Phantom Pearl

by Monica McCabe

  His eyes narrowed. “Why should I believe you?”

  He didn’t deny this was about the Pearl. He merely questioned her integrity. She couldn’t blame him. She’d never given him a reason to think otherwise. Still, once in a while she wondered what it would be like if things were different. It was a fantasy she couldn’t afford. Being honest with an agency that had her on their watch list wasn’t wise. Then again, Landry wasn’t the only enemy in Cooktown. They seemed to be growing by the day.

  “The Yakuza believe it,” she said. “They’re probably already here.”

  “You know they are. You’ll have to do better than that,” he scoffed.

  Right. She needed a second to think. To buy time, she stepped off the sidewalk and over to a small metal bistro table tucked under the vibrant orange of a flowering Poinciana tree. She sat down, dropped her pack on the grass by her feet, and set the brown paper sack holding dinner in front of her. She calmly opened the bag. Fries were on top. She pulled them out, along with the salt.

  “Chips?” She waved a hand in offering.

  To her surprise, he joined her at the table and helped himself.

  “What?” He said at her questioning look. “I’m starving, and you interrupted dinner. What else you got?”

  She pulled out the fish, opened the tartar sauce, and pushed it his way. She broke off a chunk of the yellowtail and nibbled, but her appetite faded as she tried to calculate her next move. He didn’t seem to have that problem and dug in. But she wasn’t fooled. He had an ulterior motive.

  Except she’d no idea what it could be. If it was to arrest her, he would’ve done that by now. Instead he sat there scarfing her dinner while she struggled to focus.

  “Why are you here?” she asked him.

  “Same as you, I imagine.” He popped another fry in his mouth.

  That was a non-answer. He calmly watched her as he ate, and she stared right back, fighting a two-year old memory of him in a tux, of being close enough to clearly see warm hazel eyes and the way light danced in his irises when he smiled. It was a moment that had imprinted on her brain.

  He’d replaced the tux with jeans and a T-shirt, but he still looked every bit the temptation she remembered. She still liked his unruly dark hair. Appreciated his athletic build. Add solar lighting, the scent of tropical flowers in the night air, and an owl softly hooting in the back garden, and this was the closest she’d ever been to a romantic date.

  How sad was that? She wasn’t sure what this was, but it was definitely not any kind of romantic anything. More like an eruption waiting to happen.

  “How did Homeland Security learn of the Pearl so fast?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Good network. How did you learn of it?”

  He didn’t really think she’d answer that, did he?

  “Nothing to say?” He patted his pockets. “Maybe you need some persuasion. I’ve got cuffs here somewhere.”

  Too bad she didn’t know how to flirt. That might distract him, but then again, she doubted he’d be swayed by it. Nope, he was all business. Probably intended to haul her to jail if she didn’t come up with a satisfactory explanation.

  “You aren’t going to arrest me,” she declared. “You want Phantom Pearl too badly.” She knew that much. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.

  He was done annihilating her fish and chips and grabbed a napkin to wipe the crumbs from his fingers.

  “You’ve been a thorn in my side for two years,” he stated matter-of-factly. He tossed the napkin on the table and sat back. “Now you’re telling me you’ve found a treasure everyone thinks is lost at the bottom of the South China Sea.”

  She knew without a doubt that Dallas Landry was clever. Outsmarting him had never been easy. She honestly couldn’t say for certain she ever had. She’d just been faster. Not this time. Today was shaping up to be a battle of wits.

  “You don’t have to take my word for it,” she finally replied. “Go ask the Yakuza why they’ve decided to vacation in Cooktown.”

  “I already have,” he said mysteriously. “It seems you antagonize them as much as you do the agency. It was an interesting conversation.”

  “Really?” He had to be bluffing. Yakuza and the law didn’t mix. “I never took you for the friends-with-gangsters type.”

  He shrugged. “They aren’t too happy with you. Their words were along the lines of ‘make the girl go away.’ I told them I’d try.”

  The words echoed Cairns. Two warnings in two days. It could only mean she was making serious waves in the organization. The thought warmed her heart. Landry talking with them was new, and she was surprised to find she didn’t like it.

  “In bed with the Yakuza now?” she asked him.

  “Your opinion of me must be amazingly low. What did I do to deserve that?”

  “You’re the one having conversations with crime lords. Not me.”

  “And you’re the one poking a stick at the snake. Their venom is rising, and that luck of yours won’t hold out forever.”

  The thought did concern her, but Landry had no idea the careful planning she put in place before taking any action. Except this time, a little voice whispered inside her head. This trip had been spontaneous. A flash move based on Kai’s obsession and a seemingly solid network of intel.

  “The movie location scout is a nice touch,” he continued.

  “It covers the bases.” A ripple of unease washed through her. Was he intentionally trying to undermine her ability to focus? Why did she find him so dangerously attractive?

  “It also makes you the talk of the town. It’s all I’ve heard about since I arrived today. From what I’ve seen, you usually keep a low profile. That break on purpose?”

  Notoriety sometimes served a purpose. It was never her first choice, but in a place as small as Cooktown, the presence of so many newcomers would cause a stir. Better to direct the hometown gossip.

  “I didn’t create the story,” she replied with a shrug. “But it did the trick. I went with it.”

  “You want to know who else is listening to those stories?”

  “What? Besides you, me, and the Yakuza?” She kept her answer intentionally flippant, but another layer in an already complicated situation wasn’t welcome.

  “There are several factions of Yakuza, some worse than others. The name Ken Cho mean anything to you?”

  It did. She was surprised Homeland Security knew about him, though. Cho was more of a behind the scenes bad guy. The kind who gave the orders to ground troops. He only put in an appearance if the matter was of imperial consequence.

  “Cho is the big bad wolf.” Literally. He had the dark beady eyes of a Doberman and temperament to match. She had gone up against him before and learned to never underestimate the depths he’d sink to win the game. This time, though, she’d been warned. Not that she needed it. Phantom Pearl wasn’t something he’d trust to foot soldiers.

  “You don’t seem overly concerned,” Landry said.

  “I know why he’s here,” she replied. “You’re the wild card in this. Why are you here?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “No, it isn’t.” She leaned back in the heavy wrought iron chair. “I’d think you’d be all hot and bothered about apprehending me. Instead, we’re sitting in a garden sharing takeout. It doesn’t make sense.”

  His expression darkened, and he scrubbed a hand over a two-day growth of beard. For the space of several heart beats he contemplated her; then sat forward and leaned his arms on the table. “What proof do you have that Phantom Pearl is in Cooktown?”

  It was curious the way he pointedly ignored her comment. Here was a prime opportunity to take her into custody. At the very least take her in for questioning. It would be a boon for his record at the agency. The fact that he hadn’t made a move made her suspicious. What was he up to?

  She ignore
d his demand and made one of her own. “What’s going on? Has Homeland Security fired you for past sins or something?”

  He had the nerve to laugh. “Not even close.”

  “Then why haven’t you arrested me?”

  “You had fish and chips.”

  “That’s all it takes to buy you off?” She reached into her takeout bag and pulled out one of the desserts. “If I toss in this chocolate chip cookie, will you let me go?”

  “Does it have nuts?”

  She glanced at the cellophane wrapper. “I don’t think so.”

  “Then no.”

  With a shrug, she went to stuff it back in the bag, but his hand shot out and grasped her wrist. Her heart skipped a beat. This it is. Here comes the move.

  “Hand it over.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  He still had a hold of her wrist. “It’s my favorite. I like them better with nuts, but this will do in a pinch.”

  Here laid potential. “Tell you what. Let’s make a deal.”

  “What did you have in mind?” His thumb began to brush back and forth across the soft skin of her inner wrist.

  She tugged against the distraction, but he wouldn’t let go. She refused to be baited. There was no way she’d fall for his silly game of seduction when all he wanted was the cookie. She cared nothing for the way his lips curved, or the curl of his hair as it competed with his collar.

  “First of all,” she began, “let go of my wrist.”

  “After you let go of the chocolate chip cookie.”

  Was this guy serious? She dropped it on the table.

  He slowly released his grip and sat back. “Okay. Talk.”

  “I want to keep searching,” she said. “I’ve narrowed down the coordinates of my target field, but I need more time.”

  “And yet you haven’t answered my question. What makes you think the Pearl is in Cooktown and not at the bottom of some ocean?”

  She needed his trust and cooperation long enough to get a few hours of desperately needed sleep and a chance to slip away at the crack of dawn tomorrow. That meant sharing enough of the truth to sound convincing.

  “I’ve come across a Queensland Civil Defense briefing from 1944 that mentions the crash of a Japanese cargo plane. I believe it held the Pearl.”

  “Hardly,” he scoffed. “We’re a long way from the Philippines.”

  “But we’re not far from the Solomon Islands.”

  He angled his head as he contemplated her words. “How is that relevant?”

  “A thief stole the Pearl and made it that far before getting caught. He was executed. Then a military general placed the artifact in the custody of a Japanese transport plane headed for Manilla, but a violent storm blew them off course and caused a crash.”

  “Are you talking about the biggest weather event of the Second World War? Black Sunday?”

  She nodded, impressed with his knowledge of history. But then again, it was his job.

  “You think this crash hides the most sought after piece of Yamashita’s treasure, and you’re here to investigate.” He wasn’t talking to her, rather he seemed to be speaking out loud, working out the likelihood of her claim. “That’s rather far-fetched. But then again, it’s sent both you and your criminal friends high-tailing it down here.”

  “I need to find that plane.” She slid the cookie closer to him. “Let me get back in the air again tomorrow. We are close. I can feel it.”

  “There’s some unfriendly company in town. You don’t have much time.”

  “Believe me, I know. But it shouldn’t be much longer.”

  He lightly tapped his index finger on the table as he considered. She barely breathed. As long as he thought she’d be leaving from the airfield tomorrow, there’d be enough time for her and Craig to drive out of town before daylight cracked the horizon.

  He took so long to decide that she fully expected him to say no. But then he lifted the cookie from the table and held it out in the palm of his hand. “Place your hand on top of the sacred cookie.”

  The guy had lost his mind. “What are you talking about?”

  He reached for her hand and placed it over the dessert. He didn’t let go, but kept his own on top of hers. “Swear by the chocolate chip that when you find that plane, you will keep the Pearl safe until I—until Homeland Security—can return it to Cambodia where it belongs.”

  She pulled her lower lip between her teeth and stared into his face. He was serious. He expected her to take a solemn oath on a cookie. The crazy thing was, she didn’t want to do it. She didn’t want to lie to him. But she had no choice. She couldn’t let Kai down.

  “I, Riki Maddox, do hereby swear that I will do everything in my power to find and keep the Pearl safe from harm.”

  That much wasn’t a lie. When he smiled, she felt a sting of remorse. She hated knowing it would be the last time she’d ever enjoy friendly repartee with him. When he discovered her gone and he’d lost yet again, he’d show no mercy.

  “I’m going out on a limb here, Riki.” His voice had turned serious. “You have enemies in this town, and they want you gone. They won’t hesitate to kill you and take the Pearl.”

  When she tugged her hand back, he released her, then laid the cookie between them on the table. A tangible reminder of a faithless oath she just swore to keep. She lifted her gaze from it to him, but that wasn’t any better.

  “I appreciate the warning, but I know what I’m up against.” She might be fooling herself with that one. The tattooed assailant in Cairns had been a different breed. Had the Yakuza called in an elite force to handle a situation they’d lost in the past? Could she take on a higher level fighter and still win?

  “Not this time,” Landry answered for her. “I think they intend to solve their problem with you once and for all. They are no longer playing games.”

  She’d always assumed that to be the case. It was how she approached, planned, and trained for every job—like it could be her last. This one was no different.

  Except it was.

  “Work with me,” he continued. “I’ll do what I can on the ground to buy us time, but I need to know you will work with me.”

  She frowned. Why was he trying to warn her, to protect her? “I don’t understand. It’s like you’re trying to help me. Why?”

  He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “To be honest? I don’t know. Maybe because I want to be the one to apprehend you, and I can’t do it if you’re dead.”

  “How sweet.”

  He snorted. “Phantom Pearl is priceless. It’s a one-of-a-kind ancient artifact thought to be lost forever. Picturing it in your hands, someone targeted by the Yakuza, makes me ill.”

  “Wow.” She barked off a quick laugh. “And here I was beginning to think you cared about me.”

  “That’s an irreplaceable piece of history at stake, Riki.”

  She understood completely, and the reminder sobered her mood. “Trust me, I know the value of what I’m after. I’ll be ultra-careful.”

  “Promise you will bring the Pearl back and work with me.”

  It was a specific request that left no wiggle room. She wouldn’t be able to half-truth her way out of it. But Kai’s future depended on her ability to see this through. She wouldn’t let him down. She owed him everything, including her allegiance. There was no other choice. As much as she hated doing so, she gave Landry the words he was hoping to hear.

  “A truce then,” she said and held out her hand. “One we’ll have to renegotiate after we survive this race.”

  At first she didn’t think he’d shake. She didn’t blame him for hesitating, not with their history. But he eventually grasped her hand. His grip was strong, firm, but then it tightened. Before she realized what he intended, a metal cuff snapped around her wrist, the other end onto his.

  “Wh
at the hell are you doing?” she demanded. “Take that off!”

  “Not a chance, sweet cheeks. I’ve learned the hard way not to trust you. We’re going to have a slumber party tonight.”

  Chapter 8

  She looked thunderstruck, mad enough to kill. It was an expression he had dreamed of inflicting one day, and the sense of delight it brought him was enormously satisfying.

  “Your place or mine?” he asked her.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, but I am. It’s time we got to know each other better.” He looked forward to it. Might even order room service. Maybe a bottle of wine.

  “This is ridiculous,” Riki snapped. “And not necessary.”

  He laughed outright at that bald-faced lie. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you over the last two years, it’s that you disappear fast. I’m not taking any chances this time.”

  She yanked her arm against the cuff, but there was no winning that battle. Wherever she went, he went with her.

  “You honestly don’t expect us to spend the night like this, do you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She yanked again.

  “That’s not going to help,” Dallas said with a grin.

  Her furious glare was worth every loss he’d suffered at her hands. But that streak ended now. This time, he was along for the ride.

  “My room is right around the corner,” he said. “King-size bed, too.”

  “No.”

  “Okay. Yours then. I’m easy.”

  “No.”

  “Look, there’s no point in being difficult. We’re working together, remember? We shook on it.” Keeping her close by, and safe, was his number one priority. At least until the Pearl was recovered and in his possession. Then he’d arrest her for being a bad sport.

  “I gave you my fish and chips,” she said in a resentful tone. “And this is how you pay me back?”