Chapter 9
"Eh, Sheila, did you drop summat in there luv?" Doug called nervously into the kitchen. "Well now that sounded like it came from under the floor, not from the kitchen." John said with eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"Now that there's nonsense!" Doug said. "This is an island, sir! Ain't nuttin under this here floor but dirt and more dirt!" John opened his mouth to reply, but the door to the kitchen flew open at that moment as two huge Great Danes came barreling through it! "Dammit Sheila, I told ya to lock dem dogs up!"
Sheila came puffing out of the kitchen and grabbed both dogs by their collars before they could leap upon the officers, who looked ready to pull their weapons at the sight of the beasts. "Sorry hon, they got away from me and knocked over the table again!"
"You need any help maam?" Roman asked. "No, thank you. I can handle them" She said hauling the dogs back into the kitchen and slamming the door shut.
"Well now, there's your noise! Now if ya all will be excusing me, my supper is waiting and my belly is empty!" Doug said holding the door open expectantly.
Roman and John exchanged a look, but neither was in a position to argue, as the officers were already out the front door. "Thank you for your time Mr. Sheridan." Roman said pulling out a card and handing it to Doug. "If you see anything, give me a call on that number, will ya?"
"Yeah." Said Doug. "I'll make sure an do just that. G'night." And with that he slammed the door in both mens' faces.
"Friendly guy, huh." Said John. "Yeah, nervous too." Said Roman, glancing back at the house. The police got into a golf cart and waited expectantly for John and Roman.
"You thinking what I'm thinking partner?" John asked.
"What I'm thinking" said Roman, "Is that we have to head back with the police right now, but there's nothing to stop us from coming back here later."
"My thoughts exactly." Said John
They climbed into the vehicle and were on their way, with plans to return later that evening in both their minds.
Doug gave an exaggerated sigh as he pulled open the heavy cellar door. "It's all clear now. Ye can all come up. And I'd like to be knowing who the great dumb oaf was that made all that there noise?"
"Sorry, Uncle Doug." Said Christopher, looking thoroughly abashed.
Doug grunted at the youngster, but had a hard time not smiling at the expression on his nephew's young face. "Alright. Well suppers on the table, so let's eat.
Cori and Tony hung back a moment. She turned to face her husband. "What will we do now." She asked. "We'll stay here tonight. The children are too exhausted to travel. And tomorrow we'll figure out a way off the island undetected." Cori hung her head sadly. "I don't want to leave our home, James."
Neither do I, my love." Tony said grimly "But what else can we do?"
He puts his arms around her and held her. "It'll all be fine. We'll be together and it'll all work out. I promise."
"I know it will." Cori said back, although neither was certain that it would be.
