Her Very Strict Captain by Carpenter, Maggie (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

came to a stop, the information continued to swirl through his brain. He needed to get to Elizabeth before it all went down. Listening to her and Scott open and close their doors, Dan held his breath. They collected their bags from the back seat, and a moment later he heard the click of the door locks. Unable to check his watch, he counted to sixty, then started over. When five minutes had passed, he pushed his body against the cover. It raised up, and he cautiously lifted his head.

Peering out the window, he found he was in the marina parking lot. A few people wandered around, but not close enough to be of concern. Maneuvering the shelf out of the way, he slid his thin, lanky body over the back seat, popped the door locks, and stepped outside. Lifting his hand to his brow to shield his eyes from the sun, he studied the dock and spotted Scott and Elizabeth leaving the dock in a navy blue speedboat.

Though Dan knew they were going to the island, with no money or identification he was stuck. Hoping for a miracle, he climbed into the passenger seat and opened the glovebox. Finding only a vehicle manual in a leather case, a pack of gum, and two cigar cylinders, he let out a disappointed grunt.

The image of the rolls of bills inside the toilet tissue flashed through his head. Snatching up one of the aluminum tubes, he pulled off the top and peered inside. Staring up at him was a small brass key.

Chapter 23

The speedy trip across the harbor in the powerful speedboat was uneventful, and waiting on the dock, Emily was her usual chatty self. Though Elizabeth smiled and nodded, Scott thought she seemed unusually reserved. When she voluntarily climbed into the back seat and stared out the window, he knew something was on her mind.

During the drive over the hill, Emily told them about the groceries she’d brought in, along with a pan of lasagna, then asked about the operation. Scott gave her a bullet point account.

“I won’t come in,” she declared as she rolled to a stop in front of the house. “I’m sure you have a lot to do.”

“Thanks, Emily,” he said, pecking her on the cheek. “I’ll keep you posted as things develop.”

“Bye, Emily, I’m sure I’ll see you again soon,” Elizabeth said quietly.

As she stepped from the car and walked inside without looking back, Scott quickly followed, catching up to see her enter the bedroom, drop her bag on the floor, and flop backwards on the bed.

“What’s up?” he asked softly, sitting on the edge of the mattress. “Don’t tell me you’re fine, because it’s obvious you’re not.”

“No, I’m not,” she admitted with a weary sigh. “I’m tired, I mean, deep down bone tired, and my head keeps going around and around thinking about Conchello, the operation, why Dan killed Jim, where is he now, what’s he planning, and on and on…”

“Things have been pretty crazy, and I know finding Jim was a shock.”

“Finding Jim was a shock,” she repeated, mumbling the words, “but learning who he really is—or rather was—is a shock on steroids. It’s so much to take in. Ugh, I feel disgusting,” she grunted, making a face. “I’m desperate for a long hot bath, but I don’t have the energy.”

“If a long hot bath is what you need, a long hot bath is what you’ll have. I’ll start the water.”

“Don’t you need to meet with Jack? Shouldn’t he be here by now?”

“He’ll show up. I’m not worried. You relax. I’ll be right back.”

“Scott…” she said softly, taking his hand as he rose to his feet, “thanks.”

Hearing a hint of emotion, he sat back down. “Hey, this will all work out.”

“You really think so?”

“Nope, I know so.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I’m really good at my job,” he replied with a grin, then leaning forward and shooting her a wink, he added, “and everything is falling into place with flawless synchronicity.”

As the hint of a smile curled her lips, he stood back up and moved into the bathroom. Turning on the faucets, he searched out the shower gel and dropped a few dollops into the tub. Watching the water turning to foam, he left the container on the side of the tub and returned to the bedroom, but as he approached the bed two quick beeps echoed through the air.

“Don’t worry,” he said, seeing the look of alarm cross her face. “That’s just the front door announcing Jack’s arrival.”

“Will your meeting take very long?”

“That depends on how much he has to tell me, and by the way, he’ll be staying here. He has a room upstairs. With the operation happening tomorrow night it makes no sense for him to go back to St. Thomas.”

“I can’t quite wrap my brain around how soon you’ll be going in.”

“We’ve always known the opportunity would pop up this way, it’s just the nature of the beast, but we’re prepared for it. I have to go and speak with Jack. Take your bath and relax, that’s an order.”

“Aye, aye, Captain, and thanks again.”

“You’re welcome,” he murmured, planting a quick soft kiss on her lips.

Striding from the room and walking quickly down the hall, he entered the security room and found Jack working on the computer.

“Hey, Jack.”

“Hi, Scott, I still can’t believe Dan Miller shot Jim Parker. What the hell was that about?”

“No idea,” Scott replied, a frown crossing his brow, “but I hope we find Dan fast.”

“Any problems getting here?”

“Nope, but what’s going on with you? How are things looking for tonight, and where’s David Clark?”

“Perched on a hill watching the compound. He wants to make sure no one discovers we’ve sabotaged the traps. I think he wants to get Conchello more than we do.”

“After months risking his life and being around that bastard I’m not surprised,” Scott remarked. “What about the security cameras?”

“You’ll love this,” Jack replied, his fingers flying across the keyboard. “The password David had still