The Unrelenting Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans - Christian Romantic Suspense)

by Bonner, Lynnette

  “You’re a good man, Donny.” Carcen clapped him on the shoulder and let him out the precinct door ahead of him. He punched in the alarm code, then rubbed one hand over his head and ruffled his hair.

  “Everything okay?” Donny dropped a duffle bag into the trunk of his sedan.

  Carcen squeezed the muscles at the base of his neck. “Just keep her safe and keep me informed.” He climbed into his truck, backed out of his parking space, and pulled onto the street.

  It might take every resource he had, but he was determined to keep Devynne safe.

  Friday evening was clear and breezy and Devynne had just started upstairs to touch up her makeup and change her clothes when the phone rang.

  “Hi, Devynne. This is Honey.”

  “Hi, Honey. How are you?” Honey Smyth was her next door neighbor.

  “Good. Listen, I’m calling for two reasons. I’m going on vacation to Hawaii tomorrow morning. Could you stop over a couple times and water the plants on my deck?”

  “Sure.”

  “Great. I’ll be back the Friday after next.”

  Devynne teased, “Got any room in your suitcase?”

  Honey chuckled. “I’d totally bring you if I could, friend. I’m so excited. I’m staying at this resort that is supposed to be fabulous! I can’t wait to soak in some sun!”

  “Sounds like a blast. I hope you have a wonderful time.” Devynne didn’t want to rush her but Honey could talk for eons and she’d be late if she let that happen so she prodded, “What was the second reason?”

  “I have a dinner guest coming and I’m plum out of sugar for the dessert I’m making. Could I beg a cup from you?”

  “Sure. Come on down. I’ll be upstairs. I’m a little late getting ready for a dinner date, myself. But just ring the bell and I’ll come right down and get it for you.”

  “You have a date?”

  “Nothing spectacular. Just a friend.”

  “Yeah, me too. A guy from work asked me out and I got the bright idea of having him over for dinner before I left for this couple weeks. Nice guy but nothing spectacular.”

  Devynne chuckled. “Sounds like we’ve both gotten ourselves into something we’re not looking forward to.”

  “Hey, we’ve got to look on the bright side. By this time tomorrow it will all be over with.” They shared a laugh. “Well, have fun. I’ll be down in just a jiffy to grab the sugar. And thanks.”

  Devynne smiled. “No problem. If I remember right, I owe you a couple of cups anyway.”

  Honey chuckled. “Who’s counting?”

  Carcen pulled his truck to a stop in Devynne’s driveway and climbed out, grabbing the movie he had rented with Marissa in mind.

  “This is just great,” he mumbled to himself, “I get to stay here and watch Barbie dolls dance the nutcracker while Randy takes Devynne to dinner.” It was not how he’d imagined spending the evening as he’d looked forward to coming. He loved his niece, but she was not the one who had occupied his thoughts all week.

  He stopped at the kitchen door and rang the bell.

  Devynne called out the window from upstairs. “Honey, is that you? Give me just a second.”

  His heart hammered in wonderful confusion. Had she just called him ‘Honey’?

  “Okay, I’m coming down. Sorry you had to wait for that sugar. But hey, let’s have fun tonight. We only live once right?”

  Carcen swallowed his disappointment as reality settled in. She thought he was Randy. Aggravation surged through him. She was already calling him, Honey? And giving him sugar? “Just great,” he muttered, stomping back on the deck. “Fantastic.”

  A moment later she yanked open the door. “Oh, it’s you.”

  He pushed back his jacket and settled his hands on his hips, allowing himself the privilege of appreciating her attire. The black skirt swished attractively around her slender knee-high boots and the red scoop-neck blouse accentuated the golden highlights in her dark hair to perfection.

  Could he really trust her safety to Randy and Donny and stay here tonight?

  She smoothed a hand self-consciously across her skirt, blushing when he brought his gaze back to her face, and for a moment hope renewed in his heart.

  “Carcen?” She peered past him. “I thought you were—.”

  Someone darted around the side of the house from the side-yard. On instinct he pulled his gun and swung toward the movement.

  A petite brunette gave a little squeak of surprise and jolted to a stop.

  Carcen quickly lowered his Glock. “Sorry.”

  The woman laughed nervously. “Yikes! I didn’t expect anyone to be out here. Much less…” Her eyes darted to Carcen’s hand holstering his weapon and then back to Devynne. “I’m sorry Devynne. I should have come down from the drive instead of cutting through our yards.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Honey.” Devynne turned towards Carcen, a shimmer of worry in her eyes. “Carcen, I’d like you to meet my neighbor, Honey Smyth. Honey, this is Carcen.”

  Honey stretched out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carcen.” She didn’t immediately release his hand and sidled a couple steps closer, lowering her voice. “Devynne failed to mention that her date for this evening was so good looking, and so protective.” She touched his chest with one finger.

  Carcen blinked at the woman’s forwardness as he stepped back, but he was too relieved to think much about it. Of course he should have remembered her neighbor. A name like Honey was hard to forget and he tried to make it his business to know the people in his town. “Hello, Honey. Did you come to borrow sugar?” he asked, unable to disguise the hopeful note in his voice.

  “Why, yes! How did you know that?” She giggled.

  He gave Devynne a sheepish grin. “Just a little detective work.”

  “Well, here’s that sugar, Honey.” Dev held out a Tupperware to the young woman.

  Honey glanced back and forth between the two and Carcen knew she was probably wondering at the way Devynne eyed him.

  When the woman had disappeared back to her own yard, Devynne turned on him. “What was that all about?”

  He shrugged, not wanting to ruin her evening by telling her his suspicions yet. And certainly not wanting to admit how much it had affected him to think she’d been speaking endearments to Randy. There would be time for those conversations later. He had suddenly made his decision. He would never forgive himself if he didn’t put up a good fight. “Where’s Marissa?”

  “Upstairs in her room, playing.”

  “I’ll go let her know I’m here. You look amazing. Have fun with Randy tonight.”

  He was satisfied to see a slight frown on her face. She hadn’t expected him to be quite so happy for her and he found his hopes rising just a little more. If only you knew my heart, Dev.

  Randy knocked just as he reached the top floor. Devynne greeted him and called up the stairs, “See you later!” He sighed and moved down the hall to Marissa’s room, knowing it was going to be one of the longest evenings he’d ever endured.

  Chapter 14

  Dinner – the meal itself – was wonderful. Randy chose a quaint little seafood place – the kind that was her favorite, but she was sure he didn’t know that.

  The room sported three-dimensional boats and fish on the walls. Huge saltwater tanks separated the large space into smaller sections. Fascinated by them, Devynne had been studying the variety of brightly colored fish she could see swimming amidst the coral since they’d been seated.

  Over orange and turquoise tablecloths, each table was draped with a thin fishnet and exhibited seashell-shaped candles as centerpieces. The candles were lit, casting a golden ambiance about the room. In the far corner, a small band played soft Hawaiian-like tunes that floated gently across the patrons around the room. Waitresses, all wearing kaleidoscopic sundresses, and waiters donned in khaki shorts with tropical print shirts, hustled here and there carrying trays with all manner of delicious smelling food.

  All in all, the at
mosphere and food were phenomenal, but Devynne couldn’t seem to keep her mind off of her baby sitter for more than a few minutes at a time.

  “Devynne?”

  She pulled her gaze away from the fish tank and grimaced as she realized he must have asked her a question she hadn’t heard. Again.

  “Randy, I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I’m not very good company tonight.”

  He smiled politely but there was a glint in his eyes that said he’d had just about enough of her wandering thoughts. “I was just asking if you would like some dessert? Chocolate is your favorite, right? That Boat-Sinker Pie sure looks delicious, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes. I love chocolate. How did you know?”

  He smiled, but didn’t meet her gaze. “You just look like a chocolate kind of girl, I suppose.”

  She glanced at her watch. “Do we have time before the movie?”

  “Certainly. I hope you don’t mind, but it’s such a gorgeous night that I rented one of my favorite movies from Netflix. I thought we could take out my boat, sit in the back, and watch on my laptop, just the two of us under the stars.”

  Her smile suddenly felt painted on. The last thing she wanted was to go out on the water alone with a man she barely knew, even if she had met him at church. But how could she tell him that? She’d already been more than distracted all evening.

  She took in the hopeful sincerity in his green eyes and couldn’t tell him the idea terrified her. He’s harmless. Look at him. Sometime during the dinner he’d managed to spill red sauce on the front of his white shirt. His glasses had slipped down his nose and now he pushed them up with a trembling finger. He must be nervous he wasn’t pleasing her. She couldn’t disappoint him. Not when he was trying so hard.

  She smiled and leaned toward him. “That sounds like a very fun evening. And yes, the Boat-Sinker Pie sounds delicious.” Everything chocolate you can imagine, the menu caption read. So rich and delicious it could have sunk the Titanic without the aid of an iceberg.

  Randy smiled and held up a hand to get the waiter’s attention.

  Seated in the chair next to Marissa’s bed, Carcen glanced over the top of Goodnight Moon and noted she’d fallen asleep already. His phone vibrated against his hip and he stepped into the hall, softly pulling her door shut.

  He glanced at the screen. Niemeyer. Finally. “Carcen here,” he said as he headed down the stairs toward the living room.

  “Hi there,” she rejoined with just a touch too much friendliness in her tone.

  He suppressed a sigh. He didn’t have time to deal with that right now. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the woman. She was a good cop, but that was the extent of his feelings for her. He’d talked to her about it a couple months ago. Hadn’t he made himself clear enough on that point? The only thing he hadn’t done was outright tell her he wasn’t interested. Maybe it would come to that. For now, he’d just keep sticking to business. “What do you have for me?”

  She chuckled. “Straight to the point, huh? Haven’t you missed me, even a little?”

  Not bothering to turn on the lights, he stopped before the huge picture window and stared out over the Salish Sea, holding his silence. The sun had set, but not long ago, and the black outlines of Shaw and Orcas floated along the horizon of the gray, choppy water.

  The sound of papers shuffling came over the line and she sighed. “I’m actually on my way home – about to land in Seattle. And I have good news about our boy, Stephan.”

  Carcen felt some of the tension ease from his shoulders. “Tell me.”

  “The day he got that speeding ticket ten blocks from the “bomb” incident?”

  “Yeah?”

  “He’d been up at Half Moon Bay in San Francisco watching the Mavericks Surf Contest. I found several of his friends who vouched for him. One was in the car with him when he got the ticket. He said Abernathy was hurrying home for an auction of Genesis Expedition paraphernalia that was taking place at an art studio that evening, but they were together all day and Stephan couldn’t have planted that box on her porch.”

  Carcen rubbed a hand over the aching muscles in his neck. It was good to know his instincts about the kid had been on target. “Okay, anything else?”

  More shuffling paper. “I went over the list of dates and times when gifts or notes were left for Hane, and for all but one of the incidents Abernathy has a pretty solid alibi. Plus I got that security footage from the times they caught the stalker on tape you asked for. I’ll upload it to you as soon as I hang up. If you want my opinion, Abernathy isn’t our guy.” She flipped a few more pages. “Oh, and I tapped a friend of mine who owes me a favor and he’s pulling together all he can find on that Genesis Expedition auction, for me.”

  “That’s good to hear. Thanks for your work on this, Shannon.”

  “Anytime, Lang.” Her voice softened in a feminine way that set him back on edge. “Any chance you could bring the police boat to Anacortes tonight and ferry me home?” An invitation lingered in what she hadn’t said.

  He shook his head. What was she thinking she’d do with her car? “Your car’s compact, but it’s not that compact. Besides, I can’t. I’m babysitting Marissa. And Shannon we’ve talk—”

  “I understand. Really. I’m sorry.”

  He eased a breath through his lips. “One day you’re going to find a man who sweeps you off your feet, Shannon.”

  “Yeah. Maybe.”

  “Grab a hotel. The county will pick up the tab.” He attempted to lighten the tension. “You gonna be here in time to play in the big game tomorrow?”

  “Why else do you think I’m hurrying home?” He heard the hurt in her tone even though he could tell she was trying to disguise it.

  “Right. See you then.”

  She hung up without even a good-bye and Carcen sank onto the couch relieved that she finally seemed to have gotten his message.

  He thought over what she’d said. So Abernathy was in the clear. He gave a grunt of satisfaction combined with frustration. That brought them back to Dawson… or some unknown entity.

  The Boat-Sinker Pie was as delicious as the menu proclaimed and Devynne did her best to stay attuned to the man across the table. But suddenly she noticed he stood ready to pull out her chair.

  Did he pay the check already? The waitress had just dropped it off, hadn’t she? Looking down she saw the signed receipt and the fact that he’d left a more-than-generous tip.

  Sighing, Devynne rose and followed him out into the parking lot.

  Stephan Abernathy stood next to Randy’s truck grinning like a cat with feathers stuck to its lips.

  Devynne blinked and stopped still.

  The young man nodded to her. “Good evening Mrs. Lang. I hope you don’t mind. But I was inside and noticed you about to leave and I thought I’d say hello.”

  She forced her voice to make sound. “H-hello, Stephan. This is my date for the evening, Randy Wiseman. Randy, this is Stephan Abernathy.”

  Randy nodded. “Evening.”

  “A date?” Stephan clutched at his chest. “You’re breaking my heart here.”

  Devynne grabbed Randy’s arm. “We really need to be going, don’t we?”

  Tires crunched over the gravel of the parking lot behind them. “Is there something going on here?”

  She glanced back. Leaning out the driver’s side window of a squad car was Deputy Donny Sanchez! Relief nearly took out her knees.

  Randy glanced back and forth from Stephan to her to the deputy and his gaze turned to granite. “The lady and I were just leaving, Officer Sanchez. Everything’s fine.” He presented his back to Stephan and opened the truck door for her.

  Devynne felt bad rushing off, but was too disturbed by the fact that Stephan continued to show up wherever she happened to be to worry about politeness. Rubbing her arms she reminded herself that Carcen had vouched for the boy…

  She dropped her head back as she waited for Randy to get around to his side and climb in. Was this night never going to
end?

  She waited until he’d backed out of their space before she spoke. “Randy if you don’t mind…I just really need to get home, right now.” She glanced over her shoulder at Stephan Abernathy still standing there staring after them, his profile outlined by the parking lot lights behind him. He turned to climb onto a motorbike, strapping a helmet to his head but the cop car pulled in just behind him, lights flashing. Stephan snatched the helmet from his head and threw his hands up in frustration as Deputy Sanchez stepped from the driver’s side of the sedan.

  A shudder of relief shook her. Was Sanchez deliberately trying to keep him from following her home? “Randy, please can you just take me home?”

  Randy’s smile looked about as far from genuine as the last Louis Vuitton purse she’d bought on eBay. But he did agree and a few moments later she was rushing through the goodbyes on her deck wanting nothing more than to be inside away from prying eyes.

  Randy’s countenance softened as he adjusted his glasses. “Thanks for agreeing to dinner. I had a good time. We’ll have to do that movie another time. I’d love for you to see it.”

  “Sure. Goodnight, Randy.” She pushed through the door and shut it behind her before he could press her to set a date.

  “Have a good time?”

  Devynne sucked in a gasp of surprise and spun around, her heart lodging somewhere in the vicinity of her throat. Carcen stood at the garden window, the porch light illuminating the grin on his face. The kitchen lights were off.

  “Carcen Lang! What are you doing?”

  He shrugged with an innocent grin. “Spying.” He relaxed against the counter.

  “Why?”

  Strong arms folded across his chest, he cocked his jaw, an impertinent gleam in the spit-fire blue of his eyes. “I was curious to see if he’d kiss you or not. Too bad he didn’t. No question, a woman as beautiful as you should be kissed goodnight.”

  Hoping he couldn’t see the blush heating her face and knowing she dared not explore that line of conversation further, she pivoted on her heel and headed across the kitchen. “The mood wasn’t quite right considering Stephan Abernathy was waiting for me by Randy’s truck when we came out of the restaurant.” She flipped on the lights and set her purse on the shelf by the door.