I went up to my room and spent a few minutes in front of the mirror. I didn’t realize vacations could take so much out of you. I’d have to go home to rest. But then I remembered when I got home Beau would be expecting me to answer the important question. I’d be ready.

I had lain down across the bed to rest my knee for a few minutes, when the next thing I knew Dee Dee was shaking me. “Hey, come on and get up. We’ve got to hurry if we’re going to town.”

I reached toward the ceiling. “I could stretch a mile if I didn’t have to walk back.”

Dee Dee and I laughed until tears were rolling down our cheeks. I know, it wasn’t that funny, but we needed the comedic relief. The stress had been palpable.

“Come on; let’s get this over with. No telling what Nana will choose to wear. I’m afraid she’s going straight for the wench’s dress.” We arrived at the costume store to discover we weren’t the only ones who’d waited until the fifth hour.

I had to admit surprise when Nana came out in the cutest outfit. She had on black pants, a maroon vest, and a white blouse with ruffled sleeves. Black boots adorned her feet.

“Oh, Nana, you look so precious.”

She jabbed her hand on her boney hip and swung her fake sword around. “Arr, matey! Lady pirates are not precious.”

I’d been chastised. “Yes, ma’am.” Dee Dee and I decided to go with suits similar to Nana’s, but we didn’t look nearly as cute as she did.

We drove back to Seaside Cottage where Louise had set a table fit for a king. Fresh lobster tail, shrimp with garlic butter, cole slaw, asparagus, red potatoes, crab cakes, corn on the cob, and salad. We decided to wait and eat downtown.

All the guests were there and everyone, except Mama and Laura, had plans to attend the festival. By the time we arrived downtown the festivities had begun. Gaily dressed pirates danced in the street, swaying rhythmically to the music. The crowded street ran parallel to the beach. I looked across the parking lot and listened to the waves lapping gently onto the beach. I stood in awe at the magnificent sight.

Nana tugged on my sleeve. “Come on, Trixie, let’s get some action. I’m supposed to meet George in a little while, but I want to try some of the food while we wait.” I shot a glance at Dee Dee. She shoulder shrugged and raised her eyebrows.

“Nana you eat like a bird – all the time.” Our laughter faded in the midst of the noise. Though Nana stood with her hands on her hips, her face wore a grin. The mood was light and smiles adorned the faces of the festival-goers. Caught up in the excitement, I found it hard to believe I’d been reluctant to come.

We fought our way from booth to booth until Nana chose a corndog. I watched in bewilderment as she slathered mustard on the cornmeal coated hotdog and took a big bite. Dee Dee and I opted for a hamburger.

Dee Dee shook a french fry at Nana. “Now when are you supposed to meet George?”

Through a mouthful, Nana mumbled. “We’re supposed to meet at Pirate’s Treasure around seven.”

I reached over and wiped off a smudge of mustard on the corner of her mouth. “Well, we’d better hurry because it’s fifteen ‘till. It’ll take us a few minutes to walk over there.”

I was surprised to see Ellie Sloan and John Porter in front of the store when we arrived.

Ellie spoke first. “Hi. Having a good time?”

John pulled off his pirate hat, bent over and swept his hat in a broad greeting. Somehow I’d never pictured him as a gentleman. I still didn’t. If Ellie and John didn’t know each other then why did they keep showing up together? “Hi, ladies. Are you looking for George?”

“Yes,” Nana said, “have you seen him?” Her eyes surveyed the surroundings.

“We sure have,” John said. “He said he had an errand he needed to take care of, so we told him to go ahead and we’d keep you company until he got back.”

Ellie nodded her head in agreement.

“Go ahead, Trixie. I’ll be all right.” Nana bounced with excitement.

I had a gut feeling not to leave Nana, but I didn’t follow it. I would pay for that mistake.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

We walked toward the booths now lining every square inch of the beach parking lot. “Think Nana will be okay?”

“Sure,” Dee Dee said. “George will be there in a little while.”

We browsed around makeshift shops filled with every imaginable Savannah and Tybee Island memorabilia. Several vendors sold pirate costumes and were doing a hardy business. Aromas of food, seawater, and crowds floated in the air. The sides of the tents flapped in a cool ocean breeze. The midway, filled with laughter and “Ahoy, mateys,” bore witness to the exciting atmosphere of the festival.

“Look, Trix! There’s a booth selling homemade ice-cream. Let’s get some,” Dee Dee said.

We opted for chocolate-chocolate chip, which could possibly result in our death by chocolate –what a way to go. We sat on a bench and people-watched while we deliberated over the list. There were a variety of costumes: men pirates, lady pirates, and more than a fair share of wenches.

“You know. I’m so glad Nana didn’t decide to wear a wench’s costume. Not that she’d even have enough to fill out the top.” Images of Nana in the hot pink bathing suit flashed through my mind. I’d never be able to look at a pink bikini the same.

“Speaking of Nana, is it time to meet up with her?” Dee Dee stuck the last bite of her cone in her mouth and licked her fingers. “Yummy.”

I looked at my watch. We told Nana we’d meet back at the General Store at nine and then we could hang out with her and George. “Yep, it’s almost nine. Let’s head over that way.” I ran my tongue over my lips in an effort to lick off some of the sticky.

We blazed a trail through the wall of people. I didn’t panic when I couldn’t spot Nana right off. I figured they were somewhere inside. We looked around several minutes. When Nana and George didn’t show, my heart thudded against my chest.

“Where are they, Dee Dee?” I didn’t recognize my voice as it was a couple octaves higher than usual.

She grabbed my arm. “Look! There’s Ellie and John over in the corner. She’s waving at us.” We hot-footed it in their direction. “I bet they know where Nana and George are.” Dee Dee shoved pirates out of the way to make a path for us.

“Oh, I’m so glad to see y’all. We can’t find Nana and George. They were supposed to meet us here and we thought you might know where they are.” John leaned in toward me. I figured he just wanted to get close so I could hear him.

He grabbed my arm and I felt something hard against my back. His hot breath tickled my neck and I could smell pizza on his breath. “Don’t move or make a sound. I’ve got a gun on you.”

“Why?”

“You know why,” John spat out the words.

“No, I don’t know why.” I looked over my shoulder and came face to face with my nemesis.

“If you want to see your Nana alive you’ll come with me quietly.

“What about Dee Dee?” I wondered if we’d discovered the killers. If they didn’t take Dee Dee she could go for help.

“Ellie has your friend. Do you think I’m stupid enough to let her go?” Well, I was hoping he was. “We are going to walk out to my car and you’d better not make a scene. You’ll never see her alive again.”

The pain in my rib convinced me he meant business. All I wanted to do was get to Nana and make sure she was all right. Lord, let Nana be okay and protect us from evil. We made our way to a small car. My mind whirled with ways to overtake John and make a run for it. He threw a tow sack over any ideas I might have had when he ordered me into the driver’s seat.

Ellie shoved Dee Dee in the back seat and got in with her. John directed me in what seemed to be circles. I wondered if he was trying to throw us off-course. We drove down a long sandy driveway that ended near the beach. A bungalow stood among a grove of palm trees.