Her father’s words echoed in her ears. She hoped he was wrong.
A knock at the door drew her from the past.
Most untimely.
“Enter.” Her command carried a tone of irritation.
The door opened. Shunichi Takeo stepped inside the room and shut the door behind him, closing off the coolness in the corridor outside the suite. Slipping off his shoes, he set them next to an expensive pair much smaller than his own.
“It is warm in here,” he said, facing her.
She knew full well he was aware of her medical condition.
“The storm,” she said, owing him no further explanation. “You have news?”
“Good news, Madam. We temporarily reacquired the location beacon aboard the Orochimaru. The storm last night must have shifted the hull enough to start it working. Unfortunately, we lost it again.”
“But you were able to establish its location?”
“We did.”
“It is nearby?” She anxiously awaited his answer.
He nodded. “Across the channel. If the weather holds, we can begin salvage work in the morning.”
She had known Takeo long enough to recognize the look in his cold, dark eyes when he was holding back. The look she was seeing in them now.
“Tell me. You have more news?”
“Yes, Madam.” A sadistic grin formed, one she had seen many times. “We have located Jack Ferrell and his two friends.”
“Excellent,” she said. “I will have the Black Star of Africa back and my revenge.”
CHAPTER 39
At 5:40 that evening, Jack hopped onto the planked walkway next to the boat launch at Maalaea Harbor and lashed Fast Times bow and stern lines to turn cleats. Robert left the engines idling and joined him when the last line was secured. Kazuko remained onboard.
“What do you think?” Robert asked.
Next to them, a group of locals had a fishing vessel with outriggers sitting on a trailer perched on the launch ramp. Water dripped from the carpeted bunks supporting the fiberglass hull. They were done for the day. People moved about on the sidewalks above. Some stood and watched the boat being removed from the water.
A busy tourist day.
Jack shrugged. “Looks like everyone is enjoying themselves.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” Jack took a quick look around, and said, “Let’s go.”
He and Robert reached the parking area at the top of the steps in a dozen long strides and scanned the lot. Their luck was holding, it appeared. No goons in a black Yukon waited for them. If they minimized their time ashore, and with darkness coming in a couple of hours, there was an excellent chance their good fortune would hold at least until morning.
By then they’d be on the move.
And it would be a new game.
Kimo’s old pickup rumbled toward them as planned.
So far so good.
They walked into the lot to meet him.
Kimo stopped the aged truck several feet short of the dock and turned off the engine. Climbing out of the cab, he stood next to the driver’s door. Jack shook the old guy’s hand. Then Robert did.
“Good to see you again,” Jack said.
“Likewise, my friend.”
“You brought the dive equipment I asked for?”
Kimo jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “In back.”
Jack looked. “Excellent.”
“The tanks have been topped off and are ready to go.”
“Excellent,” Jack repeated, turning to Robert. “Let’s do it.”
Kimo helped them haul the dive gear down to the boat. Robert hopped aboard and Jack handed over the last two tanks.
“That’s all of it,” he said. “I’ll call when I’m ready for you to come in and pick up Dana and me.”
He was anxious to get Fast Times moving. They’d unanimously agreed there was no reason to chance being caught with the boat tied to the dock where it could be easily seen by Takahashi’s goons or anyone else wanting to eliminate them.
Kimo clapped him on the back, and said, “I’ll drop you at the store.”
“Sounds good, but I don’t want you sticking around. You’re a good friend. And a couple of years ago I almost got you killed. It won’t happen again.”
“Once was enough. Just don’t you go doing anything stupid.”
Jack chuckled. “Let’s get going.”
The small market was a block up the road. Kimo dropped him off out front and wished him luck. He waved good-bye to his old friend and stood a moment looking at the Coast Guard station across the street.
Dana had called him back five minutes after he ended his earlier phone call to Kimo. Perfect timing. And even more perfect, the dinner invitation had come as a pleasant surprise. She asked to meet him at the store and help with the shopping. But after some coaxing, she admitted she had her own errand to take care of, and he insisted she get done what she needed to do. She admitted that getting two things accomplished at one time was the better plan. And with that, the agreement was for her to rendezvous at the boat ramp at 6:30, which gave her time to go to her place to shower and change into civilian clothes. She was bringing along a spare set and toiletries just in case.
A great idea that delighted him immensely.
He was anxious to see her.
And forty minutes was enough time for him to buy the supplies they needed and get back to the harbor. He wouldn’t forget the wine.
Two large paper bags full of groceries later, he was ready to go. The heavy sacks and a case of beer was a lot to carry, but not too much for his long arms. He made the call to Robert on his cell phone, gathered up his purchases, and headed back to the boat ramp. A slight downhill slope made the task easier.
When he arrived a few minutes later, Robert’s forty-foot sportfisher was at the dock with its engines idling smoothly. His friend’s impeccable sense of timing being what it was, he was already headed into the harbor when he received the call. Dana had arrived, too, and was stepping onto the rear deck of the boat where Kazuko stood with her hand extended in a welcoming gesture. There was no need to waste time getting the supplies aboard.
“You made it right on schedule,” he said to Dana.
She kissed his cheek. “With five minutes to spare. Now let me help you stow that stuff.”
He didn’t argue.
“It’ll only take us a minute,” he said. “Then we’ll pop a beer and you can tell me about your day.”
She took a bag from his arms. Bottles clanked together inside. “Better yet, you can tell me about yours.”
“Mine?” He feigned surprise. “It’s been rather boring, really.”
“Not hardly,” Kazuko said, sliding aside the glass door leading into the salon.
“You, I believe.” Dana winked at Kazuko, edged past her, and followed Jack inside.
It was like a carefully choreographed dance maneuvering around each other in the tiny galley. They had everything stored in practically no time at all, and Jack was ready for the beer he promised them a few minutes earlier.
He popped the top on two cans and handed them to the ladies. Then he opened a third for himself and grabbed an extra.
The sun was well on its way to setting when they stepped from the cabin. Maalaea Harbor was behind them. The weather had turned iffy. Even so, he remained optimistic the sky would remain clear and unseasonably warm.
A beautiful night in paradise.
“Be right back,” he said.
He carried his cold can of lager and the extra one onto the flybridge for Robert before rejoining the women below. He’d noticed the barbeque was attached to its stainless steel mount on the stern.
He held out the beer.
“Red Stripe. Good choice.”
“See you got the que ready.”
“Needed something to do while you were ashore. Besides, my mouth’s watering for that steak.” Robert popped the tab on his can and took a sip. He wiped his lips on his arm. “Everyth
ing went okay, I take it?”
“No sign of those goons, if that’s what you mean.”
“I’m sure they’re out there looking.”
“Something tells me we were lucky they weren’t there waiting for us to show at the harbor. If I was looking for a boat that raced out of Lahaina, it’s the first place I’d check.”
“Maybe they did and left. What matters is we didn’t run into trouble.”
“Yet,” Jack said.
“Likely as not, we’ll be okay tonight.” Robert motioned toward the sky with his can. “Especially with those dark clouds moving this direction. I doubt they’ll be looking for us in the rain.”
“There’s still tomorrow.”
“Only we’ll be gone from here by then.”
“You think Takahashi won’t have men out on a boat searching for the Orochimaru?”
“Of course she will. But if they come at us on the water, we’ll be armed and ready for whatever trouble they want to bring.”
“Their second mistake.”
“The first?”
Jack grinned. “When they warned me to back off.”
Robert chuckled. “If they only knew.”
Jack raised his beer in a toast. “To repelling pirates.”
Robert raised his and nodded. “Arrgh . . .”
Jack took a sip and stepped to the ladder leading down. “I’m going below to check on the women.”
“We’ll be dropping anchor in a couple of minutes,” Robert said, directing his attention forward. “Be ready.”
“Aren’t I always?”
CHAPTER 40
Jack glanced skyward. Farther at sea, a slanting curtain of rain put a gloomy blur on the horizon. In front of him, the thick steaks sizzled on the hot grill.
The timing was going to be close.
A palette of color that earlier promised a wonderful sunset to eat by was now a blanket of heavy dark clouds. But the downpour that threatened to cut loose at any moment had held off long enough for their rib-eyes to cook to perfection.
“We’d better take these inside before this squall hits,” he said.
“Grab the plates and I’ll dish them up,” Robert said.
He didn’t have to ask twice.
They carried their meat into the galley. Kazuko had prepared a salad. Dana had made garlic bread in the small oven. Both sat in large bowls on the counter. After adding a generous portion of each to their plates, they scooted in across from each other at the small dining booth. There was enough room left on the table for a bottle of wine and four glasses. Not much else.
Outside, the rain began to fall.
Wind pointed the bow seaward.
“I’m not sure how good this Pino is,” Jack said. Starting with Dana then Kazuko, and finally Robert and himself, he poured a couple of inches into each goblet. “But it was the most expensive that little market had to offer.”
“It’s wonderful,” Dana said. “It’s all wonderful.”
Jack forked up a tender bite and chewed. She was right. The meat was delicious. He chased it down with a sip of wine, and said, “I’m figuring on giving us three days to find the Orochimaru and recover the necklace.”
Puzzlement showed in Dana’s expression. “Three days isn’t much time.”
“It’ll have to do,” Jack said. “By then your report will have had time to go up the ladder and back down. It’ll be someone else’s game then. And all bets are off.”
“Which doesn’t help our situation one bit,” Robert pointed out, sitting back and taking it all in. “Especially if Takahashi thinks we put the feds on her and that we’re lining up to testify in court.”
Dana furrowed her brow. “What if the police or the FBI or Homeland Security, whoever’s in charge of the case, moves in quick and arrests her?”
Jack shook his head. He wanted to be optimistic, but he couldn’t imagine that happening.
“Have you ever known the feds to move fast,” he said. “And even if they did, there’d still be the pending trial. Which might not be for months.”
“Probably longer,” Robert added.
Jack sliced another bite and forked the morsel into his mouth, refusing to let the conversation cause his steak to get cold. Across the table from him, Kazuko dabbed at her mouth with a paper napkin.
He was sure she had something to add.
“So that’s how it is,” she said. “Either way, we lose.”
He scowled at her choice of words. She was referring, of course, to what would happen once the feds were involved. Still he didn’t like the inference they’d lose. He was determined to make their plan work.
All of them coming away winners.
“That’s why we’re going to find the Orochimaru,” he said. “Let’s enjoy this wonderful meal and worry about the other tomorrow.”
For the next few minutes, Robert, Kazuko, and Dana talked and ate. He worked his way through his meal and listened. Eventually, the noisy chitchat stopped while the chatterboxes cleaned their plates.
He leaned back in his seat, appreciating the quiet.
He did not resent the spirited conversation or that Dana and Kazuko talked practically non-stop through the latter part of the meal. It was that everything was moving fast. The search for the necklace. His feelings for Dana. There was a lot to think about.
When everyone was done eating, they stacked their dishes on the countertop next to the sink. The paper napkins went into the trash. He washed. Dana dried. Kazuko and Robert put everything away.
“We’re going to turn in,” Robert said when the last fork was in its place. “You two enjoy yourselves.”
Dana spoke up before Jack could, “You sure you don’t want to hang with us awhile? There’s a lot we can talk about.”
“We’d love to,” Kazuko said. “But it’s been a long day.”
When the door to the master cabin clicked shut, Jack turned to Dana, and said, “That was nice of them.”
“What?” Her thoughts appeared to be focused elsewhere.
“Leaving us alone.”
CHAPTER 41
The staccato of rain on the deck outside slowed. Jack listened to a few sporadic thumps overhead. Then quiet.
He’d conjured up all kinds of conclusions to the evening. Giddy school-boy nervousness. Uncertainty where it would lead. All of them ended with him and Dana spending quality time together.
Dana’s lips curled into a hint of a grin. “I think Kazuko had her own plan for the evening.”
“Could be.”
He searched out the bottle of brandy he’d purchased and poured some into two paper cups to avoid further dishwashing. He handed her one, and said, “The rain’s quit. What do you say we step outside and look at the night sky?”
“You’re reading my mind.” She leaned close and gently kissed the corner of his mouth.
Inhaling her exotic perfume and the familiar tropical scent of plumeria and passion flower shampoo, his mind blurred with a cascade of memories. The days and nights they’d spent together. Their bodies entwined in unimaginable desire. All impossible to forget.
“Keep that up and we’ll never make it.”
She smiled and gripped his hand. “We’d better take advantage of the lull while we can.”
The wet deck glistened in the muted glare from the cabin. He followed her into the spill of light, then reached back in and flipped the switch, leaving them standing in darkness. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust. Slowly, she and the dim outline of the gunwales and transom came into view.
“How are your eyes?” he asked.
“Adjusting.”
“Good. Let’s go topside.”
He followed her up the ladder to the flybridge. The seats there remained, for the most part, dry under the Bimini top. The wind had dropped to a balmy breeze that carried the unmistakable odor of salt and rotting ocean vegetation. He settled into the padded chair at the helm and she sat in the one across the deck from him. The town lights in Kihei twinkled behind her.<
br />
“You and Kazuko seem to be getting along quite well.”
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “When we first met, why didn’t you tell me about Theresa Montero?”
Jack was taken aback by her remark. Her tone made it sound more like an accusation than a question. Back then he hadn’t intentionally hidden his past affairs from her. There was no reason that he could see to talk about them. They just didn’t seem important. Apparently, they were.
He rocked forward, narrowing the gap between him and Dana. “You heard about her from Kazuko, didn’t you?”
“She talked about all the exploits you’ve been involved in. The women, too. I think she wanted me to know the kind of man you are. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. Woman to woman. So I’d know what I’m getting myself into.”
“You and I talked. I even explained how I purchased Pono with my share from the sale of the ancient pearls I discovered on Kahoolawe.”
“But you didn’t tell me you sailed around the islands with her.”
“It was therapeutic, really. We both knew the arrangement was temporary and made the best of a wonderful situation. It was several months later that you and I met.”
“She said you had strong feelings for her.”
“I won’t deny I was quite fond of Theresa. Still am. I’ve liked all the women I’ve been with. The truth is, she and I were from different worlds. An attempt at anything close to a permanent relationship would have ended in disaster.”
“What about you and me?”
“I think we’re alike in more ways than you might imagine.”
“Except I haven’t killed anyone.”
He swallowed a lump that rose and lodged in his throat. Kazuko had gone too far to share parts of his life so private only he should talk about. When he was ready. And not before.
“Every man I’ve killed was trying to kill me,” he explained. “Every single one of them. Robert too. And my other friends . . . Kazuko included. If you’d been in my shoes you’d have protected yourself and them the same way I did. At least I hope you would have.”
“So there have been more than one?”
He slumped against the back of his seat. “I’m sure Kazuko told you.”
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