The Sweetest Summer: A Bayberry Island Novel

  Clancy was in awe of Evie, and of the happiness unfolding inside him. He was grateful for how everything had come together. By tomorrow morning, Richard Wahlman’s case against Evie would start to unravel. He would face charges and the manhunt would be called off. Clancy and Evie could then concentrate on untangling whatever legal predicament remained.

  The only thing that marred the otherwise perfect evening was Clancy’s feud with Duncan. His big brother had been AWOL until about a half hour ago, when he parked Da’s powerboat illegally in an emergency-only spot along the public dock. Yet again, the rules didn’t seem to apply to his big brother.

  Duncan planned to leave in the morning, and like always, they wouldn’t get to the heart of their conflict. Clancy didn’t hate Duncan—not at all. But he sure as hell didn’t understand him.

  Clancy had just finished a rumba with Jellybean when the DJ announced the last song of the ball. “This is a special request, ladies and gentlemen. This song is for everyone, young or old, who is in love tonight.”

  As planned, that was Nat’s cue to deliver Evie into Clancy’s arms, then sweep Mermaid Jellybean away. The music began to flow over the dance floor.

  Evie looked at him with happy confusion.

  “You arranged this?”

  “I did.”

  “So, you remember our song?”

  “Of course.”

  Clancy dipped Evie in his arms, snapped her up, and kissed her hard. He whispered in her ear. “But I do have something to confess.”

  “Please do,” she whispered back.

  “I’ve never really loved the song.”

  Evie giggled. “The sentiment is good, but you’re right—those were some bad years for music.”

  Clancy held her tight, his hand pressed to the small of her back and his cheek to hers, knowing he had the most precious gift he’d ever received right there in his arms.

  He felt it before he heard it. A deep vibration rose up through the boards and into the soles of his feet. Clancy backed away from Evie and spun around. He hadn’t been paying attention. His focus had been on Evie and the music had blocked out the noise.

  And now they were right on top of them.

  Chapter Nineteen

  A helicopter and a speedboat barreled right toward them from less than a nautical mile offshore while four other copters headed to the airfield.

  Clancy turned to Evie and saw the horror in her eyes. “Get Christina. Come right back here to me.”

  It was chaos. Tourists who had only moments ago been slow dancing to pop music were now scattering like pins in a bowling alley. People were screaming and running in every direction as one of the helicopters hovered directly overhead, whipping the air into a violent vortex.

  “Clancy!” Evie had Christina in her arms. The sight of the little girl’s sweet face twisted up and red with panic was the most heart-wrenching thing he’d ever seen. He knew he had to make it right for her. And for Evie.

  This was some kind of federal raid, obviously. But why now? Why the hell would the Justice Department swoop down on Evie when they were already preparing charges against Richard Wahlman? Was there no communication between FBI headquarters and their field offices?

  Clancy called dispatch. Every officer was already headed to the public dock, and private security from the Oceanaire construction site was on their way, too.

  Not that it would make much difference. Local law enforcement couldn’t put an end to whatever badly timed blowout the FBI had on its to-do list, but it was their responsibility to see that no one got injured in the process.

  Duncan and Da arrived at his side. Clancy’s brother stood in front of Evie and Christina, blocking them from the wind.

  “Feds.” Duncan sounded bored, like a helicopter landing on the Mermaid Ball dance floor was an everyday occurrence. “That’s a modified UH-60 Black Hawk. Talk about overkill.”

  “Four more are headed to the airfield,” Clancy said.

  “Smaller birds. Leased. Probably national media.”

  “Ah, shit.”

  The wind whipped and the noise of the large helicopter became deafening. Everyone backed away from the center of the dock.

  “For God’s sake, what is this?” Frasier was outraged. “This is the Bayberry Island Mermaid Festival, not a Die Hard sequel!”

  “What should we do?” Evie remained stoic as she stood right next to Clancy, though Christina continued to cry.

  “Let’s just take this one step at a time, Evie. Obviously, there’s been some miscommunication.”

  Her eyes flashed with worry, so he reached for her hand. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll cooperate fully until the situation sorts itself out.”

  She took a deep breath and for an instant, her gaze locked with his. He understood without her having to say the words—she trusted him. She counted on him. Evie took Christina to a bench away from the wind.

  The helicopter’s rear and front wheels touched down, and once they were stabilized and the rotors powered off, the doors opened. Five agents spilled out, followed by a slow-moving Wahlman.

  A voice called from behind Clancy. “Chief!”

  Oh for the love of God, it was Heather Hewes and her freelance video camera. “Stand back, Heather. Da, get her out of here!”

  “No!” Heather slammed her foot on the dock. “I demand freedom of the press! I have a constitutional right to cover this story!” She hoisted her camera to her shoulder and began filming.

  She’d finally found some sexy.

  Clancy was relieved when Deon arrived with Chip and Jake. “Get everyone a block away from here. I have no idea what’s about to go down. And please escort the mayor from the dock.”

  “What?” Frasier looked stunned.

  “Shit, Clancy,” was all Deon said.

  The FBI Special Agent in Charge marched toward Clancy, with four agents behind her. She looked perturbed.

  Clancy smiled at her. “Welcome to Bayberry Island, Special Agent Apodaca.”

  She wasn’t amused. “Good evening, Chief Flynn. As you might guess, things just got mighty complicated for you.”

  Duncan’s deep voice cut through the noise. “What’s going on here, Agent?”

  She glanced his way, then froze. A flash of recognition lit up her eyes. She examined him from head to toe. “Coronado?”

  “Little Creek.”

  Apodaca nodded. “My husband is retired Team 3, BUD/s 242.”

  Duncan nodded politely, but didn’t share his particulars. “I’m on active duty, ma’am. And I’m the chief’s brother.”

  Wahlman finally joined the party. It had taken him several minutes to walk across the dock.

  “We meet again, Chief.”

  The congressman was pasty and sweaty. He didn’t look well.

  Wahlman sneered at Clancy. “Well, where are they? Let’s get this over with. Chop-chop.”

  Apodaca rolled her eyes before she addressed Clancy. “We’re here to take Evelyn McGuinness into custody and return the child to her court-appointed custodial parent.” The tone of her voice made it clear she wasn’t thrilled to be Wahlman’s champion. “Regretfully, you will need to come along for questioning, Chief Flynn. Hope you got a good lawyer.”

  Wahlman grew impatient. “Where the hell is my daughter?”

  “I’m afraid there’s been some confusion, Congressman.” Clancy took a step toward him, and noticed a greenish tint to Wahlman’s skin. “You won’t be raising Christina as your daughter, because you’ll be in prison or at least on house arrest awaiting trial.”

  Wahlman laughed. “Are you insane?”

  Apodaca stepped between the men and pulled Clancy aside. “Something you’d like to share, Chief?”

  “Yes. This evening, the Justice Department was presented with evidence that Wahlman bribed a court official. He u
sed his political connections to win custody of Christina McGuinness.”

  Apodaca closed her eyes for a moment.

  “And Wahlman’s wife and chief of staff were deposed today in Washington. They won immunity and then threw the good congressman under the bus for a whole range of offenses. The case is expected to go to the grand jury.”

  Apodaca glared at him. “And just how in the hell do you know all this when I don’t?”

  “I wish I could tell you, but it’s classified.”

  She tipped her head back and laughed, glancing around at the paper lanterns, fairy lights, and decorations. “You know what, Chief? This is a very pretty little island, but it’s kind of like a New England Twilight Zone. You got naked people, crazy people, naked and crazy people playing tennis, people dressed up like fairies and mermaids and starfish. You’ve got kidnappers and Navy SEALs and now you’ve got sources for classified intel? Seriously, this place cracks my ass up.”

  Duncan chuckled.

  “Check it out for yourself,” Clancy said. “Make a few calls to your superiors. See if I’m right.”

  “Dammit!” The agent’s eyes flashed over to where Evie and Christina sat. She barked orders as she jogged off toward the helicopter. “Make sure the suspect stays put. Keep the police chief and Evelyn McGuinness separate.”

  Just then, Clancy noticed that Wahlman had wandered over to the bench. Evie stood when he approached, and though they kept their distance, they began to talk. Clancy saw Evie’s face and shoulders tighten as Wahlman reached out for Christina. The little girl turned away and buried her face in Evie’s neck.

  That’s when Clancy saw Heather crouched behind another bench about twenty feet away from Evie and Wahlman, her camera light on. It hardly mattered. It wasn’t as if her footage would be seen by millions on 60 Minutes, right?

  * * *

  Richard felt nauseous and dizzy, but he’d come too far to give up now. His daughter was just inches from his grasp. He pictured the moment of triumph in detail—a father reunited with his abducted child, posing for the cameras. That image alone would turn the polls around. Even party leadership couldn’t resist something that touching.

  But where was the FBI? Why weren’t they arresting Evelyn McGuinness? Richard looked behind him to see agents standing with Chief Flynn, looking useless, weapons not even drawn. Apodaca had gone back to the helicopter and was now slowly making her way back to the police chief. He was baffled. Why wasn’t she going completely Amazon on this McGuinness woman and dragging her off in handcuffs like she deserved?

  The kid started crying.

  “Give her to me, you crazy bitch.”

  Evelyn McGuinness stood stiffly and the girl cried louder. “She belongs with us, Wahlman. She belongs with her family.”

  “Well, the court says she belongs to me!” Oh, Jesus, he wished someone would shut this kid up. She was howling now, the skin of her face and neck getting all splotchy and red and she thrashed in her aunt’s arms. She looked like a Tasmanian devil.

  “It doesn’t work like that. You can’t own someone—all you can do is love them, and I don’t think you have the slightest idea how to do that.”

  Richard put his hand on his chest. His heartbeat was erratic. “Shut the hell up and give her to me.”

  “You cheated us in court. You stole Christina from us by bribing a court official.”

  He laughed. “So what if I did? You’ll never be able to prove any of it!”

  Just then, the girl beat her fists on her aunt’s chest and kicked her legs, pummeling the woman in the stomach. Richard was horrified. Was this child mentally ill? Or was she simply a product of a poor upbringing? Well, he would change all that soon enough.

  He grabbed the girl. For God’s sake—she bit him! She just chomped down on the flesh between his thumb and forefinger, drawing blood. Richard lost his grip on her and she ran off.

  FBI agents suddenly surrounded them.

  “Chrissy!” Evelyn McGuinness was restrained by agents as the girl ran down the dock. She screamed at Richard. “What have you done?”

  Richard yelled at Apodaca, his chest tightening. “Get my kid! Do your fucking job!”

  That’s when everything went black.

  * * *

  Clancy saw Jellybean hike up her mermaid skirt, yank off her wig, and run barefoot under the lights, heading toward the marina. Evie was already removing her party shoes, itching to run after her niece.

  Apodaca grabbed his arm. “We will handle this, Chief. Do you understand?”

  “No.” Clancy clutched Evie’s hand and pulled her to his side. “Please let us get her. She is scared to death. Please. She’s just a terrified little girl. Once she’s safe we’ll go wherever you want us to go.”

  Apodaca shook her head. “God I hate this assignment.” She sighed deeply. “All right.” She looked at her agents. “Help them out if need be, but don’t crowd the little girl.” Just then, Richard collapsed to the dock. “And somebody call the EMTs!”

  Clancy and Evie were off. They rounded the corner toward the marina.

  “She could be anywhere!” Evie sounded panicked.

  “She can’t go far. When she sees it’s just us, she’ll show herself. Besides, I know every hiding place on this marina.”

  They raced down the dock, peering behind every trash can and piling and bench. She was nowhere. They headed toward the boat slips, where a crowd of vacationers were gathered.

  “Anyone seen a little girl?”

  “She just ran over there!” A woman gestured with her cocktail toward the shack otherwise known as Sully’s Marine Repair..

  Clancy heard Evie mumbling to herself. “Why did I stay here? Oh, God, what have I done?”

  Suddenly, two helicopters hovered overhead, news cameras and blinding spotlights trained on their every move. Duncan was suddenly at his side.

  “She went toward Sully’s,” Clancy told him.

  “That’s where the FBI left their speedboat.”

  As soon as Evie heard that, she raced away so fast that Clancy and Duncan remained a good three seconds behind her. They slowed down when they saw the shine of Evie’s white dress at the edge of the dock. She was leaning over the railing, calling out to Christina.

  Oh, God, no. Jellybean was in the water again?

  Suddenly, a speedboat sputtered away from the boatyard, dragging its lines behind. It looked like no one was on board.

  “What the hell?” They arrived at Evie’s side just in time to see the boat increase its speed in a sudden jerk and head out toward open water. But it wasn’t empty. A little mermaid with a red buzz cut was in the captain’s chair, staring up at the dock as she moved away, then shielding her eyes from the searchlights.

  “Dad’s boat,” Duncan said.

  The brothers and Evie turned back, nearly running over the FBI agents still following them. They raced toward the emergency-only docking area, and Clancy thanked God the rules didn’t apply to his brother. He kept glancing out to sea, seeing the speedboat’s running lights get farther and farther away. Duncan jumped into the boat first and immediately flipped on the engine. Evie boarded next, while Clancy pulled up the fenders. As soon as he got inside, Evie yelled, “Go!”

  Duncan turned on the boat’s nighttime running lights and its single searchlight. They picked up speed, heading in the direction they’d last seen Christina.

  With the helicopters and engine noise, all conversation on the boat had to be done with shouting.

  “The FBI must have left the keys in the boat. They didn’t even know how to tie a cleat hitch! How stupid can you get?” Duncan kept his eyes forward.

  “What does she know about boats, Evie?”

  She scanned the black water, her face frozen in concentration. “Pop-Pop has a power boat on Moose Lake. He’s let her drive on his lap a couple times, turn it on an
d off, and steer.”

  “Great.”

  “Well, this ain’t Moose Lake,” Duncan said.

  The news helicopters decided to follow along, making it even harder to see and whipping the water into a frenzy all around them. The sea spray drenched them.

  “Can you get those fucking things out of here?”

  Clancy grabbed his police radio and reached Chip.

  “Tell Agent Apodaca to order all media back. Order media helicopters back! They’re endangering the child!”

  “10-4, Chief! Be safe!”

  “We have to have a plan,” Duncan said. “Clancy? You want to captain or board?”

  “I’ll board. She knows me well and won’t be as afraid.”

  Water sprayed. Lights blinded. Duncan went faster.

  “Where the hell is she? Where did she go?” Evie was trying her best to keep it together, but Clancy could see she was battling back panic.

  Suddenly, Duncan changed direction, heading southeast. “I think I see her!”

  “Hold on!” Clancy yelled to Evie.

  Duncan pushed Da’s boat past its limits, hitting fifteen knots at one point, even though the sea was choppy. Clancy was concerned that Evie would be tossed into the water, but saw how her hands clutched the side of the boat, determination in her eyes. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Got her!” Duncan called out. “Two points off the bow!”

  “Oh my God. Is she still in the boat?”

  “Can’t see yet,” Clancy said. “Does she know to put on a life jacket?”

  Evelyn raked her hands through her hair. “I don’t know! I don’t know!”

  “Binocs.”

  Duncan handed a pair of binoculars over his right shoulder and Clancy focused them. Oh, no. He couldn’t see her. There was no little head anywhere.

  “Is she there? Oh, God, tell me! Is she still in the boat? Please, please be in the boat!”

  Just then, he saw movement in the FBI powerboat, a head poking up along the side. “Got her! Got her! She’s there!”