Three Weeks Last Spring (8 page)

"If your evidence is as good as you say, then within forty-eight hours.
I understand the
Coastguard
has a suitably equipped vessel on standby for emergencies, and are prepared to let us have it for a couple of days.
The other bit of good news is that my opposite number is already pulling the results of the survey carried
out last year for comparison."

"I suppose that's something.
Should I
go along for the ride?"

"
L
et the boys in blue handle this.
They'll get back to me as soon as the analysis has been made."

"Okay.
But I don't think I’ll sleep
easy until I see the results."

"That makes two of us.
I'll give you a call once they've sailed.
Will you still be at this number or are you heading back to Friday Harbor
?"

"I'll be here.
There are a few things I want to check out.
Don't worry; I
'll
keep you informed as to
my
whereabouts
."

"I'll wait for the courier in the morning.
Don't burn the midn
ight oil too much, ole buddy."

"Yeah, old is right.
I'm already losing way too much sleep over this one.
Remind me again, why I let you talk me into taking this on?
And, Joe, better add this one to my tab,
its
another
favo
u
r
I owe you."

"Hey, if your tab gets any longer buddy, I'll be collecting 'til
h
ell freezes over, thaws, then freezes over again.
Talk to you in the morning."

Walker worked long into the night, correlating lab results, copying the recent newspaper article, the map he had drawn up and pulling all the information he had on PCBs their effects on fish and the food chain.
Finally he set about writing his report and
recommendations.

Somewhere around four, his eyes burning and no longer able to concentrate, he allowed himself the luxury of a few hours sleep on the office couch.
The masculine, rich mahogany
colo
u
red
leather couch wasn't built for Walker's tall, powerful frame, but there was no way he was
allowi
ng the report out of his sight until he placed it in the hands of the courier.
He chided himself for being so paranoid.
But under the current circumstances, he didn't trust anyone but Joe.
He eased his weary body into the most comfortable position possible in the cramped space,
and fell into a troubled sleep.

He woke just after seven, and showered and shaved in the executive bathroom, changing into the spare clothes he kept at the office for emergencies.
He called the local courier company, and arranged to have his neatly pa
ckaged report delivered to Joe.

Three days later a harassed Walker returned to the island.
These days, his temper always seemed to be at boiling point and a t
wo
-hour delay in takeoff due to reduced visibility hadn't helped his
demeanor
one little bit.
Finally receiving clearance, he took off and was now flying relatively low over the straits, on his approach to his landing point at Friday Harbor
.

Less than a thousand feet below him, the
Coastguard
cutter was slowly working lines with the sonar fish.
The vessel was moving painstakingly slowly a
s
t
owing a sonar fish smoothly in deep water with strong currents
,
was not a job for the inexperienced skipper.
Annoyingly, it would be another few days before the survey was completed and the results correlated and compared
with those of a previous year.

Walker was only too conscious of the fact that his reputation was on the line.
He wasn't confident that the survey would turn up anything significant, he could only hope.
If it didn't, all his years of hard work establishing
his company
as a leading authority on environmental issues would be down the pan, and Walker Environmental would lose all credibility.
There was no way he was going to give in without a determined fight.

His body
ran
on a mixture of anger and adrenalin.
He was tired beyond belief with the strain, but he knew he couldn't rest until whoever was responsible, was brought to justice.
One thought kept turning over in his troubled mind.
There was no doubt this was a personal vendetta against him, and he couldn't help feeling there was someone close by watching his every move.
They
ha
d
already succeeded in hacking into his computer.
What would be next he wondered
,
a physical attack on his company?
A personal assault?
And
where did his se
xy tenant fit into the
the scheme of things
?

There was something decidedly odd about Ms Dunbar's timely appearance on the island.
It was just too much of a coincidence.
Perhaps it was time to storm the castle, or should he say ‘cabin’, and discover just what made the charming Ms Dunbar tick.

Now comfortably settled in the cabin, Skye adopted a peaceful routine.
She kept herself occupied by alternatively catching up with her reading and, between breaks in the rainstorms, visiting the island's museums and window shopping in the local art, craft and antique shops in Friday and Roche Harbor
s
.

As for Walker, Skye saw no more of him.
She was sure he was somewhere in the vicinity, but for the time being
at least,
he was keeping out of her way, and that suited her fine.

Debbie
had phoned
the day after Walker's early morning visit and had arranged to fly up
for the
weekend.
Skye was looking forward to seeing her friend again, as it was nearly two years since they'd spent any quality time together.
Their friendship
,
sustained by frequent e-mails and long distance phone calls,
had survived well.

After
three action-filled days enjoying every tourist attraction San Juan Island had to offer,
they join
ed
one of the many charte
r boats on a trip to watch the K
iller whales known locally as Orcas
. And were
enthralled by the sight of the huge mammals splashing and cavorting in the prote
cted waters around the islands.

Debbie's stay drew to a close, time passing too quickly for them, as it always did.
As had become their custom over the years,
they
planned to
spend their last night
enjoy
ing
a meal and sampl
ing
the local nightli
fe in
one of Friday Harbor
's more prestigious restaurants
.

Walker was about to leave when he saw Skye and another woman enter.
He’d only dropped in for a meal and a quick drink before
returning
to the
Lodge
.
What a coincidence, that his tenant should choose this particular restaurant and bar for an evening out.
He ordered another beer and settled down to watch.
He had a feeling the evening was about to become interesting, very interesting indeed.

The two women didn't have to wait long before a waiter showed them to a table by the window
overlooking the marina
.
As they crossed the dining room they were oblivious to the fact that nearly every male in the room under the age of s
ixty watched their progression.

Their appearance was striking, one auburn-haired and the other titian.
They complimented each well.
At first glance they appeared to be of similar height; although on closer inspection Walker could see that Skye's companion was taller by a couple of inches.
Skye looked stunning.
She was dressed in a calf length jade green dress, which caressed every inch of her figure like a lover.
It set off her
colo
u
ring
to perfection.

Caught off guard by the intense feeling of desire that surged though his veins, Walker willed his body to still, but his body was having none of it.
He wanted to pull Skye into his arms and kiss her until she was senseless.
Why did his tenant have to be so troublesome and so darned sexy?
The first he could cope with, the second might just earn him yet another cold shower.

Skye's companion was dressed all in black, a perfect foil for her vibrant hair and pale skin.
Both were beautiful in their own way, although Walker preferred Skye's delicate features and softer
colo
u
ring
to the more dramatic woman by her side.

To anyone who might appear interested, they were just two friends out for
the
evening.
Walker, however, wasn't just anyone.
His curiosity was aroused.
Either his tenant made friends very quickly or she had an associate here on the island.
In which
case, why had she arranged to meet her in a very public place, rather than at the cabin, wh
ere they wouldn't be overheard?

E
nquiring from a passing waiter what the two women were drinking, Walker ordered a round of drinks and had them
delivered
to their table.
He watched their reaction in the mirror above the bar.
Skye's companion appeared to ask who had bought them a drink.
When the waiter pointed him out, she turned, gave him a dazzling smile, and raised her glass in ack
nowledgement of his generosity.

"Who was he pointing to? Skye asked.
"Please don't tell me it was the geriatric with the walking stick."

"Don't be silly
,
with those glasses he couldn't see this far.
It's the guy on the second stool from the left, the one with the dark hair.
He's wearing a tweed sports jacket.
One of us obviously attracted his attention and I doubt very much it's me.
Do you have any idea who he is?"
She raised her glass once more.

Skye choked on the sip of wine she had just swallowed.
"Why aren't I the least bit surprised to see him here?
That, my dear friend, is none other than the obnoxious and infamous
Mr.
Jedediah Walker
.
"

"Really?
Well knock me down with a feather.
He looks nothing like the way you described him.
In fact he's kinda cute."
She gave Walker one of her most
alluring
smiles.

"Cute?
As in pussy cat cute?
I think you need your eyes testing, Debbie.
Or better yet your head."

"I wouldn't turn down an offer to get up close and personal with him.
You never told me he was so attractive and sexy.
That is one serious hunk of male flesh.
I’m going to ask him to join us.
After all, he's
bought
us a drink
,
I think it would be rude not to, don't you?
Besides, what can I say?
I'm an American and I'll talk to anyone, espec
ially a handsome man like him."

Skye stretched out her hand in an attempt to restrain her, but Debbie brushed it aside.
"Are you out of your mind?
Please don't ask him over.
Let's just enjoy our las
t evening together on our own."

But it was too late, her friend was already gesturing for Walker to join them.
Skye watched in horror as he eased his tall frame off the stool and strolled leisurely cross the room, a slight grin of amusement on his face.

"Good evening, ladies.
Thanks for the invitation.
I'm actually waiting for someo
ne, but so far he hasn't showed,
"
h
e lied glibly.
"If you've no objection to making it a threesome, then I’ll happ
il
y join you."
Before either woman could voice an objection, he dropped down into the chair opposite Skye and
signaled
the waiter to lay another place at their table.

Skye was so mad at Debbie that she considered kicking her under the table, but then why ruin an exceedingly expensive pair of shoes?
Debbie was always doing this to her, but this time she really had over-stepped the line.
Skye forced what she hoped was a welcoming smile on her face and begrudgingly m
ade the required introductions.

Debbie returned Walker's smile and the hand that was offered to her, and casually asked, "Are you on vacation too,
Mr.
Walker."

"Sort of.
Have you tw
o known each other long?"

"Yeah, we've known each other for a few years now," Debbie responded.
"Although we don't get to meet up nearly as often as we'd like.
The last time was when Skye was over in Seattle, but that's over a year ago now.
That's right, isn't it?"
She barely gave Skye
time to nod lamely in agreement
.

"When Skye told me she was planning this trip,
"
she continued,
"
I told her she ought to visit with me in San Francisco, but she wasn't buying it, as she’s been there before, so I said I
would
try and catch up with her here.
Unfortunately, I could only manage a long week
end
,
I fly back in the morning."

Skye smiled smoothly at Debbie, betraying nothing of her annoyance.
She hated being the cent
re
of attention, if only she could think of something to say to change the subject and divert the conversation away from herself.
But when Debbie held forth
that was easier said than done.
There was no doubt in
her
s mind that Debbie had seen her disapproving look, an
d knew that she wished that she woul
d shut the hell up.
But it was too late; Debbie was completely captivated by Walker's charm and his devastating grin.
She would recount her life history five t
imes over given half the chance, and
was in her element flirting with Walker, giving him her most
captivating
smile
, while placing
a well-manicured hand on his arm
to emphasis a point.

Skye groaned inwardly. C
onscious of Walker's scrutiny, an unwelcome blush crept into her cheeks.
Not only was the evening now officially out of hand, but she felt embarrassed too.
Walker had managed to wind Debbie round his little finger and if he were to suggest that
Debbie
walk on water, then she was just the woman to have a darned good try.

Walker couldn't help but notice the strained look that passed between Skye and her friend, and found the situation amusing.
He studied the two women carefully.
Their personalities couldn’t be more different, which made their friendship all the more intriguing.
Skye's friend with the doe-like eyes and goofy smile was putty in his hands, and trying
too
hard to impress him, but he wasn't interested.
In fact he found her type mildly irritating and she was no exception.
Her remarks, although seemingly innocuous, annoyed Skye, but he couldn't fathom out why.
Debbie was all too obviously the quintessential American, willing to talk to anyone on any subject provided she was the cent
re
of attention.
If only she knew she wasn't the cent
re
of his.

Skye on the other hand, was
charming, polite and tactful.
But when it came to answering questions about her personal life she
clammed up
.
Outwardly she appeared to be relaxed and enjoying herself, but Walker was sure it was an act, and a very poor act, at that.
He sensed her tension.
Saw it in the way she held her shoulders and the way her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass.
It was especially evident whenever her friend said something she didn't approve of.
He was certain that underneath that cool exterior her tem
per was on its way to exceeding the
boiling po
int and the posted speed limit.

Walker watched the gamut of emotions that flickered through Skye's eyes, and considered what it would take to make her lose some of her aloofness.
He suspected that under the very ‘correct’ smile and cool exterior there lurked a
n incredibly passionate woman.

"It's a pity you
’re
leav
ing
tomorrow," he said for Debbie’s benefit.
He then attempted to draw Skye back into the conversation once more.
"I'm sure you'll miss
her
company."

Skye tried hard to control her temper, but her voice just a little too eager, as if her answer was all too obvious.

"Of course I will."

"How much longer do you intend staying on the island?
I hope you won't find it too lonely in the
cabin on your own.
"

"Skye's here for another few weeks, isn't that right?"
Debbie interrupted, taking control of the conversation once more.

"A
lthough my plans are flexible.
I could change my flights and come back with you, if you wanted."

Walker cut in.
"I have a suggestion.
I've got a few days free, and as the weather seems to be improving, why don't you let me show you a side of the
islands
that most tourists never get to see?"
He offered Skye a smile that even her late grandmother would have fallen for.

"Well, I don't…I mean I…"
Skye stuttered like a teenager, a musk-r
ose flush rising on her cheeks.

"
What a great suggestion.
Y
ou were only saying yesterday how much you wanted to see more of the islands before you fly back to London.
I'm sure
Mr.
Walker is the perfect guide."
There was a twinkle of mischief in Debbie’s eyes, as she knew only too well that Skye would be far too polite to decline Walker's invitation, no mat
ter
what
she felt about the man.

"Fine, that's settled then," Walker interrupted, with a conspiratorial wink to Debbie.
"
How about I pick you up tomorrow—late morning—and we make it up a
s we go along?"

"Don't I get a say in this?"
Skye demanded.
"After all, it is my vacation and I
might have made plans."

"What plans?"
Debbie laughed.
"First I've heard about them.
Oh, go on, Skye, who knows?
You might enjoy yourself
."

Skye
was
neatly backed into a corner, and although she was seething, she knew that i
f
she declined, she would appear churlish.

"Well, only if you are sure.
I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Good, that's settled then.
Everyone for coffee?"
Walker raised his hand to signal the waiter.

As they lingered over coffee and liqueurs, Walker insisted on paying the bill.
He waved away all their arguments.
"It’s the least I can do.
It’s not often that I get to spend an evening in such fine company.
So,
do you have
plans for the rest of the
evening
?"

Debbie, who had long ago taken the role of chief conversationalist, was quick to reply.

"We thought we might go a
nd find some entertainment
, either jazz, maybe a little folk, or, if I can persuade Skye—and we can find somewhere suit
able—we might go dancing."

Walker noted the faint blush on Skye's cheeks.
He didn't have to try very hard to imagine what it
would
feel like to hold Skye in his arms.
He could almost feel her soft curves
mo
u
lding
to the contours of his hard body, responding to his every move, as they swayed to an imaginary rhythm.
He tried to ignore the sudden flare of heat in his groin.

"Dancing, huh?
There's no nightclub on the island, so unless you ladies can find a party to gatecrash, you're out of luck.
But there are plenty of places that play live musi
c.
Perhaps I should join you?"

The waiter cleared the debris of their meal away
.
F
ew diners remained, and although Debbie appeared to be in no hurry to conclude the evening, Walker could
sense
that Skye was.
Her wide-eyed look merely scr
eened
her
anger.

"Thank you for dinner.
I'm sure you have better things to do with your time
Mr.
Walker than accompany us
,
" Skye said.
She glanced at watch.
"Besides, it's later than I thought and Debbie has an early start in the morning.
Perh
aps we should call it a night."

"Pity, although maybe you're right."
Walker conceded.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Better not
antagonize
Skye too much.
After all, her so-called friend had been most accommodating in giving him another toehold in the door.
He stood and extended his hand toward Debbie.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Debbie.
Say ‘Hi’ to San Francisco for me and have a safe journey."
He tilted his head towards Skye, his eyes holding her gaze
slightly
longer than was considered polite.
"I'll see
you
tomorrow," he said with quiet emphasis.

Walker was barely out of earshot, before Skye turned on Debbie.
"Did you have to do that?"

"Do what?"

"You know very well what I’m talking about.
Not only did you embarrass me, but you set me up too!" Sky
e banged her fist on the table.

"I didn't hear you say no.
Anyway, I don't know what you're getting all het up about.
He's perfectly charming, and it's clear for all to see that he finds you attractive.
He hardly took his eyes off you all evening.
And despite what you say, I don't think you're averse to his charms either.
So why not
accept his invitation
?
A holiday romance could be just what the doctor ordered.
Your love life's been non-existent for far too long, and you know what they say if you go without sex for too long—you become a virgin again."

Skye blushed.
She quickly looked over her shoulder and scanned the restaurant hop
ing
that no one had overheard her friend's embarrassing attempt at
humor
.