Madelaine is leaving today, and she’s not going alone. Their departure was delayed after Chester’s attack and mine and Adam’s subsequent disappearance. Now they believe it’s business as usual. All week Madelaine has schooled me in what’s expected. How things run on the island and showered me with affection and compliments. She believes we are building a healthy relationship, which is why she looks so sad as I walk with her to the dock.
“I hate leaving you so soon, darling. I’ll try to be quick, but I’ve already postponed too many meetings.”
She sighs and says wistfully, “Maybe you can come with me next time. We can go on a girl’s trip, and I’ll show you how amazing this life can be.”
“Can I?” I sound excited, which shocks me a little because I appear to have settled into my role so easily, I always feel as if I’m playing a part.
There have been many long conversations and cosy evenings discussing the past, the way forward and the future. Chester and Madelaine approve of my accelerating relationship with Nate and believe that the crisis has been averted and its business as usual. I managed to convince them that Adam hadn’t done anything with the flash drives and folder and was just interested in the money.
Madelaine told me that she had a private investigator looking for Adam and if he was planning on causing trouble for any of us, he would be dealt with. Thanking God that Adam has the best protection possible; I am worried about the lengths they go to protect their business.
Madelaine stops and says quickly, “Excuse me, darling, I need a word with Chester. Carry on without me.”
I see Chester heading our way with a frown on his face and my heart rate increases. Katie is walking beside him, and the situation looks tense, and I wonder if they’ve had words because he takes Madelaine’s arm and leads her back up the beach towards the resort.
I look at Katie in surprise. “What’s happening?”
She frowns. “I told him I didn’t want to leave, and he had to do the right thing for once. I won’t go and stay with the people he’s making me give my child to. I want to keep it and make a life with him.”
“Katie!”
She sniffs. “I had to try. I know I’ve just made a bad situation worse, but I can’t help how I feel.”
“What did he say?”
“That he would talk to Madelaine and see if there was a different solution available. I told him if he didn’t help me, then I’d report him to the cops for rape.”
“This is bad.”
I pull her along with me to the boat where Nate is heaving the cases ready for departure. He looks up and smiles at Katie, but after seeing the look on her face, he throws me an anxious look.
“What’s up?”
“Katie said she won’t go and unless Chester supports her and allows her to keep the baby, she’s telling the cops he raped her.”
Katie stares at us defiantly. “I mean it.”
Nate looks worried. “Where’s Chester now?”
“Telling Madelaine things have changed, I guess.”
A cold feeling chills my soul because I know what Nate’s thinking and Madelaine is probably being briefed on a scenic route change, via shark reef and Nate has paled under his suntan which tells me he thinks the same.
“What are we going to do? Madelaine will be there.” I must sound anxious because Katie says sharply, “What are you talking about?”
She looks suspicious and Nate says urgently, “Katie, tell them you didn’t mean it. You’ll do as they ask and then you may make it to the mainland.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Please Katie, just do it. You’ll be safe then.”
She looks worried. “Are you saying I’m not safe now?”
We see Madelaine and Chester heading our way and I say urgently, “Please! Tell him.”
As they near the boat, I see the glint in Chester’s eye and the frown on Madelaine’s face that tells me things aren’t looking good for Katie and Madelaine says with a hint of steel in her voice, “Katie, I understand you don’t want to leave.”
The hard gleam in her eye makes my heart sink and for the longest seconds Katie looks at Nate and then sighs. “I’m sorry. I think I was having a panic attack. I’m good now. Shall we go?”
Chester’s eyes narrow and he says roughly, “What’s changed?”
She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs. “I suppose now it’s happening, I just want to get on with it, so I can return quicker.”
She says in a small apologetic voice, “I’m sorry. I think my hormones are all over the place. One minute I’m up, then down. I’m sure I’ll be fine when I’m there.”
I’m not sure if they believe her or not, but obviously don’t want to push it, so Madelaine says lightly, “Then that’s settled. We’ll head off before it gets dark. It’s quite a journey to Texas and we need to get a move on if we’re going to make our flight.”
She turns and falls into Chester’s outstretched arms, and they enjoy a long and leisurely kiss, and I watch Katie’s face harden as she looks away.
I notice a strange look passes between them when they part and as Nate helps Katie into the boat, I watch as Chester whispers something to Nate and from the look in his eye, I know exactly what he said.
I don’t stop to think and say quickly, “I’m sorry, I really need to use the bathroom. Have a good trip.”
Without even waiting to hear their replies, I head off because I only have limited time left to help Katie.
Running back up the beach, I head straight for reception, grateful to see Diana silently listening to her headphones. She straightens up when she sees my face and says in an urgent whisper, “What is it?”
“It’s Katie.” I pant, “I think they’re heading to shark reef.”
I don’t need to explain further because she turns away and reaches for her bag and heads to a small corner of the room. I watch as she talks softly into the phone and wait anxiously in case Chester comes back and as she cuts the call and moves to my side, she whispers, “Thanks, Katrina. We’ve got this.”
She replaces her headphones and smiles reassuringly, and I’m not sure what I should be doing. Heading to the restroom, I play it safe and cover my tracks and just hope Katie makes it back to the mainland safe and sound.
When Chester returns, I am behind the desk where I belong, and Diana is on her break. He hesitates in front of me and says with concern, “You know I’m here for you, Kat. When Madelaine’s away, you can always come to me.”
I throw him a beaming smile and nod gratefully. “Thank you, you have all been very kind.”
He hesitates and then says with a searching look, “I’m glad you came back. You did the right thing because it proved that you’re one of us. Welcome to The Green Valley Foundation, Katrina. You will never regret your decision.”
I watch him walk away and feel my heart thumping painfully hard. This is getting serious now and I hope to God Katie makes it.
* * *
Half an hour later, I look up as Diana reaches my side and whispers, “Katrina, you must go to your room and stay there.”
“Why?”
“I’ll explain later. Matty has told the guests we’re running a drill, and everyone must head back to their room until they are notified it’s clear.”
“A drill?”
She grins. “Security breach.”
“But.”
“Just go to your room, Katrina. It’s important.”
I watch some of the guests hurrying back to their bungalow and, with a worried nod, I do the same. I feel so anxious and wonder what’s going on and as I make my way down the path that leads to my room, I see the boat returning, but it looks as if Nate’s not alone.
Rushing quickly inside, I head out onto the balcony and see Nate step out with Madelaine and Katie, and then I see two other boats heading into the dock. It’s obvious those figures aren’t incoming guests and I hope to God Diana called the cavalry.
The million-dollar question is, what did they see?