Hostile Waters

by William Nikkel

  “Preferably men without families,” Robert added. “There would be less chance of children or a sibling pushing for an investigation.”

  Lindsey said, “Only with my dad they screwed up.”

  “They did, and I’m sorry for your loss.” Robert’s expression softened. “My understanding is you were still getting to know each other.”

  Robert pushed. “And you want revenge?”

  “Dad either died from some horrible accident or someone murdered him. If Corey killed him with Amanda’s help, they need to pay.”

  Jack understood revenge. And he knew Cherise did, too. To her he asked, “How many men do you figure they’ve murdered?”

  Cherise took a moment to answer. “If necessary, Susan could compile a list of cruises Corey and Amanda have taken in the last couple of years. Even if only half of those trips paid off, a good guess would be a dozen.”

  Jack believed her. “The bottom line is they have to be stopped.”

  “And without evidence, the authorities are powerless to do anything.”

  “You were saying something about a plan?”

  “As you know the Caribbean Sensation, Caribbean Star’s sister ship, departs from Miami on Thursday. Corey and Amanda will be on it, and so will we.”

  “I know. I’m the bait. But how is this going to work?”

  “I had Susan pose as your secretary and book your ticket through Dream World Travel. Your cover story being you are a wealthy marine biologist who’s widowed and hopes to connect with a woman on the cruise.”

  “In those words?”

  “Not exactly. But to that effect.”

  “And you believe they’ll buy that I’m a wealthy marine biologist. That’s almost an oxymoron.”

  “Jack, you are wealthy, and you are a marine biologist. You can tell them you inherited the money from rich parents. Susan also planted information on social media to support your cover story.”

  “If they go as far as checking my background.”

  “My guess is your name will go on the list. Hopefully at the top. They’ll have your passport photo, and it will be up to them to make first contact. You have their pictures so if they don’t, it will be up to you to be your usual charming self. It’s only a four-day cruise so things should happen pretty fast.”

  “What about having sex with her?”

  “Suffice to say, you’ll have to rely on your personal discretion if and when the matter comes up.”

  “I guarantee it’ll come up. That’s the trap.”

  “Surely you haven’t forgotten I’m well aware of how the game works.”

  He could see she wasn’t happy. He didn’t care much for the prospect, himself. But this was her game.

  “I suppose you and Lindsey will make yourselves scarce since Amanda knows both of you?” He grinned at Robert. “That leaves you to be my backup.”

  “I’ll be on the sundeck playing bodyguard for Lindsey if you need me.”

  “That will be my job,” Cherise said. She swept her gaze over Lindsey and focused on Robert. “You stick close to Jack.”

  Jack felt all right with her decision. But just all right. Robert had covered his back more than once. And jumped in when needed. Still, he knew full well what Cherise was capable of in a sticky situation, and couldn’t deny he would feel better knowing she was close by.

  A whole lot better.

  He said to her, “Robert’s a great friend. He’s always stood by me when the shit hit the fan. I’ll never forget that. But I’m sure he would agree, we both will sleep better knowing you’re there to jump in if your plan goes sour. And we all know how quickly that can happen.”

  She met his gaze and held it. “You know I’d never put either one of you in a position to get hurt. Not without being there to make sure that doesn’t happen. You just might not be able to see me.”

  Robert chuckled. “So the sundeck comment was a joke.”

  She shook her head. “Really . . . ?”

  Robert smiled and winked at Lindsey.

  But not without Jack seeing him.

  “Enough said for now.” Jack sucked down his last swallows of beer and swiped his forearm across his mouth. “That officially makes me the mackerel dangling on the hook. You ready to have dinner?”

  He saw fifty questions in Cherise’s eyes. Then she smiled, lifted her glass, and said, “While we have time to enjoy it.”

  CHAPTER 42

  They ordered another round of drinks prior to leaving for dinner. Jack switched to Knob Creek on ice in the spirit of keeping in tune with the bottle in his room. Robert joined him. Cherise and Lindsey stayed with wine.

  Cherise asked, “How is your new boat?”

  “My new old boat will work out nicely,” he said, happy to have the conversation on something else. “And you’re welcome aboard anytime you’re ready for another tour of the islands.”

  “Cherise told me you’re into sharks,” Lindsey said.

  “Apex predators, actually. Sharks are only one group of many on the list. You might find it interesting to know that the other day divers filmed a twenty-foot female Great White named Deep Blue off the south coast of Oahu.”

  “You give them names?”

  “Not always. This particular shark is one that was tagged twenty years ago. She’s believed to be over fifty years old. The best part, she’s pregnant.”

  “I can’t imagine how you do it. A shark that size . . . any shark scares the hell out of me.”

  “They’re fine as long as you keep your distance and don’t serve yourself up to be dinner.”

  “Is that what you do, keep your distance?”

  “Not always. But I’ve been lucky.”

  Cherise took a sip of wine. Her gaze found his. “Let’s hope your luck holds a little longer.”

  “I’m afraid it will take more than luck to pull this off.”

  They finished their drinks and made the short walk down the resort’s palm-lined drive to the steakhouse for dinner. The maître ď led them through the packed dining room with its beamed ceiling and oversized chandeliers to a table on the terrace where they had a view of the golf course and the Palm Beach skyline.

  Jack admired the vista. “An excellent choice.”

  “Lindsey made the reservation,” Cherise pointed out.

  “Then my compliments to her.”

  “Thank you,” Lindsey said. “Let’s hope the food is as good as the ambiance.”

  They ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and, amid pleasant conversation, feasted on a shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, and pan roasted Chilean sea bass. The food turned out to be excellent.

  When the last of the dishes had been taken away, Jack asked, “Anyone for a brandy?”

  Cherise picked up her cell and glanced at the screen. “I’ve got business to take care of on the phone. I think I’ll call it a night.”

  Jack noticed a hint of color remaining in the sky. “It’s still early. Not even one drink?”

  She shook her head. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”

  He paid the bill and they walked into the hotel lobby. Cherise stopped them there and said to Jack, “Thank you for a wonderful dinner. You three have that nightcap and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He motioned at the elevator. “I’ll ride up with you.”

  “Sorry. Some other time.”

  “Really?” He felt the sting of disappointment. And couldn’t help thinking something had changed between them. “So this is it. You’ve donned your armor and you’re not going to let me back in?”

  She pecked him on the cheek. “You’re persistent if nothing else.” The elevator doors opened and she stepped on.

  He watched them close.

  “You ready?” Robert’s voice brought him back.

  He swallowed his frustration. “I guess.”

  “To the bar, then?” Robert said.

  Lindsey turned to Jack. “You’ll join us?”

  “You two go ahead.” Without Cherise there with him, a
brandy lost its appeal. “I think I’ll go for a stroll around the grounds.”

  “Don’t wait up,” Robert said, as he and Lindsey headed for the bar.

  It was dark when Jack walked out onto the sand where the outgoing tide left it damp and hard. He understood the risks Cherise asked him to take and wanted to hold onto his erotic fantasies of her and carry them into the night. If he didn’t, the faces of the dead tucked away in his memory would surface to replace her. He slid his hands into the pockets of his Dockers, and let the cadence of breaking waves and the hiss of the retreating surf work their magic.

  Until they didn’t.

  Robert was sitting up in bed reading when Jack got back to the room. He’d been gone an hour. It was still early.

  He noticed a glass on the nightstand next to his friend. The remnant of an ice cube floated in the last quarter inch of a watered-down drink.

  “You and Lindsey seem to be hitting it off nicely.” He poured an inch of Knob Creek into a glass with ice and took a seat.

  Robert lowered his book. “She’s a nice lady. It’s a shame what happened to her father.”

  Jack took a sip, waiting for Robert to say more.

  He didn’t.

  “Did you call Kazuko?”

  “If you’re asking me if I told her about Lindsey, I did. Everything. And I filled her in on what we’re doing to make sure no one else falls victim to these two. You can guess she wasn’t thrilled to hear you’re off on another dangerous escapade.”

  “I’m sure she wasn’t happy hearing you’re in it with me.”

  “You know how she is.”

  “And we love her for it.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.”

  CHAPTER 43

  Jack woke to sunlight streaming into his room and the sound of his phone vibrating on the bedside table. Robert stirred in his bed. The phone vibrated again and Jack picked it up. He read Cherise’s name on the screen and answered the call.

  “What’d I miss?”

  “A beautiful sunrise,” she said with a healthy amount of cheer. “How did you sleep last night?”

  She’d obviously slept well. Maybe having him there helped. He eyed the bottle of Knob Creek, down by a third. “A bit too soundly, I’m afraid. Robert and I stayed up and had a few.”

  “Did you solve the ills of the world?”

  “We worked on it. But alas, no. Did you make your calls?”

  “We can talk about it over breakfast.”

  “Just you and I?”

  “Linds will be joining us. Bring Robert.”

  “Do we have time to shower?”

  “Of course. We’ll be waiting for you on the patio deck.”

  Forty-five minutes later, Jack and Robert joined them at the same table they occupied the night before. The women stood to greet them. Lindsey smiled at Robert. Cherise kissed Jack on the cheek.

  She said, “So the Knob Creek was a hit.”

  “I don’t know whether to thank you or curse you.”

  “Have a Bloody Mary. You’ll feel better.” She turned to Robert. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.” He leaned toward Lindsey. “I trust you slept well?”

  “Very,” she said. “That nightcap did it.”

  “Wonderful. We’ll do it again tonight.”

  “Only no fancy meal first. Let’s keep it simple.”

  “Speaking of eating,” Jack said. “Let’s order and get down to business. I believe Cherise has something to tell us.”

  They all ordered light. And he asked for a Bloody Mary.

  “I spoke to Susan on the phone last night,” Cherise began when she had his full attention. “Everything is a go. She received confirmation on our tickets and texted the boarding passes to me. Corey and Amanda are booked into cabin 7678, a portside aft suite on deck seven. Jack, for appearance purposes, you’re in 8520, a large balcony stateroom portside on deck eight. Robert, you’re in 8527, an inside stateroom a few cabins aft of Jack’s. Lindsey and I will share a 0cean-view cabin on deck four, number 4054, mid-ship on the starboard side. Which, with any luck, will minimize the likelihood of either of us running into Amanda or Corey in a passageway.”

  Jack thought about the money being spent on their not-so-little sting operation, and couldn’t help wonder who paid the tab. He decided it best not to ask.

  He said, “I’m a bit confused on how you plan to coordinate this.”

  “Susan overnighted me a wire you’ll be wearing. Remember the humming bird we used on that job on Oahu? The miniature technology is similar and extremely difficult to detect. The one I’ve selected for you is mounted in the face of a waterproof Doxa dive watch to maintain your cover. Should work nicely with you being a marine biologist. The rest of us will have a receiver that looks like a cell phone and allows us to hear you and anyone close to you, loud and clear. A video camera is mounted in the face as well so we can see everything it’s pointed at. Unfortunately you won’t be able to hear us since we can’t chance you wearing an earpiece.”

  “So even if I take all my clothes off, I’ll still be wired?”

  She looked at him as though she read his mind. “Just remember to put your watch on the nightstand.”

  He grinned. “With the camera turned away?”

  “If you’re shy.” Her lips curled a fraction.

  Seeing her crack a smile made him feel a whole lot better.

  The situation will get serious soon enough.

  He asked, “How about GPS?”

  “We’ll be able to track your movement within reason.”

  “Meaning?”

  “We’ll know that when we start tracking you.”

  “So from here on out, it’s a matter of playing it by ear?”

  She nodded. “The Caribbean Sensation is in port in Miami now. I figure we’ll drive down tomorrow morning, check into a hotel, and be ready to board the ship on Thursday . . . hopefully before Corey and Amanda arrive.”

  “If I’d only known, I’d have brought my tux.”

  Her smile returned, broader. “You have to own one first. But I can fix that.”

  CHAPTER 44

  The following morning at ten, Jack stood in the portico with Cherise while the valet hurried off to bring her rental car around. Robert and Lindsey stood ten feet away engaged in conversation.

  It felt good to have time alone with Cherise.

  If only a minute.

  She turned to him and said, “I really appreciate you helping out.”

  “You keep telling me that.” He felt he needed to say more. “Honestly, nothing would have kept me away.”

  “You’re sure about that?”

  “Having spent three weeks alone with you on a small boat, I’m sure.”

  The hint of a smile curled her lips. “You have a point. Only it’s not like I asked you to do something as simple as going for a stroll in the park.”

  “What we’re doing is the easy part,” he said. “The difficult part for me has been knowing you’re lying in bed a few doors away and not being able to go to you.”

  “Don’t think I haven’t had those same thoughts.”

  “We’re both consenting adults. Why have you kept me away?”

  She took a moment. “I think it’s better if we don’t confuse the issue. You can’t risk being emotionally involved with me any more than I can with you.”

  “Maybe I’m ready.”

  “What if I’m not?” She peered deep into his eyes. “You mean a lot to me. Maybe to the point of being the closest I’ve been to being in love with a man. Out there on the water I thought I’d love for us to go on like that forever. But then this situation with Lindsey came up and I realized that wasn’t possible. There would be no room in either one of our lives for the kind of love we’re talking about.”

  “Maybe,” he said. “And then again, maybe not.”

  “Face it. We operate on different tracks.”

  “Yet here I am.”

  She continued to peer into his eyes
. For a slow five count, she said nothing. Then her expression softened. “Yes, you are.”

  He held her gaze, not wanting her to look away.

  Ever.

  “The other night you called me persistent,” he said. “You at least got that part right.”

  The valet arrived with her car.

  This time, Jack sat in the front seat.

  * * *

  Jack welcomed the seventy-five mile drive to Miami. Liked watching Cherise maneuver the Charger past slower-moving traffic. She was an excellent driver.

  And beautiful.

  On the outskirts of town, they passed a billboard advertising airboat tours of the Everglades. Robert pointed out the sign. “A few days ago, I read a news feed on the internet that said a man lost an arm on one of those.”

  Jack twisted in his seat. “In the propeller?”

  “Wasn’t close to the propeller,” Robert explained. “The guy reached over the side and had it bit off by a ten-foot alligator.”

  Jack faced the front. “I’ve heard of sharks doing the same thing.”

  When she turned into the portico at the Intercontinental Hotel Susan had booked them into, he almost wished the drive down the Florida turnpike had taken longer than an hour and a half. He made no further complaint about having to bunk in a room with Robert.

  Or about not being invited to Cherise’s room.

  That discussion had been tabled for now.

  Cherise, he figured, appreciated that.

  She left the car with the valet and they stepped inside. A bellman walked ahead of them pushing a cart loaded with their luggage. The opulence of the hotel’s interior was not lost on them.

  “Nice digs,” Jack said.

  “You ever been here before?” Cherise asked.

  “To Miami? Never had a reason to.”

  “Till now.”

  He didn’t need to be reminded.

  “We’re early,” she said, and started toward the front desk. “I’ll let the agent know we’re here and ask for an early check in. We can have lunch while we’re waiting for our rooms.”