Island of Last Resorts by Mary Ellis

Author:Mary Ellis [Mary Ellis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2019-05-21T16:00:00+00:00

NINE

St Simons Island. Wednesday a.m.

When Kate awoke on Wednesday to a clear, starry sky and a gentle breeze, she took it as a good omen. The first pink streaks of dawn were still thirty minutes away, but Eric had the coffee brewing and the condo’s living room in a better condition than how they had found it.

‘Wow,’ she exclaimed, noticing dust-free furniture and vacuum marks on the carpeting. ‘You will make some lucky woman a good husband one day.’ Kate arched up on tiptoes to peck his cheek.

‘I hope she doesn’t marry me solely for my cooking and cleaning abilities.’ Eric planted his kiss smack-dab on her mouth. ‘Want me to make us something for breakfast?’

She shook her head. ‘We shouldn’t run the owner out of his last few supplies. Besides, Greg Dotson told us to get there by first light, which means we should leave now. We’ll just grab whatever the Price team left behind.’

Thus, their breakfast consisted of one sleeve of crackers, the last two slices of cheese from the party tray and an apple. But Kate knew better than to board a boat without something in her stomach. She’d only been seasick once, but that one time had taught her a valuable lesson.

At this hour, the sleepy island was barely waking up, let alone out and about. Although most inhabitants were yearlong residents, many were retired or worked from home. Enjoying the drive through quiet streets, Kate almost forgot what she and Eric were about to do – show up on an island that for some reason they had been excluded from.

What reason could Julian Frazier have for cancelling the boat? And why hadn’t Nate contacted her about what was going on? Elysian Island was visible on a clear day from the top of the St Simons lighthouse. With communication possible between NASA and astronauts on the moon, surely he or Beth could’ve texted … or sent a carrier pigeon by now. Each time she considered her former mentor’s assertiveness, Kate knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, Beth and the others were in trouble.

‘Penny for your thoughts,’ said Eric as they left the village behind.

Kate glanced over at the love-of-her-life. ‘Step on it, Manfredi. I’m thinking you and I are all that stands between the Price team and disaster.’

‘Then they’ve got nothing to worry about.’ Stomping on the gas pedal, Eric’s SUV shot down the two-lane highway.

When they pulled into Dotson’s gravel driveway and braked to a stop, Eric leaned over and hugged her. ‘It’s been good, Weller. I have no regrets.’

Kate stared at him, utterly flummoxed. ‘What’s gotten into you? You just said the Price team had nothing to worry about.’

‘I’m talking about the twenty-two miles of water between here and there.’ Eric pointed at the cabin cruiser where Dotson had already started the engine. ‘If that boat starts taking on water, no way can I swim back, not even with a life jacket.’

‘Will you stop worrying? I’m telling you a Chris Craft is a top-notch vessel, as long as she’s been maintained.

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