by Wendy Davy
They scrambled toward the truck, but the wave caught them, tossing them forward, and scraping their exposed skin against the rough cement driveway. Cali swallowed a mouthful of water, and gagged on the cool, salty liquid.
Another wave struck before they stumbled out of the water, both gasping for breath. The scrapes on Cali’s knees and shins stung, and her eyes burned from the salt water. When she could speak again, she said, “Thank you. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
“No problem. Saving people is what I do.”
Emergency lights flashed on top of his red truck, and two Jet Ski’s sat ready for action in the back. Chad helped her inside the cab, and then climbed into the driver’s seat. Shivers racked Cali’s body as her cold, soaked clothes clung to her skin.
Chad turned his green-eyed gaze toward her and flashed a triumphant smile. “You did great, Cali.”
“I thought I was going under a few times.”
“I wouldn’t have let you drown,” he said with confidence.
He carefully drove the truck to a wide, white building several blocks away. “This is the headquarters for the Coral Isle Lifeguard and Marine Rescue. Let’s go in and get warm. Sound good?”
“Yes, it does,” she answered through chattering teeth.
Chad opened the door to the headquarters and led Cali inside. The quiet surprised her. She expected to see the room bustling with activity. She was about to ask why it wasn’t, when the phone rang and captured Chad’s attention.
He looked completely at ease, as he rested his hip on the desk, talking on the phone. Other than his wet clothes, he showed no indication he had just rescued her from a drowning cottage. Chad’s solid voice should have comforted her. But it didn’t. Cali needed to hear Nick’s voice. She needed to be near him.
Chad hung up and disappeared into an office for a moment. He returned, carrying a white T-shirt. “You need to get into dry clothes. This may be big on you, but it’s dry. There’s a restroom in my office. You can change there.” He pointed to the office he had just been in.
“Thank you.”
Cali slipped past him, relieved to have a moment alone to calm her rattled nerves. She found the bathroom and shut the door, but found no lock on it. She leaned against the door, just in case, and switched shirts. Chad’s oversized T-shirt stuck to her damp skin, and she pulled at it, trying to keep the cotton from clinging. The faint scent of limes drifted up from the shirt, reminding her of the lime-scented lotion both Chad and Trey had worn at the beach.
She warmed her hands under the faucet and closed her eyes, saying a quick, silent prayer, Lord, thank you for keeping me safe, and please keep Serena safe, too. Cold chills ran down her body again, this time with the thought of Serena restrained inside a cottage threatened by the stormy sea.
Thankful to have her wet shirt off, she wrung it out in the sink, then carried it with her back into the main area, and hung it on the back of a chair. Looking across the room, Cali searched for something tangible to focus on, something simple to calm her mounting anxieties.
She studied the layout as Chad picked up another phone call. Three desks occupied the main area, and a few doors led to offices. The faint aroma of coffee permeated the air, probably left over from earlier in the day. A large dry-erase board covered a portion of the white cinderblock wall and she walked over to it. She read the various notes posted on the board. The high temperature was listed as ninety-seven degrees, with the ocean water in the lower eighties. She studied a tidal chart posted in the far right corner.
Chad disconnected the call. After a moment, he stepped near as she studied the information. He pointed to a row of squares. “Each of these squares represents the lifeguard stands. The name written inside the square is the person assigned to that particular stand for the day.”
“Anna told me about the rotating shifts.” Nick had too, but she wasn’t about to let Chad know he and his staff had been investigated. She felt Chad watching her and lifted her gaze.
“I like Anna. She’s young and eager to please me. She does what I tell her to do without question.” His gaze roamed over Cali’s face and his voice softened. “I like that in a woman.”
Her skin crawled. She took a step back, returning her focus to the board.
The phone rang again and he turned to answer it. She listened as Chad explained the shelters remained open, but all emergency services had been shut down and the caller had to wait out the storm. She shivered at the thought of people in the hurricane needing help, and not having access to it. And yet, Nick was still out there, doing what he could to help anyone in need.
Cali’s gaze roamed the board, for no other reason than to keep her mind focused. Then, her gaze landed on the top right corner. It listed the date as Tuesday’s date, not today’s. She had met Anna, Trey and Chad on that day.
According to the schedule, Anna was assigned to station three. But, Cali had met her at station number five. Trey had been assigned to station one. But, Cali had met him at station six.
Something was wrong.
As she studied the chart, the door opened and Trey walked in. The blustery wind scattered papers and the rain pelted through the door. After shutting the storm out, he looked from Cali to Chad and asked, “What are you still doing here? They’ve ordered an evacuation of the island.” He pulled a raincoat off, shaking it before hanging it up. “Everyone else has left.”
“Just tying up loose ends,” Chad said as he held his hand over the phone’s mouthpiece.
Trey strode over to Cali. “You’re drenched. Are you OK?”
“Yes. Chad rescued me from Sheriff Justice’s cottage. The sand dune gave way and the tide swept under the cottage. We had to wade through several feet of waves. I was terrified the entire structure was going to fall into the ocean.”
“It’s dangerous out there. That’s why I’m surprised you’re still on the island.”
“I didn’t want to leave Serena.”
“Serena?”
Cali tensed. Trey knew exactly who she was referring to. She had shown Serena’s picture to him, and he had been at the press conference. So why act as if he couldn’t place her?
“Serena Taylor.”
“Oh. That’s right. She’s the friend of yours that went missing. She hasn’t turned up yet?”
Cali shook her head as wariness crept over her. “Not yet.” She glanced away and pointed to the board. “Chad was explaining that these squares represent the lifeguard stands, and the names of the lifeguards are posted here for each shift. Right?” Cali asked as if she hadn’t understood Chad’s explanation.
“That’s right. But, the names don’t mean much since we switch so many times.”
“Switch?”
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his dripping, red hair. “We start out at our assigned locations, but we don’t stay there all day.”
“What do you mean?”
“We switch stations every so often. Just…you know, to keep from getting bored.”
Cali’s muscles tensed. “Are these changes recorded?”
“Nah.” Trey shrugged. “Why?”
“No reason. Just wondering.” Cali attempted to hide the wave of fear Trey’s information had slammed into her.
Nick had cleared the lifeguards as suspects because their shifts hadn’t corresponded with where the women had been located on the island. But what if he hadn’t known about the multiple, unrecorded shift changes?
As doubts filled her, a memory stilled her movements. Nancy Chandler had mentioned smelling Margaritas. Chad’s suntan lotion smelled like limes, and so did his T-shirt. Which very well could have been the source of Nancy’s memory. But then, Trey also wore the lotion.
It can ’ t be.
Margaritas and lime. The lifeguard rotation shifts Nick had checked out were bogus. Cali’s fear turned into full-blown terror. She was trapped in a storm with two men. One of whom could be a serial rapist.
Night Waves
Night Waves
> Chapter Twenty-Three
Nick walked into the station, pulling the door shut against the harsh winds and removing his hat. The emergency lights had activated, telling him the station had lost its power. Helen stood behind her desk wringing her hands. Deputy Owen stepped out of the back hallway with soggy clothes, wet hair and a deep crease edged in his brow.
Nick’s gut clenched. He didn’t see Cali. He paused in the entrance. “Where is she?”
Owen said, “I went to your cottage…”
“And?” Nick’s impatient voice betrayed his growing anxiety.
“And I couldn’t find her.”
“Did you go inside? I told her to wait there.”
“Of course. She wasn’t there. But, her car was. It was floating in the surf. I checked inside it, just in case.” His voice lowered. “It was empty.”
Nick pulled out his cell phone, dialed Cali’s number and listened to the voice mail pick up. Her phone was turned off. Why would she turn off her cell phone? He looked at Owen. “Did you call out to her?”
“I used the spare key you told me about before. I searched the whole place, including your level. She was gone, Sheriff.”
Nick’s heart plummeted. Fear gripped him. But instead of immobilizing him, his protective instincts kicked in. He reached for his hat, ready to go and search.
“Sheriff, I know you’re not heading back out into the storm,” Helen’s southern drawl held a warning to it.
“I have to find her,” he said with conviction.
Helen paused, and then gave a reluctant nod. Owen took a step forward.
“You stay here.” Nick held out a hand. “Call me if Cali shows up.”
Nick drove as fast as the conditions allowed. Trees bent and swayed with the high winds. Several cracked branches dangled precariously over the roadway, while others had completely fallen, stretching across the pavement.
He prayed he would be able to weave through the destruction to the cottage, and he prayed he would discover a clue as to where Cali had gone. There was a chance she hadn’t heard Deputy Owen calling. A slight chance, but still a chance, and as long as there was hope, he refused to give up.
As Nick continued to drive, he strained to see through the thick downpour of rain. He passed by another vehicle, dodging broken limbs and road signs. He wanted to stop and force the driver to seek shelter, but could not afford to take the time. Everyone had been warned, an evacuation had been ordered. He could not control what people did, no matter how reckless.
He jumped when something slammed into his truck. He glanced through the side mirror. A beach chair was pinned against the door by the wind. A moment later, the red trimmed chair bounced to the road then tumbled into a storefront, crashing through an unprotected window.
Nick prayed no one was inside.
It took him three times longer than usual to drive to the cottage. He had to detour around a flooded section of the roadway, and avoid several fallen trees. At one point, he drove over a battered stop sign, which had crashed to the ground. When he finally caught sight of his home, fear lodged in his throat and dread filled his heart.
Several feet of roaring surf had engulfed his carport. Waves crashed into the stilts, battering the cottage’s foundation. He parked the truck at a safe distance and stepped out. He cringed as the cottage groaned from the storm’s relentless assault.
“Stay with me, baby,” he whispered, speaking both to the cottage and to Cali.
He removed his pistol from his ankle holster, his wallet from his pocket and deposited them in the truck. Ducking, he headed for the devastating waves, preparing to combat the force of the rising tide.
****
Cali fought hard to control her breathing. She fumbled with the neckline on the T-shirt she wore, hoping to disguise her racing pulse. As Nick had pointed out, the soft spot at the base of her neck gave away her hidden emotions.
She itched to get out of the lime-scented material. The moment she had begun to suspect Chad, the soft cotton had turned abrasive against her skin. She wished she could take it off, but it would appear suspicious.
Trey stood next to her, taller than she remembered. His biceps strained against his short sleeves as he crossed his arms and studied her. “You seem interested in how things work around here. Why is that?”
She shrugged, pretending indifference. “It comes with being a reporter.” Could Trey have Serena locked away somewhere? Her suspicions grew with each passing moment, making her leery of every move he made.
Chad’s footsteps sounded behind her. “I’m heading out. I’ll give you a lift if you want.”
Trey spoke quickly, “I’m on my way out, too. I’ll give you a ride.” He stepped closer, his gaze flickering over her.
Cali looked between the two, wondering if she could make a right choice. Maybe they were both involved.
Chad lifted his shoulders. “It’s up to you, Cali.”
She studied the two men. Neither appeared anxious or foreboding. Neither looked like a serial rapist. She began to wonder if she had overreacted. But, she still didn’t want to go anywhere with either of them. “I don’t want to be any trouble. I’ll call Sheriff Justice. He’ll pick me up.”
Trey glanced at his watch. “I’d better get going then. I’ll see you around.” He nodded at Chad then looked at Cali. “Be careful out there.” He picked up his raingear and headed out the door, leaving Cali alone with Chad.
Indecision immobilized her. Should she catch up with Trey? What if he was the stalker? What about Chad? What if neither of them was to blame?
“I’ll drop you off anywhere you want.”
“I’m sure Nick can come and get me.” She reached for her purse.
Chad stepped forward. “No need. I’m heading past the sheriff’s station anyway. I could have you there in a few minutes. It’s no trouble.”
Cali studied Chad’s guileless expression. Maybe she had overreacted. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I’ll grab my things and we’ll get going.”
Cali swung her purse over her shoulder, picked up the wet shirt she had draped over a chair, and waited. When he had gathered his things he headed for the door, and she followed.
“Let me pull the truck close to the door for you so you won’t have to get drenched again.” He ran into the storm, bending low against the harsh winds.
Chad wasn’t behaving like a criminal. Cali began to feel foolish at her assumptions. A moment later, he pulled a dark-green Jeep Cherokee close to the door, opening the passenger side for her. Cali ran through the torrential rain. She climbed in, grateful he had driven so close. “Thanks.”
“No problem. I’ll lock up and we’ll get going.” He climbed out, leaving the engine running.
The lime scent assaulted her again, causing her doubts to return. For a split second, she considered locking Chad out and taking his Jeep. Then common sense made her hesitate. What would she tell Nick? She had become anxious and committed grand theft auto? Not wanting to become a felon, she tried to calm her jittery nerves and took deep, calming breaths.
Cali glanced around the interior. Dust covered the dashboard and air vents. A bottle of lotion sat in the floorboard along with a few discarded fast food containers.
Chad slammed back into the jeep in a hurry, bringing a splattering of rain with him. He ran a hand through his wet hair. “Whew. It’s getting bad out there.”
“Yes it is. I’m sure Nick’s getting worried about where we are. I should call him.” She unzipped her purse.
“Why do you keep mentioning Nick? He’s not here. He’s not the one who saved you,” Chad’s voice had a new edge to it. He shifted his hands on the wheel and pulled out onto the road.
Cali’s hand stilled as she swallowed a lump forming in her throat. “He would’ve come, but he was too far away. That’s why he called you to come for me.”
A tight smile formed at the edge of his lips. “I never said he called me.”
Cali’s suspicions deepene
d and a chill ran down her spine. “But he said he’d send someone…”
“Well.” Chad sighed as he turned down a debris-filled road. He took his time answering as he maneuvered around a large tree branch, which had broken and filled half of the roadway. Once past the obstacle, he pressed the gas pedal. “I came for you. But not because of him.”
The hair on the back of Cali’s neck stood on end. “How did you know I needed help?” She tried to sound calm and unaware.
“I didn’t.”
Her vision narrowed as shock stole her breath. “But then, w-why did you come?”
His kept his head facing forward, but his gaze slid to her. “I came for you Cali.” His voice lowered, taking her fear to a new level.
