Lethal Tide

by Beth Prentice

  "Though I heard a guy was murdered in the forest a couple of days ago," he continued. "Maybe they're not so safe."

  "How did you know about that?"

  "The newspaper."

  "Okay."

  "Do you know what he was doing there? The murdered guy."

  "Maybe he was a tourist."

  "The article didn't say that. It said he was looking for lost treasure. Did he find it?"

  "Hey, there's a wave coming," I said, watching the ocean out of the corner of my eye. "Why don't you catch it and show me what you can do?" John was actually starting to irritate me. Even though teaching was my job, I didn't like wasting my time. And what made him think I knew anything about the murder? Maybe I should check the newspaper.

  John looked over his shoulder. "Sure. This one?" he asked, pointing to a wave that was starting to build nicely.

  "Yep. That one."

  With that he flipped onto his stomach and started to paddle. I watched as he caught the wave, weaving his way along it perfectly.

  I knew it. I knew he could surf.

  I caught a wave after him and waded to shore.

  "Nice," I said walking towards him. "I thought you couldn't surf."

  He looked back at me coyly and shrugged. "I'm not great. Thought I could do with some pointers."

  "Fair enough. But you don't look like you could do with some pointers."

  "Maybe you're just an excellent teacher."

  "I'm not that good. What are you really doing here?"

  "Okay. I just wanted to get to know more about you." He sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Is that a crime?"

  "More about me?" The way he had used the word prickled on my skin.

  "Sure. You seem like a lovely girl." It felt like he hadn't finished his sentence.

  A weird tension had settled between us, and I had a feeling there was a purpose to this lesson that had nothing to do with surfing.

  "You're really cute," he said, giving me a full-on smile.

  "Thanks. But what do you really want?"

  "I want to know what a girl like you is doing with Casey Dalton."

  "You know Casey?"

  John didn't respond. He just held my stare, unblinking.

  "How do you know Casey?" I asked, feeling a sense of uneasiness.

  John dropped his board. "You know this lesson has been amazing, but I think I've had enough for today. Thanks, Sam. Tell Casey I said hi," he said winking.

  Before I could question him anymore, he took off up the sand towards the boardwalk, disappearing from sight as he rounded the side of The Lava Pot. It was only as I watched him go that I noticed the man with the bulging biceps watching me from under one of the umbrellas. He turned and walked away.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  I was nervous as I waited for Juls and Gabby outside the Loco Moco Café. We were getting together for our girls' night out. We'd never done this before, so I hoped it would be fun. In my previous jobs, I had never socialized with my immediate boss or any other staff members. They had always been mean and cranky, and I'd been told to never mix business with pleasure.

  The Loco Moco Café had both indoor and outdoor seating, so I picked a menu from one of the wicker tables and fidgeted. I adjusted my flowing pink top and fiddled with the band of my jeans, and killed time looking at the menu.

  Oooh, Hale's Hawaiian Hamburger Platter sounded good. Served with lettuce, pineapple, and bacon, with a side of mango. And I could add french fries. You had to have french fries with everything. My stomach growled in response.

  "Hi, Sam," I heard a female voice say. I looked up from the menu and smiled at Carrie Jorgenson. Carrie was a waitress at the Loco Moco. She was young, attractive, and an ex-girlfriend of my colleague, Brad. I understood her initial attraction to him but gave her a virtual high five for dumping him when she did. Carrie had a known reputation for being a klutz, but watching her now, I just couldn't see it. Too bad because we could have been kindred spirits.

  "Hi, Carrie."

  "Would you like a table?"

  "Oh, I'm just waiting for Juls and Gabby."

  "They're inside."

  They were?

  "I'll show you the way."

  I followed her as she led me inside to the back of the room, past the many wooden tables and chairs, to the ones where the girls were seated.

  "Hi, Sam," Gabby and Juls sang together.

  "Hey," I replied as Carrie took the menu from me, offering me a seat. "Thank you," I said, smiling at her.

  "Let me know when you're all ready to order," she said before moving to clear the table next to us.

  I sat down looking at Juls and Gabby.

  "How was your day?" asked Gabby, the dark streak in her short blonde hair tucked behind her ear.

  "Strange. Yours?" I replied.

  Juls shook her head. "How did the private lesson go?" she asked before Gabby could answer.

  "That's what was strange." I quickly filled her in on how John could surf, leaving out the part about how he knew Casey. "You really need to vet them before sending them my way," I said jokingly.

  "I do!" stated Juls, seemingly offended.

  Oh no.

  "Oh sorry, Juls. I was joking. I didn't mean to imply you don't do your job properly." My heart pounded as I pleaded with her. "I'm sorry, so so sorry."

  Her bristles settled. "Okay. Well, I'm sorry he was strange. If he tries to book again, I'll send him packing."

  "No that's okay. If he wants to book again, let him do so." There were a few questions I wanted to ask him. I looked towards Carrie, wondering if she could get me something alcoholic to drink. I needed something to settle my nerves.

  "Oh, Gabby, I overheard some men talking about you today," I said. "In The Lava Pot. They were praising you and how they enjoyed their tour."

  "Were they six men in shirts and ties?" she asked, lifting a glass to her lips.

  "Uh-huh."

  She sighed, placing the glass back on the table. "Let's just say they were very enthusiastic."

  "It sounds like they exhausted you," said Juls, seemingly over my previous comment.

  "They did."

  We all laughed. As I did, my eye roamed the room, and I saw John.

  "Oh no," I said, thinking out loud and sinking down in my seat, hoping he didn't see me. I wanted to watch him for a while, see if I could figure him out a bit. He was sitting on the other side of the restaurant and hadn't noticed me. I wanted to keep it that way.

  "What's wrong?" asked Gabby.

  "It's him," I said. "John."

  Juls and Gabby both looked around the room.

  "Where?" asked Juls.

  "He's over there. Sitting at the counter."

  The man in question was leaning against the granite countertop, his bottom firmly seated on one of the padded seats. Juls glanced his way.

  "Where?"

  "At the counter. Look, he's talking to Carrie." I didn't want to point to him or indeed be too obvious.

  "The man in the red shirt?"

  "Yep."

  Carrie moved away from him and back behind the counter.

  Juls furrowed her brow. "That's not John."

  "Yes, it is," I replied. "I'm sure it is."

  "No. John was much older than that. And he had a bald patch starting on his head. Prematurely I thought, but I guess we all age at different rates."

  I looked to where John was sitting. I didn't think I was wrong.

  Juls saw my shock. "Sam, do you want to tell me the whole story?"

  Once I had repeated the entire conversation I'd had with John, I called Carrie and asked for her to order me a Lava Flow cocktail. The Loco Moco didn't make Lava Flows, but they did get deliveries from The Lava Pot.

  Juls and Gabby looked thoughtful.

  "I need to talk to this John," said Juls, getting ready to stand. "If I can get him to look at you and you verify him, maybe we can call security and find out why he impersonated one of our students. And what happened to the real John?" />
  That was a question I'd asked myself.

  Juls pushed her chair backwards. But two things happened. First, John turned our way and saw me. His shock showed, but he covered it by winking at me once more.

  He then quickly stood and headed for the exit.

  Juls and I both stood, moving towards him. In my rush, however, I failed to see Carrie carrying a tray to a nearby table. I ran into her, knocking the tray. We stumbled, and her tray upended, covering the front of my shirt in mai tais before the glasses smashed on the floor. I slipped, my arms flailing as I went down, grabbing anything that could help me.

  Unfortunately for Carrie, that was her. She too slipped as I pulled on her arm, taking her down with me.

  Needless to say, by the time Juls helped us both to our feet, John was gone.

  I sighed and apologized profusely to Carrie, promising myself I would make it up to her somehow.

  After a visit to the restroom to clean up my shirt, I tried to relax and push John from my mind. For the time being. I'd definitely be keeping an eye out for him from now on.

  My list was getting longer. First I was looking out for the guy with the biceps, and now John. Oh geez.

  "Lori's on form again tonight," said Gabby, indicating a table across the room.

  She sure was. She was dressed in a skintight black lace dress that just covered her backside. She sure knew how to flaunt it.

  Lori never had answered my questions, but thinking about it, maybe my theory did suck. Still, I would have liked to ask her to be a bit more precise in her explanation of what she was doing in the forest that day.

  Tonight though, she looked three drinks past drunk. Owen walked in, placed another one in front of her, and then crossed the room, holding a glorious Lava Flow on a silver tray.

  I gave a contented sigh as he placed it on the table in front of me.

  "Lori's been keeping you busy," commented Juls.

  "Tell me about it. This was her last one. Carrie and I both agree she's had enough."

  "Martin needs to take her home," I said, thinking of poor Martin.

  "He's at The Lava Pot. They've had a falling out, which is why she's here ordering her drinks."

  "Uh-oh," I muttered, taking my first sip of my drink. I gave another contented sigh and then thought I needed to reassess my life if I was that happy after a sip of alcohol.

  "Sam, do you know how it went with Casey's meeting with management?" Owen asked.

  "No. I haven't spoken to him. I was going to visit him later tonight. Hey, Owen, earlier in The Lava Pot there was a woman." I quickly explained about Veronica and what she looked like. "Was she still there after Casey left?"

  "Was she drinking White Russians?"

  I nodded, remembering her drink.

  "Yeah, she hung around for a while. She seemed pretty upset about something."

  I wondered if it was the news about Ryan she was upset about.

  "Did you talk to her?" I asked.

  "A little bit. Why?"

  "Did she say why she was in Aloha Lagoon?"

  "Only that she was on vacation."

  Disappointment sat heavy in my stomach.

  "If you want my opinion though," he continued, "I think she's here for something else. She doesn't have a holiday vibe about her. Too focused."

  That was exactly how I'd felt. "Thanks, Owen. Please let me know if you learn anything."

  "Will do," he said, winking at me and then making his way out of the Loco Moco. He was the second man to have winked at me today. No one ever winked at me. I guessed I must be putting out some sort of winking vibe. Actually hang on—my eye was twitching. Maybe that was what they were picking up on.

  * * *

  Two hours later and I was ready to go. I'd had an awesome night with Gabby and Juls, but it was my bedtime. I was tired, and more than anything else, I wanted to curl up with Casey.

  I made movements to go. "Sorry ladies," I said. "I have an early lesson in the morning."

  Juls had the good grace to cringe.

  "Sorry, Sam. I promise I'll try not to do that to you again."

  "It's all good. Sebastian is a good kid." I stood. "Thank you both so much for inviting me tonight. I've had a great time."

  "Maybe we can do it again sometime?" suggested Gabby.

  "Sure. Sounds good to me," I said.

  "Me too. Just let me know when," said Juls, smiling.

  I bid them both good night and made my way outside. And straight into Lori's path.

  She was dancing on one of the outside tables, and Carrie was desperately trying to get her to leave. Poor Carrie looked pained.

  "Do you need a hand?" I asked her.

  She sighed a very big sigh. "I've called security, but they're busy. They said they'll be here as quickly as they can. I just need to get her to go home."

  "How's she getting there?"

  "I believe Martin's still at The Lava Pot. Maybe he can work it out."

  As far as I knew, Martin had been at The Lava Pot for most of the day. I didn't think he'd be much help getting her home. It was my turn to sigh.

  "I can take her." It was my way of making it up to Carrie for knocking her over.

  "Really?" Carrie looked surprised.

  "Yes really." I laughed.

  "Don't you ride a bike?"

  "I have my brother's car today."

  "Oh okay. That will make it easier for you. Do you know where Lori lives?"

  "No. But I'll find out. I'll go and get Martin and take him too." If Martin was anywhere near the state Lori was in, I was sure The Lava Pot would be happy to see him go.

  "I'll call Owen and get him to bring him here. That way you don't need to round two of them up." She turned to grab the work phone. "Oh and, Sam—thanks." She looked relieved. Actually, so did some of the patrons of the Loco Moco.

  "Lori," I said. "Can you get down please?"

  "Samantha!" She sang like I was her best friend. "Where is that totally edible boyfriend of yours?"

  "Casey's at home. Which is where I need to take you."

  Lori's face lit up. "Oh yes please." Her high heel slipped as she stepped unsteadily onto the chair. She fell forwards, pushing me to the ground with her on top of me.

  Argh! Could today get any worse?

  * * *

  Lori and Martin were pretty quiet on the drive home. Well at least they were quiet to each other. Lori hummed a Beach Boys song the entire way, and Martin slept on the back seat. I still wanted to talk to Lori, but now wasn't the right time.

  "Here we go," I said pulling up outside the address Martin had given me. The house was a large single story situated at the end of a long driveway and surrounded by manicured gardens. Geez, whatever Martin did before retiring obviously paid him well.

  "This is the right place, isn't it?" I asked, peering at the oppressive-looking windows frowning at us.

  I took his grunt for a yes. Martin was so drunk he was almost incoherent.

  He sat up and fumbled for the door mechanism.

  Lori leaned against the door and closed her eyes. "You sh…shimply mustttt come in," she slurred, her eyelids fluttering and the smell of rum almost choking me.

  "That's okay, Lori. I don't need to come in."

  Martin managed to open the door and attempted to get out, tripped on the door rim, and hit the ground face first. Oh geez.

  Lori turned to see what had happened and then burst out laughing. Only once she completed the same maneuver he had, did I think maybe I did need to go inside. If I didn't help them, they'd probably spend the entire night on the front lawn.

  "Come on, you two," I said, getting out of the car and running around to them.

  Lori flipped onto her back and started to cry. Martin saw that, crawled over to her, and pulled her close. True love. I personally had no idea what he saw in her, but I guessed my mum was right when she'd told me it took all sorts to build a world.

  "Is okay…" he cooed in her ear. "I'm here. Is…okay." He nuzzled her into his
neck, whereby she immediately stopped crying. Seconds later it looked like they were both asleep.

  I stood looking down at them, my hands on my hips, wondering what to do.

  "Hey, guys! Let's go inside," I called.

  They didn't move. I took a closer look and checked that they were definitely breathing. As Martin's loud snore reached my ears, I groaned.

  "Martin!" I said getting in close to him. "Martin. You can't sleep here."

  He didn't seem to care. He just snored louder.

  Okay, time to change tactics. "Lori! Didn't you want to show me inside?"

  Lori's eyes looked back at me, glazed from too much alcohol consumption.

  "Argh…" she moaned.

  "Lori! Are you okay?"

  "I can't breathe…" she wheezed.

  Martin had rolled his leg over hers, his body weight rolling onto her. I probably needed to get him off.

  I shook his shoulder. "Martin, wake up! We need to get you to bed."

  His snoring turned up another notch.

  I grabbed Martin's shoulder and pulled him towards me, attempting to roll him off her. He responded by almost cocooning her and holding on tight, smiling in his drunken sleep.

  "You okay in there, Lori?" I asked.

  She was being held in a pretty tight grip, and I prayed she at least could get as much oxygen as she needed.

  She gave me a small shake of her head, her eyes huge. Help, she mouthed.

  Alright, I could do this. Maybe.

  I attempted to pry Martin's arms from her, but he had interlinked his fingers, and for a man in a drunken stupor, he had a damned good grip. I pulled his fingers back one by one, but every time I did, he just closed the one I had just opened.

  Okay, that didn't work. Now what?

  I grabbed at his leg and tried to unwrap it from Lori's. Her short skirt had ridden a lot higher than I wanted to see, and I wished the garden light would blow a bulb right about now.

  Martin's leg was a dead weight, but I managed to get it off Lori.

  "Crawl out," I hissed to her, holding the leg he was attempting to put back.

  She looked back at me, eyes wide.

  "Hurry!"

  She wiggled herself towards Martin's feet in an attempt to get out of his grip. She didn't move very much.