Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Harper
After dinner, the six of us split up and return to our rooms. Carter’s assignment is to contact Patrick and Jerry back at headquarters to have them begin a search for the agents who may or may not have accompanied my parents on their retreat.
Elijah and Jessie opt to explore the property and look for anyone who seems out of place.
Roger and I decide to take a walk on the beach, which is surprisingly empty of beachgoers now that the sun has set.
I wish he would take my hand and turn this stroll into something more romantic, but he doesn’t.
Instead, he keeps one hand tucked in a pocket while the other carries his socks and shoes.
Since we’re supposed to be acting like newlyweds, I let my sandals dangle from my fingertips and loop my free arm through his. The act startles Roger, but he doesn’t pull away despite his apparent discomfort from my touch.
“Roger, why are you so uncomfortable around me? Are you seeing someone and feel like you’re cheating on them or something?” I ask.
“I’m not dating anyone, Harper. I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you if I were.” His clipped tone is a blaring warning that this isn’t a conversation he wants to have at the moment, but that doesn’t stop me from asking more questions.
“Then why? Are you still hung up on Bethany? The two of you were together for a long time—what, five or six years?”
Roger stops walking and turns to face me, the moonlight casting his face in shadows and making it difficult for me to read his expression. “Bethany and I are just friends, Harper. That’s all we’ve ever been,” he chokes out.
He waits for his words to sink in, but they aren’t computing in my brain. “But the two of you looked so happy together. Until my father had mentioned your breakup with Bethany and subsequent departure from the FBI, I had thought you were going to put a ring on her finger.”
Roger turns so that he’s facing the water and lets the breeze tousle his hair.
He’s quiet for nearly two minutes, and I start second-guessing whether or not I’ve overstepped.
He finally breaks the silence. “Bethany wanted more than what I was willing to give, and it was clear early on in our relationship that friendship was what was best for both of us. We had an agreement. If she wasn’t dating someone any time I needed a plus one for an event, she would join me and vice versa.
Eventually, she met someone else and is now blissfully married. I’m happy for her.”
Roger is still holding something back, but I’ve pushed hard enough for now.
He’ll tell me when he’s ready. Not sure how to continue the conversation, I walk to the edge of the water and let the warm waves crash over my feet and ankles as I slowly head in the direction of our cabana.
Roger catches up and puts his hand on my arm, turning me so that I face him.
“Harper, It’s not that I’m uncomfortable around you.
It’s quite the opposite. I’m nearly old enough to be your father, and yet there are times that I forget that.
Those are the times when I see a fiercely independent, strong woman with a winning smile and a zest for life.
Those are the times when I want to forget my responsibilities, let go, and have some fun.
Then your father’s face flashes in my mind, and I’m reminded that you are his daughter and that I have no business being attracted to you. ”
I school my features, but what I really want to do is a happy dance. His admission warms my body from head to toe, and I want to shout from the mountaintops that I think he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever met. I’m grateful I keep my mouth shut because Roger isn’t finished.
“This relationship has an expiration date, and it’s important for both of us to remember that.
It’s important for me to remember that. We didn’t set any ground rules for how we are going to make this believable for everyone else without crossing any lines ourselves.
Neither one of us can afford to forget that. I can’t afford to forget that.”
Trying to keep the hurt from my face, I fold my arms across my body in a protective gesture and bob my head. I would prefer to keep getting kisses like the one he gave me at our wedding and close the distance Roger is putting between us, but that’s not what he’s asking for.
“I understand and agree that we need to keep it professional. But you’ve known me for more than twenty years, so holding my hand or kissing my cheek should be an acceptable way to show affection, right?
Maybe even a peck or two on the lips if the situation warrants it?
Does that sound like something you can do?
You don’t have to enjoy it. I promise.” I tack on a wink so that he knows I’m joking, even though I secretly hope that he relishes those small moments as much as I will.
He chuckles and takes my hand as we continue our trek toward the cabana. “I can do that,” he says.
“There may be times that I will have to nibble on your neck or put suntan lotion on your back all sexy-like. I may have to…” I say when Roger suddenly stops. “I’m sorry, I was just teasing.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that, Harper.” He points out over the dark horizon. “Look carefully,” he says in a low tone.
I squint and try to make out the dark object on the water. “It’s a boat.”
“Yeah,” he says.
“That’s crazy! Why would a boat be out on the water?” I ask sarcastically.
He smirks. “Ha. Ha. Funny. Look closely. What don’t you see?” When I shrug a shoulder, he explains, “There aren’t any lights. It’s not anchored or stationary. Lights are required for navigation and safety. Why would anyone sail at night without lights? It’s too dangerous.”
“Maybe they’re having a malfunction with their equipment,” I state.
“There’s only one way to find out. Let’s follow them,” Roger says. He taps the soft spot in the center of his ear to turn on his communication device and relays our intentions to the rest of the team.
“Copy,” Elijah says.
“Do you need backup?” Jessie asks. “Please say you need backup. The only thing we’ve discovered so far is that George and Sally Parsons have four kids, a dozen grandkids, and are here celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Oh! And Sally can give you a full rundown on how to cure gout using homeopathic methods. ”
“Negative,” Roger replies. “We’re only going to observe.”
The boat glides slowly and silently across the water, which allows us to keep up with them while walking along the shoreline.
Roger and I move further inland so that our silhouettes blend into the trees that line the pathway rather than remain isolated on the beach.
Although it’s not uncommon for resort-goers to meander around, we don’t want to draw any extra attention our way.
When the ground turns from soft, white sand into more compact dirt with buried seashells that have sharper edges, we take a minute to put on our shoes.
“I don’t know what would be worse, stepping on a Lego or stabbing the bottom of your foot with a broken clamshell,” Roger quips.
“A Lego for sure. That’s the kind of pain you never forget, but let’s hurry. The boat is disappearing around the inlet.”
There’s a small jungle filled with tropical plants and palm trees that mark the edge of the resort lodging area and has a winding path that leads in the direction of the boat rentals, charters, and other excursions.
We halt and duck down, taking cover in the tree line before it opens up to the docks.
“I wish I had my night vision goggles—too many shadows and not enough details,” Roger says just as the boat bumps up against the cut tires secured to the side of the pier.
A man jumps off and secures the mooring lines, then moves in a clockwise circle to ensure the area is secure.
He waves toward another man standing on the bow.
As people start exiting the vessel, it’s like watching one of those clown cars where it’s an endless stream, and you wonder if there is an end in sight. “How many people does it take to operate a charter boat that size?” I ask, having no clue about anything that’s related to sailing.
“Not 27, that’s for sure,” Roger replies.
“Did you say that 27 people got off the boat under the cover of darkness?” Elijah asks.
“He’s has to be exaggerating,” Jessie retorts.
Carter adds his two cents. “When have you ever known Roger to exaggerate, Jessie? Oh, he might throw in a dad joke or two, but he’s about as serious as they come.”
Roger shakes his head, a small smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. I’m not used to a team that uses banter in situations like this. Most of the agents I work with are hyper-focused on the mission objective. “Are they always like this?” I whisper.
“Yes!” everyone shouts in unison, reminding me that even the softest of words can be heard when the communication devices are turned on. Yet it doesn’t sound loud in my ear, just a normal speaking volume.
“Is it possible that it was a night charter that went awry?” I ask.
“Unlikely. The man wouldn’t have ensured the coast was clear before waving the people off the boat. Let’s see if we can find out where those people are going,” Roger says, tugging at my shirt so that I’ll follow him.
We don’t get very far when the sound of a diesel engine starts up, and we see the taillights of a short bus pull away and drive down the road.
I catch a glimpse of people crammed inside, but there’s no way we can catch up to it on foot.
“Did you happen to see what was painted on the side of the vehicle? I had a palm leaf in my face,” I say, swatting away the offending plant protrusion.
Roger nods. “From the brief peek I got, it appeared that there was a picture of two interlocking keys in the shape of a heart.”
Carter asks, “Are they employees of the resort?”
“I can’t confirm, but my Spidey senses are screaming that this is no ordinary transport.
Although the boat has the words “Keys to Romance Charter” on the side, something smells fishy about the whole thing,” Roger says with a chuckle at his little pun.
There is a chorus of groans that follow, and I shake my head in wry amusement.
Roger bends down further and takes a few steps backward in a slow and controlled manner until we are deep enough in the jungle that our movements would go unnoticed if anyone were still on the boat.
I do the same until he turns around, stands upright, and walks toward our suite as if nothing is amiss.
“What do you suggest we do?” I ask, jogging to catch up. “Do you want to stake out the docks?”
Roger smiles and shows me his pearly whites. “I suggest that one couple take a charter and…”
“Elijah and I volunteer! We’ll take one for the team!” Jessie says enthusiastically before Roger can finish his sentence.
“I guess that settles that,” I say, laughing at Jessie’s boisterous personality.
Roger continues, “Jessie and Elijah, you’ll take a charter and simply enjoy the excursion.
Watch the crew and their body language, noting any strange or unusual occurrences.
Use a recording device so that we can analyze the footage later.
Carter and Leanna, are you guys up for an excursion later in the afternoon and doing the same thing?
Resorts are all about making money, and I doubt that the boat will only make one trip out on the water. ”
Leanna sighs, but you can hear the smile in her voice when she says, “If we must. It’ll be a hardship to go snorkeling or deep-sea fishing, but we’ll be tough and muster through it.”
“Glad to hear it,” Roger says, chuckling. He pulls out the key to our suite and places it against the electronic lock, waiting for the green light.
“What about us? We aren’t going to let your team do all the heavy lifting, are we?” I ask, pulling off my sandals and setting them by the front door.
Roger runs a hand through his hair, and I’ve never wished so much that it was my fingers tangling in his wavy locks. “Harper, how do you feel about renting a boat and spending some time on the water with me? I know you aren’t comfortable with any bodies of water that have waves.”
He’s right about that. I’m not the greatest swimmer, and I’m deathly afraid of the open ocean; but there’s no way I’m passing up the opportunity to spend some extra time alone with him.
“As long as you promise not to let me fall in.”