Sanford Secrets: Treasure at Dolphin Bay

A Strange Encounter

Jacob insisted on them going to another restaurant to order out so they did not have to worry about dishes, or getting Hawaiian food messed up. There was a bit of hemming and hawing in concerns to the suggestion, but Jacob eventually won out and they ordered out from another local restaurant that Jacob frequented. Robby and Harry went in with him, but in a moment, they wanted to be back at Uncle Billy's. Neither could explain why. Perhaps because the atmosphere at this restaurant, Kailoa's, seemed to be more high class than Uncle Billy's? Maybe it was because Uncle Billy's was closer to the sea, making them feel a little more at home?

Robby tried to quelch the feeling by glancing around the restaurant. It was pretty impressive with Hawaiian art and style blending together in a gorgeous palette. But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a red-headed man sitting by himself with a full beard sneak sly glances at them. The guy had big black boots, blue jeans, a red and gold striped shirt, and a long, black coat that Robby thought had to have made him really hot. Robby pretended not to notice, and kept looking over the restaurant. But he always made note to notice the man when he was looking back in that area without, hopefully, drawing any attention to himself. He did not like the looks of the fellow, especially the way the guy was so interested in his grandfather's conversation with the host, Kaleo Iona. Jacob was only telling Kaleo about Robby and his parents were here on vacation and had included Harry for Robby's sake. Though Harry quickly added it was for his sake too just so he could get away from his family for a bit. Robby smiled at the remark, but his eyes turned towards the red-headed man. He seemed to have lost interest in the conversation and turned back to his food. But Robby couldn't quite get the blaring alarms in his head to turn off. There was something off about that man, and he didn't want to turn his back on him until they had left.

Finally the food came out, Jacob paid, and the three said their goodbyes to Kaleo. Robby snuck another glance at the man as they left, but his focus seemed to be on his food. Despite that, Robby didn't feel safe until they were in the Jeep and they were pulling out of the parking lot. He happened to glance back, and jumped slightly when he saw the man standing in the door, but he couldn't tell if the guy was watching them leave or was looking for his ride. Robby turned and tried to let the conversation push the scene from his mind, but he seemed unable to. But he also didn't say a word, not until he and Harry were out in the sea, catching the pre-dinner waves.

"Hey man, are you going to surf, or what?" asked Harry.

Robby looked at him. "Did you notice a red-headed man with a full beard at Kailoa's?"

Harry blinked. "You noticed him too?"

"You did?" exclaimed Robby.

Harry nodded. "How could I not? He was hard to ignore. I tried to get into the conversation that your grandpa was having to ignore him, but man, I was getting alarms going off in my head."

"So was I!" Robby paused before continuing in a lower voice. "I also tried to watch him discreetly." Harry pushed his board even closer to Robby's so the two could huddle, even though there was no one else out on the beach or the sea but them. "He seemed to be doing the same."

Harry's eyes widened. "Really? Did he catch you trying to watch him?"

"I, I don't know," said Robby haltingly. "I hope not, but Harry, I turned back when we were leaving and . . . and he was standing in the doorway! I-I don't know if he was watching us leave or waiting for his ride, or something, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was watching us."

Harry's face was growing pale while his eyes got even bigger. "Dude! That's, that's so creepy! Why would he be interested in us?"

"Maybe he's connected to Jack's disappearance," said Robby as his concerns began to die down and gave way to imaginative scenarios. "I don't think he was really paying attention to us until Grandpa mentioned the ICS."