This is episode four of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by.
Prison Visit
Trace entered Suva Prison. He felt closed in by the gray concrete twelve-foot-high walls, strung with razor wire along the top. A guard in a khaki uniform led him through an immaculate hallway. They stopped at a door at the end of the hallway. The guard patted Trace down and opened the door to the empty visiting room. Twenty tables with two chairs each were neatly arranged.
“Have a seat, sir,” the guard said. “Prisoner Franks will be here shortly.”
Trace flashed a quick smile. “Thank you, officer.”
Five minutes elapsed, and two guards escorted Franks to the chair across from Trace. The guards moved away from the table and stood on both sides of the door.
“It’s good to see you,” Franks said. “You have good news.”
“I do,” Trace said. “First, Allie sends her regards.”
“A good woman,” Franks said.
“Sage and Coyote are all in,” Trace said. “And when I say all in, it’s like taking all they have and splashing the pot.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Franks said.
“There are two thousand miles of ocean between us and your son,” Trace said. “It will take time. It will take time to plan this.”
“How much time?” Franks said.
“That’s something we have no idea about,” Trace said. “Dad is speaking to a trusted friend who is familiar with this type of thing. A lot depends on what he says.”
“This has to be hush-hush,” Franks said. “We can’t have your dad consulting with old friends.”
“I said a trusted friend,” Trace said. “Dad would not jeopardize our lives with anyone who couldn’t keep secrets.”
“Understood,” Franks said. “I’m very nervous.”
“That’s okay,” Trace said, “we all are. I came here to tell you that everything was a go and that I will see you every third day, starting with today. If I don’t show up on the third day, you can assume we are on our way.”
“I got that,” Franks said.
“If anything happens on the way there or back, that our mission has failed, we will have Allie visit you,” Trace said.
Franks nervously nodded. “So, no news is good news?”
“Unless we’re all at the bottom of the sea,” Trace said.
“There’s the matter of money,” Franks said.
“In all the excitement, I’ve never given it a thought,” Trace said.
“I just had one hundred thousand dollars transferred to Allie’s account,” Franks said. “That way, there’s not a direct link between us. And that money goes through a couple of other accounts before getting to Allie. Got to look out for her too.”
“Thanks for the box,” Trace said.
“Is it useful?” Franks said.
“I’m sure it will be,” Trace said. “We looked it over last night, and I got into it this morning.”
“What do you think?” Franks said.
“It’s better than going without a clue,” Trace said. “I’m sure there’s enough to come up with a plan from that, but…”
Franks interrupted, “‘The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.’”
“Mice are terrible planners,” Trace said.
“I would like to know more about your plans,” Franks said. “But that sort of thing is not my area of expertise. I’m not a man of action, I’m a man of statistics and odds. Men such as you beat the odds, at least that’s what the statistics suggest. You improvise on the fly. It’s best if I know little about your plans. We should cut this short. The more we talk, the more you may be implicated. I’m not able to bribe everybody. The meter is running.”
“One more thing,” Trace said, “does anyone else know about this?”
“Allie,” Franks said, “and that’s it.”
“She’s a good one to trust,” Trace said.
“I’m curious,” Trace said, “the prison is only a walking distance to The Tramp Islander, why have the Rover and four motorcycles escort you for that short of a distance?”
“I’m a flamboyant casino owner,” Franks grinned. “Everything we do is ostentatious. If I had the time, I would have used a limo.”
“Thanks for the box,” Trace said and asked, “Silk sheets?”
“Nothing but,” Franks said, with a short, polite smile.
“I should let you go, Captain Troy,” Franks said. “We have a badminton tournament this afternoon.”
“Well,” Trace said, “I hope you finish first.”
“Oh no,” Franks grinned, “I’m not playing. I’m collecting bets and setting odds. I have to keep sharp. If I were a barber and incarcerated, they’d expect haircuts, but as it is… Don’t worry about returning. I’ll know when you leave. We must leave on a sour note.”
Franks stood abruptly. His face flashed into a rage. He flipped the table. “You piece of crap, you’re the reason I’m here. Coming here, wanting forgiveness; you've got your nerve! ”
The guards rushed toward Franks. He turned to them and said politely, “We’re done, here, gentlemen. I’m sorry to have upset you.”
The guards grabbed him from each side and rushed him to the door. Franks turned his head, winked, and smiled at Trace.
Trace smiled and nodded.