"Congratulations!" Ben offered with a big grin, walking over to shake Vin's hand.
"Congratulations! This is wonderful news," Salma added as she got up from the table and walked over to join them, shooting Caeli a quick questioning look. Caeli shrugged her shoulders and nodded affirmatively in response. It was true, after all. Noticing the paper Vin was holding, Salma added a comment for Ben.
"It seems like the missing page from my lab report has also been discovered." Salma looked over at Ben, who sheepishly hung his head.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my news to divulge, and I didn't want her surprise to be ruined if the test wasn't vital to her treatment and you didn't already know," Ben replied.
"Ben, you knew? This is what you discovered? And you didn't say anything? How could you not say anything or drop me a clue? You're supposed to be my best friend?" Vin teased.
"It's not his fault. I wanted to surprise you. I swore them both to secrecy."
"Both? You both knew?" Vin couldn't believe they'd been able to keep it a secret. Either Caeli had only recently told them or she had used very good leverage to ensure their cooperation. Vin just shook his head in amusement. Leave it to Caeli to find a way to silence the two people in the world that no one else could manipulate.
"Caeli, is this what you've been trying to tell me? That's why you were upset. It wasn't about how bad you were feeling at all. You've been worried about how all this might affect the baby?" Vin asked incredulously, yet beaming his fabulous smile. He immediately understood her concern. Vin could read her like a book.
"Yes, but the first test I took was unclear. I wanted Salma to confirm it before I told you. As sick as I was, I was afraid it might not be true. If not, I didn't want you to worry over nothing. In fact, for a little while, I even convinced myself and Salma that it wasn't true; and then we kept getting separated or interrupted. There was no good time to explain it all. As for Ben, I don't know how, but he figured it out. Thankfully, Salma fixed me up, and I was still able to surprise you." Caeli stepped forward to take Vin's hand and rescue a squirming Ben, who did not enjoy being on the other side of the interrogation table. Salma came up and gave Caeli and Vin each a big hug.
"Wow! I can't believe it. In another few…Caeli, how far along are you? I got so excited, I forgot to ask?"
"Maybe six or seven weeks; I'm not entirely certain."
"That explains the new outfit! In fact, it explains your entire wardrobe recently. You've been dropping hints, haven't you?"
Caeli's smile broadened.
"Everything that you've worn recently has had baby blue in it. I should have caught on sooner. I suspected you might be having morning sickness recently, but when your condition got worse…oh, Caeli! This is wonderful!"
Vin placed his hand on Caeli's stomach and sighed as the tingling sensation recurred. He could hardly believe it, and he could not get the silly grin off his face. He didn't realize that he would feel this strongly. Vin figured that if Caeli ever did get pregnant, it would be nice and he would enjoy being a dad. He did not realize how truly excited he would be now that he faced the reality. But it was real, and the idea of having created a new life with Caeli was thrilling.
Vin hoped he would be a good father. Never having known his own parents and having grown up in an orphanage and a succession of foster homes, Vin did not have the best parental examples to follow. He knew without question, however, that Caeli was going to be a great mom.
CHAPTER 31
"Go on. You are going to make Salma late if you don't get out of here," Caeli nudged Vin toward the door as Apela's truck horn sounded a second time. He had decided to go to the conference to help Ben look after Salma, but after finding out about the baby, Caeli couldn't get two steps away from him. Vin kept placing his hand on her stomach and laughing, having now explained about the sensation he experienced each time he did this. Caeli would have preferred to continue absorbing Vin's happiness, but she was also worried about Salma. The threat of the protestors was immediate, while she would still be pregnant when he returned.
"I can't help it. I'm just so excited…"
"I know. I know. Now scoot. Unless you have changed your mind and are letting me come along? I could help, too."
"No. I'm sorry, Honey. You are absolutely not going. If there is any trouble, Ben and I will handle it. You are going to stay right here and, for once, take it easy and stay out of mischief. Max promised to keep an eye on you and make sure that you behave. He will tell me if you do anything that you shouldn't while I'm gone."
"Oh, Vin! You shouldn't put that kind of a burden on him. He already feels bad because I got sick when he took me to visit the cave," Caeli said.
"Actually, Max insisted on this assignment. It was completely his idea. I even had to give him a list of things you are not allowed to do. That means my pretty, little wife better be on her best behavior for a couple of hours," Vin teased with another laugh.
"Gee, tell a guy he is going to be a dad and an hour later he is already setting house rules. Go on, then. I will see you later. You take care of Salma and remember what I said about Scott. Salma said he and his uncle are supposed to be there. They are both trouble, but I think Scott is dangerous." Caeli became serious as she escorted Vin to the door.
"Wait a minute." Vin stopped and all traces of humor left his voice.
"What about him? You never did explain that to me. On the ship, you rushed me out of the steering room when he was in there. You wouldn't let Salma seek help from Scott or Dr. Jacobs, and you told me to keep out of their sight. There was so much going on at the time that I trusted you had a good reason. I know from the lighthouse that Dr. Jacobs is trouble, but what more do you know about Scott that I don't?" Vin was serious now, realizing the subject required his full attention.
"Doesn't Scott look familiar to you?" She took his hand and began to walk toward the hotel exit.
Vin thought about it. He only caught a quick glimpse of the redhead on the ship and really hadn't been paying attention at the time.
"I really didn't see him all that well. Should I know him?"
"You might remember him. I don’t like the way he keeps showing up everywhere Salma goes. He ran into her twice at the airport. The second time, he even cut her arm. Salma thinks it was an accident, but I don't. I think he meant to draw her blood and used his rudeness to mask his intention. Then he coincidentally ends up on our next flight, and, big surprise, he turns out to be the nephew of the doctor on a government ship that rescues us. That is a string of too many coincidences for me. I think these two are after something from Salma; something to do with her work. They might even be the ones sending her those official-looking letters and stirring up the protestors to cover their tracks."
"Caeli, I agree. That is a lot of coincidence, sure, but it is still a huge leap to say they are responsible for or involved with the protestors. And, you have left out the part that is supposed to explain how I should know Scott. Tell me the rest of it."
"I remember him, Vin. It took me a while to figure it out, but I remember him from that compound in Idaho."
"Are you sure? Could you be mistaken, Caeli?" Vin was shocked. He had tried to put that place out of his mind. He certainly never expected to see anyone from there again. Vin did not like the idea that one of them might be stalking his family now.
"Vin, think back. He was the one with Dalla. I saw them when they brought the Book of Elements to Antonius. I also saw him on the practice field before the final fight. I know what shocking things he can do. I think he used the elemental skill that Antonius taught him to bring our plane down. I know it wasn't natural lightning that hit the engine, at least, not lightning from the storm." Caeli stood in front of Vin at the front door of the hotel now. She hoped he would believe her. Caeli knew she was right, but she also understood how much of a stretch it must seem that she made to reach the conclusion she presented.
It was, however, the only explanation that made any sense. If natural lightning hit the
plane and disabled all of the other electrical systems, then the lights should have gone out at the same time, but they did not. The lights went out almost as an afterthought. The damaged engine was not completely destroyed. It was hit with such precision as to ensure that the pilot could still control the plane and the crash would not be erratic. Someone wanted to knock the little plane out of the air, but did not want to kill its passengers. Natural lightning would not have been so polite.
"Ok, let's assume that what you say is true. If Scott is the same person, and if he did have something to do with the crash, then I will stay out of his sight. He would definitely recognize me. His uncle saw me at the lighthouse earlier, but I doubt he knows who I am. I will have to tell Ben, too. Of course, this means we might have to skip the awards dinner on Friday. I don't want you to leave the hotel while I'm gone. Promise me you'll stay here."
Caeli again considered trying to convince Vin to let her go to the conference with him. It was a passing notion because he was adamant about her safety, especially after her revelation this morning. She would not deny Vin that peace of mind. Unfortunately, Ben had not been able to convince Salma to change her mind merely because of the protestors. Salma refused to let them scare her away from the very reason she was on the island in the first place. She did not come all this way and endure the trials of the journey only to spend the rest of the week hidden away, thereby allowing the work that would benefit so many to be omitted from the conference.
"I understand, Vin. If it will be easier on you to have me stay here, then I will stay. Besides, I've only been able to help you so far by being out of your way and from a distance."
"Thank you, Honey, I think. Please don't go out of your way looking for ways to help; but I will certainly call if I need you."
"Ok. Please be careful, Vin. These protests might be nothing more than a diversion, but they can still be dangerous. If you remember, those men at the lighthouse yesterday were protestors, too. They nearly killed you."
"Don't worry. I will be fine, and I will bring everyone back safely," Vin said as he placed his hand on Caeli's belly one last time, kissed her, and headed off to join the others already waiting in Apela's truck.
CHAPTER 32
The crowd in front of the hotel was larger than any of them anticipated. As Apela turned his white truck into the hotel parking lot, the vehicle was stopped by a barricade and an approaching security officer. Once the officer confirmed Salma's identity, they were escorted forward by two black SUVs. One drove in front of Apela's truck, and the other stayed to their left, placing itself between their vehicle and the group of protestors. They were led to an area cordoned off on the right side of the hotel near a secluded entrance.
They could hear the crowd getting worked up as they drove by. They were shouting a variety of slogans; some religious, some political, some slanderous, and some were downright absurd. A few raw eggs even managed to hit the truck’s windshield. Salma held tightly to Ben's hand. She was glad that he decided to come with her instead of staying at the hotel as she had originally asked him to do. Salma never dreamed there would be such an outcry because of her work.
"Don’t worry, Love. People are often afraid of what they don’t understand. They will eventually see the good in what you do." Ben offered her a few words of support.
"Do you really believe that?"
"I do." Ben grinned and gave her a special look as he spoke those two words to her again.
"Thank you, Ben. You always know the right words to say to make me feel better."
Once Apela parked the truck, the four were rushed inside, sheltered from distant cameras by large, black umbrellas carried by members of the security crew. A smiling face suddenly popped out from under one of overhanging brims and appeared beside Apela.
"Hi. I'm sorry about the inconvenience, but there was no better way to get you safely inside."
The large man Vin met at the levee now wore a security jacket and held one of the umbrellas as they hurried inside.
"Maku, it's good to see you again," Vin greeted the man who had also helped with his and Jeremy's rescue.
"Maku, how did you land this gig?" Apela greeted his friend.
"I got a recommendation from the head of security over at the arena. The pay is good. They really think this doctor lady is important, someone special," Maku unsuccessfully attempted to lower his voice so that only Apela would hear his comment.
"I certainly think so," Ben cleared his throat and chimed in as they entered the hotel and were immediately led into an empty, conference room on the ground floor. At the same time, other members of the security team came to retrieve Salma and take her to the tenth floor suite where her seminar was to be held. The guys would be able to watch from a table at the back of the room, but would have to enter through a different door. Naturally, Ben opposed the idea.
"I don't see any reason why I can't go with you. It's ridiculous." He insisted that he would be going anywhere that Salma went.
"Please don't make a scene, Ben. I've actually had to do this at my last three seminars." Salma assured him that this was not unusual. She often had to leave her guests and let security escort her to the appropriate location. It was standard procedure to ensure the safety of the speaker with even the slightest hint of potential trouble. Ben could understand the concept, though he still did not like it. Nowadays, even security guards had their price. Ben preferred to ensure Salma's safety himself.
Salma again tried to convince him that she would be perfectly safe. Ben finally agreed to let her go on the condition that if he did not see her up in that room in exactly five minutes, he would start tearing the hotel apart piece by piece looking for her. Salma kissed him quickly and then left with the assigned security staff. When she was out of sight, Ben turned to join the others in the room.
"Maku, this is Ben Erickson. Ben, this is my friend, Maku. He is the one, obviously, with the name you asked about. We grew up together. I think of him like my brother. I even tried to get him hooked up with my sister, but she seems to fall for the less savory type."
"Ben, this is the guy from the levee," Vin added.
"Pleased to meet you, Maku," Ben extended his hand in greeting. Maku reached out and hesitantly shook it. Apela and Vin both noticed the awkwardness between the two men.
"You have an interesting name. Is that a family name? Apela tells me it is not common here on the island," Ben asked curiously. Vin caught the hint of something else in Ben’s voice.
"No. I have never run into anyone else who shared my name. I suppose it is not very common, though it is an old, island name," Maku answered. Maku was certain that he knew why the doctor's husband was asking.
Maku offered to take the guys up to their table right away, and they followed him to a nearby elevator. As they rode, Ben reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded envelope, which he silently offered to Maku.
"Go ahead, open it," he said when Maku stood there staring at it.
"I don't need to, Sir. I know what's in it."
"I thought so. You are quite resourceful. I suspected that you might find your way to Salma's seminar. Why don't you join us at our table, Maku? I think you and I ought to have a chat," Ben said calmly, but he clearly wasn't going to take no for an answer.
Apela and Vin stood quietly during the exchange. Vin listened carefully and caught a glimpse of the envelope as Maku handed it back to Ben. It looked like a normal letter addressed to Salma Erickson at her home.
Salma was greeted with a warm welcome from a room packed full of nearly four hundred medical professionals. Ben watched from their isolated table at the rear of the room. The pride in his eyes shined clearly to Vin. Ben had not simply fallen in love with a pretty face. He admired Salma's passion for her work and the genuine care she provided to each of her patients. Salma gave more of her time and herself than most people realized. Ben also liked the spunk in Salma's confident manner that allowed her to accomplish the amazing things she did. He still found it incred
ible that they were actually married, and he thanked God for Salma every day.
The men were seated at a round table, much like all the others up front, only smaller. This one only accommodated four chairs, two facing the front and two turned to face the rear of the room. It was adorned with a white tablecloth and a centerpiece consisting of a glass decanter with red decorative beads and red roses. Ben and Vin occupied the two chairs facing the front of the room. Maku and Apela sat with their backs to the podium. Maku's security jacket could be seen clearly by any who glanced in their direction. The bodies of the two island men obscured both Ben and Vin from the view of anyone seated in the front section of the room.
After a few minutes of listening to his wife's presentation, Ben turned his attention away from Salma and looked at the man seated across from him.
"Maku, what is it, exactly, that you want from my wife?" Ben got straight to the point.
Apela glanced at his friend in surprise. He had no idea what was going on, but he did know that Maku's younger brother was sick. Perhaps it was related to that.
"I only wanted her to talk to my brother. I thought that if she could meet Pete, then perhaps she would be able to help him. Somehow, I got it in my head that she would."
"Why doesn't your brother participate in the trials?"
"We could not afford the treatments, so Pete was denied," Maku explained and hung his head sadly.
"What do you mean? The trials are supposed to be free. Who told you it was necessary to pay?"
Vin watched Ben as he questioned Maku. He could see that focused look on Ben's face again and recognized Ben's professional persona. Ben was in the midst of a puzzle and already working rapidly toward its solution.
"The doctor who runs all the major trials on the island, Dr. Jacobs, sets the price. He has been in charge for five years and has always charged participation fees for drug trials. He says it is to cover the cost of setting up the programs. Dr. Jacobs is also the one responsible for bringing the medical conference to the island this year. He said that since he held a key position in the trials for Dr. Erickson's work, that the committee would have to host the event here; and it seems to have worked. For that, I am grateful. Otherwise, Pete might not have had this opportunity to speak to her."
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 41
