Epilogue

 

“He’s mine, you bitch.” Karen Jacobson leaned up on her elbows as the transport gurney was wheeled to the life flight helicopter. “He’s always been mine. We’ve been in love since we were kids.”

Ryleigh wasn’t sure who she felt worse for, Duke or Ella, as they held each other, staring at the woman with air casts on both legs. Ella’s former roommate, and Duke’s childhood friend, was Bat. Shit. Crazy!

The insane woman’s gaze tracked to Duke. “Tell her, Duke. It’s me that you have always wanted. I’ve always been there for you. I understand that you needed a diversion for a few years, and I’m sure you’ve seen, now, that what you need is a tough woman, not the soft Southern Bell.”

Antonio, who had been talking to the pilot, came over to stand beside the couple. “We had no idea that Karen Jacobson was her real name. We hired Cireen Ortega three months ago as an interior decorator while we refurbished several of the cabanas and certain portions of the hotel after we’d been hit by a hurricane strength storm. She had excellent taste and understood the level of elegance required at Indulgences Resort.”

Nigel tried to explain, “I assure you, we vetted her, as we do every employee. Her background was squeaky clean, and she came highly recommended.”

“She was very good with computers,” Ella confessed. “When we were freshmen in college, she’d create IDs so those underage could drink. In our senior year, she was creating fictitious companies and offering letters of recommendation so it would be easier for her friends to get jobs. But they weren’t really her friends. They were just using her.”

“She became the son her father never had.” Duke shrugged. “I’m sure when he taught her how to shoot, he never imagined her pointing a gun at her roommate or me. I hope he gets her the psychological help she needs.”

They all turned to watch as one of the resort’s security men hopped into the helicopter and closed the side door. “He’s going to have to get her out of a Panamanian jail first,” Nigel noted. “That government takes attempted murder very seriously, especially when there are several counts.”

Ryleigh hoped the man had lots of money. He was going to need it.

The Indulgences Island airplane was pulled into place as soon as the hospital helicopter lifted off.

Nigel shook hands with Garrett and Troy. “Gentlemen, I wish I can say it had been a pleasure, but I will say thank you for all your assistance in the protection of the Wainwrights.”

Troy stepped up first. “Nigel, thank you for a soft bed and cold drinks by the pool.”

One side of Nigel’s lips kicked up. “You’re not going to thank me for introducing you to Calita?”

Troy’s broad smile spoke volumes. “We already said our thank you and goodbyes.” He strode to the stairs and disappeared inside,

“Thank you for everything, Nigel.” Garrett shook the security director’s hand. “If you ever get to New York City, look me up. I’ll buy you a beer.”

Antonio shook Duke’s and Ella’s hands. “I’m so glad we were able to capture your assassin before she actually killed someone. I hope the rest of your vacation at Indulgences Resort met with your satisfaction.”

If the way Duke and Ella looked at each other was any indication, the trip had reinvigorated their marriage.

Ella smiled at Kenderly, then left the embrace of her husband to hug the woman. “I’m leaving here with not only a new job, but my first client.” To Antonio she said, “I’ll see you both in Baja in three weeks.” She cuddled back into her husband before adding, “Right after we get back from a buying trip to Turkey.”

The happy couple headed towards the plane as Ryleigh turned to thank the Indulgences Resort trio one last time. Shaking Kenderly’s hand, she commented, “Thank you for everything you did in steering Ella toward her new future. I’ve grown to like her a lot, way past the client familiarity. I’m looking forward to traveling with her and her husband as part of their security detail.”

Kenderly gave her a knowing smile. “Don’t plan on that job lasting long. They left with more than they arrived with.”

“Ella is pregnant?” Ryleigh asked as she looked back toward the plane where Duke was giving her hand up the steps.

Antonio intervened, “You and Blake have an open invitation to return at any time.”

“Thank you, but we couldn’t.” There was no way in hell they could afford a trip to Indulgences Resort.

Kenderly took both of Ryleigh’s hands in hers. “Our treat. We owe you so much.”

“Maybe someday.” Like when hell froze over. “Speaking of Blake, have you heard from the hospital? Was he taken right into surgery once he reached the mainland? He must have been transported to Panama on the first helicopter.”

Kenderly slid her eyes to Antonio.

“Yes.” His smile seemed genuine. Maybe. “Blake was immediately treated.”

Well, that was good. She’d been tied up with the arrest details and reports almost all night, and she hadn’t been able to go with him to the clinic, or see him off to the mainland. She’d have to wait until he made it back to New York to tell him she loved him.

Ryleigh looked back at the plane. “Looks like the plane is ready for takeoff. I best be going.”

Antonio put a hand on her forearm. “Actually, we’re waiting for one more passenger.”

A second tram pulled up on the far side of the one that had brought the Wainwrights and their security detail, so Ryleigh couldn’t see who was on board.

The doctor rounded the end of the tram beside…Blake.

Ryleigh’s heart bounced up and down with uncontrolled happiness. “I thought Blake had been transported to the mainland as one of the first evacuees,” she grilled Antonio.

“No, I had the medical crew bring me several bags of blood and platelets for him, but I assure you, his was not the first through-and-through bullet hole I’ve ever sewn up. I doubt that it was even the hundredth.” The doctor winked at Ryleigh. “You two weren’t the only ones who played in the sandbox for far too many years.”

She glanced at Blake’s arm, trussed up in a sling.

“Now, Ryleigh, I want you to make sure he keeps that sling on until he gets back to New York City. It’ll just keep that shoulder stabilized in what can be a bumpy ride.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied not taking her eyes off Blake.

“Come here,” he ordered.

She flew into his one-armed hug.

She had so much she needed to tell him. So much to say.

With her arms carefully around his neck, she whispered in his ear. “I love you. I don’t know what is going to happen when we get back to New York, but I do know I want to give us a try.”

“Oh, Ryleigh, I love you.”

Mario, who had arrived on the second tram, clapped his hands vigorously, interrupting the moment. “I just love a happy ending. And of course, you’ll be honeymooning right here with us at Indulgences Resort.”

Laughing, Ryleigh leaned back to see Blake also shaking his head. “I don’t see that happening.” He then looked at Ryleigh with all seriousness, “But I will take you to a tropical island. I promise.”

 

The End