Nash laughs. “Dark spirit with malevolent intent,” at the same time Citiali says, “Demon.”
I smile at Mucimi. “It’s how I saw it while running up the stairs.”
He throws me chin and says he’s sorry in my head. I nod for him and look at the assembly we have here.
“The freaky here have my approval. You okay with this, LP?”
He seems surprised. “I not know everyone show to island excursion.”
I nod. “You good with it?”
“Medic box, my bag?”
Mucimi shows right in front of him, which shocks the hell out of me, I didn’t notice him gone. “I got it. The box is on the chopper with water and fruit.”
Alder nods once, takes his bag, then looks at me. “Good to go.”
Everyone turns and we all board like life is cruising along normally. This is not normal but he’s got everyone focused on him. I am comfortable with the security we have as we embark on an unnamed island of misfits that were dropped there a few months ago. Nothing but normal here.
I thank the dogs and teams that bought me time to make it.
Jordan looks at me over his laptop. “Falcon sent choppers over with supplies and Security until the California Club’s dinner cruise boat makes it. They said late tonight or early tomorrow.
“What about the ship we’re on?” Mucimi’s girl asks.
“We don’t know who they are or where they’re from. Dumped is what the restrained men said. They were loading food and tools but they were also hunting Alder with guns,” Stella says gently.
The woman nods and looks up at me. “You were right.” Her name starts with an A but I can’t remember… “Aurora.” Pops into my head.
I nod. “Thanks, Aurora. The IT team said the missing ship and passengers were never recovered so the story checks out, but they had guns and Alder Ford’s full name. It’s a red flag I couldn’t let go of.”
According to the songbird that Citiali talked to or read from, they were taking food, tools and other supplies until they could get a call out to a charter. Kidnapping the kid from the flyer or anyone they could ransom was the plan. Citiali said they’d have killed any woman they took then left them with what they called ‘the pussies’ on the island. The internet they have is only from ships passing. The bastards could have gotten off the island if they weren’t so set on leaving the baggage they think would make post rescue life hard. They deserve more than the jail time for theft. They had intent to kidnap and premeditatedmurder of whoever they took from the ship and my LP package. Whatever caused the screams I heard from the holding room wasn’t enough. I don’t know who is on the island but they don’t deserve to die and I’m all for not leaving a man behind.
Citiali nods. “You shouldn’t. Justice sent me for a reason. Mucimi wasn’t leaving without you but this isn’t the time to play games. Making it back with everyone is the only order I got. I won’t let you down, Brother.”
I throw him chin and breathe slow and deep.
§*§*§
Cruise ship
Sophie
Letting my breath out I smile at the screen. “Thanks, Asa. You got the drones to follow them?”
When his head nods I can picture the fire movement because of the more vivid color someone gave him. “Pres Justice send Boss Mucimi for box before VP Nash fly to ship.”
This is good. “I’ll watch from here. The Club that owns this boat is on Security and took the six that boarded. Someone from Princes in Rhode Island is meeting them later on today.” I stop when he nods.
“Pres Justice dad. He fly Prez Knight to Colorado.” He knows more than me.
“Is he Lakota? I thought Justice was Mohegan.” The giggle off screen makes me smile.
Asa gives whoever it is a dirty look and the giggle stops that quick. “Boss Dakota Lightfoot Mohegan. Boss Jessie LaPonte-James other father, two marry Jess Baxter. I sendworkbook to you.”
A slap down and disappointed look if I ever felt one. “You did, which is how I knew he was Mohegan. The IT guy on surveillance said Lakota but I didn’t remember any Lakota under Princes. The Lakota was a refugee from the prison in the country of Georgia that got here a few months ago.” I feel redeemed right away.
Disappointment disappears and his eye shine with pride. “You right. Dakota Lightfoot fly to California.”
