Fever by V. K. Powell Read Free Book Online

for periodic updates. She thought of him every day, this man she blamed for her father’s death. The fact that Wachira was not only still on the police force, but being promoted, gouged at a sore spot in her chest.
    The pain she associated with this country still existed, fresh and bottomless. It swept through her like a wildfire on the arid savannah. She crumpled the edges of the paper in her fists and ripped it apart.
    “Bad news?” Sara stood in front of her, water dripping from her and dimpling the sand around her feet.
    Zak jumped up so quickly that Sara backed away. “Where’s my room?”
    “Room 210, facing the ocean, as requested.”
    “Can I have the key, please?”
    “Well, here’s what I was thinking.” Sara moved into Zak’s body space and leaned in as if she intended to whisper some state secret. “Why don’t we enjoy the beach for the rest of the afternoon? I’ll even challenge you to a windsurfing race, if that’ll make it more appealing. Competition seems like your kind of thing. Then we could have dinner in the open-air restaurant. They have live music. Sound good?”
    “Can I just have the key?” Why was a simple question so hard for this woman to answer?
    The enthusiasm that had brightened Sara’s sun-kissed face disappeared. “I just thought since we’re only here for the night, we could enjoy it.”
    “The key.” Their exchange had started to attract attention that Zak couldn’t afford.
    “It’s at the desk along with my luggage and purse.”
    “You left your purse at the desk, unattended?”
    “What’s with you? The desk clerk knows me and is watching my stuff. I was anxious to get in the water, so I changed at the poolside restroom. I’ll go get the key and meet you at the room.”
    “Fine, and try to be more careful. We’re not in Kansas anymore.”
    As Zak headed toward the row of flat-topped buildings, her temper began to cool. She’d overreacted after reading the article and taken it out on Sara. Such behavior was uncharacteristic, not to mention unprofessional. And the disappointment on Sara’s face bothered Zak more than it should. Maybe she’d try to make amends later. After all, Sara wasn’t to blame for the emotional baggage Zak had schlepped back to Africa.

    *

    “And after tomorrow, I won’t be your problem anymore,” Sara mumbled as she watched Zak slink around the side of the building like a stalker. She picked up the crumpled paper Zak had been reading and scanned the pages. When she didn’t find anything noteworthy, she dropped it into a trash can on her way to the office. A few minutes later she was checked in and following the bellhop to her room.
    When the hotel employee left, Zak stood at the top of the stairs next to their rooms. She had an unnerving habit of disappearing and reappearing without warning. “Here’s your key.” Sara handed it to her without further comment and started to close the door, but Zak stuck her foot out to stop it.
    “I was wondering if you’d be interested in having dinner together in your room. It has a great ocean view and we can probably even hear the music from there.”
    Sara stared at her in disbelief. Zak had dismissed her like an irresponsible child and now wanted to have dinner. Part of her wanted to scream, “Hell no . ”Instead, she heard herself say, “Sure.”
    “Great. Order whatever you want. I’ll be back in an hour.” Zak started to leave, then turned back toward her. “Is that enough time?”
    “Sure.” Sara closed the door and scolded herself aloud. “Sure? Now you sound like your noncommunicative guide. Why didn’t you just say no?” The question returned continuously as she showered and took entirely too much time deciding what to wear. She settled on a pair of beige linen shorts and a light green short-sleeved cotton blouse. It’s not a date, she reminded herself.
    She ordered her favorite lobster dish from the memorized menu and wondered what Zak would choose. In ninja mode she