Tequila and Sunrise

by Madison Johns

  I had made the mistake of not getting to know Bev. Her reputation as a jewel thief commanded respect, and she had spent hours going over the blueprints of the museum. Her brother Toby disabled the security cameras and alarms, allowing them a ten-minute window to get in, steal the ruby, and leave before the security systems came back online.

  Stealing from a museum was a great undertaking for me. I much prefer to steal from jewelry stores. While I might not have been able to make a bundle, I did okay. I should have been alerted by Bev’s intentions and thought it strange that she would bring in a thief she only knew by word of mouth. I didn’t know her well enough, but the idea of making a big haul appealed to me.

  Maybe Bev works for Rico. I wasn’t fool enough not to believe it when it was thrown in my face today. Vinnie didn’t have any reason to lie. I’ve known Vinnie since I could walk, and he was once a friend of my grandfather.

  I really could use my grandfather’s advice right about now, but two years ago he fled the country and broke all contact with me. He did it for my own good, but it didn’t make it any easier for me. Grandfather felt guilty about bringing me into the family business, and I wish I could alleviate his blame. I had my own mind and ambitions, and it’s not as if my grandfather made me choose a life of crime. Nope. I made that decision all on my own.

  Five

  I yawned as I crawled out of bed at seven in the evening, touched up my makeup, and slipped out the door. Irma was nowhere in sight, which brought a smile to my lips.

  Paper crinkled as I shoved it in the pocket of my shorts. I jotted several addresses down earlier with hopes that I’d find out where Bev was holed up. If I moved quickly, I might be able to catch her with the ruby before she had the chance to fence it, providing I didn’t bump into Taney or Irma.

  Slipping out the door, I found the hallway empty and thought for a moment what Taney might expect me to do. Should I take the main elevator down, the service elevator, or the stairs? I imagined whatever route I’d take would be thwarted, so I made the only logical choice and silently entered the housekeeping closet that had a black-and-white-striped uniform top hanging on a rack. I put it on right over my own clothes.

  I scored keys from a hook on the wall and pushed the cart through the door and up the hallway. I keyed open the service elevator and moved the cart inside when the doors opened. I sighed when the doors closed behind me, and I took the elevator to the basement where I then left the cart.

  The sun was going down faster than a sinking ship when I finally made it outside, and I kept to the sidewalk with my head down as I proceeded to the street.

  I removed the uniform in the dressing room of a bikini shop, wishing I had brought along a backpack or had funds to purchase one. When I checked the tags, none of the beach bags had an alarm sensor, and it would be so easy to steal one. I rubbed my chest to stop the building ache. Could I actually be feeling guilty for my thoughts?

  “What are you doing?” Irma asked with her foot tapping.

  “I was wishing I had money to buy this beach bag.” I hoisted the strap of the pink bag over my shoulder and swayed as if I was modeling it.

  Her brow arched. “Oh, so you weren’t trying to steal it?”

  “Nope. I’m more the bling type of woman.” I laughed. “I was looking for you, but since I couldn’t find you, I thought I’d head out on my own. I figured you’d find me eventually.”

  “It’s not like I’d let you get far.”

  “So you’re saying Taney told you I left the hotel.”

  “No, I was onto you the minute you left our room.”

  “Your smeared lipstick says otherwise.”

  The older woman pointed a bony finger toward the door. “Out.”

  I strolled to the door, not wishing to have an argument with the much older woman. I had a feeling she was more than the average grandmother.

  Irma narrowed her eyes at me. “I don’t appreciate your making me look bad.”

  “Bad or naughty?” I smirked. “From my recollection, I told you I was heading out tonight.”

  Irma massaged her hairless chin. “Yes, but you didn’t mention when exactly. I thought I had more free time until I saw you leaving the hotel wearing a maid’s uniform.”

  I misjudged Irma; she was like a dog with a bone on the scent of my trail. I never stood a chance.

  “I’m glad you caught up with me. I hope you brought the money. I could use a drink.”

  “Didn’t you have enough on the beach at the hotel? Taney wasn’t too happy that he had to babysit you when he’d much rather spend time with Anna.” Irma made a face. “I can’t believe I said that like it was a bad thing.”

  I waved a piece of paper in the air. “I have a few leads to follow up on.”

  “We do?”

  “No, I said I do.”

  “We’re a team, don’t forget.”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be supplying the leads. I have contacts in Harper Cove.”

  “I don’t recall Vinnie telling you anything earlier.”

  “He told me plenty. We know there’s some kingpin that might have put Bev up to steal the ruby. And I believe Bev’s in town.”

  Irma grabbed my arms and shook me. “Are you delusional?”

  I wiggled out of Irma’s surprisingly strong grip. “No, I believe Bev is here to fence the gem.”

  “So you’re listening to a man who has a pool full of gators?”

  “Yes. I’ve known him for a long time.”

  “So you trust that he told you the truth, that Rico paid her to steal the ruby?”

  “No, I didn’t exactly say that, but it makes sense.”

  “It also makes sense that someone else is fencing the Imperial.”

  “That could be the case, but we won’t know for certain unless you let me run the show. I believe that’s what Taney wants too.”

  Irma pursed her lips. “He never told me that.”

  “You’re simply babysitting me and that’s it. So unless you want to stand here and argue all night, I’d like to find Bev.”

  Irma’s hands settled on her hips. “Fine, we’ll do it your way, but don’t think for a minute about giving me the slip.”

  “Believe me when I tell you I know the deal I made with the feds is contingent upon my finding the gem, so let’s get moving.”

  I walked up the sidewalk and waited a moment until Irma was strolling alongside me. I had to admit she was much more spirited than I expected.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I frowned when I saw Taney’s name come over the screen telling me that he had a first-class ticket to prison for me if I didn’t call him back.

  “Is it my grandson?”

  I nodded. “Apparently he isn’t aware that you found me.”

  “Good. It’s better to keep him guessing. That way he’ll know how valuable I am when I find the ruby.”

  I turned on Irma. “When you find the ruby?”

  “Yes. You don’t really think you’ll get close enough to get that ruby in your greedy little hands, do you?”

  “What are you talking about? I’m the only one who can get close.”

  “Huh. I’m quite resourceful when I need to be.”

  “What, at knitting?”

  “You say that like knowing how to knit is a bad thing. I’d love to see you have a try at it.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I have more important things to do.”

  “How has that worked out for you so far? You’ve led a life of crime, and that’s not something to brag about.”

  I clenched my hands into tight fists, and if Irma wasn’t an old lady, I’d sock her.

  Irma wound back a bony fist and plowed me in the chin. I staggered back and rubbed my injury. “What did you do that for?”

  “It’s called self-defense.”

  “But I didn’t do anything to you.”

  “You clenched your fists.”

  “So what, that didn’t mean I’d take a swing at you. Taney should hav
e told me you’re prone to violence.”

  “Violence?” Irma laughed. “That was only a tap, dear.”

  “Well, it hurt.”

  “I’d expect you’d be made of sterner stuff than that.”

  I sighed, and I whipped a hand through my tangled hair. “I’ve never struck anyone even if they deserved it.”

  “Not even in your former occupation?”

  “Which one? I’ve done more than steal jewelry in my life.”

  “Ah, is that right? I’d love to hear about it sometime.”

  “Maybe one of these days I’ll tell you, if we live to see this case through,” I said. “So can we get going, or do you plan on sending me to the emergency room?”

  “Don’t be so melodramatic. Lead the way.”

  I glanced at the first address on my list. An out-of-the-way jewelry store that is known on the black market to buy stolen jewelry.

  Irma covered her ears as a sports car rolled past, blasting rap music. It brought a smile to my face to see the woman squirm about something so meaningless, not that it was my taste. Several of my friends enjoy listening to rap, and I tolerated it just fine. It wasn’t all bad sounding to the ears, and I had a few favorites.

  I strolled down an alley well away from the ocean and entered a door at the end. A large dark-skinned man opened the door and looked down at us.

  “We’re closed.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since I said so.”

  “No need to refuse us,” Irma said as she pointed her bony finger in the man’s mostly flabby chest. “What would your mother say if she heard you were hassling an old lady?”

  The man’s eyes widened as if he thought about it for a moment before responding. “I-I… There are plenty of other jewelry stores on the main strip?”

  Irma cocked an eyebrow. “But we have business here.”

  I tilted my head sideways. “You heard Ma. You better let us in before she goes crazy on you. She’s not really the type of woman you want to mess with.” I rubbed my jaw for impact.

  The man swallowed hard and opened the door, and we walked inside the dimly lit store. All the jewelry cases had gold and silver jewelry with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, and pearl necklaces. I had to wipe the corner of my mouth so drool wouldn’t work its way out. It was a jewel thief’s dream, except if you tried to snatch jewelry from this store, you wouldn’t live long enough to make it to the door.

  I smiled as a man of indiscriminate heritage motioned us forward.

  “Are you selling or buying?”

  “Buying if you have the right piece I’m looking for.”

  I wandered along the jewelry case and spotted a sizable sapphire-and-diamond necklace. “Could I see this necklace?”

  The man’s eyes narrowed, and he made a big show of jingling his keys before he pulled out the velvet display case the necklace was resting on.

  I sighed as I gingerly touched it. “It’s a magnificent piece,” I said. “May I remove it from the display?”

  The man leaned against the counter, and his eyes darkened and he put the jewelry back under glass. “Not today. Tell me why you’re here.”

  “I’m looking for a friend of mine who might have come in here to fence an impressive piece.”

  “I don’t buy jewelry from thieves. Get out.”

  “Tell him why you’re really here so he’ll call his dog off,” Irma said.

  I glanced over my shoulder, and a pit bull snarled from just outside the stockroom door. The dog’s muscle mass alone intimidated me, but the noises he was making and the spit expelled had me wishing to conclude my business much sooner than planned. But I knew not to show fear, and I liked dogs for the most part unless they were ankle biters. I had a scar on the back of my ankle to prove even little dogs can inflict injuries.

  I pulled out Bev’s picture and slid it across the counter. “I was hoping my friend might have stopped here.”

  The man glanced at the picture carefully and handed it back. “I’ve never seen the woman.”

  Irma stepped forward. “You sure about that?”

  “What’s your beef with the woman?”

  “She’s trying to sell something that doesn’t belong to her.”

  “I told you—”

  Irma slammed the glass with her fist. “Do I look like a fool to you? Does my daughter look stupid?”

  “No.”

  “She double-crossed me, and I’d hate for the boss to find out you’re holding back on me,” I said.

  “What boss?”

  “Rico Alvarez.”

  All the color left that man’s face, not easy for a darker-skinned man. “You work for Rico?”

  “That’s what my daughter said.”

  “Okay, she was in here trying to pawn off a gem, but I wasn’t interested.” The man thumbed through a book and jotted down a phone number on a piece of paper, ripped it off, and handed it to me. “She gave me her contact information if I changed my mind, but she only plans to be in Harper Cove for a few more days.”

  “Why didn’t you buy the ruby?” I asked.

  “I can’t move anything like that without having the feds come knocking on my door.”

  “That would be horrible for business,” Irma said.

  “She didn’t tell me she works for Rico.”

  “She doesn’t,” I said. “Thank you for your time.”

  “Tell Rico I helped, won’t you?” He forced a smile. “I wouldn’t want Rico to think I’d help anyone who double-crossed him.”

  “Thanks for your help,” I said once Irma and I were back on the main strip. “I didn’t think the man would tell me anything for a hot minute.”

  “Why would he when he’d never met you before, and you basically accused him of wrongdoing.”

  “What? Thieves go in there all the time to fence their jewelry.”

  “Have you?”

  “Obviously not.”

  “So how did you learn about the store?”

  “I can’t tell you that.”

  “Excuse me, but you’re working on the right side of the law.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m going to spill my guts to them. All the information I have I’ve acquired through the years, and I’m not revealing the sources.”

  “My grandson wouldn’t like it if I told him.”

  “Taney wants the ruby found, and that’s all we should be focusing on.”

  “If you say so, but I hope it doesn’t come up in conversation.”

  “Nothing said in the store could incriminate anyone. I hope you know if the cops suddenly bust the place, the owner will know exactly who to come looking for.”

  I called the number from the only pay phone I found, but it only went to voice mail. “We’ll have to be more creative,” I said.

  “How hard can it be to find a jewel thief here when Harper Cove is apparently full of them?” Irma rolled her eyes.

  “I wouldn’t go that far. Jewel thieves are lurking where you least expect them to be, believe it.”

  My heart thudded in my throat as the doorman at the jewelry store ran to catch up to us.

  “I’m glad I caught you. I have an address you might want to check out. Your friend mentioned something about Star of the West. There’s a boat named that near a rental cottage of the same name. Follow the beach pathway; it’s the quickest way.”

  I nodded in thanks, and the man raced back down the alley.

  “Nice tip, a little too easy don’t you think?” Irma asked.

  “Maybe, or dropping Rico’s name might have done the trick.”

  “Might not be a smart move on your part. What if this Rico finds out you’re saying you work for him?”

  “Let’s just hope that he doesn’t because if he comes after me, your life will be at risk too.”

  “Then please don’t mention the man’s name again. I’ve never heard of the man, but I’m getting concerned that we might run into him.”

  “I doubt it, but if Bev’s work
ing for him, I can’t help but wonder why she’s trying to move the gem. Seems like he would have other resources.”

  Irma frowned. “Seems like he could have moved the ruby by now.”

  “He’s probably sitting on it until the heat dies down. I imagine after the heist at the museum, the FBI was on high alert. You can’t move stolen jewelry with that kind of heat.”

  “For a jewel thief, you certainly are knowledgeable about what the FBI or cops might do after a big heist.”

  “I made it my business to know.”

  “I suppose that’s why you weren’t caught before.”

  “I’ve had a few close calls, but I never thought I’d stay in this line of work for as long as I have.”

  “Have or did?” Irma scrunched up her face. “Are you on the straight and narrow or not?”

  “I haven’t thought past finding Bev.”

  “What are you more concerned about: finding the ruby or getting even with Beverly?”

  “Both.”

  Six

  I bought a fruity drink at the beach before strolling along the boardwalk on the ocean side. It was dark now, but it was clear enough to see the stars and the nearly full moon. The waves lapped the shore, and voices drifted over to me from the various beach houses we walked past.

  “I’m cold,” Irma complained.

  “You can always go back to the hotel. I can handle this on my own.”

  “Not a chance, but I wish I had grabbed a sweater.”

  “It’s humid tonight.”

  “Easy for you to say. I’ve been cold since we went out this evening.”

  I stopped with a sigh. “Are we doing this or not?”

  “I’m not sure; it’s getting awfully late. I normally go to bed by eight thirty.”

  “Would that be alone or are you talking about more diddling?”

  “If I could see you better, I’d slap your mouth.”

  “Are you sure Taney knows about how his grandmother acts when he’s not around.”

  “It’s none of his business about how I act. I’ve earned the right to be respected for my decisions.”

  “Of course you do. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”

  Irma glanced at the sky. “How about we only walk past the house tonight and come back tomorrow during the day.”