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NATHAN

One year ago, Christmas Eve

Maui

Bijoux walks toward the back of the boat, where a speedboat’s waiting.

I run through my options. Fast.

Option one: Find the dinghy. By now, that thing’s long gone, so that won’t work. Not that it’d be able to keep up with a speedboat anyway.

Option two: Stall. Keep talking and try to get Bijoux to stay. Given that she’s halfway to the back of the boat where the speedboat’s waiting, her decision to leave is already in motion.

Option three: Arrest her right now. But that blows my cover, and that of a few other undercover agents on board, and this entire operation. Plus I’m on a boat with armed people who are on her side, not mine.

“I have more presents coming in. Like I said, we’ll get them to you,” Bijoux promises as I keep pace with her.

Option two is the best I’ve got.

“When can I expect them?” I ask.

She doesn’t break stride. “Soon.”

“Will these presents also include… stocking stuffers?” I ask, keeping to her theme. If presents mean jewelry and loose jewels worth over two hundred thousand dollars, stocking stuffers is actually a good representation for the smaller stuff.

“Goodbye, Nate.” Her demeanor changes in an instant from the amenable guest of honor to impatient crime boss. Even Miss Starlite glares at me.

“Don’t push it,” Scarlett says, low and steady in my ear, as I hang back. “Not after all this time.”

Bijoux, Victor, and Agnes head down the stairs. The rest of her group stays behind, standing guard.

“I’m not letting her get away,” I mumble, barely moving my lips. “We can’t lose her. We need a boat.”

Scarlett laughs once. “We need a boat, and we’re on a boat. Life is cruel and ironic.”

She’s right. I’m already moving toward the helm, which isn’t far.

The captain looks at me in recognition, having been prepped about the need-to-know details. “We’re heading back,” he says with a dramatic wink.

“What are you doing, Lambros?” Scarlett asks. I peer through the hull window and see her standing at the railing.

“Change of plans,” I say, nudging the captain to the side and taking hold of the steering wheel.

“We’ll find another way,” Scarlett says. “I’m getting a clear shot of the speedboat with my necklace. Hall will see it on her monitors and send the Coast Guard. I’m sure they’re on their way now with agents.”

I keep an eye on Bijoux as she gets into the speedboat. “By the time they get here, it’ll be too late.”

“This is sloppy.” Scarlett heads back to the bar. To the bartender, she asks, “Hey, have you seen my snorkel gear?”

“This is straight out of the Payne Playbook,” I say, my grip firm on the throttle. To the captain, I must look like I’m mumbling nonsense to myself.

“You know what happened to Keanu in Point Break,” Scarlett warns. “He meddles, he gets shot. It doesn’t go well, and he was in body armor. You’re not.”

“Payne, are you gonna sightsee or help me?” I ask.

Finally, she says, “I’m going to help you not burn your cover.”

Scarlett’s no longer at the bar. She’s not near the railing or the tables or the hull, either. Where the hell is she?