Holt Fast, My Love
Part 6: Found
Remington’s jet flew over the trio of islands as the dawn
broke. From where he’d ousted the co-pilot in the cockpit, he
focused his binoculars in on the smallest. Sure enough, a house
graced the middle … along with a giant X on the beach.
The shout he let out made the pilot jump. “‘X’ marks the spot,
does it not, mate?” His smile grew wide as he saw Laura walk out
from the shadows to peer into the sky at the airplane. “Circle a
couple of times so she’ll know it’s me; then land this damned thing so
I can get her.”
*****
Laura heard the plane buzzing overhead as she ate an orange.
Late last evening, a boat stopped by the dock and left a cooler on the
far end. She hadn’t heard it from inside the house until a loud
horn sounded, and she went out to investigate. As the light from
the boat disappeared, she’d found the packed ice chest filled with
perishable foods. Dragging it to the house and unloading it
served as an excellent distraction while she waited to hear from
Remington. Fresh fruit and cool milk made up her breakfast that
morning. She wandered outside at the noise, staying to the
shadows and carrying the cellular phone.
When the little airplane circled overhead once, then twice, she walked
into the sunlight and raised her hand in a hesitant wave. The
pilot dipped his wings in her direction, then flew south and
disappeared. She clutched the phone hard and began pacing as she
waited for Remington to come back.
The cellular phone in her hand began to buzz.
Laura stared at it through four rings then steeled herself to answer
it. “Hello?”
“Hello, Miss Holt. I hope you are enjoying your little taste of
paradise.”
Although the quiet voice sounded familiar, Laura couldn’t place
it. “It’s lovely. Whom do I have to thank for this …
escape?”
“Now, that’s an interesting term for it. But I’m disappointed you
don’t remember me. Your partner paid me a visit last night.
He knows who I am.”
Icy fingers of fear dug into her skin. “That’s nice.”
“I am rather disappointed he evaded my little surprise. He’s
smarter than you, I think.”
Laura didn’t rise to the bait--and placed the voice. “We each
have our talents, Mr. Tigano.”
“Ah, so now you recognize me. That’s good. That’s one of
the reasons you fascinate me, Miss Holt. Intelligence and beauty
should always be appreciated.”
“A letter would have done nicely,” she retorted in annoyance.
The silky laughter on the other end of the line only made her more
peevish. “Good one, Miss Holt. Now, I think I’ll come for a
visit. Make yourself pretty. I won’t be long.”
She swore vehemently when the phone clicked off. She stared into
the sky and begged, “Hurry, Remington. We don’t have much
time.”
To Part 7
14
January
2010
