BANG! went the backfire of the archaic jeep.

 

It raced down the oceanfront road of Grand Cayman Island.  Agent Rivera didn’t understand George Digby’s reluctance for arresting Adelle West…or whoever she was now.  He’d lost her trail in New Orleans.  Then the marital records in Los Angeles County sent a red flag he needed to pick it up.  He connected the recent bank robbery, recognizing her M.O. all over it.  Driven by Jonny Durbanville, the Chief Constable for Grand Cayman, they raced to the West’s estate. Rivera wasn’t permitted to carry a weapon, since he was only an honorable guest of the island’s government.  The massive “bungalow” was locked behind the Tiki carved wood gates and high walls topped with shattered glass.  The intercom was dead, but he saw a couple of the Island’s ubiquitous Jeeps near the front doors.

 

*          2          *

 

“Oooooh!  That was the grossest thing I ever saw,” said Kyle to Julie Novak, sitting in her living room.  “Your leg was just gory and dangling with the bone sticking out like that.  And that live power wire almost got you three times.”  He gave a shudder to emphasize the “creep-out” factor, between light saber swings.

“Still, she loves her job,” said Lenny, defending the Wookie, “no matter what she says. Even if she is the ‘Piñata’ woman.”  Married for eleven years, he toasted her glass of Arroyo Verde Chardonnay with his.  The kids jabbed the controllers of the video game.  Lenny was a kid at heart himself and loved playing the various characters of Star Wars – Battlefront III with them.  Julie downed her glass and held it up for Lenny to refill.  Julie found the bootlegged copy for Lenny’s 35th birthday through a techno-geek at the studio and liked playing too.  The Novaks were at the top of Josh’s “Happy List.”

 

*          3          * 

 

Captain Bjorn had luckily found a dealer for nitroglycerin at the docks, to help Adelle with her irregular heart condition.  She refused to stay at the hospital, in spite of the doctor’s recommendation.  Back on board, they were sailing to Isla Mujeres once more.  She had a gift for making him happy and he was surprised at the intensity of her touch.  She’d regained her composure, but he could tell there was something new about her, something darker.  Maybe her mood will lighten up when they’re through Panama.

 

*          4          *

 

Billy Coates had climbed the secret tunnel stairs from the first, lower cabin where he dissected the old hobo for the tender heart and succulent brains and other parts.  In the modern kitchen, overlooking the Pacific, he had sautéed carrots, celery and onions, like his great-grandfather had taught him.  His favorite Arroyo Verde Cabernet, herbs and the “catch of the day” would make the delicious filling for a tremendous shepherd’s pie.  He sat in the tower of the stone house, lightly stabbing a scalpel onto his thigh to relieve the pang of guilt for the old vagrant’s sacrifice, waiting for the simmering fragrance to waft up to his stone crow’s nest.  From his perch, so high above Highway 1, he could hear the cries of the boy screaming.  It would be yet another fine meal for his demanding Father.

 

*          5          *

 

Scotty Winslow regained consciousness slowly in the dark woods and found his world upside down.  Another man hung by both feet, just like him, a few yards away, at the other end of the illegal garden.  He recalled the huge, blond man had come running at them, yelling about stealing his weed and how he was going to kill them both.  Oshi panicked and blazed out on his bike.  Maybe he would get some help.  Scotty passed out.

 

*          6          *

 

Oshi pedaled as fast as he could until he reached his home.  Twilight had given way to dusk and Oshi’s mother was calling him to dinner.

“Just a minute, Mother, I need to make an important phone call,” Oshi said like the grown-up he was becoming.

“Dinner’s on the table, wash up now.  Your call can wait until after dinner,” Mrs. Hara worked hard at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Monterey.  She never had to work when her husband was alive, but since his fatal heart attack last year at the age of 53, she had no choice.

“But Mom, you don’t understand.  It’s an emergency.  Scotty is in trouble,” Oshi pleaded.

 

*          7          *

 

The rock crashed through the window of the Novak house.  A note was tied to the rock.  Lenny picked up the rock, untied the string holding the note and read the hateful words:  No Oreos in Eastvale!

This wasn’t the first time Lenny and Julie had run-ins with ignorant neighbors.  Their first house in Simi Valley was set ablaze while they slept.  They nearly didn’t escape in time.  With the insurance settlement, they sold that house and moved to what they thought was a more tolerant community in Eastvale.

Lenny opened the front door to see who threw the rock.  There in his front yard stood a dozen men in white hoods and robes.  The leader lifted up his staff towards the cross burning in front of them.

Lenny shut the door and dialed 911.  He was glad Julie was at work so she didn’t have to see this hatred again.

 

*          8          *

 

Julie was following Paul though she didn’t know exactly why.  She knew Paul worked for law enforcement of some sort, so when he asked Lenny to watch the kids so he could “work”, she knew it could lead to a good story.  She called Johnny, the cameraman from the road and he was going to catch up to her.

 

*          9          *

 

Tanner Cooper and Peter Gates (aka Charlie and Toby) were taking a moonlit hike along the coast near Big Sur.  In the distance they heard cried for help.

“Did you hear that?” Charlie asked Toby.

“Yes, I did.  Should we find out where it’s coming from?” Toby asked in return.

Another cry for help sent shivers down Charlie’s spine.

“I think we have to,” said Charlie.  They changed directions in search of the cries for help.

 

*          10          *

 

Ignazio was following his orders and driving Ariel to the cabin in San Marino.  The traffic was heavy due to the upcoming Italian holiday weekend.  Everyone was going to the coast.

In the back of the van, the Halcyon that Ariel was given was wearing off and she was waking up.  Quietly she sat up in the back of the van without being seen.  She looked out the window at civilization and knew she had been lied to by Father Perseus.  Ariel searched the back of the van for a weapon and found a hammer that would work.

 

*          11          *

 

“Oshi,” his mom had that tone, “that’s enough. I’ve had a rough day and we can discuss this after I’ve had dinner and a shower.  Not another word.”  Vivianne Hara rubbed her temples and was looking forward to the wine she’d have with dinner. 

 

*          12          *

 

Devon couldn’t believe her dad had kicked her out of the truck.  Coming over the hill, they saw the big, burning cross and hooded guys on the Novak’s lawn.  Tony gunned the truck and smashed the flaming two by fours and scattering fire, wood and most of the men across the lawn.  Only two hadn’t seen him in time to get out of the way.  Lenny was his buddy in the Gulf War.  Lenny was there on the opening day of Isola with his wife Julie.  Lenny dialed the cops and sent the boys upstairs for safety.  One shot of his 9mm in the dirt was all it took to keep anyone from leaving until the cops arrived.  A cold Tony saw to the injuries.  He couldn’t believe this happened in Eastvale, in this century.

 

*          13          *

 

 “You would think they’d be asleep,” said Peter.  “Let’s go a little further and see if we can find a dryer spot.”  He liked it that Tanner jumped over him on the southbound trail.  They had followed it along a rocky shoreline, arriving at the secluded cove Peter spotted last week.  As they rounded the cove, they found the womanly cries were from a pair of juvenile sea lions jousting in the surf.  The beach was crowded with pups.  The boys climbed up the jagged, moonlit rocks, to a snug pocket overlooking the waves.  Peter revealed a joint he had.  Tanner cupped his hands, protecting the lighter from the wind.  A red glow lit their faces for few seconds before the cold, black and silver swept back over everything.  Peter pulled their blanket tighter, his forehead touching Tanner’s.

 

*          14          *

 

Helene Brecht was the consummate actress.  As a descendant of Bertolt Brecht and Helene Wiegel, the famous German playwrights, she had old money connections in Berlin, Paris and Monaco.  Her stoic face and elite taste didn’t betray her quirky, volatile imagination.  But she almost slipped up with that young American, Kevin something.  If she had chosen and conceived a baby, Herr Castiglione could have provided a surrogate, in lieu of her fee, allowing her to keep her splendid figure.  If she had cared for Kevin, she’d feel sorry now, but the pictures were absolute works of art.  Those stupid, drugged Americans appeared thoroughly engaged in each compromising position.  Part of her wished she had made love to him, but Helene’s job was to be convincing; nothing more. 

Herr Castiglione paid her €150,000 cash for the negatives.  She pulled the fat envelope from her ice blue, ermine parka and locked it in the glove box.  She checked the dash navigator, leaving the Niederhorn Lodge for Milan. She tucked her platinum tresses behind an ear as she piloted her new 2010 Bentley Mulsanne over the Alps into Italy. 

    

*          15          *

 

“Oshi,” said Johnny Winslow, “I’m really glad you’re his friend.  Nobody could ask for anyone better.”  He rubbed the kid’s head in that universally approving manner.  Oshi’s mom had been too exhausted to be aware of the crisis, so he ran next door to get the only help he could from Scotty’s dad.  Johnny had grabbed his heavy bolt cutters from his garage and they made a beeline to the place where his son was trapped.  Busting the lock on the gate was easy, but now they had to find Scotty, in the dark, hidden from the dirt road, without tripping any alarms or further traps.  The worst part was that Oshi wasn’t sure about the exact location this far from the highway above Carmel.

 

*          16          *

 

The police arrived at Lenny & Julie’s two-story house.  The police had a chance to question all involved in the incident of the thrown rock and burning cross.  Officer Lewis was grateful Tony had his service revolver to keep any of the white hooded men from escaping.  An ambulance was called for the two that Tony hit.  One of these two was in serious condition.

“Well, time to find out who the perps are,” Officer Lewis announced.  With that he went to the first white hooded man and lifted the hood.

“Jared Newberry? What in tarnations are you doing there under all that get-up?” Office Lewis was astonished.

Jared was the high school quarterback and one of Lenny’s students.  His mother owned the bakery on Main Street.

“Mr. Novak was going to give me a ‘D’ in his current events class.  That would disqualify me from competing in the upcoming season’s games,” Jared tried to explain. “We just wanted to scare him a little.”

“Well you nearly got two of your classmates killed in the process,” Officer Lewis explained.  He walked over to Tony and explained to Tony that it was a stunt done by Lenny’s students.  “So Tony, although I agree completely with what you did, I’m going to have to arrest you for reckless driving and attempted murder.”

 

*          17          *

 

Ignazio arrived at the cabin in San Marino.  He pulled up to the gate, put the van in park, and got out of the van.  When Ariel heard the door shut, Ariel reached over the driver’s side seat and locked the door.  She then hopped over the center console between the two seats, sat in the driver’s seat, and released the parking brake.  With the engine still idling, Ariel put the van in gear and backed out of the driveway.  She glanced at the passenger seat, and saw Ignazio’s cell phone.  Ariel knew what she had to do to.

 

*          18          *

 

Paul had just arrived at the location Ursula reported to him.  No wonder they picked this location, Paul thought to himself, there are no lights on this road and it’s pitch black.

Paul found the locked gate which was a good sign that someone was protecting something of value.  He pulled out his bolt cutters and popped the lock.  In the distance he could hear two voices yelling for help.  He hurried in the direction of the voices, when he heard a nasty hollow thud, like the sound a watermelon being hit with a baseball bat.  That’s when one of the voices ceased and the other voice turned to uncontrollable sobbing.

 

*          19          *

 

Johnny Winslow and Oshi arrived at the gate.  Oshi pointed out the lock on the ground where Paul had cut it off earlier.  Johnny heard the unmistakable sound of Scotty yelling for help, and the hollow thud followed by the sobbing.

“Oshi,” Johnny said in a whisper, “I need you to show me the way to where those voices are coming.”  With that Oshi took the lead and they were advancing down the path rapidly.

Suddenly there was a hand over Johnny’s mouth holding him.  “Don’t make a sound either of you,” the voice said in a commanding whisper.

 

*          20          *

 

Ariel realized she was in San Marino, at the southern base of Monte Titano, just below its monastery. She recognized it from her dad’s postcards she’d gotten from him.  Carson West had flown in and out of Mira Mare airport nearby, northeast of San Marino on the Italian coast, not far away by stolen van.  She pulled over to check her map and get her bearings.  She found Ignazio’s carry-on with clothes and money.  There must have been nearly €45,000.  That would certainly get her back to Thun and Kevin.  She was taken by a strong, overpowering feeling that she was heading to Egypt to have her baby. 

That’s absurd and certainly not in my plans to be in Eastvale… in the States, thought Ariel.  It can’t be more than half a day to that airport.  She would only inquire about a ticket to Cairo, not purchase.

 

*          21          *

 

While in Isla Mujeres, Captain Bjorn had taken a couple of hour’s shore leave while Adelle went to the local Bruja, a witchdoctor of sorts, for spiritual rejuvenation.  Bjorn understood the ritual could be good for her, lighten her up a bit.  He selected a hand full of his Spanish doubloons to be fastened and made into a necklace for her.  He’d give it to her as soon as they were through the last canal.  Then he’d ask for her hand if she’d only consider divorcing Carson.  Now, they embraced on the bridge as the Cabal cleared the first set of locks, and sailed onto Lago Gatún.  It was raining heavily, but they would make the second set of locks in about three hours.  Three hours after that, they would be in the Pacific and headed for Tahiti, Fiji and Singapore.  She just had to say Yes.

 

*          22          *

 

“I’m only complying,” said George Digby, “by order of Judge Eddy Teach. That descendant of famous pirates threatened to remove me from the Pirates Week Committee if I did anything but aid our ‘honored guest.’  Agent Rivera, you really should come back in October when it’s in full swing.  We have the best mock pirates’ invasions and plenty of fun and festivities to boot.”  He got merely a nod from Rivera.  The Tiki carved gates opened by Digby’s remote key led them up to the three story, white mansion.  Digby was also the West’s realtor. 

“I not see Mr. or Mrs. West,” the maid explained, “for nea’ two weeks now.  Ah believe Miss Adelle has taken herself a boat trip, since both their suitcases are gone.  Oh, Mr. West got called to Europe.”  Rivera noted that all the furniture was covered in sheets. Agent Rivera explored the courtyard as it led out onto the shore, narrowing to a pier and gazebo over the water.  Some crooks sure know how to spend money, he thought as he strolled over the turquoise sea.  His eye was keen for the slightest clue.

 

*          23          *

 

Helene Brecht got the call from Heir Castiglione about another “vital” mission.  Vital only to him, of course.  There was €45k in a black carry-on bag with an additional €100k hidden in the lining.  She now had to race to San Marino and find either his henchman, Ignazio or a girl called Ariel.  Castiglione had sent a picture to her dash screen.  Helene was just past the turnout for San Marino when she spotted the Andromeda Candles Co. van.  Sure enough, just ahead, it looked like Ariel with the black carry-on bag over her shoulder and she had her thumb out, walking backwards.  Helene pulled the Bentley over and her passenger’s automated door swung open.

“Do Y’all need a lift, Honey?” Helene used her best American Southern accent.

“Oh, Thank the Heavenly stars,” said the girl, “you’re American.”

 

*          24          *

 

Paul led Oshi and Johnny to where the scream had come from.  They moved carefully so as not to make a sound.  As they rounded the bend of the trail Paul could see against the full moon the silhouettes of two bodies hanging from their feet.  In front of one of the bodies was a man with a baseball bat.  Paul drew his gun.

 

*          25          *

 

Helene was driving Ariel through the downtown one way streets.  She always did have a bad habit of looking at those to whom she was speaking, even while driving.  It was in the middle of one of her stories about her escapades in Savannah that Helene ran the red light.

Hoooonnnnkkk! The delivery truck warned as he slammed on his brakes to no effect.  It crashed into the driver’s side in a classic T-Bone formation.  The impact was so hard, Helene’s neck snapped.  Ariel was unconscious, but alive.  The police were quickly on the scene.

 

*          26          *

 

The EMT’s Tanya Zimmer and Terrell Johnson were loading the two injured high school seniors that Tony ran down into the awaiting ambulances.  The one in serious condition was sent off and they were now attending to the less severe of the two en route to Eastvale Hospital.  Seamus Murphy was sweating profusely.  The white hooded robe he was wearing was drenched.  Tanya was taking Seamus’ vitals while Terrell was putting the pads on Seamus’ chest to hook him up to the heart monitor.

Overhead, the sounds of the siren wailed.  Inertia threw them from side to side as the driver avoided other vehicles and made sharp turns.  It was on one of these sharp turns when Tanya’s safety goggles fell off her face, just as Seamus coughed up phlegm mixed with a little blood.  What were the odds that Seamus would hit Tanya’s open eyes.

They arrived at the hospital where Terrell got assistance for unloading Seamus and Tanya was treated for potential biohazard in the eyes.

 

*          27          *

 

Lenny promised Officer Lewis he’d be down in the morning to make a statement.  Right now he needed to decide if he was going to press charges.

Lenny closed the door once all the commotion has subsided.  Kyle was asleep on the couch.  Beads of sweat covered his forehead and trickled down to the cushion beneath his head.  He went to the bathroom to get the ear thermometer, 102.1 degrees.  This was not good.  He hoped Paul would be back soon.

“What’s wrong with Kyle?” Josh said.

“It’s probably just a virus, the flu or a cold, maybe.  He definitely has a fever though.  I’m sure he’ll be fine.  Do you know if he’s allergic to anything?” Lenny asked.

“Gosh no, I don’t,” said Josh.

 

*          28          *

 

Tanner Cooper and Peter Gates were walking back from where the sea lions were.  They had about a mile left to go.  Peter suddenly started getting really cold.  Tanner gave him the blanket to wrap up in to shield him from the harsh ocean breeze.  Even with the wrap, his shivering got worse and worse.  He was also getting weaker and weaker.  They finally made it back to the townhouse and Peter went to bed to get better.

 

*          29          *

 

Kevin checked his phone for any messages he might have missed since arriving in Venice.  He couldn’t appreciate the expensive beauty of the wooden paneled Chris Craft on its way to the hidden island that Morpheus had relayed might be where Ariel was being kept.  They came up to the island fortress.  Sr. Castiglione played his cards close to the chest but having Carson and his brother, Jimmy sure helped his peace of mind.

 

*          30          *

 

“That old bastard’s set new traps again,” said the man with the baseball bat.  Paul and Johnny hid behind the nearest tree.  Paul kept one hand on his gun and the other on the bolt cutters.  Oshi had been sent back to the car.  The man with the bat complained, “I can’t undo your slipknot without raising you another ten feet.  That BASTARD!  Looks like the kid’s out cold.  It’s a good thing since he won’t feel the pain in his ankles.  I’ll come back with a ladder.”

“Don’t leave me like this!  He could come back any minute,” whimpered the hanging man.  Then they both heard and then saw the dust trail of an SUV racing up the dirt drive to the Freak’s cabin.  Both men looked at each other, knowing no one ever came back from the Cabin of Death.  “Why the hell did you have to pick here, huh?”

 

*          31          *

 

As they pulled up to the hospital’s emergency entrance, Tanya Zimmer let Terrell run the gurney in and update the nurses and doctors.  She had a higher priority to flush her eyes at the nearest wash station but she hoped it wasn’t too late.  The front of her uniform was drenched from the rinse she gave her eyes on the way here.  There was no telling if she contracted anything from the white kid in Kluxer’s hood.  At the very least, it seemed he had a cracked rib that threatened to puncture his left lung.  It was kind of instant karma, as far as she cared.  The other kid had a concussion and some burns from the cross that came down on him after the crazy driver ran them over.  She recalled her father had come out swinging a cricket bat when the same thing happened to them.  He’d connected with about six or seven heads before the cops jumped him.  He’d been let out in a day, but that was when she no longer felt safe in her own home.

 

*          32          *

 

 “My new Bentley,” Helene kept mumbling over and over as she was loaded, gurney and all into the ambulance, “My poor Bentley…”  Good thing it was built like a tank.  She was glad she’d locked all her bags and cases.  She looked over to Ariel, who was sitting on the rear bumper of the fire truck, clutching her satchel with one hand and holding an icepack to her seatbelt bruised shoulder.  She hopped in next to Helene on their way to the nearest hospital in Rimini.  Ariel had convinced herself that she would see her new friend was okay and then continue on to the airport.  But she had to keep trying to reach Kevin.  His phone seemed to be out of service every time she called, but she was determined to keep trying.  He must be so worried.

 

*          33          *

 

Julie Novak was happy to let Camera Johnny drive her up the derelict road to dark cabin.  No body seemed to be home.  In fact, the place looked abandoned.  No lights, cars or people anywhere.  They pulled up along the side of the rundown cabin and discovered a three door garage cut into the hill behind the cabin.  Julie hobbled out with her mag-light and Johnny followed with the steady cam as she inspected the garage through the dusty window panes.  Nothing but an old beat up VW van.

 

*          34          *

 

The first EMT hooked up the heart monitor to Helene’s chest, while the other EMT took her vitals.  Helene was given a sedative to prevent shock by the first EMT while the second EMT ran the pointed handle of the reflex hammer up the length of the sole of Helene’s foot – no reaction.  The second EMT tried the same test on Helene’s other foot – again no reaction.

“Helene, can you feel this?” the second EMT poked her foot with a wooden cotton swab broken in half.  It should feel like a poking sensation, but Helene’s response to the EMT was, “What am I supposed to be feeling?”

 

*          35          *

 

Tanya was waiting in one of the emergency rooms for the doctor that had treated Seamus Murphy to brief her on his condition as it may pertain to her.  She had been waiting for what seemed like an hour when he finally knocked on the door, then entered.

“Hi Tanya, I’m Dr. Bennet.  I just came from examining the young man you brought in.  He’s not doing so well as I’m sure you gathered from your examination of him in the ambulance.  His fever is high and I’ve run some test to determine exactly what is causing his fever.”

“Do you think it’s that flu that’s going around?” Tanya inquired.  She was already starting to feel achy, but she was sure that it was too soon to start feeling symptons.

“I won’t be able to rule out anything until the lab results come back.  In the mean time, I’ll write you a prescription for FluTame just in case.”  Doctor Bennet scribbled something on his pad, tore off the first page and handed it to Tanya.  “I’ll have my nurse call you with any updates.  But take this right away as a preventive measure.  Take the rest of the day off to rest up; I’ll write you a note excusing you from work.”

 

*          36          *

 

Julie Novak knocked on the door next to the garage.  No answer.  She knocked again.  No answer.  She knocked a third time and this time she heard the lock being unlatched just inviting her to enter.

Julie couldn’t resist entering the pitch dark ominous cabin.

“Hello?” Julie announced her presence.  Good thing Johnny brought the infrared camera.  Julie walked down the hall flashing her mag-light into every room.  It looked as if it had been a set from a 50’s period piece movie.

Julie was so absorbed in observing all of the antiques and authentic décor of the period that she didn’t hear the door of the secret stairwell open up.  Nor did she hear the sharp blunt instrument swish in the air as it was swung and hit her in the back of the head.

All Johnny could see was the mag-light falling, hitting the floor and going out.  When he looked up, all he could see was Julie’s legs being pulled into a doorway then the door being closed behind her.

 

*          37          *

 

Devon arrived at the police station with the envelope of cash her mother, Maria, gave her the last time Tony had been arrested.  Devon filled out the paperwork and gave the bail officer the cash.  While Devon awaited Tony’s processing out of jail, the bail officer ran the cash through a serial number database.  It came back stolen from the Central Bank job a few weeks back.  The bail officer called in arresting officers for Devon and canceled Tony’s processing out of jail.

 

*          38          *

 

Ariel had to keep going.  First she had to fetch Helene’s suitcases out of the Bentley.  She’d given Ariel nearly €8,000 for fees at the wrecker.  “Offer it to him in a handshake, Honey.  And smile sincerely.  Works ever’ time,” Helene had said.  It worked with €5,200 left over.  She returned to the Hospital to discover that Helene Mathews, her new friend and comrade had died due to complications in surgery.  She collapsed.

“…her heart just stopped,” said the nurse as she handed over Helene’s belongings into Ariel’s arms, including her keys and pricey coat.  She felt the shock of the news as her hand randomly fumbled around in a satin-lined pocket, searching for the ubiquitous tissue, found what felt like packs of bills.  They were €100’s.  She thanked Helene posthumously under her breath.  Now she had her ticket to Bern now or maybe Cairo once she found Kevin.  Finally, a tissue!

 

*          39          *

 

Billy moved farther into the old entrance to the mines of his ancestors. He had treated the woman’s head and carried her unconscious body along the tunnel and lay her next to the unconscious cameraman.  They wouldn’t find their way out of the crumbling cell until he was long gone.  It was a pity he would have to leave them here, but he only had room to load the remaining gold into his new SUV.  He hauled the dolly with the last four crates of doubloons to the Range Rover.  He still had fifty two chests from the crash of La Esmeralda sailed by Captain Benavides.  All buttoned up, Billy headed north along the 101 to Oregon where he had moved most of the other crates over the last year. The Rover rode low to the ground, even with the modified suspension.

 

*          40          *

 

Paul and Johnny freed Scotty and then the stranger.  Both had passed out.  Johnny had the foresight to bring a first aid kit and he dressed all the wounds he could find.  Paul’s satellite map showed a cabin and a ranch house farther up the dirt drive.  Maybe there’s a phone, thought Paul.  He heard another car now heading down to the main road.  Even though it was too dark to make it out, he could tell it wasn’t the same SUV that drove up earlier.  He could swear this one was a Range Rover.

“Downhill is the car,” said Paul, “now that we know where the road is.  We have to get them to the hospital now.”  What nagged him was the fact that they had gone up and down several hills to get this far from the road.  It had to be about a mile to the cars.

 

*          41          *

 

Tanner came walked back along the gravel drive from Rosie’s Grill, which luckily was open all night.  The sun was just breaking over the hills and lighting the surf.  He carried two hot containers of Rosie’s Penicillin Special for Peter.  His neighbors, Alan and Gary were sipping coffee on the porch gazing at the water, as was their morning ritual. Alan was dressed for work at the bookstore, vest and tie.  Gary, however, was in his fluffy terry robe and turquoise Chinese slippers. It wasn’t hard to tell which one ran the art gallery near the aquarium.

“Morning Guys,” said Tanner as he pulled the keys from his pocket.

“Mr. Cooper,” said Alan with a nod and a smile, looking up from his paper.

“Tanner,” said Gary. “Alan’s just finished his latest novel, Captain Jones on Mars.  It’s like Louis and Clark meets Around the World in Eighty Days.”

“Come down for a reading tonight?” said Alan with a blush of pride.  

“If I can.  Peter’s caught a mean bug, but I’ll try,” he said stepping inside.

 

*          42          *

   

Ariel sat on a bench outside the hospital.  She set down beside her all of Helene’s belongings as well as Ignazio’s carryon.  She fished around for Helene’s cell phone, found it and dialed Kevin.

 

*          43          *

 

Ring … Ring … Ring  “Hello, this is Paul.  Though I can’t come to the phone right now, your call is very important to me.  Leave your name and number that you can be reached at after the sound of the tone.”

“Hey Paul, this is Kevin.  Thank you again for watching after Kyle.  Without you, I don’t know what I’d do.  I’m still in Europe trying to find Ariel.  I’ll keep you posted as I make progress.  Tell Kyle I love him and I’ll be home soon.”

Kevin looked down at his cell phone only to see the “Missed Call” notification.  He looked at the call log and all it said was “Unavailable.”

 

*          44          *

 

Tanner took the chicken soup up to Peter.  The sheets were drenched and Peter was mumbling nonsense in his delirium.  Something about Cuerpos … robbery … Maria … money … bank … Eastvale.  Eastvale?  That last one caught him by surprise.

Tanner took Peter’s temperature as any good doctor’s son would do. The electronic thermometer beeped.  104˚F.  This was not good.  He had to get help for Peter.

He wrapped Peter in a blanket and helped him walk down to his car. Tanner helped Peter into the car and drove down the gravel driveway.  He parked in front of Rosie’s Grill.  He opened the door to his car, left the car running and went into the restaurant.  He found Rosie, and trying to catch his breath, he fired off “Rosie.  Peter, fever, hospital.”

“Slow down, Tanner.  I can’t understand a word you’re saying.  Breathe!  1, 2, 3.  There, now don’t you feel better now.  Now what is so urgent you were trying to tell me?”

 

*          45          *

 

Val and his father, Dr. Albert Pierce had been driving all night and were badly in need of some breakfast.

“Dad, the sign up ahead says there is a food stop at the next exit,” Val announced to his father.

“Well, then, we’ll be having breakfast in Monterey then.”  Albert said with a smile.

 

*          46          *

 

Ariel was confused when Kevin’s phone didn’t go to voicemail.  How odd she thought to herself his phone always goes to voicemail.  Maybe it got disconnected before it could transfer.

She called back after that nagging feeling in the back of her mind got the better of her.

Ring … Ring … Ring … “Hello?” said the male voice on the other end.

“Kevin? Is that you?  You sound different,” Ariel said.

 

*          47          *

 

Devon knew there was something wrong but she didn’t know what.  She guessed about two hours or more had passed as she sat alone in an interrogation room with the large mirror.  Why wouldn’t they let her see her dad?

 

*          48          *

 

Cassandra knew Giacomo wasn’t really so sweet and caring.  But he was making an effort to make up for past wrongs, especially considering how instrumental he’d been in trying to prevent her marriage to Roger.  The big moon slid up the horizon as the S.S. Cassandra started her diesels.  She also felt the sub’s engines rumbling when she noticed the strange shape on the water, in front of the bright moon.  A blazing spotlight from the Cassandra defined the horrifying shape before them.  A rather large, silvery wave, half a mile long, was creeping toward them.  It moved like a fat snake, the whitecaps crested, shimmering bright in the spotlight, growing even taller as everyone gawked.

The alarms blared and panic filled the decks of both ships. The sub’s crew that had stood at the ready, now scrambled madly to get safely below.  She froze as she watched the fast rogue wave, now a quarter of a mile away.  The wave was enormous, maybe fifty or sixty feet tall.  She felt the blood drain from her face as she remembered that some of the girls were still on the ship.  Giacomo’s hand grabbed her by the waist and shoved her brutally down the ladder shaft.

 

*          49          *

 

Peter was having one of his recurring nightmares, the one about drowning in some ocean wave.  He stood frozen on the sandy shoreline, mesmerized by the oncoming monster wave.  Then he had flashes of being a car with the engine running and some stranger climbing in and driving him away.

 

*          50          *

 

“No, Ariel. This is your Uncle Jimmy. Kevin and your dad and I have come to Venice to find you.  Where are you?”

“Venice?” she asked. “It’s so good to hear your voice! I’m here at the airport in San Marino. Oh my gosh, you won’t believe what I’ve been through. Can you come and get me?  How soon can you be here?”  She didn’t get a response and wondered if the line had died yet again.

“Ariel!”  Kevin laughed hysterically.  “We’re headed for Marco Polo International right now. Are you okay?  Did anyone hurt you?”

“I’m fine,” she said, “but there is an American woman here who needed my help, but now she’s dead. I have her things and some money, but everything’s all wrong.”

“Hang on, My Love.  We should be there before the day is out.” Kevin could hear her crying softly into the phone and tears filled his eyes too. “Carson’s booking the flight now.  We’ll see you so soon.  I miss you so much.”

 

*          51          *

 

Roger lit his third cigarette off the butt of his last one, staring out across the tarmac from the ninth story balcony of the San Diego Airport Sheraton. Catalina had been a bust and now his wife was somewhere out in the middle of the Pacific.  Something in his bones knew she was in dire danger, but he couldn’t guess what it could be.  Feng Feng had contacted the Coast Guard and the FBI only to find out that all that could be done had been.  They’d hit a dead end. He lit another cigarette and realized he hadn’t finished the last one.