln, Linc to everyone,” he greeted Suzanne shaking her hand before grabbing Thad in a bear hug. “I’m happy to meet you, though I wonder why you’d want to hang out with this big oaf.”

  Suzanne’s body relaxed, as she returned his smile.

  “I guess it must be his gentlemanly manners.”

  “Thad, a gentlemen? Are we talking about the same guy?” he said, as they entered the house.

  “Tell your husband to stop trying to sabotage the image I have going,” Thad retaliated, while giving Maya a belated hug.

  Suzanne laughed at their good humored teasing. Maya excused herself, but returned minutes later carrying a tray with four glasses of mineral water. Linc offered one to Suzanne before handing another to Thad. He took a glass for himself and smiled at Suzanne.

  “Mind if I steal Thad for a minute? I’d like to show him something I’m working on in my office.”

  “Oh, I think I can live without him for that long.”

  Thad clutched his chest in mock pain causing the others to laugh before the men entered a room just off the living room. Suzanne asked Maya if they could go outside when she caught a glimpse of the view through the sliding glass door.

  “Your skin’s so fair. Don’t you mind the sun?”

  “I’m okay as long as I take it in small doses. I can actually get a tan if I’m careful.”

  They stepped outside. The sun sent bright amber rays flickering over the surface of the water in splashes of molten gold. Suzanne watched the surf nudging its way lazily back and forth against the shore while Maya fixed her eyes on the water further out where a large yacht sailed into sight.

  “This is a wonderful setting and your home is lovely.”

  “We’re just renting. Linc’s work keeps us on the go too much to buy a place of our own.”

  “I bet you’ve seen some pretty fantastic sights in your travels. How long have you lived here?”

  “Just a few weeks.”

  She tore her eyes away from the yacht and looked at Suzanne. “How are you enjoying the cruise?”

  “Very much. Have you ever taken one?”

  “Only on private yachts.”

  “Speaking of yachts, do you know the people on the one out there now?”

  “Can’t say that I do. What do you think of Thad?”

  Suzanne smiled.

  “He’s an easy man to like.”

  “Easy on the eyes, too.”

  “You won’t get an argument from me there. Have you known him long?”

  “Linc and I met him in college. We try to get together whenever we can, but it’s difficult because we move around so much.”

  “I thought you seemed very close.”

  “I’d trust him with my life.”

  Maya’s eyes darted to the boat and back to Suzanne.

 
“So can you.”

  “I live a pretty dull life, so I doubt if I’d ever have to. But I’ll keep that in mind in case I ever have anyone chasing me with a chainsaw,” she joked, but Maya didn’t return her smile.

  “Just remember what I said.”

  “Do you sunbathe out here?” Suzanne asked, wanting to change the direction of their conversation.

  “No, why?”

  Suzanne pointed to the water.

  “I thought that might be why that man on the yacht has a pair of binoculars aimed our way. That’s what I’d call being a peeping Tom in the extreme.”

  Maya’s eyes narrowed at the boat.

  “I hate having people staring – makes me feel like I’m on display. Let’s go inside, shall we?”

  She slid open the door before Suzanne could answer.

  “Why do you think they would be watching you?”

  “The house is for sale. Maybe they’re interested in buying it,” Maya said maneuvering them into the living room where she knocked on the door to Linc’s office.

  He opened it immediately.

  “Everything okay?”

  She shook her head and pointed over her shoulder. “We’ve got company.”

  Linc hurried across the room, followed closely by Thad. They grabbed binoculars and looked toward the water. Thad set his binoculars aside after a few seconds and gave Linc a barely perceptible nod.

  “Why don’t you and Suzanne go for a spin, Thad? Take the Jeep in case you run across a jungle trail you can’t resist.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.”

  Linc tossed him a set of keys while Maya handed Suzanne a scarf. “You’ll need this. The Jeep’s open, and the wind will tie your hair in knots.”

  “But we just got here.”

  Suzanne frowned at Thad. “I thought you wanted to visit.”

  “I do, but Linc just received an unexpected phone call. He and Maya have to meet a man in town.”

  Linc nodded.

  “I apologize for this, Suzanne, but I’ve been trying to meet with this guy for days.”

  Thad hustled her through a door that opened into the garage where the Jeep stood waiting. He lifted her into the passenger seat.

  “Tie that scarf on real tight. We don’t want it to blow off.”

  “How fast are you planning on driving?” she asked, donning the scarf and knotting it under her chin.

  “Depends on the road. Did you bring your dark glasses?”

  “Yes.”

  “Better put those on as well.”

  She rummaged in her purse.

  “I feel like I’m putting on a disguise, so I can travel incognito.” Suzanne chuckled at her little joke, but no one laughed in return.

  Thad clicked both their seatbelts in place, turned the ignition key, and let the engine roar to life.

  “I’ll be in touch,” he yelled to Linc and Maya seconds before the Jeep sped out of the garage.

  Suzanne gripped the edge of the seat.

  “Where’s the fire?”

  “Are you afraid of a little speed?”

  “No, but I do get nervous when the vehicle I’m in feels like it’s about to break the sound barrier,” she gasped, as the tires squealed around a corner.

  “All part of the fun.”

  “What did you mean about being in touch? Aren’t we going back to their house?”

  “Depends on how much sightseeing we do. I may have to leave the Jeep at the dock.”

  She watched as he glanced in the rearview mirror.

  “Why are you driving like a maniac? Oh God, watch out for that dog!” she yelled, pointing at the road in front of them.

  “I see it.”

  “Slow down, can’t you? I feel like I’ve been scooped up into the middle of a tornado.”

  “I’ll slow down once we get to where we’re going.”

  “Where is that?”

  “I’ll let you know when we get there.”

  Thad drove completely focused with every muscle on the alert. He whipped onto a side road causing several chickens to scatter out of the way. The birds reminded Suzanne of the feather from the ship and the man’s warning. Could this be what he’d meant? She fought to keep her voice calm.

  “I’d like to go back to the ship now if you don’t mind.”

  “What, and miss your private tour of the island? Where’s your sense of adventure?”

  “I lost it a few miles back at that last pothole. You’re lucky that’s all I lost. My breakfast has already bounced up into my throat. If you want to go tearing around like some teenager, that’s your business. But I don’t want any part of it. Turn this vehicle around and take me back to the ship right now.”

  “I wonder if you realize how sexy you sound with that demanding attitude.”

  “I should warn you that this is definitely not a time where flattery is going to make me change my mind. You’ll have to continue this craziness on your own. I want to go back. I mean it, Thad.”

  His fingers flexed on the wheel, and he shook his head.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said.

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “What difference does it make? Either way, I won’t be taking you back.”

  Her fingers gripped the edge of the seat as a disturbing thought filled her head with painful clarity.

  “Wait a minute. Are you saying we’re not going back to the ship? Ever?”

  He gave her a quick, pitying look.

  “I’m sorry, Suzanne,” he said, his voice sounding truly apologetic. “I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.”

  “You hoped what wouldn’t come to this? What’s going on, Thad?”

  The panic forming in her belly swiftly began to rise to her throat.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I know you’re frightened. I promise I’m not going to hurt you, Suzanne.”

  “If you really mean that, you’ll let me go to the ship, or let me out and I’ll find my own way back.” She grabbed for the tie on her scarf as a tuft of wind threatened to blow it away.

  “Please, Thad,” she pleaded when he didn’t answer. “You really are scaring me now.”

  “I know; and I am sorry. Remember when I said you should trust my judgment?”

  “Ye . . . yes,” she stuttered in a shaky whisper while her fingers dug deeper into the seat.

  “Well, now would be a good time to start.”

  Maya’s words popped inside her head. Had she suspected something like this was going to happen?

  “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. Please just tell...” She stopped, thinking of a way she might get Thad to turn back. “I have to call Heather. She’s going to be frantic when I don’t return.”

  She fumbled in her purse and dug out her cell phone.

  Thad surprised her by reaching over and snatching it out of her hand. The Jeep jerked sideways while he jammed the phone into his shirt pocket.

  “I’d rather you didn’t make any calls right now. Linc and Maya will contact Heather.”

  “What about my stuff? My clothes? My jewelry?”

  “They’ll get everything.”

  “So their meeting in town was just a ruse to get me out of their house. Why?”

  “Let’s just say it’s for your own protection.”

  Suzanne gritted her teeth.

  “Can your friends also get me a refund for the days I’m going to be missing on the cruise? Or is that not part of your crazy scheme?”

  “I’ll reimburse you myself if that’ll make you happy.”

  “What would really make me happy is to turn the clock back to the day we met, so I could run the other way.”

  “Aw, now you’ve hurt my feelings.”

  “What feelings? If you had any you’d turn this vehicle around and get me out of here.”

  Thad answered her by swerving the Jeep onto a much smaller road that wasn’t really a road at all, but more of a muddy trail barely wide enough to accommodate them. They w
ere in deep jungle now with no signs of civilization that Suzanne could see in the increasingly thick foliage.

  He’d been forced to slow down and adjust to the terrain, although they were still going much too fast for her comfort. Large plants swept against the vehicle, and an occasional one slapped its way inside causing Suzanne to jerk away. Thad drove over vines crisscrossing their path, crushing the leaves beneath the wheels, while small rocks sprang up making pinging sounds against the underside of the Jeep.

  The dense jungle greedily trapped the sun making the air hang heavy and hot around them. Suzanne could feel perspiration popping out on her body creating random splotches over the material of her blouse. Dampness soaked her hair beneath the scarf. She tore the offending strip of silk off of her head and tossed it defiantly to the floor. She glared at Thad ready to argue if he insisted she put it back on, but he merely raised his brows and continued driving.

  “I have a feeling you lied about being a teacher, considering what’s going on right now. Who are you really and why all this mystery?”

  “I didn’t lie. I do teach – well, on rare occasions, anyway.”

  “What’s the course description? How to defy the law of gravity and make a Jeep fly? Obviously teaching isn’t all you do. Why do I get the feeling you lead some kind of double life?”

  “Must be your imagination, but it sounds intriguing.”

  Suzanne studied his profile. She didn’t miss how he looked in the rearview mirror or how his eyes kept careful watch of their surroundings.

  “Why do you keep looking around like that?”

  “Just taking in the scenery.”

  “Don’t give me that. You’re worried we’re being followed, aren’t you?

  “Whatever gave you that idea?”

  She glared at him.

  “I’m not blind. Does this have anything to do with the guy watching the house from that yacht? I think I have the right to know who we’re running from since I’m being abducted.”

  “Who said anything about abduction?”

  “I’m being taken on your version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride against my will. This obviously isn’t a leisurely sightseeing trip. I want to know why you aren’t giving me straight answers.”