“Fair enough,” Malin replied.
“It was nice while it lasted,” Rita Dulles said, gesturing back at the guesthouse. “We’d come to like that place. We had a nice thing going for a while there, but I guess all good things come to an end.”
“We’ll be back when this is over,” Malin said.
“It’s nice that you can think so,” Rita said. “Stay positive, young man.”
He didn’t know how else to help them, so he drifted away. Elna was walking off to one side, her eyes flitting back and forth through the long line of people. They’d rounded a bend and come in sight of the shed along the back road when she made a clucking sound and smacked the side of her head with her hand.
“What’s wrong with me?” she muttered. “I’m losing my mind. I knew someone was missing, but I’m just so tired, Malin, I couldn’t figure it out.”
“Someone’s missing?” he asked, but he realized it as soon as he said it.
“My father,” she replied. “Where’s my father? He was in the lobby when we met. How did I not notice he wasn’t with us? What’s wrong with me?”
Malin scanned the line of people moving down the hill. Indeed, George Pasqualee was missing.
“Maybe he went back to get something important,” Malin suggested.
“Hey, has anyone seen my father?” Elna asked. “Did anyone see him when we left the house?”
“Last night, I found him rooting around in drawers and cabinets looking for a photo album,” Selene said. “I don’t know if he ever found it. Maybe he started looking again before we left.”
“I saw him in the tasting room,” Raymond added. “He was in that little alcove behind the bar.”
Elna rolled her head on her shoulders. “Come on, Pop. What are you thinking?”
“I’ll go back for him,” Selene said, and before Elna could protest, she continued. “It won’t take long. Malin and Elna, people worry when you’re not here. I’ll take care of George. Don’t worry. I bet I know where he is. We’ll be along shortly.”
“Selene, are you sure about this?” Elna asked.
“Yes, you guys need to stay with the group,” Selene replied. She didn’t wait for Elna to agree but leaned over to draw Sniffy’s attention. She pointed from the dog to Chloe. “Go to Chloe. Good dog. Go to Chloe.”
Somehow, the little dog seemed to understand and bounced off toward the little girl. Chloe saw him coming and squealed in delight. She dropped back, waving the others forward. Malin could tell that Elna wanted to argue with her, but the group was moving on. There wasn’t time for an extended debate.
“Okay, but please hurry,” Elna said, after a moment. “We’re running out of time.”
“Worst-case scenario, we’ll hide somewhere and wait for the bad people to leave,” Selene said, shrugging one shoulder. “George knows all kinds of secret rooms and places in the guesthouse and winery, right?”
“Yes, but let’s try to avoid that scenario, if we can,” Elna replied. “Please hurry.”
Selene gave her a little wave and turned, heading back up the hill at a jog. Malin and Elna watched her go until she disappeared around the bend, then they hurried to catch up to the others.
“I shouldn’t have let her do it,” Elna said. “Pop is my responsibility.”
“We’re all responsible for each other now,” Malin said. “Selene wanted to help. Let her help. Come on. Let’s get our people into hiding.”
19
The lighthouse looked like a sun-dried bone teetering on the edge of the rock promontory at the farthest point of the island. Elna found it especially ominous, the slate sky behind it holding the threat of impending violence. The Marines had gotten far ahead of the rest of the group, despite the fact that they were pushing a cart full of supplies and carrying two injured people. Fortunately, they waited for the others just beyond the open gate. Prig was a sight—he now had Cat clinging to his back as he gazed around in either wonder or disgust at the old, abandoned military base. The Southern boy kept surprising Elna with his sheer strength.
They went through this whole morning’s mission with us, she thought. How can they still have so much energy?
Joe and Rita came shuffling up last. They were holding hands, occasionally muttering comforting words to each other. Elna hated that they’d been dragged out of their familiar environment. It had taken so long to make them feel comfortable with the other islanders, but once they’d warmed up, they’d really come out of their shells. All of that progress seemed lost now. They seemed lost.
“We’re going to be okay,” Elna said to them, as they approached the gate. What a stupid encouragement! She regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth.
“Can we just get somewhere with chairs?” Rita said. “I really need to rest my legs.”
“I think we’re close,” Elna said. “Hang in there, Mrs. Dulles.”
“We’re hanging in there,” Rita said.
Prig pulled something from an inner pocket and handed it to Golf. The bandaged Marine had half his face hidden behind the wrapping that covered almost everything from his forehead to his chin. Golf took the paper and unfolded it. Elna thought it was some sort of map. Prig and Golf appeared to discuss something for a moment, then Golf pointed off to the left, where the empty barracks buildings were collapsing into the rocky ground.
“Okay, I think we know where we’re going, people,” Prig said over his shoulder. “Try to stay close.”
He beckoned the others then headed farther into the old base. The handcart bumped and thumped over the rough ground, jostling poor Ant, who was all wrapped up under a blanket. The young Marine, Mac, finally reached out and put a hand on his chest to stabilize him. As Elna passed through the gate, she looked back in the direction of the hill. She couldn’t see the guesthouse from here.
