by Nella Tyler
Meg turned and waved but said nothing. Facing forward again, she hurried to her suite. Doug rubbed his hands together gleefully as he watched her walk away.
“I’ve got her just where I want her,” Doug said cheerfully.
“I can’t wait to see her tonight. She’ll pay for her sharp tongue,” Denise said spitefully.
“Ease up on the digs, Denise. We have to tread carefully to get what we want from her,” he advised.
“I can’t stand her.”
“The time will come when you can unleash your tongue. Be patient,” he said. “We are too close to achieving our goal to make a mistake now. Too close to having everything we could ever want.”
Meg had disappeared around the corner.
“Come on. Let’s get some breakfast,” he suggested.
They crossed the lobby and left the hotel.
*****
Kai and Noah agreed to meet the girls at the Tiki Café for breakfast. The four of them sat outside on a lovely patio that had a running creek flowing through the center of the floor. There was a small drawbridge that allowed patrons to cross from one side of the patio to the other. The café wasn’t busy, so they pretty much had the patio to themselves.
“Mimosa’s for everyone?” Kai asked as he waved for the server.
“No!” they chorused.
Noah and Kai laughed.
“I think they’re swearing off alcohol after their stint in the wine cellar,” Noah grinned.
“Something like that,” Beni said dryly.
“Plain orange juice will be fine,” Meg said. “How do you know about that, anyway?” She knew the girls hadn’t told them yet.
“Drake called last night while you were sleeping and told me about it,” Noah said. “And I in turn told Kai.”
“What you didn’t hear about was what we found,” Meg said. She launched into the story.
“Do you have any idea of what is behind the wall?” Kai asked.
“No. But we could hear what sounded like water,” Ashlee answered.
“We need to see what’s there,” Noah mused. “Does Drake know about this?”
“Not yet. He had an early morning video call with his team and I wasn’t able to speak with him. I’ll tell him when I see him,” Meg replied.
“Do you mind showing us this wine cellar after breakfast? I would like to see it.” Kai asked.
“So would I,” Noah agreed.
“Sure,” Ashlee answered. “But it’s not a wine cellar. It’s just a small, dreary place where they have bottles of aged wine. There’s also Scotch, bourbon, and vodka there too.”
“Sounds like my kind of place,” Noah smiled.
“I must say that we liked the champagne … a little too much. Our heads paid the price this morning,” Beni sighed.
Noah grinned.
“Are you better now?”
“Yes. Much better,” Beni smiled.
The server brought their meal and they enjoyed it tremendously.
“All of the food on the island is delicious. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Everything just tastes better here,” Meg marveled.
“It’s the wholesome freshness of the island. It affects everything in a good way; including the food. It just taste better,” Kai explained.
“You know, I think I believe you,” Ashlee grinned.
“And so you should,” Kai smiled.
Meg looked at Kai and Ashlee. They were getting closer and she was glad. They made a lovely couple. They finished their breakfast and made their way back to the resort. Taking Noah and Kai to the basement, Meg looked behind them to see if Doug was following them. She was sure he had done so yesterday.
“Hopefully, Doug isn’t following us,” she muttered.
“You think he was spying on us?” Beni asked.
“How else would he have been able to tell Drake we’d had gone down to the basement?”
“But why? I mean, it was a good thing that he had, but for what reason?” Ashlee asked in bewilderment.
“I have no idea. But my gut tells me that he followed us. His actions were not coincidental,” Meg muttered.
“Probably not,” Kai said.
“Now I’m stuck having to meet him for drinks tonight. Doug is working my sense of gratitude to him and forcing me to be civil to him. He suggested drinks and I had to agree,” Meg said in annoyance.
“We’ll all go with you,” Noah said. “He won’t like it but there won’t be anything he can do about it.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you,” Meg said gratefully.
“And if he asks anything of you, we will all be there to hear it,” Beni said.
“And put in our two cents,” Ashlee grinned.
“That will drive him to drink excessively,” Beni laughed.
They moved to the ancient door and Kai pulled it open.
“Wait. We will need flashlights until we reach the bottom to turn on the overhead light,” Ashlee said. She ran to get flashlights from the box. Then ran back to give one to each person. They then descended the steps.
*****
Drake made his way to the basement only to see Doug skulking around in the corridor. He put his hand out to open the basement door.
“Murphy! What are you doing?” Drake called out.
Doug spun around to face Drake. He looked guilty as hell.
“Drake! Good to see you. How are you this morning?” He evaded the question with one of his own.
“What are you doing here?” Drake demanded. He was not going to be sidetracked by this foolish man.
“I think I’m a bit lost. There are so many hallways in this hotel. I was trying to get back to the lobby,” he said sheepishly.
Drake didn’t believe him for a minute. He was following Meg again. Kai had sent him a text telling him where they were going. So as soon as his call ended, he’d made his way to the basement; only to find Doug loitering in the corridor.
“I’ll show you back to the lobby,” Drake said in clipped tones.
“What are you doing here?” Doug said slyly.
“I own the place. I can be anywhere I want.”
Doug didn’t know how to respond to that bit of information.
“Oh,” was all that Doug could say.
“Come. I’ll guide you to the lobby. This is a restricted area,” Drake commented.
Doug bristled. In other words he was not to be here in the future.
“Well, to hell with your rules, Hanover. I’ll be back,” Doug thought viciously.
Drake led Doug back to the lobby and watched him leave the hotel. He decided to put a padlock on the ancient door until they discovered what was going on down there. He turned and made his way back to the basement.
Chapter 17
Drake saw the light on in the lower depths of the basement. He trotted down the steps to see Noah with his ear pressed against the wooden wall.
“Do you hear anything, Noah?”
“Drake. I’m so glad you’re here. Can we tear down this wall?” Meg asked.
“You really think it’s necessary?” Drake asked dubiously.
“Yes. I know we haven’t been given a clue that leads us here directly, but I can’t help thinking that whatever is behind this wall is a large piece in the puzzle,” Meg said quietly.
“And if it isn’t?” Drake questioned.
“Then at least we’ll know what’s causing the dampness. You probably need to repair it anyway,” Meg reasoned.
“Ever logical, aren’t you?” Drake muttered. “All right. We will open it up.”
Meg rushed to hug him.
“Thank you, sweetie,” she said then planted a brief kiss on his mouth.
Drake returned her embrace then pulled back and watched Meg covertly as she chatted gaily with her friends.
“I saw some tools in the basement. I think there was an electric saw among them. I’ll check them out,” Noah said.
“I’ll go with you,” Kai offered.
Drake nod
ded. He was still reliving Meg calling him sweetie. That was the first time that she’d used an endearment with him and he liked it. He had been calling her babe for a while, but she hadn’t returned the familiarity. It felt good that she now had. It meant that they were growing closer to one another, which he now realized is what he wanted. He smiled then moved to touch the wall. It was wet, very much so. Where was the water coming from? Meg was right. If nothing else, he needed to discover the problem and have it corrected. Kai and Noah returned with an electric saw and three sledgehammers. Noah turned on the saw.
“Be careful, Noah. You don’t have on any goggles,” Beni said anxiously.
“I will. But it’s plywood so it shouldn’t splinter much. Thanks for caring,” he grinned.
“Of course I do. Just watch what you’re doing,” Beni said pensively.
Noah smiled at her then began cutting the wall. Drake and Kai began swinging the sledgehammers. Meg picked up the third hammer. She could barely lift it but managed to heave it to her shoulder.
“Be careful, Meg,” Ashlee cautioned.
“I don’t think there much to worry about. She can barely lift it. I doubt if she can swing it,” Beni said dubiously.
“Just watch,” Meg called out to them. She tried to swing the hammer from her shoulder but the weight of it caused the hammer to go downward. Suddenly she felt arms around her as they grasped the hammer.
“Help her out, Drake,” Beni chuckled.
Meg stuck her tongue out at Beni who laughed outright.
“I’ve told you what you should use that tongue for,” he murmured in her ear.
She leaned back against him.
“Later,” she muttered. “It’s so heavy. I can’t swing it. Help me, Drake.”
“Always.”
He placed his hands over hers to support the hammer then swung her arms to give the wall a good whack.
“Use your body weight to swing the hammer forward,” he advised. “Let’s try it again.”
He helped her lift the hammer to her shoulder then swing it forward.
“I think I can do it alone,” she said.
“Okay.”
He moved away from her and the hammer fell downward. He allowed her to put the hammer back on her shoulder without his assistance. She took a deep breath then swung the hammer forward. It hit the wall with force.
“I did it!” she exclaimed.
“Very good, Meg,” he complimented.
She took several more swings and successfully knocked down a good portion of the wall.
“Let me try,” Beni said.
“Hey, Noah. Your lady wants a lesson on swinging the hammer,” Drake said. “I’ll take the saw while you give Beni lessons.”
Noah grinned as they exchanged tools. Eventually all of the girls had a turn swinging the hammer, but it wasn’t long before they tired and the men took over. Soon there was a large enough hole in the wall for them to see what was on the other side. They were shocked: it was a brick wall with a large medallion on it. It was just like the medal they had found inside the box at the maze, only much bigger. The Tropics was engraved on it.
“I guess we’re on the right track,” Drake said. He pushed against the brick wall and found that the bricks were loose. “These brick are loosely laid. It won’t be hard to bring them down. Let’s get to work.”
The guys started swinging their hammers in earnest while the girls stood back.
“What do you think is on the other side of the brick wall?” Ashlee asked.
“I hazard to guess. But we’ll soon find out,” Meg answered.
“I’m not sure I want to know,” Beni mumbled.
“Too late. They are almost done,” Ashlee said.
They men stopped. They had made a big enough hole for them to pass through. Drake looked inside hole.
“It’s a tunnel,” he said.
He climbed through first. Then Kai and Noah. They looked around.
“What do you see?” Meg asked.
“A very wet, dark tunnel,” Drake answered.
“I want to see,” Meg replied. She climbed through the hole as did Beni and Ashlee.
“It’s really chilly in here,” Beni said.
“And wet,” Meg said. “Where do you think it leads?”
“I have no idea. I’ll need to get the hotel plans to see if they show where this goes,” Drake said. “I will also call the previous owner to see if he knew about the tunnel.”
“We have to follow it,” Meg said.
“Not until we know where it leads,” Drake said.
“We have to make sure no one else comes down here and sees this,” Ashlee murmured.
“You’re thinking about Doug?” Kai asked.
“Yes. He knows about the alcohol room. I wouldn’t put it past him to come back here,” Ashlee said.
“He already tried. I found him lurking about the basement corridor when I came to meet you,” Drake said. “I forced him back to the lobby and advised him not to come here again. But you know he will.”
“How will you keep him out of here?” Beni asked.
“I will put a padlock on the door that leads to this room. He won’t be able to get down here,” Drake said.
“Good. Then we can focus on learning more about the tunnel,” Meg responded.
“I will go to city hall and get a copy of the hotel plans. Perhaps they will show the tunnel on them,” Drake said. “Come on. Let’s go.”
They moved back through the hole and made their way up the stairs. This time the door was not closed.
“Do you think that Doug locked us in here yesterday?” Beni asked.
“I don’t doubt it. It was just too convenient that he knew where to find us,” Meg answered. “He wanted to scare us.”
“But why?” Ashlee questioned.
“That’s the million dollar question,” Kai said.
“He’s nothing but a roach!” Beni said tartly.
“Too true,” Meg said.
“I need to get a padlock,” Drake said. “Noah, will you guard the door while I go get the lock? I won’t be gone for more than ten minutes.”
“Sure,” Noah answered.
“I’ll stay with him,” Beni said.
“We all will stay until you get back,” Kai said. Ashlee and Meg nodded in agreement.
“Hurry back, sweetie, and I’ll go to the City Hall with you,” Meg said.
Drake smiled.
“Back in a bit.” He moved swiftly up the basement stairs.
Everyone took seats on various boxes and chatted quietly while they waited for his return.
*****
Everyone poured over the plans that Drake had spread over his dining room table. They had been at it for over an hour but had not identified the tunnel on the schematics.
“And the previous property owner did not know anything about the tunnel?” Ashlee asked yet again.
“No. He suggested that the locals might be able to shed some light on it,” Drake said.
“I wonder if Peleke knows about the tunnel,” Beni pondered.
“That’s an idea. We could ask him,” Meg suggested.
“I haven’t seen him around in a while,” Drake murmured.
“He always pops up when you least expect him. Not necessarily when you want to see him,” Meg grimaced.
Kai stood up straight and stretched.
“Perhaps I can ask around for him. Someone is bound to see have seen him,” Kai said.
“Or maybe they can get a message to him,” Beni surmised.
“It’s worth a shot,” Noah chimed in.
“It’s getting late and I’m hungry,” Beni grumbled.
“I think we should stop for now and give Kai time to ask around,” Drake said.
“Good idea,” Noah said. He turned to Beni. ‘Why don’t we get some take out and we can eat it at my place.”
“Sounds great,” Beni smiled.
“I think Kai and I will hang out. We’ll see you guys tomorrow,”
Ashlee announced.
“Okay. See you tomorrow,” Meg said.
Everyone said goodnight, and within a few moments, Meg and Drake were left alone in Drake’s suite.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I could eat a horse,” she teased.
“I think I can do better than that for food. How about barbecue?”
“Sounds yummy,” she smiled as she walked toward the balcony.
He called the order in and Meg stood at the balcony railing and stared at the shimmering stars. They twinkled merrily as they circled the earth. She wished she felt as they looked. Bright. Cheerful. And carefree. But that was far from her state of being. She was nervous and on edge. Doug showing up had only opened up old wounds that were beginning to heal. Oh why did he have to come to the island? She felt Drake’s strong arms slip about her waist.
“What are you thinking?”
“I was wishing Doug to the lower regions of the universe,” she muttered. “His showing up is definitely a sour note.”
“Don’t let him ruin our time here,” Drake whispered.
She turned in his arms to look into his remarkably clear, grey eyes. She could see her reflection in them and wanted to slowly sink into them.
“Our time?”
“Yes. I can’t think of these moments as anything else. It’s our time together and I won’t allow anything or anyone to mess it up,” he said in a low voice. “We have a good thing going on. Don’t let Doug make you think of a past that was never supposed to be. I’m here. Put all of your energies into me.”
“I must have done something right to bring you into my life just when I needed you. The day you pulled me off of that conveyor belt was the luckiest one in my life. I am so glad I met you,” she whispered.
She pulled his head down and kissed him lovingly. He pushed his tongue into her mouth to let it roam freely. Meg sighed and melted into his body. He had just picked her up to hold her against the wall when a knock sounded on the door. He dragged his mouth away from her.
“Damn!” he groaned.
“Well, you did order room service,” she grinned. “And I’m still hungry.”
He gave her a peck on the lips then moved to open the door. She went into the kitchen to get utensils, glasses and a bottle of champagne from the fridge. He was setting the food on the table on the balcony when she returned.
