Shore to Please

by Annette Mardis

  “I didn’t hear you complaining a few hours ago when you were chanting”—he raised his voice a few octaves to imitate her—“‘yes, yes, take me’ and writhing beneath me.”

  Tara swatted him as her face turned scarlet. “A gentleman would’ve kept that to himself.”

  “Honey, the whole neighborhood probably heard you.”

  As she turned stark white, Flipper panicked, especially after a tear trickled toward her chin.

  “Sweetheart, I was just kidding. You weren’t that loud. And besides, who cares if you were? I thought it was really hot. Tara? Talk to me. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She swiped at her eyes and gave him a tremulous smile. “You didn’t. I’m being ridiculously oversensitive about a criticism Steven leveled at me when we were…you know.”

  Flipper let loose a few choice curse words. “That guy must’ve had cotton candy and bailing wire between his ears. He’d better hope I never get my hands on him.”

  “That’s very virile of you to want to avenge me. But let’s not expend any more energy on that poor excuse for a man.” She sniffed and straightened her shoulders. “Now, about that better idea for being together. I’m following you back to Gulf Shore. I’ve already packed a bag, so we can leave right away.”

  “As much as I’d love for you to come with me, I don’t think it’ll be safe for you there.”

  “I’ll be safer with you and your bodyguards than I will be here alone, don’t you think? Besides, I haven’t gotten my fill of you yet. I’m not sure I ever will.”

  He laughed and kissed the pulse at the base of her throat. “I think I’ve created a monster. All right, Mrs. Frankensex, let’s hit the road.”

  Chapter 23

  Tara sat on the couch in Flipper’s cottage, her computer on her lap, experimenting with colors and font styles for an Orlando pizzeria’s new logo. Just as the thought crossed her mind she needed to stretch her legs and perhaps fix a sandwich, she noticed something move outside. She froze, and her heart began to beat so hard it almost hurt.

  Tara grabbed the softball bat Flipper had left within her reach just in case, slipped over to the front window, and peeked through a small opening in the blinds. Nothing. Why had she objected when Flipper suggested one of his bodyguards remain with her while he went to the aquarium?

  The point became moot when the brawn brothers refused to consider it, saying Wesley had hired them to attach themselves to Flipper like a baby chimp to its mother. Tara hadn’t minded at the time because the ever-solemn big lugs made her nervous.

  She strained to hear any noises from outside as she tightened her grip on the bat. And then held her breath when someone rattled the doorknob. When the figure peered in one of the windows, Tara’s face contorted in a silent scream. And then she nearly sobbed in relief when she recognized the profile on the porch. She flipped the deadbolt and swung open the door.

  Jo Tompkins blinked her eyes as if she couldn’t believe it was Tara who filled the doorway. And then a grin spread across the detective’s face.

  “Well, well, fancy finding you here,” Jo said.

  Tara flushed before reminding herself she had nothing to be embarrassed about. Still, she found the police officer’s smug expression off-putting. Tara pasted on a polite mask and invited Jo in.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Good manners never faltered, even when spirits sagged, Tara’s mother was fond of insisting.

  “No, thank you. This isn’t a social call. I happened to be driving by and saw a strange car in Flipper’s driveway. Given all the trouble lately, I figured I’d better check it out. Nothing looked amiss from the outside, but I knew Flipper wasn’t home, so…”

  “Where’s your vehicle?”

  “I parked around the next block.”

  “Thank you, detective, for your vigilance. I’ve been so worried about Flipper and everyone else at the aquarium since those shots were fired in the parking lot. Any leads on the culprit?”

  “No, and it isn’t for lack of trying. Despite working overtime on this case I’m no closer to making an arrest than I was a week ago. It’s damned frustrating.”

  “I’m sure. At least you’ve been able to rule Steven out as a suspect.”

  Jo nodded. “Yeah, there is that. But we haven’t found Jane Childers yet, and there’s still no solid evidence against her husband beyond the obvious fact he’s a bully and a first-class ass. We tried to get a warrant to search his home and car, but the judge said we had nothing to link him to the aquarium shooting. What about Larry Clybourne? Think he’s capable of something like that?”

  Tara smirked. “I’m afraid my opinion doesn’t count for much these days. He’s the last person I would’ve expected to lead an uprising against me. Not to sound egotistical, but he hung on my every word until just recently. I got the impression his interest was personal.”

  “Maybe his anger over you and Flipper being a couple stems from jealousy.”

  “Good point. Jealousy can cause even the most seemingly rational of people to act in irrational ways. Perhaps that investigator in Orlando should pay Larry a visit.”

  “Fishburn intends to do that today. So, how are things between you and Flipper? I didn’t expect to come across you here, but I’ll take it as an encouraging sign.”

  A vivid image of Flipper soaping her in the shower brought color to Tara’s cheeks.

  “Things are progressing nicely.” She hoped her prim answer would satisfy Jo but wasn’t surprised when the detective dug deeper.

  “How long will you be here?”

  “I’m not sure. We’ve had so many starts and stops in our relationship that I’ve resolved to take it one day at a time.” Tara hoped they were strong enough to resist the outside forces that kept trying to tear them apart.

  “I know sometimes your differences seem insurmountable. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that true love truly can conquer all. You just have to want it bad enough.”

  Tara felt a surge of affection and respect for Jo, realizing how much courage it took for her to follow the path less traveled. If it had been Kelsey standing in front of her, Tara might have embraced her. But Jo wasn’t the hugging type.

  Instead, Tara gave her a warm smile. “Thank you. That’s excellent advice. Perhaps when this is over we can all go out to dinner or something. You and Kelsey are important to Flipper, and I’d welcome the chance to get to know you both better.”

  “I think I’d like that.” Jo scrutinized her as if making up her mind about something. “Did you know Flipper and Kelsey used to date?”

  The news surprised Tara before the pieces clicked into place. “He mentioned something about a previous girlfriend, but I didn’t put two and two together until just now. How do you feel about that?”

  “I’ll admit it was awkward initially, knowing he was her first, but I got over it quickly enough. Flipper’s like a brother to both of us.”

  He was her first? “He must’ve been desolate when she told him after sex that she preferred women,” Tara blurted, then clamped her hand over her mouth. “Oh God, I can’t believe I said that out loud.”

  “He told you about that?”

  “Yes, but he didn’t say who his partner was. He was trying to establish a connection by telling me something so personal about himself. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad it’s out in the open. They still flirt with each other, and more than one person has asked if it bothers me. But I’m glad Kelsey has someone like Flipper in her life. She and her brother never clicked, and since she came out he’s been vocal in his disapproval. It’s like he’s afraid her sexual orientation will rub off on him.”

  “That’s ludicrous.”

  “Yes, but those sorts of attitudes prevail even in these supposed enlightened times. Take my parents, for instance. They still cringe every time Kelsey and I so much as touch each other. And it’s not like we’re into making other people uncomfortable with exces
sive PDAs. But if I even sit elbow-to-elbow with her on the couch, my parents shoot daggers with their eyes. Kelsey’s a good sport, but why should she have to put up with that?”

  “Why should you?”

  “Good question. Because they’re my parents, I guess.”

  “That doesn’t grant them the right to sit in judgment. Do they live around here?”

  “Punta Gorda. Too far for them to drop by unexpectedly, thank God, not that they ever would. My mother is a devotee of Emily Post-style etiquette rules.”

  “She sounds like my mother,” Tara grumbled.

  “Then you know what I’m talking about.”

  “Do I ever. Displaying good manners is never a sin, of course. They’re sorely lacking today. But Mother still has outdated views about the way I should live. For instance, she’d burst her bloomers if she knew I’m here, without a chaperone, or that Flipper spent the night at my place.”

  Jo laughed. “You have a unique way of expressing yourself. Kind of like the dialogue of a Hugh Grant movie. Or that priss who plays Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow.”

  “Tom Mison? Oh, my goodness, he’s gorgeous! I’m not wild about the long hair, but it’s a wig, so—”

  “You’re actually giddy! I didn’t think you had it in you, Langley.”

  Tara fanned herself with her hand. “Sorry. I lost my head for a moment.”

  Jo grinned. “One question: Do you think this actor is sexier than a certain head dolphin trainer?”

  “Certainly not.”

  “That’s what I thought. Still, there are some hotties on that show. Abbie and Jenny? Wow. And I’ll really miss Katrina.”

  “Better not let Kelsey hear that.”

  “Oh, she watches it with me. Says I remind her of the new sheriff, whatever her name is, because of my, quote, no-nonsense, kick-ass attitude, unquote. Personally, I don’t see it.” Jo grinned again when Tara laughed. “But we digress, as you would say. So, what’s up with the way you talk?”

  “My mother’s a retired English teacher who’s always set herself apart from what she considers the riffraff of society. She still invites her highfalutin’ friends over for afternoon tea in her ‘parlor.’ I’m afraid she wouldn’t know what to make of a man who wears neoprene and water shoes at work instead of Italian wool and Hugo Boss loafers.”

  Jo narrowed her eyes. “Flipper’s a good man.”

  “Yes he is, which is precisely why I care not a whit what she’d think of him. I simply was making a point about how my mother judges people by their appearance and choice of profession rather than by their character. For instance, you’d think I’d sullied our family name when I chose to become a graphic artist instead of an English or literature instructor.

  “And to speak out in public for a cause? She considers that outrageously unladylike, bordering on unseemly. It will delight her no end to find out I’ve been ousted from my own organization.”

  “How can they kick you out of something you cofounded?”

  “Technically they can’t, I suppose. But what good is a group without members?”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but why don’t you just recruit new people?”

  Tara shook her head. “I’m over it, as the saying goes. SWADS is no more. But I hear Larry has created SAD in its place, and I’m afraid he won’t show as much restraint as I did in trying to discredit aquariums, especially Gulf Shore.”

  “SAD?”

  “Stop Abusing Dolphins.”

  “Charming. What about killer whales? Don’t they count anymore?”

  “They’re the largest member of the dolphin family, so they’re covered.”

  Jo thumped her head with the base of her palm like an actor in a V8 commercial.

  “Kelsey would disown me if she knew I’d forgotten that. But let’s go back to something else you said. Why would Clybourne single out Gulf Shore?”

  “I’m not sure. He told me he intends to step up his campaign against them. I’m nervous about what he might do because I don’t think his motives are pure. He’s become a real grandstander.”

  Jo’s expression hardened. “Hold on a second.” She pulled out her phone and Tara could tell by the ensuing conversation that Jo was talking to Detective Fishburn. She told him about Larry’s threat and suggested he be questioned in depth. When she ended the call, Jo turned back to Tara.

  “Looks like we just found ourselves another suspect.”

  * * * *

  A couple hours later, as Tara wondered why Flipper hadn’t arrived home from work yet, her cell phone rang and she snatched it off the couch. But she cringed when she saw Larry’s name on the screen. This won’t be fun, she thought, and he proved that by bypassing the usual pleasantries and spewing venom as soon as she said hello.

  “How dare you sic the freaking cops on me! You know damned well I don’t have a violent bone in my entire body.”

  “So am I to presume that when you make threats against my boyfriend’s employer, you’re nothing but an enormous bag of wind?”

  “Just because I want them to pay for what they’ve done doesn’t mean I’d physically harm anyone. There are plenty of other ways to inflict pain without resorting to conduct that could land me in jail. I’m not the nimrod you seem to think I am.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Listen, Tara, I’ve had enough of your crap. If you smear my good name again, I swear I’m going to—”

  “Use me for target practice?”

  “Of course not! I don’t even own a gun and have no desire to. I just gave a big donation to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, for crying out loud!”

  “Well, hurray for you, Larry. Is that supposed to convince me you’re a standup guy? Because you’ve shown your true colors, and I no longer trust a word out of your mouth.”

  “So telling the cops what I said about Gulf Shore Aquarium is payback because you crashed and burned as the leader of SWADS? Is that it?”

  “No. It’s my attempt to undo some of the damage I’ve caused.”

  “What damage?”

  “It’s partly my fault Flipper and his coworkers are in the line of fire.”

  “And you’re taking credit for that? You accomplished nothing, Tara. Absolutely nothing.”

  “There’s a big difference between credit and blame.”

  “So, what, you think you owe them an apology? They’re lowlifes. They deserve to be punished for the suffering they inflict.”

  “Wow. If I’d known you felt that way I never would’ve allowed you to join SWADS. You’re unbalanced, Larry. You need help.”

  “And you need a reality check. I never pegged you for the type of woman who’d cast aside her principles in return for a roll in the sack.”

  Tara couldn’t stand another minute of his maliciousness. She had one more point to make, and then she never intended to talk to him again.

  “Believe it or not, I owe you a big thank you.”

  “Is that so? For what?”

  “For teaching me the difference between true friendship and toxic, self-serving relationships,” she replied. “I never want to build myself up by tearing others down. The way I see it, you did me a huge favor by cutting ties with me.”

  “I’ll remember you said that as I’m watching your life crash down around your ears.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “No,” Larry replied, “it’s a promise.”

  Chapter 24

  With Dolphin Inlet bathed in the light of a full moon, Flipper didn’t bother turning on his flashlight. His bodyguards had agreed to remain at a respectful distance once they reached the habitat, and the night watchmen relaxed when they recognized the head trainer. If it surprised assistant trainer Tyler Knight to see Tara there, holding hands with his boss, he didn’t let on.

  “Evening, Tara, nice to see you again,” Tyler greeted. “Flipper, haven’t you had enough of this place for one day? I certainly would after pulling the early shift and then getting stuck here when Kenshin ca
lled that impromptu staff meeting late this afternoon. He sure throws our schedules out of whack pulling stunts like that and doesn’t seem to care.”

  “That’s what happens when you become upper management,” Flipper observed. “You lose perspective and think nobody’s time or priorities matter as much as your own. Speaking of which, why don’t you head out early tonight? I can make final rounds and tie up any loose ends.”

  “Thanks, but I’m in no hurry. Sarah’s working late. Besides, this evening just got more interesting.” He winked at Tara, and she smiled in return.

  Tyler had met Tara the first day she showed up at Gulf Shore and had liked her despite her convictions against keeping marine mammals at aquariums. He’d even ribbed Flipper about his attraction to her, which had been obvious despite his vehement denials.

  Now, Tyler nudged his supervisor with his elbow and said, “So, you and Tara, huh?”

  “You got a problem with that?”

  “Not at all. In fact, I’m thrilled to see you’ve finally found a woman willing to put up with you, although God knows why.”

  “Very funny. Don’t encourage him,” Flipper chided when Tara laughed. She gave a mock salute, which earned Tyler’s grin of approval.

  “So what brings you two here tonight? Not that it’s any of my business,” he added when Flipper shot him a glare.

  Tara looked back and forth between the two men. “If either of you will be in trouble over this, we can put the kibosh on it.”

  “Tara wants to see Trident,” Flipper explained. “I don’t see the harm, especially if it makes her feel better about the fact he’s a permanent resident now.”

  The assistant trainer held up his hands. “If you think it’s okay, Flipper, that’s good enough for me. Your secret is safe.”

  “I appreciate that. But if someone asks you if she was here tonight, don’t lie. I take full responsibility for bringing her into a restricted area after hours.”

  Tara paled, her distress evident even in the dim light. “Maybe this wasn’t a wise idea after all. I have no doubt that baby is getting the best possible care.”