ACT IV
ABACO
Cinnamon zipped her cover-up and pulled on panties and a hat. Every instinct she had urged her to run – to get out of the room. She headed for the beach. She knew Barney would have signaled Jim. She walked along the beach path surprised not to see Jim or Willy. Looking back, she saw Barney with his tray of shells quickly making his way toward her.
She waited for him to catch up and they were out of earshot. Barney told her, “You weren’t followed, but Jim didn’t want to risk being seen with you, especially since Rollin pegged him as a government agent. Jim and Willy went to the lobby.”
“Who is she?”
“Don’t know. Could be legit, someone he picked up on another trip or on the
flight from
“What do we do now?”
Barney shrugged, “Play it out. Hope she buys Rollin as Little Fig. If not, if we have to, take her out.”
Cinnamon met his gentle brown eyes, “The surfer twins?”
“I think they went to the lobby.”
Cinnamon was anxious. “Should we?”
Barney shook his head. “It could complicate things. Willy’s there, Jim too.”
Cinnamon nodded, acknowledging his view. “The others?”
“Laurel and Hardy are still at lunch in the main hotel. They’re both big eaters and drinkers.”
Cinnamon laughed, “Both of them?” She looked around, still concerned. “None of the five have been talking to a woman?”
“Not that we’ve seen.”
Cinnamon looked toward the lobby longingly. “Do you think she’s one of Joey’s earlier conquests?”
“I think, whoever she is, Rollin and Jim will figure out a way to get rid of her.” Barney abruptly switched accents, “Noooo, it’s not too dear, darlin’. This is from the deepest waters, only de bravest divers go down der.”
Cinnamon noticed the couple moving toward them. “I still say it’s too much. Let me think it over. Will you be here tomorrow?”
“Lord willing, me darlin’. We’ll all be here tomorrow, if God spare life.” Barney gave her a huge smile before moving toward the young couple, offering them a special honeymooner’s price.
Cinnamon wished she could stay with Barney longer. He calmed her and prevented her from thinking the worst for Rollin. She felt very guilty that minutes before the woman called, her mind had been far removed from thinking about the mission… what would have happened if the phone hadn’t rung?
She was pulled toward the lobby, but knew being seen there would complicate things for Rollin. To ensure the urge didn’t get the better of her, she walked further down the beach. The sun was blocked by dark, gray, rain clouds threatening on the horizon. She turned back toward the villa. No sign of any of her team mates. She opened the door quickly, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. There was no sign of him there.
She sat dejectedly on the bed. Just then, the door opened. His eyes darted frantically around the room and he smiled when he saw her. She ran into his arms. He held her close and kissed her passionately.
For the benefit of the various buggers he asked her “You miss me, Marie?”
“Yeah, Joe, I did.”
“If you promise to go easy on the sauce tonight, I’ll take you dancing.”
“I promise, Joey.” She smiled.
He kissed her again, slowly. “Let’s get outta here.”
Cinnamon nodded toward the window. “It’s going to rain.”
Rollin kept her pressed against his chest. “You gonna melt?”
She thought she might, but for a different reason. “Just give me a minute.” She quickly changed into the red mini skirt from the suit and a white t-shirt top, finishing off with red sandals. Rollin traded his bathing suit and polo shirt for loose fitting black linen pants and a blue button shirt.
He turned as Cinnamon emerged from the bathroom. His eyes meandered down her gorgeous legs. He realized her fabulous figure made the minders’ work pretty easy. “Come here. I didn’t like the way that guy was looking at you.“ He zipped her up in his windbreaker. Neither wanted to linger in the room. He pulled her toward the door and they scampered down to the beach.
“Who was she?” Cinnamon asked clutching his hand.
“Dunno. Never saw her before. Jim got her pulled into a room in the main hotel. He’s with her.” The rain started suddenly and dramatically. “Come on – under the pier.” They sprinted for cover.
The skies literally opened and rain poured out of the clouds. The dock offered some protection, but they were still getting wet. Rollin adjusted the windbreaker collar and pulled Cinnamon close. His hands held her strong cheekbones as he leaned to kiss her. “Where were we?” he teased.
Cinnamon laughed, pressing her forehead to his lips. “I’m finding it hard to forget.”
“Me too.” He tipped her face up to meet his in a deep kiss. They realized someone was walking on the pier above them. Looking up through the slats they saw Willy holding a bright blue umbrella.
The big man spoke slowly as he looked out across the rainy surf. “Turns out
Joey met her on his way here. She was the stewardess on his flight from
Rollin laughed. Cinnamon shook her head. Willy walked on.
They kissed playfully under the pier. Rollin pinned her back against a post supporting the pier, pressing against her as his lips played with hers. She reached around him to grab his firm bottom and equally pull herself against him, enjoying feeling his desire for her. When the rain stopped, they took off their shoes, Rollin rolled up his pants’ legs, and they walked arm in arm in the surf past the end of the resort grounds.
No one had followed them. The rainstorm was enough of a diversion to lose both the surfer and comedy teams. The sunset was less glamorous than the night before. They walked for a few miles, stopping when they saw the lights of a bar right on the water – The Wrecking Tree Restaurant and Bar.
“Wrecking tree?” Rollin asked.
“The wreckers were pirates. The soil’s too weak and too thin to support much
agriculture. Piracy was the main industry for many eras in the history of the
“Hungry?” Rollin asked.
“I was working up an appetite, but…”
“Tell me about it.” Rollin thought of suggesting they rent a room, but a sense of duty prevented him from even mentioning it, though he was sorely tempted. “Let’s walk toward town.”
They passed Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar. Revelers on the patio were enjoying a wide range of exotic looking cocktails. It looked inviting, but they could hear live music from another place and knew it couldn’t be too far away.
They walked on and soon saw Rooster’s Rest Club and Dance Hall. It was ragged but lively with many boisterous patrons dancing to the live soca band and drinking Kaliks from long-necked bottles. There weren’t many tourists. Rollin and Cinnamon were among the few white faces at the bar. Cinnamon sighed happily. No one would look for them there. Rollin ordered two Kaliks and they stood leaning against the rough wooden wall of the hall.
The lively atmosphere was contagious, the band energetic, and they were dancing before they finished their first beer. Cinnamon slung Rollin’s jacket over a hook in the wall and moved into his arms for a slow number. She enjoyed the rhythmic beat and Rollin’s hands caressing her hips as he held her near. He leaned down to kiss her repeatedly.
The restaurant was packed, so they decided to have dinner at the bar. Cracked conch, deep fried and seasoned with lime, and johnnycakes revived them. The barmaid convinced them to try guava duff and they were not disappointed.
They danced some more, using any excuse to hold and caress each other. Then the lead singer announced the band needed a couple of drinks to catch up with the crowd and the musicians took a break. Rollin pulled Cinnamon toward the door to get some fresh air. His hands were wandering under her shirt and she thought a little privacy might be a good thing.
The patio was deserted. Most patrons could be heard on the dock on the other side of the wooden structure, their laughter mingling with the rhythm of the waves. Rollin leaned against a picnic table and Cinnamon moved into his arms happy to feel his lips tasting hers. His warm fingers traced her rib cage, rising for his thumbs to circle her nipples. She pressed between his legs as he sat on the edge of the table. His loose trousers had done a good job concealing the intensity of his interest in her from other patrons, but on the dance floor he had pressed himself against her insistently. Now, he released her breast to reach for her hand and move it to his crotch. “I don’t want to wait ‘til we’re back.”
She knew he meant LA. At some point, one of them would need to be sensible. She realized that out of the two of them that was likely to have to be her. But she couldn’t hold herself back. She stroked him through his trousers. She didn’t want to wait either. He moved away from the table and lifted her to his spot on the edge, pressing between her legs. His hands moved to her thighs, sliding under her short skirt and tugging at her panties. Her hand moved to cover his.
“Please…” he breathed in her ear. “I want you so badly.” He kissed her neck, zeroing in on the special spot he had only recently discovered.
She knew that for two people who routinely risked their lives in part because they loved the excitement, the threat of getting caught in the act on a picnic table behind a bar was as much an aphrodisiac as the cracked conch was reputed to be. The threat of discovery further aroused both of them.
“Hmmm…me too. But Rol--.“ She stopped suddenly when she realized that over his shoulder she could see Barney seated at the bar, nursing a beer, watching them. He turned away when her eyes met his. This time she squeezed Rollin’s hand. “Barney’s at the bar.”
“What?” He retracted his hands and looked into the bar. She was right. He made eye contact and Barney picked up the long neck of his Kaliks bottle and headed toward them. Cinnamon smoothed her clothes.
Barney spoke first, softly. “You two can be tough to find.”
Rollin smiled. ”Just Joey shaking his tail. Want another beer?”
Barney shook his head. “No thanks. Dan broke Joey and he testified to a specially
impaneled grand jury. We’re leaving tomorrow. Dan‘s arranging a boat to Nassau.
It’ll pick us up at
Cinnamon gave a sigh of relief. Rollin relaxed too. “That’s great, Barn. What about the girl in the lobby?”
“She checks out as a legit stewardess.”
“Whose dream of a romantic weekend in the
“So what was Bons thinking – a threesome?” Rollin asked teasingly.
Barney chuckled, then added knowingly, “Or maybe after he gave her a ticket, he met a woman he found completely irresistible.” He smiled at Cinnamon who blushed.
Rollin smiled, “You’re exactly right, Barn. I’m sure that was it.” He turned to Cinnamon. “You are irresistible.”
“I should get back. You two okay?” Barney asked. It seemed to be a purposefully open question.
Rollin didn’t give Cinnamon a chance to respond. ‘We’re fine. We’ll walk back in awhile, just trying to make it look good.”
Barney nodded and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Barney.” Cinnamon added. She watched Barney slink back into the shadows. She turned to Rollin. “Well, the cat’s out of the bag.”
“Not Barney. He’ll be happy for us.” He moved back between her legs, pulled her close and kissed her neck. “He’s a wise man. You are irresistible.” His hands crept back under her skirt. But the mood had changed for her. The band resumed with a loud guitar lick. That sealed it.
“Rollin, I’m not comf--.”
“I know. I know.” He sighed. “What if-“
Just then Laurel and Hardy burst through the door exiting the bar. The thin one poked the fat one in his protruding stomach when he saw Joey Bons and his girl. The duo moved self-consciously to the edge of the picnic area, clearly relieved to have found their elusive quarry.
Rollin and Cinnamon picked up his jacket and walked back to their villa. There was no opportunity to discuss next steps. Laurel and Hardy were such bad trailers that they were always within earshot.
The lights two terraces down – the Bamm-Bamms – were burning bright. So were the lights in the room across the path from theirs – the room Barney identified as housing the third man.
Rollin was fuming. She could see it in his every move. He was frustrated
– a feeling she shared. Knowing that the mission had been a success made it
much harder to keep up the charade. But it was in their best interests to play
it out as long as possible. It gave Dan time to set up the next phase – handing
over to the
Rollin opened the door to the villa and followed her in. It didn’t help his mood that the air in the room was still highly charged. Everything between them was still electric – a glance, a touch. She had a hard time imagining lying next to him and nothing happening. But the thought of having everything between them overhead by, well, everyone … it would be much harder to fake having sex with him now that she knew she wanted to really be with him, more than she had wanted any man before.
Rollin snubbed out his cigarette and moved behind her. His hands went to her hips, pulling her back into his embrace. His lips moved purposefully along her neck. He was making a move, but as Joey or Rollin? She slipped out of his embrace and dragged him into the bathroom, quickly turning on the shower so they could whisper.
His whisper was forceful. “We need to do something.”
“Just what are you suggesting?”
“I want to make love to you.” His blue eyes were penetrating. “Me, not Joey.”
Cinnamon sighed, “Rollin, we’re working.”
“It’s over. We did what we were supposed to do. We get picked up tomorrow. This is our last night in paradise.” Now that he knew the kind of reaction he’d get from kissing that certain place on her neck he moved in toward her.
Cinnamon shrugged her shoulder blade up to her ear and turned her head to deny him access. “Rollin, they’re not the only ones listening. We have two audiences.”
She could see his wheels turning. “And if you take out the bugs we’d have the mob and Willy smashing down the door.”
Rollin frowned until inspiration struck. He smiled, reaching for her arms. “This is going to be the one night Joey isn’t a screamer.”
Cinnamon shook her head, “That would have them in here pretty fast too. Rollin, we’re working. And I don’t want an audience.”
He was angry with her for accepting their fate. He turned in the small room looking for insight. Cinnamon caressed his cheek and moved closer. She kissed him softly.
Rollin sighed. “All right. All right. We need to come up with something else. I might as well do my thinking under a cold shower.”
Cinnamon nodded and returned to the bedroom, calling over her shoulder. “Okay, Joe. Whatever you say.” She lay back on the bed, trying to come up with a way out of their dilemma. One option was to pick a fight and get her own room. As she was musing other options, Rollin strode in purposefully and picked up the lighter from the nightstand.
Without a pause, he stepped onto the bed, stood astride her, clicked the lighter on and held the flame directly under the fire protection system. The smoke alarm sounded immediately and water sprayed from the overhead sprinklers. “What the hell? Marie! What’s going on here?”