The Reef

by Lois Kay

  Lucy’s face was pale, which made her eyes look even darker. She was nervous. Her stomach was churning and her palms were sweaty. Looking at Jody, Sam and Sarah, she could almost feel their pain. And for a reason she had no explanation for yet, she didn’t like the idea of Trishia being put in harm’s way. Her eyes traveled to Trishia, who almost stood ten centimeters taller than she did. They locked gazes and Lucy could feel her heart skip a beat. Trishia sent her a reassuring smile before she glanced at her partner and he nodded. They quickly rose and headed for the locker rooms.

  Only when Trishia had left the room, Lucy noticed she had been holding her breath. Slowly she let it out, trying to settle down her racing heart and focusing on the things that were going on around her. Suddenly an idea formed in her head. “Inspector, wouldn’t it be possible for Sam to take her own cell phone as well and leave the line open? I mean, that way we can keep track of her. Right? She only has to talk out loud.” She cast a look at Sam and managed a weak smile. “Sam’s pretty good at talking to herself,” she weakly joked.

  Inspector Wong sent Lucy an appreciative look. She smiled broadly and looked genuinely pleased with the offered idea. “That’s an excellent thought,” she complimented Lucy. “What do you think, Sam?”

  “I think it’s the best idea she’s ever had,” Sam gently teased.

  Jody raised her head to look up into Sam’s eyes and tried to smile as well. But she failed miserably. Sam noticed the pain in her tear-filled eyes and the quivering bottom lip.

  “It will be okay, honey,” Sam softly spoke. She brushed away a tear, careful not to hurt the swollen cheek. “Megan and I will be back before you know it.”

  Jody felt her throat constrict. “I can’t lose you, Sam. Not now that I’ve found you again. All those years without you. I have missed you so much. Please? I need you.”

  Sam swallowed hard. The pain inside made her breath come out in a gasp. “I promise I will. I won’t let anyone or anything come between us.” She kissed Jody’s forehead. “I love you.”

  Jody pressed her throbbing, tear-stained face against Sam’s chest. “I love you too,” she whispered.

  Joan McDonnell couldn’t stop the tears when she took in the scene in front of her. It was obvious to anyone present, that the two women loved each other deeply. It was so unfair they had to be separated once more, not knowing whether they would see each other again, no matter what Sam had promised. They all knew what Little Steven Hayes was capable of and Sam’s safety was anything but a guarantee.

  When Trishia and Peter came walking back into the office, both dressed in street clothes, Lucy let out a small gasp. Trishia hid a smile when she saw the dark-green eyes go wide. Lucy had only seen Trishia in her uniform, and she knew she now looked totally different. She was wearing dark blue shorts that stopped just above the knees, revealing a pair of muscular, tanned legs. A teal-colored tank top emphasized a strong, equally tanned athletic upper body, topped off with some very feminine curves.

  Lucy wondered why her heart was beating like it was going to jump out of her chest. She tried to look away, but Trishia’s gaze held her captive and slowly she felt her cheeks grow warm.

  A small smile graced Trishia’s face when she turned to her superior officer. “We’re ready when you are, Inspector.”

  Inspector Wong pretended she hadn’t noticed the exchange of looks between her Senior Sergeant and Lucy McDonnell. “Excellent,” she said. “Don’t use the car radio, but use your cell phones. Keep the line open. Sam will do the same.” She cast a look at a, still flustered Lucy and smiled. “That was Lucy’s idea.”

  “Impressive,” Trishia responded. She sent Lucy an almost invisible wink. “Okay, Peter and I will leave now. Do we have backup?”

  “Bob and Carl,” Inspector Wong promised. “They’ll never be more than a kilometer away from where you are.”

  Trishia turned her attention to Sam and Jody and her expression became very serious. “Miss McDonnell? I mean, Jody.”

  Jody raised her head from Sam’s chest and looked at Trishia who radiated strength and confidence.

  “We won’t let her out of our sight,” Trishia promised. “And even if we can’t literally see her, we’ll be close by.”

  Jody managed a watery smile. “Thank you.”

  Sam sent Trishia a grateful look. Knowing there would be at least two police officers following her, made her feel better.

  “Come on, Pete, let’s go,” Trishia said. She cast one last look at Lucy, who mouthed: ‘Good luck.’ She smiled and nodded, following her fellow officer out of the room.

  “I guess I’d better get going as well,” Sam spoke in general, but her eyes were glued to Jody’s. “The sooner I’ll go, the quicker I’ll be back.”

  Jody’s hand nervously clenched Sam’s shirt and gently she pried them loose. She didn’t care they were in a room full of people. She brought Jody’s hands to her lips and softly kissed the palm of each hand, never breaking eye contact. “I will come back to you,” she promised. “There’s a very important question I have for you. It’s something I once thought I’d never ask anyone, ever, until you came back into my life. And for old times’ sake, I need a starlit sky to make it all perfect. See?” She smiled. “I have every reason to come back.”

  Jody’s placed her hands on either side of Sam’s face. “I have faith in you, Sam. But…. just be careful, okay? I’ll hold you to that starlit sky question.”

  Sam smiled a genuine smile, struck by the faith Jody had in her and the courage she displayed. She leaned in and captured Jody’s lips in a kiss that needed no words. They poured all the love they felt for each other in the soft caress. It had nothing to do with passion, or desire. It was a confirmation of their deepest emotions. When they separated, they spent another few seconds looking at each other. But then Sam kissed Jody’s forehead, turned around and headed for the door.

  As soon as Sam walked away, Joan McDonnell stood next to Jody. She wrapped her arms around her and held the trembling body close. Her hand stroked her hair and she whispered words of comfort. “Have faith, sweetheart,” she softly spoke. Jody’s silent sobs broke her heart. “You and Sam belong together. She knows that and what the two of you share is so worth fighting for.”

  Jody looked up, her green eyes were swimming in tears. “Do you really think so? I thought our relationship was considered—”

  “I don’t believe that, Jody. Not anymore,” Joan McDonnell interrupted her daughter gently. “God is love. How could anyone look down at you two and not smile?”

  Chapter 25

  An unmarked police car dropped Sam off in front of The Reef. She looked around and had no problem locating the bright red Toyota Little Steven had mentioned. Cautiously scanning the area, she walked toward the vehicle. The tension in her body made her right leg feel stiff and painful, but she tried not to limp. If anyone was watching her, the last thing she wanted them to know was that she was in pain. When she reached the car, she looked around again. She had an eerie feeling that somebody was watching her, but she couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe it was her imagination. Maybe it was the stress that made her feel things that weren’t real. What was real though, was the tight ball of tension that had settled in the pit of her stomach. No matter how many deep breaths she took, it didn’t want to go away. It made her feel queasy and affected her whole body, making it feel cold and stiff.

  Sam wiped her clammy palms on her shorts and cautiously opened the door of the car, peeking inside. The heat that had built up inside almost took her breath away and she took a step back. She rolled down the windows and waited a few moments before lowering her tall frame in the driver’s seat and feeling underneath it. Her hand closed around the warm metal of a set of keys and her face was grim when she realized she now had to start the engine and drive off. The car was old and in questionable condition. It took her three attempts to finally start the engine.

  “I hope this heap of trash will bring me where I need to go,” she
mumbled as she fastened the seat belt. “Okay, let’s get that phone out.” She opened the glove box and pulled out the cell phone Little Steven had said would be there. She placed it on the passenger’s seat, making sure it was switched on. She pulled her own cell phone from her pocket, and speed-dialed the number that Inspector Wong had given her. She could hear it connect and suddenly didn’t feel so alone anymore. She put her phone in her lap and put the car in gear. “Okay, I’m leaving and heading south right now,” she said, knowing her friends at the police station would be able to hear her, although Sam couldn’t hear them. Putting her phone on speaker was unwise, just in case any sound anyone made could be picked up by Little Steven when he called her. Sam drove in a southern direction. Her heart was slamming against her ribs and she took a few deep breaths to settle it down. She needed to focus on the hours ahead. Letting her nerves get the better of her wouldn’t do anyone any good.

  Sam thought about the woman who had held her heart from the very first time they had met. She knew Jody would be there, listening. She knew nobody would be able to keep her ginger- haired girlfriend away from the proximity of the phone’s speaker. Knowing Jody was right there, at the other end of the connection was a life-line.

  Sam turned onto the highway, but there was still no sign from the kidnappers. She passed a few cars that were parked alongside the road and when in one of them she saw Trishia’s face, she instantly felt better. She was not alone in this.

  “I just passed my keepers,” she said. “They’re a few cars behind me.”

  When Sam had driven for about three kilometers, the cell phone that Little Steven had provided rang. Her whole body jerked at the sound and the adrenaline surged through her body. Quickly, she picked it up. Years of boardroom experience had taught her that often the best defense was the offense. She took another deep breath.

  “Yeah? Glad you finally found the time to call me,” she said. “I was wondering if you’d chickened out. Oh, I forgot to ask you earlier; how’s the nose?” There was a silence on the other side, shortly followed by a curse.

  “Keep your damn wits to yourself, bitch,” Little Steven spat. “And do as I say.”

  “Sure, Little Steven,” Sam mocked, putting the emphasis on ‘little’. Mentioning his name would also let the police know whom she was talking to. “You’re the boss, mate.”

  “Where are you now?” Little Steven asked.

  The fact that Little Steven didn’t know where she was made Sam feel somewhat better. It meant the only ones following her were the good guys. “Where am I? Let me see. I just passed a German restaurant and by the looks of things, I’m heading toward a golf course.”

  “After you pass the course, turn into the third road on the right. Follow it all the way to the end and wait for instructions.”

  Sam repeated his message and then he broke the connection. She slightly shifted in her seat, trying to get more comfortable, because her right leg was starting to send some painful cramps into her calf.

  “Okay, audience, you heard. I’m going to pass the golf course and turn right at the third road. It looks like he’s sending me into the hills. I don’t think I’m being followed by one of them, but I don’t want to take a risk, so I’ll leave you all on my lap,” she joked.

  Back at the police office, two officers were relaying Sam’s information to Trishia and Peter, while the others were clustered around the phone on Trishia’s desk, intently listening to Sam’s voice, who sounded calm and even had the spirit to crack a joke now and then.

  “Peter, she’s taking the third one right after the golf course,” Shaun Dickson informed his fellow officer. He looked at the Google map on his computer screen. “That would be…Jones Creek Road.”

  “What is up there?” Sarah asked Inspector Wong in a strained voice.

  “Mainly bush and banana plantations,” was the answer. Inspector Wong did not mention she knew the area was not very populated and provided an excellent place to hide.

  “Won’t it be suspicious when they also spot Trishia and Peter?” Lucy asked. She was more worried about Trishia Waters than she was ready to admit to herself.

  “Possibly,” Inspector Wong answered. “But that’s only if they see them. They’ll keep their distance. Because we’re in constant contact with Sam, they know exactly where she is without having to be too close.” She paused and sent Lucy a tight smile. “Trish and Peter are no rookies. Besides, it sounds like this kidnapping was a last-minute decision. If, and I repeat, if they have a hideout in those hills, there’s no way they’ll be able to get away. There are only a few roads going in there and we have all those covered.”

  “But that Steven is a violent one,” Sarah said. “He already killed two police men.”

  Jody grabbed Sarah’s hand. “If it’s money they’re after, they’ll need Sam and she won’t let anything happen to Megs, Sarah.”

  “I agree,” Inspector Wong said. “And knowing where they are gives us a tremendous head start.”

  “I wish I had your confidence,” Jody sighed.

  Inspector Wong put a comforting hand on Jody’s shoulder. “Your Sam is a smart cookie. I have complete confidence in her and I have to admit I can’t say that about many people.”

  “Okay, I’m turning right now,” Sam’s voice sounded through the speaker. “Wow, nasty road. I hope this car won’t break in half. There are lots of ruts and holes everywhere. Don’t you Aussies maintain your roads? This is a disgrace.”

  That last remark made everybody smile and silently Inspector Wong thanked Sam for her positive attitude. By keeping her own spirits up, she was helping the others to have a little more faith in the outcome. She also knew the most important reason for Sam’s light-hearted remarks. It was Jody, who was standing next to her and who was staring at the speakers with such an intensity, it was touching. She was absorbing every word, every sound that came through the speaker.

  “Lots of trees…and trees…and, hey, banana’s. There’s a banana plantation to my left. I guess I’m halfway up there now. It’s hot in here. I can’t wait for a nice, long, cool shower.”

  “With some red-haired company, no doubt,” Lucy responded with a chuckle, disappointed Sam couldn’t hear her.

  Fiona poked her in the ribs and Lucy rubbed the offended spot with a frown. “Come on, girls, Sam is trying to lighten the mood. I bet she’d be laughing if she’d heard.”

  “You’re probably right,” Jody smiled. “And hey, I’m looking forward to that shower as well.”

  “Alright, people. I’m on top of the hill and waiting for instructions. There’s a banana plantation to my left and there’s a road going in there. Actually, it’s more like a track. It looks like it hasn’t been used for a while. On the right, there’s a steep slope with trees, trees and trees. But in the distance, I can see the Pacific. Nice view. I guess I’d better be quiet, in case someone is around here.”

  Through the connection, they could hear the phone ring again and Sam’s cheerful “Yellow?” Inspector Wong let out a small sigh and shook her head. She knew Sam tried to get under Little Stevens’ skin, but she sincerely hoped it wouldn’t backfire. Little Steven and his companions needed her for them to get what they wanted and it was clear Sam was using that to her advantage.

  “Wow, thanks mate,” Sam spoke before Little Steven could say a word. “You let me take the scenic route and it’s really nice. What’s that? Well, you don’t have to be rude…Okay, this little track on the left? I can do that…. Yup, I’m sure I can do that as well.”

  “Well, people, I’m about to leave the car,” Sam’s voice was tense even though she tried to sound calm. “He wants me to get out, push this car down the slope and walk up that track on the left. I can’t take this phone with me. I’m sorry, but it would be too risky. They’d find out within a minute. Tell my keepers to be careful when they go up this track. It’s overgrown and you can’t see ahead much. I don’t want them to run into nasty surprises. Alright.” Sam took an audible breath. “I�
�d better go now—” There was a brief silence. “Sarah? I’ll bring Megan back home safe. Jody? I love you. I’ll see you soon. And if you’re interested, we could take that shower together,” she added with a hint of humor. The connection went dead, leaving nothing but a soft buzz.

  Sam exited the car. The drive had been relatively short, but her leg was hurting and the prospect of a walk didn’t seem too bad at that moment. It would give her the opportunity to stretch and walk off some of the stiffness. She looked down the road, trying to catch a glimpse of the car she knew had been following her from a distance, but she couldn’t see anything. “I guess that’s a good thing,” she mumbled, not too convinced.

  Sam stretched, releasing some of the built-up tension in her muscles and slowly walked around the car. “Pushing you down the slope? You know what, car. I don’t think so. You might be a piece of junk, but I’m a tree hugger and that would be considered littering. I think I’ll hide you in the bushes somewhere and if they find out about it, I’ll just come up with a brilliant excuse.”

  She put the car in neutral and pushed it to the side of the road, where she had noticed a narrow clearing. When she was finished, she eyed her handiwork with a critical eye. “Not too bad, I guess,” she mumbled. “I can still see some red, but most of it is hidden anyway.” The exercise had been straining and Sam could feel the perspiration roll down her back. She felt dirty and sticky and thought back to the one thing she had been able to pick up through the connection with the police station; Lucy’s joke about a shower with Jody. The prospect lifted her spirits.

  “Okay, scumbags. Here I come.”

  * * *

  “Can you see the car, Trish?” Peter asked for the third time. His eyes were nervously scanning the road ahead.