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Chapter Fourteen
Dale was pacing. He’d tried to do some work but gave up after a while, realizing he wasn’t getting anything done. Then he tried the gym, and although he was beat after his workout, his brain still refused to settle down.
He couldn’t put a word to what he was feeling, but something was just off. He kept thinking about Zoe. And that wasn’t something new, he seemed to be always thinking about her. But he was on edge, unsettled, and these were not familiar feelings.
The manager at the hotel on Mahé had assured him they’d make sure the two sisters wouldn’t go out alone and mentioned that Darryn had left similar instructions. Still, he just couldn’t settle down.
Maybe he should fly out to Mahé tonight. They’d just bought a small plane for the company, because relying on the usual modes of transport was getting in the way of business. Their plane was at Cape Town International Airport at the moment, and as far as he knew, none of his other brothers had indicated they’d be using it.
He made up his mind quickly. Staying here meant he was not going to get anything done. That had become very clear. Something inside of him was urging him to fly out to Zoe, and he’d always relied on his instinct.
While he looked around for his cell phone, it rang. The hotel in Mahé. Something cold touched his insides and he knew. His gut hadn’t been wrong. He quickly answered.
The security guy spoke in a clipped voice. “I’m sorry Mr. Cavallo, but there has been an incident.”
Dale sat down, the sudden roaring in his ears making it nearly impossible to catch what the guy was saying.
Minutes later, they’d finished speaking, and Dale sat staring at his phone, trying to make sense of what he’d heard.
His phone rang again. It was Darryn.
“You heard?”
“Yes. Look, I’m going to fly out there tonight. I was going to anyway…”
“Why? It sounds as if she’s fine,” Darryn said. “Don’t you have work to do here?”
Dale rubbed the back of his neck. Damn it to hell. How did he explain the desperate worry, the ridiculous madness, the yearning inside of him?
“I’m leaving as soon as possible. All I know is that I have to see her, have to know whether she’s okay. I…”
“Get ready, they’re fueling the plane, I’m on my way to pick you up. I’ve spoken to the police, and we’ll meet with them when we get there. We’ll talk then.”
Dale stared at the phone. Blasted Darryn. He had planned to go to go to Mahé on his own.
For one more second, he sat frozen before he grabbed his passport and wallet. Fortunately no visas were required for the islands. And they each had a room in all their hotels with cupboards filled with clothes. This was one of those times he was very glad that he didn’t have to think about packing.
Damn it, he should have stopped her from leaving. He should have been with her, he should never have let her go to Mahé on her own. He should—
Dumbfounded, he stared around his room. He was struggling to think. Doing ordinary things just didn’t make sense at the moment. What was he doing in his room again?
*
The insistent ringingof her phone woke Zoe up. Groggily she answered.
“How are you feeling?” Dale asked in a clipped voice.
“I… I’m fine,” Zoe said and closed her eyes again. She was probably dreaming anyway.
“Darryn and I are on our way, we should be there in about seven hours. You are not to leave the hotel, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered and fell asleep again. It was so nice to hear his voice, even if it was only in her dreams.
*
When she wokeup, it was morning and Hannah was sitting on her bed.
“Hi.” She smiled.
