He tugged her flat up against him while winding his arms around her. His mouth settled on hers, further robbing her of any coherent thoughts. Instead she experienced a barrage of sensations from the shortness of breath to the warmth that suffused her whole body to the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  When Michael ended the kiss, he still kept her locked in his embrace, plastered against him, the pounding of his heart flowing from his body into hers. He laid his forehead against hers, sucking in deep breaths.

  “I’ve waited twenty years for that.” The flow of his words over her lips tickled them.

  “You thought of kissing me when you were thirteen?”

  “Yep. You were my first crush. An older, mysterious woman.”

  “You saw me practically every day. There couldn’t be anything mysterious about me.”

  “In my fantasy, there was.”

  “What about your teenage crush on Melissa?”

  “She did take my mind off you for a while.” He straightened, a twinkle in his eyes. “You know how fickle teenage boys can be.” He winked and dropped his arms back to his side.

  “My goodness, what has been keeping y’all?” Aunt Ellen scurried into the kitchen, making a beeline for the coffeepot. “You two go in and entertain Gabe while I get this ready. I declare y’all are gonna need a chaperone before this is over with.”

  As Kyra and Michael walked from the room, she asked, “You heard her coming?”

  “Yes. Why didn’t you? Preoccupied?” Another wink accompanied those questions.

  “You wish.” She increased her pace and claimed the lounger across from where Michael took a seat. Thankful there were six or seven feet between them, Kyra concentrated on Gabe or at least tried to. “Was Connors here for any reason? He left so fast I didn’t get to ask him.”

  “I didn’t send him, but he was aware of how concerned and a little peeved I was at you for disappearing today. I’m getting up there in age and don’t need any more stress, especially with all that’s going on. Retirement is looking better and better.”

  “I’m sorry.” Kyra stared at her lap, not wanting Gabe to realize how truly uncomfortable she was with the situation of not knowing whom to trust. When he discovered what they had done, he would be hurt, but she had to honor Michael’s wishes on this. Amy was his sister.

  Aunt Ellen came into the room carrying a tray with four mugs of coffee on it. She put it down on the table in front of the couch and passed the mugs to everyone. “It got awfully quiet in here. I was hoping you would have the case solved by now.”

  Gabe took a long sip of his drink, then placed the mug on the tray. “I wish we did, but it looks like it’ll take a little longer. We expanded the search toward Manatee Creek, but still have some to do tomorrow. We haven’t located the cabin, but the photo of the creek that was taken was found right before we had to return to town.”

  “Was anyone able to enhance the photo of the two men?” She brought her coffee to her lips and savored the brew.

  “No, too blurry to tell who they are.” Gabe pinned his gaze on Kyra and added, “I need to leave. Walk me to the door.”

  The quiet order conveyed the police chief’s real intention. Kyra stood. “You look tired. You need to get some rest,” she said to fill the charged silence between her and Gabe as they moved toward the foyer.

  Out of earshot of Michael and Aunt Ellen, Gabe halted and pivoted toward her. “What’s really going on?”

  “We’ve been searching for Amy and Laurie. That advice I gave you is something I’m going to take for myself. Today has been long and exhausting, especially with the rain at the end. I felt like I was wearing ten pounds of clothes.”

  His penetrating gaze bore into her. “I trust you, Kyra. I asked you to help me because I do. I think there is more to this case. Preston’s cousin has gang ties in Miami. The dagger is the gang’s symbol, which means Preston was in the gang at one time. From what I heard from the Miami police, though, he left it when he moved here.”

  “But you don’t think he really did?”

  Gabe shrugged. “Hard to tell. I’ve questioned the people he hung out with here in town. They have denied he was involved in anything in Flamingo Cay.”

  Kyra embraced Gabe. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “If you ever want to go back into police work, I’m retiring. These past few days isn’t normal. I promise most of the time it’s quiet and peaceful.”

  She kissed his cheek. “What about Wilson?”

  “He’s still young and has some things to learn. You’d be a good teacher.”

  “I have a successful business I can’t walk away from, but thanks for asking.”

  “Don’t dismiss it. This little town has a lot to offer. Great doctors. Beautiful beaches. Delicious seafood.” He grabbed the handle and opened the front door. “By the way, the bomb was detonated by a timer.”

  “We must have gotten there right after he placed it. I’m sure I saw something in the bush across the orchard.”

  “If only you two had arrived ten minutes earlier, we might have been able to catch this killer.”

  “By using a timer he hadn’t intended to stay around waiting for us to show up to trap us, so why did he blow up the car? Something he didn’t want us to find?”

  “Maybe he was covering his tracks. He might have inspected the car and wanted to make sure he didn’t leave any evidence behind that could be used against him. I doubt we’ll be able to find anything left by him that could incriminate him. The car was burned pretty bad.”

  “Could be. Which means he’s in the system somewhere probably.”

  “Good night. Get some rest, Kyra. I figure tomorrow will be another long day.”

  “You, too. This town needs you.”

  After Gabe left, Kyra hurried back into the great room. “He’s gone.”

  Michael was on his feet the second she came through the entrance and striding toward the kitchen. “I told Aunt Ellen what was going on.”

  “Goodness, those girls have to be scared out of their mind. I’ve got some cookies and milk that should make them feel better.” Aunt Ellen trailed them into the kitchen and went to the refrigerator.

  “Auntie, why don’t you order a couple of pizzas instead? They haven’t eaten much except what Michael and I brought them.”

  “Oh, sure. You’re right.” She crossed to the phone on the desk. “They can have the cookies for dessert. I’ll need to go to the grocery store and stock up.”

  While Michael disappeared into the garage, Kyra paused and turned toward her aunt. “Not too much. We don’t want anyone to think we’re feeding an army.”

  “Kyra, you’re so good at this spy stuff. Well, not exactly spy stuff, but you know what I mean.” Aunt Ellen began punching in the number of the lone local pizza restaurant.

  Half-asleep, the two teens staggered in from the garage, the blankets wrapped around them. Behind them, Michael shut the door and locked it. Both girls blinked at the brightness of the light in the kitchen, ducking their heads down.

  “Aunt Ellen ordered some pizzas. While we wait for them, why don’t you two take a shower, and I’ll find something for you to change into.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll go back to our house and get some clothes for both of you.” Michael pulled Amy into his arms. “I’m just glad you’re here in one piece.”

  His sister leaned back and looked up into his face. “What if he finds us here?”

  Michael started to say something but Kyra stepped toward the girls. “I’m not going to kid you. He might. But this place has a good alarm system and my business is protecting people. We’ll keep the blinds pulled, all windows and doors locked, and we’re going to work real hard to figure out what’s going on and stop this guy before he can do anything else.”

  “Take a shower. Then we’ll eat and discuss what happened.” Michael rubbed his hands up and down Amy’s upper arms.

  Aunt Ellen rose from the desk, retrieving her gun from the large pocket of her dress. “No one is going to hurt you in my house.”

  Wild-eyed, Laurie glanced from Auntie’s gun to Kyra’s in its holster at her waist. “I need to let Mom know I’m all right. She doesn’t know where I went. I didn’t even have time to leave her a message. Can I at least call her?”

  Kyra settled her arm along her shoulders. She and Michael had decided to wait to tell Laurie about her mother until she was back at the house. Kyra wished she didn’t have to give this news to an already distraught girl. “She isn’t at home. Your mom was hurt and is in the hospital, but she’ll be all right.”

  Tears welled into Laurie’s eyes. “Hurt? How?”

  “The guy who’s after you two beat her up.”

  “Because of me.” The teen’s legs gave out, and she would have sank to the floor if Kyra hadn’t supported her weight. She helped the girl to a chair nearby.

  “How bad?” Laurie asked, wet tracks streaking down her cheeks.

  Kyra knelt in front of the teenager while Amy clasped her friend’s shoulder. “Pretty bad, but the doctor said she’ll recover with time. Right now she is being guarded at the hospital so no one can get to her and harm her anymore.”

  “Can I talk to her?” Laurie swiped her forefingers across her cheeks, but the tears continued to fall.

  Kyra grasped the girl’s hands, waiting for her full attention. “She’s sleeping a lot, which is what her body needs. We can’t take the risk right now of letting anyone know you all are here. But as soon as I think it’s safe, you can. Okay?”

  Laurie nodded.

  “We’ll get him, Laurie. For Preston, Tyler and your mom.” Amy’s gaze latched on to Kyra.

  The determination Kyra glimpsed in her blue depths spoke of a person who had done a lot of growing up in the past few days.

  An hour later in the great room, Kyra gathered the empty boxes of pizza and headed for the kitchen. “Does anyone want anything else?”

  “We’re good.” Michael sat next to his sister on the couch while Laurie was on the other side of Amy.

  Kyra stacked the three empty boxes on the kitchen table, refilled her coffee, then hurried back into the great room. She and Michael had decided not to talk about the case until after everyone had eaten and gotten a second wind.

  Aunt Ellen rose from the lounge chair. “I’m gonna leave y’all to talk. I’m changing the sheets on Kyra’s bed so you two girls can share it. Please finish those cookies tonight if you’re still hungry. I can always bake more tomorrow. Good night.”

  “Where are you sleeping?” Amy asked Kyra as her aunt left the room.

  “With Auntie. Your brother will be in here on the couch.”

  After reaching for a chocolate-chip cookie, Amy pulled her feet up on the couch and tucked them under her, leaning against Michael. “I think I can draw a picture of the man who came after us—” she glanced at Laurie “—with your help.” Amy took a big bite of the sweet. Her eyes grew huge.

  “You don’t have to eat it,” Kyra said with a laugh.

  Amy finished chewing the bite. “Won’t your aunt be hurt if we don’t?”

  “I’ll dispose of them so she won’t know. She means well but just doesn’t get it when she cooks. She won’t follow a recipe and puts ingredients in without measuring. She doesn’t even own measuring cups and spoons. Some cooks might be able to get away with doing that, but my aunt isn’t one of them.”

  Amy bent forward and set the partially eaten cookie on the plate.

  Kyra scooted to the end of her chair, clasping her hands together, her elbows on her thighs. “Tell me what happened again from the beginning. Everything you can remember. Don’t leave out any detail. You never know when it could be important.”

  Amy peered at Laurie, who gave a slight nod. “Tyler wanted to go a little farther into the swamp than we’ve been going. Really explore the area.” Amy shared another look with Laurie. “We think now Tyler was scouting the area for something or someone. Preston and him kept whispering between them.”

  “Do you think he was looking for the guy after you?”

  Laurie shook her head. “He was as surprised as we were when we found the cabin. I don’t think that was what he was looking for.”

  Kyra thought about the gang connection with Tyler—and even Preston. Maybe Tyler was here to do something for his gang. They might never know what it was he was looking for, but it wasn’t important unless it pertained to the case. “Okay, you found this cabin that you thought would be deserted but it wasn’t. How long were you all there before the man showed up?”

  “Maybe ten minutes, tops.” Amy lay her head on the back cushion, yawning.

  “Where is this cabin?” Michael asked his sister.

  “Due east about two hours, past Manatee Creek. We went by kayak. Even though I got turned around some, especially when we fled, I think I can find it again. Preston has been going into the Everglades a lot, even more than I do. He seemed to know about certain places more than me.”

  Was Preston helping his cousin somehow? Was what Tyler looking for connected in some way to the killer? “We might check out the cabin, but I seriously doubt anyone is there now. It has been compromised. He wouldn’t have stuck around.”

  “The guys wanted to check the place out. I didn’t think it would harm anything so I agreed.”

  Laurie frowned. “I wanted to leave. The place gave me the creeps.”

  Amy glanced at her friend. “I wish we had. Then maybe Preston and Tyler might not have taken the money.”

  Kyra straightened. “Money? What money?”

  “There was a lot of money in a duffel bag. I mean, a lot.” Massaging the side of her temple, Amy leaned forward, putting her feet on the floor. “Preston and Tyler each took about five thousand and there was still thousands left. The killer would have had to count it to know any was missing. Preston and Tyler took a little from each bundle of cash so the same number of bundles were there.”

  “Dr. Hunt, we begged the boys not to take the money. They didn’t think the person would miss it,” Laurie said.

  “So you think it’s the missing money that made the man come after you all and kill Preston and Tyler?” Kyra realized people murdered for a lot less, but she had a feeling more than that was going on here.

  “Yes, at least at first before he got the money back.”

  “What do you mean he got the money back?” Kyra asked.

  “The man from the cabin found my cell and used it to text Preston. He told Preston to return the money he and his friends stole from him or we would regret it. No questions asked if Preston left it at the Pattersons’ house. He knew all of our names.”

  “Even Tyler’s?” Kyra leaned back in her chair.

  Amy nodded.

  Kyra glanced at Michael. “This reinforces the idea someone is helping him in the area. Gabe didn’t know who Tyler was until Wilson tracked down the young man and found out he was Preston’s cousin.”

  “So why did this man have thousands of dollars in a duffel bag in the middle of the Glades?” Michael kneaded his right shoulder.

  “That’s what Laurie and I have been asking ourselves. We think he is being paid to do something bad.” Amy sat forward.

  “Why do you say that?” Kyra rose, restlessness zipping through her, tingling her nerve endings.

  “Because of what else was in the duffel bag.” Amy locked gazes with Kyra. “There were floor plans and a map of some place.”

  “Do you know where?” Kyra gripped the back of the lounge chair.

  “There wasn’t a name on the drawing.”

  “It was bigger than a house. A good-size building,” Laurie chimed in.

  Amy snapped her fingers. “Yes, and the little squares that I guess were rooms had numbers on them. Maybe an office building.”

  Laurie twisted her mouth into a thoughtful countenance. “Or hotel. Not everything was labeled, so it was hard to tell. I didn’t get a good look at it.”

  “I did while Preston and Tyler were taking the money. I think I could recreate the plans.” Amy closed her eyes for a moment, now rubbing her forehead.

  “Are you all right?” Michael asked.

  “I’ve got a headache. That’s all.”

  “Me, too.” Laurie’s eyebrows dipped downward.

  Michael pointed to their still half-full water glasses. “Both of you need to drink a lot of liquid. You might have been surrounded by water in the swamp, but that doesn’t help you when you’re thirsty. You’re both dehydrated most likely.”

  As the teenage girls drank some water, Kyra walked to the picture window overlooking the beach and cracked the blind to peer out into the darkness. Nothing stirred except the branches of the palm trees as the light breeze caught them. She turned toward the trio. “What happened after the guys took the money?”

  “I was looking out the broken glass pane in front and saw two men coming toward the cabin. I told Amy, Preston and Tyler we had to get out of there.” Laurie shuddered.

  “While the guys were putting the bundles of cash and the plans back in the bag the way they found them, I came over to Laurie to see who she was talking about. She looked scared.”

  “Because I was. Did you see that dark-haired man? That snake on his arm?”

  “A tattoo or real?” Kyra remembered Cherie talking about a black snake getting her.

  Another shiver wiggled down Laurie’s length. “Not real, thankfully. But the man was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and one arm had a big ugly black snake halfway down it.”

  “It covered him from the top by his shoulder to his elbow. His hair was long and pulled back in a ponytail. But what frightened me was his voice. Chilling. Raspy.”

  “Yeah, and he had a foreign accent. Spanish. Or Italian.”

  Amy exchanged a look with Laurie. “It was Spanish. He and the other, thin man slipped between Spanish and English.”

  “Could you hear what he was saying, Amy?” Kyra’s fingers dug into the back cushion of the lounger so hard they cramped up. She loosened them and shook them.