Nowhere To Hide

The security chief booted up his computer. “That the new Action-Pac line?”

Tyler nodded.

“Friend of mine says it’s the hottest stuff on the market. Vic calls himself a techno junkie with an A.P. addiction.” Matt shook his head and chuckled. “T-shirts, coffee mugs, screen savers. Anything made with the A.P. logo and he’s got it.”

“Cool. My dad bought me my Action-Pac.” Tyler’s voice was filled with pride.

Sonny had never been one to buy expensive gifts, but he’d given the game to Tyler the night he died. Since then, her son hadn’t let it out of his sight.

As the security chief began to type, Lydia whispered into Tyler’s ear. “Honey, remember when I checked the A.P. game discs Dad gave you?”

“Yeah. You said you had to look at them before I did.”

“That’s right. You gave me all the discs, didn’t you?”

Tyler shrugged. “I think so. Why, Mom?”

Why? Because she wondered whether her computer-whiz husband had hidden evidence on one of the discs, evidence to protect himself before he walked away from the corruption.

Tyler leaned back against her. She wrapped her arm around him, enjoying the warmth of his body nestled close. Her taut muscles began to relax.

Maybe coming to Sanctuary would provide a few days of reprieve, which she desperately needed. She had worked so hard these last months to find out what had happened to Sonny. The fire hadn’t been an accident. Someone had wanted him dead. But who and why? The police? Someone at the club?

She had asked God to help her learn the truth. So far, He’d ignored her request.

The security chief—

What was his name?

She glanced at a plaque on the wall. Matt Lawson, that was it.

Her eyes strayed to a certificate with The City of Miami Police Department scripted in gold. “In grateful appreciation for services rendered.”

A former cop. No wonder Mr. Lawson seemed unsympathetic to her situation. Of course, in his defense she hadn’t given him enough information to realize why she was so cautious. Maybe he’d be more understanding if he knew the truth.

Not that she was willing to explain anything.

Slowly, the tension that had held her tight for so long eased. Her eyes grew heavy. Her mind began to drift….

A phone rang. She jerked awake with a start. Tyler was sound asleep, slumped in her arms. Her watch read 2:00 a.m.

Matt said something into the phone, then smiled in her direction.

“That’s good to hear, Ms. O’Connor. Yes, she and her son arrived a few hours ago. There was a problem with the security alarm.” He motioned for Lydia.

Katherine’s voice sounded tired when Lydia put the phone to her ear.

“Sorry about the alarm,” Katherine said. “I probably should have canceled my trip.”

“And I told you I wouldn’t hear of it. Your sister-in-law’s counting on you,” Lydia hastened to reply.

“Hip replacement at age eighty-two. She’ll need more than my help. I told Matt you were to be given every courtesy. Don’t forget, there are spare clothes in the guest room and a charge card in the desk drawer.”

“That’s not necessary,” Lydia said.

“Buy Tyler a few things for me and don’t be stubborn. You don’t want anyone to trace your credit card. Order anything you need from The Country Store. It’s about fifteen miles west of the island. And there’s a small grocery not far from the house. We can settle up when I return, if you insist.”

“I can’t thank you enough.”

“You helped me when Patrick died. Fact is grief probably would have killed me if you hadn’t forced me to work through my misery. I know what desperate feels like.”

Lydia blinked back tears of appreciation.

“Plus, I never thought Sonny was good enough for you, but that’s beside the point. The only thing of value he ever did was tell me about Sanctuary. Eight months ago when Atlanta held too many memories, the ocean was just what I needed. Maybe it’ll help you, as well. Now, let me give you the security code before I forget.”

Lydia wrote the numbers on a scrap of paper.

“Tell Matt he owes you a dinner for all the trouble he’s caused.”

“No harm done,” Lydia said.

“The man’s got a good heart, it’s just that his head gets in the way sometimes. And don’t listen to the island gossip. He’s more than paid for his sins. Listen, I’ve got to go, the limousine’s ready to leave for the hotel. I’m praying for you, Lydia. Call you in a day or two.”

Lydia hung up the phone. Unlike her own lukewarm attitude toward the Almighty, Katherine seemed on fire with the love of the Lord. Maybe He’d listen to her prayers.

Matt stood and walked around his desk as Lydia returned to the couch. “The electricity should be on by now. I’ll drive you and Tyler back to the house.”

She nudged her sleeping child. “Wake up, honey.”

Tyler rubbed his eyes. “I’m thirsty, Mom.”

Matt dug into his pocket, pulled out some change and pointed to a side door. “There’s a soda machine down that hall. Connects with the Community Center.” He dropped the coins in Tyler’s outstretched hand.

“Thank you,” Lydia said, following Tyler through the doorway.

Tyler ran to the machine. “Can I get a cola?”

“An orange drink or lemon-lime. You decide.”

While Tyler studied the selection, Lydia glanced at a glass-covered bulletin board filled with photographs that hung on the wall.

Island Life, a sign read, thumbtacked to the center of the grouping on the wall. Joel Cowan, photographer.

Although she and Sonny had never been to Sanctuary, the four-by-six glossies seemed to capture the casual lifestyle of coastal living. A few photos showed pleasure crafts docked at a marina. Others were of fishermen hauling in their catch and men and woman enjoying the sun and the surf.

Wonder if she’d find Katherine’s face in the collage.

One photo caught her eye. A group of seagulls hovered in midflight, snagging morsels of bread thrown aloft by someone out of camera range.