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“He’s a good guy, one of the best,” Scott murmured, “but I have to go. Finish your breakfast, then get your things together. I’ll be in the security room if you need me.”
Leaning in and kissing her on the cheek, he rose to his feet and walked briskly away.
She suddenly felt a knot in her stomach.
But it wasn’t related to Conchello’s party.
Or Jack’s attack on the camp.
Something imminent was in the air.
She just didn’t know what it was.
When the taxi had dropped Dan at the marina, his sharp eyes had noticed two men sitting in a car drinking coffee. It had been blatantly obvious they were on a stakeout. If they worked for Conchello, they’d be on the lookout for both him and Elizabeth. If they were cops, he’d be their target.
His pulse had ticked up, but reminding himself they were looking for an unkempt man with long dark hair, a thick mustache, and wearing crappy clothes, he walked confidently past them without incident.
Now carefully guiding the boat from the dock, he cruised through the bay, and into the open waters. The motorboat carried him swiftly toward his destination.
Initially he thought about Roxy, and what a stroke of luck it had been to connect with her, then his mind wandered to his short-term plans. He’d have to find a suitable rental, which wouldn’t be easy. Though he’d managed to rescue his wallet when he’d made his escape from the van, he couldn’t risk showing his badge or using his name.
But as the isolated island came into view, an idea popped into his head, and the more he thought about it, the more he believed he’d found the ideal solution. The plan consumed him, and he barely noticed the navy speedboat zipping by a short distance away.
Cruising into the cove, he was surprised to find it completely empty. He knew how to safely beach a boat close to the sand, but it had been a while, and he’d never done it alone. If anything went wrong he’d be in trouble. Nearing the beach, he ran through the steps in his mind, then went into action.
His long legs swiftly carrying him from the wheel to the transom to lower the anchor, he hurried back to the wheel, then returned to the anchor again. Quickly finding a rhythm, in just a few minutes, the boat was secure and he was climbing down into knee-high water.
Jogging across the beach, he saw the track up the hill. If Scott’s home was a twenty-minute walk, his long stride would put him in the approximate area much sooner.
He started off, his mind so focused he barely noticed the beauty of the lush foliage, or the sounds of the wildlife. When he’d hiked about ten minutes, he spotted a slight opening in the thick vegetation. It seemed too narrow and unused to lead to a house, but instinct sent him forward. Barely a minute later he found himself on a wide, cleared plateau, the vast ocean shimmering below. He paused for a moment to take it in, then returned to the track.
He didn’t have to travel far before he spied a well-trodden path leading into the forest. Cautiously starting off, he followed it around a bend, then stopped short and caught his breath.
A pristine two-story home sat in front of him.
With no other houses in sight, he was sure it belonged to Scott Specter.
Quickly retrieving an envelope from his satchel, he sucked in a deep breath. If he was there and questioned her, what would she tell him?
Plucking up his courage, he stepped up to the front door and slid the edge of the envelope into the door jamb. Finding only a keypad and no doorbell, he pressed the call button, and with his heart thumping, he hurried away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Peering down at the cove through the telescope, Elizabeth had spied a launch anchor off the beach, and saw a man climb out and march up the sand. Assuming he must be one of Jack’s team, she’d thought nothing of it.
But a short time later, hearing the call button and tuning into the security cameras, she watched a smartly dressed, sandy-haired man leave an envelope and march away. Waiting until he was out of sight, she quickly collected it and hurriedly closed the door behind her.
For Dizzy Lizzy
Personal and Confidential
Staring at the salutation and gasping in shock, she leaned against the wall and slid to the floor.
“It can’t be,” she muttered under her breath, but flashing back to the visitor’s haircut, she knew it was him.
With trembling fingers, she tore open the envelope, and pulled out a piece of paper.
I’ll explain everything. Leave the house and walk down the hill. I’ll call you as you pass by. Don’t tell anyone, and don’t bring your phone.
