Paradise. Here are the links to The Double-Cross In Paradise: paperback, Kindle.
Prison Visit
Later in the day, Trace informed Cooper of another passenger on The Tineytanic. Cooper assured him that even with the extra passenger, there were plenty of provisions for the voyage from Nida to Port Vila.
Trace set out early the next day and walked to the prison.
Trace and Franks sat at the visitors' table alone in the prison’s visiting room.
“I have a plan,” Trace said.
“I’d like to hear it,” Franks eased back in his chair and waited.
Trace leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
“I need for you to put out the word that I have been running drugs ever since I’ve been in the South Seas. And that has been my only reason for coming here. Float the idea that the whole thing on Flint Island had to do with drugs. Anyone looking in from the outside might think it was a massive operation.”
“Agreed, that was impressive,” Frank said.
“And I’ve taken on a couple of partners,” Trace continued.
Franks raised his eyebrows. “And you want me to legitimize them also.”
“Exactly,” Trace said. “An older man named Cooper and a real sleaze bag named Kelsey. He’s from Western Australia and wants to get in on the action in the South Pacific.”
“And you are sure this will do?” Franks questioned.
“Everything is believable if it comes from the right source,” Trace said.
“You’re hoping I’m the right source?” Franks questioned.
“You’ve got the most to lose by lying,” Trace said.
“With my credibility in question to the lowlifes of the South Pacific,” Franks said, “what sort of gainful employment do I have to return to when I get out?”
“You can always set up shop elsewhere,” Trace said.
“I like it here,” Franks said.
Trace laughed under his breath. He stared at Franks. He looked out the high windows of the visiting room. And then back to Franks. “I see your kid in you. That’s sort of funny. It should be the other way around. I’m thinking at one time you were your son, idealistic, a bit naive, maybe even a romantic. The person Paul’s mother fell in love with. And something happened. I’m thinking somebody close to you betrayed you. And I think you’ve been getting back at that person through the misery of others all your life.”
“Humph, seems like you've been trying to scrape deep into my psyche,” Franks said.
“It’s like a flashing sign,” Trace said.
“I wish I could have had your life,” Franks said. “You were born into it.”
“You wouldn’t last thirty seconds on a dude ranch horse,” Trace said. “You don’t know my dad or grandpa. I had to work twice what a ranch hand did. I came home with bleeding blisters and a sore ass. ”
“But you always knew what was waiting for you in the end,” Franks said.
“Every man who works hard knows what’s at the end,” Trace said. “You couldn’t wait. You wanted it now. After the first time you made an illegal dollar, how long did it take before you were a millionaire?”
Franks grinned. “Three years.”
“Franks, my friend,” Trace said, “how do you think this will end for you. Will you be staring out of a prison cell at the sky, the last breath you take, will it be a bullet, a shank, or surrounded by a family who loves you?”
“The moment you die, it stops making a difference,” Franks said.
“But what is the rest of your journey like?” Trace said. He looked around the room. “Can you say, so far so good. You can’t even take a leak without the cells on both sides of you knowing it.”
“You’ve seen how good I have it here,” Franks said. “I can come and go as I please. I run things in here.”
“A prince among thieves, murderers, and perverts,” Trace said. “I think you’re better than that.”
'Sell all I got and give to the poor,” Franks said sarcastically.
“Your words, not mine,” Trace said.
“Don’t tell me you’re worried about my soul,” Franks said.
“I’ve grown to like your son,” Trace said. “I consider him a friend. And I’d like for him to look upon his dad the same as I do my own dad. It’s a gift. It’s a treasure.”
“I feel as if I’m beyond that,” Franks said. “It’s too late.”
“Too late is always the next day,” Trace said and stood. “Can you do this for me?”
“Consider it done.”
“Thanks,” Trace said.
“Will my son be in harm’s way?”
“I didn’t save him from coyotes only to be bitten by snakes,” Trace said. “I’m not putting anybody in danger but myself and the guy named Kelsey.”
Trace walked to the door of the visiting room. He rapped on the door, it opened, and he walked through.
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