The survivor, p.9
The Survivor, page 9
“You dangled them in front of me,” Cade said. “I’m betting that there might be some authentic ‘stuff’ in that legend that you’re not ready to reveal yet.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Perhaps to hold something in abeyance as a special incentive? It would be very smart.”
“Well, since you’re going to be there, you’ll be able to see if I’m that intelligent.” She drew a deep breath. “It’s going to happen? You’re both actually going with me to the island? When?”
“I’ll tell Kirby to order supplies, weapons, and ammunition to take with us on the Gulfstream. If we can get it right away, we’ll be out of here by tomorrow.”
“That may not be soon enough,” Maya said. “Can’t Kirby take me back today?”
“It’s only one day,” Cade said.
“But she has responsibilities,” Riley said quickly. “People count on her. Can’t we take her out in the Gulfstream tonight and have Kirby bring the team and weapons tomorrow?”
“You’re that eager to leave?” Cade asked.
“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it,” Riley said. “It’s possible, isn’t it?”
“Anything is possible,” Cade said as he reached for his phone. “I’ll tell Kirby to call the airport and get the Gulfstream ready to go.”
“Thank you, Riley,” Maya said quietly as Cade started speaking to Kirby.
“It’s Cade who’s doing it,” Riley said coldly. “I only remembered how much those islanders seemed to need you.” She started back toward the cottage. “And don’t think that I’m not still upset with you. I hate being used, and you were very… calculating.”
“Yes, I am,” Maya said soberly. “When I have to be, and I thought I did. I hated doing it. I genuinely like you, Riley. I’d say I was sorry, but I know that’s not enough. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“Yes, you will,” Riley said firmly. “Because we’re going hunting for Silvana’s tomb and we’re going to find it. That was part of that fancy proposition you tried to dazzle us with, and I’m going to make you pay up. I’ll help you all I can to get rid of Nadim, but you’re going to make sure Cade is safe and this job is worthwhile for him.”
Maya smothered a smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
Riley ignored the mockery. “I’m glad we understand each other.”
“We’ll understand each other better when I find a way to make all this up to you. Then we’ll be able to be friends again.”
Riley shook her head. “I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“I do.” Maya’s smile suddenly flashed bright. “Just wait and see.”
“You’ll be leaving tonight?” Eve repeated as she watched Cade going down to talk to the sentries.
Riley nodded. “As soon as Cade makes final preparations. We’ll be out of here.”
Eve frowned. “You’re sure that’s what you want, Riley? Somehow, I wasn’t sure this was the way things would turn out. I thought Cade was going to throw in a roadblock.”
“Things became a little complicated,” Riley said. “I assure you, I wasn’t the one forcing him to go.” She glanced at Maya. “Neither was she, though she dangled a few choice prizes to lure him. But none of that matters. We’ll make it work. I’ll see that Cade gets whatever he wants and comes out of this alive.” She met Maya’s eyes. “And I’ll get what I want, dammit.”
“Yes, you will,” Maya said. “We’ll start working on it as soon as we get back to the island. I look forward to it.”
Eve suddenly chuckled. “That all sounds entertaining. I’ll be disappointed not to be able to see it.”
Maya turned to face her. “I won’t ask you to come. I’ve already put too many in danger today.”
“And I didn’t say I wanted to go with you,” Eve said. “I’m just a bit wistful about Silvana. My work is here. I’ve not only got my forensic sculpting to do, I’m going to start overseeing the rebuilding of that boathouse.” She crossed to Riley and gave her a hug. “I’m glad you’ll get your answers, after all,” she whispered. “I hope you get a few more than you’ll find with Silvana. Keep everyone safe.”
“You keep safe,” Riley said. “And you will. Cade is sending his own crew to the island tomorrow. He’s leaving an entire troop of Loring’s men here after we leave. I’ll call and let you know what’s happening on the island.” She kissed her cheek. “Thank you for putting up with me.”
“My pleasure,” Eve said. “No one can say you don’t make life interesting.” She turned away. “Now let’s make a thermos of coffee and pack your bag.” She looked over her shoulder at Maya and smiled. “You’re very intriguing. If you don’t turn out to be troublesome, I could get to like you. Be sure you stay alive so that I get the opportunity.”
CHAPTER 5
ON BOARD THE PLANE
FOURTEEN HOURS LATER
Okay, I’m officially bored.” Maya dropped down in the seat next to Riley. “I have to tell you, my trip to Eve’s with Kirby was much more entertaining. That plane might not have been as fast or palatial as this beauty, but at least someone was talking to me. I realize communication goes two ways. But I left you alone for two excellent reasons. First, I thought that time would help you to cool down a little, because I knew you were angry I’d somehow managed to talk Cade into coming. Second, I wanted to give you and Cade a chance to ignore me and repair whatever damage I’d done by showing up in your life at all.” She grimaced. “I believe I struck out in both cases. Right?”
“Yes and no,” Riley said as she closed her computer. “I’m more disappointed than angry with you about your interference in my life. You were smart to let me get over that first reaction. But don’t compliment yourself that you talked Cade into anything. He always has his own reasons and plans for any action. It wasn’t your persuasion; it was only that you happened to be there when it all came together for him.”
She chuckled. “You’ll remember I threw in a ‘somehow’ in that sentence. I definitely wasn’t patting myself on the back. But you have to admit I was right about my screwing up the chemistry between you and Cade.” Her smile faded. “I don’t think he’s left the cockpit more than a couple times in all these hours.”
“He had Kirby up in that cockpit with him helping to fly the plane. He also had plans to make with him so that we’d be ready when we landed,” Riley said. “Now are you finished with your guilt trip?”
“No,” she said definitely. “But I can’t expect you to admit anything to me. After all, I’m not Eve. I just want you to know that I’m here for you.” She paused. “And I’ll be as open as I can with both you and Cade from now on. Which is difficult for me since that’s not how I’ve lived my life. But I’m grateful to you, and it’s time I showed it.”
Riley smiled. “I won’t turn that offer down. I’ve been feeling as if I was lost in a maze since you called me the other night.” She tilted her head. “Come to think of it, you’ve left quite a bit to my imagination since I first met you five years ago. Just enough to tease and tantalize, but not enough to satisfy.”
“I’m turning over a new leaf,” Maya said. “You’ll see. I promise.”
“Prove it,” Riley challenged softly. “I’ll start you off easy. Fill in a few of the blanks. Tell me why you became caretaker when you were only sixteen.”
Maya looked a little taken aback. “That may take a while,” she said warily. “You might need the background.”
“Then you’d better start now. We should be landing fairly soon, but I have time for a little background. Start with ‘caretaker.’ Since everyone kowtows to you, I assumed that it was just another name for the boss or person in charge. Does it have any less obvious meanings?”
“Not really. The title goes back to Silvana. Because she bought the island and worked all her life to improve it for everyone, the villagers began to call her ‘the one who cares for us.’ Then after Silvana’s daughter took over the reins, the villagers kept on referring to her in the same vein. She was known as the caretaker. Or honorable caretaker. Or the leader who cares. Or half a dozen other titles depending on which area of the island folks lived in.” She shrugged. “I guess caretaker was simple, so it stuck. Whenever there was a new leader chosen, they were known as the caretaker.”
“And how is the new one chosen?” Riley asked. “I gather no one votes at the polls?”
She shook her head. “That’s not efficient. The new caretaker is chosen by the one in charge. It’s their duty to make the choice in order that they can groom them to perfection. That way they won’t make mistakes and cause trouble and worry to the islanders.”
“Perfection,” Riley repeated. “That isn’t easy. Particularly when the one they choose is only sixteen. I don’t think I like that system.”
“Neither did I,” Maya said. “I was scared to death. But there wasn’t usually any problem. Jann Lu should have chosen someone much sooner, but she said no one seemed right to her. Most of the caretakers had their heirs chosen and trained decades before they had to take charge.”
“But you appear to have done all right,” Riley said. “Scared or not.”
“Sometimes I have doubts. It’s a big responsibility. Particularly now. But most of the villagers think I’m doing a good job.” She gazed at her inquiringly. “And that’s how I became caretaker. Satisfied?”
“Not entirely. But I’ll let the rest go for now. I have only one more question. Have there been any male caretakers?”
Maya smiled. “You’re thinking because Silvana was an Amazon and had a rough time with Antonio and those other Roman bastards, she might have made some kind of edict against male leaders?” She shook her head. “I believe there were four or five men chosen through the centuries. But even then, two of them selected female caretakers when it came time to choose a successor. Women definitely dominated in Silvana’s world.”
“Good. I’m glad they did. But I’m also happy they didn’t cheat to get there. It seems as if Silvana had a hell of a lot of dirty tricks played on her during her lifetime, but she didn’t let it twist her.”
“I’ll second that,” Maya said. “Perhaps it’s a good sign we might be able to agree on other things on the island?”
“It’s possible,” Riley said. “Though I haven’t pushed you yet on that point you skipped over—why she chose you particularly to become caretaker.”
Maya’s smile ebbed. “And are you going to do it?”
Riley studied her expression. “No, I don’t think so. I’ll save that for later.” She opened her computer. “I want to be ready before we land. I think I’d be better served with having you pull up my map of the island and start filling me in on points of interest that you believe we should know about. As I remember, when my father and I were here together all those years ago, we weren’t permitted to go anywhere on the island except a few of the apple groves and the villages near them that were close to the southern seaport. Everything else about the island was off limits.”
“Were you frightened and scared of the villagers?” Maya was smiling. “Did you find those areas where we took you to be cold and ugly?”
“Everything was absolutely beautiful, and the villagers couldn’t have been warmer or more hospitable. I wanted to see more.”
“Your father didn’t complain. He was just a little impatient. After he visited a few of the villages and found no artifacts that would indicate anything to do with Troy, all he wanted to do was start preparing to go north. We tried to make you both comfortable while you were with us.”
“I don’t think that there was any doubt of that,” Riley said. “I told Eve that it reminded me of Eden. The warmth, the beauty—you even provided the biblical apples when we visited the groves and had us try those rare diamond apples you grow on the island. The only thing lacking was the freedom to explore. It didn’t bother my father, but I’d already started to hear the Silvana legends and I was really curious. You even encouraged it. You told me a few yourself.”
She nodded. “And I really shouldn’t have. The only reason I allowed you to come was that I liked the idea of having a noted archaeologist like your father visit the island. We don’t encourage visitors, but I thought if he came and was disappointed, it might ward off any other treasure hunters wanting to try their luck. The main objective was to have you come, spend a little time, and then send you on your way. But I liked you, and I was enjoying having you know about my island. I suppose I was a little lonely. I have a lot of responsibilities and sometimes it was hard to relax. I didn’t think it would hurt to keep you around a little longer.” She made a face. “I didn’t count on having to deal with Nadim. I thought he was safely out of the picture. But the greedy bastard decided that hitting your camp might be worth coming out of the mountains. I had to get you out of there fast.”
“And you were wounded.”
“I deserved it for indulging myself. I should have kept to the plan.” She looked down at the map on Riley’s computer and drew an X on the southern end of the island. “This is the main seaport where you and your father arrived. That should be familiar to you. That’s where I met you at the central residence and had a guide take you down by the apple groves to set up your camp.” She pointed to the area on the far west of the island. “This is the path that leads from the island up to the lower foothills of the mountains. You start out in the orchards of the island that are mild as Eden. It takes about half a day to get to those foothills, and it gets cooler by the hour. Even though you haven’t reached the actual mountains of the Himalayas yet, the temperature plunges to almost freezing after sundown.” She marked three other places at the north and extreme east sides of the island. “These are possible bays where Nadim could access the island.” She put another larger X deep in the north-central area of the map. “And this is the temple.” She leaned back in her seat gazing at Riley, waiting for the reaction.
Riley wasn’t going to give it to her. “That was too easy. That can’t be where the treasure is.”
Maya chuckled. “I didn’t say it was. But there are treasures and then there are treasures. It all depends on what you’re looking for. But it’s certainly the place Silvana intended for her treasure. Perhaps she was also planning for her tomb to be there, too.”
“You’ve been there before,” Riley said. “The temple’s no secret to you.”
“No, as caretaker I have constant access, but the villagers regard it as a sacred place, and no one is allowed there but the sentries who guard it. And Nadim would be very happy to know where the temple is located. I’m sure he’s hunting for it even as we speak.” She handed Riley’s computer back to her. “And I think that’s all I’m willing to reveal at the moment. I do have to retain a few secrets so that you won’t undervalue me. I’ve given you a hint or two, but you’d need me to find any of those places for you.” She inclined her head. “I’m at your disposal at any time.”
“I’ll tell Cade.”
“I knew you would. I thought you’d need a key to start the search so that we’ll know we’re all on the same page. Is there anything else I can do?”
“No.” She hesitated. “The map is actually quite a bit.”
“I couldn’t expect you to go in blind. We made a deal.” She added quietly, “I’ll make it as easy as possible for all of us to get through it.” She got to her feet. “And now I’ll move back across the aisle. You can call Cade back here and talk about it if you like. I’ll be out of your way but available for questions.”
“I can wait,” Riley said. “We’ll be landing soon, and he’ll be able to concentrate. There’s no hurry.”
“Whatever,” Maya said. “These days I find myself not wanting to wait for anything.” She headed across the aisle. “I’m always afraid I’ll fall behind and never get caught up.”
Riley felt a chill go through her. Her own life lately had seemed to be balanced on seconds, not minutes. How did she know how much time she had? She reached for her phone and dialed Cade. When he answered she said, “Maya just filled in a map of the island for me. Would you like to come back and take a look at it?”
“I’ll be right there,” he said curtly. “I was coming anyway. A radio message just came in for Maya from her housekeeper. She couldn’t reach her by phone, there was too much interference. She said it was an emergency.” He hung up and the next moment the cockpit door opened and he was striding down the aisle. He stopped beside Maya’s seat. “Tashi, your housekeeper called. She said to give you a message that there was a fire at Mabato village and they’d sent help. She said there were signs it was probably Nadim.”
“Shit.” Maya jumped to her feet. “I need to talk to her. Can you get me through to her?”
He shook his head. “I’ve got Kirby trying. But there’s too much interference. We’ll be on the ground before we can reach her,” he said. “She said they’d sent help. As soon as we land, we’ll be on our way, too. Where the hell is Mabato?”
“It’s on the northern coast.” Her voice was panicked. “She didn’t say anything about Bailey? Did she have Bailey?”
“I gave you her entire message,” Cade said. “Who’s Bailey?”
“My daughter. Tashi was looking after her.” Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides. “Get this damn plane on the ground. I have to find out what’s happening down there.”
“We’ll be down in five to seven minutes,” Cade said as he turned on his heel. “Riley, take care of her.” The cockpit door slammed behind him.
“How in the hell am I supposed to know how to take care of you?” Riley said as she jumped up and came to stand beside Maya. “This is big stuff, and I didn’t even know you had a daughter.” She took both her hands and looked her in the eye. “And we both know you’re tough enough to tackle this on your own. All I can say is, I’ll be here with you until we get it straightened out. Cade is a great fixer and I’m not so bad. You’re not alone, Maya.”
She nodded jerkily as she sat down in her seat. “Then sit down and fasten your seat belt. I don’t want you to break anything.” Her voice was shaking. “I’m going to need all the help I can get once we land, and I see what I’m facing.”
