Deadly Undertow

by Christy Barritt

  “I did some research,” Ryan said. “Even though your face was never directly in any news articles here, I read enough to learn your true identity. And if I could do that, so could members of DH-7.”

  “What are you saying, Ryan?” Cassidy knew exactly what he was saying. But she needed to hear the words—the bottom line—herself. Needed time for the truth to sink in.

  Ryan’s gaze locked on hers as he prepared to drive home his point just like any good lawyer would. “I’m saying you need to leave. It’s almost time for the trial, and we need your testimony. You’re not safe here.”

  “I’m not leaving Lantern Beach.”

  His gaze narrowed, and irritation inched over his features. “You would put everything in jeopardy just to stay here?”

  “I don’t want to put anything in jeopardy. But I’m tired of running.”

  He sighed, rubbed a hand over his face, and leaned back. “You’re in love with that man, aren’t you? Ty?”

  Cassidy shifted, feeling uncomfortable yet strangely confident and sure of herself. “I am.”

  Ryan looked down at his hands, as if processing his thoughts. She gave him a minute, not giving in to the urge to explain or apologize or try to justify her actions. In many ways, Ryan had dug his own hole.

  “This isn’t going the way I thought it would,” he finally said.

  That made two of them.

  “I can’t believe you came. You could have called.” It seemed so mundane to say that after everything else they’d talked about. Yet Cassidy still had so many questions. There was so much that didn’t make sense.

  “I was given strict orders by Lambert—he’s the one who took over for Samuel—to bring you back myself. I figured I was the best bet since your location is still supposed to be a secret.”

  Cassidy needed more time to think this through. What she thought she knew had been turned upside down. It would take a while for things to make sense. “Tell me more about Samuel.”

  Ryan leaned back again, his arm casually draped across the back of the couch. “There’s not much to tell. He disappeared—along with key evidence—and no one can get in touch with him. That happened about a week ago.”

  A week ago . . . that was the last time Cassidy had heard from Samuel.

  Could her friend really have been behind this? She didn’t want to think it was true. She’d trusted Samuel. Told him information. He’d even helped Cassidy out.

  In fact, she had a copy of some of that evidence that had supposedly gone missing. Samuel had risked everything to send it to her. Why would he send her classified documents if he was working for DH-7?

  Cassidy wanted to offer up that tidbit of information. But she didn’t.

  Something internal—and unknown—stopped her. Sometimes it was better to keep things quiet, to not share every secret.

  Blessed are the quiet, for in the silence wisdom grows.

  It was a quote from her Day-at-a-Glance calendar and all of its never-ending wisdom. As long as Cassidy lived, she didn’t think the calendar would ever stop speaking to her.

  “We should go, Cassidy.” Ryan stood and held out his hand. “I know that’s not what you want to hear, but you need to think of the bigger picture here.”

  As she stared at his hand, everything inside her rebelled against taking it. Seeing him. Trusting him. “I can’t leave, Ryan.”

  A twinge of annoyance flashed across his gaze. “You have to think of people besides yourself.”

  His words hit Cassidy like a slap in the face, and her body went rigid. “Thinking of other people is the entire reason I’ve put my entire life on hold for almost a year. So don’t talk to me about putting others before myself. I gave up everything for this assignment.”

  “Including me, apparently.”

  Anger surged through Cassidy, and she started to retort. Before she could, Ryan raised his hands in surrender.

  “All right, all right. I’m sorry. I should have known that wasn’t the best method of getting through to you.” He reached into his pocket, pulled something out, and put in on the table—a card with a phone number scribbled on it. “I figured you might be stubborn, so I got a room at the inn in town. I’ll give you until tomorrow to change your mind. In the meantime, here’s my information.”

  She stared at the paper before glancing back at Ryan again. “And if I don’t change my mind?”

  His gaze darkened. “You should seriously consider changing your mind.”

  “You mentioned that.”

  “We still have more things to talk about,” he continued, his hands going into his pockets again. “But I’m going to give you some time to process this. Besides, I’ve got a bit of jet lag from travel, and I could use some rest myself. I’ll be in touch later today, okay?”

  Cassidy nodded, knowing it was no use to argue. Not right now. “We’ll be in touch then.”

  “Yes, we will. We definitely will.”

  Chapter Three

  As soon as Ryan was gone, Cassidy rushed over to Ty’s house, Kujo on her heels. He met her at the door and caught Cassidy in his embrace. And it was a desperate kind of embrace, the kind where Cassidy clung to him as if her life itself depended on Ty being strong enough to hold her up.

  And he was. He always was.

  “What’s wrong?” Ty’s muscles bristled beneath her. “Did he do something?”

  Cassidy glanced behind her, making sure no one was watching. Suddenly, her nerves felt shot. If Ryan had found her, anyone could. He was right.

  Was there anywhere safe?

  She just saw the beach. Dunes. A few tourists playing sand soccer.

  “I’m not sure if we should talk here,” she said. Her cottage was the most likely place someone would track her down, and Ty’s place was just next door.

  “Let’s go somewhere else then.”

  Ty stepped out his door and, with a steady hand on Cassidy’s back, led her downstairs. Kujo followed behind them, always the faithful companion. Once on the driveway below, they climbed into Ty’s vintage Chevy truck. Kujo sat between them in the middle, taking his rightful place.

  Cassidy loved how Ty didn’t ask any questions. How he didn’t hesitate. How he jumped in to help her like a lifeguard with only one mission: to save the drowning. And Cassidy definitely felt like she was going under, being pulled by an unseen but powerful force.

  Neither said anything as they rode down the street. There would be time to talk when neither of them had any distractions. Cassidy wanted to look into Ty’s eyes, to read the thoughts there as she gave him the update. Besides, the silence gave her time to process.

  But before they reached their destination, blue and red lights flashed behind them.

  “I’m getting pulled over?” Ty muttered. “What?”

  He hadn’t been speeding, and Cassidy could think of no other reason why a cop might stop them.

  Ty eased onto the side of the highway. An empty lot full of marsh grass and an abandoned boat was on one side of the vehicle, and across the street were rows and rows of mostly rental houses with paths leading to the ocean.

  As Ty cranked down his window, Cassidy felt for the gun in her waistband. She didn’t know whom she could trust at this point. Even though some of the corruption had been culled from the island’s police department, their reputation was tarnished as far as Cassidy was concerned.

  Officer Brad Quinton strode up to their window and stooped his gangly self down to see them. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he assessed them for a moment. “Hello, Ty. Caylee.”

  “Cassidy,” she corrected.

  He ignored her. “I thought I saw you guys go past.”

  “What’s going on?” Ty leaned out the window, the balmy September air floating inside. The breeze ruffled Kujo’s hair, and he leaned his muzzle into it and sniffed.

  Cassidy didn’t like Quinton, but she’d learned to take the good with the bad when it came to interacting with the dim-witted officer. Earlier in the month when Ty found him
self falsely accused, Quinton had both helped with the case and he’d nearly gotten Ty killed. To say her feelings were mixed would be an understatement.

  Quinton’s gaze traveled to Cassidy. “Someone’s looking for you.”

  Her blood pressure surged at his blunt words. “Who would that be?”

  He shrugged and glanced around, scooting closer to them as cars loaded with kayaks and fishing poles zoomed past on the highway. “I don’t know. He came into the police station and showed me your picture. Except you had dark hair in the photo. Almost didn’t recognize you. Still not completely certain it wasn’t just someone who simply looked similar.”

  Ty squeezed her hand, as if he could sense Cassidy’s rising panic.

  “What else did he say?” Cassidy asked.

  “Said you might be wanted on some charges. Gang related.”

  Cassidy’s eyes widened as Quinton’s words settled in her mind. She reached for her neck, felt the tattoo that she’d involuntarily gotten there. One that affiliated her with DH-7. She’d covered the green lightning bolt with makeup, but sometimes it reappeared at the worst times.

  “That I’m wanted on gang charges?” she finally croaked out with a dry laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “What did you tell him?” Ty stole a quick glance at her, worry in his gaze.

  Quinton’s eyes traveled from Cassidy to Ty.

  She held her breath. What had he said? Had Quinton settled this for her? Would his conversation with this stranger be the deciding factor in whether or not Cassidy stayed or left Lantern Beach?

  Maybe.

  “I asked for his law enforcement badge,” Quinton finally said. “He told me he was a PI and didn’t have one.”

  She released the air from her lungs. At least the man had asked for a badge—she hadn’t felt confident Quinton would even do that. “And then you . . . ?”

  “I told him I wasn’t in the habit of sharing information about people who may or may not be here on the island without the proper persuasion. I mean, without the proper legal documentation.” His cheeks reddened.

  Cassidy turned away before Quinton saw her roll her eyes.

  “What did the man say then?” Ty asked.

  “That if I did see you, I should be careful. That you were dangerous.” He laughed, like the very idea was crazy.

  Cassidy kept her expression neutral. “What did this guy look like?”

  Had it been Ryan? It didn’t seem like something he would do. But who else would go to the police station on the very day Ryan arrived in town?

  Unless someone had followed him.

  What about Ricky Ernest, the PI her parents had hired? Cassidy used to date the man. He was more familiar with how she looked than she wanted to admit and had a better likelihood of picking her out of crowds.

  Running sounded better and better all the time.

  But leaving seemed like the worst thing in the world.

  “He was average height,” Quinton said. “Light brown hair. I think his eyes were blue. Not really sure.”

  Did that fit Ricky’s description?

  Maybe. It had been a while since Cassidy had seen him, and none of his features were particularly outstanding.

  “So why did you come find us?” Ty squinted against the midmorning sun.

  “I figured I owed you a favor,” Quinton said. “I mean, I did almost send Ty to prison for life. I figured the least I could do was give you a heads-up.”

  “Did you tell Mac?” Cassidy asked.

  Their friend Mac MacArthur was filling in as police chief until the town hired someone else.

  “He’s out and about today. There’s a big fishing tournament going on down near the boardwalk, and a few of the participants have grudges against each other.”

  “He’s trying to head off trouble?” Ty asked.

  “I actually think he wants a front-row seat. He even mentioned something about bringing popcorn, but he was joking . . . I think.”

  In spite of everything, Cassidy smiled. That sounded like Mac.

  “Anyway, I don’t know who this guy is or what he wants with you or if you were a hardened criminal in your past life . . . but I’m letting you know. Just this once, I won’t ask any questions.”

  “Thanks, Quinton.” Cassidy nodded at him, honestly grateful. At least the man was attempting to redeem himself.

  It looked like she had two situations to deal with right now. Handle either of them the wrong way, and Cassidy could be a dead woman.

  Ty stopped just where Cassidy thought he might: the old lighthouse at the south end of the island.

  There was a lot of history here—not just island history, but Cassidy and Ty’s history also. The place had been both a refuge and a place of danger—just as it had been designed nearly one hundred years ago. Weathered, barren land—beaten down by the wind and waves—lay on either side of the structure before being met by the strong and ferocious ocean.

  Their friend Austin had been hired to fix it up, and Cassidy and Ty had been here more than once and for more than one reason. When the place was restored, it would no doubt become an island hot spot.

  Cassidy and Ty remained in the truck with the windows down, not bothering to get out. The scent of the salty sea drifted in, and even though they were a good five hundred feet away from the ocean, its mighty waves still could be heard pounding the shore.

  Ty opened the door and let Kujo jump out. The faithful dog bounded on the nearby sand, chasing birds and hunting down sand crabs.

  “What’s going on?” Ty turned toward her, his full attention on the conversation.

  Cassidy filled him in, sharing what Ryan had told her, classified or not. She trusted Ty with her life, and Ty already knew most of it . . . except maybe about Samuel’s possible involvement.

  “He thinks you need to leave?” Ty repeated.

  “Ryan thinks if he found me, anyone can.” Cassidy’s words sounded dull and lifeless, even to her own ears.

  “He could be right.” Ty’s voice cracked.

  Cassidy scooted closer. “I don’t want to leave.”

  “We’ve both known the day could come when you might have to.”

  The pressure on her shoulders bent her forward, felt like too much to hold up on her own. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Come here.” Ty pulled her into his arms and tucked Cassidy’s head beneath his chin. “We’ll figure it out.”

  We’ll. She loved how Ty was in this with her. How she was his priority.

  How could she leave that behind?

  Maybe she didn’t have to.

  She pulled back and locked gazes with him. “Maybe we could all go. You, me, and Kujo.”

  “And do what?”

  She shrugged and shook her head, desperate to find the right answer. “Stay in hiding until the trial.”

  “What if it’s postponed?”

  “Then we keep hiding.”

  Ty didn’t say anything for a minute. But when he turned back toward her, his eyes were full of emotion. “Is that what you really want to do?”

  Was it? Was running the wise thing?

  Cassidy rubbed her temples. “I . . . I don’t know. I wish I did.”

  Ty caressed her hair away from her face. “Then let’s not do anything rash. Let’s think this through.”

  Did she even have time to think things through? The pressure of the situation built in her until she felt ready to explode. “They got to Samuel, Ty. They got to Samuel. He was the inside man. I don’t know how they persuaded him or what his motive might have been, but Ryan thinks he was working for DH-7.”

  “That’s a lot to comprehend.”

  “How could I not have seen it?”

  “I’m sorry, Cassidy.”

  Cassidy closed her eyes and leaned into Ty again, trying to process everything that had happened. Maybe she was thinking too hard, and that was her problem. Maybe she just needed to take a step back and clear her head.

  She popped her eyes open and tu
rned toward him, remembering there were other things going on here besides her problems—other important things. “How’s your mom, Ty?”

  His face went from tense to ashen. “She’s . . . she’s okay. The surgery went well. They’ll do another round of chemo and see if they can get the rest of the cancer.”

  “But how is she otherwise? Mentally? Emotionally?” Cassidy knew there was so much more to the disease than its physical effects.

  “My mom’s a strong woman. She’s staying positive. And she knows if it’s the good Lord’s time to take her, she’s ready to go. The problem is that the rest of us aren’t ready.”

  Cassidy squeezed his hand, wishing she could do something to help. Wishing life had a button one could push that would make everything better. That was just frivolous, wishful thinking. “I know you’re not. I’m so sorry. But I’m glad you were able to be there for her.”

  “Me too. She sends her love.” He reached into his pocket. “And this.”

  Cassidy stared at the object in his hands, squinting as the sun glinted off the clear gemstone. “A ring?”

  Ty studied it also, his eyes warming. “It was my grandmother’s.”

  She stared at the gold band embellished with three diamonds and a smattering of stardust around it. “It’s beautiful.”

  He turned toward her, the warmth in his eyes saturated with love and concern. “I want it to be yours.”

  Cassidy could hardly breathe. Had she heard correctly? “What?”

  “I know this is horrible timing. But there just never seems to be a good time, and I don’t want to waste any opportunities. Cassidy, you know I want to marry you. I want to make it official.” He held out the ring, offering it to her as a promise of his forever intentions.

  Moisture filled her eyes as his words washed over her.

  Be with Ty.

  Forever.

  Nothing sounded better.

  “You already know my answer,” she said, her voice a wisp of what it usually was.

  Emotions pummeled her. Elated joy mixed with agonizing anxiety. Joy because Ty was whom she’d always wanted. Anxiety because her life didn’t lend itself to a happily ever after right now, and she wasn’t sure when that would change.