“It’s not like her,” Candace said. “She’s generally early, not late. I don’t like it. I wish she’d carry a cell phone.”
“You have her grandmother’s number?” Bane realized he didn’t.
Candace shook her head. “She just moved out there, and we haven’t updated her file yet.”
“We could call her mother, but I’d hate to worry her if Leia has only had a flat or something simple like that.” Candace looked past Bane’s shoulder, and the worried creases on her forehead eased. “There she is.”
Bane turned to see Leia running to the door. She glanced over her shoulder as though she was afraid someone was following her. The door stuck, and she practically fell into the shop when it finally opened. She caught herself, then her gaze collided with Bane’s. Her face was white, and a smudge of dirt marred her cheek. She rushed to join them.
“What’s wrong?” Bane took her arm and helped her to the chair, where she sat and caught her breath.
She glanced up at Bane. “I went to Koma’s cabin,” she began.
“By yourself ? Why didn’t you ask me to go along?”
She tilted her chin up. “I wasn’t afraid.”
He sighed. “You never are when you should have more sense. The man was killed, Leia. We still don’t know why.”
She nodded, then gulped. “I was in the tree, and two men came by. I overheard them talking. One of them was the one outside T?t?’s house last night. They were planning on grabbing me and asking me where the treasure is. They think Koma told me!”
Candace gasped, and Dirk grabbed a bottle of water from the little fridge under the counter. “You look like you need a drink,” he said.
Bane mentally slapped himself. He should have thought of that. He was the one who loved Leia, and he hadn’t even stopped to think of how upset she must be. “You want me to take you home?” he asked.
Leia stiffened. “I’m fine.” She pushed the water away. She moved so that Bane’s hand dropped from her shoulder.
He stuck his hand in the pocket of his shorts. He wished he could figure out what was eating her. “Did you get a look at the men?”
“Just a glimpse. I didn’t recognize them. I told Malia to be care-ful with T?t?. If they’re watching the house, I don’t want my grandmother in danger.”
“We don’t want you in danger either. What makes them think Koma told you anything?” Candace asked.
“I wish I knew. Koma said he was going to show it to me just before he got shot.”
“Did he give you any hint of where it was?” Candace uncapped a bottle of water and took a swig.
“No, but—” She clamped her lips together and looked away.
“But?” Candace prompted.
“Nothing.” Leia slumped back against the chair and fingered her upper lip.
“Hey, I have to go,” Dirk said, glancing at his watch. “I’m already late. I’m taking a group out along the barrier reef.” He chucked Leia under the chin. “Keep a stiff upper lip, babe.”
Leia smiled. “Have a good dive, Dirk. I’ll hold down the fort here.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Candace asked. “You’re still pale.”
“It was just a shock to find out someone was looking for me.” She licked her lips and slanted a glance up at Bane. “Um, are you still staying at T?t?’s house?”
At last she was asking him for something. “You’re not staying there without me. Candace, would you call Detective Ono and tell him what happened to Leia? He’ll probably want to talk to her.”
“I called him from T?t?’s house. He said he’d meet me here,” Leia said.
“I think you and your grandmother should move in with your parents for now.”
Leia sighed. “You’re right, but T?t? will never agree. Besides, I’m not living under my mother’s roof again.”
“Her safety is more important than your issues with Ingrid.”
“Of course it is,” she mumbled, looking away. “But all she has now is her dignity, Bane. How can I take that from her? If she wanted to go, I’d take her, but I’m not staying there myself.”
“You already know she’s not well. That spell with her heart or whatever it was showed us that. She’s so remote. What if she has another attack? Put aside your differences with your mother.”
She inhaled, then blew her breath out. “All right, I’ll call my father. He can break the news to my mother. But I’m not going to stay there. Don’t ask me to do that.” She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know how I’ll tell T?t?.”
He knew better than to argue with her. “Where will you stay?”
“In my cottage. Or maybe I can stay with Candace.” She glanced at her friend, who nodded.
“Once we find out who is behind this—or find the treasure ourselves, it will be safe to go back,” Bane said.