This is episode twenty-nine of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise
. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by.
Now What?
“I guess we’re stranded,” Trace said. “Did either of you hear the searchers say anything about Sage and Coyote being captured?”
“I heard plenty,” Adam said, “but nothing about already capturing anybody.”
“Same here,” Pete said.
“We can assume Sage and Coyote got back to their boat and safely on their way back to the ship,” Trace said.
“We should verify,” Adam said. “But for now, let’s plan on that assumption. For now, how do we get off this island?”
“How long can we hide out?” Pete said.
“Successful breaks from prison or jail starts from the moment the prisoner walks in the prison or jail,” Adam said. “And we have to keep on planning. Every moment not spent in planning can be the moment needed and lost.”
“Let’s say they are convinced everyone escaped,” Trace said, “and we can successfully hide out. For how long? I don’t know. None of us knows. But, they will have to order material for repairs. That will arrive by plane or boat. Let’s say we can commandeer a boat or plane. If by boat, that’s no problem. Dad, you and I can fly a puddle jumper, but what may come in here is something we can’t fly. So what do you think of commandeering the plane and pilot to fly us out of here?”
Adam and Pete looked at each other and nodded.
“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Pete said.
“I left orders with Makani if things go wrong, sail to Penrhyn Atoll,” Trace said. “It’s four hundred and fifty miles northwest.”
“Does he have enough fuel?” Adam asked.
“Just enough,” Trace said. “If there’s problems, Makani knows how to handle things.”
“How long do you think he’ll stay before taking off?” Adam asked.
“He’ll give us three days,” Trace said. “Cally and I decided it would not be a good idea to fly around the island if we don’t show up on The Tramp Islander. If we did that it would tip our hand and they’d figure somebody was still on the island. Eventually, somebody will look up in a tree.”
“I have an idea,” Pete said. “I know where the other rubber boat is hidden. If we go back there and it’s gone, that means Sage and Coyote are not on the island. If it’s there, they’re somewhere on the island.”
“Lead the way,” Trace said.
Pete bent low and walked to where the palms and shore met. Trace and Adam followed. They remained hidden among the palms and brush as they moved southward along the western shore.
The glow of light rose into the night sky from where the compound was located. Trace imaged a flurry of activity going on at the compound. Though well organized, this may have been their first brush with a real breach in security.
They stopped to rest in a small clearing that opened to the sea. A moderate surf calmed them.
“I suspect they are gathering information,” Adam said. “Haywood isolates them because he has assembled weak people. If there is any exposure to resistance or truth it is a threat to him. In my opinion, he only has a handful of real loyalists. This doesn’t mean the others can’t be dangerous, but given an option, they’ll hesitate or freeze. These next few hours are important. They are shaken. He has to calm them.”
Trace held his binoculars to his eyes. He scanned the night sea.
“See anything?” Pete asked.
“Can’t be sure,” Trace said.
They leaned against the palms for a few minutes.
“If we don’t get moving,” Adam said, “I’m going to stiffen up.”
Pete stood and continued his hunched walk. Trace and Adam followed.
They trudged for another fifteen minutes. Pete held his hand up and they stopped.
“The boat is in those bushes,” Pete said pointing to a spot about twenty feet away.
They slowly rose and looked for any presence of Sage and Coyote, or searchers. They noticed nothing. They charged forward and separated the brush.
“It’s still here,” Pete said.
“Sage and Coyote are still here,” Adam said.
“But where?” Trace said. He looked along the beach and into the palms and brush as if expecting to see them.
“They are probably hiding out like we were,” Pete said.
“Or captured,” Adam offered.
“Dad,” Trace said, “you and Pete stay here. I’m going to sneak back to the compound and see if they have captured them. They’ll probably have them in the stockade. I’ll know they’re there if it’s well-guarded. Hopefully, they’ll show up while I’m gone. If they show up or not, if I’m not back in two hours, head back to The Tramp Islander.”
“Then what?” Adam asked.
“I don’t know,” Trace smiled, “but you’ll be in charge. You’ll figure something out.”
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