Chances Are

by Red Rose Publishing

  He sighed into her shoulder before kissing it. “Yes, you’re right. I don’t want that woman here, and we need to find out what’s going on.” He released her from his embrace and fell flat on his back onto the pillows. “I guess I better call her and let her know we’re on our way.”

  “That man is just playing games with us,” Kayla said sitting beside Tal as he maneuvered the boat away from the pier to take them back to their island.

  “I think so too,” Tal replied.

  It was late, and Kayla was glad they were heading back to the villa. They had spent an hour with Agent Patrosky and the Cabo police captain. The captain’s people had managed to find the taxi driver. He remembered the woman with the orange hat. It wasn’t often he picked up a pretty woman traveling by herself. He told them the name of the hotel where he dropped her off. When the staff at the front desk was questioned, no one remembered her but the place was booked and the staff was busy.

  “Hopefully, with the police keeping an eye on the hotel where they think Sally is staying, sooner or later she’ll show up. With the hotel manager showing the pictures Patrosky brought with her of Sally and Newington to the staff, it’s just a matter of time,” Tal said. “Someone will remember seeing either one of them, or if they show up at the hotel they’ll be arrested.”

  “Yeah, and it’s good they’re watching the airport too and have men watching the marinas. If Sally’s here, I agree with Patrosky, Newington is either already here or not far behind. Either way, they don’t know we know Sally’s here so they may come out into the open.”

  “You’re sure Sally didn’t see you?” Tal asked concern in his voice.

  He asked that question before, and she answered him the same way. “No she didn’t see me.” Kayla kissed him because she knew he never doubted she had seen Sally. Unlike Agent Patrosky, who was skeptical, at first. It wasn’t until the cab driver positively identified a picture of Sally as the woman he had picked up at the airport was the good agent convinced.

  As they came around the side of the island, they noticed a strange speedboat tied to one of the docks. “Whose boat?” Kayla asked. It hadn’t been there when they left earlier.

  “Not sure” Tal replied. He pulled into the last remaining space and directed her to jump off. She secured the rope he tossed to her around the post, while he positioned the boat closer to the dock. Cutting the engine, he jumped off to help her finish tying off the rope. Arms around each other they headed to the house, the full moon and the lighted pathway guiding them safely there.

  They didn’t think it strange when they entered through the kitchen to find the light off; it was very late. But the exterior lights had been on. Tal assumed Manuel and his wife had gone to bed. Their rooms were upstairs in a separate wing of the eight thousand square foot house. He took the opportunity to pull Kayla against him and kiss her in the darkened room. She tasted of the port they had enjoyed at the bar. As good as the port was, it didn’t compare to the taste underneath that was her.

  She pulled her head away from his slightly. “What about Manuel and Lucinda?”

  “Asleep, I’m sure. Come on. Let’s put you to bed,” he said.

  The moonlight streaming through the windows abounding in the kitchen provided enough light for Kayla to see the glint in his eyes. He wasn’t talking about sleeping. Holding hands, she followed him out of the kitchen. They had to pass through the living room to get to the stairs leading to their section of the house.

  Tal took a step out of the kitchen and came to a halt. The room was bathed in shadows. All of the blinds must have been drawn because there were also many windows in this room. If the blinds had been open there should have been sufficient moonlight to see their way. He turned toward a wall and raised his hand. “Light,” he said, “we need light. There should be a switch somewhere here.”

  A light came on. Except Kayla knew Tal’s hand hadn’t connected with the wall switch. She blinked at the silhouette of someone sitting on the couch, assuming that person had turned on a lamp. At first Kayla thought it was Manuel and began to say thank you when the words died in her throat.

  “What the hell?” Tal said beside her.

  “Yes. What the hell indeed.”

  “Newington!” Kayla gasped.

  “Ms. Michaels. May I call you Kayla? Sally speaks so highly of you, I almost feel as though I know you.”

  There was movement from the other side of the room. “Sally?” Kayla said when the person stepped forward.

  “I’m sorry, Kayla,” Sally said stepping farther into the room.

  Sally moved until she sat on the arm of the sofa next to Newington, wrapping her arm around his shoulder. Making sure she wasn’t in the way of the gun he held on them.

  Without taking his eyes off them, Newington patted Sally’s hand and said, “No need to apologize to them, my sweet.”

  “What do you want?” Tal said taking a step toward the couple.

  “I don’t think so, Mr. Reynolds,” Newington said raising his gun for emphasis.

  Tal stopped. “What do you want?” he asked again.

  “Imagine my shock when I saw you on the beach here earlier today.”

  Kayla gasped her mouth opening in shock. But she wouldn’t give the bastard the satisfaction of any more of a response. He’d seen them. She knew it. He’d watched them as they made love; he confirmed it when he grinned at her. “Bastard,” she spat at him.

  “Kayla,” Sally said shocked.

  “What the hell is wrong with you Sally?” Kayla demanded.

  “Nothing is wrong with her,” Newington replied.

  “What have you done with Manuel and his wife?” Tal interrupted.

  Kayla looked at Tal then back at Newington. “My God,” she cried, “where are they?”

  Sally answered her. “They’re fine, Kayla.” She moved away from Newington and sat on the couch. “They’re upstairs locked in their room.”

  “I swear if you’ve harmed them…” Tal said.

  “I haven’t,” Newington said. “…yet.”

  “Stewie, stop,” Sally said. “Just tell them what we need.”

  Kayla grimaced. Stewie. If this weren’t so serious she would have laughed her head off.

  “All right, dear.” He sighed. “It seems your both being here will save us a lot of trouble. I was planning to filter the money from the Caymans through several accounts, but that takes time. I know the transfers are being tracked, and it’s a bitch to keep the FBI off my tail. That and knowing the authorities have probably provided most everyone with our descriptions has been hampering our efforts. Unfortunately your suddenly showing up that morning caused me to escalate my plans, but no matter, I’m good at improvising.”

  He smiled and the smile caused Kayla’s blood to boil. She knew what he was going to say before the words left his mouth. “You, Kayla,” Newington said with a smirk waving the gun around in a circle, “are going to help us.”

  “You are mad if you think she’s going to help you,” Tal said.

  “Oh but she will,” he insisted pointing the gun straight at Tal. “You see, she’ll have no choice.” When Tal moved forward, Kayla grabbed his arm to stop him. “No, Tal,” she cried softly.

  He grabbed her hand and placed her more firmly behind him. “No,” Tal said, “What ever your plans, use me instead.”

  “Sorry. Believe me, I thought about it. But you’re too well known in the financial world. You’d be noticed. Kayla, on the other hand, won’t be.”

  Sally spoke up again. “That’s right. Look, this is going to be very simple. Kayla, you and I are going to take a little trip to a bank in Cabo, first thing in the morning after Stewie moves the money one last time.”

  “This will be very easy. Sally will take you to the bank and she’ll give you the account number once you get there. All you have to do is walk in and withdrawn all of the funds. I will already have made all the arrangements. They’ll hand you a cashier’s check. All you’ll need is your passport.” />
  “I can’t just walk into any bank and ask for a cashier’s check for that kind of money,” Kayla claimed.

  “I’m sorry, did I say bank? It’s not really a bank, more of an investment company, and they do this kind of thing all the time. Anyway, don’t worry your pretty little head about the details,” he said condescendingly. “They will be expecting you. All you have to do is walk in, show ID, and walk out with my check.”

  “And if I don’t?” Kayla asked. But she already knew the answer. So did Tal. He squeezed her hand.

  “But we both know you will,” Newington replied.

  “What…what about Tal? I’m not going anywhere without him.”

  “Tsk, tsk tsk. I never knew you two were so…close.” Newington grinned.

  “He’ll be fine,” Sally said.

  Kayla turned to Sally. “And am supposed to believe you?” At least Sally glanced away from her, looking a little ashamed.

  “As long as you do everything I tell you,” Newington interrupted. “Mr. Reynolds will stay here with me until you and Sally return with my money.”

  “And after?” Tal asked.

  “We leave,” he replied.

  “What about the Mendosas?” Tal asked. “The couple you’re holding upstairs?”

  “This is their home,” Newington stated. “I wouldn’t dream of asking them to leave while we conduct our business. They will stay too, of course.”

  “You know you can’t get away with this,” Tal stated.

  Newington laughed, a full belly laugh where he had to hold his hand to his waist. Even Sally smiled. “But, I did,” he responded. “Now I suggest we all get a good night’s sleep. I’m even willing to put you two in a room together.” He grinned. “Oh, not in the room upstairs I know you occupied. We found something a little better for your needs, a walk-in linen closet with an exterior lock.”

  “You’ll be very comfortable in there. I promise,” Sally said.

  Kayla snorted. “Oh please, Sally, save me your promises.”

  “I am sorry Kayla, for whatever it’s worth, that you got mixed up in this. But after we come back with the money, we’ll leave you alone. You’ll never see us again.”

  “I wish I wasn’t seeing you now,” Kayla replied looking at a woman she really didn’t know. Some of her distain must have shown. Sally wouldn’t look Kayla in the eyes.

  “Come on,” Newington said. “It’s late and we’ll all feel better after a good night’s sleep. But, before we go upstairs, Kayla would you mind just leaving your purse right there on the floor?” When Kayla let the purse fall from her shoulder, Newington’s attention returned to Tal. “And Mr. Reynolds, I’m sure you’re carrying a cell phone somewhere on your person. Since I really don’t want to try to search you, would you please place it on the floor next to Kayla’s purse?”

  Tal reached into the interior of his linen jacket. “Ah, very slowly and very carefully,” Newington said. Tal did as requested and pulled out his phone.

  “Thank you so much,” Newington said with a smile. “Now if you please, after you.” He waved the gun toward the staircase for them to move. Tal wrapped his arm around Kayla’s waist and put her in front of him so she could start up the stairs first. He came up behind her. Newington waited until they were a couple of steps ahead before he started up after them. “Turn right at the top of the stairs. It’s the door in the corner.”

  Kayla stopped at the door and touched the knob; there was a key in the lock. The knob turned easily when she touched it. She pushed the door open and looked back at Tal, standing behind her. “Go on,” Newington said pausing at the top of the stairs.

  “Wait,” Kayla said. “If I’m going to be stuck in here for what’s left of the night, I need to use the bathroom first.”

  Newington rolled his eyes. “What is it with you women and your small bladders? All right. Mr. Reynolds, please step in. After Kayla uses the bathroom, I’ll return her and then you can go.” Newington waited for Tal to step into the closet and had Kayla close and lock the door. After she handed him the key, he escorted her to the bathroom down the hall.

  Newington wasn’t as smart as he thought; even though he stood guard at the bathroom door, he left Kayla alone. She had her small cell phone in the long side pocket of her capris, not in her purse as he’d thought. She needed to use it now. She didn’t want to take the chance she wouldn’t have reception in the closet, and she hoped she’d have it in the bathroom.

  She stood near the small window over the sink and got a full signal. Thank God. She dialed the operator and asked for a connection to the Cabo San Lucas police department. Unfortunately, the operator who answered at the department only spoke Spanish, which Kayla didn’t speak. She just kept saying English. Finally, she got an English-speaking operator who transferred her to the lieutenant on duty who spoke English. After she told him who she was, he remembered her. He had been present when they were in earlier talking to Patrosky.

  The banging on the door almost made her drop the phone. “Hurry it up in there,” Newington yelled.

  “I can’t rush nature,” Kayla yelled back.

  Kayla flushed the toilet to mask the sound of her voice while she frantically whispered into the phone. She asked the lieutenant to contact Patrosky and let her know Newington and Sally were holding them hostage where they were staying, and he was armed.

  The lieutenant didn’t waste time; he kept his mouth shut and just listened. She had just finished telling him what Newington planned for the morning, when the banging came again. Kayla flushed the toilet again. “I’ve got to go,” she said.

  But before she hung up he gave her a number to call if she got the chance to call again. She repeated the number so she wouldn’t forget it, and quickly hung up returning her phone to her pants pocket. She was running the water just as the door cracked open. Whipping her head around, she yelled, “Can’t a lady have a little privacy?”

  The door opened wider, but he didn’t come in, just stood in the doorway. “Come on already.”

  “That door was locked,” Kayla said. Newington held up a long slender bathroom door key. He silently watched her dry her hands. When she was done, he took her back to the linen closet, and she exchanged places with Tal. He had Tal lock her in, and put the key on the ground before taking him to the bathroom.

  As soon as Kayla heard the lock clink, she pulled out her phone. As she suspected she had no signal. She walked around the small closet, even got down on the floor and held the phone by the door but still no signal, and her battery was running low. She shut off the phone, and pulled some of the blankets and pillows she found on the shelves on the floor. They might as well be as comfortable as possible while they waited for the FBI, and the local law enforcement to rescue them.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kayla only saw the doorknob turning because she happened to be watching it at the time. She hadn’t heard their approach, the carpeted floor must have masked the sound of their footsteps, but she did hear Tal’s voice. She couldn’t make out what he was saying just before the door was pushed open and Tal’s body stood framed there.

  “Nightie night, kiddies,” Newington said. “Enjoy yourselves, you never know when or if you’ll ever have the chance again. Be grateful I’m giving you this night.” He slammed the door and they could clearly hear the sound of the lock clicking into place.

  Tal sat down beside her, placing his back against one of the shelves, he pulled her to him. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Yes. I don’t think he has any intention of letting us get out of here.”

  Tal looked at her; she could see the conflict going on behind his eyes. “I’m not stupid,” she said. “Even if Sally is. I wonder if she even knows he’s not planning on leaving any witnesses behind. Why else would he be carrying a gun?”

  “Ah, baby. We can’t be sure. But I am sorry I got you into this. We’ll look for an opening, any opportunity to get away or get help.”

  “I’ve taken care of that.
”

  Tal’s brow raised into a frown. “What do you mean?”

  Kayla pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Good girl,” he grinned.

  Before he could reach for the phone she said, “Don’t bother, it doesn’t work in here. But I was able to use it from the bathroom. I reached the police and they will contact Patrosky. I told them what happened, and what that mad man has planned. We were told to sit tight. The lieutenant I spoke to gave me a direct number to call later, if I can. It’s probably going to take them awhile to organize anything. It’s only a few more hours until morning. I’ll ask to use the bathroom again before we leave and try again then.”

  Still smiling he said, “You really are something.” He kissed her quickly. “They might try something before morning though.”

  “Maybe, I don’t know.”

  “I think it’s unlikely, they’ll need a little time to come up with a plan. Meanwhile, let’s try to get some sleep so we can be ready to take whatever opportunity opens up.”

  “What about Manuel and Lucinda?”

  “They’re on the other side of the house. We may not be able to reach them to warn them, but they should be safe. We’ll just have to wait and see how this all plays out.” Tal took a deep breath and said, “When this is all over, remind me to tell you how much you mean to me.” He caressed her chin and leaned in to kiss her again.

  Pulling back only far enough to look into the pools that were her eyes, eyes he could see himself looking into for the rest of his life. Which he’d be damned would end sooner than he’d planned for either of them. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.

  Shifting over until he lay comfortably on his side, he guided Kayla until she lay on her back. They’d left the lights on and lay face to face. He wrapped his arms around her and they stared at each other, trying to read what was behind the others eyes. Whatever she saw in his seemed to satisfy, it certainly more than satisfied him. Tal smiled and so did Kayla. “Sleep, I’m right here,” he whispered. Her eyes slowly drifted shut, he followed her soon after into a deep and dreamless sleep.