HIGH TIDE

by Miller, Maureen A.

  “Nick,” she paused, “I would have never left your side.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  For a moment, Briana stood in the doorway studying the two heads bowed together over her desk—Naoki’s familiar black cowlick-ridden crown and Kathy’s flaxen cap.

  “No way. I’m telling you, they got her!”

  “She was leaving with the Professor. She probably spent the night with him.” Kathy typed some more on the keyboard and then leaned forward to squint through her glasses.

  “No way. She didn’t even like the guy.” Naoki injected. “There’s no way she spent the night there.”

  Briana cleared her throat. “I spent the night there.”

  Both heads snapped up and both reached to adjust their glasses. Naoki’s mouth opened and closed, while Kathy beamed with enthusiasm.

  “I just knew it,” she gushed. “There was so much heat sparking between you two, I almost grabbed the fire extinguisher.”

  “There was?” Naoki looked puzzled.

  “Oh, it was extinguished for a while.” Dropping her purse on one of the visitor chairs, Briana sat down and faced her own desk.

  “I’ll be damned, Briana Holt. You were holding out on me.”

  “I was pretty much holding out on myself.” She sobered and then kicked off her pumps. “Things took a turn for the worse after you left.”

  “What happened?” Naoki half sat on the corner of the desk.

  “They came. The crew of the Merryweather.”

  Echoing gasps prompted Briana to tell her tale, including their escape by water, which drew Naoki erect.

  “You did what? My God, Bree, how?”

  Confused by the question, Kathy looked back and forth between Naoki’s astounded expression and Briana’s resolved one.

  “Nick.” It was all Briana needed to say.

  She cleared her throat. “And now, well, for all we know, the Merryweather is halfway to the mainland. But Nick is heading out there today—”

  At the notion of Nick being anywhere near that vessel, Briana felt fear clutch her throat. Yes, he was calling the authorities to report where they last spotted the Merryweather. Yes, the authorities would be equipped to handle the situation. But there were explosives on that ship. Explosives that Nick was going to now put himself in close proximity to if the Merryweather had not left as he had so casually assured.

  “He’s going to call the authorities and meet them where we last saw the boat,” she recited.

  Naoki’s eyes narrowed. “You want to go to that pier, don’t you?”

  If there was the slightest possibility that Nick was in danger—

  Briana looked up. “He told me not to. He specifically told me not to. But—yes, Naoki.” She nodded. “Yes, I want to go there.”

  ***

  “Lena, we’re heading out to the Palms. Kathy’s here to help out. If anyone needs me they can track me down on my cell.”

  “Will do, Miss Holt. Oh, somebody dropped this off for you.” Lena rose to hand over a canary envelope, and then tucked her floral muumuu beneath her before she sat back down.

  “Thanks.”

  Briana assumed they were more blueprints for her to review. She secured the envelope under her arm and took off after Naoki. During the ride down on the elevator she had time to contemplate the package.

  “What’s that?” Naoki peered over her shoulder.

  “I’m not sure. It’s unmarked.” Impatient with the rigid glue that fastened it, Briana finally ripped the end off. She extracted a thin pile of papers. Their blurred edges revealed hasty scans from an opened book, where the indent of the binder was distorted.

  Ignorant of the fact that the elevator doors slid open, and that Naoki was standing impatiently in the parking garage, Briana jolted when he called her.

  “Huh, oh, coming.” Rifling through copies of illustrations from a history book, Briana flipped the envelope over again and searched for any source of its origin.

  Nothing.

  Trapped wind inside the garage threatened to yank the papers from her hand, but Briana held on.

  A graphic of Spanish Conquistadors boarding an ornate galleon intrigued her as she tried to read the microscopic font. Acapulco was about the only word she could discern from the Latin text. Inquisitive fingers slipped through more of the same material, all pertaining to Spanish explorers, circa 1600AD.

  When she reached the last page, Briana started. The artistic handwriting was not recognizable, but the message was.

  I told you the ocean hides many mysteries.

  Worriedly, Briana dove into her purse for her cell phone.

  “Moku Land Inc. How may I direct your call?”

  “Lena, did you see who left this envelope for me?”

  “Hold on,” A soothing ukulele took over the line as she was placed on hold. “Sorry about that, it was the Mayor.”

  “The Mayor left this?”

  “Oh, heavens, no,” Lena chuckled. “The Mayor was just on the phone. He’s going to be at the Open House on Thursday.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Briana replied. “The envelope, Lena?”

  “Oh yes. It was a woman. Attractive. Long black hair. Young. Yeah, definitely young. But, then again aren’t they all these days?”

  Joy.

  But why?

  “Thanks.” Distracted, Briana tucked the phone away.

  Naoki was holding open the car door.

  “Whatcha got there?”

  “Do you know how to get a hold of Joy?”

  Dark brows furrowed in dismay. “No, ah, not exactly. She says she’s staying with friends.”

  “Mmmm.”

  “Why?”

  Briana crammed the material back into the envelope, unsure what point the young woman was trying to convey. Hesitating before she slipped into Naoki’s passenger seat, she suggested, “Why don’t we take separate cars? You head over to the Palms and I’ll meet you there.”

  “No way. No you don’t, Bree. If you’re going to that pier, there’s no way in hell you’re going alone. As it is, why do I have this feeling that I’m about to get in big trouble with the Professor?”

  Briana frowned. “I’m a grown woman. I can make my own decisions. You should be more afraid of me than him.”

  Naoki shook his head and ducked into the car. “No way, sister. He’s bigger than you.”

  That he was.

  A vision of Nick’s tall frame made her tingle in secreted spots, but she cleared her throat and managed a business veneer as she slid the envelope down beside her feet.

  “Just drive.”

  Naoki’s Corolla pulled out of the garage and into the hectic traffic on King Street.

  Behind it a van weaved away from the curb and fell in on its tail.

  ***

  “We’re taking the Inquiry out.”

  Keo swallowed down a mouthful of glaze and dough. “We awe?”

  “Keo, dammit, look at this mess.”

  Nick’s heart wasn’t into yelling about the donut wrappers strewn on the bridge floor.

  “Waw awe we gowing?”

  “Here, drink this!” Nick thrust the thermos of coffee at the rotund Hawaiian.

  The liquid had long since gone cold, so Keo gulped it down. His chins rumbled, and then he burped. He grinned sheepishly as he muttered, “Sorry. So where are we off to, Nikolo?”

  “Remember the Hatteras?”

  “Yupper.”

  “It was loaded with explosives.”

  “Explosives? How do you know that?”

  “I’ll explain along the way.”

  “Explosives,” Keo considered. “Explosives could make big fish wash up on shore. Explosives could cause your waves.”

  “Yes.” Nick’s nod was sober. “The authorities are on their way over to where it was last docked.”

  “If they’re on the way, then it is handled and you’re telling me that we’re off on regular USGS business,” Keo goaded.

  “Well, this is USGS business,
more or less. It did affect the shoreline at Manale.”

  Keo crossed his arms. “Let me repeat what you said. The authorities are on their way...”

  “On land, Keo. They’re on their way on land. What if the ship tries to pull out?”

  “Oh gee, last I knew the police had these big things that fly—what do you call them?” He tapped a chin. “Helicopters. Yeah, that’s it. Oh, you know what else they have, Nikolo?”

  Nick frowned, not in the mood for his mirth.

  “They have phones and radios—and ties to the Coast Guard, who could assist at sea.”

  Nick shouldered by him. “That’s great, and I’d be ecstatic if they used all their resources.”

  He heard Keo’s heavy tread behind him, so he tossed over his shoulder, “but it would not hurt to have another set of eyes out there, especially a set that can easily identify that ship.”

  Nick hefted a rope onto the pier. “Besides, if they are truly responsible for the tidal disturbance, then this is a matter of state environmental security, loosely falling into USGS territory.”

  Lips pursed and jowls swollen, the sharp eyes of a big walrus studied him. “Yes, loosely. But I’m in. You don’t have to fight me, boss man.”

  Keo shuffled by to the cabin and Nick reached for his fleshy arm.

  “Actually, I should do this on my own. What if it turns ugly?”

  The Hawaiian snorted. “Then you would need me to pilot this boat because you drive for shit and no one can maneuver the Inquiry like I can.”

  Nick grabbed the binoculars. “No one is as humble as you, either.”

  ***

  Lights flashed in the distance.

  “It looks like they’re here already. So see, Briana. It’s all under control.”

  “I don’t see Nick’s jeep down there.”

  Briana strained to look past the slow-moving traffic. “Why don’t you pull over in this parking lot and we can go on foot to the other.”

  “You are off the charts, Bree. Let it go. It’s being handled and you can watch it on the news tonight.”

  “Nick and I are witnesses to that stash of explosives. He shouldn’t handle it alone.”

  “I’m guessing he wanted it that way. I’m sure he doesn’t want you anywhere near this...this...Merryweather.” Naoki tapped the brake. “I’m starting to like the guy.”

  As they pulled into an auxiliary public beach parking lot, they found it to be filled with a collection of motorcycles and rental cars. Briana searched for the red Wrangler, but could not locate it. Parked with the engine idling, she squinted through the windshield towards the pier nearly a quarter-mile away. It was impossible to tell from this distance if the Merryweather was still docked there. Judging from the trio of flashing cop cars, she hoped that it meant that it was.

  She opened the door, frustrated when she felt Naoki’s hand latch onto her arm.

  “I’ve got a bad feeling, Bree.”

  “Shhh, Naoki. What type of trouble can there be if the police are already here? It looks like everything is under control. Perhaps I can ID the men that captured us.”

  Naoki removed his glasses. “Fine, but I’m going with you.”

  “Alright, alright. Sheesh.” Briana shook her head, her hand already on the door, “You open your mouth and your grandmother’s voice comes out, you know that?”

  Briana swung the car door open, and stared straight into the muzzle of a gun. Before she could react, it was pressed against her arm, a zap of cold metal in contrast with the hot, humid air.

  “What—oh!” Shocked into compliance, Naoki’s hands hoisted into the air.

  The passenger door yanked open further, and the jerk of the thin barrel was used to prompt Briana outside.

  Composed on the outside, nonetheless, Briana reeled as she slid out of the seat and stared into the hostile eyes of Joy with no last name.

  “Joy!” Leaning over the passenger side, Naoki’s hands lowered. “What are you doing?”

  “Hands on the wheel.” Joy shifted the muzzle from Briana towards the driver. Naoki shrank back in the seat. “Hands on the wheel now or your boss is dead.”

  Perspiration dotted Briana’s forehead as she glanced up at the squelching sun directly overhead. It had to be closing in on noon, and though three cop cars were within eyesight, they were not within shouting range. Even this parking lot, though it was filled with cars, lacked human presence. Most people had parked early in the morning and were out on the water for the remainder of the day.

  She watched Joy’s attention waver for a second as the young woman focused on Naoki. Briana sought a means to disarm her, and as if Joy sensed this, her tan arm swung back to pin her.

  “Don’t even think about it.”

  “Look,” Briana began, “you have me. Naoki is not involved. Let him go.”

  Joy smiled. It was a beautiful smile full of even white teeth and full, glossy lips. But the green eyes above it were cold and empty.

  What had occurred in this woman’s life to take the gleam out of her eyes?

  “Actually, that’s exactly what I intend to do.” Joy smirked and switched her insensitive gaze towards the driver. “You know for old time’s sake and all. It’s really Briana they want. Not you.”

  “But Joy,” Naoki injected nervously. “W-why are you doing this, I can’t believe after everything we’ve been through. How did you get hooked up with these guys?”

  In vain, Naoki sought to process what was happening. He started to stutter.

  “W-w-what are you doing with a gun, and what are you d-doing with Briana? Come on, Joy this is just mad. This isn’t you!”

  “How the hell do you know who I am?” she hissed. “You know what I allowed you to know, and that’s it. Do you honestly think you picked me up at that bar?” She snorted. “I’ve been watching all of you. This damn development has been nothing but a thorn in our side. We were digging off the Windward Coast long before your construction ever started. And this one here—” she waved the gun in Briana’s face, “started getting too nosy. Her and her damn boyfriend.”

  Briana’s eyes followed the erratic path of the gun. As long as she could keep it trained on her, Naoki was less apt to get hurt.

  “Perhaps if you didn’t use explosives on the ocean floor you wouldn’t have produced the waves that caught our attention. You wouldn’t have destroyed innocent sea creatures. That is what stirred up our curiosity.”

  Briana succeeded. The gun drew back to target her forehead. She struggled to stay composed, but her fingers itched with desperation.

  “Shut up.” Joy sneered.

  “I mean, that’s what you’re doing, isn’t it?” Briana challenged. “Setting off explosives under water? For God’s sake, why?”

  Naoki moved to get out of the car and shuddered when Joy took a step and immersed the muzzle in Briana’s hair.

  “Drive away now or I shoot her and you get wounded or killed in the fallout.”

  To convey her point, Joy extended the gun, the barrel tipping Briana’s head back. “And don’t get any ideas of running over to the police over there. We will be watching you, and we will send your boss’s body floating in with the next tide.”

  “Go Naoki.”

  “No, Bree, this is insane.” He made a move, but the barrel cut into Briana’s forehead, tilting it at an awkward angle.

  “Oh God,” Naoki’s hands fumbled with the ignition. “What do I do?”

  Managing a nod despite the cold steel pressed to her flesh, Briana encouraged Naoki with her eyes, Go.

  With staged courage, she backed from the car under Joy’s direction, but her thoughts turned bleak as she watched Naoki drive away.

  Briana’s mind raced in time with the pulse that thudded under the pressure of the gun.

  Okay, Joy was younger, with athletic muscles, but there had to be a way she could overtake her.

  The screech of the pier gate arrested her attention. Two figures crossed the parking lot, their black wetsuits glinting und
er the harsh sun. If she thought this was salvation in the form of midday revelers, she was wrong. She recognized the Merryweather’s crew.

  Any chance of escape had just vanished.

  ***

  “See anything?”

  Nick lowered the binoculars and shook his head.

  “No, take her down to Kahala. That’s where it should be moored.”

  The only way to goad Keo out to sea had been to tell him the truth, and Nick suffered the verbal repercussions of that. Even now, Keo was muttering about how stupid haoles could be.

  But Keo was above all traits, loyal to a fault. To Nick and to the island of Aloha that someone threatened with their amateur explosives.

  “All right, Nikolo.”

  For the tenth time, Nick stared down at his cell phone, cursing the grayed-out signal. A call to Briana to satisfy that she was safe would put him in a better frame of mind, not to mention that he simply wanted to hear her voice. If he closed his eyes, he could feel her fingers dance across his chest, the delicate stroke of a temptress. God, how he wanted to touch her again.

  “Let’s head back first. I’ve got a call to make—then we’ll continue down the coast.”

  Keo’s perceptive grin was concealed behind a meaty arm as he swiped at the perspiration dripping from his forehead.

  ***

  A line of tramped grass formed beneath Naoki’s pacing. Helpless, he watched from a thicket of palm trees as Briana was jostled into a speedboat. Even from this distance, the safest point to pull his car over, Naoki saw the men hustle her from sight and wondered at the rotten luck that no spectator other than he witnessed this abduction. He stared helplessly at the red and blue flashing lights in the distance, torn with the desire to sprint over there.

  We will be watching you, and we will send your boss’s body in with the tide.

  Distressed, he observed Joy with her long black mane aglow in the midday sun as she stood two paces behind, looking remarkably cool with that flash of metal in her hand.

  Letting out a cry of despair, Naoki yanked the cell phone from his pocket. He aimed for the Honolulu Police Department on the auto dial, but hesitated before pressing the button. An unwanted image of Briana’s body rolling lifelessly to shore made him moan again.

  Blindly, he stared at the phone, expecting it to enlighten him. In the end, he pressed the speed dial for the office.