Rex: ?
JJohnson: No questions. Just be there
He glanced up, his gaze meeting Kimo’s concerned one.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m not sure.” He showed the message to Kimo.
Teller and Devlin leaned close to read the message as well.
Leilani cut the engine and came to stand close to Kimo, looking over her shoulder.
“Do you think he’s set up a meeting between you and Holte?” Kimo asked.
“Why formal attire?” Devlin shook his head. “Sounds like he’s taking you to an event.”
Angel joined them. “On a marina?”
“Some luxury yacht owners have parties on board their big yachts docked at the marinas,” Leilani said. “He could be taking you to a party your father and Holte have been invited to.”
Rex nodded. That sounded right. “Does Holte have a yacht large enough to accommodate a black-tie event?”
“Ask Swede,” Angel said.
Rex texted Swede, giving him a screenshot of the message his father had sent.
Rex: Does Holte have a yacht moored at Maalaea Small Boat Harbor?
Swede: I’ll get back to you
While they waited for Swede’s response, they gathered tanks and BCDs and carried them to Leilani’s dive and snorkeling shop. They spent the next thirty minutes preparing for the next day’s dive since they would be leaving before dawn to get to Maalaea Bay at first light. By the time they had filled tanks and replaced the damaged regulator, seven o’clock was approaching.
If he was to meet his father at nine, Rex needed to get to his apartment, shower and change.
“Do you have formal wear?” Kimo asked.
He nodded. “I have the black suit I wore to my buddy’s funeral. Though I haven’t decided if I’ll go.”
“Why not?” Kimo asked. “It might be our only chance to talk to Holte.”
He grasped her hands in his. “I can’t take you with me.”
“Of course, you can’t.” Kimo shook her head. “Your father said you had to come alone.”
“If you’re not with me, I can’t protect you.”
Leilani walked by at that moment. “That’s not an issue. Angel and I will stay with Kimo until you return.”
Rex didn’t like leaving Kimo for even a minute. It was more than just protecting her. He stared down into her eyes. He wasn’t sure what more it was, but it definitely made him leery about leaving her. “You’re my responsibility,” he said.
Kimo laid a hand on his chest. “You have to do it. Any information about that container has to lead to finding Alana. If Holte has any information, you have to get it out of him. You have to meet with him.” She nodded toward Angel. “Do you trust your teammates?”
“With my life,” Rex said.
“Then you can trust them with mine.” Kimo squared her shoulders. “It’s settled. You’re going.”
His lips curled up on the corners. “Yes, ma’am.”
