“There’s a flight leaving here at 3:20pm that gets into Grand Cayman at 4:10,” Zach informed them. “One of us needs to go to the bank and get some cash. I don’t see why we couldn’t be in the air by 7:00. That’ll put us at Faa’a International Airport in Papeete around 6:00am local time, though I’m not sure how the international date line is going to affect which day it is. It’ll take us another few hours to finally get to Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, because we’ll need to clear Customs and Immigration in Papeete and they won’t be open so early. In Bora Bora, the resort will have a private boat there to meet us.”
“Boat?” Krista asked.
“The resort is on a private islet, a small island, about a 25-minute boat ride from the airport,” Zach explained. “There are a lot of layers of security for us in this. You cannot come to Bora Bora without a confirmed reservation for where you’re staying. That means anyone that Quinn sends to follow or find us will not be able to get to Bora Bora without making a reservation. We can make a donation to the right person so that anyone coming to Bora Bora that asks about Susan, they notify us. Our resort being on a private islet is further security. The only way to get there is by boat. The person I make my donation to will see to it that anyone wanting to rent a boat is reported to him. Because of all of that, I think that we should be able to reasonably, comfortably, and safely stay there for a couple of weeks.”
“What’s the resort like?” Krista asked.
“It’s three groups of five bamboo huts built out over the water of the islet’s lagoon,” Zach explained. “You reach it via a bamboo walkway that goes out over the water. The five huts are built in a circle facing each other. In the center is a lounging area and a hole in the middle of the bamboo decking so that people can drop down into the water. The lagoon is shark-proofed. Each group of five huts has its own dedicated staff of 20, 4 people per unit, who are on-call 24/7. Each group is isolated; you cannot see any of the other groups. You are also not allowed to visit any of the other groups except by explicit invitation. There is one group of huts that has open units with bedrooms that face the center. As they describe it, it’s for more adventuresome tourists.”
“Do you think that we can get reservations?” Susan asked. “If it’s that exclusive, it might be booked already.”
“Actually, it was,” Zach replied, smiling at the surprise on their faces. “So I offered double their rate for a two-week reservation. Suddenly there was an opening.”
“How long have you known we were leaving tomorrow?” Krista asked.
“A couple of days,” Zach replied. “I figured that telling you a day in advance was enough stress. I wanted the two of you to be relaxed enough to enjoy yourselves.”
“You did the right thing, Zach,” Susan said. “There’s no need for you to consult me on whatever plans you feel are necessary, just tell me what to do and when. I have faith in your judgement.”
“Okay, me, too,” Krista said. “Are we going to Long Beach, then, for our final sunset?” she asked.
“I don’t think that I will,” Susan said with a sigh. “Zach’s right, everything’s changed now. Nothing feels the same. I think that I’ll just stay here at the resort until we leave and cherish the memories we’ve made. It has been quite special and I was able to forget my troubles for a few days and for that I’m thankful. Now, reality intrudes its ugliness back into my life.”
At Zach’s suggestion, Susan retrieved $500, 000 at the bank in George Town before they boarded the Gulfstream G650ER that he had chartered, ostensibly for a flight to Cancun, Mexico, the destination that he had also made it a point to mention when they checked out of the resort on Cayman Brac. Because the flight would end up being over 10 hours, to avoid a mandatory landing and stopover for safety reasons, Zach had opted for 2 full crews so that they could fly non-stop, which raised the price for the charter to $20, 000 an hour. He explained his eccentricity for 2 full crews for a flight to Cancun, just an hour or so away, by telling them that his astrologer had suggested it to him. He also told them that his astrologer had advised him to make sure that the plane was fully fueled. When they heard that, they understood that he had more money than brains and simply agreed, as they got paid in advance.
Half an hour into their flight, Zach went forward and asked to speak to whoever was in charge. The senior captain relinquished the controls to his co-pilot and exited the flight deck to speak with Zach.
“We’d like to change our destination,” Zach said.
“Where would you like to go?” the captain asked.
“Bora Bora,” Zach replied, smiling at the surprise on the captain’s face.
“That’s quite a change,” the captain said.
“The lady is trying to avoid an unreasonable husband,” Zach said. “There’s $250, 000 in this bag,” he said, handing it to him. “If that’s not enough, just let me know.”
“I’m sure that this will be sufficient,” the captain said, rapidly calculating and then smiling. “Would you and the ladies care for some champagne? It’s going to be a long flight, almost 11 hours. It’s fortunate that you requested a full load of fuel and a second full crew, otherwise we’d have had to stop en route and overnight due to safety protocols and for refueling.”
“Yes, isn’t it?” Zach replied with a smile. “Champagne would be great. Thank you.”
“Hello,” the gorgeous, long-blonde-haired flight hostess with the bottle-blue eyes said as she approached pushing a rolling service platform. “I’m Inga. The other hostess is Jeanie. Anything you need or want to know, please don’t hesitate to ask either of us,” she explained as she expertly opened the bottle of Dom Perignon champagne that she had brought with her. “Would you like some dinner?” she asked after pouring and then serving them each a glass.
“Oh, that would be nice,” Susan said. “Suddenly I’m so hungry.”
“Do you have a preference between meat — we have several fine cuts including filet mignon and T-bone — seafood — we have grouper, red snapper, salmon, and swordfish — or vegetarian — we have a large variety of vegetables and salads?” Inga asked.
“That grouper was so delicious the other day,” Susan said. “I think that I’ll have that.”
“Me, too,” Krista said.
“I’d like the swordfish,” Zach said. “It’s been a while and it’s one of my favorites.”