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.Call ahead so my bath is drawn when we arrive.” Both men laughed again.* * * *“Welcome to St.Kitts, ladies and gentlemen.” The pilot spoke from the cockpit.“On behalf of the crew and myself, we thank you for flying with us and hope you had a comfortable flight from New York.Enjoy your stay.We’ll be taxiing for just a few minutes and then will un-board the plane.Please see a flight attendant if you don’t have the customs declaration forms.You will need all of your paperwork filled out and completed prior to clearing customs.”Mackenzie Zegar observed the flight attendants and sighed in relief.None of them acted as if they’d received an alert of a suspicious passenger on board the plane.Still safe, they must not have found the real Mabel yet.According to his calculations she should be out for several more hours.The thought of the slight discomfort the old gal would experience once she regained consciousness caused a sting of guilt.The sedative in the tea would give her a day or two of grogginess.The main discomfort would be cramped muscles.Being tied up and propped on a toilet seat would stiffen the skeletal and muscular structure of an older woman.The plane stopped.Mackenzie didn’t notice any police officers or FBI agents on the tarmac waiting to climb the steps into the airplane.He pushed aside his uncharacteristic, humane, and sympathetic thoughts, and experienced a burst of confidence.He was almost home free.One more step: clear customs.Mackenzie pulled out the compact in the purse, peered at his reflection, and checked it against the passport photo.The picture wasn’t a perfect match but close enough.Who took good passport or driver’s license pictures anyway? If anyone questioned him he could say he, more accurately she, was sick the day the photo had been taken.Satisfied with the documents and explanations, he stepped into the aisle, disembarked, and went to the customs line inside the terminal.He crept forward, closer and closer, almost there.The traveler in front of Mackenzie had just finished with the customs agent.At the final stretch he found it difficult to control the jitters and keep his nerves in check.Damn this heat.He ran a hand over his face, worried the heavy make-up, applied over the thin facial mask, had started to run.He struggled to appear calm, cool, and collected.He had to make it through or all of his efforts would be in vain, worse he’d go to jail.He tapped his foot beneath the counter, willing the customs agent to hurry and clear him through.He desperately wanted to observe the area around him to see if any authority figures searched for a specific passenger.He couldn’t afford to risk any movements which would make him stand out.It seemed an eternity before the passport was stamped.The slow ass scrutinizing bastard finally said, “Here you go, Mrs.Thompson, all set.Just go downstairs to claim your luggage and show that form to one of the gentlemen stationed by the exit door.The line doesn’t look very long.Enjoy your stay.”With teeth gritted and a forced smile, Mackenzie responded, “Thank you so much, I always enjoy my trips to St.Kitts.” Under his breath Mackenzie muttered, “Especially this trip, but why hasn’t Jack shown up yet? It would be even better if Mommy dearest were here but that’s not possible, is it? Nonetheless, my boy Luke will be here.”* * * *Caitlin attempted to play water volleyball with Chad while holding Alexandra so the little girl could join in the game.At the sound of her name, she swiveled her head, missing Chad’s serve.The ball landed with a splash and sprayed a plume of water at Caitlin and Alexandra.Caitlin wiped her eyes and realized who had shouted her name.Linda crossed the heat baked deck but before she reached the edge of the pool, a security guard grabbed her arm and halted her movement.Confused by the scene, Caitlin waded toward the side of the pool.What the hell had happened now?She targeted Pam with her eyes and directed Chad.“Chad, take your sister to the shallow area for a few minutes, will you please? Listen to Pam and Chris.I’ll be right back.”“What’s wrong, Mom? Where are you going?” Chad questioned.His scowl indicated disappointment at the interrupted volleyball game.“Nothing’s wrong, honey.I just have to go to the ladies room.I’ll send Dad over to play volleyball.”Caitlin swung one foot onto the deck and lifted herself out of the pool.It might not have been the most graceful exit but much quicker than swimming over to the stairs.Caitlin ran to Linda and the guard.“What the hell are you doing? Don’t you know who this is? She used to work here for Chrissakes!”The security guard spun toward Caitlin.“Yes, we know Linda, but when she yelled your name, my guard went up.I’m not going to apologize to you or Ms.Sampson, my orders and directives are clear.No one is to get near you or your family.Someone running toward you shouting your name raises suspicion, no matter who it is.” He returned his attention to Linda and continued, “In this case, Ms.Sampson, you’re in the clear.Next time, please notify us of your request to see the Martels.”The security guard concluded his statement, turned on his heel, and stationed himself discreetly near the waterfall flowing into the pool.No longer under the inquisition of the hotel security guard, both Linda and Caitlin burst out laughing and said at the same time, “What a hard-ass!”Caitlin may have allowed herself a moment of laughter but this whole situation pissed her off to the point of embarrassment.She resented the special treatment and attention bestowed on her, it made her uncomfortable.She wasn’t some public figure mobbed and chased down by paparazzi and fans.She led a normal life, came and went as she pleased.Now she couldn’t because those stupid notes and threats invaded her privacy.“Linda, I’m so sorry you had to go through that.The guard’s an asshole and his behavior was ridiculous.”“Oh, don’t worry about him.He’s just doing his job.He has high hopes of a law enforcement career and plans to join the police department, move to the United States, and join a government agency.”Caitlin caught movement behind Linda and two wide brown eyes peered at her.Isabel must’ve heard the entire exchange with the security guard and her mother.The girl trembled.Caitlin crouched and picked her up.Caitlin made a suggestion [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]