Page 34 of No Time Off

“I understand, and in normal circumstances, I would respect that. But at this time, you’re the only option she’s got. We’re just asking you to reach out to your country and let them know she’s officially requested assistance. Most importantly, she needs the US to confirm the existence of a coup to the Kiwis.”

Slash paused. “Fine. The best I can do is alert the State Department and let them handle it. But as I’ve already said, they’re unlikely to interfere. And even if they wanted to, we don’t have any resources on the ground to help. I’m sure the plotters have taken control of the airports on the islands to prevent outside interference.”

Rangi exhaled a deep breath. “Would it change things for your State Department if I told you the prime minister has hard evidence that China is behind the coup?”

Slash stopped and then sighed. “It might,” he admitted.

“Then—” His sentence was interrupted by loud shouts coming from outside, toward the front of the resort. Rangi cautiously opened the door to the bungalow, leaned out, and swore under his breath. “We must leave. Right now.”

“Why, what’s happening?” I asked in alarm.

“A car with several armed men just pulled up in front of the hotel and ran inside. I recognized one of them—Moe Tataroa, Maivia’s right-hand man. He’s little more than a trained thug.”

I peeked out the window and saw a bald, burly man in a policeman’s uniform standing by the car.

“They’re coming for you,” Rangi said. “There’s no other reason they’d be here right now. You two were seen with the prime minister in the parking lot, and others probably heard her invite you to her house. They’ve probably already searched the immigration records and know you’re Americans. That likely puts you at the top of their friends-of-the-prime-minister list. They’ll want to know what she said to you and might even take extra steps to find out…if you know what I mean.”

We both knew perfectly well what that meant.

“Right now, they’re not sure who you are, or in which bungalow you’re staying, so they’re likely checking with the hotel staff,” Rangi continued. “I’m friends with the resort manager. That’s how I got your bungalow number. He’ll delay them as much as he can. But I suggest you come with me for your own safety. Immediately.”

Alarmed, I looked at Slash. “Should we?”

“It’s not like we have much of a choice,” Slash replied, his expression grim.

Rangi nodded. “Good. I’ll get you out of here safely. Grab your stuff, essentials only, and let’s move out.”

“What’s essential other than the laptop bags?” I asked Slash, grabbing my pajamas and stuffing them into the bag.

“A change of clothes and our toilet kits. Throw them into one of the duffel bags. We’ll leave the rest behind for the time being.”

“I guess this means I’m not taking any of my fancy dresses, right?”

“No fancy anything,” Slash said. “We’re in survival mode now.”

I walked over to the closet, lightly touching one of the dresses hanging there. “Jeez. If I lose those dresses, Basia is going to kill me.”

He shoved his feet into his shoes. “Right now, that’s the least of our problems.”

“I know,” I sighed. “Somehow, it always is.”

NINETEEN

Lexi

Rangi led us away from the bungalow, avoiding the main resort building. We walked as nonchalantly as possible, each of us carrying a laptop bag and Slash holding the stuffed duffel as well. We didn’t want to run or draw attention to ourselves in any way, so a stroll it was, even as two other couples ran past us looking worried.

It felt like this peaceful, beautiful island was now shrouded with danger.

“Stay calm,” Rangi urged us. “We only have one hundred police officers total for all the islands. Even with Chinese help, most of them are surely guarding the airport and the news media at the moment. The rest are scattered, looking for the prime minister. They clearly have hired muscle, but not many, I suspect. Other than the few we just saw out front of the resort building, there shouldn’t be any others out here walking the perimeter. They were counting on the element of surprise—not brute force—to capture you.”

Slash suddenly stopped. “Wait, that gives me an idea.”

“What kind of idea?” Rangi and I asked at the same time.

“Lexi, give me one of your earrings,” he said to me, holding out a hand. “Quickly.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. “You want one of my earrings?”

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