Miles stopped at an alleyway and looked around.Barry pulled Mac to a stop at a shop that was selling flowers.Mac pointed at several as she leaned against his shoulder, appearing as the happy couple.
The vendor, sensing a sale, hurried over to them and held up different flowers for Mac to take.They ranged in sizes and colors.“No, thank you.We’re just looking.”Mac held her hands up to ward off the flowers.The vendor didn’t seem to take the hint.
“Take, take.You take,” they repeated.
Not wanting to cause a scene and draw attention, Barry took the flower and gave the vendor a few dollars.
Mac lifted the flower to her nose and inhaled its floral scent, a serene smile on her face as she looked up at him.“They are called frangipani.They grow in tropical areas.”
“I’ve seen ones like them in Hawaii.You can just pluck one off the trees there.”They grew all over the island.The breeze would knock them on the ground, and people would pick them up and tuck them behind their ear.
He remembered how warm and tropical the island always smelled.It was similar to here too, though he hadn’t seen many of these flowers on the south side of the island.
“It’s the same here.Though some of the vendors like to sell them.”Mac gave the vendor a scolding look as if he was taking advantage of people, and maybe he was, but for the look on Mac’s face, it was worth it.She took another whiff of the flower, closing her eyes as if trying to draw its scent into her lungs.It was similar to jasmine with a hint of vanilla.“Thank you, though, you didn’t have to.”
Barry took it from her hand and broke off the long stem until it was only a few inches long and tucked it behind her ear.“You’re welcome.”
Barry looked out of the corner of his eye to see if Miles was still standing there.Barry cocked his head in that direction when he noticed Miles was gone.He grabbed Mac’s hand and started pulling her across the street, which took a few minutes with traffic.There weren’t any street lights to give them a break in traffic.
Once it was clear, they jogged to the other side of the street.Barry looked left and right to see where Miles could have gone.
“In front of us,” Mac said without pointing this time but simply tilting her chin in the direction.Barry followed the direction to see one of the bodyguards turning a corner and heading toward the marina.
“Let’s go.”They walked quickly toward the area they had gone but slowed when they reached the corner.Barry released Mac’s hand and held it up to signal her to stop.He leaned forward to peek around the corner and make sure it was clear.
Barry didn’t see anyone, which was both good and bad.Good because no one would see them.Bad because he’d lost Miles again.
Barry turned back to Mac and placed a finger over his lips for her to be quiet.Mac nodded in understanding, and they crept along the pathway.It was a dirt trail with many pebbles and trash to walk around.
They picked their way through the arson of debris, Barry keeping his eyes out for the guards and Miles.This was the back alley amongst several businesses.A few had their back doors open to allow fresh air to come in.
Mac suddenly tapped on the back of Barry’s shoulder.He turned to see what had her attention.She pointed to her eyes and out toward the boats.She saw something from that direction.
Barry looked in the direction she’d indicated and could see people standing on a dock.His ears strained to pick up any conversation, but they were too far away, and the soft rolling waves made it even more difficult.They crept toward the boats and stopped when between two boats; Barry could see Miles talking to someone on a side dock.
The person he was talking to was standing outside of his view, using the boats as a barricade.Either he was paranoid and concealing himself from passersby or just lucky to be out of eyesight.
The marina was generously packed with three boats per docking area and a side dock on either side of the outer ones.There were only a few spaces that didn’t have a boat in them.
It seemed like a heated argument as Barry could hear raised voices, but he still couldn’t make out any words.Miles was yelling and pointing his finger at the person.Barry had to get closer to see who he was talking to and what the discussion was about.
Barry spun on his heel to face Mac.He pointed his finger at her then at the ground, signaling he wanted her to stay put.Mac didn’t look happy about being left behind, but the dock was narrow, and he was more trained for blending into the shadows than she was.
Barry walked with silent steps onto the dock.He could feel how loose the boards were below him.Sneaking was going to be difficult.He used the posts the boats were tied to as coverage as he slowly made his way toward Miles.
His guards stood behind Miles with their arms crossed in front of their waists, looking casual, but Barry knew they were packing and wouldn’t hesitate to draw.One turned in his direction, and Barry ducked along the side of one of the boats.
He peeked around the bow of the ship after a moment to make sure the guard wasn’t looking in his direction.He darted down the dock and ducked behind the next boat at the next side dock.He did it once more until he was two boats away from the meeting.
“Just do your job!”Miles yelled, his voice carrying over the water.If the other person replied, Barry couldn’t hear.He had to get even closer but wasn’t sure how best to do it.
He was at a higher risk of being seen this close, and finding cover was difficult.Barry looked up at the boat next to him, and an idea struck.
Barry climbed the three rungs of the ladder and hoisted himself into the boat.Barry stayed low and crept across the deck until he reached the other end.He could hear two male voices, but he still couldn’t see who Miles was talking to.If he could see him, then Barry could build a stronger case against Miles.
Barry sneaked a look over the edge of the boat and gauged the distance to the next one.It was a few feet, but he thought he could make it.Making it was one thing; doing it silently was another.The boats also shifted in the water, never staying in one place.The rope attaching them to the dock kept them from drifting out into the harbor, but it didn’t stop them from swaying side to side like tall grass in the breeze.
It was several feet between boats, and while in mid-jump, the boat could sway, and he’d miss the boat or injure himself.That would definitely give him away.
