Dead Reckoning (Lantern Beach Mayday Book 2) Read online

  Jimmy James needed to find out who.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Who are you and what do you want from me?” Kenzie’s voice trembled as she was keenly aware of the gun pressed into her.

  “I’m the one who’ll be talking. Do you understand?”

  She said nothing, just waited for this man to continue.

  “You need to do exactly what I tell you or your friend Jimmy James will go to prison.”

  “What do you mean?” The question escaped before she could stop it.

  “I mean, we have pictures of him breaking and entering aboard Seas the Day. All I have to do is make one call and the police will have no excuse not to arrest him. And with his track record, he’ll go to prison again.”

  Kenzie sucked in a breath. That man who’d locked her in the closet . . . he must have stayed close. Must have watched as Jimmy James rescued her.

  Could he really go to prison for going aboard? She thought it was a real possibility.

  Or what if this guy wasn’t telling the truth?

  “You’re bluffing,” she finally murmured.

  “Do you want to test that theory?”

  Kenzie’s spine stiffened. No, she did not want to test that theory. Because she could very easily see how that would play out. Jimmy James would be an easy scapegoat for anything like that. Whoever was behind this knew that and was using it for leverage.

  “What do you want from me?” Her voice trembled again as she asked the question.

  “You have an upcoming charter with Senator Williams,” the man started.

  Her breath caught. Of course, that was what this was about.

  “Since you’ve already inserted yourself into our business, then we’re just going to let you continue to do that.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I just want you to be friendly with him.”

  Her heart rate slowed to a dull thud. “What does that mean?”

  “You know. Friendly.”

  “I’m friendly to everyone.”

  “You need to be even more friendly with him. The kind of friendly where you touch his arm and shoulder and talk to him at night when everyone else is sleeping.”

  Kenzie sucked in a breath. Was this man saying that he needed to be caught in a compromising position?

  That’s what it sounded like to her.

  “I’m not that type of person.”

  “We’re not saying you have to do anything that goes too far. But you’re his type. We just need you to be friendly, as I said earlier.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “It’s like I said, charges will be pressed against Jimmy James. He probably won’t be able to keep his captain’s license, and we both know he’s worked so hard to get where he is. He’ll be forced to work the docks until he retires—if he can even retire. I heard the pay for this job isn’t great. I’m sure that’s not what you want.”

  Kenzie’s mind raced. “Even if I do what you want, how are you going to know?”

  “We have people everywhere. We’ll know.”

  She didn’t say anything. Her mind raced through all the possibilities. But however she looked at it, the whole situation seemed lose-lose.

  “Are we clear as to what this agreement is?” the man finally said.

  Kenzie wanted to say no. She wanted to scream and jump out of the car. But she couldn’t do that. Not with the gun pressed into her side.

  “Are we clear?” he asked again.

  “Yes.” The word sounded harsh and garbled.

  “Great. I’m glad we could come to this agreement. I’m going to climb out of the car, and I want you to wait ten seconds until you pull away. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  Then she heard the door open, and the man ran away.

  Jimmy James couldn’t help but notice that Kenzie seemed shaken as she helped carry the provisions from the car onto the yacht. The whole crew had pitched in to help. But Jimmy James kept stealing glances at Kenzie, trying to figure out what had caused the change in her.

  Finally, he caught her alone in the galley. “Is everything okay?”

  Kenzie cast him a quick glance before plastering on a smile and setting a box of vegetables on the counter. “Yes. Of course. Why?”

  “You’re not acting like yourself.”

  “I just have a lot to get done,” she said as she walked back to the door, clearly not wanting to stop and talk. “But I’m fine.”

  He followed behind, trying to figure out how hard he should push. “Just checking. With everything that’s happened, you never know.”

  “I suppose that is true.”

  After they finished unloading, they had a crew meeting in the salon again. Jimmy James chose not to reveal who the guests were for the charter quite yet. Because the sooner he revealed it, the more chances there were for that news to slip and for people to hear that the senator was going to be on the boat.

  He didn’t want to risk that. Especially since Mr. Robertson had repeatedly reminded him about how the senator wanted privacy.

  “I need everyone to be here to report for duty by nine a.m. This place needs to be spic-and-span. The guests will arrive at ten, and we need to make sure we give them a vacation of a lifetime. Understand?”

  Everyone around him nodded.

  “Good news then. You’re all free to go.”

  As everyone dispersed, Jimmy James saw a new figure step on the boat.

  Chief Chambers.

  His heart thumped in his chest as he anticipated what she might have to say.

  Chapter Thirty

  Kenzie felt her throat tighten when she saw Chief Chambers step onto the boat with a grim look on her face. What now?

  Please, Lord . . . no more bad news.

  Kenzie had really been hoping that she and Jimmy James could talk. That she could get some things off her chest—things like how she was so tired of people trying to control her life.

  First, her father.

  Then, Jimmy James.

  Just now, the man who’d been in her car.

  Sometimes it felt like everyone tried to play her like a pawn.

  That wasn’t okay. She was fully capable of making her own choices. She had a good head on her shoulders. She didn’t make risky moves—not usually, at least.

  When would she find someone who’d let her be herself? Who gave her freedom to make mistakes? Who trusted her judgment, especially when it came to Kenzie’s future?

  Those things were the least of her concerns right now, though.

  Did Chief Chambers know about the man in her car? Had he already made good with his threat and sent those pictures to the police?

  There were almost too many worst-case scenarios vying for her attention.

  “I was hoping to find you here.” The chief paused in front of Kenzie.

  Kenzie’s throat burned with dread. “Is everything okay?”

  “I know you said it was dark outside when you saw the incident several nights ago. So, I realize it’s a longshot that you would be able to identify the victim.”

  Kenzie nibbled on her bottom lip as she waited for the police chief to continue.

  “But I wondered if I showed you a picture of the woman we found today if it might ring any bells with you.”

  “I’d be willing to try.” Kenzie’s heart pounded harder in her ears.

  “I know that this isn’t easy,” Chief Chambers said. “Seeing a dead body never is.”

  “I’ll be okay.”

  Chief Chambers grimaced before pulling out her phone and tapping on the screen. A moment later, she showed Kenzie a photo there.

  The face was bloated and discolored.

  But the dark hair . . . the skin tone . . . the age . . .

  Kenzie couldn’t tell for sure, but she thought she knew who this was.

  To confirm her theory, she glanced at the woman’s collarbone.

  She could barely make out a small lightning tattoo there.

  Her bre
ath caught as all doubt left her mind.

  “It’s Ashley Nelson,” Kenzie said. “The student from Indiana who went missing last week.”

  The rest of the crew went belowdecks to get cleaned up. But Jimmy James stayed on the main deck, trying to ready himself for his new guests.

  Kenzie joined him at the railing.

  He stared at her as she stood, overlooking the water. The late afternoon sun hit her glossy hair, making it shimmer and causing her skin to glow.

  She was so beautiful. He’d thought that from the moment he met her.

  Her long, dark hair that flowed over her shoulders. Her olive complexion. Her brown eyes. The combination took his breath away.

  But it was more than her physical beauty that caught his attention. Kenzie also had a kind spirit. A vulnerability that he wasn’t used to seeing. And she was smart as well.

  He drew in a deep breath as he stepped closer. Maybe breaking things off with her had been a huge mistake. It was certainly his loss.

  But what about Kenzie? What her father said was true. She would be better off without him. She couldn’t even deny that, could she?

  “You thinking about Ashley Nelson?” he finally asked.

  Kenzie stared out at the water and nodded. “I can’t stop thinking about her. That poor girl . . . how had she gone from being a law student in Indiana to being murdered in Lantern Beach?”

  “That’s a good question. I’m sure the police are working on it.”

  “It just seems like a nightmare.”

  “Yes, it does,” Jimmy James said. “How are you holding up?”

  She shrugged but didn’t look back at him. Even her shoulders seemed slouched, as if they bore unseen burdens. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  His gaze remained on her—unapologetically. “Are you ever tempted to go back to med school?”

  She didn’t hesitate before shaking her head as if that answer didn’t require any thought. “No, I have no desire to go back to that. I guess I just have some things I need to figure out—things that don’t include med school.”

  Was one of those things that she needed to figure out whether or not her dad’s words were true?

  Why was Jimmy James hoping against hope that they wouldn’t be? It was ridiculous. He just needed to let this go. He needed to let Kenzie go.

  Yet the woman was never far from his thoughts. He couldn’t stop thinking about what their future might look like together.

  Better for him. That was for sure.

  But for her? That was still up in the air.

  He needed to resign himself that this was his future, and Kenzie would not be a part of it.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Kenzie stared up at Jimmy James, unable to hold back her thoughts any longer. “It shouldn’t be your call, you know.”

  Jimmy James glanced at her as if startled. “What shouldn’t be my call?”

  “My future.” She stabbed her chest with her finger.

  His eyebrows shot up. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re deciding for me that you wouldn’t be right for my future. It’s like something my dad would do, and I don’t appreciate it.” She crossed her arms.

  “That’s not fair . . .”

  She felt herself springing to life. “What’s not fair is you making a decision based on how you think I’m going to react. It’s my call how I want to live the rest of my life.”

  “Kenzie . . .” Jimmy James started to reach for her, but when she stepped away, he dropped his hand.

  “It’s true. You listened to my dad instead of listening to me and how I told you that I felt. It’s not fair. I gave up everything to come here because it was my choice to do that. And it’s going to be my choice how I spend my future. Including who it’s with. Where I live. What I do. Nobody else is going to make those calls for me.”

  Jimmy James opened his mouth to say something before straightening and nodding. “I understand. You’re right. It should be your call. But your dad had a point. You have to admit that.”

  She scowled. “He didn’t have a point. He just said what he did because he thinks he’s the smartest person in the room. He is sometimes. But not always.”

  Jimmy James tilted his head, his gaze pleading with her. “Kenzie . . . answer this honestly. Could you really see yourself living here on this island with me? I have a little cottage, but it’s humble. Probably a far cry from what you’re used to. I don’t have a lot of disposable income. My budget is tight. My reputation is tarnished. I’m not someone you’re probably going to want to show off to your friends who are all wildly more successful than I’ll ever be.”

  Kenzie gawked, unable to hold back her disbelief. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re the captain of a superyacht. You’re living the life you’ve made for yourself here on an island off the coast of North Carolina. Do you know how many people would love to get away from everything and move to an island? Do you know how many people want to do that but they’re just too afraid to take the plunge?”

  “Kenzie—”

  She kept going. “Material possessions . . . they can weigh a person down. It’s what people think that they want, what they think makes them successful. But, in the end, possessions just end up being burdens. As does the process of obtaining them. And those things aren’t important to me.”

  “Kenzie—”

  “If you’d asked me, I would have told you that.” She hadn’t realized all the emotions that had been simmering inside her for quite a while.

  But they had.

  Kenzie had just pushed them down, distracted with everything else. This was one of the first chances that the two of them had really been able to talk one-on-one.

  “I’m sorry.” Jimmy James’ voice trailed with sincerity. “I don’t know what to say.”

  She shrugged and took a step back. “There’s probably nothing you can say. I just needed to speak my piece. You’ve made your decision.”

  He let out a long breath and rubbed a hand over his face.

  “I like you, Jimmy James. I really do. But I can never be with someone who will listen to what my father thinks is best over what I think is best.”

  As she walked away from Jimmy James, she drew in a deep breath, trying to regain control of her feelings.

  Kenzie’s emotions felt so strong that she was actually trembling.

  It felt good to get things off her chest. But it was going to take some time to process all of this.

  Jimmy James couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation he’d had with Kenzie last night.

  She certainly hadn’t wasted any words. And he couldn’t blame her for the way she felt either. She had every right to feel that way.

  But right now, it was a new day, and he had a lot to get done. Starting with the crew meeting at nine a.m.

  They all gathered in the salon, and he handed out the preference sheets. A preference sheet was given out each time they had a guest on a charter, and it detailed each person who would be aboard, along with their photo, their culinary likes and dislikes, activities they were interested in, and any other pertinent information.

  As soon as the crew saw the picture of Senator Williams, he heard a murmur go around the room.

  “Yes, you’re reading that correctly. Senator Williams will be our guest this week, along with his wife, his two children, his campaign manager, and two bodyguards. It’s very important that we keep his presence here under wraps. That’s why I waited so long to tell you he was going to be aboard.”

  “Does this change how we are going to do anything?” Eddie asked.

  “We are still going to give the top-notch service that we always give. We’re just going to do everything with discretion. The senator doesn’t want to make any stops. He mostly just wants to enjoy some time here on the yacht away from everyone else and any media. Do you all understand that?”

  “Yes, Captain” went around the circle.

  His gaze stopped at Kenzi
e who’d also agreed with his statements. His heart panged when he saw her, but he pushed the feeling down.

  Mostly he was just worried about any implications the senator’s presence here could have on her. Was she still a target, even now that Ashley Nelson has been found? He wasn’t sure.

  When he finished the meeting, he glanced at the time on his watch. Senator Williams should be arriving in ten minutes. That meant they needed to get ready to line up and greet their new guests.

  Jimmy James prayed that the charter went without a hitch.

  For more than one reason.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Kenzie plastered on a smile despite her nerves as she greeted each member of Senator Williams’ party.

  Senator Williams was in his forties with sparkling blue eyes, dark hair, and a winsome grin. She could see why he was elected to office because he seemed to exude friendliness and charm.

  His wife, Lori, was a blonde with a short bob haircut and a more hesitant smile.

  They also had two sons, Robbie and Reggie, who were nine and eleven respectively.

  His campaign manager, Alexandra, also came along. The woman was everything Kenzie imagined a campaign manager to be—brisk, a fast talker, and uptight to a T.

  Rounding out the group were two security guards who offered curt nods as they’d walked down the line.

  The crew grabbed all their guests’ luggage and carried it onboard, while Sunni gave them a tour of the boat and let them pick out their accommodations.

  As soon as the guests were settled and gathered in the main salon, Jimmy James joined them and explained that their trip would be getting underway soon. Lunch would be served in two hours on the afterdeck. Until then, they were free to explore the boat. At lunch they’d talk about their itinerary for the rest of the week.

  As Jimmy James spoke to them, Kenzie’s gaze kept going back to Senator Williams.

  He looked earnestly happy to be on this cruise. Would she really be able to do what the man in her car had demanded?