“That was what Taylor thought. And I agree that it’s feasible. As for him not answering his phone, cell signals can be sketchy even on land here. On water, farther away from the towers, it’s even worse.”
Even as she seconded her friend’s assumption, Lani’s eyes were filled with worry. During his years as a cop, he’d seen that look before. Usually right before things went to hell. “But he’s still not back,” he guessed, knowing the answer.
“No. Taylor’s afraid that he’s in some kind of trouble. She spent all last night looking for him. That’s why I couldn’t reach her.”
“Maybe the original clients decided to extend their trip,” he suggested. “Or, like you said, he took on another charter.”
“But Ford wouldn’t have just taken off like that without a word. He’d have known Taylor would be worried sick.”
“There’s always another explanation. Maybe he changed his mind about getting married.”
“I’ve known Ford since he first arrived on the island nine months ago. He adores Taylor. He wouldn’t run out on her. And if he did have misgivings, which I don’t believe he did, they would have talked them out. The two of them share everything .”
Once again her words sounded so very familiar. Donovan wondered vaguely how many distressed women he’d seen come into the station, certain that something terrible had happened to their husband, lover, fiancé, significant other, partner. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the guy had just gotten his fill of domestic life and split. Of course, there was always that one percent….
“Has she gone to the police?”
“Yes.” Lani made a sound of sheer disgust. “Not that our local police are going to win any medals for investigative techniques. They believe that he’s left her.”
“It happens, Lani,” Donovan said quietly. “Even in paradise.”
Jerking her hand from his, Lani twisted the key in the ignition. “Not with Taylor and Ford,” she insisted firmly as she turned the Jeep back toward the highway.
A moment later, she shot him a speculative, sideways glance. He could practically see the wheels turning inside that gorgeous red head.
“Donovan, I have the most marvelous idea.”
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to say,” she complained.
“You’re going to suggest that since the police refuse to look for Taylor’s missing fiancé, I check into it.”
She gave him a warm, persuasive smile. “I know you could do it, Donovan. Don’t forget I was in Oregon when you went into that warehouse and captured the armed robber. I thought you were the bravest, most amazing man I’d ever met.”
“You sure as hell could’ve fooled me,” he grumbled, remembering how he’d returned home from the ER that night flushed with success. Lani’s sulky indifference had quickly burst his little bubble of self-congratulation.
“Surely you’re not going to hold my foolish teenage behavior against me?”
“Of course I’m not. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to go off on any wild-goose chase for your friend’s missing scuba diver, either.”
“But you are a detective.”
“I’m also supposed to be on vacation, as you keep pointing out.”
Lani glanced over at him, undeterred by the grim line of his jaw. “Surely it wouldn’t take that long—”
“Lani,” he warned in a low, serious voice.
“All right,” she said as she returned her attention to the winding road. “But I don’t know how I’m going to tell poor Taylor you refused to investigate Ford’s disappearance.”
“You already volunteered me, didn’t you?”
“Oh, look,” she said brightly, dodging the question. “Coming up on your right is Makalapua Beach, which I told you about. You’ll probably recognize it because Hollywood shoots South Seas scenes there all the time. Many people consider it the prettiest beach in all of the islands. Of course other people argue that Hanalei, on Kauai, where Mitzi Gaynor washed that man right out of her hair in the movie South Pacific, is the best because it’s famous. But this is my favorite.”
“That’s very interesting. And I’m sure it’s a great beach. Even the best beach in all the Pacific. But at the moment I’m more interested in what you told your friend.”
“Honestly, Donovan,” Lani complained, “you really do need to learn to relax.”
A moment later, Donovan was treated to a scene that lived up to its hype. The velvet-green mountain and golden coral sand, fringed by pandanus trees, was separated from the vast blue Pacific by a long ruffle of dazzling foam. The vista evoked all the mystical beauty of the South Seas. It also served to reduce his exasperation. Somewhat.
“Paradise found,” he murmured.
Lani gave him a distinctly wary but appreciative glance. “Isn’t it?”
She pulled off the road and cut the engine. Draping her wrists over the top of the steering wheel, she gazed out over the sun-brightened sea.