White Ginger (8 page)

Smooth move, Keloki!

“So, how about I make up a bed in the guest room? You can’t go back into that mess, and the duty sheriff will need to organize an investigation before you can move back. Forensics will have to dust for prints,” he said stiffly.

She looked into her drink before answering. “Thanks.”

“Will you be all right here while I make up a bed?” He tried for an upbeat tone to mask the churning in his stomach.

A half smile and a nod reassured him. He walked out to the bedroom, determined to do a better job of looking after her. After all, if he hadn’t gone to visit her straight from his boat last night, she might not have been burgled. He’d keep a much better eye on her from now on.

* * * *

She would find a way to keep an eye on him. Somehow, she’d convince him to take her on
Leilani
with him. She shivered, and thrust away thoughts of what lived in the reef, concentrating on studying his home.

Simple, uncluttered, and excellent taste seemed to be the hallmark of the furnishings. Three large earth-toned pots housed mature dracaenas of varying heights in the far corner of the lounge room. The raked roofline angled to a line of south facing windows that ran the entire width of the room.

She moved to the window and looked across the water, silvered in the moonlight. The spill of light from the large picture window revealed a low cliff overlooking the ocean and jungle nestling close. Only half appreciating the view, she wondered–had she overplayed her reaction to the break-in?

She was shaken; her stomach somersaulted and her jaw tightened again as she thought of the break-in. Honest himself, he’d accepted her shock as a natural reaction. Had he linked her home invasion to his own break-in yet? She would suggest accompanying him on the trip to the reef, tell him she didn’t want to be alone–whatever it took.

Emotional blackmail it might be, but she would use fair means or foul to know he wasn’t going alone. If her presence on
Leilani
offered some measure of protection, then she would confront her fears so he would have someone at his back.

“All done.”

She spun around, hand to her throat, heart thumping madly. How could he walk so softly? Nerves jumping, this time her fright was genuine. Served her right.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” A worried frown puckered his forehead. He was really concerned for her. Maybe she had overplayed the scared role earlier. Guilt shot through her. He didn’t deserve this.

“Amelie?”

Stepping close, she rested her head on his broad chest. His heart beat loudly beneath her cheek. Making the most of his proximity, she snuggled closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist and shoulders, stroked her hair.

Reassured by his touch, she pulled back just far enough to look up into his dark eyes. “Arne?”

“Yes, darling?” The endearment slipped out, neither of them realizing it.

“I don’t think I can go back to the cabin yet.”

“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be alone, at least until the police have caught the burglar.”

So far, so good.

“Can I come on the boat? I feel safe with you.” She snuggled back in to his chest, laying her head on his shoulder and hoping she’d never have to confess her guile.

* * * *

She felt so right snuggled in like this. For a few seconds, he closed his eyes and reveled in this stolen moment. The faint scent of her jasmine shampoo tantalized him. It was now his favorite perfume. Jasmine would always make him think of her. If he needed any reminder of this woman resting against his chest.

How to keep her safe?

He stroked her back, his mind racing through possibilities. He had to return to the reef early in the morning but he couldn’t leave her alone, here or, heaven forbid, in the wreckage of her place. For his peace of mind, it would be better if she was with him. Then he would know she was safe.

It sounded like a plan.

“Maybe that’s the best idea. I can keep an eye on you, and you’ve certainly proved that you have an eye for detail. You might notice something I’ve missed.”

“Really? You’ll take me with you?”

“Last night, I thought I might have my work cut out to persuade you to sail with me sometime, but yes. You can help.” He smiled at the light in her eyes. Funny, he’d have sworn she was reluctant last night when he’d offered a trip.

“Oh, yes, of course I can help. Thank you.” Lightly, she kissed him. He tightened his hold for the briefest moment before releasing her, sliding his hand down her arm until he held only her hand.

“Come. To bed with you. You look all in and I demand that my crew are up bright and early, ready to swab the deck and clean the galley.”

Dear heaven, having her on board was going to be sweet torture.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” She gave him a mock salute.

Leaving her at her door, he gently pulled it closed, the scent of jasmine lingering as he strolled to his bedroom. Surprisingly, after the strange and challenging events of the last two nights, he fell quickly into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter 6

Arne pushed her door open, bearing a tray with a cup of tea and a plate of freshly cooked bacon and egg and a croissant. He grinned as he watched her examine the superheroes printed all over the lurid paper serviette.

“Leftover from Lani’s birthday party. She wanted a Superheroes beach party. I have the beach and a slice of jungle where they could swing from trees and play hide and seek.”

“Were you Captain Courageous or Superman?” He grinned as she pushed herself into a more comfortable sitting position, pushing her pillow up to rest against the bed head.

The sheet slipped, revealing a glimpse of purple boxer shorts. Her low-cut lavender singlet top hugged her curves, revealing the swell of rounded breasts, lightly suntanned a glorious pale gold. Her fair hair was sleep-mussed and her lips, deliciously soft and inviting. She pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

As he placed the tray across her lap, she bent to inhale the aroma of cooked breakfast. It would take a stronger man than him to resist. He leaned across the tray and dropped a light kiss on her mouth. Lifting her gaze from an inspection of her food, she surprised him again. “Do you want to repeat that? I wasn’t ready.”

He needed no second invitation. Holding her face gently between his hands, he kissed her again, savoring the repetition. Pulling slowly away, he pushed the same wayward strand of hair out of her eyes. One hand caressed her cheek, his thumb running lightly across her slightly parted lips. She pretended to nip it.

“Eat up.” He grinned, popping the end of the croissant into her mouth. “We leave in twenty minutes.”

* * * *

As they drove to town, Arne explained that Terence Danbury, his head of department at the university, was to meet them at the police station where, along with Jeff Jessup, the police inspector and the local magistrate, Rex Arnold, they would review the video evidence. Decisions had to be made before Arne and Amelie sailed.

Terry was nothing like Amelie expected. Short and scholarly looking, with a pronounced limp, he didn’t appear the type to enjoy diving.

“No, my dear,” he replied to her inquiry. “No, I haven’t the ability to conduct field work. I leave that to Arne now. You’ll gain a wonderful understanding of the life of the reef diving with him. He’s an exceptional diver and the best biologist in his field.”

“I had the best teacher.” Arne’s respect for his old professor was evident. They were good friends as well as professional colleagues. “Let us show you the footage, Terry. Amelie had better explain what she saw in the relevant frames though. Her expertise makes it easier to follow.”

The four men crowded around the small television set while Amelie took control of the remote, pointing out the features she had shown Arne only a day earlier. At the conclusion of their discussion, Rex formally stated, “I have no hesitation in signing this permit, on behalf of the police department. You now have unrestricted access on the reef. There. Good luck.”

Jeff’s response was more solemn. “I’ll organize the spotter plane to over fly your position in the morning. I want to know where the two of you are. I think we may have some nasty characters here.” He drew Arne aside and spoke in an undertone. “Have you got a gun?”

Amelie shoved her thumbnail between her teeth and pressed her fingers against her mouth. No way would she let on she’d heard and give Arne more to worry about.

Arne nodded. “We should be getting underway. It’s several hours sailing out and turn of tide is about two PM. Low tide should make my search a little easier.”

Chapter 7

As
Leilani
cut through the sparkling waters over Donovan’s Reef, Amelie paused in the hatchway and watched Arne. Shirtless and wearing cutoff jeans frayed at the knees, he steered with one hand. Dark-eyed, dark-haired, he looked like a young Hawaiian god, all-powerful and in complete command of his world.

With a guilty start, she realized he’d turned and was watching her, a slow smile forming.

Caught out! Way to go, Melie.

Quickly, she stepped through the hatch.

“I thought you might be thirsty.” Carefully, she placed a bottle of juice in the drink holder.

“Great, thanks.”

“Are we nearly there?” She fixed her gaze on the horizon, seeing little but feeling her cheeks warm.

“Not long now. Take a look with the binoculars. Can you see the marker buoy?”

He flung an arm casually around Amelie’s shoulders and steadied her as she fiddled with the focus. His sleekly muscled chest against her side, the six-pack of his taut stomach muscles flexed as he steered, masterful yet economical in his movements. She pressed back into him. It was either that, or she’d turn and plaster herself against his body. A bigger, choppier wave hit the boat. She staggered against Arne. He dropped his arm to her waist and pulled her between him and the wheel.

Lowering the binoculars, she looked back at him. “I thought you said it would be calm over the reef?”

“More chop than there should be. The sooner we get down, the better. See those clouds?”

She followed his gaze. High masses of vibrant white clouds were building in the west.

“We could get a storm later.”

“Did I really have to hear that?” She smiled to take the fear out of her words. Storms were okay–on land. What would a storm at sea be like? It looked as though she was going to find out later.

“I have to check the monitors. But next time–we’ll aim for a more relaxed dive.” A prickle of unease flittered up her spine. She hoped he didn’t notice as they swayed with the rhythm of the boat, his eyes fixed on the sea ahead.

“Remember–try for relaxed breathing. You don’t want to be blinded by your bubbles.”

Although she had taken a diving course when she was with Victor, Arne insisted on going through the steps to refresh her memory. She gripped her hands tightly together, almost tying knots in her arms at the thought of what lay ahead. Diversion–that’s what she needed.

“What are Sanderson’s plans for the tourist development?”

“He’s trying to pressure Mayor Mike and council to pass his rezoning application. That could make it harder to fight him in court about the sea rights. If he has exclusive rights to the beachfront, he figures the court will look more favorably on his application to develop a ‘playground’ in the reef area around his development too. But Mike’s been around. He’s not going to be threatened by Sanderson.”

“So what can Sanderson do with the reef if he gets approval?”

“He wants to build an underwater restaurant and fake diving wreck among other things. He claims that the reef is strong and able to support such activities.” Arne’s frown, the sudden tension in his body, told Amelie more than words could how he felt about the developer’s plans.

“What he refuses to understand is that these reef areas are too fragile to sustain that sort of development. Pollution from the increased human activity could kill the corals, and the increased levels of nutrients from the extra sewage will have a major negative impact on the reef such that it may never recover. Then there are the effects of global warming such as coral bleaching, which I will admit,” he shrugged wryly, “is not
solely
Sanderson’s fault. However, his hotel’s activities would add to the thermal pollution with a similar overall effect.”

Arne’s passion for protecting the reefs was absolutely clear to Amelie. She’d had little idea that humans could impact so heavily on a natural area and suspected that there was much more to it than Arne had summed up for her.

“I suspect he’s falsifying data from the control areas, but I haven’t got incontrovertible proof yet.”

“What sort of proof are you looking for?” The video image surfaced. Could Sanderson have someone on his payroll unscrupulous enough to tamper with government equipment? Was that what the shape meant?

“Proof of sabotage. The area is off-limits to everyone, except me, and I’ve only had permission to go there on official business. Until now, I’ve had two days every two weeks when I could enter the area to read meters and reset our machines. These last two trips are out of schedule, which is why Rex had to sign off on them. I believe, and Terry agrees, that we should be seeing marked changes as a result of the tests, but there’s been almost no alteration in the data. That’s why we think someone’s tampered with our gear.”