Chapter 9
July 3, 2003 – Grand Cayman Islands
Zach looked at his watch. Aidan and Kendall should be here by now. He was growing a bit bored with Bob Barrett glaring at him and sighing heavily. Zach pulled out his cell phone and started to dial his airline to book a flight, when the door burst open and Aidan strode in. Kendall followed in his wake. She took Zach's breath away, wearing a bikini with a matching wrap, and a badass expression on her delicate features. They both wielded guns. It seemed pretty clear that Aidan and Kendall were planning to enact another charade for Barrett's benefit. Zach was almost disappointed he got to Barrett first.
His disappointment was tempered by the expressions on their faces when they caught sight of him. "Its about time you two showed up. I thought I was going to have to escort Mr. Barrett here to the US myself."
Kendall lowered her gun, incredulous. "You found Barrett?"
Zach shrugged. "It was ridiculously easy. Obviously he isn't a career criminal. I thought it would take a bit longer, and was looking forward to seeing which of us would catch up to him first. Oh well. No wonder the cops are always stuffing their faces with doughnuts. They're bored out of their minds."
Aidan slammed the door. "Is this is some sort of game to you? Lena Kundera could spend the rest of her life in prison, and you're having a lark?"
Zach's expression turned serious. "You're accusing me of playing games? What would you call the two-act play you all were putting on for Michael at the Valley Inn, and later at his condo? I couldn't have been more entertained if Kendall and Mia started mud wrestling right there at the bar. And the kiss you planted on Mia? Well done. I almost believed that you wanted her. She certainly seemed convinced."
Kendall lifted her chin. "Laugh all you want, it got us the information we wanted. We had to do something for Lena, and your method of having your goons follow Michael around certainly wasn't accomplishing anything."
Zach stood up. "Maybe not, but I still got the same information, and I got here before you."
Kendall folded her arms. "Bully for you. What are you going to do now? Make sure that Bob, here, gets hidden away more securely? Stash him away in your casino on the Gold Coast?"
Zach shook his head. "You still insist on thinking that I would enable my brother in his crimes. At the expense of innocent people."
Kendall tossed her hair. "If the Cambias loafer fits..."
Zach stepped right up to her, his nose almost colliding with hers. "The name is Slater, as you well know."
She smirked, pleased to have gotten a rise out of him. "You were born a Cambias. You can't escape that."
He smiled coldly. "And you were born a Fields. Welcome to the tainted gene pool. Care for a dip? You're certainly dressed for it." He looked down at her mostly bare skin, as her expression turned furious.
Aidan bellowed, "Enough! You two seem to have forgotten why we're here." He indicated Bob Barrett, who stared back at them all with a sullen expression.
Zach grabbed Barrett's arm and hauled him to a standing position. "The sooner we get him back to the US, the sooner Lena can be released from jail."
Kendall folded her arms. "And the sooner Michael can be put behind bars to stay. I find it hard to believe you'd be a willing participant in your brother's incarceration. How do we know you aren't going to pull a stunt on the way to the airport?"
Zach rolled his eyes, and grabbed Kendall's arm. "Then I guess you'll have to stick to me like glue, won't you?" He pulled both Barrett and Kendall towards the door. Kendall jerked away from him and darted over to the other side of Barrett, grabbing him by his other arm.
The four of them piled into a taxi and rode to the airport. When they arrived, they were told that there was one last flight out of the Caymans that day, and only two seats left on the flight.
Kendall slapped the counter in frustration. "Damn it, I was hoping we could go together. Aidan, Barrett needs to be on this flight. Lena shouldn't have to spend another night in jail."
Zach spoke up. "Agreed. Aidan, I trust you'll take him directly to Chief Devane? I'll make sure Kendall gets back to Pine Valley on the morning flight."
Kendall stared at Zach. "You want Aidan to escort him?"
Zach gave her an amused look. "You're a tough cookie, but I don't quite have the confidence that you'd be able to get him to the police without incident."
She shook her head. "No, I mean, you weren't going to try and convince us that you should be the one to take him back?"
He shrugged. "Would you have been convinced? I didn't think so. You two may not trust me, but I trust Aidan to get the job done. I'm satisfied with that."
Aidan nodded curtly. "We're all in agreement, then. Barrett comes back with me today. Kendall, you and Slater will take the morning flight."
Kendall gave a mock pouty look. "I just wish I could be there to see the look on Michael's face when he's arrested."
Zach frowned. "I'm sure that would have been vastly entertaining to you. I'm going to go call the hotel and arrange to get my room back."
He walked a few feet away, flipping open his cell phone. Kendall felt a twinge of guilt for her insensitive remark, then shook it off. He couldn't really expect her to be tactful about his brother when Michael had caused such strife in her life.
She turned towards Aidan. "Good luck bringing him in. I appreciate all that you have done. More than you can ever know." She hugged Aidan. With a final glare at Bob Barrett, she turned and walked towards the entrance to the airport.
Zach stepped in her path, and she rolled her eyes. "It was very considerate of you to offer to escort me home tomorrow, but that is quite unnecessary. I'm capable of taking care of myself, which includes finding my own hotel room."
Zach shrugged. "One would think that's an easy task, but apparently not. I've just been told that all the reputable hotels are booked tonight. I was able to get my suite back because I originally reserved it for two nights, and they haven't rebooked it yet."
Kendall narrowed her eyes. "What do you classify as reputable?"
Zach smirked. "Well, I broadened the definition in this case. Reputable includes any hotel that doesn't charge by the hour."
Kendall looked stunned. "You mean to tell me that every type of lodging - anything a step above a no-tell motel - is completely booked? For heaven's sake, why? Its the dead of summer and its suffocating down here. I wouldn't exactly consider this the height of the tourist season."
Zach shrugged. "Maybe this is the height of the money laundering season."
Kendall gave him a smarmy look. "And you wouldn't know, Mr. Casino Man?"
Zach gave her an exasperated look. "Last I checked, I hadn't changed my name to Sonny Corinthos. Look, despite your mouth, I'm offering to let you stay in my suite."
Kendall clasped her hands together in mock gratitude. "Stay in your suite? Oh goody, can I really? I suppose next you'll tell me that the bed is king size, and that we won't bump into each other during the night at all – cross your heart and hope to die."
Zach sighed. "The bed is king size, that's true. But I imagine you as the sort to flail around in your sleep and hog the covers, so I'll go ahead and take the couch in the living room."
Kendall narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess, the bedroom door doesn't lock?"
Zach raised one eyebrow. "I have no idea. I'm sure that even if it did have a lock, I could still somehow manage to break it down so I could get to you and have my wicked way with you."
Kendall's fingers balled into fists. "That's not funny, considering your brother's history."
Zach waved his hand around. "None of this is funny, Kendall. The maidenly vapors act is wearing thin. Either you'll accept my hospitality, or I'm sure there are some comfy benches here at the airport."
Kendall put her hands on her hips and exhaled. "Fine! I'll stay in your suite. Thank you." She bit the last part out through gritted teeth.
Zach took her bag from her hand, and went to go hail a taxi.
