~ Fool's Paradise ~

by

M. S. Stelmack

They looked at each other for a long while. Jayne’s emerald eyes searched his, and his hazel ones met hers unflinchingly and openly. Finally she nodded as if answering her own question and said quietly, “Adam I want to share a secret with you.”

“Okay.”

His face brightened as she reached up and undid the top button of her sundress, sliding her hand inside to her breast. It reappeared with a folded scrap of paper.

She pressed the note into his palm, and whispered, “This was hidden in my cottage. Read it.”

He stared at it. “It’s in Spanish. No comprehendo.”

“Try the other side,” she said impatiently.

It only took him a moment to finish it. Leaning close to him, she could sense his body tighten. “Cypher has our apartments bugged,” she whispered. “I saw a transcript of your visit with Spock, today when Monique left her desk for a moment.”

He stood silent and still, rereading the message before slipping it into his pocket. “How can you be sure this is real? It could be just something left behind by a disgruntled employee to stir up trouble. As for the bugs, they’re disturbing, but it doesn’t mean Cypher has us hostage.”

“Is that what you really believe, Adam?” He became backlit, as the last rays of the sun drowned in the darkening ocean. There was a long pause, and Jayne held her breath. Only now, in that moment, did she realize how important it was to her that he believe her. How much she wanted, perhaps even needed, his strength and confidence to play this eerie game of cat-and-mouse.

When he spoke, his gaze shifted to the water. “You’re right. Since before I even got off the plane I’ve had my suspicions about this place. Things here are just--just too good to be true.” His words trailed off almost regretfully. He gave her a wan smile and took her hand lightly, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “You’re right. We’ll have to learn to keep secrets.”

She released her captured breath, relieved that he accepted her fears. But then his words replayed in her mind. “In the limousine ride to the airport, you asked all those questions. You were suspicious then, weren’t you?”

He shrugged, letting her hand go. “I wondered why they seemed to be so intent on making sure I had no family, few friends, no ties. They were looking for people they could cut off from the world. Isolation isn’t normal--for most people anyway.”

She looked up at his kind but haunted expression, and understood. “You’re alone. Aren’t you, Adam?” She was tempted to slip her arms around him and hold him tight, but he deflected her concern with a wave of his hand. He turned warily to the jungle that bordered the beach.

“So, do you have a plan?”

“Yes. I’ve contacted someone on the outside, someone that can help us. I can keep communicating with him too, but we have to gather as much information as we can about where we are and what Cypher is up to.”

“How in the world did you manage that?” Guiding her by the elbow he led her closer to the water where the surf might drown out their conversation should anyone be listening. He knew it was ridiculous to think that the company had bugged every square foot of the island, but wasn’t about to assume their privacy either.

“Before I left I arranged a code with my grandfather. That’s why I needed the picture this morning--to let him know I was in trouble.”

“But how do you know the email was delivered?”

“I don’t, but if days go by without him getting a message from me he’ll start looking anyway.”

“What, did he used to be a cop or something?”

“Better. He was a spy. He worked for British intelligence.”

Adam raised his eyebrows. The woman was full of surprises. “That should prove useful. How much did you tell him about Cypher before you left? Does he know we’re in Mexico?”

“No. Not exactly.”

Adam’s face tightened in irritation. “What does that mean? Does he know or not?”

“No. He doesn’t.” She forced herself to remain calm. Considering Adam had just learned of their situation, it was understandable that he’d be a bit testy. “I think the best thing we can do is walk around the island and see how far from the coast we are. Perhaps we could even swim out to a boat--there must be yachts sailing around.”

“So long as the sharks don’t get us first,” he replied dryly. “Look, I think the first thing we need to do is not be seen together. It’ll be much harder for them to stop us if they don’t realize we’re working together, and if one of us gets caught, the other will still be free to get help. I’ll head on and check out the village. You go back and see if you can catch Monique’s barbecue. It’ll give you something of an alibi.”

“But going to the village alone might be dangerous.”

“You happen to have a gun? A knife? Maybe a black-belt in karate?”

“Of course not.”

“So how is it going to be any less dangerous if we go together? At least I know how to defend myself, which is one more useful skill than you have.”

Her hands went to her hips. “Listen, Bruce Lee. Did you ever consider what a useful skill speaking Spanish is? I might be able to ask questions--and ‘comprehendo’ the answers.”

Adams eyes widened in mock admiration. “Great, then they can run back to their boss and turn us in for poking our noses where they don’t belong.”

She tried another tack. “But how are we going to keep in touch if we’re staying away from each other?”

He thought about it for only a moment. “Tomorrow’s Saturday, so we won’t have to go into the office. Meet me around noon back up there where the trees start and we’ll work out some way of exchanging messages then.”

“But I don’t want to go to Monique’s,” she insisted. “I still think we should stay together.”

“I’m flattered. Now get your butt back to the complex.” It was not a request.

Jayne narrowed her eyes at him, her hands clenched into fists, but Adam didn’t back down an inch. In fact, he firmly spun her around and gave her buttocks a couple of light spanks. “Now go.” She yelped and whipped around. He was smirking, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes alive with mischief. “Bet you’ve changed your mind about wanting to come with me.”