Delanie watched Sam being whisked away. She turned around in a slow circle. No one milled about. No one recognized her. Hell, no one cared who she was. It was amazingly strange.



For years she'd been hounded and hunted almost like a dog. People would chase her down city streets, through alley's and into bathrooms. No privacy what so ever. Yet here she stood in one of the largest urban areas in the Bahamas and no one cared. Hell, it might be the largest urban population in the Bahamas, she didn't know. But one thing she did know was that her face drew crowds.



So far everyone she'd encountered ignored her. No one cared that Delanie Skhye walked down the streets of Nassau. Talk about humbling.



She walked into a bar, hoping to sneak her way to a payphone and call a cab. She hadn't brought her cell phone with her. What a totally inopportune time to be without the device.



Midway to the alcove where the payphones sat someone hollered out. At first Delanie thought her cover was blown. After a beat she realized they were just being friendly.



She turned to the bartender and smiled. He smiled back, his white teeth bright in the otherwise dismal space. "How 'bout a fruity drink for the lady?"



"Thanks, but not today. I do need a cab."



"Raul, this lady needs a ride."



An overly tall but skinny man ambled over, his eyes covered with shades. Did he recognize her? She held her breath, hoping this guy wouldn't try to take advantage of her just because of who she was. Unfortunately she only had about two hundred dollars American. Sam had given it to her when they docked.



"I'll take you wherever you need to go. The name is Raul."



"Thank you. I need to be dropped at the main police station, but I'm not sure which one that is."



"I know where to take you. It's only a short ways away."



"I also need a cell phone. Where can I pick up a disposable?"



"We'll stop at Getties. They can fix you up."



"Thank you." Delanie smiled and immediately realized her mistake. The dawn of recognition lit on Raul's face. Her trademark smile was recognized in too many places. They may not recognize her as an upset woman trying to get help for Sam, but they sure as hell recognized her smile.



Raul eyes cut to the bartender as he breezed past Delanie. "I'm out on fare. No need to speak to the others about the fare."



The bartender came out from behind the scared wood that had hidden his lack of a leg. He moved rather gracefully for a man with a fake leg. "I recognize you now."



Raul put his hand on the bartender, "Do not say anything. Obviously she isn't in her normal environment. It would be wrong to take advantage of the situation."



Delanie wondered if she needed to call the police for her own safety. The bartender looked as thought he would ignore the advice of the younger cabdriver. She held her breath, waiting for someone to say something.



"Pish-posh, no matter. Go, be on your way. I say noting about you being here."



"Thank you, I appreciate it." Delanie followed the cabbie out into the bright morning sun.



"When we get to Getties I'll go in and get the phone. You don't need to be in the public that much."



"So you know who I am?"



"No doubt. We see a lot of celebrities on the island. We don't ask questions. It's part of what keeps the island the island."



"Thank you."



"No thanks necessary. How about we get you that phone then I'll drop you by the police station."



Delanie knew she'd need to rent a car but all of her things were back on the island. She couldn't believe that the one person who could help her was locked up.



Getties wasn't too far from the bar and Raul was quick. In five minutes she had the new phone and was dialing her agent. Mimi didn't answer, instead she was stuck leaving a voicemail.



"Mimi, this is Delanie. I need you to call me back now on this number."



Out the window run down houses with graffiti slid by. If she were here on vacation this part of Nassau would never be seen by her eyes. There were whole parts of cities she'd never have to trudge through. The privileged life she lead had it's ups and downs, but she'd never be this far down.



The neighborhood changed slightly. Fewer graffiti tags and less trash. Then there were a couple of blocks that looked like model citizens lived there.



"We are here. Here's my number, call me if you need another ride."



"Thanks, Raul. You've been great. I'll remember you the next time I need a ride." She paid for the fair, left a great tip, and hopped out of the cab.



She needed to be strong and keep a cool head on her shoulders. Her phone range as she stepped into the police station. Without hesitation she stepped out again and answered. "Mimi?"



"Yes, it's me. You don't sound so good."



"I need you to contact the island owners and tell them there was a problem. Give them this number."



"Delanie are you okay?"



"I'm fine."



"I'm getting on a plane and coming out there."



"No, Mimi. Please don't."



"But you need help. I can help."



Delanie needed to focus on Sam, not Mimi. Plus if this guy came back she doubted that he'd play nice and not hurt her friends. She needed to keep everything simple and Mimi was never simple.



"Listen, for now it would be better if you stayed in the states. That way I could count on you for help up there if I need it."



"I'm not liking this. If things aren't better in two days I'll be there."



"Fine, but don't tell anyone where you are going. I don't want the press on top of me too."



Delanie disconnected and walked into the police station. The place looked like chaos at first glance, then she realized each person had a purpose. She moved forward, keeping her eyes on the center desk. "Hi, I need to find out more about a man brought in for questioning."



"What was his name?"



"Sam Taylor."



The guy didn't even stop to check a database or list. "No Sam Taylor here."



She wanted to shout but instead kept her voice steady. "Could you please check with someone else? He was brought in about an hour ago."



The guy finally looked up, his eyes half closed and a scowl marring his features. "Fine." He picked up his phone and dialed three numbers. "Louis, anyone named Sam picked up?"



Delanie did her best to hide her agitation from mister Scowly. She didn't need the police to be angry with her, but she needed to find Sam and get this straightened out.



"Thanks Louis." He hung up the phone, his frown deepened.



"He doesn't know, but he'll check. Take a seat over there." The guy pointed to a bench on the other side of the station.



Delanie made her way over to the bench. Her head ached and her stomach growled. Not only had she not eaten anything in hours, she felt like crap.



After an hour of sitting on the rock hard bench she would have killed for a good hamburger, a bottle of Advil and a two-liter coke. She was ready to go up and wring the guy's neck who had told her to sit when she saw the guy who'd taken Sam from the docks.



With as much grace as she could muster, Delanie hopped up and crossed the room, angling to keep up with the guy in the suit. "Excuse me."



He didn't turn around or acknowledge her. Instead, he looked as though he was going to disappear into a back office. She couldn't let that happen. Delanie raced forward, bumping into a chair that let out an ear piercing screech. All eyes turned to her, even the guy in the suit.



"Excuse me, but you took my friend. I need to see him."



"Misus Skhye, I've been wondering when you'd get her."



"I've been here for over an hour. I need to see Sam."

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011