This is the second episode of my latest novel in The Trace Troy Adventure series. It is titled The Double-Cross in Paradise. It is not yet available in paperback or digital format.
Meeting Up With Allie
A day later, they docked at Suva. Cally was there to reclaim the unused equipment from the rescue of the cult members on Flint Island.
Trace talked with Paul and Tom. He wanted to reassure them that he valued their work and wanted them to stay. They expressed a willingness to continue working on The Tramp Islander.
Trace walked to Allie’s office. He rapped on the door and she barked to come in.
Her eyes lit up at the sight of Trace as she lifted her head from the pile of papers and invoices on her desk. She stood and rushed from behind her desk and gave Trace a hug.
“How are you doing?” Allie said with moist eyes. “It is so good to see you. Where’s Adam?
“Hawaii,” Trace said, “honeymoon.”
“What!”
“Dad had an old love in Pago Pago,” Trace said.
“Talei?” Allie said.
“Yes,” Trace said. “You know about her?”
“Oh my goodness. When he came back here from Pago Pago after their breakup, we couldn’t get a smile out of him.” She shook her head. “So he went and did it. Good for him. So what about the other thing?”
“From all appearances, it was a success,” Trace said. “We rescued over twenty members of the cult from the island, and that included Franks’ son.”
“I bet that was quite a payday,” Allie chortled and said, “Have a seat and tell me all about it.”
Allie returned to her chair, and Trace sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
Trace held Allie spellbound as he related the details of what happened on Flint Island. He told her how they ferried to the island on rubber boats, blew up the guard tower, two airplanes, and three boats. He continued with how they escaped from the stockade, grabbed the cult leader, and held him hostage. And then how they transported over twenty cult members back to Pago Pago.
“Did anybody get hurt?” Allie asked.
“I scraped my arm on some coral,” Trace grinned. “There were a couple of cult members injured, but most importantly, no loss of life.”
“So what happened to the cult leader, Demetri?” Allie asked.
“Demeter,” Trace corrected. “He was handed over to authorities. He’s facing death or life. He may be responsible for the death of some cult members.”
“Have you seen Waldo yet?” Allie asked.
“No,” Trace said, “but I’ll see him soon.”
“What happened to his son?”
“He’s one of my deckhands,” Trace said, “along with another former cult member.”
“Hiring Franks’ kid?” Allie said. “How’s that working for you?”
“Not bad,” Trace said, “he’s nothing like his dad. He’s a fine young man. A little nerdy, but a hard worker.”
“Sure not like father like son,” Allie said from the side of her mouth.
“Who knows,” Trace said, “maybe beneath Franks’ slimy outward appearance, there’s a nerd.”
“So, do you want me to get some cargo together for you?”
“Give us a week. The last few weeks have been enough. A break would be nice.”
“What’s your plans?” Allie said.
“Well,” Trace smiled, “I was thinking about taking you out for dinner tomorrow.”
“Let me check my calendar,” And without hesitation. “There’s nothing on it.”
Trace got up and grabbed hold of the doorknob. “Can you pick me up?”
“Sure.”
Trace walked halfway through the door and turned back. “My dad said to send his love, and he expects you to visit him and Talei in Texas real soon.”
“I’ll do that,” Allie said, “but what will I do about that hot, dry sun? I’ll dry out and crack.”
“No, ya won’t,” Trace grinned. “We got saddle soap. We have saddles older than you and look better than the first day it was strapped to a horse’s back.”
“Well,” Allie looked at the pile of papers on her desk, “some days, I feel like a saddle.”
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