Chapter 15 The Past Attacks #2
Perhaps Tāwera was wrong, and it was Rāwiri, his brother. Somehow, he’d traveled through time or extended his life. After all, this was no crazier than a curse or Tāwera’s sudden appearance.
The cruise ship left around six this evening. All she needed to do was continue working and wait for everyone to leave. Whoever this stranger was, they had to depart with the ship.
Yes, she was stressing over nothing.
She and Ari were done, and once he got over his pride, he’d understand this was for the best. He’d have no trouble finding a replacement—if he hadn’t already. She’d ask Manu to check.
Between customers, she managed a quick email to Manu. To her relief, her message went through straightaway. Now all she had to do was wait for a reply, confirmation Ari was still at home in Papakura and that he was harassing another woman now.
She wished her mother or her sister were better correspondents so she’d know they were okay. It helped tremendously to know Manu and Jessalyn were nearby and watching over them. If it weren’t for that fact, her panic levels would be much higher.
Carolyn entered the store and waited until she finished serving a customer. “Take a fifteen-minute break. I’ll look after things here for you.”
“What about the tour?”
Carolyn grinned. “It starts in half an hour, so don’t be late back from your break.”
“Thanks,” Nyree said. “I’ll be at my place if you need me.”
“No problem. See you in fifteen.” Carolyn shunted her out of the way and took over serving the line of customers.
Nyree paused on the deck outside the store and surveyed her surroundings. She didn’t see anyone or thing out of place. Neither could she see Tāwera, so she rushed down the stairs and jogged to her home. She unlocked the door and locked it again once she darted inside.
Her stomach rumbled, but she ignored her body’s signal to peek through the windows and scan the crowds of passengers exploring the area.
When she found nothing out of place or suspicious, she retraced her footsteps to the kitchen and opened her fridge.
Food. She pulled out the remains of a meaty stew and heated it in the microwave.
A tap at the door had her stiffening, and a gasp escaped before she could stop it. Her pulse raced, and she hesitated.
“Nyree, it’s me. Tāwera,” came the low masculine voice.
Nyree rushed to the door and unlocked it. Tāwera slipped inside, and she relocked it.
“I have less than fifteen minutes before I need to return to the store to relieve Carolyn.”
“Is that food I smell? I’m starving.”
Nyree led the way to the kitchen and arrived just as the microwave pinged. “It’s the leftover stew from last night’s dinner. There’s enough for you.” As she spoke, she pulled out two bowls and dished up the stew.
Tāwera grabbed eating utensils along with butter and plates without her asking him while she heated two rolls she’d taken from the freezer. They sat together and started eating.
“I don’t have a photo of Ari. I deleted them off my phone.”
“Is there an online one you can show me? From that social media place?”
Nyree scanned her watch and stood. “I’m sure there is one, but the internet is down at present. I’ll try again later tonight.” She picked up their dirty dishes.
“Leave them,” Tāwera said. “I can clean the kitchen for you. You return to work.”
Nyree smiled her thanks. “I’ll see you later.” She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. She’d intended a quick kiss, but their lips clung together, and their tongues tangled. Nyree forced herself to step back, her breathing fast and choppy. “Tonight.”
“Tonight,” Tāwera agreed.
Nyree paused on her doorstep, looking both ways first. When she spotted nothing to alarm her, her breath eased out, and she hustled to the store.
“Perfect timing,” Carolyn said. “I swear we’ve been busier this season than last. The visitors purchase more than they used to when I spent more time here. Oh, before I forget. There was a man in here asking after you. He said he’s a friend of your sisters and promised he’d say hello.”
“Oh?” Nyree controlled her reaction with difficulty, even as the rational part of her brain stated that Ari wouldn’t follow her halfway across the world.
While he’d never hurt for money—he’d helped himself to hers—Carolyn had told her the fares for these ships were around thirty thousand New Zealand dollars.
Ari would never spend that type of money to chase her.
Of course, he wouldn’t. That would make no sense.
“Did he leave a name? Was he coming back?”
“He said he was going on a walk over to Shackleton’s grave and would return later.”
“His name?”
“Oh, sorry. He didn’t say. He said this was a surprise visit, and he wanted to see as much as he could before he left.”
Nyree offered another smile. It didn’t sit right on her mouth, but Carolyn seemed fine with her response. “Thanks.”
“I’ll see you later,” Carolyn said.
Nyree nodded and got to work. Every time someone entered the store, she glanced up to see who it was, but not one familiar face arrived. Frustratingly, it was too busy to use her phone to check the social media pages. As the hour neared six, the tension in her shoulders grew.
But no one came. Instead, the passengers trickled out and returned to their ship. Relieved that her fears had been groundless, Nyree counted the day’s takings and restocked her shelves.
It was seven by the time she dropped off the takings to Carolyn and noticed the ship remained.
Nyree’s brows lifted. “Why is the ship still here?”
“The captain contacted us. A passenger is missing. A male. They have a search team out looking for him.”
“What nationality? Do we have a name? Did they want help?”
“No, not at the moment. We don’t have any details yet. All I know is that it’s a man. Keith has gone down to speak with the captain.”
“Has this ever happened before?”
“Not that I know of,” Carolyn said. “The ship’s passengers are normally good about returning to the ship on time.”
“I’ll go back and have something to eat. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”
Carolyn sighed. “Yes, I will. I hate to think of a man lying injured somewhere. The forecast is for temperatures to drop tonight.”
Nyree made her way down the rutted path, keeping her wits about her. The first thing she’d do was find Ari’s picture on social media and show it to Tāwera. If Ari was somewhere in South Georgia, she wanted to know.