Swindled in Paradise

by Deborah Brown

  "Thank you for tracking Creole down for me earlier. I owe you one.”

  "No, you don't. I appreciate it that you kept your mouth shut about my identity and didn’t broadcast it all over town.”

  "I'm good at keeping secrets," I said.

  "Creole assured me that was the case."

  "Shirl—you remember, my tenant?” I tried to maintain eye contact under his glare but ended up glancing away for a moment. “We never mention your name except in an abstract way. She can also keep a secret." They’d met while he was pretending to be an insurance agent named Steve, and she always looked ridiculously satisfied after he’d left her bed.

  "It's hard, in my line of work, to have a relationship. Especially one I don't fuck up." He looked down, running his hands through his dark hair.

  "It's none of my business, but whatever happens, just don't be a total dick to her.” When he didn’t respond, I said, “Stop by Jake's and give the bartender the secret code: ‘free meal.’" Before he left, I wanted to point out Watters and ask Help what he knew. But when I glanced over to where I’d last seen him, he was gone.

  "Thanks. They’ll be out soon." Help waved and disappeared down the street in the direction of the park.

  Every time I ran into Help, he evaporated into thin air like a ghost when it was time to leave. I’d like to ask him to teach me that trick.

  * * *

  It surprised me that there were no lookie-loos from the neighborhood. I craned my neck up and down the street, but not one single person was curious enough to investigate the sirens coming and going, not to mention the police and emergency vehicles. Lurking around a crime scene might tarnish their image.

  “Madison!” a voice shrieked.

  I jerked to an upright position from where I’d been lying in the back of the SUV. I squealed and sprang out, running to meet Fab and Didier, who were walking hand in hand in my direction. I skidded to a stop and flung my arms around them. “Love you both so much.” I smiled at Didier. “You’re so rumpled,” I teased.

  “Chérie.” He scooped me up into a bear hug. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever see the two of you again.”

  That hit me in the gut, and tears gathered in my eyes.

  “Don’t you dare cry, or I’ll slug you.” Fab hugged me.

  “Happy to see you unblemished and in one piece. I need a best friend, and it has to be you.”

  “Not going anywhere. You’d never find a good replacement.”

  “You shouldn’t be here,” Didier admonished.

  “Oh piffle. Where else would I be? Tell me, did Fab kick in the window and swing in like Tarzan?” I beamed at her. “Where’s Creole?”

  “Right here.” His arms wrapped around me from behind.

  “Who’s going to tell me what happened?” I asked, feeling annoyed that I even had to.

  “I can’t talk about the case until it’s over,” Creole said. “But I can listen while Fab and Didier fill us in.”

  “Help showed up at the kitchen door right behind me,” Fab explained. “‘Do you even know what stay put means?’ he growled in my ear. Whether he liked it or not, though, I was going in. I was just about to kick him in the… Well, not there, but close.”

  Creole and Didier sucked in their breath.

  “Then the maid yelped from the doorway, a soda flying out of her hand. Help is quick on his feet,” Fab said in admiration. “I motioned for her to stay, and Help flashed his badge at the same time. Then another woman’s voice screamed, ‘Marta, get in here!’”

  “That Marta is a tough one,” Didier said. “I need to say thank you to her for her efforts. When I first got there, we had a moment alone, and she tried to undo the ropes. She succeeded in getting one loosened before Tina came back in the room.”

  “Well, we followed her when she answered Tina’s call, and were able to see into the room where they were holding Didier without them spotting us. Do you know what happened next?” Fab looked at me pointedly.

  “The doorbell rang!” I exclaimed.

  “We suffered a few tense moments right before that, but I held off from shooting them. Tina was pointing a gun in Didier’s face, shrieking about how he’d wrecked their plans. Balcazar cautioned her to wait until Nado delivered Madison and me. They argued over who would pull the trigger—he’d never killed before—always paying someone else to do the dirty work and dispose of the messiness. Tina was adamant that Nado be the one to dump our bodies in some remote location she knew of in Alligator Alley. He was in for a nasty surprise, though. Instead of payment, he’d get a bullet too.”

  I shuddered, remembering all the times we’d joked about feeding remains to the alligators, not to mention the vultures.

  “Tina Balcazar. Brains, beauty, money—what a waste,” Creole said in disgust.

  “A frozen block of ice for a heart,” Didier said.

  “Then you-know-who was at the gate.” Fab pointed at me. “Tina sent Marta to get it, thinking it was Nado. Balcazar followed, a gun jammed in the woman’s back. Nado was already late and Balcazar got more agitated each time he called the man’s cell phone and there was no answer.”

  “Everything happened at once.” Didier shuddered.

  “A shot rang out, then Balcazar was yelling he was dying. Tina was momentarily distracted, and Creole shot her from the opposite side of the room.”

  I smiled up at him, clasping my hands across his arms.

  “Tina’s gun went off. Then I screamed.” Fab looked haggard, reliving the moment. “Didier slumped to one side. I thought he’d been shot or worse, not realizing the bullet was embedded in the wall right over his head. Her gun clattered to the floor and she fell, and damned if she didn’t try to crawl toward it, even though she was shot in the upper chest. Creole put his foot on her back and stopped her forward movement.”

  “Fab brandished a knife and cut the ropes, not a single nick.” Didier held out his arms to show me, then leaned into her, brushing her lips with a kiss. I winced at the sight of the rope burns around his wrists.

  Creole’s phone alerted to a message. I groaned, knowing it wouldn’t be good news.

  “The chief is demanding my reappearance. We’ll talk in the morning. I’ve got a few more questions.” He hugged his friend, then turned to me. His lips met mine and turned the gentle contact into a demanding kiss. “When you roll over, I’ll be there.”

  The blush started at my neckline and went straight up.

  “Good thing you gave us a heads up. I’d hate to shoot you, thinking you’re a prowler.” Fab gave him a cheesy grin.

  "I’m happy that another brush with death hasn't affected your sense of humor." He stalked off.

  Fab grabbed my arm, tugging me around to the driver’s side. "Didier isn't getting his car back tonight anyway. Do you mind driving?"

  "Me?" I beamed at her, sliding behind the wheel.

  "Try not to get a ticket this time," she said, shaking her finger at me.

  Didier held the back door open, and they slid inside.

  I checked the rearview and side mirrors. “Remember that cop, Watters? He showed up here. Creeped me out, the way he looked at me.”

  “We need to find out what he wants.” Fab turned, looking out the back window. “Do you see him anywhere?”

  “He disappeared again.” I heaved a sigh.

  I maneuvered around several cars. "You okay, Didier?" It worried me that he was so quiet. A first kidnapping takes a while to get over.

  "I used to think I was good judge of character," he said on a low growl.

  "Don’t be so hard on yourself; some people are masters of deception. So good, they slip under the radar.” Fab kissed his cheek.

  Driving through the security gates, I adhered strictly to the posted speed limit. I didn’t want to give Watters an excuse to pull me over, if he was still lurking around.

  "Watching Fab in action, I can see why you like having her by your side in a tight situation. She never gives up, does she?" Didier combed her hair
with his fingers.

  "No, she doesn't." I smiled in the mirror. "Hang on back there, you're in for a wild ride."

  "You don't need to impress us." Fab stretched out, laying her head in Didier's lap. "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but just be your pokey self. I'm lying down, and what I can't see won't bother me."

  "I have your permission to not blow through yellow lights?" I asked.

  Didier laughed. "After the day we’ve had, just get us home in one piece."

  I inserted one of Fab's favorite CDs into the player and turned it down low. They could talk in privacy. As much as Fab liked to eavesdrop, she'd do the same for me.

  Chapter 47

  The bed dipped, and I rolled into Creole's arms. "About time," I said sleepily.

  "The boss gave me a few days off," he said in my ear. "You know what that means?"

  "Hot sex at your house." I tried not smile.

  Creole slid under the sheet. "Why aren't you naked?" he asked.

  "You have to get dressed,” I said, kicking off the sheets.

  "Why?" he growled. "Expecting someone else?"

  "You need to sneak me out and back to your house, so we can have loud, noisy sex." I smiled sweetly.

  “Nice try.” He rolled me away from him, removing my clothing with efficiency and sending it airborne.

  “You appear to have practice removing women’s clothing.”

  “Behave yourself,” he barked a laugh. “We’re not doing anything. You have a house full of people downstairs. Get some sleep; you’ll have to face your mother in the morning.” He wrapped his arms around me, tightening his hold. “You’re not getting me in trouble.”

  * * *

  I’d lucked out the night before. By the time we pulled up at the house, Mother and Spoon had left. No doubt, after finding out we were all safe, they hadn’t seen any point in staying, knowing questioning by law enforcement would take an unknown amount of time.

  "We're here. I feel compelled to warn you, Didier, that Mother and Spoon were not happy that we snuck out earlier.”

  Fab, who’d gone to sleep, had woken up when I cut the engine. “Looks like we lucked out. Spoon’s silver Mercedes isn’t here."

  "I’ve got your back,” Didier said flexing his muscles.

  "Hurry up and get out." Fab pushed Didier's shoulder. "This is where she’ll get all emotional."

  Brad stood in the doorway, and I slid by first. "You're in the doghouse," he sing-songed as he hugged and twirled me around. Finally, he put me down and inspected me carefully. “Good thing you’re in one piece.”

  "I followed orders for a change and didn’t do anything life-threatening. I hope this means I can sneak up to my room?”

  “Mother won’t be back until morning.”

  I scooped up Jazz and left my brother standing there laughing at me.

  * * *

  Creole jerked into a sitting position. “What the hell was that?” He grabbed his pants off the floor.

  “You don’t need your gun. It’s only Fab’s idea of a wake-up call, kicking the hell out of the door,” I said sleepily. “We’ve got a few minutes before she comes back.”

  “Like hell.” He threw open the door and yelled, “You do that again, and I’ll break your foot!”

  “Look who woke up in a bad mood.” Fab’s voice came from down the hall.

  She must have kicked and ran. I pulled the sheet to my nose, trying not to laugh.

  “Breakfast is ready,” Mother called cheerfully.

  Creole, quick on his feet, managed to catch the door before it banged shut and closed it quietly.

  * * *

  Mother had brought a ton of food—enough to feed an army—and spread it out on the counter. As I entered the kitchen, Didier held out a blender container filled with his fresh green concoction.

  I squeezed my eyes closed and shook my head. I’d tasted it once and thought my mouth would fall out.

  Everyone filled a plate, and we moved outside to the patio. Brad pointed to a seat next to Mother and mouthed, “Sit.”

  “I suppose this means the real estate deal is dead,” Spoon quipped.

  I’d never have guessed he’d be the one to break the ice and jump-start the conversation. Everyone had questions, but no one had wanted to be the first to ask.

  “We’ll find another one,” Didier joked.

  “You’re quiet,” Spoon said to me from the other side of mother. “You okay?”

  “Not a scratch. Just tired.” I squeezed Creole’s leg under the table, thinking about his days off, and hoped he could read my mind and we’d leave early.

  “I wish the two of you had stayed home and thought more about your safety.” Mother glared at Fab and me. “And sneaking out!” she huffed.

  “Would you have sat at home if it had been one of your family members?” Fab asked evenly. “As selfish as it is, I don’t want to go on a job without your daughter.” She reached across the table and gripped my hand.

  I leaned over and kissed Mother’s cheek, whispering, “I love you,” in her ear.

  “What she said.” Fab flashed Mother a deranged smile.

  Mother laughed and shook her finger at her. “It’s a damn good thing the two of you are okay.”

  Brad tapped a glass with his spoon. “Who’s going first? We’re here for details and, of course, food.”

  I kicked Fab under the table. “Fab can tell our part.”

  Fab started her story with how it was my idea to sneak out and she’d felt it was her duty to follow for my safety. She ignored my snort and continued, stopping short of confessing that she’d defied Creole and jumped the wall, impatient at the slow speed of Didier’s rescue.

  “How did you end up in the house?” Spoon asked, maintaining eye contact with Fab. “I’m surprised the cops would sanction you going anywhere near the property.”

  “The back door was open,” she said.

  I squeezed Creole’s hand and hoped he wouldn’t out her and tell them all that she’d had her own plan and taken off after being ordered not to.

  Didier put his arm around her, a grin on his face. “I guess it’s my turn to explain how I got there. It surprised me when I got a frantic call from Balcazar, begging me to come to a meeting at his office. When I got there, however, he and Nado were waiting for me in the underground garage. As soon as I got out of my car, both of those bastards had guns pointed at my chest.”

  I gave him a big smile, reminding myself to use his choice of language against him in the future.

  He frowned, as though he could read my mind, then continued, “While Balcazar kept his gun on me, Nado shoved me in the trunk of my own car. Then Balcazar told Nado, ‘Go pick up the other two.’”

  He continued talking so eloquently, describing his conversation with Balcazar after he’d found himself tied up in his “friend’s” mansion that I almost felt I’d been there.

  “You forced my hand. If only you were in jail,” Balcazar spit. “Now that you’re not the prime suspect, I have the cops breathing down my neck. I can’t risk that you and your snooping friends have dug up too much dirt, and now I’ll have to get rid of you all.”

  “Murder? You’ll never get away with it.”

  “Sure I will; I have before,” Balcazar boasted. “You, your girlfriend, and her redheaded friend are going to disappear—no trace. I’m very good at that, and it’s a lot less messy than leaving a bloody body to be found.”

  “You murdered Lauren?”

  “Actually no, it wasn’t planned, though it was going to happen eventually—some point in the future perhaps. Women are so damn nosey. My wife had a bug planted in my phone, listened to all of my conversations. Unfortunately, the one where I swore my undying love to Lauren and told her I’d be leaving my wife for her... Well, my wife didn’t take the news well. She had no way of knowing that I would never leave her; I just had to keep Lauren happy. She ran the office with efficiency and fulfilled every perverted fantasy of mine in bed.”

  “How
did Lauren end up dead?”

  “Tina confronted her. She assured me that she only went to her condo to threaten her to back off, not kill her. Lauren’s confidence that she would be the next Mrs. Balcazar pushed my wife over the edge. Shot her. She did say she enjoyed messing up her face.”

  “Why try to frame me? Was I your first choice?”

  “Nothing personal,” Balcazar sneered. “You’re just another pretty face in underwear. Who’d miss you? Your fault, really—you left your suit jacket in my car. The business deal is dead, was never going to happen. I’d have taken the money and given you a worthless title. This might surprise you, but I never liked you and your snotty European demeanor… Ah, but you have connected, wealthy friends. You were useful. I called in a couple of favors in your name. People are so stupid, never knowing when they’re being used.” He threw his head back and laughed.

  “You won’t get away with this.”

  “I already have.” He continued to laugh. “I’ve sold that property four times in the last month. What a cluster when the docs arrived at the clerk’s office all at once. I should’ve paid closer attention to the paperwork; Lauren didn’t have the timing down yet. It’s an art, you know, pulling off a multimillion-dollar fraud. The authorities can investigate all they like; they won’t come up with anything. I kept my hands clean with layers of dummy corps. The only glitch to framing you is that I had to let all that beautiful money slip through my fingers.”

  “You belong in jail. You think my partners won’t track you down?”

  “Where did you find such common people? They’ll be kept busy chasing their tails, searching for you and those girls, and ultimately grieving.”

  Didier ground to a halt and shook his head. “It’s my fault he was ever a part of our lives. I apologize to all of you.” Didier looked around the table.

  “Nonsense,” Mother said. “This family knows only too well how someone seemingly sane can sneak into our midst and turn out to be a lunatic.”

  “Why did Balcazar want Fab and me?” I asked. “We were silent partners.”

  “I was ready to beg for your lives. Not that it would have done any good, but I’d have done it anyway,” he said sadly. “The night you two went to Lauren’s condo, the Hummer showed up on the surveillance tapes. That, plus an unidentified woman seen briefly on the same floor as Lauren’s, made Balcazar suspicious; he’d bribed the security guard to let him know if anything out of the ordinary happened. He had the plates run, which led back to this house.”