CHAPTER 25

 

 

WE WASTED NO time picking up Gabe and heading for the other island, afraid we were already too late. Cole took the helm, and I went in search of bandages.

The medical supplies were in the head, along with a dark blue tank top and a pair of amphibious sandals with adjustable straps. I pulled on the top and shoes, left Anaya's bamboo shirt on a hook on the door, and headed back to the main cabin.

“You're bleeding again.” I placed the supplies on the console. Cole gritted his teeth, and stared straight ahead as I swabbed his arm with alcohol and squeezed Celox into the bullet wound to clot. I finished with some gauze and waterproof medical tape, and gave him a couple of mild painkillers.

Cole attempted to contact the agencies involved in the operation heading for Anaya's island, but was met with dead air. A short while later the Coast Guard radioed back requesting radio silence.

“My gut says they haven't deployed yet but are getting ready.”

“That means we have time, right?”

“Probably not.”

My heart sank. Harv was in danger and it was my fault. His sons would be without both their parents. All they'd wanted for him was to have a little fun, forget about the death of his beloved wife.

Stop it, Kate. Just stop it. There was no use thinking like that. There was no other option. We had to find Harv.

The stars, usually bright sprinkles all the way to the horizon, were interrupted by the malevolent shadow of Anaya's island. Cole slowed the cruiser as the starlit, white-sand shoreline materialized. We crept toward the hulking island, killed the motor close in and dropped anchor.

Cole and I strapped on waterproof packs filled with guns, flashlights, water, ammunition and medical supplies. Next we pulled on flippers and snorkel masks and slipped off the dive platform into the warm Caribbean.

Cole and I made it to shore at roughly the same time. The flippers and mask helped immensely. We stashed the snorkel gear near a palm tree, took our guns out of the packs and headed into the jungle. With a pair of night vision goggles, I found the trail Grace had brought me down on our way off the island. It was like it happened in another lifetime. Thankfully, I was more rested than my previous journey, and Cole apparently was feeling no pain, since he kept up easily.

We reached the high point of the trail and stopped to rest. I checked Cole's bandages. They still held and showed no trace of blood. We passed the water back and forth and then continued to hike, not speaking, conserving our energy.

As we neared the bottom of the trail, it forked. I stopped to take a compass reading. If we continued on to our left, we'd come to the killer bamboo field, and I wasn't sure where that stood in relation to the compound. Cole and I debated for a minute and decided the path to our right was the best option. At least it appeared to head in the right direction.

The terrain sloped upward and we soon rose above the tree line. The path narrowed and the unmistakable spicy bouquet of cannabis sativa permeated the humid night.

“Anaya had a bunch of pot planted along the paths on the mountain. The place is starting to look familiar. Of course, it was daylight when we took the tour, so it might be wishful thinking.” Then I remembered the Buddhas along the side of the trail. “Keep an eye out for Buddha,” I added. Cole gave me a sidelong glance.

“Don't ask.”

We continued walking and soon came to another fork. I swept my flashlight across the ground, hoping for a happy Buddha or two, and caught a glint of something in the grass. I knelt to feel around and my hand curled around a smooth, round object. The water glass I'd tossed on my earlier island tour with Anaya.

“We're on the right track.” I dropped the glass and pointed in the direction of the biosphere. “It's about a ten minute walk from the compound.”

“Good. Once we get there, it should be easy to find Harv. As long as they haven't moved him. Let's hope there's time.” Neither one of us wanted to think about the alternative. I reached in the pocket of my shorts and felt for Barbie, still safe and sound. For some reason, it calmed me. Probably a throwback to when I was a kid and played with dolls.

We followed the steep trail toward the compound, passing the Buddha statues Anaya had placed to the side. My fear quotient ratcheted up the more I thought about what he would do to Cole if we were caught. There was no telling how he was going to react if we had a close encounter, especially once Anaya knew Cole and I were together. I explained this to Cole, and suggested we split up.

“If we do this right, we won't even have to see His Craziness. Leave that for the DEA.” Cole stopped and put his hand on my arm. “Are you going to be all right? Christ, you're shaking like a leaf.” He stepped closer and wrapped his good arm tightly around me. His warmth and strength poured through my body, and the shaking slowed.

I reluctantly slipped out of his embrace. “We don't have a lot of time. I'll be fine.”

“When we get back to Arizona, no more vacations for a while, okay?”

“Fine by me,” I answered.

We reached the compound a short time later. The first thing I noticed was the eerie silence. There were no people anywhere, no voices. Last time I was here, several of Anaya's gunmen patrolled the perimeter and he had others throughout the area.

“Looks like he's getting ready to blow the place.” Cole moved into the shadow of the biosphere. The steady green lights still glowed along the uprights. “Once they reach yellow, we won't have long to get the hell out.”

I would've liked better odds.

“Follow me.” Cole slipped around the outside of the glassed-in sphere.

We passed the small room and outdoor shower where I'd been taken when Anaya first caught me, and hurried along the dirt walk. LED lights glowed on the side of the path, leading the way. The dead silence of the place creeped me out. I concentrated on following Cole.

We came to a large square structure similar to the one they held me in with a barred window and metal door. Cole headed straight for the window and put his face up to the bars.

“Harv—it's Cole.” A deep groan echoed from within.

“Is he all right?” I tried to get a glimpse through the window, but it was pitch dark inside. “It's me, Kate. Are you doing okay?”

Another groan was followed by, “Yeah, a little worse for wear. Nothing I can't handle. You guys better hurry. Anaya's got the biosphere wired and he's going to…”

“We know.” Cole had his pack on the ground and was digging through it. I pulled mine off and crouched next to him. He brought out a small battery operated drill and turned it on and off to check power. “I need you to keep watch for Anaya's men while I drill the lock.”

“Sure thing.” I stood in the shadows on the side of the building while the sound of the high speed drill whined behind me.

The drilling stopped abruptly, followed by a clunk. I moved closer to the door, which was now open, still watching for Anaya's men. Cole and Harv emerged from the dark room, Harv's arm draped around Cole's shoulders. He was limping. I looked into his face. Even in the weak light of the nearby LEDs, I could see that someone had used his face as a door stop. His upper lip was three times the size of his lower, and he had dark bruises along his jaw. His nose looked like it might be broken.

“His leg's busted. We haven't got time to set it here. He's going to need help getting back to the beach.”

I picked my pack off the ground and handed Cole his. He slid the drill back into the inner pocket and zipped it closed. Harv leaned against the building while Cole shouldered his pack. I did the same, after giving Harv a couple of painkillers and water from my canteen.

Cole and Harv exchanged looks.

“What?” I asked. A glimmer of dread formed in my mind.

Harv shifted his weight. “They've got Grace nearby. I told Cole where she is, and he's agreed to find her. If she's still alive, he'll get her out.”

The dread traveled to my heart and down through my feet. I wanted to argue, to tell Cole he should go with Harv, that I would find Grace.

Harv needed my help. These two would never let me find Grace on my own. I shook my head even as I realized it was the only way we'd be able to save her. She'd risked her life to help me, and then found Cole and told him where I was, risking her life again. If she was still alive, there was no way I'd leave her here.

I willed the tears away and stepped next to Cole. His eyes softened as he realized I understood, and bent down to kiss me. I reached for his face and caressed his cheek.

“We'll be waiting for you on the beach.”

He nodded and smiled the sexy smile I loved. With a huge weight on my heart, I turned to Harv.

“Ready?”

“Whenever you are, Kate.” He draped his arm around my shoulders and inclined his head toward Cole. “Sorry, Cole. You know I'd be there if I could.”

“Be safe,” Cole replied.

A moment later he was gone.

 

***

 

HARV HELPED AS much as he could, but it was rough going. He was a tall man and I wasn't tall enough to make it easy for him. We moved past Anaya's living quarters and party room and found the hidden passageway through the section of the biosphere with the arid southwest desert scenery. That funneled us through to the tropical rainforest with the waterfall. I noticed a fuse box attached to the wall, similar to the one Anaya had shown me. The light blinked yellow.

From there the tunnel spit us back into the jungle. The night insects were in full chorus.

Stars disappeared from view as the thwap! thwap! of helicopter blades shattered the silence. I pushed Harv to move faster. It was as if we were in one of those old-time potato sack races, where two people each put a foot into a gunny sack and try to win the race, running with three legs. Only I didn't have the help of the other guy's leg.

The sound of the helicopter faded as it flew over the compound. I focused on getting Harv and me as far away as possible. I didn't know how much of an impact the explosives would make and I didn't want to take any chances. I refused to think about Cole or Grace.

The percussive impact of the explosion shook the ground in successive bursts like a giant kid with a rattle. Trees swayed like drunken Vegas showgirls. Confused, I thought it was a massive earthquake, even though I knew better. Harv tumbled to the ground, dragging me down on top of him. I rolled off to the side and we lay there, trying to catch our breath, and listened.

Soon, the trees stopped dancing and all became deathly quiet. No insects. No birds. No life. I squelched the dread filling my mind, and picked myself up. I extended my hand and hauled Harv to his feet.

We didn't speak, both of us afraid to give voice to the truth. As if not saying anything would make it a lie. The numbness that comes with the first glimmer of knowledge that your life has irrevocably changed is not to be taken lightly. It's there for a reason. If the actual, full impact of the event was felt immediately, I doubt most people would be able to withstand the onslaught.

Somehow, we made it to the beach. In my detached state, I wondered what I should do next, now that we weren't waiting for anyone. We heard the helicopters, but couldn't see them. I imagined huge, billowing clouds of black smoke wafting over the island, but knew I'd have to wait for daylight to see it. I needed to be far away by then.

I helped Harv over to a tree and he propped himself against it. I dropped to the sand and placed my head on my knees. Harv stayed silent. I doubt anything he said would have registered, anyway.

Sobs fought their way to the surface and came out in a strangled cry unlike any I'd heard myself make. Part of me watched the scene, detached, wondering what I would do next. The other part of me was lost in a grief so massive I marveled at the intensity. That part didn't care what happened next. In the distance, the sound of helicopters and big, hairy ordnance tearing up the island barely captured my interest.

Harv let me be at first. Then he scooted closer and held my hand. I smiled. His eyes radiated kindness.

“Well, now, isn't this just ducky? I thought you and the sheriff were the love birds. Guess my information is shit.”

Confused, I turned toward the voice.

Frank materialized from the dark jungle, his gun aimed at Harv. Slowly, I rose to my feet. Harv remained where he was.

“Stay right there. You're about as trustworthy as a rattle snake.” Frank's eyes gleamed in the darkness. “Although, I don't generally like to disrespect snakes.” He laughed. “How'd she get you out of the cell? There's no way she'd be able to pick that lock.” His eyes drifted to my shorts pocket.

“Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?”

I shook my head. “It's not a gun. A piece of pottery.”

Frank lifted his chin. “Show me.”

I put my hand in my pocket and started to pull Barbie out, but she got hung up on the seam. I yanked harder and she finally pulled free.

He stepped forward and stared at her and then held out his hand. “Give it to me.”

I moved back. “It's just a statue, Frank. Let it be.”

“Give it to me now, or I shoot your friend in the knee. The good one.”

I glanced at Harv. He was as still as stone. I let out a breath. What did it matter, anyway? Cole was gone, Frank would kill us as soon as he was finished with his masochistic fun, and that would be the end. I handed Barbie to him. He looked at me, then back at the statue.

“Where'd you get this?”

“I picked her up on one of the trails.”

He scrutinized her, paying particular attention to her large chest. “Nice tits,” he said, then dropped her on the sand.

“Sit down next to Romeo here. I think it's only fitting that you die together. We should have killed you when we first took you,” Frank said, looking at Harv. “But Anaya thought you were valuable. Not anymore. As I'm sure you've heard, he blew the compound. He got the best of the plants before the cavalry arrived.”

“What happens to you? I assume Anaya's long gone.”

“Anaya will be here shortly, so I'm going to need to cut this short.”

“There's DEA and FBI crawling all over this island. You haven't got a chance.” Harv's voice held a note of triumph.

Frank grinned. “Kate, why don't you enlighten him?”

I leaned my head back against the tree. “Anaya's got a sub. I assume that's what Frank's talking about.”

“That's right. Now sit the fuck down, Kate. Be a good girl…”

One minute Frank was standing. The next he crumpled to the ground, his mouth in the shape of an 'o'. A small hole had appeared in the center of his forehead and blood spilled down his face.

I looked at Harv, but he was empty handed. I spun around. Grace stood stock still, holding a gun in front of her with both hands.

Cole stood behind her.