Smoke Reactivated

by Cherry Laska

  51

  LANGLEY, VIRGINIA

  ANDREA BOCELLI’S POWERFUL, PASSIONATE VOICE boomed over Marshall’s speakers, filling his lab. It was a good thing the rooms were sound proof. He was working on a new waterproof recording/tracking device that looked like an aglet and could be used on the tip of a shoelace or string tie. Results from his sand analysis were complete, and he was eagerly waiting on his multiple database searches to get hits. He wasn’t afraid that the volume of the legendary tenor’s voice would preventing him from hearing the alarm that would go off if there was a match. He had rigged the alarm to switch the music to play Night Fever while flashing the overhead lights on and off. He had named it his Travolta alarm. He usually did a few Tony Manero dance moves in celebration before entering the proper keystrokes to turn off the music alarm.

  Marshall was getting impatient. The searches were taking longer than normal. He knew the team didn’t have much else to go on. He was just putting the finishing touches on what he was calling his smart aglet, when Bocelli was replaced by the Bee Gees. Marshall threw his right hand in the air and struck a pose.

  52

  ORLANDO, FLORIDA

  “I’LL MEET YOU IN MIAMI,” Anderson informed Jessica over the phone. “I have to take care of some things in New York. Besides, you need to get there early and make sure everything is set to my standards.”

  She shook her head wondering why this was still her job when his girlfriend was now in charge. What a jackass.

  “Your name is on the reservation, but make sure you get checked in correctly. We’re supposed to be in the Sorrento Penthouse.” A little more kindly, he added, “Let’s just get through this.”

  She said as pleasantly as she could, “I agree with you on that. See you down there.” She was packed and ready to go. She was actually looking forward to the four-hour drive. It would give her time to think over how to proceed with the divorce, the kids, and all the feelings she was having for Joe.

  Anderson said, “I hope you know how important this is. I can’t stress it enough. Things will be awkward, but I’m sure you won’t let us down.”

  Jessica wondered who the “us” referred to—him and her, him and the kids, or him and Laura?

  “I expect you to behave appropriately.” He hung up.

  Butt wipe. Jessica thought of a few more creative and well deserved expletives, took several deep breaths to calm herself, and called out for Trevor.

  “Yes, Mommy.” How cute is he?

  “I wanted to say goodbye. Will you please help me put my bags in my car?”

  “Sure,” he said. He followed her to the hall and grabbed her suitcases. “Where’s Dad? I thought he was supposed to be home.” She noted that Trevor’s voice sounded indifferent.

  “He’s meeting me down there. He had to wrap up a few things in New York.”The look on her son’s face made Jessica want to kick Anderson’s ass for the sadness he caused their kids. Standing on her tippy-toes, she kissed his cheek before climbing in the driver’s seat. “Love you, my sweet son.”

  It was mid-morning and the traffic on the Florida Turnpike was light. It was a straight road with very little to look at and was just what Jessica needed to think. She set the cruise control at seventy-eight. She sighed. It was ridiculous how little Anderson was home and so bad that he was never there for the kids. She needed to show them not to settle for being with someone they didn’t share the good everyday life stuff with. After years of trying to make their relationship better, she had given up. There was no passion, no friendship, no anything to bind them, and there hadn’t been for years. She knew a divorce would be hard on the kids, but she didn’t really think it would come as a complete shock to them. They’d all get through it.

  She thought about Joe. What is happening with us? The sparks flying between them were intense. They had a lot of history. They were so close when they were in Grey Winds and that same level of comfort had come back so easily. They were never anything more than friends, best friends really, but still just friends. But now whenever she thought of him, she felt a rush of heat. She thought, I know I love you, Joe, “but am I in love with you?” she finished out loud. “Wow.” Being alone in the car, she repeated the question louder. “Am I in love with Joe Romeo?” She wondered, Do you have those feelings for me? Do you even want a relationship, or is it just something physical? She was excited and admitted to herself she was also a little scared. Jeez, she felt like a teenager. She knew she wanted more. “Crap.”

  Before they could deal with any of what was between them, they needed to put a stop to Zircone. There was a lot at stake. She had several hours of drive time to analyze it all. Her phone buzzed, indicating it was low on power and about to die. She started to plug it in, but her phone charger was gone. She didn’t know which one of her kids to be upset with for taking it this time.

  53

  MIAMI, FLORIDA

  REYMUNDO, THE VALET, GAVE JESSICA the royal treatment with an expedited check-in and an escort to the Sorrento Penthouse. When he opened the door to the luxurious suite and she stepped in, a wave of happiness and peace washed over her. She always felt that inner tranquility near the ocean or a big lake. The water had a calming effect. This penthouse had floor to ceiling sweeping views of white sand and gorgeous blue water. Reymundo finished taking care of the bags, gave her a rundown of the suite’s features, explained all of the buttons on the complex remote control, and gave her a folder from the hotel event coordinator before leaving. Jessica tipped him generously, locked the deadbolt behind him, and tossed the folder on the coffee table. She looked around. The penthouse was gorgeous. It had been decorated in cool tones of blue, tan, and white. The space felt both lavish and comfortable. Of course, with 5,500 square feet inside and an additional 4,400 square feet outside, it was way more than just two people needed. Perfect. Anderson and I can avoid seeing each other.

  When Jessica went out on the private pool deck, she heard squeals and laughter coming from the main pool below. She decided to put on her suit and go down. She rationalized it by thinking her gown would look better if she got a bit of color. She quickly unpacked her bags and plugged in her dead phone. She slipped into her new Betsy Johnson bikini, catching her reflection in the mirror.

  “Hell yes.” She couldn’t help but express her pride out loud. The working out and healthier, low-carb choices were paying off.

  Poolside, she decided to treat herself to one of the oversized, round chairs by the edge of the pool. It was heaven to slide off into the cool water. She relaxed with her eyes closed and soaked in the warmth of the sun.

  Jessica woke to someone gently shaking her shoulder. She must have fallen asleep.

  “Miss, here is the drink you ordered,” the waiter said. She noted the Spanish accent.

  Jessica tried to see his face, but the sun was in her eyes. She was shaking off the confusion of waking from a nap in the sun and was more than a little ticked that this waiter would have the nerve to wake her. Didn’t he know the Golden Rule–never wake a sleeping guest—or did that just apply to babies? She was about to tell him she hadn’t ordered anything when the sun went behind a cloud. Her eyes adjusted enough to see his face.

  Alejandro was standing before her. “We were trying to reach you.” He spoke low, so no one else could hear. “Your phone goes straight to voicemail, and you didn’t call after I slipped a note in your welcome packet.”

  “I’m really sorry. I was driving. My phone died, and I didn’t have a car charger. I should have stopped for one. And I just thought the envelope was hotel amenity and party stuff. I should know better,” she scolded herself for being off her game. “I’m sorry you had to chase me down like this. I screwed up. What’s going on?”

  “Don’t worry,” Alejandro said, placing a mojito and a salad on the table next to her. “I love South Beach pools, and there are a few guests I’m looking into.” She followed his eyes as he looked around at the women in bikinis. Jessica signed the bill. “As you know, Marshall m
atched the photo we found at Moreau’s apartment through super software recognition. We did some more digging. The guy who owns the beach in the picture, Santiago Suarez, is known for trafficking to the U.S. via Miami.” Alejandro placed condiments and silverware on the table. “The guy is a real piece of work. He’s done some stuff that leads us to believe it’s not beyond him to smuggle in anything for a profit. He has ties to many Cuban-American businessmen including Carlos Lopez, who has a reservation at the Gansevoort this weekend.” Alejandro paused, “Jess, Lopez and quite a few other international players are on your husband’s guest list. Joe’s concerned there’s too big of a connection to be a coincidence.”

  “Really?” Jessica said, suddenly feeling a flash of anger. As much of a jerk as Anderson was, his family had been successful for so long that he wouldn’t need to do anything illegal. He wouldn’t risk his kids’ well-being. Maybe Joe was creating an issue for his own benefit. No, she thought. He wouldn’t do that. She tried to maintain her cool. “Alje – ” She looked at his name tag, as a couple swam up and leaned against the side of the pool directly in front of her chair looking like they wanted to place an order. She began again. “Esteban, that’s highly unlikely. Please tell the bartender he made an error. This mojito is too sour. I’d like a diet Coke.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Whitley. Please accept our apologies, ma’am. I’ll look into the matter and be back with your diet Coke.” He walked away ignoring the couple in the pool holding their empty cups in the air and calling for his attention.

  Jessica could tell by his tone that Alejandro had been surprised by her reaction. She was angry and immediately dismissed all possibility of Anderson being involved with this. Clouds on the horizon were growing darker and so was her mood. She needed to work off some of her frustration. She didn’t understand why she was so heated. She was just below a boil. She headed to the end of the pool to swim laps before the inevitable afternoon thunderstorm hit.

  An hour of swimming and a hot bath in the penthouse’s luxurious tub had helped her mood a bit, but Jessica still felt a level of irritation she couldn’t quite explain. She stood watching the horizon, trying to shake her mood. The ambient light got darker, and the skies opened up. She switched on a lamp and sat on the sofa to look through the package from the Director of Special Events to the sound of booming thunder and pounding rain. She had been right that Anderson’s employee-slash-mistress had replaced some of the choices Jessica had already made. That didn’t help her mood. “Whatever,” she grumbled.

  Jessica thought about what Alejandro had intimated about Anderson. She contemplated the idea that the man she’d been married to for almost two decades was involved with illegal business dealings that were tied to her team’s case. She would admit that Anderson was a lot of things but a criminal or worse than that, a traitor? No. Besides, she had known Carlos Lopez for at least seven years. She assumed that someone as successful as he in his line of work sometimes operated on the edge, but she didn’t think he was connected with a terrorist.

  Jessica needed to call home to check in with the kids. Thankfully, everything was running smoothly. Speaking to them made her feel better, but she wouldn’t be really okay until she worked this thing out with Anderson. And then there was Joe to consider. In fact, she wouldn’t be okay until she worked everything out with both of them.

  Jessica looked through her contact list and found Adam Winslow. She and Adam had gone to college together, and he had been her big brother in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. They’d ended up at the Army Officer’s Basic Course and Flight School together and shared an apartment for a while. He even called her out when he heard she was assigned to the VIP transport unit. He called from Germany to question her placement and give her a disapproving lecture about wasting her talent. Jessica knew he’d done it with good intentions, and it meant a lot to her that he’d cared enough to do it. They’d stayed friends through all the years. Now Adam worked for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

  When he answered, she said, “Adam, hi. How’s it going?”

  “Hey! Things are great. Busy of course. We’re looking forward to seeing you for Trevor’s graduation party in a few weeks. The kids can’t wait. I promised them I’d take them to Universal the day before. Hopefully that’ll wear them out, so they’ll behave at the party. How about you? What’ve you been up to?”

  “Oh, you know, the usual. Sorry to do this, but I called because I need a favor.” Jessica heard him spit. “Wait. Are you still chewing tobacco? I thought Debbie got you to quit?”

  “She tried, but I do carry a badge and a gun twenty-four seven. I need to believe I’m a tough guy. What do you need?”

  “Well, before I ask, you have to promise me that you won’t tell anyone and you won’t push me if I say I can’t answer a question. Okay?”

  “Hey, remember our freshman year? What was that chick’s name with the temper who stalked me?”

  “Uh … Sherry I think. Why?”

  “It never mattered what I needed help with. Whether it was a crazy girl, studying, flying, or in the field, you always had my back. So, I’ll do anything you ask. You know that.”

  Jessica filled him in as much as necessary to find out what she needed. He promised to do some discrete digging into the Suarez operation and any ties to Lopez or any of the other names she gave him. Adam said he’d get back to her as soon as he could.

  After Jessica hung up, her thoughts wandered from wanting to stay in touch more with good friends and family to Trevor’s graduation party to how to notify everyone they knew in the world when she got divorced. She could change her Facebook status from married to single. She wondered if they had a divorced option. On second thought, if she continued with the agency she might have to delete her social media accounts. She’d have to talk to Joe about it. She could send out an email blast, but neither one of those methods would work for the older family members and those who didn’t use computers. She’d have to make phone calls or send something in writing. Maybe a divorce announcement or something. Jessica chuckled. She could include a response card with boxes to check off indicating whether the person was going to stay friends with her, with Anderson, or with both of them. She wondered if people would send gifts. That would be nice. A divorce was when people could really use a little gift to brighten their spirits.

  Or maybe Jessica could just slip the information into the Christmas card letter between what was going on with the kids and the trips they’d taken during the past year. Who was she kidding? That wouldn’t happen. When it came to getting things in the mail, she was seriously challenged. Maybe she could throw a party to make the announcement and show everyone she was okay. Of course, she wouldn’t say or do anything publicly to put down Anderson. She would never hurt her kids that way.

  Jessica looked at the clock. It was quarter to nine. She wiggled into a pair of skinny jeans and a bold top Bridgette had given her for her birthday. A little extra make-up, some attention to her hair, and she was ready to go. She took the elevator down to the lobby. She was going to get a light bite with the hotel event planner and check out the different bars and restaurants in the hotel. WGI’s guests would want recommendations. It would be a late night by her standards but early by Miami’s.

  54

  JESSICA WOKE EARLY IN THE morning to the sound of the penthouse door opening. She slipped her hand under the pillow next to her and grabbed the 9mm she’d stashed there. Without making a sound, she slipped into her robe and moved quickly toward the hall foyer through the bar area. She was halfway there when she heard Anderson call out. “Jessica? Where are you?”

  She put the gun in her robe pocket, sat on a barstool and grabbed a water bottle. “Over here.”

  Anderson came around the corner to where she was and without any sort of greeting demanded, “How’s it coming? Did you check on everything?”

  “I had to make a few adjustments so Laura’s choices would be consistent with everything I’d already planned that couldn’t be changed. I think
the end result will be quite nice, and your guests will have a wonderful time.” Jessica tried to sound upbeat even though she didn’t feel excited about the party.

  “Nothing can go wrong,” he said, sounding more stressed than usual. “This is very important to my future.”

  She sympathized with him, but also noticed his use of the words my future. “Is the business in trouble?”

  “Don’t be fucking ridiculous.” Anderson replied like the class-A jerk she knew him to be. “Just the opposite. I’m trying to expand. The deal will be made or broken by this weekend. Really, Jessica? That’s just idiotic and seriously ignorant.” He scoffed, “You aren’t knowledgeable about the business world at all.”

  “Hmm. Well, I’m knowledgeable about the fact that you’re an ass,” she said, raising her hand to stop him from saying anything. She walked to the master suite to change for the gala and locked the door behind her.

  55

  MIAMI, FLORIDA

  MOST OF ANDERSON’S CLIENTS HAD arrived and were mingling with drinks in hand. Jessica was happy enough with the way the party had come together, despite everything. The Glimmer Ballroom looked wonderful in tones of cream and gold with turquois accents. She had gone heavy on the twinkling and mood lighting and light on the flowers. She’d placed round tables and chairs and couches set up in cozy seating areas all around the room with a dance floor set in the middle. Some of the other Fountainebleau rooms were funkier, and Jessica especially loved the shape, color, history, and charm of the Fleure Di Lis and the Fountaine rooms, but those spaces weren’t quite large enough to accommodate the guest list. Plus, they didn’t have access to the Glitter Terrace and the Ocean Lawn. The outdoor areas had been set up with tables, chairs, and white couches for guests to enjoy the Miami experience with the intoxicating views, cooling breeze, and seductive sounds of the ocean while they enjoyed drinks and cigars. In Jessica’s opinion, it was the best part of the event.