“Sure.” I had nothing better to do, especially with my grandparents screaming at each other. “I didn’t know we had docks.”
“Where do you think the boats land?”
“I ... didn’t really think about it.”
“It’s not just passengers either,” Galen noted as he got to his feet, pulling me with him. “This is an island. Our resources are limited. We get incoming shipments at least three times a week.”
“I honestly never thought about it.”
“Well, now you know.”
“And we’re going to the docks.” I grabbed the picnic blanket and folded it, leaving it on the table to retrieve when I returned later. “Do you think there are weird things going on at the docks? Like drug deals and prostitution rings. Ooh, maybe there’s some human trafficking for us to take on.”
Galen scowled as he shook his head. “You watch way too much television.”
“Believe it or not, you’re not the first person to tell me that.”
“I definitely believe it.”
2
Two
When I came to Moonstone Bay, it was via plane. That made visiting the docks an adventure of sorts, something Galen didn’t particularly understand.
“Why are you gaping like that?”
I snapped my mouth shut and shrugged, trying to tear my eyes from the fantastic vista. “It’s just very pretty. Look at the way the sun is setting over the water. It makes it look like the ocean is on fire.”
Galen cocked an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You’re a mystery wrapped in a pretty package. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“You’re the only one.”
“Well, let’s keep it that way.” He poked my side before picking up his pace and walking toward the crowd that had gathered on the east side of the docks. “What do we have here?”
While I was interested in seeing the body — I have a morbid streak, sue me — I took another moment to study the layout of the area. I’d pretty much stuck to the main drag of Moonstone Bay and Wesley’s farm since arriving, so I was always in the mood to investigate a new locale. The docks seemed to be an interesting place, with a variety of gift kiosks and drink carts littering the wooden facade. I made a mental note to return when I could waste time looking around. For now, though, I followed Galen.
From the moment the body popped into view, I wished I had the foresight to remain focused on the kiosks.
The man looked to be in his early thirties if I had to guess, with sandy blond hair streaked with what appeared to be blood. His body was displayed in ritual fashion, his arms and legs spread. I couldn’t tell much about his face because a garish mask was placed over it. His green eyes were open, something I could see through the mask holes, and his blank eyes stared at the sky. Even though I couldn’t see his features, I imagined them being twisted into a grotesque reenactment of his last few minutes of life, which probably meant he was frozen in a silent scream.
“What the ...?”
Galen spared a glance for me, the serious nature of the situation causing him to frown. “Don’t touch anything, Hadley.”
I had no intention of touching anything. “What’s the deal with the mask?”
“I have no idea.”
“It’s a tiki mask,” one of the men kneeling next to the body offered. He was dressed in a blue polo shirt and khaki shorts, essentially the uniform doctors and nurses wear at the tiny clinic that serves as the island’s hospital. He was going over the body with a pair of micro goggles. “They’re available at a variety of shops on the island.”
“A tiki mask?” I pursed my lips as I pictured the tiki bar my friend Lilac owned. Now that the guy mentioned it, I had seen similar masks on the walls there. Lilac used them as decorations. “Oh. What’s it mean?”
“I have no idea.”
I turned to Galen. “Do you know what it means?”
“Huh.” He looked lost in thought when he shifted his eyes to me. “I’m not exactly up on tiki culture, other than the glasses everyone has at the various bars. I haven’t given it much thought.”
“It can’t be that hard to look up, can it?” I pulled my phone from my pocket and started searching, frowning when I realized the search window continued spinning instead of returning information. “What’s up with the service out here? My phone has zero bars.”
“It’s the location.” Galen absently ran his hand over my back before slipping in front of me. “The island only has two cell towers, and this is kind of a dead zone.”
That was interesting ... and somewhat annoying. “Okay, well ... .” I cast another look at the body and internally cringed. “I’m going to move over to the bench and stay out of your way.”
“Okay.” Galen managed a smile, but it didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. “I’m sorry I brought you here. I thought for sure it would be some form of accident. I don’t foresee ice cream in our future this evening. If you want, I can try to call Booker to get you a ride back to the lighthouse.”
Booker, in addition to being a cupid — something I was still wrapping my head around — was one of the few shuttle drivers on the island. I knew him relatively well, was comfortable with him, and had hundreds of questions about his nature I still wanted to ask him because he’d been avoiding my eager queries the past two weeks. That didn’t mean I was in a hurry to leave the docks.
“I’m fine.” I meant it. “I’m going to get a bottle of water and sit on the bench. It looks to me that a ship is about to dock.” I pointed toward the end of the wood structure, to where a huge ship was closing in. “I’ll just people watch. I’m perfectly capable of entertaining myself.”
“Okay. Let me know if you decide to wander anywhere.” Galen’s gaze was measured. “In fact ... don’t wander anywhere. While I doubt whoever did this stuck around to see how we would react to his handiwork, you never know. I prefer knowing you’re safe.”
“Yes, sir.” I kicked my feet together and offered him a saucy salute. “I’ll follow your orders with a giggle and a smile, sir.”
“Very funny.” He poked my side before turning his attention to the body. “Let’s get photos and then remove the mask. We need to know who we’re dealing with here.”
TWO HOURS AND THREE BOTTLES of water later, Galen joined me on the bench. He looked wiped. He’d spent the better part of those two hours blocking the body so the incoming tourists wouldn’t see it, I couldn’t exactly blame him for the fatigue that seemed to seep from his pores.
“Why’s it taking the ship so long to dock?” I asked. “It seems to be circling.”
“That’s because it is. We’ve been in contact with the captain. We told him what happened. We needed time to process the scene before all those tourists roil up the atmosphere. It’s easier to keep them on the ship.”
“Ah.” That actually made sense. “Are you done now?”
“Pretty much, but the medical examiner has a few things to finish before we can load up the body. They’re letting passengers off the ship anyway. We’ve pretty much got it blocked off.”
He’d rearranged kiosks to serve as a buffer, so I found that declaration mildly entertaining. Any tourist looking hard enough would notice the body. There was no hiding that. Still, he had enough resting on his strong shoulders. He didn’t need the obvious pointed out to him.
“Do you know him?”
“Yeah. Jacob Dorsey. He’s a local, never given me much trouble. I’ve had to warn him about being drunk in public a time or two, but he’s hardly the first. He works construction. In fact, I think he’s been working on the new hotel that’s being built down the beach.”
“There’s a new hotel?” That was news to me. “Where?”
He pointed. “Do you see the way the trees jut out a bit there, the way the inlet flares out?” I nodded. “Right there. Construction has just begun, so you can’t see anything yet. It’s supposed to be a state-of-the-art facility. It was first proposed five years ago, but it’s taken the developers a long tim
e to get all their ducks in a row and start construction.”
“Oh.” I pursed my lips. “I’ll be able to see that from the lighthouse.”
“You will, but your parcel is elevated enough that it won’t obstruct your view. That was one of the reasons some of the residents fought the construction. They didn’t want a hotel marring the vista. Even they couldn’t deny it would bring more tourists and money to the island, though, so they eventually backed down.”
I cast him a sidelong look, intrigued. “You know a lot about everything, don’t you?”
Galen’s lips twitched. “I’m a genius. Are you kidding me?”
“I’m serious. You’re a smart guy.”
“You act surprised.”
“I won’t lie. I was initially attracted to you because of your looks. It makes me feel better knowing that you’re smart, too. That means we’ll be able to sustain when your looks start to fade.”
He barked out a laugh. “You’re a funny girl.”
“That’s what will sustain me when my looks start to fade.”
“You have more going for you than that.” He gave me a quick kiss and then stood. “It shouldn’t be much longer. If you play your cards right I’ll swing by the ice cream place and get you a treat after all.”
“I guess that means I have to behave myself.”
He winked. “I didn’t say that.”
I ALLOWED MY MIND TO drift as Galen worked. It was easier than focusing on the body. Eventually, they removed the mask and I was right about the look on the man’s face. He looked as if he’d seen something absolutely terrible, something horrible enough to steal the oxygen from his lungs. Given the fact that he had a knife wound in the center of his chest, though, I had a feeling that’s what ultimately killed him.
For lack of anything better to do, I turned my full attention to the passengers departing the ship. They looked happy, seemingly unaware of the upheaval happening around them, and they greeted the kiosks and food offerings with the same awe I felt upon initial viewing.
“Look at this.” A woman, her long black hair flowing well past her shoulders, stopped next to a lei kiosk and pointed toward a ring of purple flowers. “Have you ever seen flowers like this?”
The man with her, who wore a simple T-shirt and shorts, merely smiled as he regarded the flowers. “They match your eyes.” He dug in his pocket for his wallet and caught the salesclerk’s attention. “How much?”
He bought the lei, draped it over the woman’s shoulders, and leaned forward to give her a long kiss. He whispered something that caused her to laugh, and for some reason a quick image of a wedding filled my head. That’s when I realized that they were on their honeymoon. I had no way of knowing that, but I did.
“You have a filthy mind, Griffin Taylor,” the woman announced, her tone bossy. “I guess it’s good that I happen to like your filthy mind.”
“You have as filthy a mind as I do,” he said, linking his fingers with hers. “In fact, you’re way filthier than I am when it comes to stuff like this.”
“That is a lie.”
“No, baby. That’s the truth.”
They noticed me watching as they started moving again and I did my best to shrug away my embarrassment. I hated being caught, but there was nothing I could do now that it had already happened, so I smiled. “Welcome to Moonstone Bay.”
“Thank you.” The man tugged the woman’s hand and dragged her closer to the bench where I sat. “Are you with the tourism board?”
The question threw me for a loop. “No. I ... are you expecting someone from the tourism board?” I glanced over my shoulder, hoping for a familiar face. I didn’t see anyone I recognized. “Are you looking for a specific hotel?”
“We’re staying at the Bay Breeze,” the woman replied, fanning her face. “Do you know where that is?”
Thankfully, I did. “Yup.” I slowly got to my feet and pointed toward the island’s main drag. “Do you see that big building with the pink walls and white trim? That’s the Bay Breeze.”
“Oh, see, that’s not tacky at all,” the woman drawled, smirking when her husband gave her a dark look. “I was expecting something with a beach theme.”
“It has a beach theme,” I offered. “Everything here has a beach theme.”
“She knows,” the man said, shaking his head. “Don’t worry about it. I’m Griffin, by the way.” He extended his hand. “This is my wife, Aisling.”
I shook her hand in turn. “Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, it’s great to have you on the island. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your stay.” I wasn’t part of the welcoming committee, but it seemed being friendly was the thing to do.
“Grimlock,” the woman interjected.
I arched a brow. “Excuse me?”
“Grimlock,” she repeated. “I kept my last name.”
“Oh, of course.” I barely missed a beat. “I think a lot of people do that these days.”
“Why did you have to tell her that?” Griffin complained. “I’ve been a good sport about you keeping your name. Why couldn’t you just be Mrs. Taylor for the honeymoon?”
Aisling made a face. “Because that would be a lie and I have no intention of living an inauthentic life.”
“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “Do we have to walk to the hotel or are there shuttles? It’s extremely hot and my wife doesn’t take heat well.”
“Oh, you’re getting a charge out of saying ‘my wife’ like that, aren’t you?” Aisling complained. It wasn’t exactly a whine as much as a loud grievance. “I’m not property.”
For his part, Griffin was laid back and calm. It was almost as if he expected his new wife to melt down at every turn. “Of course you’re not my property. I would never suggest otherwise. Do you think I’m some sort of terrible rogue or something?”
“Ugh. You’re in far too good a mood.” Aisling fanned her face with what looked to be a map of the island. “Seriously, though, I don’t have to walk to the hotel, do I?”
Her attitude made me want to laugh. “There are golf carts at the end of the dock,” I supplied. “The drivers will get you there.”
“Oh, well, great.” She smiled, which lightened her features. Up close, her eyes really were the oddest color purple I’d ever seen. They were almost mesmerizing.
“I hope you enjoy your time on the island,” I said finally. “There’s a lot to do, and if you’re in the vicinity of the lighthouse go ahead and stop by. That’s where I live.” I didn’t know the offer was going to escape my lips before it was already too late.
“Well, thanks for that.” Griffin wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist and smiled. “We’re here on our honeymoon. The only thing I plan to do is plant myself on the beach and eat my weight in seafood.”
“I think that’s what we’re both going to do,” Aisling agreed. “Thanks for the offer, though. Hopefully we’ll see you around.”
“Probably. It’s a small island.”
I watched them go with a mixture of amusement and pity as they immediately started bantering. Aisling complained about the heat and Griffin promised to give her a long massage as soon as they were comfortable in their room. At a certain point, they slowed their pace.
At first, I thought they were looking at another kiosk. Then I realized that would be an odd place for one to be located. When I finally focused, I found they were staring at a man ... and there was something oddly familiar about him.
“What are you doing?” Galen asked, appearing at my side.
“Why does that guy look familiar?” I asked.
He followed my gaze. “The guy with the hot woman with the white streaks in her hair? I have no idea. Maybe you know him from home or something. I’ve never seen him before.”
I scorched him with a dark look. “Not them. That’s Griffin and Aisling. We had a nice chat while you were dealing with your body. They’re on their honeymoon ... and she is not that hot.”
“She’s pretty hot,” Galen argued, snickering when I playfully smacked h
is arm. “She’s a married woman, though. I like my women unmarried.” He graced me with a placating smile. “You and she kind of look alike, but she’s much paler and has those streaks in her hair. They make her stand out.”
“She also has purple eyes. They’re weird, but really cool. I wish I had purple eyes.”
“Your eyes are beautiful.” He gave me a soft kiss. “If you weren’t talking about the guy with her, who were you talking about?”
“The guy standing next to those crates,” I replied, pointing. “See. He’s right there. He has blond hair and green eyes.”
Galen’s lips twisted. “Um ... I don’t see anyone there.”
“You have to see him. He’s standing right there.” I automatically shifted to the side when the medical examiner’s team began wheeling the gurney toward me. It was only when the body was directly in front of me that I realized I was looking at the same face. “Oh. Um ... oh, my!”
“What’s wrong?” Galen read the change in my demeanor and was instantly alert. “What is it?”
“That’s the same guy.” I pointed at Jacob on the gurney. “That’s the guy standing down by the crates.”
“Oh.” Realization dawned on Galen. “You’re seeing his ghost. I guess we should’ve been prepared for that.”
I pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead. “I guess.”
“Well, come on.” He grabbed my hand, refusing to let me wallow. “Let’s talk to him. Maybe he knows who killed him and we’ll be able to put this one to bed before ... well, we go to bed.”
“Okay, but ... .” I trailed off when I glanced back at the spot where I’d seen the spirit only seconds before. “He’s gone.”
“Are you sure?”
I searched the area for good measure. “He’s definitely gone.”
“Well, we can try again tomorrow.” Galen sounded perfectly rational. “My understanding is that ghosts can’t easily control their environment when they first pass. It’s not the end of the world.”
Freaky Deaky Tiki Page 2
