by H. H. Fowler
Dana’s brows were constricting before she even thought of a response. “That is very strange,” she finally said. “Makes me wonder if all is well between those two. Please, take him to the veranda and tell him that I will join him shortly.”
“Should I fix some tea?”
“Don’t. I’m hoping this won’t take long. Thank you, Rose.”
Dana stood to her feet and straightened her jacket. It was a good thing she had already showered and was dressed appropriately. Being the wife of a prominent bishop who’d been abducted was reason for people to drop in unannounced. But Dana had dressed early that morning because of a nine-thirty appointment she’d made with a client who wanted to buy some of her paintings. She had hoped to leave for the art gallery right after her morning devotions, but it looked as if Montgomery’s arrival would thwart her plans.
“Mrs. Beaufort…” Montgomery rose to his feet to greet Dana as she stepped onto the veranda. “I apologize for coming so early. Did I disrupt you from anything?”
You sure did, buddy, Dana wanted to say, but instead she schooled her lips into a warm smile. “Nah, it’s okay. But you might have come too early for Della. I think she is still asleep.”
“I know…that girl will sleep past noon if you don’t wake her.”
Dana laughed.
“I am serious,” Montgomery said and then almost immediately changed gears in order to get to the meat of the matter. “But Della is not really the reason why I came here so early. I’m sure you’ve picked that up by now.”
Dana shot Montgomery a guarded look. “Well, Rose told me that you wanted to see me about something. I hope everything is going well for you and your daughter.”
“We couldn’t be happier. I simply wanted some time with you before she gets up.”
Dana swore she detected a hint of charm in Montgomery’s voice. She observed how he ran his hand through his thick curly hair. A nervous gesture? Dana couldn’t tell. Montgomery’s expression was not easy to read. His blemish free complexion made him look as if he was born of eastern ancestry. The only thing that destroyed that image was his cultured American accent and his marginally full lips, a feature so common on many African American men. Della was a striking contrast.
“You went quiet on me,” Montgomery said to Dana. “I hope I didn’t offend you before I even started.”
“Forgive me,” Dana laughed. “I was comparing you and your daughter’s features in my mind. You two look nothing alike.”
“I can understand your confusion,” Montgomery said. “Della’s mother was British. We met at a railway station in London Victoria. Trust me; we get that comment all of the time.”
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to poke my nose into your business.”
“It is not a problem for me. Della is okay with it as well.”
A beat of silence passed between them before Montgomery spoke again. He felt the timing was perfect to express his attraction toward Dana, which he’d been carrying around inside of him from the first day he’d met her. Once their stares locked, he let the words flow out of his mouth without thought of how it would be received.
“I have feelings for you, Dana. A very strong attraction, actually, that I’ve been trying to suppress for a while. I don’t expect you to feel the same way that I feel about you. I simply needed to confess this to you, because at night it drives me crazy when I’m alone, thinking about you in my bed.”
“Oh my God…” Dana turned away, unable to control the laughter that unexpectedly shot through her mouth. “This is unbelievable!”
“Why do you find that so funny?”
Dana turned to face him. “Forgive me, Mr. Black for appearing insensitive. It’s just that I have been plotting to set you up with my daughter, Candi and here you are telling me that you have feelings for me. I am simply blown away at the moment.”
Montgomery laughed, despite the feeling of deflation he felt from Dana’s response. “Now you know that will never work because I am attracted to you,” he told her. “But don’t you think I am a bit too old for Candi? I am sure she wouldn’t appreciate the age difference.”
Dana sobered herself at Montgomery’s words. “Mr. Black, I am going to be straight with you. I have no desire to get involved in another relationship at this juncture in my life. I am barely able to get past my husband’s disappearance. To me, he is still alive and every day I’m praying that he will come back home to his family. You appear to be a good man, Mr. Black. You’re handsome, you’re rich and you have a lot of wonderful things going for you, but it would be unfair for me to string you along in hopes of a future with me. I still love my husband and I don’t think that is going to change any time soon.”
Montgomery hid his disappointment behind a stoic expression. He was one who didn’t take rejection too well, but he would never allow Dana to see that side of him. “And you are a good woman, Dana. I am genuinely impressed with your commitment to your husband. I admit, it hurts to know that my feelings will never be reciprocated, but I understand your position. I will never disrespect your wishes.”
Dana let out a breath of relief. “Thank you for making this easy for me. I am certain you will find the right woman who will honor everything that you have to offer. I am so terribly sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. You have told me the truth, which I know took a lot of courage. I truly respect your position.” Montgomery then stared at Dana with amusement in his eyes. “Please promise me that you will stop scheming to get your daughter to like me, because somehow, I can tell that Candi hasn’t seen the last of you where it concerns me.”
Dana chuckled. “Scheme sounds like such an evil word, but a girl can’t help but try, right? Candi has long passed the marital age.”
“I am serious, Dana. I hate anything that is forced.”
“I am kidding. You have my word that I will turn Candi’s attention elsewhere.”
“Thank you, but I must be going.”
“I need to go, as well. I’m meeting with a client in thirty minutes.” Dana fell in line with Montgomery’s quick strides. “What about Della? Aren’t you taking her with you now?”
“I would hate to wake her. If it’s not a problem, I will return in a few hours.”
“Well, I suppose. I will tell the maid to check in on her.”
Montgomery stopped briefly to thank Dana again before continuing outside to his Escalade. He couldn’t wait to get alone to express what was really going on on the inside of him. He had made such an idiot of himself. He was certain it had been the right timing to let Dana know how deeply he was attracted to her. They were connecting so well. He may have lost this round, but the fight for Dana’s heart was far from over.
The man who can keep a secret may be wise, but he is not half as wise as the man with no secrets to keep.
– E. W. Howe
Chapter Eleven
While Dallis was out of the room, Anwar hastened over to his carryon bag and reached for the cell phone he’d jammed into one of the pockets. He’d promised himself that he would not read the anonymous texts, which he received earlier in the week. But his curiosity was too strong to resist. The mere fact that the texts may contain threats against his wife was reason enough for him to snap. But he needed to stay calm and figure out who it was sending those stupid texts to him.
Suppressing the rage that ached to burst out of him, Anwar stared at the screen. He noticed he had now received an additional three texts – all sent approximately ten minutes after the other, on the same day. His fingers shook as he clicked into the first text and began reading it:
I know what you did last summer…lol. I was there on the school campus…you are a naughty little boy, aren’t you? You are not as faithful as Dallis thinks.
The next text read:
I hear you are a Christian now. How sweet, but it’s not gonna erase what I know about you…lol. Leave Dallis or else I will tell her what I know.
The third text:
You are avoiding me –
I can tell. But trust me, Mr. Life-of-the-Party, if only you knew the goods that I have on you, you would respond to my texts!
The final text:
Click on this link and enjoy…lol.
Anwar could barely breathe as he hovered his finger over the link. What did this person know about him that he didn’t know? Last summer he was finishing up his final year at Bliss Haven Christian Academy as a computer science major. He could not recall anything he’d done that could bring a damning accusation against him. Granted he was not a Christian back then, but his deep love for Dallis was enough to keep him out of trouble. He dared not jeopardize his relationship with her for a fleeting moment of pleasure.
So as far as Anwar was concerned, it was all lies, and a way for him to crumble beneath this person’s sick demands. There was no way in hell he was leaving Dallis. He did not care what had been concocted about his past. He and Dallis were hitched to the soul and without her, he may as well count himself as dead. His finger still lingered over the link, wrestling with the thought to erase it. Did he really want to see something that could disrupt his entire equilibrium? He was bothered enough by the texts he’d just read.
“Honey, I’m back! Are you dressed yet?”
Anwar tossed the phone aside and then jumped to his feet. He hadn’t heard Dallis come in. She swayed toward him, holding two trays of food in her hands. Anwar was still in boxers and tube socks. He hadn’t realized it until Dallis pointed it out to him. Maybe those taunting messages affected him more than he was willing to admit. He’d forgotten everything Dallis told him to do before she left the room to get breakfast from downstairs.
“Wow, I can’t believe you’re still refusing to leave this room,” she said. “This is our last day in Orlando and I was hoping to make it count.”
“Aw, baby, I got sidetracked. I’ll get dress now.”
“What is going on with you, mister? I leave the room for fifteen minutes and you look completely disoriented. I hope you are not getting cold feet about our marriage. I told you that you would get tired of me very quickly. My swimmer’s body doesn’t attract you any longer? You couldn’t stop from complimenting me during my competitions at the swim club and now you’re –”
“Honey, stop it.” Anwar looked as if he was having a panic attack over Dallis’ words. He closed the space between them, eyeing her intensely. “Why would you say such things? You know that I would literally die if for some reason I couldn’t be with you. I love you – more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I owe my life to you. Even marriage doesn’t seem to be enough to show how committed I am to this relationship.”
Dallis stared at her husband, a mischievous smile appearing in her eyes. “Though I do appreciate your earnest confession, I was only kidding with you. I know you love me and I love you, but I want us to enjoy doing things together.”
Anwar smirked, relieved that his wife was only messing around. He then decided to play along. “If what we’ve been doing all week in that bed isn’t togetherness, I don’t know what is.”
“You enticing little devil,” Dallis blushed. “I was not talking about making love.”
“Well, with me, you had better be specific.”
“What am I going to do with you? You spin my words for every round.”
Anwar took the food out of Dallis’ hand and placed it on the nearest surface He then pulled her to his chest for a tight embrace. He simply held her. Without words, and without an agenda to seduce. He could not get his mind off those text messages and what it could mean for their marriage. He hadn’t done anything – well, not that he could think of – that could ruin his new life with Dallis. All of his past sins with the House of gods had already been dealt with and there had never been a desire for him to return to his former vices.
When Anwar finally released her, Dallis had a frown on her face. “What was that for, handsome?” she asked. “Because you are beginning to scare me with all of this outpouring of affection.”
Anwar laughed Dallis’ concerns away, but his intense hazel eyes remained focused on her. “I am beginning to scare myself, girl. Just know that your man will never ever abandon you. I am here for the duration – however long that might be.”
Not being able to come up with a sensible response, Dallis watched her husband strut away toward the bathroom. She simply did not know what to make of his actions.
Chapter Twelve
Frank Dubbin, get up!
The voice was clear and distinctive. Frank sat up in his bed, as he’d been meditating on the Scriptures. He did not need to look around in search of who was speaking to him. Frank knew it was the Holy Spirit trying to get his attention. He responded in his spirit: Lord, what will You have me to do?” The reply did not come in the form in which Frank expected. He had a sudden desire to drive out to the harbor to check on his fishing vessels, which he hadn’t done in months.
Six years ago he had retired from the fishing trade to pursue a full-time call as an intercessory prayer warrior. He did not sell his fishing vessels, but simply rented them to younger fishermen for a monthly fee. That arrangement had kept food on his table, his bills paid and allowed him to spend hours of uninterrupted time with God. He took a quick shower, got dressed and was out of his two-bedroom cottage in twenty minutes. Behind the wheel of his vintage Ford truck, Frank bowed his head in a reverent manner.
Father, my only desire is to obey You and to please You. Direct my steps, as I am completely sold out to what You would have me to do. Your word says obedience is better than sacrifice. So, here I am, following the voice of Your spirit. I love You, Father and in Your matchless name, I take comfort.
Frank cranked the engine and accelerated onto a dirt road. Once he got to the main highway, he expected to be pulling into the harbor in less than ten minutes.
****
Richard slammed the phone down and looked at Karissa with a huge smile. “That was Roslyn from the Ministry of Works. She has just confirmed that the government has not cut any new roads behind the area of Station 61 within the last five years. Particularly the one I described that was not appearing on the map.”
Karissa looked dubious. “We went there on Wednesday of this week and it was told to us with all of the red tape involved, it could take a while finding out that information. You got it in less than two days. How did you do it?”
Richard laughed. “My dear, not only do you have the beauty, but also the brains.”
“I take that as a compliment, though I do sense a tad bit of jealousy.”
“I am never jealous over a woman’s abilities or her looks for that matter, but that is an entirely different story. Shall we stay on course, detective?”
“By all means,” Karissa chuckled. “I am excited to know where this piece of information will lead us, considering we have to wait for the investigative results of that yacht accident. But my gut tells me that yacht belongs to Ms. V and her men.”
“At least the Coast Guard is still searching the deserted island, as we speak. That is the latest update that came in about an hour ago from the inspector.” Richard ran a weary hand down the back of his meaty head. “I desperately want to believe that we are that close to catching up with them, but you never know. With the skills and the mechanisms these criminals have employed, it leaves me feeling as if we are always one step behind. I thought by now we would have tracked down the car that Dallis saw, but it has been almost a week and there’s no sign of it.”
“Dallis and her new husband are scheduled to return from their honeymoon tomorrow. You know you are one of the first persons she will want to see.”
“I don’t have much to tell her,” Richard said dolefully. “Her father is still missing and I can’t confirm if we will find him any time soon.”
“Well, at least we have another lead to look forward to: Station 61. Are you up for a little adventure? Because I certainly am. Station 61 has suddenly gained a lot of traction again.”
“Maybe it is because, as you have suggested, Ms.
V and her men are secretly using that location as a means to get in and out of Bliss Haven. And if it is so, we have to find out how they are doing it.”
“What are we waiting for then, cowboy?”
Richard smiled at Karissa’s positive energy, some of which was now spilling over onto him. He pulled open his office door and leaned against it. “I am right behind you, detective. I’m hoping this case will wrap up soon, because I am bone tired.”
****
For five days, a team of eight Coast Guard members in conjunction with the Bliss Haven Police had been searching the ocean for any signs of life. They were given strict orders to operate with meticulous scrutiny based on the presumption that they were dealing with highly-sophisticated criminals. Not finding any survivors of the yacht accident in the water, the team redoubled their efforts on the island most closely connected to where the yacht had capsized – the same island where Ms. V and the men were strategizing to keep their presence hidden.
Darkness was swiftly approaching, but the Coast Guard team made a decision to continue their trek through the deep forestation of wildlife. In their estimation, the island was probably five miles in both length and width, which was about four to five hours on foot to search the entire square footage. To hasten the commute from the port of Bliss Haven, they’d entered the island by means of a ladder extending from a police chopper, as there had been nowhere safe for the chopper to land.
About twenty minutes into the jungle, one of the men suddenly stopped and bent as if to get a closer inspection of something. In front of him, on a cluster of leaves were droplets of uncoagulated blood. Fresh to the touch, which meant it – whatever or whoever it was – had not too long been gone from there. It was the first real sign suggesting to the Coast Guard that they could be on the right track. At that point they decided to take extra precaution, just in case they were really dealing with criminals.
But the signs were piling up quickly. Several more feet head, they discovered more blood, which now had a smeared appearance on some of the smaller shrubs. It looked as if someone had been dragged from one spot to another. The Coast Guard fanned out in twos, but kept within view of each other. There was no doubt that people were on this island. Soon, a flicker of a tree stem caught the eyes of one of the Coast Guard members. Right there, he had to decide whether it had been the provocation of the wind or movement caused by human error.
