Lethal Tide

by Beth Prentice

  "Thank you," I said, accepting the tablet and cradling it in my arms. I wanted to open it to see what secrets it held, but Rick had warned me not to. He said Hector believed in conspiracies and would get freaked out about it all. Standing there, grateful for the genius who stood in front of me, I definitely didn't want that to happen.

  * * *

  On the drive back into town, I flipped through the contents of the iPad once more. I had opened the Safe Notes app, but none of the files made any sense to me. We needed to print them, lay them out on a table, and see if we could make any correlations between them all.

  What did strike me as odd, was that Ryan hadn't synced any recent photos from his phone to his iCloud account. In fact, the last photo synced was dated last year. Photos often held a lot more information than you'd think. If you looked past the subject and into the background, you could see all kinds of interesting things. I knew that for a fact. It's how I had gotten caught at the races instead of being at work last Melbourne Cup day. A so-called friend snapped the photo of herself, me in the background clearly enjoying a glass of bubbly. Everything was good until she'd uploaded it to Facebook and my boss had seen it. I'd been made to work overtime for a month as punishment.

  I opened Ryan's Facebook account and had a look through his photos. There were plenty of pics with beautiful-looking girls. There were plenty of pics with his mates. I dug deeper, going further back in time. The other night when we had found the iPad we had checked his account but had only flipped through his posts, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Well, if he'd been a smart man—and I thought he had been—he wouldn't have put anything incriminating on his Facebook wall, would he? Because of that, I hadn't paid too much attention to it.

  But now as I sat in the back of Casey's car listening to him chatting to Rick, I wondered about Ryan's past. And his connection to Casey.

  I scrolled through hundreds of photos, slowly moving back in time. As I scanned row after row, I noticed a lot about him. He was always posing for a selfie, he was always with a beautiful girl, and he always had an arrogant stance.

  It was as I came across a photo taken in The White Rabbit, a trendy bar in Sydney, that I stopped, touched the pic, and waited for it to jump from a thumbnail to fill the screen.

  The beaming faces of two people shone back at me. Casey and Veronica. Casey had his arms around her waist, kissing her forehead, a look of jubilation in his gorgeous blue eyes. Veronica's smile was infectious as she held out a champagne flute in her left hand. I could see the bubbles fill the glass she held high, the massive diamond engagement ring on her third finger sparkling as the light from the flash hit it.

  My world spun, my stomach clenched, and I felt sick. Casey had never mentioned he'd been engaged, let alone to Veronica. Was this what he was hiding from me? If so, why?

  I had no idea, but I had to put it on the backburner as Casey signaled and turned into Rick's.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  It was late. Like 10 p.m. late. Sure that wasn't too bad, but I had to be up at daybreak for an early lesson with Sebastian.

  We were at Mum's (who, thank goodness, wasn't there), and we had paperwork everywhere. It was over the table, over the kitchen counter, and over the floor in the lounge. We had printed everything from Ryan's iPad.

  Alani had a whiteboard, and we were making notes and cross-referencing everything we could find.

  This was what we had.

  1. Ryan both worked for and owed a lot of money to Stephen Alderman. Remembering Ryan's conversation in The Lava Pot, he'd told me he was in admin, so we figured that's what he did for Stephen.

  2. Stephen was a very bad man. Like I'll kill you if you don't pay your bills kind of bad.

  3. We didn't know how he got it, but Ryan had copies of every email Stephen had sent.

  4. Stephen's gambling ring was huge. And no one wanted it to be made public that they were named on there.

  5. Other than Ryan owing Stephen money, all Ryan seemed to be doing was using all this information to give him the time he needed to find the treasure. He was obsessed with it. That's where the treasure came into play.

  6. We had every detailed note explaining the treasure, its history, and its general whereabouts.

  So that was where we were. We just didn't know who could have killed him.

  "We need to talk to Travis," suggested Luke.

  Casey was sitting, holding a beer, looking stunned.

  "How do you think he's involved?" I asked. "None of this ever even mentions his name."

  "Did Travis know about the treasure?" Luke asked Casey.

  "Yeah. We all did. I, for one though, never thought it was real. And I never thought Ryan would actually come looking for it."

  "So if Travis knew about it, then maybe he wanted in on the treasure hunt."

  "Casey, when you spoke to him, did he say anything about Ryan?" I asked.

  He shook his head.

  "Even if he did want part of the treasure, why would he have killed Ryan before he found it?" asked Alani.

  That was a very good question.

  "I think it's the bicep man. I saw him in the forest that day. He had opportunity," I explained.

  "It still doesn't make sense," said Luke. He stood and paced the room. "If whoever killed Ryan wanted part of the treasure, then why kill him when they did?"

  "I don't know," I said, yawning. "I'm tired, and my brain has had enough for one day." Plus, I still wanted to talk to Casey about the photo of him and Veronica. I just hadn't wanted to do it in front of Luke and Alani.

  "Yeah, me too," said Alani. "I think I'll head home." She stood and found her handbag, pulling her car keys from within its depth. "Sorry Sam. If I come up with any solutions, I'll call you."

  Luke threw a notebook he'd been scribbling in onto the table. "I'll see you out."

  "You're not coming?" Alani asked, obviously disappointed.

  "I've got an early shift tomorrow, so I probably should get a good night's sleep." Even I saw the twinkle in Luke's eye.

  I smiled at Casey, asking myself what I wanted the most—to ask him about Veronica or to cuddle up to him in bed.

  I was about to go to him when he yawned and stood. "I may as well head off too."

  What? He came to me and pulled me in close, kissing me hard on the lips.

  "You're not staying?" I asked.

  "Nah. I'm beat, and I still have some things to fix up at home."

  My hopes sank as disappointment settled. Don't take it personally, Sam. That was going to become my mantra from now on.

  * * *

  The lesson was going well. Sebastian was heading home in the morning, so today was his last lesson with me. I'd enjoyed my time with him, and I was going to miss him once he was gone. The good news was that today, for the first time, he had managed to catch a wave standing on his board. His infectious grin almost removed the headache that had been building ever since I had run into Veronica and seen the photo of her with Casey.

  Wading to shore to congratulate him, I saw Casey standing under a palm tree waiting for me.

  "Hey, Sebastian." I grinned at him. "That was awesome! Well done, mate!" I gave him a high five, and he blushed under his thick white sunscreen.

  "Thanks. That was so much fun. Can we do it again?"

  The hands on my watch indicated his lesson was over, and I really wanted to talk to Casey about Veronica. Seeing Casey's stance, rigid and tight, I figured one more wave with Sebastian wouldn't hurt. Nothing was going to change in the next few minutes.

  "Sure," I said, grinning. "Come on."

  We both made our way back out, and I could only speak for myself, but the salt water and sun both beating against my skin made me feel happier and more at peace.

  Once we were on our boards, we sat and waited. I wanted the next wave to be perfect for Sebastian. I wanted to cement that feeling in him so he would leave with happy memories and, above all else, confidence.

  Sitting on my board, the water bobb
ing me up and down calmed my nerves. The noises of the resort were distant, and all the time I sat there my problems seemed a world away.

  Until I saw Casey talking to a man on the sand. I squinted against the glare of the sun on the water. The man was shorter than Casey and had blond hair and an arrogant stance just like John, aka who-really-knows.

  Their conversation didn't look friendly, yet Casey had never seen John. He had no idea what he looked like other than my description, and short and blond could have covered a lot of men wandering around the resort.

  I blinked as the man turned to me and saluted before jogging away.

  "Okay, Sebastian," I called. "Are you ready to catch a wave?"

  He nodded as I encouraged him to start paddling, shakily jumping up and riding it perfectly to shore, just like the pros did it.

  Sure the wave was only a couple of feet high, but that was all he needed.

  I followed him in, basking in his success.

  "Thank you soooo much, Sam," he called, running towards me with his board under his arm. "That was awesome!" He fell into me with an awkward hug.

  Some days I really loved my job.

  "It was my pleasure, Sebastian. I wish all my students were as good as you."

  "I can't wait to tell everyone at school." He beamed.

  "Well, it looks like your mum is waiting, so you'd better get going."

  "Sure thing. Thanks." He spun in the sand and ran towards his mum, his time in Aloha Lagoon coming to the perfect end.

  Casey sauntered up to me.

  "He looks happy."

  "Yep. Casey," I continued, "what were you talking to that man about?"

  "Who?"

  "The man you were just talking to. Under the palm tree. Short, blond, arrogant. That was John, or whatever his name really is."

  "That was Travis," said Casey, the vein in his neck starting to pulsate. I figured his blood pressure was up a bit.

  "Travis?"

  "Yes. That man was Travis."

  "But that doesn't make sense? What did he want with me?"

  The muscles in Casey's jaw were getting a workout. "I can think of a reason," he said quietly.

  "Feel like sharing?"

  "It's a long story."

  "It's time to start telling that story," I said, annoyed. I was so over hearing those words, and I was over the secrets. Sure Casey had a past, one that I was coming to learn about slowly. But everyone had a past. I wanted to know why he was keeping so quiet about it. "It's time to fess up."

  Casey looked at his watch, deep in thought. After an eternity he said, "Alright, but not here. Not now. I have to start work in five minutes. I just came down here to say hi before I start."

  "Alright, but when?" I wasn't relenting.

  "Tonight. Come over, and I'll cook dinner. I'll tell you everything you want to know, including why I think Travis is here." Casey gave me a quick kiss and then sprinted up the sand towards The Lava Pot.

  I watched him go, noticing Martin sitting on one of the umbrella-covered lounges overlooking the ocean. He looked desolate. What had Lori been up to now?

  "Hey, Martin, I haven't seen you since the night I got you into bed drunk." That didn't sound right. "Well, what I mean is…"

  "I know what you mean," he said, drowning his sorrows in the remains of his glass. "You're a good girl, Samantha. Not everyone would have helped in that way. Thank you."

  "That's okay." I shrugged.

  "Casey doesn't look too happy," he commented, nodding towards Casey's retreating back. "What's happening with the case Detective Ray is building against him?"

  That didn't sound encouraging. "I think Detective Ray is gathering all the facts at this stage."

  "And they are?"

  "I don't really have any idea. The blood on Casey's T-shirt came back as his own. Not Ryan's, which was what the detective was looking for. But since then so many other things have been happening, I don't know what Detective Ray is thinking anymore." Maybe I should find him and ask.

  "What other things?"

  "Casey's old group of friends from Sydney have all turned up, plus the bicep man. I think there are too many other suspects for Detective Ray to pin this on Casey at this point in time."

  "Be careful around him, Samantha. He's not what you think."

  "Casey?"

  "Yes. Casey."

  "He's a good person, Martin. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

  Martin stared at me. I couldn't read his emotion, but it was intense and unhappy.

  "What's Lori doing today?" I asked, hoping to change the subject to something happy. Actually, I should have picked another subject.

  "Who knows?" He looked around. "Where's a waiter when you need one?"

  "Martin, it's not even lunchtime yet. Do you think you should slow down on the alcohol?" He was getting that blurry-eyed look you got when the percentage of blood versus alcohol in your system changed for the worse.

  "No, I do not think I should slow down!" he replied vehemently, slamming his glass on the side table.

  I shrunk back, shocked.

  "Are you okay? Can I get anyone to help you?" I asked quietly. To be honest, I really wanted to leave him alone, but he looked pained, and I was always a sucker for a man in pain.

  The lone tear trickling down his cheek and spilling onto his arm undid me. His previous menacing tone changed, and the meek and mild Martin once again appeared in his eyes.

  "We've been married for thirty years. Thirty long, mainly happy years. Sure she's had her problems, but I've always sorted it out. I'd do anything for her," he finished quietly. I sat, allowing him some time before he continued. "She's having an affair," he whispered.

  I should have been shocked, but I'd seen the way she operated.

  "Are you sure?"

  He nodded. "I haven't caught her in the act, but I know. I know her ways, her habits. She hasn't wanted anything to do with me for months. She's always in The Lava Pot, strutting around the resort, or out with her friends. She's never at home with me anymore."

  "But that doesn't mean she's having an affair," I suggested, attempting to give him hope.

  "I've been tracking her," he confessed. "With that find my phone thing. My friend showed me how to use it. I put in her email address and her password, and now I know everywhere she goes. I've even followed her."

  He gave me an odd look, almost like he wanted to tell me more, but quickly shut it down.

  Tracking Lori sounded a bit insane, but if he suspected her of having an affair, I guess I could see his motivation.

  His shoulders slumped forward, his posture almost closing in on itself as he shook his head.

  "I can remember the last time we slept together," he continued.

  I shuddered and looked for the exits. This was not a conversation I was comfortable having.

  "She whispered his name. She just repeatedly whispered his name," he finished quietly.

  Okay, that wasn't a good sign. Curiosity had me wondering whose name she called, but the other part of my brain—the part screaming how you can never unhear something—wanted him to shut up. Or me to run away—either or.

  I put my hand on his shoulder, attempting to reassure him. "Have you spoken to her about this?" I asked, sitting on the seat alongside him.

  He opened his mouth to respond, but all I heard was Lori's screeching voice bouncing off the walls of the resort.

  "Martin!" she called.

  I quickly removed my hand from his shoulder as she marched towards us.

  "What are you doing?" she asked quietly, fear in her eyes.

  He hurriedly stood, his eyes glued to Lori.

  "I'm not doing anything you wouldn't do," he stated vehemently, grabbing the side table and angrily knocking it to the sand. He held her stare before turning and storming away, his anger simmering dangerously below the surface.

  Lori's body language changed, and her usual confident, strutting self disappeared.

  "Lori, there is nothing between Martin and me," I
explained, wanting to distance myself from this as much as possible. "I have a boyfriend, remember?"

  "Casey?" she spat, her eyes shooting daggers towards me.

  "Yes, Casey!"

  She huffed and stood ramrod straight, folding her arms across her. "I have no idea what he sees in you, but he'll get bored soon. Then a real woman will come along and give him what he deserves."

  * * *

  I looked into the mirror and grimaced. I hardly recognized the old me anymore. The new Sam wore shorts, tank tops, and minimal makeup. Tonight though, I'd put way more energy than normal into my appearance. I fluffed my hair, did the smoky eye thing, lined my lips, and slipped on a dress. I hadn't gone to that much effort since I'd been in Aloha Lagoon. I even put on heels. Yes, heels!

  Since I couldn't ride a bike in heels, I borrowed Mum's car and headed over to Casey's with the promise I'd return it first thing in the morning.

  Casey's house was in semidarkness when I knocked on the door and let myself in, and he was nowhere in sight.

  "Hello," I called, closing the door behind me, my nerves jingling.

  "Make yourself comfortable," came his voice from upstairs. "I'll be down in a sec."

  The delicious aroma of carbonara floated from the kitchen, so I used the time to open the lid of the saucepan sitting on the stove top, taking a fork and taste testing. Carbonara was high on the list of my favorite food, and I smiled at the effort he'd gone to.

  "Wow, you look nice," said his voice from behind me.

  I inhaled his scent as he moved close, surrounding me with his arms.

  I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment.

  Spinning me around, he kissed me deeply. I wanted to hold on forever, never let go, but the moment ended all too quickly.

  "I know Luke's pizza is your favorite, but as I can't cook like he can, I went for carbonara. No one can mess that up, not even me."

  I could, but I wasn't admitting to that at that particular moment.

  "I'm starving. How long till we can eat?" I asked, wringing my hands together. I stood back, noting the way his jeans molded his backside to perfection and how the white cotton shirt accentuated his toned physique.