The group huddled near the front of the house discussing a strategy, realizing they didn't really need one. Forrester and his man were trapped on the second floor and all the couples were free to go.

"Has anyone heard from the Boat Busters?" Jess asked.

"If you didn't shoot it to pieces, there's a phone in the library that might reach the airport." Arny suggested, hefting his gun and drawing an eye roll from Miller.

"Go two go and check it out then. We'll check on Jeff."

Jeff crawled back away from the door and grinned when he saw the group.

"Everyone good? All the girls? Where are the guys?"

"They're all in the limo looking after Gretta, she was hurting more than she let on."

"Watch out!" Jeff rolled to one side, as Arny and Miller jogged up to front of the house.

"Hey! We're the good guys. Jesus, Bowen, be careful." Miller squatted down and hung his head. "Billy would kill me if you shot me."

"They all looked at Parker and he just shrugged. "Nothin' to say."

"A first," Jessica laughed. "Did you get the airport?"

"Yep, and they are safe and secure on the ground, arguing over who should tell how they succeeded with the boat."

"So, we can just make tracks, pile into the plane and go. Forrester and his buddy will have to phone for help."

"I don't like leaving him." Jeff said.

"You want to shoot him?" Parker chuckled.

"Crossed my mind."

Parker's chuckle turned to a throat clearing cough.

"We can alert the authorities when we land – or even from the plane." Jessica said. "But I think we should get off this island while we can, besides, Gretta needs proper care, and soon."

****

Adrenaline was still pumping even though they were airborne and headed to safety. Arny and Jessica were crouched down where Gretta had been made as comfortable as possible on the floor.

"You okay, babe?" he asked.

"Sore, and a little woozy. Is everyone else okay?"

"They're fine. Jeff had a head wound from a crease earlier – that and a clumsy fall on his spare magazine. It was Impressive stuff." Jessica grinned.

"We're headed to Florida. We've contacted the authorities there and Jess put a request through to her people to set up a joint investigation." Arny smoothed her hair aside from her face. "You are going straight to the hospital, and nobody better get in my way."

"Attention everybody. Deb and I have prepared a lunch from our host's lavish, little on-board kitchen, so please take your seats, and we'll serve." Verna announced.

Hart hurried down the aisle. "Jeff took a sandwich up to the pilot so I could savour your, award-winning cuisine." He said,comming up behind Verna and kissing her neck.

"I made you a hot dog." She smiled demurely, and went about serving.

"How come all us guys get kidded by our partners except Jeff?" Miller asked.

"He's older than me," Jessica said, through a mouthful of sandwich.

"I heard that," came the cry from the cockpit.

There was general laughter and a few more remarks and then each settled down to enjoying food and the incredible cloud formations out the window.

****

The Miami-OPA Locka Executive airport gave the pilot his landing instructions and everyone buckled in for the smooth set down and final taxi to the private hanger. A dark SUV, with four men in identical suits and sunglasses, standing at ease beside it, signalled to the departing passengers that the radio call, made in-flight, was taken seriously.

Arny helped Gretta into a wheelchair provided, and proceeded to a table inside the hanger where the rest of the group stood. Three agents began on the spot interviews, and when concluded, placed the entire group under arrest.

"Why have we been arrested?" Jessica asked. "We gave our statements."

"And according to those statements, there were several shootings on Mr. Forrester's island. I doubt he was shooting his own employees."

"That was all explained. I'd like to call my superiors."

"You can do that at our headquarters. Meanwhile, there are many questions still to be asked"

"What many?" Parker spoke up.

"The one's we haven't asked yet." The agent quipped.

"Thanks for explaining the word 'many' to me, it means a lot."

"This situation is serious, and I suggest you treat it that way. This is not a kid's prank that would get a slap on the wrist."

"Better be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home."

"Show Mr. Nevin to the van."

****

The six men sat in the back of the van silently. Each with their own angry thoughts. Splitting them up didn't make them any happier and there was concern for how their partners were being treated.

"What do make of these guys?" Miller asked. "And what the heck is with this windowless van?"

"Typical Feds," Hart responded casually. "Everything with them is hush, hush, and need to know."

"They have neat sunglasses." Parker joked.

"At least they have windows." Miller grumped. "You think Jessica can get the Mounties to intervene?" He looked at a sullen Jeff. "Hey, Jeff, you think Jessica can--"

"I heard you. I don't know. My head is aching."

"Maybe you can get something when we stop." Gordon said. "Hope it's soon too. I have to take a leak."

"I'm worried about Gretta. She needs proper medical attention." Arny said.

The van swerved, and they all grappled for support, then it slowed and sped up again. A jarring bump elicited a few curses and a groan from Jeff. A moment later it braked to a quick halt and they heard doors slamming.

"Out you get, gentlemen." Two agents stood back from the van doors as they exited.

"What's this place? Miller asked. "Doesn't look very governmental to me."

"Just move on over to those doors after that agent."

"Where are our partners?" Gordon demanded.

"Inside. Just keep moving."

The men were taken by elevator to a basement level, down a dull green corridor and into a spacious conference room where, to their surprise, the girls were waiting. There were some hurried questions and assurances that everyone was alright. Jeff was allotted some painkillers, and Gretta was at a medical facility being attended to by a doctor. Arny had to be restrained, insisting he wanted to be with her. It didn't happen.

"Alright, you're all caught up with each other, now pay attention." A tall man stood at the head of the large table. In his hand was the folder Malcolm had read on their first night on the island. He opened it and scanned the dozen guests slowly, turning the pages in the same manner. His glasses caught reflected light making the lenses opaque, adding to the creepy atmosphere.

"After studying this . . . dossier--"

"How the hell did you get that?" Hart blurted.

"A jet was dispatched to the island as soon as we received your message."

"That means you found Forrester there and that other guy, Paulson."

"The Bureau has implemented an investigation into the serious events that took place, along with the accusations catalogued herein," the Agent continued. "And until such time as we have satisfied ourselves that all the facts are in, you will all be held--"

"That's bullshit!" Parker shouted. "He lured us down to his little island to get revenge for those so-called accusations. Look at the men he had! Armed mercenaries that tried to kill us!"

"And yet here you are, and they aren't."

"He's right," Gordon chimed in. "They took Miss West by force and held her captive to intimidate the rest of us."

"And yet, here she is."

Jessica stood and demanded to know the agent's name and that she be allowed to contact her superiors in the RCMP.

"I am Federal Agent, Kevin Westerbrooke and no, there will be no phone calls. When the crime is suspected terrorism--"

"Terrorism!" Several voices shouted at once.

"When the crime is suspected terrorism, all rights go out the window until the matter is settled. My God, it looked like a slaughterhouse there. And what appeared to be a bomb of some kind – so yes – terrorism!"

"You're accusing us of terrorism? Forrester is your terrorist! He had the men, the guns and the only means of access to and from his island, how are we the terrorists?" Hart stood with Jessica. "And if you say, yet here we are, I'll jam that dossier--"

"Hart!" Verna reached across the table to him. "We can discuss this as civilized people." Her words were at Hart but her eyes locked with the agent. "Ask Mr. Forrester why he specifically invited our group in the first place."

"It's all in this notebook." Westerbrooke said.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Gordon joined in. "He admits in that thing that we screwed up his criminal activities!"

"Alright, enough. I've laid out the rules and you will all follow them – all of you."

"Excuse me, Agent Westerbrooke." Everyone turned and looked at Billy. "In my purse, which you confiscated, is my phone, and since your people apparently have not yet examined it, I would like to have it back so I can show you exactly what did happen."

They all stared silently, wearing various, confused, expressions