Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set (26 page)

Moments later I was comfortably back under the covers of my own hospital bed. I decided to check my cell phone while waiting for my family to return.

I had a voice message from Max.

I laid the phone in my lap and stared at it. My first instinct was simply to delete it, but I was curious and a little excited that he’d called.

I called voicemail and listened: he was concerned about me and wanted to explain himself. I thought about what I would say to him, when Brian and Daniel strolled back into the room; Max would have to wait.

“
Hey, Mom, we saw your doctor in the hallway. He said you could go home later today. Isn’t that great?”

“
That is great, honey.” I still had a mild headache, and my stomach and throat felt sore. Despite my discomfort, I was truly happy for the first time in a long while.

Chapter 27

Two weeks later

“
Your first client is at ten,” Sammy said as I walked in. “And you have three more after that.”

“
Thanks, Sammy.” I set a Starbucks cup down in front of him. “Extra cream, no sugar, just the way you like it.”

“
Thanks, doll. So, how did the anniversary dinner go last night? Did Daniel treat you to a fancy restaurant?”

“
He took me to Applebee’s.”

“
Please tell me that’s a joke,” he said, rolling his eyes.

I laughed and massaged his shoulders. “It was sweet. Applebee’s is where we first met. He thought it would be romantic.”

“
Hogwash.” Sammy shook his head in disgust. “You deserve better than that. Your mother must be rolling over in her grave.”

“
We had a nice time. Just be happy for me, okay?”

Sammy seemed unconvinced. “Does this mean your marriage is on the mend?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but Daniel isn’t as cheap as you make him out to be. Guess what he did?”

“
I can only imagine.”

“
He booked us a ten-day trip to Hawaii.”

“
It must be one of those free trips to a time-share resort where you have to sit for three hours being force-fed a bunch of crap. Or he has a business meeting he neglected to mention. When do you leave?”

“
We’re taking off the day after tomorrow. Would you mind rescheduling my appointments for the week we’re gone?”

“
You leave in two days?” Sammy’s exasperated expression made me laugh.

“
Yes, and I can’t wait. I’m going to get my--” I was interrupted by the phone.

Sammy answered then handed the receiver to me. “It’s someone from the police department.”

“
Sarah Woods? This is Sergeant Davis over at the Bridgeport Police Department. We’ve located your stolen vehicle. It’s impounded at Stan’s Garage and Towing. I’m sorry to have to break the news to you, but it was totaled in an accident.”

“
Do you know who was driving it at the time?”

“
A Mister Zach Pullman, Ma’am. Do you happen to know who he is?”

The only Zach I knew was the bartender I had met at Lola’s. Was he talking about the same person? “I’m not sure” I replied. “Is the guy okay?”

“
He wasn’t injured, but we have him in custody for grand theft auto with his partner, Tony Solero.”

“
Wow,” I said. “Thanks so much for letting me know.” I shook my head and made a mental note to stay away from strip clubs, and to never trust good-looking bartenders.

Chapter 28

It had been another long day of drudgery. I remained at the office after Sammy went home, staring at the clock.

After waiting almost a week to return Max’s call, he was now on his way over to talk.

He walked through the door a little after six, flakes of snow on his head and jacket. “It’s almost April,” he said. “I can’t believe we’re getting another damn blizzard.”

“
I know.” I gestured toward the small sofa in the waiting area. We sat and faced one another.

“
Thanks for seeing me,” he said while resting his hand on my knee.

“
What’s on your mind?” I was trying to play it cool, pretending I hadn’t been anticipating this moment with every ounce of my being.

“
That girl you saw me with at the mall … it’s not what you think.” His eyes held mine. “Her name is Cindy. We dated years ago. I invited her to dinner, just as a friend.” He shook his head and sighed. “I was lonely, Sarah.”

“
You don’t owe me an explanation. You know that, right?”

“
When you saw us at the mall, I sensed some hurt in your eyes.”

I looked away. “I’ll admit I was a little shocked that you’d moved on so quickly.”

“
I’m really sorry, Sarah. The last thing I ever wanted to do is hurt you.”

“
Well, life doesn’t seem fair at times, but I’ll deal with it. I don’t know what’s going on with my life right now, anyways. Things are really up in the air.”

“
I know what you mean. I’m in the same boat. I’ve been trying to find work, but it’s rough out there. I might have a temporary job coming up. At least it will keep me busy.”

“
Good luck. I hope it works out.” I stood up.

Max followed my lead. He smiled and leaned over to kiss my cheek.

I shifted my head so that our lips met, and they stayed together until I slowly pulled away.

“
You’re hard to resist, Max Stevens,” I said, planting my hand on his chest and gently pushing him away. “You’d better leave before we do something we’ll regret.”

“
Speak for yourself.” He backed away while wearing a huge grin, zipped his jacket, and waved. “Any regret would be yours alone.”

Max stepped out into a mass of swirling snowflakes and I was alone.

I stood there in the office for a long while, my body tingling from Max’s touch. I felt a bit foolish, but what would be the point of denying our attraction. I had no idea what might happen in the future, but it was okay.

I tidied up a bit, put on my coat, and stepped out into the frigid night. The cold seemed a little more benign as I pondered what I would pack for my trip to the islands: a few sundresses, flip-flops, and a bathing suit or two. Maybe I’d even splurge on a new set of luggage with the bonus I had received from Janet.

I locked up the office, my mind adrift with visions of beaches and palm trees, when I sensed someone behind me.

I spun around, ready to strike.

“
Whoa,” Carter said, jumping back. “It’s me, Sarah.”

“
Damn you, Carter, you scared the crap out of me. You almost got a key in your eyeball.”

“
Sorry. I just came by to see how you’re doing.”

“
I’m fine,” I said, neglecting the fact he hadn’t called me in over two weeks. “How are you?”

“
I’m doing all right. Look, I have another job coming up. Are you interested?”

I stood, arms crossed, in the chilly night air, the snow accumulating on both of us. “I would be,” I said, “but I’m going on vacation in a few days. Next time, maybe?”

Carter smiled. There was something peculiar in his manner I couldn’t quite figure out.

“
Sure thing … oh, and have a great time in Hawaii. You deserve it.”

As I stood there watching him walk towards the snow-covered Buick, it occurred to me: I’d never mentioned where I was going.

How did he know?

The end

An Island of Illusions

by

Jennifer L. Jennings

A Sarah Woods Mystery (Book 3)

Chapter 1

Wednesday, April 3

A tsunami warning horn is the last thing you want to hear while lying on a beach. My heart hammered in my chest. I willed my legs to move, but felt as if my ankles were bound by invisible hands.

The second blast seemed louder than the first. My eyes popped open, the taste of saline on my lips. I blinked, looked around, and realized the offending noise was my cell phone’s ring tone.

I’d been dreaming. Where the hell was I? I vaguely recalled the long flight I’d taken, downing one too many glasses of wine with my Valium. I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the sheet, reached over toward the nightstand, and seized my phone a few seconds too late.

The I.D. indicated a private number. Probably a telemarketer eager to sell me something I didn’t need.

I looked around as sunshine flooded the room, casting a glow upon unfamiliar wicker furniture. The bed was huge compared to the one I’d shared with my husband for nearly twenty years. Why wasn’t Daniel lying next to me this morning?

My head pounded as it all came flooding back.

We were in Hawaii. I’d fallen asleep right after devouring our late night room service delivery.

The scent of tropical flowers wafted in through an open window. I slowly got out of bed to take a peek outside.

So what if the trip was more of a peace offering than an attempted romantic reconciliation? Daniel and I were a world away from the frozen ground and icy arguments of New Hampshire. Maybe we’d talk and work something out. If not, he’d play golf while I relaxed by the pool with a book. At least there would be quietude for a few days.

I made my way into the living area of our suite. Hands on hips, I scanned the space. A piece of resort stationery fluttered under a pen.

Getting breakfast, Sleepyhead. Back soon.

I turned toward the kitchenette and spotted a coffee maker. A big mug of Kona would do wonders for my aching head. A loud banging broke the silence, causing me to spill grounds all over the counter. The noise intensified. It was then I heard Daniel’s voice.

“Open the door! Sarah?”

He must have forgotten his key card. The man could be so impatient. “Hold on, I’m coming.” I found him bent over, an expression of pain on his face. “What the hell happened to you?”

“
Someone spilled milk on the floor and I slipped,” he said through gritted teeth.

“
Where did this happen?”

“
Damn it, Sarah, can’t you see I’m in agony here?” He pushed his way past me.

I grasped his arm as he hobbled toward the couch. “Sorry. Lie down. Maybe I can figure out what you did to yourself.”

“
Slow down. I can’t walk that fast,” he said, swatting my hand away.

“
Let me feel your back.” I sat down next to him and delicately traced the outline of his muscles with my fingers.

“
Stop. You’re friggin’ killing me,”

“
I think it’s a pulled muscle. I’ll get you some Advil.”

“
Screw that, I need something stronger. Give me some of your Valium.”

I went for my purse and returned with some water and the meds.

“
Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to be nasty. But you have no idea how much this hurts.”

“
I have a pretty good idea,” I said, stopping short of reminding him I was a massage therapist.

“
Well then,” Daniel grunted. “Why can’t you fix this?”

“
If it’s a pulled muscle I’ll only make it worse. Rest and keep yourself pumped with meds. I’ll make you an ice pack.”

“
This just sucks. How am I going to play golf if I can’t even stand up?”

Within ten minutes, Daniel was snoring away on the couch. He was a contorted mess, thinning brown hair draped over his forehead in wet clumps like a shaggy dog. His blue polo shirt was twisted around his torso, khaki shorts riding low beneath a slightly bloated belly. 

I began to feel restless. Would it be wrong to slip out and head to the pool? It was, after all, my vacation, too. I didn’t want to waste it.

I changed into my bathing suit, slipped a sundress over it, and put my hair up in a bun. I packed a small bag: pool towel, sunblock, and my Kindle. I shot Daniel a glance on my way past and shut the door behind me as quietly as I could.

Chapter 2

I was delighted to find the pool area deserted. Small talk with strangers was definitely not on my agenda this morning. I claimed a lounge chair close to the pool, spread out my towel, and doused my white skin with sunblock.  The only other guest in sight was leaning against the tiki bar about ten feet away. He held a clear plastic cup filled with a creamy concoction that looked like a pina colada, complete with tacky paper umbrella. His lime green swim trunks clashed with a Hawaiian shirt sporting bright orange flowers. A wide rim safari hat with dark sunglasses swallowed up his whole head. I blinked a few times, looked away, and tried not to laugh. Only in the tropics could someone get away with that dapper ensemble.

I kicked back and flipped through a pamphlet I’d picked up from the lobby. Our hotel, the Makahi Resort and Spa, touted itself as the gem of West Oahu; located on the leeward side, the spa’s claim to fame included having the best weather on the island and the serenity of being far removed from tourist traffic.

I set the brochure down and closed my eyes. The heat of the sun on my pale skin was so delightful I almost forgot about poor Daniel. A small part of me felt guilty for leaving him up in the room, but it wasn’t enough to change my mind. 

My solace was interrupted by a loud slurping sound. I turned to find the man from the bar settling into the lounge chair next to mine.

Great. Of all the empty chairs at the pool, he had to pick that one. Time to feign sleep.

The slurping continued. Annoyed, I opened my eyes and turned to look at him again. Was h
e
trying desperately to suck every last drop of liquid from his cup? He stuck his tongue inside to lick the rim then had the audacity to look at me and smile. I shook my head and was about to lie back down when it occurred to me there was something oddly familiar about him.

And then he spoke. “Hello, Sarah.”

Now he had my full attention. When he took off his hat and sunglasses I nearly had a stroke. “What the hell?”

“
I know what you’re thinking.” Carter laughed. “You‘re wildly impressed with my clever disguise, right?”

“
I … what … what are you doing here?”

“
You mean other than drinking rum for breakfast?”

“
This is unbelievable.” I looked around the pool area. “What’s going on, Carter?” His wavy grey hair was matted down from the hat.

“
I need you,” he said.

“
That’s hardly an explanation.”

“
I’m helping a buddy of mine with a child abduction case. The kidnapper is hiding out here on Oahu.”

Suddenly, it hit me. “Carter, are you saying you orchestrated this whole trip? Is this case the real reason Daniel and I are here?”

He brought his palms up in a defensive manner. “I know it’s a little over the top, but I couldn’t come up with anything better.”

“
I don’t understand,” I said. ”How did you get Daniel to go for it?”

He settled back in the lounge chair and rubbed his chin. “Promise you won’t get pissed?”

“
I’m not promising a damn thing!”

“
Fair enough,” he said. “I sent your husband an e-mail from a phony travel agency. It offered a seven day trip for two to Hawaii at a deeply discounted rate, not to mention free golf passes.”

No wonder Daniel had jumped all over it. “What’s so important that you needed me to be here?”

He leaned in a little closer, lowered his voice and said, “The new client is loaded.”

“
Why didn’t you tell me what was going when we were back home?”

Carter laughed. “Your husband would never have let you come to Hawaii by yourself. And since you refuse to tell him you’re working for me---”

“
Whatever,” I said. “I can’t believe you were able to get us out here?”

“
You’re not the only one I flew out here. I have a team, and we’re all staying at this resort.”

After a few moments something occurred to me. “Did you stage Daniel’s little accident this morning?”

“
What accident?” Carter’s expression looked genuine, but I had to remind myself that he was a master of trickery.

“
He slipped and pulled a muscle. He’s totally out of commission. Was that you?”

He placed a hand over his chest. “I may do a lot of things, Sarah, but intentionally hurting people is not one of them.”

“
Oh, so you unintentionally spilled a kid’s drink so he’d fall and hurt himself.”  Judging by the look on his face, you’d have thought I’d stabbed a sharpened pencil between his ribs.

“
Do you really think I’d do that?”

I folded my arms over my chest and stared at him.

“
Look,” Carter said. “He was supposed to be playing golf every day. It was the only reason he booked the trip to begin with.”

“
Of course.” I didn’t try to hide my disappointment. “I see. The joke’s on me, isn’t it?”

Carter pushed himself up from the lounge and hovered over me. For a guy in his early fifties, he had a strong, slim physique. He extended his hand to help me up. “Let’s go.”

“
Right now?”

“
Yeah. It’s a five-minute drive to Doctor Sanborn’s house. I’ll explain everything on the way.”

“
I’m hardly dressed for the occasion. Look at my hair.”

Carter handed me his floppy sun hat. “Here, wear this. It’s totally you.”