Only Emma (15 page)

No response.

He had to have the radio on, had to. "Jake, come in, come in."

"I'm here. What's up, Lis."

He'd never called her by her nickname before. She choked, then cleared her throat. "He's back. The detective. Stay on the boat. Don't come in," she gasped.

There was a brief silence, then one word reached her ears. "Gotcha."

Terrio entered the shop as she turned back to face the door, a smug look on his face.

"Hello again. Trying to warn your boyfriend?" he said.

Flustered, she dropped the mic on the radio. "It's none of your business who I talk to."

He gave out with a derisive laugh. "It don't matter none. You can say whatever. I know they're here."

"Who?"

Terrio sneered. "You know damn well who I mean."

Lissey responded with the same sort of evil smile. "I'm afraid I don't."

Clearly, Terrio wanted something from her, or he wouldn't be sparring with her like this. But what? The name of Jake's boat?

"Hear the lad's been staying at your house. Shacking up with the old man are you?"

Heat rose to her face. The bastard. The last time she had used a word like that was when Ramon took off and left her. But it fit this guy even better. Insults would get him nowhere. On the other hand maybe she could use the idea to discourage him. "You want to check out my house? I'll show you the way."

A scowl creased his beady brow. "You're too willing. I'll find him on my own."

He turned his back on her and stared out at the harbor.

"If this man's a fugitive, I'll handle him," she said. "But I'll need to see some paperwork. A wanted poster or something."

Terrio didn't even bother to turn around. "You gotta be kidding."

"I'm the law on this island." Semi-officially, but he didn't need to know that. The last time she had pulled rank on anybody was when Horace stole one of Maria's goats, and all she did then was call Kirby Wittingham over on Great Casque.

Terrio guffawed. "Let's see your badge then."

"We're a little informal around here. I don't have one."

"Figures."

Lissey's heart sank. He was ignoring her, scanning the boats on the moorings, obviously thinking Jake was on one of them.

Without another word, Terrio strode off toward the docks. Louis was there, washing down his boat.

She turned back to the radio and keyed the mic. "Jake, come in. He's heading down to the dock."

"Looks like showdown time then. Thanks Lis. I'll take care of him."

She almost said be careful, but Terrio had just about reached Louis's boat and he'd be able to hear everything on Louis's radio. Her stomach twisted into a knot. She had a bad feeling about this.

Louis scrubbed away, quite the industrious yachtsman, ignoring Terrio. Then Terrio tapped him on the shoulder and Louis turned to face him. Lissey stood at the doorway of the shop and smiled. Louis was not cooperating, the man would have to swim if he wanted to check out the boats in the harbor. She watched as Louis shook his head, clearly refusing Terrio's offer of cash.

A shudder racked her body as a gun appeared in Terrio's hand, clearly aimed at Louis. He had no choice. He dropped the mop he'd been wielding and untied his boat. Seconds later the engine came to life and he and Terrio headed for Jake's boat.

As Lissey watched, Louis turned toward a tourist boat that had come in the day before, but Terrio waved the gun around and he returned to his original course.

Emma appeared on deck, then seconds later Jake was there too, standing in the cockpit with a boat hook in his hand. Lissey gasped. Did he not realize Terrio had a gun?

The launch approached Jake's boat. He waved the boat hook at Terrio and shouted something Lissey couldn't hear. Terrio raised the pistol. He fired. Jake crumpled to the deck.

CHAPTER EIGHT

What followed Lissey saw through a veil of shock and tears. Louis slammed the launch into a hard right turn, Terrio staggered as the boat pitched to the right. The man reached out to regain his balance, but Louis kicked him in the backside and sent him careening overboard. Louis heaved a life jacket after the detective and then raced to Jake's boat, where he tied up alongside, climbed aboard, and dropped into the cockpit, only his head showing occasionally as he moved about.

A moment later, Emma scrambled to the bow of the boat and struggled to release the mooring line. The last thing Lissey saw of them was the two boats, tied together, heading out of the harbor, Emma at the wheel of Fantasy, Jake nowhere in sight.

Standing in the doorway, too shocked to move, Lissey could not stop the tears stinging her eyes. Was Jake dead? Oh God, no, that couldn't be. That man, that miserable horrible man.

Clinging to the life jacket, Terrio struggled toward the dock. Lissey dashed to meet him, stopping only long enough to grab an oar from the dinghy rack. Rushing out on the dock as Terrio reached it, she raised the oar above her head and brought it down like a spear on the man's shoulder.

"Aargh, what the hell," Terrio screamed.

Lissey raised the oar again and then again, trying to smash him in the face. "You shot him. You bastard, you shot him!" Hands grabbed at her, trying to stop her. "Let go, I'm going to kill him. Let go, damn it."

"It was an accident. Get her away from here!" Terrio bellowed.

"Lissey stop," Maria Sarano shouted, tugging at her.

Strong arms suddenly pinned hers against her sides. "Hold on there, Lissey, hold on," Sam said and drew her away from the edge of the dock so Terrio could pull himself out of the water.

"Keep her away from me. She's nuts." Terrio snarled, clutching his left arm.

"Shut up you. You're lucky we didn't let her kill you," Maria said.

"I want her arrested," Terrio barked.

Sam grunted. "Bad luck, bud. She is the Police. And you know what? You were resisting arrest. We're witnesses, right Maria?"

Trembling with emotion, Lissey slowly regained control of herself. Her rage dissipated as an icy calm settled in her heart.

Sam released her and stepped back. "You okay now girl?"

She nodded, not taking her eyes off the soggy and bedraggled form that was Terrio. "Where's the gun?"

Terrio shrugged. "I lost it when I fell overboard."

"Get some line Dad, will you? Let's tie this creep up until I can get in touch with Kirby over on the big island."

"You can't do that," Terrio snarled.

"It's either that or I kill you now," Lissey said.

Terrio may have had ideas of resisting, but Henri and Simon joined them on the dock and he submitted meekly to Sam's ministrations. He was soon trussed up like a roast ready for an oven.

"Where are we going to put him?" Maria said.

"I've got that storage room we can lock him in," Henri said.

"We ought to tie him to a tree. Let him rot outside in the sun," Sam added.

Lissey shook her head. "Take him, Henri. Thank you."

She stared out over the harbor, anger dried up, replaced by a frightened pain that began to overwhelm her. Jake was gone, there was no sign of his boat or Louis's launch. Would she ever see him again? Was he still alive? The ache in her heart felt so overwhelming.

"They'll be okay, Lis," Sam said beside her.

"He's been shot, Dad. He might be dead."

"Maybe Louis is taking him to hospital on Great Casque."

She drew a deep breath. Maybe her father had it right. Louis had probably saved Jake's life by getting him away from Terrio. By kicking the creep over the side. She had to trust the man, had to believe.

"You could raise them on the radio if they're headed for the big island," Maria said.

Lissey smiled through her tears and hurried back to the shop.

"What happened?" Lavinia said as she entered.

"I have to call," she said and grabbed the radio mic. "Louis, this is Lissey. Come in."

Her voice broke as she spoke. Louis did not reply.

"Is Jake all right?" Lavinia asked, patting Lissey on the arm.

"He's shot. I don't know." She cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and tried again. Three separate calls brought no response. Her tears began again.

Lavinia hugged her silently as the others reached the shop.

Lissey did not know what to do with herself. Heart crushed by fear and pain, feeling as if she had nowhere to turn, there was no future left before her, she began to wring her hands.

"Louis might be treating Jake's wound. That's why he's not answering the radio," Maria said.

"What can he do?" Sam said.

"I've shown him a few things. First aid, you know."

"If he's going to the big island he'll want the fast boat. He'll leave Jake's sailboat behind," Henri said. "We can look for it."

"My boat, let's go," Sam said.

"I'm going too," Lissey cried.

Sam shook his head. "Maria should go. In case we find them, she's the nurse. You stay here by the radio."

"But—"

"You've got the strongest radio. And you know who to call on Great Casque, the doctor and all," Sam said and headed for the docks, Henri and Maria at his heels.

Rubbing her hand across her forehead, Lissey watched them go. She should be with them: what if Jake was dying, she should be with him. But they were right. She could be more help with the radio. There were people to call, Kirby Wittingham and Doc Brinker and Marcus Digby over in Kikitap. Louis would probably run in to Marcus's dock if he went to the big island. Doc could meet them there.

Her heart lifted momentarily. She had something to do, a way to help, be useful, save Jake.

Marcus was sympathetic and helpful as always. He promised to get hold of Doc and get him on a fast boat so he could help before Louis got to shore. Kirby, as usual, stuck to ridiculous routine, wanting every last detail of what had happened before he'd agree to pick up Terrio.

"I'll need to interview the victim," Kirby finally said.

"He's wounded. I don't know where he is," Lissey shrieked, her entire body shaking with frustration.

"Well, I can't charge this man Terrio with a crime unless we have a victim. Is the fellow dead?"

"Forget it. We'll keep him tied up here." Lissey punched the “off” button on her mobile and hurled it across the room.

Lavinia frowned. "You need to calm down. You had no business screaming at Kirby like that."

"Bloody hell, the man's an ass."

"You're acting like this Jake was your husband."

Lissey gave her mother a fierce glare. "He is. Almost."

Lavinia slapped her hand on the table she was sitting at. "You can't be serious. You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Going crazy over another boat hobo. What is wrong with you child?"

Lissey quirked an eyebrow at her. "I am not a child and I'm not crazy."

"Well, you're impetuous then. Irresponsible, rash and impulsive."

"Are you sure there's nothing else wrong with me? Jake may be dying and all you can do is criticize."

Lavinia stepped to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. "I'm just trying to get you to be sensible. The man is just another Ramon."

Lissey shook her head. "You are not even close to being right on that. He's nothing like Ramon." She poured a cup of coffee for herself, but her hands were shaking so much she almost spilled it.

Her mother put her arms around her in a hug. "I just don't want you to get hurt again."

"Life is full of hurt and risks. You have to jump when you get the chance." Lissey grinned. "Where did I get that from?"

"My daughter the philosopher," Lavinia murmured but her eyes were not smiling. She stepped out on the verandah, then started down to the docks.

Happy to see her go, Lissey turned as the radio squawked, but the call was from one fishing boat to another, the caller gloating over the size of a fish he'd caught. Lissey picked up the mic, then put it down. She couldn't tell everyone to stay off the air while she waited for word about Jake. She wanted to though, by God she did.

An interminable silent hour of pacing, fidgeting and numerous cups of coffee later, Sam's boat entered the harbor, followed shortly by Jake's white sailboat. Sam tied up to the buoy Jake had been using. Trembling, Lissey grabbed the radio mic.

"Did you find him?" she cried.

There was a burst of static and then Sam answered, "I'm sorry, Lis. No."

Henri put the sailboat in an empty slip on A dock. Lissey ran to meet him and help tie it off.

"We found it about two miles out," Maria said as she secured a line to the dock.

"Leave it be, Lissey. Let me clean it up first," Henri said as she grabbed the rigging and prepared to swing herself aboard.

She ignored him and stepped up on the boat. One look at the blood in the cockpit brought tears to her eyes again.

"I'll—" Henri started.

"Never mind. I'll take care of it," Lissey muttered.

"Are you sure?" Maria asked doubtfully.

Lissey nodded, unable to speak.

Henri opened his mouth, about to say something, but Maria grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

Jake had a scrub brush in a bucket in the port side stern locker. Somehow she knew that was where he'd keep something like that. A canister of scrubbing powder nestled next to the brush, just what she needed. She brought a hose aboard from the dock, filled the bucket, and set to work, determined to wash away all signs of Jake's wound. The sticky blood slowly ran down the scuppers, taking her tears with it.

He couldn't be dead. He had to be all right. But so much blood? He had to be all right. Her hands shook as she rinsed the bucket and put it away.

What would she do if he were dead? What would happen to Emma? She couldn't live with grandparents who were responsible for killing her father. Accident, hell, she just knew Terrio fired the gun deliberately.

An idea came out of nowhere, but it was right, she knew it was. Right and simple. She'd repaint the boat, change the rigging so it wouldn't be so easily identified. She and Emma, they'd go off like Jake had done, moving through the Caribbean, even off to Tahiti or Hawaii. Terrio had no pictures of her to splash around, they'd get away with it. Emma liked her, maybe even loved her already. "I'll take care of her, Jake," she whispered and choked back more tears.

Lissey slipped into the cabin. Was that imagination or the musky scent of a man? Of Jake. She brushed a hand across her eyes and hugged herself. This would be hard, but she had to take inventory, see what she'd need to make the idea work.

Jake's clothes were underneath the quarter berth. They'd have to be moved. Not tossed, she'd keep them for Emma. Her stuff could go there and she'd sleep in his bunk.

A drawer under the charting table held chargers for the mobile phones still scattered on the other quarter berth. She'd have plenty of time, once they made their escape, to play with that kind of stuff. Checking the hanging locker, she found rain gear in two sizes and a neatly hung pair of khaki slacks, the ones he'd worn the other night. She choked back a sob. He had to be all right. Had to be. She shook herself. Stick to the task at hand.

Food wouldn't be a problem. She could raid the shop and stock up for a month or so. A shiver ran through her as another thought hit. Food for a month, yes, but what then? She didn't have the money to go on after that. She'd have to find work wherever they landed. Stay for a month or so, keep Emma on the boat when she worked. Impossible, they'd be caught in a minute.

She plopped down on the quarter berth and dropped her head in her hands. Hopeless, the whole idea was stupid. She'd never get away with it.

Jake had to survive, they needed him. She needed him. A sob caught in her throat and she hugged herself. Loved him, that was it. She wanted him in her life forever.

Humidity hung like a soggy sponge in the air as Lissey trudged back to the shop. She wanted Jake Wainright in her life, that she knew for sure. She loved him. Not some paper pushing, weekend golfing, suburbanite kind of guy. Somebody daring and resourceful, interesting and lovely. Jake. He had to be alive, had to recover. She would go anywhere to live with him. Anywhere.

Lavinia greeted her as she entered the shop. "Where have you been? Everybody's trying to reach you."

"Have they found Jake?" she cried.

Lavinia shook her head. "Marcus called on the radio. He took Doc out to meet Louis but they never saw him. Doc wants to know if he should come here. And Kirby Wittingham called. He's looking for you too."