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Kalei Kahue wiped the sweat from his brow. The last two days ranked up there as the worst in his entire career as a Resort Director. In his whole life. The board almost took his job. His wife nearly left him. But somehow, he convinced them that the conniving witch, Jessica Stroker, had lied. That he could never do what she claimed at the couple’s banquet. Given his years of service to the resort, the board elected to give him another chance. His wife showed more reluctance. She still looked at him with suspicion, and the tension between them gave him heartburn. The constant calls from guests wanting a refund - wanting to leave the resort - also pushed him to the edge. He reached into the desk drawer for his decanter and shot glass.
I need this, he thought.
A knock came at his door.
“I’m swamped,” he called out.
Ron Stroker stepped in. Kalei shut the drawer to cover up the evidence of his drinking on the job.
“Mr. Stroker, I’m sorry, but this is a bad time. Can you come back...”
A lump formed in Kalei’s throat as Rex Armstrong ducked under the doorway, coming in behind Ron. His muscles bulged in the snug-fitting tank top, and his chin jutted out like a rock formation.
“Um... hello, Mr. Armstrong.”
“What’s up, Kay Kay.”
Kalei’s eyes blinked, and his fingers fumbled with a piece of paper on his desk.
“I’m pleased to see you both, but I am quite busy.”
Rex closed the door behind him with enough force to cause the blinds on the windows to shake. Kalei’s voice cracked.
“Of course, I could take care of my business later. What can I do for you two today?”
Ron took a seat, leaning forward and locking eyes on Kalei.
“Kalei, where did that ferry take Jessica?”
Kalei glanced up at Rex and then back at Ron.
“Well, she wanted to get on the next flight, so...”
Ron leaned back into his chair.
“The next flight?”
“Yes, Mr. Stroker. She was eager to get away from this place.”
“Aren’t flights out of here hard to get?”
“Oh, yes. Very. They only leave here once a week. From the mainland, and you have to buy the tickets in advance. The seating on those flights is limited.”
Kalei scratched his neck. Ron let out a sigh and looked over at a bookshelf.
“But given your wife’s power to persuade, I imagine she got a ticket for the flight that is leaving this afternoon.”
Ron’s eyes cut back at him.
“There’s a flight leaving this afternoon?”
“Yes. And there won’t be another one for a week.”
Ron turned to Rex.
“I have to get on that flight.”
Kalei interjected.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Stroker. But that’s impossible. There aren’t any boats available to take you back to the mainland for another several days.”
Ron scowled, his eyes narrowing.
“You really expect me to believe that there’s no way off this island other than that ferry?”
“Well, I...”
Rex stepped up behind Ron’s chair with his arms folded, flexing his biceps, and glared at Kalei. Kalei glanced up at him, and his heart pounded.
“I’ve never shared this with another guest before. I have a boat. A private one. I keep it in case I...”
Ron’s eyebrows raised.
“In case I need to get off the island.”
“Mmm-hmm. So, you’ll take us to the mainland then? Like right now?”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly. Have you seen the wind today? The waves will be quite intense. That boat isn’t suited to...”
Rex stepped forward, placed his hands on the desk, and leaned over it, towering over Kalei.
“Maybe you misunderstood, Kay Kay. My friend needs a ride to the mainland right now. It’s urgent. And I’m going with you.”
Kalei shrunk back into his chair, his knuckles turning white as his hands gripped the arms.
“Umm, sure, Mr. Armstrong. That’ll be no problem. Let me just get the boat ready. I’ll meet you two at the dock in say an hour?”
Rex pounded the desk, causing Kalei to jump.
“Thirty minutes. I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”
Rex straightened up, and Ron got up from his chair.
“Don’t be late, Kay Kay.”
Rex’s finger pointed at the director as they slipped out the door. As soon as they left, Kalei reached back for his liquor drawer.
