Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
Solange had just pushed open the door to her vehicle when Maliea ran out into the parking lot, barefoot and wielding the umbrella like a baseball bat, screaming like a banshee.
Solange stared at her like she’d completely lost her mind.
“Solange,” Maliea yelled, “stay in your car!” She raced around her friend’s Jeep and the front of her four-door black sedan to the passenger side, ready to pound the attacker with the wooden handle of the umbrella.
The space between her car and the next was empty.
As Maliea started to bend to glance beneath her car, a hand snaked out, grabbed her ankle and yanked hard.
Maliea lost her balance and fell back against the next car, hitting her head hard as she crashed to the ground. The umbrella flew through the air and clattered against the pavement.
The hand on her ankle tightened, pulling her leg beneath the sedan’s chassis.
Her head spinning, Maliea fought to stay conscious. If this man killed her, he might go after Solange next. Maliea couldn’t let that happen. She had to hold on. Had to fight him until the police came.
Half aware and on the brink of passing out, Maliea cocked her free leg and kicked against the hand holding onto her ankle. She had to get free, find her umbrella and hit the bastard as hard as she could. Too stunned to realize how insane that sounded, she kicked again, her feeble attempts having little effect on the man’s grip.
The sound of a siren penetrated the black fog, threatening to pull Maliea under.
Hope swelled in her chest, even as the fog thickened.
The siren’s blare grew louder.
Maliea kicked again. Though her head throbbed, the gray haze of semiconsciousness began clearing with each passing second.
The grip on her ankle released. The shadowy figure beneath her car faded into the darkness.
“Maliea!” Solange’s voice called out .
Fighting through a massive headache, Maliea rolled over and pushed up onto her hands and knees.
“Maliea!” Solange rounded the front of the car, holding a tire iron over her head, ready to strike.
“Be careful,” Maliea said. “He was under my car.” She reached for the umbrella and poked at the darkness beneath her vehicle. “Need a goddamn flashlight.”
A small light blinked on over Maliea’s shoulder. Solange handed her a cell phone with the flashlight app on.
Maliea shined the light beneath her car. The man was gone. She pushed to her feet, swayed, braced her hand on the car next to her and looked around. Nothing moved. Not a single shadow moved among the other parked vehicles.
Moments later, flashing lights bounced off the brick buildings as a police car pulled into the parking lot and stopped close to Maliea and Solange. The officer leaped out, gun drawn, but remained behind the relative shield his door provided. “Hands in the air,” he called out.
Solange dropped the tire iron. It clattered against the pavement as she raised both hands into the air.
Maliea followed suit, letting go of the umbrella and raising her hands. The situation was so ridiculous, or she was teetering on the verge of hysteria, that she had the sudden urge to laugh. She’d been attacked, but the officer was holding a gun on her, not her attacker. How ironic was that?
“Officer,” Maliea called out, “We’re not the people breaking into my car. A man dressed in black with a black ski mask is the one you should be looking for before he gets away.”
The policeman ignored her comment. “I need you both to step away from the vehicle,” he said.
Another patrol car roared into the apartment complex parking lot and skidded to a stop, lights flashing, siren screaming. The officer in that car leaped out just like the other and stood behind the door with his gun drawn.
“Good grief,” Solange muttered as she and Maliea stepped away from the car.
Once they were in the open and the officer could ascertain they were not armed, he let them drop their arms. The two officers relaxed, switched off their flashing lights and closed the distance between them.
While the initial officer questioned them, the second man searched the parking lot.
Maliea snorted. They wouldn’t find the attacker. He was long gone—probably as soon as he heard the sirens wailing toward them.
After ten more minutes, with them giving their statements, Maliea and Solange were allowed to go up to the apartment.
Tish opened the door before Maliea could reach for the handle. “Nani is still sleeping, sirens and all. What happened? Are you all right? I saw you go down and then I couldn’t see you at all.” She gripped Maliea’s arms and stared into her face. “I was so worried and wanted to come down to help, but?—”
“You had to stay with Nani,” Maliea finished. “You did the right thing. Solange came to my rescue like a Valkyrie with her tire iron.” Maliea grinned.
Solange shrugged. “It was the only weapon I could find. Speaking of which, remind me to put it back in my Jeep.”
“But you went down fast,” Tish said. “What happened?”
Maliea rubbed the back of her head. “The guy was hiding under my car. He grabbed my ankle, yanked me down and tried to drag me under the chassis. If not for Solange and the police coming at that moment, I don’t know what would have happened.” Maliea hugged Solange. “Thank you.”
“Oh, Maliea, I was so scared.” Solange hugged her so tightly that Maliea could barely breathe.
“Well, that does it.” Tish crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t like where this is headed. I think you need more help than we can give.”
Maliea stepped away from Solange. “I know. I need to find another place to stay. If that man comes back, you ladies will be at risk, as well.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you because of me.”
“Nonsense,” Tish said. “You’re staying tonight. But tomorrow, we’re getting more help—professional help to protect you and Nani. I know just who to call.” Her gaze went to Solange.
Solange’s eyes widened along with a smile. “Brotherhood Protectors? Or one in particular?”
Tish gave a brief nod. “One in particular. I’ll send you to the man who protected me while I was in a coma. He said that if I ever needed help again, I should let him know. I think you need help.”
“As much as I’d like the help,” Maliea said, “I can’t afford to pay for it. And he was talking to you, not me.”
“From what Kiana said, money’s never a problem with the Brotherhood Protectors. Hank Patterson, the founder, and his wife, Sadie McClain, fund the project when needed to ensure people who need it most have the protection they require, regardless of their ability to pay. You need help. I think they’ll provide it. If not Reid, then one of the other guys who work for the Brotherhood Protectors.”
Maliea chewed on her bottom lip. “Are you sure? I’d hate to accept help and get a bill later that I have no way of paying. I can barely keep up with my rent, utilities and groceries since Taylor died.”
Solange touched her arm. “Trust her. They can help. Not only did they protect Tish, but they also saved Kiana’s life when she was targeted by the man who wanted her for body parts. ”
Tish nodded. “At least talk to Reid. He’ll give you all the information you’ll need to decide.”
Reluctant to accept charity, Maliea was too tired to think of any alternatives. “Okay. I’ll talk with him. Does he have another name besides Reid? And what’s his background? What makes him someone who can provide the protection Nani and I need?”
Tish grinned. “Reid Bennett is an ex-Navy SEAL, highly trained in combat and self-defense with years of experience in special operations. He has performed combat missions, rescued people in dangerous situations and provided protection for important dignitaries. The guy knows his stuff.”
“Why would he want to help me?” Maliea asked. “It’s not like I’m an important dignitary.”
“Sweetie, you’re important to me,” Tish said. “Besides, he’s not in the Navy anymore. He works with the Brotherhood Protectors, utilizing some of that training to protect civilians. In fact, he and two other members of his team are currently working a job out at the Kualoa Ranch, providing security to a movie production company.”
“Then he’s already on assignment,” Maliea said. “He won’t have time for me and Nani.”
“Maybe not, but he’ll get in touch with his boss, and they’ll assign another protector to you and Nani.” Tish crossed to the table by the door where she’d left her purse and pulled out her cell phone. “I have his phone number and the address where he’s staying. Since the production company will be there for several weeks, he rented a small cabin.”
Maliea pushed a hand through her hair, tired to the bone from her earlier performance and everything else that had happened since she’d arrived at her apartment and Tish’s. “It all seems so intense.”
“I can take you out to him tomorrow, but not until after I get back from my early morning shoot. It’ll be noon before I can take you.” Tish frowned.
Solange held up a hand. “I’d take her, but I’m flying out early tomorrow for that job on Maui. It’s my first commercial. I hate to bail on them when they only have two days to shoot it.”
“No.” Tish tapped a finger to her chin. “You have to go. It’s too big an opportunity to pass up. No, I’ll call and tell the photographer I can’t do tomorrow.”
“But you’ve been waiting for good weather to get those morning shots. Tomorrow is supposed to be perfect,” Solange said.
“We can’t leave Maliea and Nani alone.”
Maliea held up a hand. “Neither one of you is going to cancel anything. I know how hard it is for you to get paying modeling or acting work. I won’t be the one to sabotage your careers. I can drive out to meet with this Reid guy with Nani.”
“That guy found your car here,” Tish said. “He might have tagged it with a tracking device. He could follow you out to Kualoa Ranch. ”
“She can take my Jeep,” Solange offered. “I can Uber to the airport.”
Tish’s frown deepened. “Your bright red Jeep?” She shook her head. “It’s like waving a flag in front of every bull in the arena. She needs something more subdued, like every other car in the parking lot.” Her lips twisted. “She needs my hunk of junk gray sedan.”
“I can take an Uber out there,” Maliea offered, wondering where she’d get the money to pay for a ride like that out to the Kualoa Ranch.
“No,” Tish said. “What if this guy showed up as your Uber driver? I wouldn’t trust anyone you don’t know.”
“But you want me to trust your Reid Bennet?” Maliea asked. “I don’t know him.”
“But I do.”
“And so do I,” Solange said. “He’s the real deal.”
“You can trust him with your life,” Tish said. “And more importantly, with Nani’s life.”
“You and Nani can’t stay here alone,” Solange said. “That guy knows you’re here.”
“She’s right,” Tish said. “I can take your car. You can take mine, and he won’t know where you went.”
“That puts you at risk,” Maliea said. “He could come after you thinking it’s me.”
Tish’s eyes narrowed. “Let the bastard try. I’ll kick his ass.”
“Oh, Tish,” Maliea shook her head. “I don’t want you hurt. ”
“Look,” Tish said. “My shoot is on the beach. Very few people will be parked out there that early. If it makes you feel better, I’ll make sure someone walks me to the car to be safe. We can leave at the same time to confuse the guy. By the time he figures out you’re not driving your car, he will have missed his opportunity to follow you, and you’ll be on the other side of Oahu by then.” A grin spread across her face. “Clever, huh?”
“All three of us will leave early,” Solange said. “That’s one more car to add to the mix. We can leave the apartment wearing sunglasses and hats. He’ll never guess who’s who.”
“But I’ll have Nani,” Maliea said.
Both Solange and Tish’s shoulders sagged.
“Right.” Tish tapped a finger to her chin. “Nani’s small enough...” Her eyes narrowed even further as she looked across at Solange. “Do you still have those big beach bags you, Kiana and I bought on sale last year?”
Solange nodded. “Yes. It’s in the hall closet with yours.”
Tish’s mouth curved. “I’ll bet Kiana’s is in there as well. I don’t think she took it when she moved to Maui.” Tish hurried to the hall closet, returned a moment later carrying three large canvas beach totes and dumped their contents on the floor.
Snorkels, fins and masks spilled out of each.
“We liked them because they were big enough to carry all our snorkeling equipment, including fins.” Tish held the bag open. “Do you think Nani will fit in one of these?”
Maliea stared down into the bag, imagining little Nani curled into the bottom. “I suppose.”
“Solange, do you still have your ex’s bowling ball?” Tish asked.
Solange grinned. “I do. I told him I couldn’t find it, but then I discovered it under my gym bag.” She rolled her eyes toward the corner of the room. “I don’t know how it got there.” Her grin twisted into a frown. “I think he loved his bowling ball more than me. Anyway, I haven’t told him I found it. Do you want me to put it in one of the bags?”
Tish nodded. “Along with some padding like towels or clothes. I can toss in my twenty-five-pound kettlebell in the bottom of mine, along with a pillow or towels. That way, all three of us will have matching bags, be disguised, and walk out of here at the same time. If someone is stalking Maliea, they won’t know which one of us she is.” She clapped her hands together.
“Sounds complicated,” Maliea worried.
“It’ll work,” Tish said. “Now, I really have to get some sleep, or I’ll lose this job because of the circles beneath my eyes.”
“They wouldn’t dare fire you,” Maliea said. “You’re beautiful no matter how much sleep you get.”
“Thank you,” Tish said with a smile. “I love you, too. Set your alarms for five thirty. We’ll bug out at six. In the morning, I’ll text Reid, letting him know you’re coming early. If anything, you can camp out in his cabin while he’s at his job on the ranch. You’re safer there than here.”
“Especially if your stalker doesn’t know where you are,” Solange added. “Night, ladies.”
Tish grabbed a chair from the small dinette table, shoved it under the apartment doorknob, checked the deadbolt and nodded. “That should slow anyone down.” She glanced at Maliea. “If you’re nervous about sleeping out here on the couch, you can have my room with Nani. Last chance to change your mind.”
Maliea shook her head. “No. You need your beauty sleep. I don’t. Besides, I doubt I’ll sleep at all. Too much has happened. It’s better that I stay out here so I don’t disturb you or Nani.”
“Suit yourself,” Tish said. “See you in the morning.” She entered her bedroom and closed the door halfway, leaving it open enough that Maliea could listen for her daughter should she wake in the night.
Maliea turned off all the lights in the living room. A night light in the kitchenette cast enough of a glow she could get around without bumping into things. Barefooted, she paced the length of the living room several times, trying hard to resist peeking out the window at the parking lot below.
Would the man come back and try to break into her car? If so, what was he after? Maybe he wasn’t interested in her or Nani at all. He could have been looking for anything of value she might have left in the vehicle. Not that she had anything of any value in her car or her apartment—except the diamond necklace that wasn’t worth enough to break into an apartment for.
Unable to resist, Maliea pushed a slat of the blinds up and stared down at the parking lot and her car.
Nothing stirred.
Tish would need to make sure no one was in her car when she got into it the next morning. The guy had unlocked the door once. He could do it again. In fact, he could slip in, wait until whoever was driving it got in behind the wheel and?—
Maliea dropped the slat and stepped away from the window. She’d make sure no one was hiding in her car the next morning before anyone got in it.
Tish was her friend. By pretending to be Maliea, she was taking a big risk.
What choice did Maliea have? The police would do nothing to protect her and Nani. How could they? They were always short-handed. No one had blatantly attacked them yet.
Was she being overly cautious?
Her thoughts went to her beautiful three-year-old daughter. She could never be too cautious where Nani was concerned. Maliea had already lost so much with the deaths of her husband and father. She wouldn’t survive if she lost Nani. That little girl was her world. Tish’s Reid had better be all she painted him to be.
If he wasn’t?
Hell, she didn’t know what else to do.
Well after midnight, Maliea lay on the couch and stared up at the ceiling, her mind still spinning out of control with all the worst-case scenarios.
She wasn’t sure who was behind the attacks, but she couldn’t risk Nani’s life by refusing help.
Maliea closed her eyes. “Please, Mr. Bennett, be all Tish says you are,” she whispered softly.