Rogue Wave (The Water Keepers, Book 2) (13 page)

Morinia paused a moment and cleared her throat. “
Smithton
…Cleaners, did you say?” she asked, clarifying.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Rayne said, tone deliberate. But his body tensed at her hesitation. This was the first time the emergency protocol had been necessary since they put it in place after Sadie’s abduction. He hoped Morinia wouldn’t falter in her role.

“Um, yes, of course,” she answered. “Thank you for the notification. Will the delivery be made before the end of the day?”

Rayne was supposed to answer
yes
if he only needed a meet with Hamlin, and
no
if he needed him to also bring Healing Water.

“No,” Rayne said, a small catch in his throat. “The delivery will not be made today. In fact, the garment has been lost. It could take quite some time to retrieve it. We certainly apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you or the Ambassador.”

“I see,” said Morinia. “The Ambassador is at a formal function this evening, but I’ll be sure to relay the message to him at the earliest convenience.”

Rayne hung up the phone and jogged back to his truck. Now all he could do was hope that Hamlin would make it to the meet point without any problems.

Luckily, the city traffic wasn’t too bad. It only took Rayne a few minutes to arrive at the park across from the Court of Ambassadors. He parked the truck a couple of blocks away to be less visible and walked cautiously across the street. He moved swiftly down the winding recreational path which crossed through the large park like a network of veins.

Even though he was in a hurry and the park was dark, Rayne felt a small hint of calm come over him, suddenly reminded of all the beauty there was in Banya. The trees were always in bloom. The flowers never wilted. The brooks and streams had a phosphorescent, purple glow that glistened in the moonlight.

When he neared the decorative fountain at the center of the park, he noticed a young couple holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.

He kept a careful distance, remaining hidden by shadows as he passed. Yet, Rayne couldn’t help but feel a moment of envy. He paused to stare from across the way as the couple embraced each other in a tender kiss. The young woman smiled and rested her head on her sweetheart’s shoulder as he wrapped his sturdy arm around her waist. Expressions of pure contentment radiated from their faces, as if worries and heartache were things they only read about in books.

Rayne crept away from the scene without being noticed, his head hanging low as he walked alone in the dark. He knew it would never be easy for him and Sadie.

He continued just around the bend, past a row of thick leafy trees, and was surprised to see Hamlin’s silhouette already seated on the designated bench where they were scheduled to meet. Two men in dark suits stood watch on either side of him several yards away. Rayne approached without speaking and took a seat next to Hamlin who was wearing a tuxedo.

“Is she okay?” Hamlin asked, staring out at the night. He always carried himself with such confidence, yet Rayne could sense the concern in Hamlin’s voice.

Rayne looked down at his hands. “As far as I know.”

“I take it the package wasn’t delivered as planned?”

“It was delivered,” Rayne said. “But it was stolen before I could retrieve it.”

Hamlin laughed once in defeat. “Stolen, huh?” He looked at the ground and shook his head.

“I’m sorry I let you down, sir. The thief was within arm’s reach, but I didn’t realize there was a breach until it was too late. My Water System was compromised. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Yes,” Hamlin said. “I’ve been thoroughly briefed by Border Security regarding your physical impairment during reentry.” He turned to face Rayne and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m…just glad to see you made it back in one piece.”

Rayne pushed his mouth into half a smile. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. But it doesn’t change the fact that I failed to do my job in the first place. I never should have allowed my system to drain that far without seeking a remedy.”

“Son, you have the most difficult assignment of any Keeper in our organization. Even a Scout sent out to do our dirty work always has some kind of back-up waiting in the wings. You’re basically out there on your own. The truth is…we should be giving you some kind of medal just for making it back to Ambrosia alive.”

Rayne nodded uncomfortably, unsure if he agreed.

Hamlin crossed his legs and threw up his hands casually. “Well, I guess it was just a matter of time before something had to go wrong. I don’t suppose you have any idea who might be trying to acquire the water through sabotage or illegal means?”

“No, I’m afraid I didn’t get a positive ID on the perpetrator. In fact, I was hoping
you
would have the answer to that question, sir.”

“Tell me, Rayne, have you told anyone the details of our arrangement?”

Rayne looked up at Hamlin in alarm. “No, of course not. I would never betray your trust. The only person I’m aware of that even knows about Sadie, is Ash Hastings, but you already knew that, sir. And I haven’t spoken to him since the incident with Voss.”

“Yes, of course,” Hamlin said, patting Rayne on the back. “I just thought I’d double check. But since you mentioned it… Can you think of any reason
Ash
might have for stealing the water?”

“Ash?” Rayne blurted, surprised.

Hamlin raised a hand defensively. “Now, I’m not saying it was him. We just have to consider all the possibilities. I know he’s a long-standing friend of yours, so I hate to be the one to relay this message to you, son, but the Ambassadors Council has placed Ash Hastings under investigation.”

“But Ash helped me find Sadie when she was being held by Voss. He was the only reason I was able to reach her before it was too late. He didn’t even know what his father was planning. He
helped
me save her.”

“Yes, I understand that,” Hamlin explained. “But as you know, the Council doesn’t know anything about Sadie’s true identity. For all intents and purposes, her role in the incident has been viewed as nothing more than an innocent girl in the wrong place at the wrong time. And although Ash’s involvement with his father, a known fugitive, was exonerated at the time of the crime due to his help and cooperation in the matter, his recent activity has brought questions to the surface as possible red flags.”

“What kind of recent activity are you referring to?” Rayne questioned.

“Well, I suppose in this case, it might be the lack of activity that is the issue. Ash was placed on involuntary leave after his father’s death for a two month period of time. He was supposed to report back for duty almost three months ago.”

“He didn’t come back,” Rayne said, as if it suddenly all made sense.

Hamlin shook his head. “No one has heard from him for months. He hasn’t even come through Border Security to replenish his Water System.”

Rayne knew what Hamlin was leading to before he even said it. Years ago when Voss Hastings went rogue after his wife, Syreen, died, there had been a sudden wave of Healing Water thefts reported from agents out in the field. Although it was never proven, it was obvious to the entire organization that Voss was behind it.

“Even if Ash did steal the water to support himself outside the Threshold,” Rayne said. “That doesn’t mean he’s gone
rogue
. After his mother died, he went completely off the deep end. Everyone knows that. Maybe he’s just grieving for the loss of his father. Voss was the only family Ash had left. He probably just needs more time away from everything, from all the things in Banya that remind him of his family.”

“And the Council will take all of these factors into consideration,” Hamlin agreed. “But you and I are privy to more information than the Council. We both know that there are plenty of agents in various locations that could be easy targets for Ash to acquire Healing Water. And yet…a top-secret drop point, which only a handful of people know about, was the target. The vials meant specifically for the one person under your care were somehow the ones to go missing. You, Rayne. The person who killed Ash’s father.”

Rayne closed his eyes involuntarily. “What are you trying to say? You think Ash is purposely trying to punish me for his father’s death? By hurting Sadie?”

“It’s just one possible motive, son.”

“I figured he was upset with me,” Rayne mused. “I mean, he hasn’t answered any of my phone calls. But he’s my oldest friend. I just can’t picture him…”

Hamlin looked at Rayne knowingly. “I know you want to believe the best things about your friend.  And it’s certainly feasible that my speculations are wrong. I just want you to be on your guard. Don’t rule out any possibilities. Maybe do a bit of an investigation yourself.”

Rayne nodded with a somewhat sullen expression.

“And if you are right about Ash,” Hamlin added. “It couldn’t hurt for you to try a little harder to reach out to him. If he really is just wandering out there alone in his grief, then I would think he could use a good friend like you to talk to.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll do my best.”

After a pause, Rayne stood from the bench. “Were you able to acquire any vials for me, sir?”

“Well,” Hamlin said, “I have some bad news. I don’t have any Healing Water for you…just yet. But I have some arrangements being made as we speak. It will only be enough to last maybe five or six days for the two of you, and it won’t be ready for several hours, but the good news is, I already have a new drop point in mind where you can pick up more Healing Water on Monday. I figured, in light of recent events, it would be best if we changed the drop location.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Rayne said. “Where did you have in mind?”

Hamlin reached into the perfectly pressed jacket of his tux and pulled a small key from the pocket. “Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier,” he said, handing the key to Rayne, “next to the souvenir shop, just left of the front entrance. Locker number twelve. The package will be there Monday by eleven hundred hours.”

“Thank you, sir,” Rayne said. He turned to walk away, but Hamlin put up his hand to stop him.

“One last thing, son. While you’re out and about waiting for your delivery tonight, it might be a good idea if you kept a low profile.”

“A low profile?” Rayne repeated. “Why? I’m gone so often, my own family hardly recognizes me anymore.”

“Well…” Hamlin said, hesitating. “I have a minor confession to make.”

Rayne’s brows pinched together. “A confession, sir?”

“Um, yes, you see, the Council was feeling like the people were in need of a morale boost. There’s been some negative talk circulating around Banya regarding the…
usefulness
of the Keeper program these days. The Council wanted to give the people some form of reassurance, something or…
someone,
they could look to as a symbol of all the good the program accomplishes.”

Rayne folded his arms apprehensively to his chest. “Go on…”

“I may have suggested your name, in passing, to the Council as a possible candidate. And of course, when you apprehended Voss Hastings, Banya’s most feared criminal, well the choice was obvious to everyone.”

“So, what exactly does that mean, sir? You want to make me the new poster boy for the Keepers or something?”

“Something like that,” Hamlin confessed. “More like a positive role model. But…the story has already been released to the press. A month ago, actually, with several follow-up pieces as well. You know, regarding some of your background, a simple farmhand recruited from obscurity, the Advanced Keeper Program created at the Academy on your behalf; that sort of thing.”

Rayne suddenly remembered all the Keepers at the border who were calling him
sir,
even in his advanced state of delirium. There were plenty of occasions in the past where someone gave him a questioning glance, recognizing that Rayne claimed to be a Keeper, yet his tattoo revealed the symbol and rank of a Scout on his wrist. He never made a point of flaunting his elevated rank; in fact, he usually tried his best to hide it, but there was no hiding it anymore. Now everyone knew.

“So, what you’re saying,” Rayne accused. “Is that you’re not
asking
me; you’re
telling
me.”

Hamlin shifted on the park bench. “Rayne, I would never force you to do anything you didn’t feel good about. And I apologize that the Council began spreading your face across the media without your consent. But I would ask you to at least consider it. You have so much good in you to offer. The people need someone like you to look up to. You can, of course, think about it, and if you decide not to participate further, the Council will honor your choice.”

“Sir, you
do
understand that I’m hardly ever in Banya, right? My assignment with Sadie is incredibly demanding of my time.”

“Yes, I know,” Hamlin said. “I realize that now, although, I didn’t think about it at the time, when I suggested it to the Council, that is.” Hamlin paused and stroked his chin, then added cheerfully, “But the decision still feels right to me. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how things play out.”

Hamlin gave Rayne final instructions on where to pick up the Healing Water in a few hours and sent Rayne off on his own.

There were so many things Rayne needed to figure out about his life right now, so many things that didn’t fit together.

He strolled through the dark park at a slow, pensive pace. It seemed like everything was happening
to
him these days, instead of him choosing his own course. The thought of the Council pushing him into the role of the public’s favorite Keeper, irritated him. He was growing tired of the Ambassadors Council complicating his life.

Even though he was in Banya for the first time in months, Rayne felt suddenly homesick. When he reached the edge of the path, he glanced down the street at the tall buildings across the span of the city. He felt like a stranger in his own land. This wasn’t his home; Lizzy Grove was his home.

The last thing he was in the mood for was public attention. If he stayed in the city to wait for the Healing Water, who knew how people would react to him in a public place. He wasn’t interested in finding out. It was only an hour drive to his family’s orchard and he had several hours to spare. It was the only real place where he could get away from it all, so he could think clearly.