Page 116 of Wayward

“There’s more.”

“Damn, Rockwell. You don’t need to bottle up secrets,” Calvin says.

“This isn’t a secret. Rocky sent me an email a bit ago. They found Susan. In Switzerland. She’s being held on one count of murder and numerous accounts of attempted murder. They’re working on her extradition now. Since theRock Candywas flying under a Bahamas flag, it’s a complicated process. The trial might end up in the Swiss courts.”

“I’m just relieved to hear they caught her.” Haley leans against me. “Oh, I have news too. It’s not as big, but . . . Stella Freeman never went through with the wedding with Krit. She found out about how he sold us out to Thayer and called off the wedding. She friended me on social media, but I’ve been staying off my account because of all the weirdos out there.”

“There are some weirdos in here too.” Dante stands. “A business sold, a killer caught, a loser dumped, and an islandbought. I’d say this calls for a celebration! What do you want to do, Sassy?”

“I’ve got a big test tomorrow . . .”

“Rain check it is. But how about I deliver some study snacks to your desk?”

“Yes, please.” All of us meet in the middle of the living room in a big hug.

“You sure you want to go here?” the local captain we hired to bring us here asks. Our island is a speck on the horizon, but we’re getting closer. “It’s not a lucky place.”

“Lucky’s a matter of perspective,” Calvin mutters, gripping the rail. “Or memory.” He turns to me. And the time on the other side of the island flashes back to me. The village was decimated by the greed of someone.

“We’ll be good.” The back of the boat is loaded down with things we don’t need but will be nice to have. I put my arm around Haley. “You doing okay?”

“I’m nervous. It’s been a long time, and it’s not going to look the same, you know?”

“It’s true, the jungle will have taken back a lot of land in the time we’ve been gone,” Sam says and gives her a peck on her cheek.

“Change is hard, Sassy.” Dante comes up behind her. His hand around her waist, he pulls her to him. “Much like I am. But damn, I’m looking forward to seeing you in your bikini again. Can we all agree that this weather is much better than Pittsburgh in winter?” He gestures to the approaching beach.

“I don’t know. I kind of like snow,” I say.

“Me too. But this is nice as well.” Haley tilts her head to me.

“Honestly, I thought being inland would drive me batty. But I’ve adjusted. You guys want to give me a hand loading up the tender when we get there?” Sam asks.

There are many piles of supplies. Tubs of clothes, coolers, solar panels, tools, tarps, tents, fishing gear, and snorkeling equipment stand next to our four new WaveRunners. Tethered to the big rock is our hard-sided tender. The only thing missing is Penny and Pepper. They’re back with Dante’s mom. Hopefully, the next time we come, they’ll be with us.

After everything is secure and undercover, the captain of our ride stands with his hands on his hips in the surf. “You’re sure?” he asks in his thick accent.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I say with a smile. “Next Monday, the contractor and his team will be waiting for you. Call me if your plans have changed.”

Calvin and Zane have been double-checking the satellite phone the whole way to the island. And with the right targeting, we’ve been able to keep a clear signal.

“I will. You’re sure you don’t want my men to take your things farther inland?” He glares at our mound of supplies.

Zane’s moving another box. “I didn’t know how much I missed some physical labor.” He flexes his biceps at Haley.

She laughs. “We’re sure. Thank you, Captain,” Haley answers for us. She snakes her arm around my waist.

The boat captain gives us a salute and heads back to his tender. The other guys come over and watch him leave.

“Are you ready?” I ask Haley.

She jumps and claps. “I am.”

“Are you going to tell us all the names of the plants you didn’t know before?” Zane playfully bumps her with his elbow.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” she mimics me from earlier.

The path to the treehouse isn’t completely overgrown, but vines and ferns are reaching for each other.