With no one around, Harry read the screens. SAC Williams had gotten him access to the bureau’s server. The databases of information were a wealth of knowledge. Unfortunately, in real life, results for searches didn’t materialize as fast as they did on television shows. That was all right. Currently, Harry’s only commodity was time. That was one of the reasons the Deputy Director allowed him to remain on the case. That—and Harry’s acceptance of beefed up security.
He hated having an agent posted outside his door. It was even worse having one accompany him everywhere he went; nevertheless, in his current state, Harry agreed. He wouldn’t be much of threat if he were to be attacked again.
As he read the screens and entered more data, Harry thought about his sister’s words. He understood her concern and appreciated her offer of a job. Harry liked the time he’d spent at SiJo. For anyone else, it would be a great career. Amber had even offered him a real position on the board of directors.
When he considered how far their relationship had grown since his divorce, he felt an unfamiliar sense of contentment. Maybe he did have the family he’d always wanted. The fact that he’d had it since he was a young boy, but hadn’t realized it, almost made it better. He wasn’t as alone as he sometimes thought. Harry hoped that one day Amber would understand his determination to nail Rawlings to the wall was for her—too. She needed closure on Simon’s death. No beat down in an alley would change that.
He reached for his phone and texted Amber.
“THANKS FOR THE OFFER. I’M SORRY FOR BEING AN ASS. DINNER?”
Claire held tight to Tony’s hand while Francis maneuvered the boat through the crystal waters. The trip from the island to town took anywhere from thirty to forty minutes, depending on wind and the roughness of the sea. Since this was only Claire’s second excursion off the island, she was surprised by the number of other islands they passed. The first time Francis took her into town, she was too nervous to truly register the world outside of the boat.
Today, through sunglass covered eyes, she took in the beauty around her. The bright, tropical sun danced off the waves and glistened both near and far. The sea was neither calm nor rough. In more open water the waves were bigger. As they traveled between the islands in narrower straights, the seas calmed, reminding Claire of their lagoon. The islands they passed en route varied immensely. Some were small, like hers. Others were large with multiple homes. Many were uninhabitable with cliffs and ragged stone mountains. Claire understood how under the cover of darkness, maneuvering around the channels between the islands could be dangerous. If the seas were too rough, a boat the size of theirs could easily find itself thrown against the large rocks and cliffs.
Despite having been born elsewhere, Francis knew the language and the culture of the area well. He was also known by many of the town’s people. Once they were ashore, Claire watched Francis’ interaction with the natives. Over the years, he’d obviously earned their respect.
Claire didn’t see any motorized vehicles other than water craft. She whispered to Francis, “Does anyone drive cars here?”
“Oui, Madame el”—he pointed toward a large mountain in the distance—“There’s one road that comes around the mountain, but driving it takes much time. Most traveling and shipments, they come by plane or helicopter. The airport is not far.”
Claire remembered Phil telling her that by air she could be at a state of the art medical facility in less than two hours.
Tony asked, “Are there always planes at the ready and pilots? Or do they need to be reserved in advance?”
“Reserved is better,” Francis answered. “However, most requests can be accommodated quickly.”
Tony decided, since they had time, he wanted to see the airport. Claire wasn’t interested. She decided to spend her time walking around the town until her doctor’s appointment. First, she entered what she considered to be the equivalent of a grocery store. Many of the town’s people spoke enough English to help Claire if she had any questions. There were also stands or booths along the side of the road with items for sale. It appeared many of the natives did more bartering than buying and selling. The road was defined and hard, but not paved—well-tried dirt. On her way to the doctor’s office, Claire passed two taverns and decided alcohol was a universal language.
The waiting area of the doctor’s office was full of people, yet when Claire entered, the nurse immediately led her back to one of the examination rooms. “My husband will be here in a few minutes. I’d like to wait for him.”
“Your husband?” the nurse beamed. “But of course. Will you learn your baby’s gender today?”
Claire smiled. “I sure hope so. Can we please do another ultrasound?”
“Let me check with the doctor. It’s his decision.”