Lethal Tide

by Beth Prentice

  "The list of what he does is quite long," explained Veronica. "He's a loan shark, runs an illegal gambling ring, has a bevy of hitmen waiting to off people for money. Pretty much, if you need something not quite legal, he's your go-to man."

  "How does he get away with all of that?" I asked.

  "He hides it all behind a very legal business," Veronica added, looking at me like I was an idiot.

  I rolled my eyes at her but remained focused on Damon, figuring his job position fitted into the hitman category.

  "If you wanted the journal from Ryan, why kill him before he gave it to you?" Casey asked.

  "I didn't kill him."

  I looked at him, shocked.

  "I didn't kill him," he reiterated. "I needed him alive to tell me what I need to know. If I go home without that information, I'm the one who's dead."

  "So none of you murdered Ryan?" I asked, completely confused, looking at Travis, Veronica, and Damon in turn.

  They stood shaking their heads.

  "Alright," I said, rubbing my eyes with my fists again. "If you're all here for Ryan, but none of you killed him, then who did? And if none of you have the journal, where is it?"

  "I don't know," said Travis.

  "How the hell would I know?" snapped Veronica.

  "Beats me," said Damon.

  We took a moment to assess this information.

  "So what happens now?" asked Luke.

  "Well, I think," said Damon, "that Ryan gave Casey here some info I need."

  I thought of the flash drive. It held a lot of information that could get a lot of people into a lot of trouble.

  "And I want it," he finished, once again raising the gun, this time pointing it at Casey.

  "Shoot me and you'll never get it," Casey replied staunchly.

  Damon grabbed my arm and pulled me close. "How about now?"

  Casey's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. "Okay. But I don't have it with me. It's at home."

  "No, it's not. I looked there."

  So it was Damon who'd turned over Casey's place. "You broke my photo," I snapped, tears of anger and fear stinging behind my eyes. If I had heels on I'd have dug them into his foot.

  Instead, I stood very still, afraid one wrong move would be my last. The faces of Casey, Luke, and Alani looked back at me, pale and worried.

  "No, I confess," said Veronica. "That was me who broke the photo." She gave a little giggle. "I went to visit Casey that night, and his house had already been searched. The back door was open, so I went in. That photo was sitting on the kitchen counter, so I broke it and stabbed it with a knife."

  What kind of people were these?

  Travis prickled and stood taller, moving closer to Veronica. "Are you ever going to get over him?" he asked, pointing at Casey. "You're supposed to be with me now. Remember?"

  She shrugged and turned to face Casey. He stood ramrod straight, Lori hanging off of his arm as if her life depended on it. News flash, sweetheart. I'm the one with the gun pointed at my head.

  "Look, I left the file at Sam's for safekeeping," Casey lied.

  "Nu-uh," said Damon, shaking his head. "I checked there too."

  "Yeah, I checked her place for the journal," added Travis. "And I didn't see anything that would have belonged to Stephen."

  "Now," said Damon, pulling me closer and pushing the gun barrel into my back. "Do you want to start telling me the truth?"

  I cried. Not a sobbing cry. It was more of a strangled cry in the back of my throat.

  "If I don't get what I came for, I'm a dead man," explained Damon. "I don't really want to hurt anyone, but I will. So just give me what I want, and I'll leave you alone."

  "I h-have it," I stuttered. "The information. I have it. Casey did give it to me."

  "So where is it?"

  "It's in my locker at the resort." It wasn't. We all knew Detective Ray had it. But it might get us out of this forest and away from this gun.

  Damon considered what I said, loosening his grip. Before he had a chance to take a step, his eyes went blank, and he crumpled. He may have bulging biceps, but he was no match for Therese, who stood behind him, a now bloodied branch in her hand.

  * * *

  We didn't have to think twice. We ran for the highway.

  Luke took the gun as Casey fireman-lifted Jenny and we ran as fast as we could. We needed to make the road before Damon came to. Sure he knew where we all lived, and I was sure he could easily get another gun, but we planned to be at the police station by then.

  The way out of the forest seemed to go on forever. Lori whimpered the entire way. Veronica walked beside Casey, deep in conversation for most of the walk. I couldn't hear what they were talking about. I had Travis chatting me up, never even stopping for a breath.

  Did they not know how serious this situation was?

  "Travis!" I snapped as we made our way on to the path leading back to the car. "Shut up! Don't you care about what just happened?"

  "What just happened?" he asked.

  "Damon! Damon is what happened." I was exasperated, my nerves were shot, and I wanted a good cry.

  "I know Damon. He used to come into The White Rabbit when we were in there. He's hired as a thug, but as far as I know he's never killed anyone."

  "What happens when he wakes up?"

  "He works for Stephen Alderman. If you haven't guessed, Stephen is a very bad man. He has a lot of powerful people in his back pocket, and he will use any method he can to get what he wants. At the moment he wants the treasure, or at least the journal that leads to the treasure. If Damon has any sense, he'll get on the next plane to nowhere, change his name, and never resurface."

  "What was Ryan's job with Stephen?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

  "Ryan ran the gambling arm of Stephen's business."

  Casey had told me Ryan had gotten involved with the wrong people. It sounded like Stephen was about as "wrong" as you could get.

  I shivered, rounding the last corner to the car park. As we walked into the daylight, the storm still hovering, Detective Ray and two uniformed officers came into view.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  It appeared that Sonya, the Scarlet Sock who had been sent to get help, had done just that.

  Detective Ray hadn't wasted any time jumping into action. It was good to see he didn't always work on island time.

  Once at the station, we spent several hours explaining what had happened.

  Most of it we had already told the detective, but he wanted us to go over it all again.

  He did volunteer some information to us though. Apparently he had forwarded the flash drive to the Australian Federal Police, and Stephen Alderman was at present on his way to a holding cell, and all others named on that drive were about to be questioned. Detective Ray thought there might be quite a few more arrests about to be made.

  I just prayed the police prosecutor was good enough at his job to put them all away for a very long time. Not that I had anything to worry about, but Damon probably wasn't too keen to go home.

  Travis and Veronica had been released at the same time we had. There was nothing they could be charged with. Apparently vacationing in Aloha Lagoon wasn't a crime. I did mention to Casey that Veronica had entered his house and stabbed our photo, but he didn't want to press any charges. Humph.

  Upon release, the first thing Veronica did was open her handbag and find her lipstick. Once she had that fixed, she flicked her hair over her shoulder and strutted barefoot out into the afternoon air. Her Jimmy Choos were now in the bin next to Detective Ray's desk.

  I wanted to yell at her that the effect wasn't quite the same when her designer dress was dirty and torn. However, looking around at the three officers who were watching her, mesmerized, I shut my mouth and followed silently after her.

  The storm had finally made its way out to sea, leaving the late-afternoon sky blue and sunny. Veronica moved in close to Casey, taking his hand. They stopped a good twenty feet from me, and I couldn't hear
what they were saying. But I understood perfectly what she wanted when she grabbed the front of his shirt, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him.

  My stomach clenched, and I felt like throwing up.

  "Hey, Sam," said Alani, sympathetically putting her arm around my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

  I sniffed and held my head high. I was standing in the middle of Aloha Lagoon, outside of the police station. I wasn't going to dissolve here. No, that was scheduled for when I got home.

  "Yep. Just dandy."

  "Are you up for a drink at The Lava Pot later?"

  I shook my head. "No. I'm just going to go home, have a shower, and put my pajamas on." And then crumple into a sobbing mess.

  Alani gave me a tight hug. "Call me if you want someone to eat junk food with."

  Only after she left did I realize she was my ride home. Bugger.

  The air had cooled since the storm, and I really wished I had a sweater. But as I didn't, I wrapped my arms around me and started to make my way on foot.

  I'd just made it to the traffic lights on the corner as Casey caught up with me.

  "Hey," he said.

  "Hey," I replied. Veronica's red lipstick was smeared all over his lips. My stomach somersaulted and then plummeted like a trapeze artist falling off the swing. Only I didn't think I had a safety net to save it.

  "You have something…there," I said, wiping my own lip to indicate to Casey what I meant.

  Swiping at his lips, he looked at his fingers and frowned.

  "Are you coming for a drink later?" he asked.

  "No. I don't think so. I don't really feel up to it, to be honest." Tears were stinging as I hit the button of the traffic lights, willing the little green man to hurry up so I could cross the road and get away from Casey.

  "Okay. Then how about you come over to my place, and I'll cook us dinner. We need to talk."

  Did that sound promising?

  "But Veronica…" I trailed off.

  "She did that to annoy you." Casey's hand reached out, and his fingers grazed mine.

  "Really?"

  "Yes, really." He flashed a smile, catching me unawares.

  I nodded. "Okay." My voice croaked, and I was afraid I would burst into tears right here.

  A week ago that wouldn't have been a problem. A week ago Casey was my boyfriend I could lean on when I wanted to cry. A week ago he was mine. Now I didn't know. The lines had shifted, and I no longer knew where I stood.

  The lights changed, the traffic stopped, and I had the go ahead to cross the road.

  "Okay." Blinking back the tears, I stepped onto the crossing. Casey grabbed at my arm.

  "Where are you going?" he asked.

  "Home. I'm going home."

  "Our lift is this way," he said, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder. "One of the officers is a regular in The Lava Pot. He owes me a favor."

  * * *

  The night was spectacular. The storm clouds had gone, leaving a black moonless sky speckled with stars. The air was cooler than normal yet still warm, and despite the butterflies, I had a feeling my evening with Casey was going to be okay. I was putting a positive spin on it, alright?

  I dressed in jeans and a silky sleeveless top that showed off my tanned arms. I had scrunched my hair, giving it the natural curl thing, and I had applied just the right amount of makeup to make my eyes look wide, my lips look full, and my cheeks look thin. Well, that was the look I was going for, anyway.

  I slipped on my new sandals—low heeled, white, and lots of sparkly beads—and slung my leg over my bike. I could have used Mum's car because she had left it behind, but it was far too nice a night not to ride. Casey's house wasn't that far, and other than one hill, it was an easy ride.

  An unopened bottle of wine was sitting in the basket in front of the handlebars. I didn't normally take anything to Casey's, but tonight felt different, and turning up empty-handed didn't feel right.

  Peddling up the hill, I turned right and pulled onto Casey's street, the sound of the waves crashing against the beach on the opposite side of the road helping to settle my anxiety.

  I took three deep breaths, ready to push my bike around to the back of his house, when I noted the car parked on the grass opposite his house. It looked familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on whom it would belong to. I shrugged and pushed my bike around the back, leaning it against the wall and picking up the bottle of wine. About halfway up the back steps, a woman's laugh pierced the night air, sounding almost manic. Did Casey have a visitor? My mind jumped to Veronica.

  Casey did say to come tonight, didn't he? I thought back to our conversation this afternoon. I remembered him asking me if I was going for a drink. I remembered him asking me over to talk. But did he say tonight? Argh! Buggered if I can remember. The day had been way too stressful.

  It was too late now anyway—I was here. But did I want to see what was happening in there? Not really, but I had to. I needed to know one way or the other what our story was going to be.

  I took a deep breath and managed the last few steps without my knees giving out. I gently knocked.

  A week ago I would have just opened it and wandered in. A lot could happen in a week.

  Casey flung the door open, startling me. I hadn't expected him to be quite so voracious.

  "Sam," he said, looking slightly flustered. "Come in." He sounded impatient but not surprised to see me.

  I hugged the bottle to me and stepped inside, a fake smile firmly in place.

  "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I said as I took the step.

  "No. Your timing couldn't be better," he replied quietly, kissing my cheek.

  I inhaled his warmth, enjoying the moment.

  "Lori just stopped by."

  Lori was almost lying on his kitchen table. Her legs were crossed, and her skirt was short. She was also very drunk.

  "Oh!" I said, surprised.

  "What are you doing here?" she snarled.

  I could have asked her the same question.

  "Casey invited me over." I really hoped he hadn't invited her too. I looked to him questioningly.

  He responded by shaking his head. "I was thinking of giving Martin a call to come and get her."

  "Casey," she sang, stepping into her heels and making her way across the kitchen to him. Nuzzling her nose into his neck, she breathed deeply, giving a very satisfied sigh. "You don't need to call him. Everything is okay now. I love you, Casey Dalton." She fluttered her eyelashes demurely and rubbed the inside of her thigh up against his leg.

  I nearly vomited.

  Casey took her arms and pulled her off him. Sitting her down in one of the chairs, he looked to me. "Sam, will you make her some coffee please? We'll sober her up and take her home."

  "I don't need sobering up," she slurred, seductively shimmying out of her shirt.

  Casey grabbed her hands to stop her while I jumped to attention. The bottle of wine got discarded as I filled the coffeepot with water and switched it on.

  Geez, I hadn't ever seen Lori this drunk. Poor Casey.

  "Why don't I call Martin?" I suggested while Casey attempted to pull Lori back into her shirt. She giggled, thinking it was a game.

  I found Lori's phone on the top of her handbag. Thankfully she didn't have a lock on it, so I flipped through her contact list, finding Martin's number. As I dialed him, I noticed the table had been laid with placemats, candles, and fresh flowers. Butterflies fluttered, thinking that was for me.

  "Casey Dalton, you rogue," sang Lori, wiggling out of his grip.

  Come on, Martin. Pick up the phone so you can come get your wife.

  "Why don't you tell her you'll take her home," I suggested to Casey as he stood rubbing his hands over his face.

  "Martin didn't answer?"

  I shook my head, putting Lori's phone back in her bag.

  "How do you suggest I do that?" he asked as Lori flung her shirt across the room, dancing to the music Casey had playing.

  The music had a sexy
beat to it, so I could see where she was going with it. However, I hoped that music was for me, so we needed to get her out of here as fast as possible.

  "Can you fireman-lift her like you did Jenny this afternoon? If you can get her into the car, I'll drive."

  "Do you think she'll stay in the car?"

  "If you sit with her, she will." I personally thought Lori needed some sort of professional help and made a mental note to ask Mum if Aloha Lagoon had any good psychiatrists.

  "Okay. Let's do this." He crossed the room to Lori, who was now gyrating. If she didn't stop that, she was going to put out her hip.

  As he threw her over his shoulder, I grabbed his car keys, and we left through the back door, Lori giggling and whooping the entire way.

  It took a few attempts, but we finally got her into the car. Casey looked so exhausted from the effort, I nearly giggled. Nearly. Lori was now licking his neck as he sat next to her on the back seat, attempting to fasten her seat belt.

  Alright, this needed to be a fast trip.

  "What happens if Martin isn't home when we get there?" asked Casey.

  "We find her keys and put her to bed," I suggested.

  "Put me to bed? Yes, please," she said, wrapping her arms around him and holding on tight. "You have no idea how many times I have thought about it," she murmured into his neck.

  If she wasn't careful, she was going to have an orgasm all on her own, right there. Listening to her moans, I wondered if she just had.

  "Can we please hurry up?" said Casey through gritted teeth.

  I stopped looking at them and got behind the wheel, putting the car in reverse and pointing it in the direction of Lori's.

  By the time we reached her house, Casey looked pained. I think more than once he had considered opening the door and pushing her out while the car was still in motion.

  Getting Lori out of the car was easy. All Casey had to do was mention bed, and she sprang out of the car and ran across the lawn to the front door, shirtless. (I should have picked her shirt up at Casey's, but I'd kind of been preoccupied at the time.)

  I couldn't see Martin's car, and I hoped it was just in the garage. I needed him to take control of her so we could go home.