Dangerous Waters (Lantern Beach Book 4)

by Christy Barritt

  Before she could finish, Ty jumped in. “That’s our best guess. But we don’t know anything for sure.”

  Skye paused and lowered her head, the emotional weight over what had happened tugging at her features. Suddenly, her head snapped up. “We need to call the police.”

  “He told us not to,” Ty said. “We don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “I should be the one to decide that!” Skye said. “She’s my niece.”

  “We know, Skye,” Cassidy started, her voice placating and calm. “And it is your decision. We just wouldn’t advise it.”

  “This is your fault.” Skye turned to her with wide eyes full of accusation. “This guy followed you here, and now my niece is in danger.”

  Cassidy’s heart pounded with guilt and regret. Hearing it spoken out loud took her remorse to a whole new level. “I know. I’m doing whatever I can to—”

  “You should have never come here. Should have never hired Serena.”

  Ty raised a hand, as if refereeing a fight. “That’s not fair, Skye.”

  Her fire turned toward Ty. “You’re only saying that because you’ve been taken with Cassidy since she stepped foot in town. I knew there was something suspicious about you, Cassidy. Now you’ve brought trouble with you.”

  Ty stepped between the women. “Do I need to remind you that Cassidy saved your life? She risked everything to find you earlier this summer.”

  Skye’s face lost a touch of outrage—but not all of it.

  “I can’t stay around here and chat,” Skye finally muttered. “I’ve got to go find my niece.” She turned on her heel and stormed out.

  Cassidy closed her eyes. Before she opened them again, she felt Ty’s hand on her arm.

  “She’s upset,” he said. “She doesn’t mean it. She just has trust issues.”

  Guilt pounded at Cassidy’s temples. “Her words are true, Ty. I shouldn’t have come here. I never meant to put anyone in danger.”

  “She’ll come to her senses,” Ty said. “Give her time.”

  “I deserve every bit of her anger.” Cassidy paced toward the door. “And more.”

  Ty stayed where he was, watching her with that observant expression. “That’s not true. You’re one of the most selfless people I know, Cassidy. I couldn’t let you tell Skye the truth. I know it’s tempting you.”

  She had almost told her. She didn’t even care if she was a target anymore. She just wanted Serena to be safe.

  Images of DH-7’s victims replayed in her head, like a bad TV special. Each one made her shudder. “It doesn’t seem fair to keep her in the dark.”

  “The more people who know, the more danger that will flood this way,” Ty murmured. “We don’t want more DH-7 members showing up here.”

  Cassidy didn’t bother arguing, even though she wanted to. Besides, Ty was right. Once her emotions cleared, she would see that. Until then, she’d trust his instincts.

  Chapter Eighteen

  A moment later, Cassidy’s phone buzzed. She straightened as she looked at the screen. A picture popped up.

  “Ty, it’s Serena.” She clicked on it, just as Ty came to stand beside her.

  She drew in a quick breath when she saw the image.

  It was Serena, all right. Except she was no longer the idealistic college student with hopeful, bright eyes. No, she looked scared. Terrified.

  A white gag covered her mouth. Dirt—or was that a bruise—was smudged around one eye. Her hair was in a misshapen ponytail.

  Cassidy soaked in the background, trying to discern some detail that might give her a clue as to where to find Serena. But it was just a white wall. No shadows or anything else distinguishable about it.

  The words at the bottom of the screen came into focus.

  Instructions coming soon.

  She closed her eyes. The only way Orion could have gotten this number was if Serena gave it to him. What was he doing to the girl? Had he hurt her? Because Cassidy would make him pay if he had.

  Carefully, she typed her reply. “Let Serena go.”

  Cassidy waited, the seconds feeling like hours.

  Finally, Orion responded. “We do this on my terms.”

  That sounded exactly like the Orion she knew. Arrogant. Heartless. Controlling.

  “Serena has nothing to do with this,” Cassidy texted. “It’s between you and me.”

  “You ruined my friend’s life. Now I’m going to ruin yours. And theirs.”

  Cassidy’s breath caught. What did that even mean? She knew. She just couldn’t mentally go there right now.

  “Don’t do this,” she typed back.

  “Too late. Already done. In memory of Raul Sanders—the man you murdered. Adios.”

  Cassidy’s heart thudded in her chest as she turned to Ty. “We need to try and track Serena’s phone. I know it probably won’t help, but we’ve got to try.”

  Ty’s jaw looked stiff as he stared at Cassidy’s phone. “Let’s get on it.”

  While Mac met with an old friend to see if he could ping Serena’s phone, Ty and Cassidy headed to the ferry. She couldn’t stay at Mac’s any longer. She had to take action.

  “We need to see if anyone there has seen Orion. It’s the only way off the island,” Cassidy said.

  “He could have taken a small boat,” Ty said, gripping the steering wheel.

  “He wouldn’t have done that. He hates water—he can’t swim.” He’d told her that once when they’d gone to a house with a pool. He wouldn’t get anywhere near it. When other people began throwing each other in the water, a sweat actually broke out across his forehead.

  Ty glanced at her. “A ferry is still a boat.”

  “But it’s large enough that it wouldn’t freak him out as much. If he left, he took the ferry. I’m sure of it.”

  “Let’s see what the attendants say,” Ty said.

  They parked at the terminal and made their way to the workers at the gates. Cassidy had pulled up both Orion and Serena’s pictures on her phone, and she showed them to the attendants.

  “He doesn’t look familiar,” one of the men said.

  “Do you have video footage?” Ty asked. “This guy drives a white SUV.”

  The attendant shrugged. “There are a surprising number of people who drive that kind of vehicle. Popular color.”

  “Please, this is important,” Cassidy said. “We need to see the video.”

  The man sighed. “Go talk to Willard in the office. Maybe he can help you.”

  “Thank you,” Cassidy said. “And how many trips have already left today?”

  “Six.”

  Six. She could probably rule out the first two or three since she could account for Serena up until around one o’clock. But that still left three other departures. Each ferry could hold around three dozen cars. Locals and businesses had their own priority lane, which would narrow that number even more.

  Cassidy marched up to the man in the office, whose nameplate proudly proclaimed he was Willard, and explained that she was looking for someone who might be in danger.

  He barely flinched. “We need a warrant.”

  “Please, this is urgent,” Ty said.

  Willard shifted, seeming to take Ty more seriously. Typical. “Did you tell the police?”

  “We can’t,” Cassidy said. “Not if we want her to stay alive.”

  Willard sighed. “Don’t tell anyone I did this, okay?”

  “Thank you.” Relief washed through Cassidy. Some progress was still progress.

  The man found the footage on his computer and stood from his desk. “I’m taking a bathroom break. You have ten minutes. And if anyone asks, I didn’t know what you two were doing.”

  They sat behind his desk and began scrolling through the video, which was surprisingly clear. Several cars looked similar, but none fit the description of Orion’s.

  “If he’s not on that ferry, he’s on the island still,” Cassidy said. “That’s the good news.”

  “So we just need to
find him,” Ty said.

  “That’s right. But we need someone to guard the ferry terminal, just in case he decides to leave.”

  “Let me call Austin—and then you and I can keep looking.”

  With Austin camped out at the terminal, Cassidy had already determined her next step.

  “We need to go to the police station,” she said.

  “I thought you weren’t going to tell the chief,” Ty said.

  “I’m not. But I need to talk to those guys who took that flakka,” she said. “Maybe they have an idea of where Orion is hiding out.”

  “What are you going to tell the chief?” Ty took off down the road.

  “I’m not sure yet. But I’ll think of something.”

  They pulled up a few minutes later, and Cassidy stormed inside the station. She bypassed the receptionist and went straight to the chief’s office. He startled when he saw her and then stood.

  “Ms. Livingston . . . Ty . . . how can I help you two?” He wiped some crumbs from his shirt and straightened.

  “I need to talk to those guys,” Cassidy said.

  “The zombie guys?” He chuckled, as if he found her request funny. “Why would you want to do that?”

  “I think they vandalized Elsa,” she said, hoping her cover story worked. “I need to know the truth.”

  The chief’s humor seemed to disappear. “I’m sorry to hear that, but we don’t let civilians interrogate suspects.”

  “I know. But can you make an exception, Chief? Please.”

  He swallowed hard, indecision evident in his gaze. “You’re asking a lot—especially for a simple ice cream truck.”

  Cassidy softened her voice. “Please, Chief. I helped you catch these guys. All I ask is that, in return, you give me a few minutes alone with them. I assume they’re out of their drug stupor now.”

  “They are. And they look miserable. Hungover, almost.”

  “Perfect. No better time to talk to them.” They hadn’t returned to their full senses yet.

  The chief sighed and ran a hand over his pasty face. “I don’t like breaking the rules.”

  “Then don’t break them,” Ty said. “Just give us a few minutes with them. It won’t cause any harm. In fact, no one has to know but us.”

  The chief eyeballed Cassidy. She was on the verge of blowing her cover. She knew she was. But this was important. Cassidy had to find Serena.

  Finally, Bozeman nodded. “Fine. But I’m not going to make a habit of this.”

  “I wouldn’t expect it.” Cassidy tried to convey her gratitude with her voice.

  “Follow me.”

  They walked down a small hallway toward the holding cell. The men sat inside the room, its only occupants.

  “Have at it,” the chief said. “You’ve got five minutes.”

  The guys didn’t pay Cassidy and Ty much attention. In fact, they didn’t even seem to recognize them. That was what drugs could do to a person. They were a huge mistake and an increasing problem.

  One of the men stood, while the others continued to look like they’d nearly collapsed on a bench.

  The one standing must be the leader of the bunch. As a general rule, the first one to speak was.

  Cassidy grabbed one of the bars and leaned toward them. “Hey.”

  The redhead glanced up, but his eyes were dull and his gaze distant.

  “Come here,” she said.

  Ty stood in the background, ready to jump in if necessary. She was so thankful he was comfortable enough in his manhood to let her take the lead.

  “Who are you?” the guy muttered. His eyes were bloodshot, his skin pasty, and his white shirt stained with sweat.

  “It’s not important. I have a question for you.”

  His tired gaze flickered to hers. “Why should I answer it?”

  “Because otherwise I’m going to press charges against you for this.” Cassidy turned to show him the scratch on her temple and elbow—injuries he’d inflicted.

  He scowled and let out an irritated groan. “What do you want to know?”

  Cassidy held up her phone and showed him a picture of Orion. “Is this the guy you got the drugs from?”

  He glanced at the photo and shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Is it or isn’t it?” Ty stepped closer, all bristly and Navy SEAL tough. “Answer the lady’s question.”

  The man flinched and seemed to sober even more. “Yeah, that looks like him. Except different. He looks . . . how do you say it? More . . . refined now.”

  “How’d you meet him?” Cassidy asked.

  Redhead shrugged and raked a hand through his thick, wiry hair. “He approached my friends and me. We were surfing. Said he knew what we were doing.”

  “What were you doing?” Cassidy asked.

  He lowered his head and sighed, as if every part of the conversation felt painful and exhausting. “Stealing.”

  “So you could buy drugs,” Ty finished.

  “Yeah, so we could buy drugs.” His low, listless tone signaled defeat. “He said he had a great new drug we could try. Our first hit was on him.”

  How convenient, Cassidy mused. “Where did you meet him to get the drugs?”

  “At the beach. Joyner’s Point.”

  “Joyner’s Point?” Cassidy wasn’t familiar with it.

  “It’s a surfer’s beach,” Ty explained. “It’s pretty secluded from tourists, and the shore break there is perfect for catching waves.”

  At least they were getting somewhere.

  She glanced back at his two friends, just as one of them rolled from the wall-mounted bench onto the floor—and didn’t even wake up. Yeah, doing drugs was really living the life, she thought sarcastically. Who wouldn’t want this?

  “When was the last time you saw this guy?” Cassidy asked.

  “This morning. He gave us the drugs around lunchtime. Told us to go ride the Ferris wheel after we took them for an experience we’d never forget. Taking the drugs was the last thing I remember, though.”

  The Ferris wheel hadn’t been far from the restaurant where Ty and Cassidy had lunch.

  “I take it you didn’t make it to the Ferris wheel?” Ty asked.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Is there anything else you can tell us about this guy?” Cassidy asked. “We need to find him.”

  “Not really. He said he had some business to take care of so he probably wouldn’t be seeing us again. But he was trying to make some connections, so the drug would be readily available if we wanted more.”

  “But no more details?” Ty asked.

  “Only one other thing. He kept talking about his wife. So much so that it was weird. Like he was doing it on purpose.”

  Cassidy’s mind whirled. “Did he say what her name was?”

  “Yeah, it was Alisha.”

  “So, Alisha was his girlfriend? Ty asked as they climbed into his truck.

  Cassidy nodded. “Yes. She betrayed him, so he murdered her. I’m sure that was Orion’s way of sending me a message, Ty. He wanted me to know that no one betrays him.”

  He tamped down the surge of anger that rose in him. Anger wouldn’t get him anywhere right now. No, he had to keep a cool head.

  He’d seen a different side of Cassidy over the past couple hours. The tough, assertive side. He could imagine her as a detective, interrogating suspects.

  It was impressive, to say the least, and gave him a whole new level of respect for her. It also reminded him yet again that her life wasn’t here and she was meant for bigger things. His gut twisted at the reminder, at the uncertainty regarding their future.

  “How about we go check on Austin?”

  “Sure,” Cassidy said. “And then I’d like to search the island for Orion’s SUV. I know it’s a long shot. And we need to check in with Mac.”

  It sounded like a long process—but if they found Serena, it would be worth it. “Let’s go.”

  They pulled up to the ferry. Austin’s truck sat near the loading dock. They
parked and made their way toward it. When Austin rolled down his window, Ty spotted Skye in the car with him. He wondered if she’d calmed down yet.

  He understood her frustration, but she didn’t need to take it out on Cassidy.

  He glanced at Skye now, but she raised her chin and turned her head away. She was still mad, but hopefully with some time she’d be okay.

  He prayed that was the case, and he prayed for her comfort right now. Having someone you loved disappear at the hands of a madman couldn’t be easy. He thought about his mom and all she’d gone through with her cancer.

  No, the suffering of loved ones was beyond not easy—it could be devastating.

  Ty’s gaze flickered back to Austin. “Anything?”

  He shook his head and took another sip of his energy drink. “No, nothing. I thought I might have seen the vehicle, but it was a family of five inside. Sorry, man. Any updates on your end?”

  “No, but we’re working on it. We found out Orion sold a few local teens some drugs. We don’t think he’s left the island, so we’re going to continue looking. We haven’t given up yet.”

  “Keep us updated,” Austin said. “We’ll stay here, just to make sure he doesn’t try to leave. I did wonder if he might have gotten a different vehicle. I’ve been searching faces. Even got out a few times and walked between the cars. Told people I lost my dog.”

  “Good move,” Ty said. “And good point. I’ll ask the chief if any stolen cars have been reported.”

  Just as Cassidy and Ty climbed back into his truck, Mac called. Cassidy put her phone on speaker.

  “Did you find anything?” she asked.

  “The cell pinged here on the island two hours ago. It must be off right now because we’re getting nothing.”

  “That confirms what we’ve learned also,” Cassidy said. “We believe they’re still here on Lantern Beach.”

  “I’m going to use some more of my connections to see if I can watch some street cams in the area. Maybe we can follow their movement that way.”

  “That would be great,” Cassidy said. She asked him to look into any stolen vehicles, and he agreed. “We’re going to drive all over the island and look for Orion’s SUV. I know he may have ditched it. But, whatever he did, I want to figure it out.”