“We must go,” Dominic said. He tightened his grip on Jennie’s arm.
J.B., Dominic, and Matt muscled their way into the tightly woven circle, creating a human wall to give Gram, Lisa, and Jennie an opening to the car. Dominic hopped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and put the car in gear.
“Be careful, don’t hit them.” Jennie bit her lip as the dark-skinned faces converged on the limo.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Gram frowned. “I wanted to help, but…”
“They are very poor, Señora Bradley.” Dominic let the car roll ahead a couple of feet. Jennie glanced out the side window into the face of a little girl with pleading brown eyes and matted black hair holding a doll like the one she’d just purchased. Jennie looked away, tears filling her eyes.
“Couldn’t we do something, Gram?” Lisa asked. “I slipped them some extra money, but…”
“Extra money? Let me guess—you all felt sorry for them and gave them more than what they asked for. Am I right?” J.B. shook his head.
Lisa, Gram, and Jennie all nodded.
“It is no wonder they swarm over you like flies.” Dominic honked his horn and drove onto the road. The vendors backed away.
“Don’t say we didn’t warn you.” J.B. smiled, taking the edge off his I-told-you-so.
“I’m glad we stopped.” Gram punched his arm playfully. “We may not be able to end their poverty, but we’ve at least given some of them food for a few days.”
“You sound like Tío Manny,” Dominic said as he speeded up and negotiated a sharp turn. “He has created many more jobs than necessary at his resort. He and his wife, Maria, do much to try to reduce the poverty here.”
“Your uncle sounds like a generous man.” Gram lifted her wooden birds, admiring them. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
A few minutes later, Dominic drove the car through the gates of an upscale resort on a hill overlooking the Ocho Rios harbor.
Uncle Manny, whom Dominic introduced as Señor
Manuel Bernardo García, his mother’s brother, greeted them as they entered the lobby. Dominic’s uncle was cute, Jennie decided—nearly as wide as he was tall and as jovial as Dominic was intense.
“I am honored to meet you,” he said, bowing slightly.
Jennie couldn’t help thinking that if he bowed any more he was likely to roll away. “I trust my nephew treated you well this morning.”
“Very well, thank you,” Gram said. “I’ve been looking forward to our visit. Jamaica is most impressive. Did Dominic tell you I was a writer?”
“Sí, señora. And I would be delighted to have you stay as long as you like—as you Americanos say—on the house.”
“Thank you for your kind offer, but unfortunately, we’ll only be in Ocho Rios for the day.”
He seemed genuinely disappointed. “Then you must come back when you can stay longer.” He showed them around the vast gardenlike lobby and into a tiled courtyard with a fountain at its center. Señor García seated them at a table in the courtyard off the restaurant and signaled for a waiter.
Within moments their table was laden with iced tea, crisp green salads, fruits, and a wide selection of freshly prepared seafood.
“This looks wonderful,” Gram said, “but will it be safe for us to eat the fruits and vegetables? I understand that we need to be careful of the water and uncooked foods as they can cause some rather unpleasant symptoms.”
“Ah,” Señor García grinned. “That is wise advice. But be assured, the food here is safe.” He held up a bunch of red grapes. “Flown in from Florida only this morning.” He set the grapes on his plate, then lifted the water goblet as though he were offering a toast. “The resort has its own processing plant. Rest assured, my friends. It is pure as God himself.”
That seemed to satisfy Gram and J.B. While they ate, Gram took pages of notes and promised Señor García that she would include his resort in her segment on places to stay in Ocho Rios. Before they left, Dominic showed them three of his watercolor paintings. One was of sailboats with mountains as a backdrop.
“Wow!” Jennie gazed up at the framed canvas. “You really can paint. I’m impressed. Is this a real place?”
“Sí. I am surprised you do not recognize it. This is from a photo that was taken of the sailboats on your Columbia River. That is Hood Mountain in the background.”
“Mount Hood!” Jennie studied the painting, amazed at how he’d captured the wind and the sunlight on the water. “How many times have you visited Oregon?”
“Two, three times, maybe.”
“Dominic, these are truly exquisite.” Gram put on her glasses so she could examine them more closely. “The blend of colors…”
Dominic seemed pleased. “This one,” he said, pointing to the watercolor he’d done of two children at the seashore, “was from a photograph taken of my sister and me—and my mother.”
“Would you ever consider doing a show?” Gram asked. “I have some friends in the States who would love to feature you. And I could do an article…”
Dominic’s muscles stiffened beneath Jennie’s hand. He shook his head. “Thank you, señora, but I cannot.” Gram smiled in understanding. “Of course, but perhaps someday.”
“Perhaps.”
“You said you sculpt as well. Is this one?” Gram walked over to a large bust that stood on a pedestal.
Dominic nodded. “My grandfather.”
A gold plaque beneath the bust read Juan Carlos Ramirez. Jennie looked from the older man’s face back to Dominic’s. “You look like him.”
“And my father.”
They did look alike, but there were subtle differences. The bust revealed a regal man who could be as hard and unapproachable as the bronze he’d been cast in. His stern expression told Jennie he was a man who knew what he wanted and usually got it. No wonder Dominic didn’t feel he could go against his wishes.
At two in the afternoon, they said goodbye to Dominic’s uncle and resumed their tour of Jamaica. Dominic drove them to Dunn River Falls, the waterfall they’d heard so much about. They changed into swimsuits at the resort and, after abandoning their clothes and belongings in the car, set out to climb the falls. Milky white water cascaded down a sloping hill that went on for what J.B. guessed to be about a mile. They entered the water and began their climb to the top.
By the time they reached the upper portion of the falls, they were exhilarated, exhausted, soaked, and bruised in half a dozen places from falling on the slippery rocks. Jennie would have repeated the experience if they hadn’t had to be back on board ship by four p.m.
With thirty minutes to spare, Dominic pulled up to the dock and dropped everyone off. “I must return the car to Tío Manny. Would you please stay with me, Jennie? I would like your company.”
Jennie shrugged. “Sure, if it’s okay with Gram.”
He glanced through the door at Gram. “Señora Bradley?”
Gram and J.B. looked at each other, then at Jennie. “I don’t see why not. Just make sure you don’t miss the boat.”
Dominic agreed. As he backed the limo around, Jennie twisted in her seat. Gram waved, then disappeared inside the customs office. Jennie’s stomach lurched as though she’d just dropped ten floors on a fast elevator. Funny how seeing Gram disappear like that could cause such a strong reaction.
Dominic grinned and took hold of her hand. “Did you have a pleasant day, Jennie?”
“Super.”
“Jamaica is one of the loveliest islands in the Caribbean.”
They made small talk on the short drive to the resort and during the walk back. When they arrived at the customs office at five till four, Jennie breathed a sigh of relief. “Made it.” Jennie smiled back at Dominic as she handed her bag to the inspections officer at the counter.
“Did you have any doubt?” Dominic’s smile faded.
He stared at something behind her and she turned to follow his gaze. The official behind the counter had dumped the contents on a table and opened the zippered compartment. He pulled out two small plastic bags Jennie had never seen before. Panic oozed into her body like a toxic chemical and spread to every fiber of her being.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out what the white powder was or what was about to happen. “That isn’t mine,” Jennie insisted. “Dominic, tell them it isn’t mine.”
Dominic didn’t answer. He just stood there, his face revealing a blend of concern, anger, and disgust.
“You will come with me, please.” The officer took hold of her arm and propelled her forward.
“What’s going on? That isn’t mine. Please listen to me. I have to get on board the ship.”
“You will not be going anywhere,” the official said. Two armed guards appeared on either side of her. “You are under arrest for possession of narcotics and drug trafficking.”