Kaia pulled her mask and snorkel down around her neck and squinted through the glare of the sun. “Okay. Any successes this week?” Kaia watched Jenny carefully for any sign of guilt. The other woman’s smile never wavered.
Jenny shook her head. “They don’t work as well without you here. And Nani hasn’t been showing up as much with you gone either.”
“I saw you at the beach yesterday,” Kaia blurted out. “Who was the guy you were with?”
Jenny’s eyes flickered. “Just a friend of my brother’s. No one important.”
“I’ve seen him before. I just wondered what his last name was.” Kaia pressed a bit more, but Jenny turned and looked out to sea with a closed expression.
“Hey, have you gotten in any work while you’re on patrol?” Jenny asked.
She could tell Jenny wasn’t about to reveal anything to her. “Some. We’ve both been tired.” She told Jenny what Curtis said about the sea park.
“Yeah. He’s been pretty open about his plans. We may not be able to stop him,” Jenny said. She sat on the edge of the pier and dangled her feet over the edge. Liko swam nearer and rubbed against her feet.
“Well, I’ve got a plan of my own.” Kaia swam to the dock and grabbed hold of the pilaster to steady herself. “What if we teach the dolphins not to come in here anymore? We’ve got a couple of weeks before the construction on the new lagoon is done.”
“But won’t that slow our progress on the communication?”
“Maybe not. We have to try. Unless you have a better idea?” Kaia didn’t see that they had a choice. She would do anything in her power to save the dolphins.
Jenny shook her head.
“Let’s get started on it today.” Kaia nodded toward the car kicking up red dirt under its wheels as it left the parking lot. “Curtis is gone. He won’t see what we’re doing.”
Jenny got to her feet. “I’m game. Tell me what to do.”
That was what Kaia wanted to hear. She heaved herself out of the water and blew the whistle around her neck to call the dolphins.
Jesse jogged down the path through the park just off base. He was smiling as he remembered the day he’d spent with Kaia yesterday. Their conversation had been so free and easy, almost like two old friends. Or even a married couple. He cut that thought short. Best not go there. He glanced at his watch. Three o’clock. Almost time to get Heidi for a few hours before meeting Kaia for tonight’s patrol.
He wiped his forehead and turned to head back to base when he saw Duncan’s car stop by the curb. He walked over to talk to him. “I figured you’d be hard at work today.”
Duncan was smiling. “I was, but my daughter’s birthday is next week and I needed to pick up something for her and get it sent.”
“How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”
Duncan’s broad smile faltered. “Nearly six months,” he admitted. “I could kill Mary for taking them so far away.”
“I’m sorry. It must be hard.”
“You have no idea.” Sadness settled on his features. “I always thought marriage would be forever. So much for faithfulness.” His lips twisted. “Matthew was only too glad to step in for me.”
Jesse couldn’t imagine how it must have felt to be so utterly rejected by one’s wife. He reminded himself, however, that there were always at least two sides to a problem. Maybe Duncan had worked too many hours. After the college cheating fiasco, he’d changed—become driven. “Maybe she’ll let them come for a visit now that summer is here,” Jesse suggested.
“Not a chance. I already asked. Evan is in T-ball and Beth is in swim competition. I’ve lost them.”
Jesse pointed to a framed photo on the passenger seat. “Is that a picture of your dad?” Duncan’s dad had been a surrogate father to Jesse.
Duncan picked up the picture. “I’m actually taking it to the office. It seems appropriate with the new missile being tested.”
“I’d forgotten your dad came up with the original plans for the missile, didn’t he? You must be very proud. I hope you’re planning on watching the test from the base.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. The captain invited me to watch with him.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run. Duty awaits.”
As Duncan drove away, Jesse wondered if his sister Jillian ever regretted breaking it off with Duncan. He might have treated her better than her AWOL husband, Noah.
He jogged to the street and entered the base. Perspiration trickled down his back from his run, and his tank top clung to him. Fingers of steam from the sun’s rays rose from the flowers growing along the path. He crested the hill and paused to catch his breath, bending over at the waist and drawing in oxygen.
A movement caught his eye, and he straightened to stare at his quarters. Other soldiers milled around his yard and more men streamed from his front door. What was going on? He swiped at the sweat beading his brow and jogged down the hill to find out.
Captain Lawton met him at the front door. “I’m sorry, Jesse, you can’t go in right now.”