Page 40 of Vanishing Legacy
After spending the morning with Rocco and Penny, Cash and Alana entrusted the kids to Noelle and Juliette and headed out in Cash’s truck. Alana settled into the passenger seat and tried to shake off the ominous feeling that crawled up her spine.
She stared out the window, trying to distract herself by studying the blur of green as they rumbled toward Tybee Island Marina. The afternoon sky was painted deep blue without a cloud in the sky. A serene contrast to the unease that knotted up her stomach.
She turned to look at Cash, who was focused on the road ahead. Maybe she shouldn’t have let him come along. What if they found Sonia? If Sonia’s car had been submerged underwater for four years, the chances of finding a recognizable body were slim. The thought of Cash seeing his ex-wife’s body after it had been underwater for such a long time made her chest tighten. Sure, he was a doctor, but it was different with loved ones.
Alana took a deep breath and tried to push the gruesome thoughts out of her mind. She had to remain focused and keep her emotions in check. This was about more than Cash and Penny. Sonia’s entire family deserved closure too. It might not be her job anymore, but she would do everything in her power to provide it. Even if it meant braving the unknown and facing the harsh realities of her fate.
“It’s going to take about twenty minutes to get to the marina.” Cash glanced over at her. “Do you want to go over the plan again?”
“No, I’ve got it.” She snapped back into focus. “I just hope we can find something down there.”
“I hope so too,” Cash said. “But even if we don’t, I’m thankful you’re willing to try.”
They rode in silence for a few minutes, the weight of their mission hanging heavy in the air.
“You know, I used to come out here with Sonia and Penny all the time. We’d fish, swim, and have picnics on the beach.”
“I’m sorry, Cash. I know it must be hard to come back here.”
“It is,” Cash admitted. “But I need to do this. For Penny, and for myself.”
Alana reached over and squeezed his hand. He held on and smiled at her.
“Okay, so I’m dying to know. How in the world did you end up on the LAPD SWAT team?” He glanced at her and grinned. “And a dive detective at that!”
“It’s a long story, but I ended up working at a gym run by a man who had a mission to save street kids. He gave me a job as a cleaner, and then he helped me get on my feet and get a job with the police department.”
“Really? That’s impressive.” Cash raised an eyebrow. “Wow, you really have been through a lot, haven’t you?”
Okay, she was not ready to go there. She needed to divert this conversation. “Life wasn’t always easy, but it made me who I am today.”
“Yeah. Okay. Well, I’m glad you’re here with me now,” he said. “So how do you know our dive captain?”
“Oh, Oak and I go way back.” She grinned and watched his face for his reaction. “We both fought in the youth mixed martial arts world championship.”
* * *
When Cash realized his mouth had fallen open, he closed it. Jonah had mentioned Alana had expert martial arts skills. He hadn’t said she was a champion fighter.
He parked the truck at the marina and turned to face her. “Excuse me. I think I heard you wrong. Did you say World MMA Championship?”
Alana laughed, clearly taking in the stupefied expression on his face. “Yes, I trained and competed for a few years. It helped me deal with some of the issues from my childhood. But that’s all behind me now.”
His gaze lingered on her eyes for a moment. Boy, she was stronger and more resilient than he’d imagined. He’d seen her in action, and she was a force to be reckoned with, for sure. But hearing some of her past…well, he couldn’t imagine what she’d been through to become the woman she was today. “Whatever pain you’ve gone through…I’m sorry for it.”
“I’ve been through some stuff, but it’s all in the past. Come on. Let’s focus on finding Sonia’s car.”
More than anything, Cash wanted to know what had shaped Alana so profoundly, but he was too close to sensitive territory. It was time to back off. He hadn’t earned the right to pry, but in time, he hoped to earn enough trust to know her deeper, because the more he did, the more she amazed him.
“Right.” Cash clapped his hands. “Let’s do this.”
They stepped out of the truck, and Cash breathed in the salty smell of the ocean. The boat dock wobbled beneath his feet, swaying with the movement of the water. The wood creaked and groaned with each step.
At the end of the dock, Cash took in the expansive view of the marina. Boats of all shapes and sizes bobbed gently in the water. Seagulls flew overhead. Their cries mingled with the sound of distant boat engines and the soft lapping of the water against hulls.
It was a peaceful scene, but they were there to search for Sonia’s car. Looking out at the vast expanse of the ocean before him, he wondered what secrets it held. Impossible to discover them all, and finding Sonia’s car would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
“Over here,” Alana called.