White Ginger (11 page)

He grinned back at her. “More likely peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. No power, remember?”

He raised himself onto his elbow and looked down at her, stroking her cheek in return. “The storm’s passed. We’re not pitching too much. In fact, we might even be able to attract the attention of that spotter plane Jeff said he’d send. Come on.”

Pushing the blanket back, he pulled her up, kissing her cheek. They clambered onto the roof of the cabin, Arne with a pair of binoculars and a large marine torch, Amelie with the flare gun. Breakfast was forgotten as they searched the clearing skies.

When Arne finally sighted the plane, Amelie loaded the flare gun and held it out to Arne.

“Together.” He covered her hand and raised the gun skyward.

Once sure they had been seen, Arne aimed his torch toward the plane, sending a brief message in Morse code. As the spotter confirmed his sighting of
Leilani
, the pilot dipped the plane’s wings in farewell and then, banking in a tight turn, turned back to base.

“Now how about that sandwich?”

Arne packed the black box into his backpack with a few personal items, and secured the boat against its later retrieval. Within a couple of hours, the orange United States Coast Guard rescue helicopter appeared. Donning life jackets, they climbed back onto the roof.

The HH 65 Dolphin swung into position. Arne kept an arm around her shoulders as he waved at the figure that appeared in the open hatch.

“It’s made good time from its base at Barbers Point.”

Sunlight streamed from behind gradually disappearing clouds, but their boat still rocked in the big waves. He made Amelie stay seated. There was always an element of danger climbing into the sling seat being lowered from the chopper hovering fifteen meters above. Thank goodness he knew the routine. He’d never expected to be on the receiving end of a rescue by his mates in the squad. He caught the seat, and then helped Amelie into it. He checked her grip on the handholds, slung the back pack over his shoulders, and then stepped into the rescuer’s foothold behind her. Finally, he gave the lift-up signal.

Amelie gasped as they swung off the roof over the waves, leaving the precarious security of
Leilani
. Buffeted by the down draft, he expected her to be nervous. Instead, she gave him a smile, as though she felt perfectly safe with his body protecting her. The winch wound them up into the chopper.

The Dolphin carried a crew of four, the pilot and his copilot, a flight mechanic and a rescue swimmer. Arne knew everyone aboard. And when he’d settled her into a seat, he introduced Amelie.

“So you’re a rescue swimmer too? I’m not surprised.”

The noisy interior was no real obstacle to the shouted conversation. Laurie, his fellow rescue swimmer, eyed Amelie with genuine appreciation. “I know you’ve found some rare creatures out on the reefs, but I didn’t expect you to bring back a mermaid.”

Arne laughed, touching a finger to the delicate blush creeping up her cheeks. “I’m glad this one didn’t get away.” There was so much more implied in that simple comment.

For the next few minutes, Arne turned his attention to the task of reporting the situation aboard his boat. A salvage mission would have to be arranged once the heavy seas had subsided, and
Leilani
taken under tow into port.

Amelie leaned across to Laurie. “We were lucky the spotter plane came so early.”

Laurie sat forward. “The last interisland flight that got through before the storm saw your flare and reported it. Jeff Jessup was on our tails to be ready to go this morning. At least the spotters had a fair idea where you should be.”

Steve, their pilot, radioed there were no casualties, and then turned to Arne. “We’re going to land on the playing field across from the police station. Jeff wants your statements as soon as possible.”

Arne reached for Amelie’s hand. “Is that okay with you?”

She nodded and squeezed his hand in reply. He held her gaze until Laurie cleared his throat.

“Tell him we’re right to go,” Arne called.

Reality hit as they neared town and Sanderson’s development came into view. Was it possible he had arranged the burglaries? The accident? Was he responsible for nearly killing her?

By the time they reached the police station, it was past the lunch hour. Terry Danbury was waiting to debrief them.

“Thought you might have missed a meal or two when the spotter said you were drifting so I picked up some Chinese takeout. Eat first, and then we’ll talk.” He limped over to the coffee pot and poured three cups.

“You know, Amelie, I’ve always wanted a ride in the sling of the rescue helicopter. But I’d prefer not to be stranded first.”

“It was great. Though I’d prefer not to be stranded again either.” She grinned up at Arne.

His heart thumped. What a woman she was. He’d never rescued anyone who had smiled at him while swinging above heavy seas.

“She was a trooper. And she rescued the box that we think is a clue to what’s going on. Speaking of which…” He handed the box to Terry. “Shall we see what this box is all about?”

While they examined the box, Amelie gave her statement to Jeff Jessup and sketched the tattoo that she’d seen on her assailant’s leg. Jeff admired the clarity of Amelie’s drawing and then his voice changed.

“You were incredibly lucky. This was attempted murder, Amelie.”

Arne focused on Amelie and reached for her as her face paled. “No way are you going back alone to that isolated cabin.”

Jeff handed her a pen and the printout of her statement. “You could stay in town. My wife would be happy to make up a bed for you at our place. I’ll give her a call if you like.”

Amelie considered his offer. “That’s very kind of you but–”

“Thanks, Jeff, but Amelie should come back to my place. We’ve got a few things to talk about.” He poured a coffee and carried it to her, pausing to brush his knuckles over her cheek.

“Thank you.” She sipped her coffee and then wandered to the sofa, picking up a magazine. He doubted she noticed what she was looking at.

Forcing his attention back to Jeff, Arne gave his statement.

“We believe Sanderson sabotaged our tests. He wants the results to show no harm will come to the reef from his project.”

Jeff looked up expectantly. “Can we link him to this box?”

“We’ve got to check the supplier of a couple of these specialized parts, but we believe there’s little doubt about his involvement. The cost of setting up such an elaborate system would be beyond most people.”

Jeff paused in his note-taking. “But you don’t believe he carried out the actual sabotage?”

“No. He hires others to do his dirty work for him. But he’s guilty, whether or not it was his hand that cut Amelie’s air hose. And I’m going to find the proof. I don’t know who Amelie’s attacker was, but by God, when I find him…”

* * * *

The waning moon was high over the sea when Arne and Amelie turned into his driveway. Amelie stifled a yawn.

“Are you hungry?” Maybe he’d leave that talk for now.

“Not very. Maybe a toasted cheese sandwich?”

He pulled the fixings for their simple meal from the fridge, and quickly made some sandwiches He flipped the first cooked one onto her plate.

Holding the toasted triangle in two fingers, she nibbled a corner. “So what happens now–with Sanderson?”

“I have to fly to Honolulu in the morning and touch base with the Federal Police. Currently, the way we manage our reefs means there are several departments whose jurisdiction is involved, so I’ll contact each of them about developments here. And I should attempt to trace the supplier of a couple of the specialized component parts of that box you
rescued
while I’m there.”

She aimed a light kick at his shin which he avoided by grabbing her ankle. Pretty pink toe nails tipped bare, slim feet. He rubbed her instep. She gave a sexy little groan, and wriggled her other foot up for his attention. “Heaven!”

He grinned and obliged. “This would send me crazy. I can’t bear anyone touching my feet.” As a distraction, it was working very well.

“This is my new favorite form of massage. Actually, it feels quite sensuous.”

“Let me file that away for future reference. Seriously though, I’ll probably be away a couple of nights. You could stay with Lili. Her husband, Kevin, will be there at night. You shouldn’t be on your own.” He couldn’t voice his fear of anything else happening to her. Pressing his thumbs into the ball of her foot, he continued slowly massaging.

“And Lani said you can sleep there while I’m in Honolulu. She told me to tell you she’s got a spare bed in her room just waiting for you!”

“Great,” she mumbled, huskiness softening her voice. Her eyelids drooped.

“So you’ll stay with Lili?” He cradled her foot in his hand.

“Mmm.” Her head tipped onto her chest. She’d agreed, whether or not she remembered in the morning. Carefully, he carried her to the guest bedroom, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Softly, he stroked her cheek and then walked out, shutting the door quietly.

It had been a long and emotional couple of days. He would wait a little longer to tell her how he felt. After all, he’d been waiting for her all his life.

Tidying the kitchen, he considered how much he should tell Kevin and Lili. Whoever had attacked Amelie was still out there. Why had she been targeted? What did they suspect she knew? His gut churned. The attacker would almost certainly be monitoring his movements but he had to go to Honolulu. He had to trust Lili’s husband could keep Amelie safe.

Chapter 9

Arne was delayed in Honolulu for two nights during which time Amelie played with Lani, talked at length with Lili about Arne and their childhood and discovered she had a quick memory and instinctive feeling for hula dancing.

Lani delighted in showing her the graceful hand movements and teaching her the natural rhythms of the form. She was teaching Amelie a whole dance before her uncle returned. Amelie surprised herself with her quick pick up and praised Lani’s skill, genuinely admiring the young girl’s beautiful interpretations of the ancient form of praise. As Lili explained hula movements were derived from nature, Lani demonstrated each one.

“It was believed that the dancer may become the vessel for a god or goddess. But for a long time, the old missionaries banned such dancing,” Lili said.

“It’s so beautiful and graceful! Why did they ban it?”

Lili’s scorn was evident and she tossed her head. “They called it lewd and indecent!”

Stepping into the center of the floor, she performed a series of graceful movements, speaking as her hands wove a hypnotic pattern. “How can you call this, which is praising the land and gods, indecent?”

After two days of dancing and laughter, Lani tied a grass skirt around Amelie’s hips and ceremoniously placed a lei around her neck. She hit the play button on the remote control. “Now, show us what you can do.”

Amelie concentrated on the music. As it filled her mind and took over her body, she wove traditional patterns with her arms, lightly tapping the ground with her feet. Hips swaying in the hypnotic, sensual movements of the hula, she all but forgot her audience until, as the music ended, she looked up at three pairs of eyes looking on in delight. Then they clapped in unanimous approval.

Lili’s husband, Kevin, had joined his girls during her performance. Not as tall as Arne, but well muscled and tanned, Kevin had a nice smile and kind eyes that lit in appreciation.

“Wow, Arne can certainly pick ’em. You fit right in with this family.”

Warmth rushed through her at his compliment. But it wasn’t just the compliment from an obviously appreciative male that brought her this warm inner glow. Her secret desire of belonging to such a lovely family was more tempting. And how that might happen.

* * * *

Early on the morning of the luau, Amelie sat chatting with Lili over coffee.

“Do you think Arne will be back in time for the luau?”

“If he says he’ll do something, you can count on it.” Lili tipped her face up to the sun.

“I know. So, what happens at the luau, apart from eating and Lani’s performance?”

“There’s dancing before the performance. I doubt Arne will want to miss that chance.” She looked at Amelie and grinned. “Got something sexy to wear?”

“At the cabin. I really need to pick up more clothes, as well as some painting gear. Would you mind dropping me at the cabin if Jeff says it’s okay, and picking me up on the way to the luau?”

“Sure. We’ll swing by about five on the way into town. Unless big bro is back by then.” Lili grinned wickedly.

Jeff agreed to let her collect gear and clean up. “Fingerprinting is finished. There’ll be some black powder around the place, but you can tidy up now. Just don’t you go staying there by yourself, ya’ hear me.”

“I won’t,” she promised.

When Lili dropped her off, she made it clear Amelie was welcome in her home as long as she needed to stay.

“We must show you more of the island soon too. Let’s plan a sightseeing trip when Arne gets back.”