“Because he wasn’t happy at his job. It didn’t sound like those people were really his friends,” Cash offered.
“And your mom was banging the country club pool boy, so I’m pretty sure she’s the one everybody’s laughing at.” Rage flashed across Randall’s face and he jumped up, stomping over to me. Whoops, I thought, I really needed to work on that filter.
Randall slapped me across the face, and I cried out from the shock of it, once again surprised at the violence from this man.
“Don’t you talk about my mother like that. She is an angel.”
I tasted blood in my mouth, so all I could do was nod.
“She might have made a mistake with the pool boy, but David didn’t need to leave her. She was willing to work it out. But he refused. He turned his back on her. What ever happened to vows? He’d vowed to stand by her side when he married her. She broke after he left. It was never the same. She had to get a job, and there was never enough money. She took it out on me, saying it was my fault. That he wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t for me.” Randall’s voice cracked.
“But you were just a child,” I said, my voice soft, realizing how close this man was to going all the way over the edge. “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t your father’s fault either. Your mother made her own choices as an adult. She shouldn’t have taken that out on you. You didn’t deserve that.”
“You don’t know what I deserve,” Randall shouted at me, and then his lip quivered, like a child about to cry. “I was a naughty boy.”
“Randall,” I whispered, “You can make this right. We’ll help you. You don’t have to do this.”
“No. No, no, no, no!” Randall clamped his hands on his ears and shook his head back and forth, his screams escalating. I moved closer to Cash so I was pressed completely against his body.
“It’s my father’s fault. And he’s going down for this. They ignored my last flamingo note card, but they can’t ignore this one,” Randall said. With that he danced his way across the room. Pulling out what looked to be a pin – it was hard to tell in the low light – he slid it into the inflatable flamingo and then tossed the floatie on the rising pool of water. Taking the light up, he shined it on the harbinger of our deaths.
A silly grinning pink flamingo was going to kill us both.
Closing my eyes, I tried to breathe shallowly as Randall scrambled up the ladder from the hole in the cavern. It didn’t surprise me in the slightest to hear him laughing maniacally as he shoveled boulders into the opening, sealing Cash and me into our tomb.
As darkness enclosed us, I prayed that Rafe would get help in time.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Althea,” Cash whispered, his voice absolutely sounding like defeat.
“Shh, don’t say anything. I have to think,” I hissed.
“It’s… I don’t think… the gas will work quickly,” Cash said.
“Did I not just tell you to shut up? Let me think,” I said. Standing, I hobbled back and forth, antsy and agitated, chasing down a thought I’d had.
“Rafe said there was a tunnel under the water. That we could get out.”
“I’m kind of stuck to the wall.”
“But if I could get the floatie under the water?”
“And risk popping it in your face?”
“I mean magickally.”
“I have no idea how to respond to that.”
“Good, best you stay quiet. I need to focus anyway.”
Luna had made me learn a moving spell for a reason. I had two choices: Try and move a massive bolder that sealed us into the cavern, then move the flamingo floatie out into the next cavern; or try to pull the floatie through the water and out to sea. I wasn’t confident enough in my science to know how much open-air space we had in this cavern or the next; the carbon monoxide might still do us in. The sea it was.
“Althea –”
“If you say one more word, I’m going to dropkick you just to shut you up.”
Cash wisely remained silent.
Channeling myself, and knowing that I had no way to form a circle, I realized I was kind of already wearing one. Pressing my chin down, I felt my quartz necklace still around my neck, and envisioned my power funneling through the crystals. Closing my eyes, I ran the spell through in my head and then envisioned what I wanted to happen, seeing it happening in my mind several times before I was ready to do it. I swallowed against the lump in my throat, and though my voice may have trembled, I incanted the words loudly to the chamber.
“I see the object that I choose,
And I ask the flamingo to move.
I direct it as I see,
As I will, so mote it be.”
There was a violent sucking sound, a huge splash of water, and it felt like half the cave got sucked along with the force of my spell, all pulling down, down, down, toward the sea. I leaned into Cash, focusing on envisioning the flamingo until it was out of the cave, and out into the sea. The force of the suction caused the boulders blocking the opening to tumble a bit, and I gasped as I felt fresh air waft over my face.
“What the hell just happened?” Cash asked.
“I… I think I was able to move the flamingo out to sea.” I hope so at least, I thought, since I still couldn’t see anything.
“Is it possible you could move the bolt of these manacles? If I could just move my arms a bit, I could break the chain.”
“Let’s give it a go,” I said.
I repeated my spell, this time channeling the bolt to break from the wall. I heard chains clinking, then I screeched when a light flashed, blinding me with its sudden brightness.
“Sorry,” Cash said, holding up his hand to show me the shark tooth keychain I’d given him.
“My keychain,” I said.
“Indeed. Comes in handy,” Cash said. He stood, looking around the room. The flamingo was gone, and I hoped we were out of danger.
Finding a rock, Cash came back over to me and motioned for me to turn around.
“I’m going to break the chain between the cuffs.”
“Can you do that?”
“These don’t look like police-issue cuffs; I think we’ll be okay. Hold still,” Cash said, and I winced as the stone smashed against the cuffs. But he was right, and in moments I had both hands free, albeit with cuffs on. I looked at Cash, then collapsed in his arms.
“That was really scary,” I admitted, loving the feel of his arms around me.
“I know, Althea. But… god, you’re just amazing. Did you know you glow when you use your power? You looked like an enchanted mermaid goddess. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I didn’t know,” I admitted.
“We aren’t safe here,” Cash said, pulling me back. “Let me look at the exit.”
Cash strode across the cavern, taking the light with him. A glint in the corner caught my eye and I went to investigate.
“The boulders have moved, but there isn’t enough space for us to get through,” Cash said. “I worry if I push one, the others will crash down on our heads.”
“I could try my moving spell again?”
“That might be the only thing we can do.”
“Is that voices I hear down there? You two should be dead by now,” Randall laughed from above. “Oh well, I guess I’ll need to use another canister.”
Cash raced to my side. I scooped up what I’d found on the floor and we looked at each other.
“In the water,” I gasped, pulling my dress over my head.
“What? We can’t.”
“We can. We have to. Give me the light and hold onto my leg,” Thank god I was a strong swimmer and wasn’t claustrophobic. I had Trace to thank for that – he’d taken me on many a swim-through tunnel on our dives. This time was a lot different, as we’d only be on one breath of air.
“Can you do this?”
“We have no choice,” I said, just as Randall tossed something into the chamber. We took one breath and dove.
Chapter Thirt
y-Two
Light or no light, it was almost impossible to see because we kicked up so much sediment diving into the water. Feeling with one hand, I found the opening on the other side of the cavern and I pulled us to the surface.
“One more big breath,” I ordered. Cash nodded and we both took a deep breath before I pulled him under and held the little keychain light in front of me, kicking as hard as I could through the tunnel. I prayed it wasn’t so long that Cash and I would end up fish food.
Together we swam until the little light in the keychain sputtered out, the water finally having gotten to the electronics, and still we kicked along. Finally I felt the ceiling of the tunnel give way above my head. Kicking upwards, I almost cried when my head broke the surface.
“Where are we?” Cash asked, turning, and for a moment, all we could see was darkness. As my eyes adjusted, I finally saw just a hint of ambient light coming from the tunnel in the corner of the room.
“I think this is the cavern we swam into the other day – where you kissed me. If so, we should be able to swim right out – no need for dive tanks.”
“Let’s go,” Cash said. I wondered how he could swim with the chains still on his wrist and whatever other injuries he had sustained. There was no time to ask, though – we both swam for our lives through the tunnel, then out into the dark water where the sliver of moon seemed to be the brightest light ever. I could have laughed if I wasn’t so terrified.
Something brushed my leg and I kicked out.
“Cash, we need to get on land. Soon,” I said.
“Althea… I think –”
I heard the slap of a paddle against the water just as he did and was shocked to see a man on a paddle board in the water.
“Um.”
“It’s me. Get on,” Calvin ordered.
I froze. Why was he out here? Was he in on it with Randall? But when I felt another bump against my leg, I made my choice. It was either get on that paddle board with Calvin, or stay and try to make nice with the sharks.
Now, I loved sharks and usually loved diving with them. But I was currently in distress, and they could read those signals very clearly. I took my chances and climbed on the board with Calvin. Cash followed me and put his arms around me.
“Be very quiet,” Calvin warned.
Neither of us said anything as he gently paddled us closer to shore. I knew that Cash was tensing, ready to spring and take him down if needed.
Above on the cliff, a shadow of a man emerged. I knew it was Randall from the way he raged, his hair in spikes, his arms thrown to the air. Turning, he looked down at the water and I knew in that instant that he could see us clear as day on the water. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a gun, and drew on us.
I screamed as a shot was fired, and then gasped as the paddle board hit the sand. Randall jerked backward and then forward, toppling headfirst over the cliff and into the water. Silence greeted us as we all held our breath.
“Calvin, you saved us.” I looked up at Calvin, who smoothly pocketed his gun and then held out his hand to me.
“Dat man, he not right in de head. I worried ’bout him.”
“How’d you know to be out here?”
“I followed him. No way I could get in de cave after you, but I hoped you’d remember de way out. It’s why I took you to dis beach. Just in case.”
“You could’ve warned us,” Cash said, while unbuttoning his soaking shirt and handing it to me to pull around myself.
“Nothing to warn about,” Calvin shrugged. “I just had my suspicions.”
“You saw me go into the cave.”
“I did. But I couldn’t follow once I realized he was playing with de gas. I be no help to you if I be passed out.”
“Thank you,” I said, surprising him with a hug.
“Dat’s no problem, Miss Althea. I have a daughter around your age. She’d want me to do de same for her.”
“What will we tell the Flamingo King”
“We can tell him de truth, or we tell him Randall drank too much and drowned. I don’t know which will be easier on him.”
“Is it easier to mourn if he knows his son hated him all along?” Cash asked.
“I tink dat may break his heart even more. I don’t know de right answer.”
“He killed other people. And there’s a drug ring,” I pointed out.
“Yes, I tink de truth is always de best then.”
“That it is,” I agreed.
We all reached the top of the cliff to find the rest of our entourage gaping at us. The Flamingo King strode forward.
“What’s going on here? Is everyone okay?”
“David, I’m sorry, but you’ll need to call de police,” Calvin said, and went forward, putting his arm around David’s shoulders. I saw the Flamingo King jerk in shock, and I wished I could spare him the pain he was feeling.
“It was Randall, wasn’t it?” Miss Elva asked, and I nodded to her, my eyes full of sorrow.
“I’ll take care of him. You both okay?”
“We are. You go with David. He needs somebody right now,” I said, and Miss Elva went. Her wings fluttered behind her like an angel now as she pulled a sobbing David into her arms.
“Althea, what happened? Why are you in Cash’s shirt?”
“Couldn’t swim in the dress,” I said.
“Nice boobs,” Rafe leered.
“Hey, you took your sweet time getting help.” I glared at him, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Nobody was listening to me!” Rafe’s eyes sharpened. “What’s in your hand?”
“Oh, just a little something I found in the cave.”
Even in the wan light of the moon the stones glistened. A chunky gemstone necklace dripping in diamonds led to a fat sapphire center stone, surrounded by even more diamonds.
“You found it!” Rafe breathed.
“I did. And I don’t know what I’ll do with it yet. Right now I’d like to get some clothes on.”
“Why bother? You look great with them off.”
“You know what, Rafe? I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“I think he’s just trying to get his necklace back,” Rosita said.
“Little shit.”
Epilogue
“You know I invest in things, right? It’s kind of what I do,” Cash said, crossing his tanned legs and leaning over to steal a sip of my rum punch.
“I might have heard that a time or two,” I agreed, pulling my sunglasses from my hair and sliding them over my eyes, a smile playing on my lips.
“And I happen to think ‘That’s How We Roll’ is a great name,” he said, finishing my drink.
“Hey!” I exclaimed. “That was mine.”
“Unlimited drinks, remember?”
We were comfortably ensconced at the Flamingo King’s guest villa, and the staff had been told to see to our every need. Beau and Luna, after making sure we were unharmed and able to function, had flown home earlier that day with Captain Woodley at the helm of the plane. Cash and I had been asked – well, more like instructed – by the local police force to stay put, and the Flamingo King had graciously offered to extend our stay. Not only did he not hold his son’s death against us, but he was visibly traumatized about the danger Randall had put us in. Beneath all the fluff and feathers, it seemed the Flamingo King was truly a nice man, and he was devastated to know his son had hurt people.
David’s usual exuberance had dimmed, like someone had flicked off the light switch, and Miss Elva had gone into full protection mode. She’d already informed me that she planned to stay here awhile, just until she could coax the King back into some semblance of his former self. In the meantime, it was me and Luna to check on her house and make sure the more esoteric needs of the Tequila Key community were met.
A staff member materialized at our side and we ordered another round of drinks, relaxing back onto our lounge chairs.
“I don’t think I could get used to this,” I admitted, e
ven though I was enjoying every moment of this luxury.
“Really? Why’s that?”
“I think I’d get bored. I like working,” I said, turning to look at Cash. “No wonder the really rich are always buying new things or traveling all the time. I think without creative projects or work, life has to get pretty bland.”
“Only you would sit out by this beautiful pool and call it bland,” Cash laughed.
“I’m serious though, I think I always want to work. Or create. It’s good for your soul.”
“I can see that. I could retire on my investments alone right now, but there’s no way I’d do that.”
“You want more, more, more?”
“Nah, I have enough. But I like the thrill of the hunt. I like finding new projects, investing in people’s futures, and seeing their dreams pay off. Much like your new drive-in idea.”
“Still nope. No outside investors,” I said, smiling my thanks at the staff member who brought us fresh drinks – margaritas this time.
“Hey! I’m not really an outsider, am I?”
“Not to me, you’re not. But in Tequila Key? Yes. You need to have been there a minimum of ten to fifteen years before you’re on the inside.”
“I guess I have my work cut out for me. How about I consult?”
“Maybe.” I pushed a curl out of my face. “What’s the fee?”
“Time with you?”
“Hmmm, trading sex for consulting sounds a lot like prostitution,” I chided, and a deep smile slashed Cash’s handsome face.
“Who said anything about sex?”
“Damn it,” I exclaimed.
Cash threw back his head and laughed. “Something on your mind, Althea?”
“Nope.” I got up and jumped in the pool, not caring if I splashed, but needing the cool water to relax me. Cash dove in right after me and came up behind me, circling my waist with his arms. Holding me against him for a moment, he kissed my head.
“I’m glad you’re not too hurt.”
“My ankle will take a while. Luna will work on it when I get home. I’m glad you’re not too banged up either.”
A Sixer of Tequila Page 16
