Test Pilot's Daughter: Revenge (36 page)

Christina took a deep breath. In the back of her mind, she worried that a body bound by handcuffs might float up on the beach, but it was unlikely. He was well secured to the airframe.

“
What a shame.” Christina said. “He was such a wonderful man. I just wish Jessica were here to help celebrate.”

Lazer laughed and shook his head
.
He walked away and returned with three, big fruity drinks carved out of pineapples. Little umbrellas poked out the top.

“
I propose a toast to the Three Amigas,” he said.

“
Here, here!” the girls replied in unison. “To the Three Amigos, all for one, and one for all.”

Christina took a large swig. She looked into Lazer’s eyes and gave him a kiss. She rambled, “Henderson said the wreck will be tied up for months before we get a release to salvage. I just put in a call to NASA, and the Director still wants to see me. What do you say we fly Heather to see her dad in the Keys so she can fill him in? After all, he’s the investor here. He can have all the necessary agreements drawn up on how to divide the bounty. Then you can fly me over to JSC. Okay? ”

“
Sure sweetheart,” Lazer replied. “We’ll go first thing in the morning.”

The rum was working its magic. She put her arms around his neck and snuggled up close. With the usual sound of steel drums playing in the Cay Hotel, she pressed her body into his and kissed him like he was leaving for war. He responded, and she lost herself in the passion of his manly touch. Eyes closed, her breath came in pants.

Heather complained, “Can’t you two save that for the hotel room? It’s embarrassing, for God’s sake!”

Chapter Twenty-Four

It was a steaming hot afternoon in West Palm, typical of southern Florida in the middle of summer. Billy Rogers had just earned $25 mowing a neighbor’s lawn, right in the hottest part of the day. Sweating bullets, he was filthy from the dirty job. During the drudgery, he often thought of his friends and their escapades on the island. He missed his granddad something fierce, but the survival experience built his confidence. He often thought about Jessica and Christina, but Heather never left his mind. His love for her cut deep.
This ain’t puppy love,
he thought.
Heather would forever be the girl of his dreams.

When Billy came bounding through the front door looking for a quick shower, his mom stopped him and said, “Hey, hold up a minute buddy, you got a Fed-Ex from somewhere in the Bahamas. Apparently it’s from your friends.”

“
Great!” he said. “I wonder what it is?” The package was heavy. He quickly tore it open.

“
Oh my,” his mother gasped. “That looks like real gold.”

Admiring the big coin, Billy unfolded the note.

“
It’s not just gold,” Billy responded. “Says here it’s a Spanish coin. Went down with a ship called the El Capitan in 1733. They found it using Jessica’s map.”

“
Must be valuable. Wonder why they would send it Fed Ex. Would you mind if I read the note?” his mother asked anxiously.

“
Sure thing, mom. Here, I’ll read it to you.”

Sir William,

How are you? We miss you very much.

With this coin, from the ship, El Capitan, 1733,

we officially Knight you Sir William of Neptune.

We found this treasure off the Exumas with Jessica’s

map. She would want you to have it.

Much Love,

Heather

He didn’t read the post script. He folded it up quickly and took it back to his room. After a quick shower, Billy shut his door and lay on his bed to finish reading the note:

P.S. William, I so enjoyed playing word games with you. Try this anagram:

D ! CODE TO READ THIS

H D R S D

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He worked hard trying to unscramble the letters.

D ! CODE TO READ THIS

T H E D I D T O R A S C O E D !

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

T H E D E A D O R I S C O T D !

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

T H E DO C T O R I S D E A D !

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He smiled with the satisfaction of knowing Heather’s secret. Scratching his head, he speculated how they managed to do away with Weston. He worried about the evidence and used his granddad’s lighter to burn the note over a small, metal waste can.

Much love, Heather. Much love, Heather.
Billy stared hypnotically into the big, shiny coin and saw the face of his beloved. He closed his eyes and brought it up to his mouth. He could sense the touch of her tender lips and see her jogging across the beach. The feeling of her firm, round body pressed against his would never leave his memory.
Why can’t I be just a little older?
he wondered, wishing the years away. He couldn’t help but speculate where Heather might be when he finally turned twenty-one.
Wherever she is, I’ll find her.

Chapter Twenty-Five

A sporadic wind shifted across the southern California desert, trying to lift the sand. The scattered saw grass was tinted in bright green, evidence of nourishment gained from unseasonable thunderstorms. Vast dunes of rolling sand warmed by the late morning sun scintillated crystal clear air. Soon the temperature would be unbearable.

The cemetery near Edwards Air Force Base was well known as the resting place for famous, young men so eager to risk their lives for the advancement of aviation. It was almost a tourist attraction, a favorite of those who liked to collect interesting epitaphs. On this day, the cemetery was deserted except for one lone mourner standing on the far side of the field. She was adorned in a long black dress and a large brimmed, black hat. A car waited at the semicircular entrance some distance away, manned by a handsome young driver napping behind the wheel.

The dark mourner put down a bundle of roses and kneeled beside the grave with a large headstone marked:

Nancy Stevenson Matthews

1953 – 1989

May She Fly With Eagles

Before Christina could get on with her life, there was something she had to do. Nancy Stevenson Matthews had haunted her for a decade. Loneliness and denial had taken their toll. She kept going back to her mother’s bequest, but something was missing. If she could only understand those last few words which melted with vanishing breath, maybe she could move on. Kneeling in quiet solitude she beckoned her mother’s grave.

“
Mother. . .mother, I’ve tried. I hope I haven’t let you down. Now, you need to do something for me. I need you to. . .” she choked back the tears. “I need you to. . .to let me go. Lazer asked me to marry him, but I said no. It wouldn’t be fair until I can quit looking back. I can’t love him completely until I. . .break free. Mother, please speak to me now.”

Christina closed her eyes and cried. She struggled to stop sobbing, so she could listen. Meditating over her mother’s grave, she hoped for a response, but nothing came. She didn’t care how long it took. Determined to stay until something happened, she halted the incredible level of activity in her life and just listened. Letting her mind fly over time and space, after what seemed like an eternity, her ears started to ring. Out of the ringing there was the cry of an eagle, then a familiar voice. It whispered in the wind.

Christiiinaaa.

“
Mother? Mother please. . .”

Christiiinaaa. . .follow your destiny. . .don’t let me down.

She lost all control, bawling so loudly the whispers began to fade. She forced herself to sit still and listen. Mopping her face she concentrated on moving her mind back into a state of meditation. Finally, there was the buzzing and the voice returned.

Christiiinaaa. . .all is as it should be. . .now go free. . .soar into space.

Just as she had sensed the presence of Jessica in the Exumas, Christina could feel her mother by her side. She sobbed uncontrollably, cleansing her soul. At long last, for the first time since she was eleven, she felt whole and free. But before she could return to the love of her life, there was one more thing to say.

“
I love you, mom. . .good bye.”

The End