`Catch you on the trip back, Boxhead.' Mullet disappeared down the steps to the lower deck without a backward glance.
Behind Mason a mobile phone rang. His.
Ruth passed it to him, face tight. `It's Max.'
Mason found a clear spot on the deck as Ruth sat back down, eyes on him. `Max?'
`It's important.'
Mason heard the anger in Max's voice. Something was very wrong. `Go on.' He turned to Ruth and smiled, trying to smooth her frown away.
`There's been movement in the US. That jet we lost track of here popped up on our satellites an hour ago.'
`And you rang me here to tell me this?'
`Sir, it's heading for Australia.'
Mason turned away from Ruth, anger clouding his mind. Not now.
`Sir, it will be there later tonight. Sir Robert has sanctioned the Fund to mobilise and I'm already airborne and have resources on the ground in the area. Mason, you needed to know but the Fund can handle this. Sir Robert's orders.'
Mason paused, agreeing with Sir Robert. The Fund was there to protect them and he needed time with his family. Butcher was not welcome here. `Agreed, Max, do whatever it takes. I don't want to be disturbed, you understand?'
`Yes, sir.'
`Good. You're in charge, Max. Talk to you in two weeks.' Mason snapped the phone shut and dropped it over the side of the ferry. His anger vanished as the mobile disappeared into the bubbling wake.
`That's a good sign,' Ruth said, joining him and taking his hand. `What did Max want?'
`Just checking up on me,' Mason sighed and hugged her. `I made it clear we're not to be disturbed. The Fund can survive without me.'
`Uh-huh.' Ruth's tone and body language said she didn't believe him. Mason leaned over and kissed her. She kissed him back and Mason picked her up in their hug, making her squeal and wriggle.
`Will you two behave?' Wilson said, joining them. Mason held Ruth against him as she pulled her bikini top back into place. Wilson rolled his eyes at them. `If this is what you're going to be like on the island I'm going to have to warn Sally about turning up unannounced at the villa.'
Ruth patted him on the face. `She's not as shy as you think, Wilson. We spent a lot time together when you were in hospital.'
`And?' Wilson asked, eyes narrowing at his mother. Mason chuckled quietly.
`Well, her mother doesn't talk to her about sex that much.'
Mason had to bite his lip at the look of horror on Wilson's face.
`Jeez, Mum. You talked about sex with her?'
`Of course. She asked me.' Ruth touched his arm. `Sally needed someone to talk to, Wilson, and I wasn't going to let her down.'
`Oh,' Wilson mumbled, looking out towards the approaching island. Mason could see him thinking about what his mother had said.
`Wil, Sally cares about you a lot and she isn't like other girls. She wants it to mean something when she decides to be with you. Besides, I was flattered she came to me for advice.'
`It's weird talking about this with you two, but thanks, Mum.' Wilson smiled and fidgeted as he leaned against the railing, scanning the beach as the ferry slowed its approach.
`So. You and Sally,' Mason asked quietly. `Are her parents okay with her being here?'
`Sal's dad not around and her mum is with her on the island,' Wilson said, taking his shirt off. `And she's cool with us. We get along great and she doesn't ask questions. I want you to meet her once you and Mum have settled on the island.'
`Done,' Mason said, taking Wilson's shirt as it was thrust at him. `What are you doing?'
`Going to Sally.' Wilson winked, and ran downstairs. Mason looked over the side just as Wilson dived in.
`He's a good swimmer now,' Ruth said holding onto him as they watched Wilson swim with ease to the beach. `And that would be Sally.' Ruth pointed. Mason followed her direction.
`Holy crap. That's Sally?' The tall girl who leapt onto Wilson as he reached the beach wore blonde hair down to her waist. `She's not the skinny kid I remember.'
`They're a beautiful couple, Mason. I can't believe Wilson found her, but they did meet here on the island. Just like us.'
`Yeah.' Mason watched as Wilson took Sally's hand and they ran towards the resort. `I've missed out on so much.'
`Well, then.' Ruth pulled him away from the railing as people began to move downstairs. `This holiday will be your chance to catch up. Come on.'
`Right behind you,' Mason said, following her.
`And make sure your bag is zipped up,' she said as they lined up to disembark. She elbowed him and Mason looked down. A pistol butt showed through the zipper of his backpack, the only luggage he'd brought to the island. `I thought you said you weren't going to bring anything?' she whispered.
`Old habits.'
`Hmm.' Ruth eyed him over her shoulder as Mason tucked the pistol away. It was instinctive for him to carry weapons, though he had tried to leave them behind.
`Yes, I know,' he muttered at the look she gave him. `I just hope you packed enough clothes for us.'
`One dress and a few bikinis for me,' Ruth said with a wicked smile back at him as they followed the line of people down the ramp.
Mason grinned back. Ruth was planning on not needing much in the way of clothing. His heart quickened as the sand grew closer. The island always did it to him. Their best memories had come from here and he wanted to create a lot more good ones on this trip.
`Hunter.' The whisper came into his mind the instant his foot touched the sand. He couldn't breathe. The world around him slowed.
`Mason?' Ruth's hand tightened on his as he stood blocking the ramp. People muttered behind him. `Mason, what's wrong? You've gone white.'
`Move, buddy,' someone muttered and Mason moved off the ramp. Everything snapped back into focus.
Ruth pulled him away from the prying eyes he could feel on his back. `Talk to me,'
`It's nothing. Just a flashback,' he lied. The voice had been real and he knew it.
`Bullshit, Mason,' Ruth dug her nails into his arm. `Don't do that. Don't lie like that other thing inside you lies.'
She was right. `It was her, Ruth. The voice from the funeral.'
`Here? Now? I didn't hear it.'
`She said "Hunter", that's all.'
`Hunter?' Ruth stood close against him. `You sure it wasn't one of them? Are they close?'
Mason closed his
