Page 46 of Beachcomber Danger

Where was she going?

“The Lucky Parrot. To do some thinking.”

“I want to go with you,” Ronnie said. “I want to find Sassy.”

“You’re coming with me,” Cap said, putting a heavy hand on the youngster’s shoulder. “You look like you’re going to collapse as soon as your adrenaline runs out and I wouldn’t bet you have much longer.”

Ronnie looked white and she touched his cheek as much to feel his temperature as to comfort him. He felt warm, too warm. Like his blood had been working too hard racing around inside looking for a way out. She knew how it felt.

She had herself under control now. As long as she didn’t think of damn Dane and his insistence on playing the goat tethered to a pole.

*****

Getting in the Jeep, she found the key in the ignition where Dane had left it. She tamped down on the glob of emotion that expanded and rose in her throat and turned the key. The engine rumbled to life, ever strong and comforting, just like its owner. She pulled the Jeep off the front lawn and headed for the Lucky Parrot.

Clearing her mind as she drove, gaining confidence and resolve, she pulled around the back of the Parrot and parked on the narrow street half on the curb. Not bothering to check out the dining room, she went in the back door and down the stairs to find Acer. After rapping on the door several times she swore out loud and hesitated. Dare she call him?

Instead she went upstairs to check with Tom. Still dressed in a sundress against the heat of the day, she held back and scanned the cold air-conditioned room, feeling the gooseflesh rise on her arms, beginning with their usual booth. She knew the chills were from more than air-conditioning. In her booth sat Tom Jones with another man.

Damn if the other man wasn’t Acer. In disguise as promised. He wore a tweed driver’s cap with salt-and-pepper hair curling from beneath it and a matching moustache. What made her squelch a laugh was the British flag scarf he wore around his neck under a linen jacket as if he were an urbane man of the world. She’d been too used to him with his shaved head and rock band T-shirts to believe the façade. Someone had to tell him his big beefy frame defied the look he was after.

Not that it mattered. As she swept her eyes over the crowd, she noticed a dearth of federal agents in the place tonight. Either that or she was losing her touch for distinguishing them from the usual tourists. At least she knew who the Parrot regulars were and there were plenty in force.

Tactfully ignoring a few friendly smiles, she sat with Tom and Acer. Tom introduced him as Preston Chambers and she laughed.

“So you discovered their identities.”

“How did you know? Don’t tell me Dane’s intuition conjured up the name.”

“Andrews told us. Have you heard what happened?”

“No. I’ve been eating.” Acer said. His face went from affable smile to serious as a shark in a beat when Shana updated him on the situation, not holding back on the details except her assessment of Dane as the goat on a post. For Tom’s sake.

“We need to figure out where they’ve taken Sassy. Problem is neither Ronnie nor Goodley saw the vehicle the Chambers were driving, let alone where they took off to.”

“One thing is certain, they’re not off island unless they took a private boat,” Acer said. “There’s photos of our Preston and Emeline Chambers on every law enforcement website and bulletin,” Acer said.

“Then where are they?” Shana said. But she wasn’t expecting an answer. She was thinking about the problem.

“Don’t you think the FBI will find them?” Tom said. “God knows there seem to be more federal agents crawling around the island than legit tourists these days. And they don’t tip well.”

“I’m sure they’re looking, but their priority is the President. Same as all the agents. They want to find the Chambers’ but . . .” Shana didn’t finish. She was reluctant to share her fear in front of Tom. As much as he was a gruff, tough man of the world, he wasn’t law enforcement.

Acer spoke up instead. “You’re worried they’ll catch Sassy in the cross fire.”

“I think she’s not their priority.” She took a breath and shoved the fear and shakiness aside. She would not let her nerves get rattled now. She could do this without Dane, no matter how not right it felt.

“I want to find Sassy and the Chambers first.” She leaned in, aware of the possibility of surveillance, and spoke more quietly. “I don’t think they’ll return to wherever they were staying. In fact, what’s the least likely place anyone would look for them?”

“You have a place in mind?” Acer asked.

Shana flicked a glance at Tom, who was downing a shot of something.

“Yes, I do.” Becoming too aware of her surroundings and the need to get to Sassy first, she didn’t want to say it aloud, in fact, she didn’t even want to share her hunch with Acer. He needed to help Dane, not her.

She was thinking they’d make Sassy take them to where she lived the minute they discovered she wasn’t who they thought she was. And that would have probably happened as soon as they got into the car and Sassy had a chance to talk. She would take them to the Pie Shop. The basement would be perfect.

“You have a look on your face. Like you’re thinking of something,” Acer said. “Let it out. Dane would kill me if I let you go off on your own.”