Chapter 6

"You don't look too happy," Thomas commented when Janet arrived at his place late Monday afternoon.

"Crazy day," she said, plopping down on his worn sofa. "We had such a good time at your party and we had another great day yesterday, and then today, wham."

Thomas perched himself in his usual place on the arm of the couch.

"What happened?"

Janet sat up straighter and clasped her hands together. "Some very strange things."

"Such as?"

"For instance, on Saturday, my replacement never shows up. I don't hear anything from anyone. I tried to call him, but there was no answer. I called my boss, but he was on the Big Island and wasn't available. So, last night, my boss leaves a message on our answering machine that he needs to meet with all of his employees this morning. He tells us that Rafael, the guy who was supposed to replace me on Saturday, is gone. Just like that. And now we're all expected to pick up the slack until he finds someone else."

"That's not that unusual, is it? If the guy's not reliable..."

"But that's just it. He was very reliable. Almost too reliable. He covered for everyone and seemed to be available every time Mr. Pineda needed someone at the last minute. He was a good worker, too. I think something happened but, of course, our boss isn't going to divulge those details."

Thomas' investigative ears perked up. "What do you mean you think something happened?"

"I don't know," Janet said, rising from the sofa. "But it's all a bit strange. I mean, even if Rafael had flaked out on Saturday, isn't there such a thing as a second chance any more?"

"Depends on the boss, I guess. How's this guy to work for?"

"He's been okay with me, but I haven't been there that long, and I've just been doing what he tells me to and I go where he tells me to go."

"You haven't had to cross him, you mean?"

"Right."

"Have you tried contacting Rafael since Saturday?"

"No. To be honest, I was afraid to. Mr. Pineda made it sound like he was gone from the island. The whole meeting just left me with this weird feeling I haven't been able to shake."

"I think you've been reading too many of my case files," Thomas said with a warm chuckle. "I don't have much going on. Why don't you go home, relax, maybe take a dip in the pool and enjoy Jack and Terri's company."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," he said, gently placing his large hands on her shoulders and guiding her to the staircase that would lead her out of his home. "Go home and enjoy the rest of the day."

Throughout the drive home, Janet kept a close eye on her rearview mirror and she could have sworn she was being followed. But if she were asked to give a description of the vehicle, she wouldn't have been able to, and she knew that would have been embarrassing.

Thinking Thomas was right and that she was letting her imagination run wild as a result of working for him, she entered her apartment determined to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

But her newfound determination didn't last very long.

She had no sooner sifted through the day's mail when the phone rang. Picking it up on the second ring, she heard a bone-chilling message from a male voice she did not recognize.

"I know what happened to Rafael Kentara, and if you don't want the same thing to happen to you, stay far away from Thomas Magnum. Got that, little lady?"