Page 32 of Quinn

“Okay, now we’ve come to an understanding, you owe me and Logan a cold drink before we get going.”

I didn’t argue with Daly and ordered two colas, their soft drink of choice. The tension dissipated as we discussed the coming days with Anatoli. We learned the man lived out at Korobosea, which wasn’t far away, but far enough when he’d have to be running back and forth, taking us from one place to another. Once we’d finished our drinks, I booked him a room at the hotel and told him that once he’d dropped us down at the beach, he was to go home and get clothes for the next couple of days since he’d be staying at the hotel.

***

The small boat was pulled up onto the sand of Ela Beach and those of us heading to Local Island milled around while we waited. My eyes, like those of Logan and Daly, constantly scanned our surroundings.

“To your right at ten o’clock, two guys near the palm.” Logan was peering over my shoulder and I didn’t want to be obvious by turning around.

“We’re all here so we can get going. “I’m Palau and I’ll be taking command of the boat over to Local. First off, can the ladies and kids get aboard, and I’ll get you men to help me push her out into deeper water.”

Three ladies with five kids between them lifted the little ones in and climbed in themselves. The three of us pitched our towels and snorkelling gear onto one of the seats at the back and readied to push the small boat. It was a basic homemade rectangular vessel, constructed of wood with five horizontal bench seats. Four posts, one in each corner, supported a canopy to protect occupants from the sun. A large outboard motor was positioned at the back and currently sat turned upward from the water. A steering wheel and other controls were positioned up front.

Along with three other men, we heaved the boat into deeper water and climbed onboard. Palau lowered the motor and headed up front. Seconds later, the engine came to life with a rumble. As we puttered across the water, because that’s about the maximum speed the thing would go, I took a seat on the second bench from the back, facing Logan, Daly, and the beach.

I sighted the two men immediately. They were Nationals, one tall and thin, one short in stature and of solid build. His appearance had me suspecting he was Chimbu.

Even as the boat drew further away, there was no mistaking it was us they were watching. I turned my attention back to Logan and Daly. “It’s pretty obvious who they are, they found out we were here pretty fucking quick.”

Daly nodded. “They would have put word out to watch for you. They’ll be curious now and wanting to know what you’ve done with Arabella.”

I agreed. “We knew they would be so let’s have some fun and reel them into our net.”

“Just don’t get too cocky and start taking chances,” Logan warned.

“Fuck, Logan, I left my dictator brother back home, I don’t need you taking his place.”

“Your ‘dictator’ brother is just trying to keep your arrogant arse alive.”

I knew Logan was right, everything Connor did, every decision he made, was after considering the effect it would have on me and Jake. I should really have given him some slack but what fun would that have been?

The boat eased up to the white sandy beach of Local Island and Palau cut the engine, allowing us to drift. He came to the back, tilted the motor until it was out of the water and jumped over the side. Along with the other men, we also jumped in and between us pushed the boat high onto the sand.

The women and kids climbed out, and accompanied by their men, ran off down the beach.

“I’ll be up at the haus win; lunch is there at twelve and we leave again at two this afternoon.”

He left to trudge up the grassy hill. We grabbed our towels and gear and selected a spot on the beach not far from the boat. After spreading out my towel and poking my wallet into the sand and out of sight underneath, I peeled off my t-shirt, pulled on a pair of flippers and with mask and snorkel in hand, flapped my way to the water.

The cool of the tropical, blue shallow water was a contrast to the heat of the day and it sent shivers down my spine as I waded out towards where it became deeper over the reef.

Logan and Daly ran in to join me, lifting their legs high; their feet flapping down onto the water causing it to splash up in every direction.

I laughed as they raced past me and dived over the ledge and into the deep. I joined them seconds later, and we set to snorkelling over the reef. Brilliant coloured corals waved in the current. Fish of every shape and size swam past; some stopping to check me out, others acting as if I wasn’t intruding on their home. It was quiet in the depths. Peaceful. No indication of the storms that might be brewing in the world above.

By the time I dragged my arse from the water I was feeling weary. Logan and Daly were already sprawled out on their towels, I had no idea how long they’d been out of the water.

I kicked my leg out at first Logan then Daly, showering them with cold droplets and causing them to spring up, swearing profusely.

I laughed, but when they gave me a death stare, I set off running in the direction of the haus win. It was at the bottom of the small rise leading up to the grass and branch structure where I noticed the men from the beach talking animatedly with Palau. Turning back, I raced to Logan and Daly, pulling them close to the overhang of the hill and out of sight.

Logan’s frown was deep when he noted the serious expression on my face.

“The men from the beach are up at the haus.”

“You’re fucking kidding me, they followed us here?” Daly paced, worry evident as was mine.

We were unarmed, and although experts in the martial arts, we weren’t much of a threat to someone with a gun aimed at our heads.