Chapter 14: Part 3

Richard knew hanging out at the police station was tempting fate but what a rush. He wasn't really inside the station, more like across the street and down a ways, but from here he could see the front door and watch for Delanie to come out. He'd easily followed her earlier. The funny thing about being oblivious was that you didn't know you were being followed.



The luck of finding Delanie after losing her on the island had him humming a happy tune. That more than anything convinced him that this was meant to be. Tracking her on this island would be easy. She had no car, he had her id so she couldn't hop a plane, and he knew where the sailboat she'd come in on was berthed.



He opened a coke he'd picked up after he saw her run into the station. The liquid refreshed his throat, reminding him of a cool waterfall. Maybe he could keep this one alive for longer. Would she appreciate a game of prey and predator on an island? He'd always wanted to do that but had never found the perfect place.



Maybe he would try a hunting game with her after he took her aboard his boat. Now, how would he get her to come with him? She probably was already skittish. Just thinking of her cowering below him made his heart pump faster. Her delicate little arms tied up and her mouth gagged. Just the way he wanted her.



Richard noticed coke spilling down his arms and realized he'd crushed his can. He tossed the can into the garbage and wiped the liquid on his pants.



His tool was rock solid, ready to release into Delanie. The bitch needed to be tamed. If he could bend her to his will then he could master her and she'd be brought to her knees.



He started walking towards the police station, stopping every so often to look into a store window. The area was near desolate and run down. This was a far cry from the high-end shops at the other end of town. Few vacationers would make it down here, fewer would stick around once they arrived.



If the bitch didn't come out soon he'd look out of place. He needed to find a bar and waste some time. What the hell could she be doing in that place? It wasn't like she'd gotten a good look at him. Maybe she was trying to clear up her lack of identification.



A few police ran out of the station and down to their cars. They sped off with lights blaring and sirens blasting. A few shop owners came out and milled around the streets. Richard noticed that he was the only white guy milling around. He had to change his tactic.



He found a small bar one block from the station. They had a few tables that looked out over the street. He picked one that would allow him to keep an eye on the station.



They served a few brands of beer, most of them local labels. He ordered bottle and the waitress delivered a bowl of chips with his bottle of beer. The bar grew crowded as he sipped at his drink.



All of the tables were full with locals. Not one tourist darkened the door. Richard knew he would be remembered. He needed to cross the canal and get into some waters where no one would recognize him or remember him hanging about.



The noise level rose as three other groups sauntered in. Richard guessed that they weren't well liked based on the words flying around. Chairs screeched beside him just as the waitress came around with another drink. A short dark skinned guy jumped up and knocked into the waitress, sending her flying. The beer ejected from the mug and splashed across his lap.



Richard jumped up, blood pounding in his head, his fists clenched. His target pulled herself up off the floor, swiping away some dust from the front of her shirt. He would kill this one. Maybe not today, but he wouldn't let the bimbo live. What kind of woman waited tables in a dive like this anyways? She didn't deserve to live.



Richard took a step forward, focused only on the wench who has spilled the foul smelling liquid on him. Another man stepped blocked him. The guy who had knocked into the waitress was sniveling to the wench, asking for forgiveness. How stupid. It wasn't the guy's fault. The woman should have been looking where she was going.



Maybe the guy needed to be taught a lesson in how to treat women. Richard fantasized about tying the guy up to watch a discipline session. That's one thing he'd never done. No one else was allowed to watch. But with Delanie that might all change.



White-hot fear raced through Richard. He swung around, forgetting the serving wench and focusing on the police station across the street.



How long had he been distracted? Had she left or was she still somewhere ensconced in the bowels of the pigsty. He pushed away from the waitress apologizing for the disaster. Delanie needed his attention. He didn't know what he would do if she'd abandoned him.



"Excuse me sir, I'm so sorry about earlier. Could I get you something?"



Richard wanted to bat the annoying waitress away. Not only had she distracted his focus, she could have ruined his chance with Delanie.



"I'm fine."



"How about some food. I could get you a free burger or some nachos."



Richard turned to stare at the stupid chit. He wanted to make her pay for the trouble she'd caused him. For one brief moment he wondered if he should abandon his plans and move on to the Pacific. Just walk away and start over again in Borneo or Fiji. It would take a few weeks, maybe even months depending on the weather and how much he pushed.



"I'm fine. Not hungry at all."



She backed away. Richard realized he must be scowling and forced a smile. "Really, I'm fine. Just waiting for a friend."



To his immense relief the woman walked away and left him alone. Her ass swayed with each step. She wasn't his type or he would have seriously considered switching. No, he would rather be alone than with someone who didn't interest him.



But he knew he couldn't last months without some onboard entertainment. The lack of release had already forced him to make a few bad decisions. No, he needed Delanie. She would be the one to get him through the long weeks traveling over the open ocean.



Richard turned back to the window and spied Delanie. She looked angry. The man from the island followed her. They were arguing. Richard maneuvered through the crowded bar, pushing past the drunken jerks and stupid hookers littering the place. Once outside he tried to find Delanie again. She was lost to him, her blond head nowhere to be seen.



He frantically searched, looking for the woman who would become his next partner, the one to ease his burdens and inspire him. He moved closer to the police station, his blood thundering through his brain causing a tremendous amount of pain. He stopped and leaned against a palm tree. The air grew thick restricting his breathing.



If he lost her someone would pay. The waitress had to compensate him for his loss. The cost of losing Delanie was high. She'd been important, more than almost anyone else he'd ever shared that special part of his life with. Richard closed his eyes and counted to ten, calming his thoughts and bringing focus to his life.



Richard opened his eyes, his patients was rewarded with a view of Delanie leaving the area alone in a cab. "Hmm, interesting."



The man who had been on the island with Delanie stood at the curb across the street. He watched the cab roll away, anger marring his face. Richard felt victory surging through his body before defeat washed over him. What if Delanie returned to the states? No, she couldn't. He had her passport and her id. She'd be stuck until she could get a new document. He had her. Well, he would if he could find her again. Maybe he should go back to the dock and see if Delanie had returned to the sailboat.

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011