Yuletide Stalker Read online

  She threw away the backpack and rushed into the water. The high waves swirling around her legs threw her off balance, and she fell headfirst into the water. She surfaced and saw Linc’s graceful strokes as he swam toward her. Her strength was about spent, but she kept the place of refuge in view between strokes. Every minute she expected Edena to come up behind her until she remembered the woman’s statement that she didn’t know how to swim.

  Once a wave turned Maddie over, and she floundered in the strong current. When she surfaced, she blinked the water from her eyes and located Linc not far away.

  They met midway. “Hold on to me,” Linc said, “and let me tow you to shore. We’ll make it.”

  The waves of the incoming tide buoyed them toward shore. When Linc’s feet touched bottom, he put his arm around Maddie and pulled her to safety. He slumped down on the beach and Maddie collapsed beside him as they struggled to breathe.

  Several state policemen surrounded them, and Maddie knew she was safe at last. She leaned on an elbow, looked across the water and saw Edena disappearing into the bushes, heading back up the hill.

  One of the cops said, “We’ll get her. She can’t get very far. We’ll radio police in Kona and Hilo to help us. Are you all right, ma’am?”

  She nodded. Detective Warren knelt beside her.

  Taking stock of Maddie’s torn clothing, her scratched arms and legs, and her bedraggled appearance, Warren said, “You may be all right, but you’re going to the hospital. Soon enough to talk about your experiences later. We have an ambulance standing by.”

  Two orderlies came with a gurney, and when they took hold of Maddie’s arm to help her to stand, she collapsed. Linc crawled to her side.

  “Maddie!” he cried. He looked up at Claudia Warren, who felt the pulse in Maddie’s neck and wrist.

  “She’s all right. I suspect shock and exhaustion caused her to faint. We’ll take her to the hospital in Kona. You can follow in your car.”

  Whether from shock or fatigue, Maddie slept for eighteen hours. Linc refused to leave her. His anger was kindled when he saw the bruise on her fair skin where she’d been hit. Her wrists were bandaged, but he’d seen the abrasions on her arms when she’d been rescued.

  He hovered over her bed, caressing her hands until a nurse said, “You’ll have to go out of the room if you don’t leave her alone. The woman is worn out. She needs to rest.” With a sympathetic smile, she patted him on the shoulder, saying, “Will you behave?”

  “Yes,” he said reluctantly, backing away from the bed.

  “Then sit in that chair by the window and take a nap. You look as bad as she does, and we don’t want you for a patient.”

  Linc did as the nurse said, and Maddie woke up before he did. She had an IV in her arm, and wires strung all over her body. She lay motionless, not knowing if she should, or could, move. She quietly watched the even rise and fall of Linc’s chest. His head leaned against the back of the chair. He’d taken off his shoes and propped his feet on a wastepaper can. A stubble of beard blackened his face and his hair was tousled, as if he’d been frantically threading it with his fingers. A blanket covered his body.

  The door opened, and a nurse peered into the room. When Maddie smiled at her and put her finger to her lips in a bid for silence, the nurse glanced toward Linc. She moved quietly to Maddie’s bed, took her pulse and temperature, and checked her blood pressure.

  “How are you feeling?” she said softly.

  “Like I’ve been in a fight with a wildcat. My hands and feet burn, and I’m sore all over. My lips are swollen. Other than that I’m in good shape,” she added with a grimace.

  “Mr. Carey might need his sleep,” the nurse said, “but he’s been waiting for hours to talk to you. He won’t forgive me if I don’t let him know you’re awake.”

  She walked to the window, pulled the blinds and drapes aside. Linc stirred, yawned, apparently realized where he was, and his eyes darted toward Maddie’s bed. He jumped out of the chair and hurried to her in his stocking feet.

  “How are you?” he said anxiously.

  “Alive! That’s all that matters.”

  He leaned toward her, and his lips grazed hers tenderly. “I’ve lived through torment the last few days, fearing I’d never see you again. I don’t know how I’d have lived without you.” He turned to the nurse. “When can I take her home?”

  “Her doctor will have to decide that, but I imagine she’ll have to stay for another day, at least.” She smoothed the pillows under Maddie’s head, asking, “Are you hungry?”

  “I don’t know. I’m thirsty, though.”

  “I’ll order some juice and fruit for you. And a tray for you, Mr. Carey, so you eat with her.”

  When the nurse left, Linc caressed Maddie’s face with a tender hand. “It was the Sanales who kidnapped you, I guess.”

  “Only one Sanale, who happens to be a woman. Her brother, Kamu, died from a wound he received when he broke out of prison. Edena took it on herself to avenge the deaths of all the male members of her family.”

  “But the police thought that two people kidnapped you.”

  She looked at him strangely, “And you don’t know who the man was?”

  He stared at her, shaking his head.

  “Steve Kingsbury.”

  He staggered a little and pulled a chair close to the bed. “But why?”

  “He was involved in the theft that the Sanales were imprisoned for. They didn’t betray him, for they thought when they got out of prison, they could blackmail him. Edena was mad because Steve didn’t amount to much and didn’t have anything to pay them. She forced him to help her do away with me or she’d report him to the police.”

  “So that’s why Ahonui wanted me to send you home. She was trying to protect you. I guess I owe her an apology.”

  “I feel bad about Steve. He obviously didn’t want to harm me.”

  “How did they get you? Why did you leave your room?”

  “Steve told me you’d had a plane accident. That you were in the hospital, asking for me, and you’d told him where I was.”

  “That isn’t true.”

  “I know that now. As soon as I let him in the room, they gave me a shot that put me out. How did you know where I was?”

  “Edena had left a note, supposedly from you, saying that you were going home. It was written on a computer, but the words didn’t sound like you. I couldn’t believe you’d leave in the middle of the night, and when I was looking around the room, I found your opal ring under the pillow. I knew then that you hadn’t left voluntarily.”

  “I’m glad I have that left, anyway. Edena tied rocks around my suitcases and pitched them in the ocean.”

  “But one of them didn’t sink. That’s how we found you so quickly. The Coast Guard picked up the suitcase, opened it and there were things inside that identified you. The police called me.”

  An aide came in with their food, and Linc ate heartily as Maddie continued to explain. The orange juice stung her bruised lips and she sipped it cautiously.

  “I can’t believe Steve would be involved in all of this,” Linc said. “Of course, he never has been very ambitious—I’ve suspected for a long time that Ahonui financed him. And I suppose when he helped the Sanales steal from the Navy Department, he thought it was an easy way to turn a buck.”

  “I hope I won’t have to lead the police to him, for he tried to make the ordeal as easy as possible for me.”

  She told him how Edena had tied up both of them, and when she’d convinced Steve that the woman intended to kill him, too, he decided to leave Hawaii. “I wanted to get away from Edena as soon as possible, so he shared some of the food with me and pointed me in the quickest route to the coast. He went in another direction, but I hope I won’t have to tell the police where.”

  “You can do as you wish, but I wouldn’t withhold information from the police. If Steve is caught and punished, he brought all of this on himself.”

  The nurse came in again
. “Detective Warren wants to talk to you now. Are you up to it?”

  “I guess so,” Maddie said. “I might as well get it over with.”

  EIGHTEEN

  The few times Maddie had met the detective, she had been impressed by her kindness and efficiency. She was glad she could talk to her rather than a stranger.

  “I don’t want to tire you, Miss Horton,” Warren said, “so when you’ve had enough, tell me, and we’ll continue at another time.”

  “I don’t know where to start,” Maddie said, and she looked toward Linc. Seeing the fear and uncertainty in her eyes, he stood by her bed and held her right hand carefully so as not to dislodge the IV.

  She curled her fingers around his, and with a light smile, she said, “Both of you had better sit down—this may take an hour or so.”

  Linc pulled the chair he’d slept in toward the bed for Warren. He perched on the edge of the bed beside Maddie. The nurse on duty entered the room and stood at the foot of the bed.

  “Doctor’s orders,” she said with a smile. “I’m to see that you don’t overly stress our patient.”

  “I’d only been in Hawaii a few days when I was sure that someone was stalking me,” Maddie started. “Sometimes it was a man, other times, I thought it was a woman, but they looked alike. I know now that I was shadowed by Kamu Sanale’s twin sister, Edena. Sometimes she dressed as a man.”

  She explained to Warren, as she had to Linc, how she had been tricked into leaving her room and had been brought to Hawaii. Her hands moistened, and she often closed her eyes and rubbed her head, when she explained how Edena had destroyed her luggage and how she’d been gagged and forced to climb the mountain. The nurse stepped to her side and checked her pulse.

  At that point, Warren asked, “Who was Edena’s accomplice?”

  Maddie swallowed. “I really hate to tell you this, for he was good to me and helped me escape from Edena, but I know I must.” She slanted an enquiring look at Linc, and he encouraged her with a smile.

  “Go ahead,” he said.

  “It was Steve Kingsbury, the brother of Linc’s office assistant. I’d seen him a few times. Edena called him Tivini.”

  “That’s the Hawaiian name for Steven. We know that Kingsbury was involved with the Sanale family, but we don’t know why.” She fixed Maddie with her piercing eyes. “Do you know?”

  Maddie nodded affirmatively.

  “I overheard them talking in the boat before they left Waikiki Beach. Steve had been their accomplice in the theft from the Navy Department, but he wasn’t suspected. The Sanales didn’t report him, but Edena indicated that her brothers had expected to blackmail him for their livelihood when they got out of prison. I’m sure that she meant to kill Steve as well as myself. But when she made Steve tie me up, he left the ropes loose enough on my wrists that I freed myself and then freed him. We went in different directions as we escaped. Steve said that would confuse Edena. I suppose she thought we were together, for she came plunging down the mountain after me not very long after we escaped.”

  “Perhaps I shouldn’t ask,” Linc said, “but have you caught them yet?”

  “Edena wasn’t hard to find. When she saw that Miss Horton was safe, she went back to the burial cave. We found her there. She’d stabbed herself to death.”

  Maddie shuddered and covered her face.

  “Knowing what I do about their religion,” Warren continued, “I assume she reasoned that since you escaped, she’d offer her own life in recompense for the death of her family members.”

  “And Kingsbury?” Linc asked. Although he had been annoyed at Ahonui for the past month, he knew she loved her brother.

  “We haven’t found him yet, but he’s not likely to escape. We have cops patrolling the southern end of this island in helicopters, cruisers, patrol boats and even on foot. I only hope we can catch him.”

  Maddie nodded emphatic agreement, but the gesture made her neck hurt. She frowned.

  Warren stood. “I see you’ve had enough for one day, Miss Horton. I’m sorry your visit to Hawaii has been so traumatic. I pray that the rest of your time here will be more pleasant. Thanks for your help. The Coast Guard has the piece of luggage they discovered. I understand there was some water damage, but not everything was ruined. Where can I have them deliver it to you?”

  “At my house,” Linc said quickly. “There isn’t any reason for her to return to Open Arms Shelter now.”

  Warren shook hands with Linc, and he said, “I appreciate your dedication to this case.” With a smile, he added, “I hope I won’t have to bother you again for a long time.”

  “It’s all in a day’s work for me,” Warren said.

  When they were alone, Linc said, “It’s all over now, sweetheart. Try to put it behind you.”

  “God forgive me, if this is the wrong attitude,” Maddie said, “but I can’t help but be glad that Edena is dead. I don’t think I’d ever feel safe again if she was still living with that intense hatred.”

  “As far as I know, she’s the end of that branch of the Sanale family. Neither she nor her siblings ever married. The extended family probably believes that her suicide atoned for the death of her father and brothers.”

  The door opened and the doctor entered.

  “Miss Horton, all of your vital signs are good, so I don’t see any reason you can’t be discharged. But I’d advise you to take it easy for several days. When are you scheduled to return to the mainland?”

  “I had a reservation for two days ago. I’ll have to reschedule.”

  “We’ll talk about that later on,” Linc said quickly.

  “Delay your departure for a week or so,” the doctor said.

  “My insurance cards were in my purse, and I suppose Edena destroyed all of those. I can get them reissued, but it will take a little time.”

  “I’ll take care of the hospital bill,” Linc said. “But I think your purse was in the suitcase the Coast Guard recovered. If so, maybe your personal papers will be all right.”

  The clothes Maddie had worn to the hospital were torn and useless, so Linc asked one of the hospital employees to buy two sets of clothes for her.

  “I don’t want you to buy my clothes. If my purse is okay, I’ll have the money to buy some things.”

  “Okay, okay,” Linc said. “You can pay me back when you get your purse. In a few days after you’re feeling better, Roselina can take you shopping.”

  The woman purchased two tops, a pair of slacks, a pair of capris, underwear and some sandals. While Linc was in the office taking care of her bill, the nurse helped Maddie shower and dress. Every part of her body was sore to the touch, and she was weak enough that she didn’t protest when the nurse put her in a wheelchair and took her to Linc’s car.

  An attendant at the airport helped Linc load her into the plane, and they headed for Oahu.

  Linc had never talked much when he piloted the plane, but he seemed more quiet than usual today. Maddie didn’t feel like talking, either, and she leaned back, often with her eyes closed, wondering what the next step in their relationship would be.

  The trauma of her abduction and the stress of the past few days had seemed to wipe out the bitterness of their last time together. But she couldn’t presume on Linc’s kindness. He would have looked out for her and taken care of her needs either way—whether he felt like a father, or if he loved her as an adult.

  If he didn’t say anything, as soon as she felt up to the trip, she had no choice except to return home.

  The Pacific had never seemed more beautiful and majestic to Maddie. Waikiki Beach gleamed in the sun as Linc crossed it on his way to landing.

  “God, thank you for protecting me and bringing me back here safely,” Maddie prayed aloud and Linc added a fervent, “Amen.”

  Linc had called Roselina from the airport, and she stood on the veranda waiting for them. She ran toward the car and was panting when she opened the door. Tears rolled down her plump cheeks. She ran her hands over Maddie’s fac
e and arms, as if to assure herself that Maddie really had returned.

  “Welcome home, Miss Maddie. Welcome home. I’ve prayed so much for you that I’ve worn calluses on my knees. God’s good to bring you back to us.”

  “God is good all the time, Roselina. Even if my life had been taken, God is good.”

  “Oh, I know,” Roselina said. “But Mr. Linc and I weren’t ready to give you up, honey.”

  Linc tapped Roselina on the shoulder. “Let’s get our invalid in the house, so you can start pampering her.”

  He took Maddie’s arm, and when she winced from standing on her sore feet in a new pair of shoes, Linc whipped her up in his arms.

  “Oh, put me down,” she protested. “I can walk.”

  Nuzzling her soft, fragrant hair, he said, “But I can carry you, too.”

  As he passed through the front door, he said, giving Maddie a hint of what was to come, “I have to carry you over the threshold sometime.”

  She lowered her eyes from his whimsical expression, unwilling to dwell on the implication of his words when she wasn’t feeling up to par. She knew she wasn’t yet over her experience when her body started trembling, and she couldn’t stop it.

  Linc lowered her slowly to her feet, and she dropped wearily into a chair.

  “This won’t do,” Linc said in alarm. “You need to rest. Roselina, I’ll carry her upstairs and you can put her to bed. The doctor said she needed a few days of bed rest.”

  Too weary to protest, Maddie welcomed his strong arms as he again lifted her and walked easily upstairs. She closed her eyes to hold back the tears of frustration and weakness. She wanted to be strong for Linc’s sake, but she was too tired to worry about it.

  Roselina hurried into the bedroom and had the covers laid back by the time Linc walked into the room. He laid Maddie on the bed and took off her sandals.

  “I think all of her clothes have been destroyed, but one of the nurses bought a few things for her. Also, I have some medication for her. I’ll bring them and leave her in your care.”