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“Then we’ll do it from the safety of our barely-third-class accommodations,” Emerson said. “The plan is still sound, even if it doesn’t smell the best.”
Riley raised her hand. “Except for one small detail. What do you intend to do after you find out where they’ve taken the Penning trap?”
“?‘Penning trap’?” Alani asked.
“I’ll explain it all later,” Emerson said. “It’s complicated and barely believable.”
“About the plan,” Riley said.
Emerson rocked back on his heels. “It’s a bit fluid at the moment.”
Riley narrowed her eyes. “Fluid?”
“Trust me. What could possibly go wrong?”
—
One hour later, Alani had organized a three-day stay for all of them at Onizuka, and Riley had checked the weather report for Pohakuloa. The cloud cover was expected to dissipate by the next morning and the airfield would be open for business. Vernon and Wayan Bagus were eating in another room. Emerson had disappeared.
Riley looked up from her iPad. “Where’s Emerson?” she asked Alani.
“He went into the master bedroom to pack supplies and meditate. He said he needed some private time to come up with an idea that didn’t involve Macaulay Culkin.”
Riley shook her head. “He’s not normal.”
Alani smiled. “You like him, don’t you? I thought I sensed a spark between the two of you.”
“He’s the most irritating person I’ve ever met.”
“And you like him.”
“He is constantly getting me into trouble. Did I mention he got me fired from my last job?”
“And you like him.”
Riley sighed. “Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. He has his moments. It’s just that some of those moments make me want to punch him in the face. What about you? Did you and Emerson ever have a thing?”
“No. We were always just friends. I had a thing for Vernon. He has his moments too.”
Riley checked her watch. “We should be moving on. I’m going to see if I can help Emerson pack.”
She left the living room and walked down the short hall to the master bedroom. The door was ajar and she could hear Emerson pacing. She pushed the door open, stepped into the room, and came face-to-face with Vernon in the buff.
“Crap on a cracker,” she said, clapping her hands over her eyes. “What are you doing in here?”
“I was using Em’s shower. It’s better than the one in the guest room.”
Riley peeked at him from between two fingers. “Okay, I guess I get that, but why are you still naked, standing in the middle of the room, flapping your arms?”
“I like to air-dry. It’s real refreshing and it keeps my skin all silky smooth. I got a butt like a baby. I guess you already noticed that.”
“I didn’t notice anything!”
Riley spun around and fled the room.
Alani and Wayan Bagus were in the living room when Riley rushed in.
“Are you okay?” Alani asked Riley. “Your face is flushed.”
