Chapter 3
Tayla pushed her cell phone into her uncle’s hand. “I hadn’t checked my personal email account in two days. There’s a message from Gus.”
“What?”
She pointed at the phone. “He says to pass along a message to you as soon as possible. I guess he knew you were being watched and figured no one would check my email.”
Leland squinted at the phone, and frantically patted down his shirt and pants pockets.
Jason held out his hand. “I’ve got it.”
Leland looked perturbed, but handed the phone to Jason. With a little more force than necessary. “I think my glasses are in my room.”
“It’s short,” said Jason, glancing at the brief message. “He says he found something at an orphanage. He planned to stake it out. He hoped to witness a meeting.”
Leland’s brow creased. “Meeting? What kind of meeting? Between whom?”
“Doesn’t say. I told you, it’s short. All he says is, ‘Tayla, give this message to Leland ASAP. Found something at the orphanage. Staking it out. Possible meeting this afternoon.’”
“At an orphanage? On the island?” asked Tayla.
Jason shrugged. “I assume so.” He looked at Leland. “He sent this three hours before his scheduled check-in with WhiteRock.”
Leland nodded. “He’d already missed a call with me. He didn’t trust the phones anymore.”
Tayla’s hand flew to her chest. “Oh, I’m so sorry!
If I’d checked my email earlier, I could’ve sent you the message yesterday.
We lost so much time. And he . . . “ Her words flowed faster than her mind could process the situation. Until the grim reality hit her. And the unsettling conclusion tripped out of her mouth. “He never emailed again. And he didn’t come back to the hotel. Jason and I checked the security footage. I saw him leaving . . . but not returning.”
Jason handed the phone back to her. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t even know Gus was missing until I told you in the security office.” The tenderness in his deep voice—uncharacteristic, judging from the entire hour she’d known him—calmed her racing mind. But had the opposite effect on her pulse.
She hadn’t figured out Jason Bridger. And she shouldn’t try.
Sometimes, the pain in her past retreated so far in her review mirror that she could forget it happened.
For a little while. But it was always there.
Sneaking up and pouncing on her courage anytime she thought she could possibly connect with a person.
She needed to let that fear shred her thoughts about Jason. Before they drifted any further.
“Tayla,” Leland’s voice pulled her back into the conversation. “Do you have a room here at the hotel?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Go back to your room. Lock the door. Stay put until we get back. Jason and I are going to check this out.”
“Hang on,” Jason interjected. “Let’s play it safe. She’s checked in under the name Faraday. If anyone is looking for you,” he inclined his head to Leland, “she would be safer staying here, in my room.”
Leland finished his water and pointed the empty bottle at Tayla. “Yes, that’s a better plan. Stay here. Bolt the door.”
Panic crawled up the back of her neck. “Wait, wait, wait. Do you think I’m really in danger? I don’t have anything to do with whatever is going on. I just came here to check on you, and warn you about those guys who came to your house. They didn’t see me. They don’t know anything about me.”
Leland’s face softened. “I know. We’re just being prudent. No reason to take any risks with your safety.” He gestured toward the sprawling living area. “It’s a nice suite. Relax for a while. We’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, but . . . “ She didn’t want to waste time if Gus needed them, but all the holes in her perspective of the situation were driving her mad. “I still don’t understand what it is you do for a living.”
He genuinely looked perplexed. “What? What do you mean?”
“What do I mean? Leland, a few hours ago, I thought your job was working on spreadsheets, or something, for a security alarm manufacturer. Now, you’re acting like you’re James Bond. What is WhiteRock, really? What do you do?”
Leland hesitated. And snapped his head to the huge grin on Jason’s face. “What’s so funny?”
“I may start calling you 007.”
He scowled at Jason, who held up both hands in surrender, and retreated to the kitchen. Leland turned to Tayla, looking frustrated. “I owe you an explanation. I know. But right now, we need to find Gus. I’m afraid he’s in trouble.”
She wanted answers. But he had a point. She didn’t want to delay aid to Gus any longer. “Okay. For Gus.” She shoved her cell in her back pocket. “But when Gus is safe and sound, we’re having a talk.”
“We will.” He gave her a quick hug. “Thank you.”
Jason returned with a black backpack and holding a piece of paper. “Do you have a pen?”
“Um, sure.” She pulled a pen from her purse and handed it to him.
He jotted down a chain of numbers. “I have a satellite phone. If you need us, dial this.” He handed her the paper. “Once we leave the resort area, we won’t have cell service.”
“Okay, thanks.” She gripped the paper like it could protect her.
Jason walked to the door, Leland one step behind him. Her uncle, who was, apparently, some kind of secret-agent-spy—or something—called over his shoulder, “Remember, bolt the door behind us. We’ll be right back.”
They walked out, leaving the cavernous suite uncomfortably quiet. She snicked the bolt and leaned her back against the door. The emotional exhaustion of the past hour taking its toll. “Gus thought he’d be right back too,” she whispered.
Jason slid behind the wheel of the courtesy SUV provided by Alec Drakos.
“The orphanage is at the far end of the island,” Leland said, climbing in the passenger side. He looked down at the map on his phone. His reading glasses had finally materialized in one of his pants pockets. “It should only take about twenty minutes. Isadora isn’t a large island.”
Jason dipped his head toward Leland’s cell. “Which phone is that?”
“A burner. I bought it after I got here.”
Jason nodded. “I texted Eric.”
“Thought you would. What did you tell him?”
Jason didn’t miss the hint of accusation in his words. “Relax. I didn’t share any of your suspicions. Not that I have a clue why you have suspicions.”
Leland ignored that last comment. “So? What did you say?”
Jason backed out of the parking space and turned on the air conditioner. “I told him you were in communication with Gus until yesterday, and that you decided to come out here because you had nothing better to do.”
Jason smiled at the grimace on the senior agent’s face as he turned onto the main road leading away from the resort area. “He bought that, by the way. He said it sounded like you. I thought so too.”
“You think you know me so well, huh?”
“I thought I did. We’ve been through a couple of hairy assignments together.” He took his eyes off the road to read Leland’s face. “But you never told me about your niece.”
Leland stared straight ahead. “I’m protective of her. I like to keep her separate from this life as much as possible.” He gave a humorless laugh. “I guess that sounds ridiculous. She’s not a child.”
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Her parents died in the same car accident that took my wife. Tayla was still in college. It was just her and me for several years. She eventually got married. Then, about five years ago, she and her husband, Spence, were on vacation in California. They rented some jet skis. And crashed into some rocks.” Another sigh.
“Tayla was rescued. Spence didn’t survive. ”
Jason felt like he’d been gut-punched. “That’s awful.
I’m sorry.” So, Tayla carried the same brand of pain he walked around with.
That was surprising. And surreal. He hurt for her.
Knowing those kind, patient eyes had to watch someone she loved die in front of her . . . it twisted something in his chest.
Leland cleared his throat, clearly wanting to change the subject. “Turn here,” he said, pointing at an upcoming sign that read ‘Turtle Point Road.’
Jason pushed his focus to the lush landscape inviting them deeper into the island. “This place is beautiful. I see why Drakos’s resorts stay booked up.”
Leland snorted. “You know this is a non-extradition country? With more laws about privacy than safety?”
Jason nodded. “I know. I was just admiring the scenery.” He flexed his hands on the steering wheel. “You think the resorts are full of criminals?”
“I guarantee you some of them are here hiding from one country or another.” He adjusted one of the vents to aim more cool air in his direction.
“But some of the guests are celebrities looking for an island paradise without any paparazzi.” He jabbed a finger in the air to emphasize his point.
“That’s what Drakos can almost guarantee them—privacy. And they pay well for it.”
Jason followed a curve around a rocky ledge, giving way to a stunning ocean view. He blew an appreciative whistle. “Unspoiled beaches, lush landscape, plenty of privacy. The definition of paradise in some respects. I was surprised, though, on an island this small, that there would be an orphanage.”
As if on cue, the orphanage appeared in front of them. Jason parked in the small parking area next to what looked like a Victorian mansion perched on a seaside cliff. Painted blue with white trim, it looked more like a cheery bed-and-breakfast.
A woman in a sleeveless linen top and shorts offered a leery greeting as they exited the SUV. She descended the front steps of the orphanage and traversed the parking area with agility and speed that belied her white hair.
“Can I help you, gentlemen?”
“I hope so,” said Jason. “My name is Jason Bridger, and this is Leland.”
“I’m Rose Donning.”
He shook her hand. Leland smiled and waved as he walked over to them. “We’re looking for a friend of ours. We believe he drove out here yesterday.” He held out his phone to show her a picture of Gus.
The woman retrieved her reading glasses hanging around her neck on a dainty beaded chain and studied the picture.
Jason caught Leland’s attention. “See? That’s what you need, a handy necklace to hold your glasses.”
Leland looked ready to throttle him.
The woman shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t recognize him. Is he a tourist? Do you think he got lost out here?”
“Possibly,” Jason said. “He wanted to see this part of the island, but it’s been a while since we’ve heard from him, so we wanted to check around.”
Her lips pressed into a hard line. “Happens all the time.” She sat her hands on her hips.
“Isadora may be small, but it’s not hard to get lost. There isn’t much cell service, the roads aren’t well-signed, and some get washed out in the storms.” She pointed at the large Victorian house.
“I don’t know if you missed our sign on the way in, but this is an orphanage. ”
“Yes,” Jason said. “We saw the sign on the road. If you don’t mind me asking, why is there an orphanage on an island this small?” He noted the sadness in her eyes—and wished he hadn’t asked the question.
She sighed. “A little over a year ago, there was a fire at an office building on another island. The Sandlin Building. No one on the second floor survived.”
“I’m sorry. That’s horrible.”
Rose nodded. “Twenty-two children were orphaned that day, without family to take them in.” Another sigh escaped her lips.
“Morghana is a small country. We didn’t have an orphanage.
But, with some work, our church purchased this property and provided a home for the children.
It’s really not big enough. Only six bedrooms. But it’s better than nothing.
” She pointed at the house again. “It used to be a tourist rental.”
“I’m sorry it needed to become an orphanage, but your views are beautiful.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “Sometimes people come out this way to explore and enjoy the views on this side of the island. And I’m pretty tolerant of that, as long as they don’t come too close to the house.
That’s why we have the sign,” she said, pointing to another sign near the parking area.
“Normally, we have kids running around here.”
“Normally?” asked Leland.
“All twenty-two of our kids are in Morghana City for a few days enjoying some city experiences we don’t have on Isadora, like museums, theater, and baseball. I came back early to work on some things.”
“That sounds nice,” said Jason. “So, the house has been empty the past few days?”
“Yes. No one else has any reason to come up to the house. Except, occasionally, Alec Drakos.”
Leland froze.
Jason tried not to sound as suspicious as he felt. “Mr. Drakos? Really? Why would he come out here?”
“Oh, the house has a basement. He rents the space from us, just for storage. It’s actually very kind of him.
The rent helps us pay the bills. I know he could easily afford to build a storage room for himself somewhere closer to his resorts, but he says he enjoys the drive.
” She laughed. “I think it’s just his way of helping us out.
He does that a lot. He’s the one who arranged and funded the kids’ trip to Morghana City this week. ”
Jason forced a smile and a casual nod—to mask the warning sirens blaring in his mind. He didn’t need to look at Leland to know they were on the same page.
“Well, thank you for your time, Ms. Donning. Mind if we take in the views for a few minutes before we leave?”
“Of course. And I hope you find your friend.”
They thanked her again and Jason made a bee-line for the unpaved area beyond the parking lot. He’d noticed some disturbance in the grassy area while they were talking with Ms. Donning.
Leland followed.
Unease gnawed at his insides the closer they came to what were obviously tire tracks. Two sets.
He studied the ground. And looked at Leland.
“This way,” Leland said, forging ahead another thirty yards. To the edge of a cliff.
Jason saw him hesitate before looking over the side. They both knew what they would find.