Dead Asleep by Jamie Freveletti Page A

every waking moment to complete what she was sent to Terra Cay to do. But something in Carrow’s eyes made her reconsider. Behind his smiles and flirting with Johnson last night, there seemed to reside a fear. As if something was happening that he hadn’t yet revealed. He caught her hesitation and put his hands up, palms out.
    â€œNo drugs or selling our souls to the devil, I promise.”
    Emma smiled. “You misunderstand. I’m only hesitating because last night’s destruction and today’s interruption has put me behind schedule. I’ll have to head back to the mangrove and collect again no matter what the crazy man wants from me. Then I need to dive into the blue holes and scrape the walls for minerals.”
    â€œI promised to go with you, and I will, but I really would like you to look at Layton and find the mandrake garden first.”
    â€œSo you don’t believe the stories about the blue holes?”
    He shook his head. “Not at all. But something strange is happening on this island. I don’t like it.”
    â€œWhen does Layton get airlifted out?”
    â€œThree hours.”
    â€œThen let’s go now. Give me a chance to shower. Would you like some coffee while you wait?” Emma noticed that Carrow looked relieved.
    â€œLove some.”
    They headed into the villa, passing through the kitchen. Johnson was there, cutting up a large fish. She smiled at Carrow.
    â€œWhy Mr. Richard, how nice to see you,” she said.
    â€œI’m here to drink some of your heavenly coffee.” Carrow’s smile and flirtatious manner was back. No one would believe that a few minutes ago he’d looked so grim.
    â€œRight away.”
    Emma guided him out to a gazebo at the edge of the infinity pool. He settled onto a small love seat. A scorpion made its way from under the nearby cocktail table, scurrying through the grass and disappearing in the flower garden.
    Johnson brought a wooden tray that held a coffee press and two cups. Carrow added cream to his, along with two heaping teaspoons of sugar, and took a sip. “Ms. Johnson, you’ve outdone yourself this time,” he said. She smiled and walked away.
    â€œI’ll be right back,” Emma said.
    Twenty minutes later she was showered, dressed, and though her hair was still wet, the rest of her was at least presentable. She lowered herself into Carrow’s Aston Martin and strapped on the seat belt. Once again he whizzed around Deadman’s Curve back to his house. The sports car, though, took the bend in stride, hugging the road and cornering without slipping out from behind, as the Jeep had. The engine roared as he accelerated, and Emma felt every bump in the road from the combination of the tight suspension and the performance wheels.
    A short time later he pulled into the driveway on West Hill that led to his house and parked the car in an area beneath an overhang. He turned off the engine and Emma soaked in the silence. He was looking at her, but it was clear that his mind was miles away.
    â€œGreat car,” she said finally. His eyes focused and he smiled.
    â€œWonderful car. Growing up I dreamed of owning one.” He shrugged. “It was so far beyond my imagination that I would try to stop myself from even thinking about it. But the vision kept coming back, over and over. And now,” his smile broadened, “here it is.”
    He swung the door open and Emma joined him, the two of them walking to the house. The only sounds were the chattering of birds, the wind blowing through the leaves, and her shoes crunching on the gravel drive.
    Carrow opened the carved door. The inside of the house was in chaos. Wailing came from a room in the back, and Warner, fully dressed in jeans and a nautical striped tee shirt, her feet bare, came running down the hall and straight into Carrow’s arms.
    â€œHe’s going to die!” she sobbed. He put one arm around her and gave Emma a