“I think she’ll just take a little boat ride with me. Until I get safely off this island.” Freddy’s eyes narrowed.
“Dad, let her go. I have his phone. You have time. Just go.”
“I think I need this bit of insurance. I’ll have this little lady call you to come get her someplace on the mainland. After I’m long gone.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere.” Jay’s words came out forcefully. He honestly was surprised he could speak over the pounding of his heart and the racing of his pulse. He could see the fright in Robin’s eyes, and there was no way this man was taking her anywhere. Not if he could help it.
“Ah, but I am.” There was no mistaking the assured, threatening tone.
“Jay…” Robin looked at him, then she looked down and a little behind him.
In an instant, he knew what she was saying to him. Saying without any words. He nodded slightly.
Before Freddy knew what was happening, Robin slammed her foot down onto his, elbowed him in the gut, then threw her weight forward. Freddy lost his grip with one of his arms, and she wrenched further away.
Jay swooped down and scooped up the brick they used to prop the door open and swung it at the man, catching his shoulder. Freddy yelled and lost his grip on Robin. Jay wrapped his arm around Robin, whirling around, catching her as they both tumbled to the ground. Robin sagged against him.
“I’ll get even. Don’t think I won’t.” Freddy raced off.
Dana rushed over. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. So very sorry.”
“Are you okay?” Jay looked at Robin carefully, scanning, looking for any sign of harm.
“Just rattled.”
She clung to him and he held her tight, stroking her hair. “You’re safe now.”
Dana reached out to hand him his phone. “Here, call the police. Maybe they can stop him.”
Jay took the phone with one hand but kept his other arm firmly around Robin. “You okay to stand?”
Robin nodded and he helped her to her feet.
“The police will want to arrest me too…” Dana wiped away the tears from her face.
Robin walked over to Dana, and to his surprise, Robin reached out and touched Dana’s face, brushing back the girl’s hair.
“He hit you, didn’t he?” Robin asked.
“He— sometimes. A lot. I couldn’t do anything right.”
Robin pushed up the sleeve on Dana’s shirt and looked down. “Jay, look at this.”
He walked over and saw the bruise on Dana’s arm and the one on her face that she had tried to carefully cover with makeup. The tears had washed away her subterfuge.
“What’s going on here?”
He turned at the sound of Lillian’s voice.
“Oh, Lillian. I’m so sorry. I tried to return the money, but he caught me.” Dana rushed out her words in big, body-wracking sobs.
“Who caught you?” Lillian frowned, looking at him, then Robin, then Dana.
“It’s a long story, Lillian. Let’s go inside and decide what to do next.” He led them back into the kitchen and they sat at a small table while he explained what happened.
“You’re okay, Robin?” Lillian’s face was creased with worry.
“I’m okay.”
“If we call the sheriff, he’ll know you lied about finding the money before. But if we don’t call, the guy gets away.”
“We’re calling Sheriff Dave. I’ll explain everything. The man needs to be stopped. And he needs to be stopped from hurting Dana anymore.” Lillian reached out and took Dana’s hand.
“And they’ll want to arrest me for the part I played in everything.” Tears rolled down Dana’s face again.
“We’ll see if we can sort that out, too.” Lillian stood. “Dana, come with me. I’m going to go make that call. Jay, make some tea for Robin. Hot tea always helps soothe a rough time.”
He got up to make the tea, glad to have something to keep him busy. Because what he really wanted to do was to chase after Freddy and teach him a lesson or two.
His hands shook as he put on the kettle, glancing back to assure himself that Robin was still sitting at the table, she was still okay. His hands curled into fists of anger, but he commanded himself to take some big, long breaths. He stretched out his long fingers and grabbed a cup for Robin’s tea, surprised to see that his hands were still trembling.
He sensed, more than felt, Robin come up to stand behind him and wrap her arms around his waist. “I’m okay, Jay. Really I am.”
He turned around in her embrace, kissing the top of her head and pulling her close. He ran his hands through her hair and stroked her back, all the while chanting silently to himself. It’s okay. It’s all okay. Robin is fine.
But was he?
Robin finished up her tea. Lillian was right, a good cup of tea did settle her down. Well, kind of. She was still a bit jittery. It had all happened so fast.
“You’re staying with me tonight. I don’t want you at the bungalow until Freddy is caught.” Jay’s eyes dissuaded any argument, but he softened the command. “Please? I won’t sleep at all thinking about you at the bungalow.”
She wasn’t really looking forward to going back to the bungalow alone, either.
“And call Charlotte and tell her to stay at Ruby’s until we find Freddy. I don’t want her there and Freddy showing up looking for you.”
Robin frowned. Jay was right. She didn’t want to put Charlotte in danger. She stood and walked outside, staying close to the doorway, and called her friend. Charlotte listened to what happened and assured her that she’d stay with Ruby.
She walked back inside to find Lillian talking to Jay.
“I want Jay to take you home.” Lillian turned to her.
“But you have Camille and Delbert here. Jay will need to at least make some food for them.”
“Dana’s going to make it.”
“Really?” Robin tried to keep the surprise out of her voice.
“Yes. She’s talking to the sheriff now, giving some ideas on where her father might be. I told the sheriff I won’t be pressing charges against
