by Scott Cook
“One thing,” I said after a moment. “Who chartered the yacht? I mean, there must be records of that, right?”
Grayson laughed, “Even we have our limits, Scott. Ecolife is tighter than a clam. Getting through their corporate veil isn’t easy. We can do it… but not legally. At least not yet.”
“Even with Palmer’s activities in Costa Rica?” I asked.
“Not enough evidence,” Grayson stated unhappily. “Palmer was working on his own. And now, after what happened, Andrea was able to leverage him off the board. He still owns a minority share… but she’s in charge. And we can’t pin anything on her, so…”
“So we don’t have a paper trail,” I grumbled. “And can’t legally get one.”
Grayson met my eyes, “That’s right, Commander… we can’t legally find one. And that, I’m sad to say, pertains to you, too. In this case, you’re… let’s call it… unorthodox methods cannot be sanctioned.”
There was something in his tone that made me think he wouldn’t mind if I found a loophole to that. It was subtle, but I believed it was there.
“Too bad you hired me then,” I said.
He laughed out loud, “You’re far too valuable not to. Just because you can’t break into somebody’s office illegally doesn’t mean you aren’t of enormous value. You have to follow the same rules we do… there aren’t many for ICE, but we do have some, as you know. There are things we can do that aren’t admissible in court… yet we can do them. Wiretapping, for example.”
I nodded. Part of my ongoing training revolved around the extent of the agency’s powers. Their job… or I suppose our job… was to stop international criminal activity that threatened the security and safety of American citizens and their allies. Our job was not to take bad guys to court but to stop them.
Grayson rose, “Keep that journal and that map safe, Scott. Somebody wants it, so that means we don’t want them to have it.”
“Then maybe you should keep it,” I said. “Sooner or later, if these guys have already come after Tavares’ and my grandparents’ safes, then they’ll figure I might have it too.”
Grayson shook his head, “Maybe that’s for the best. If need be, we can secure it… yet maybe when they figure out who you are, that might help us.”
I scoffed, “Another stalking horse, huh? Like you did with Lisa and Shade?”
Grayson nodded, “Sometimes that’s how things go, Commander.”
“That’s fine, Colonel,” I said firmly. “If it’s just me. But this shit has already reached out to my family. That’s not acceptable.”
“It’s not his fault, Scotty,” Nana said. “This goes back a long way.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Your grandfather was one of the folks who first thought of the idea for the International Counter-criminal Enforcement agency,” Grayson said. “He is one of the people who set the wheels in motion.”
I eyed my grandmother. She only shrugged, “Our family has always been involved in national security. Off and on, anyway. Your father wasn’t interested in serving and has made quite a success of himself up north. Yet your granddad… even me… and of course you… have a desire to help others on a bigger scale. That’s one reason we shared the information about Catherine with you. She started it.”
I smiled, “Well, maybe someday you guys will reveal all of our family secrets, huh?”
“So you can write books about them?” Nana asked with an arched eyebrow and a grin.
“Why not?”
“I’ll read em’,” Grayson said. “Read that document and keep me in the loop, Scott. I’ve got to run now. Give my regards to your grandfather when he wakes up. Nice to see you again, Rachel.”
“You too, Warner,” my grandmother said, rising to walk him out.
“Oh,” Grayson turned back to me. “how’s flight training going?”
“Finished class and quals,” I said. “About to move up to the fun planes. But I can fly a prop job in a pinch.”
Grayson grinned, “That was fast… I like a man who’s motivated.”
Yeah, I’ll bet, I thought as they walked through the house.
12
From the Files of the World’s Greatest Detective
Lisa’s journal entry 1
You can sit back and breathe a sigh of relief now, my treasured fan… the lovely and brilliant Lisa G has returned! Lol.
Okay, to be fair, if any of my additions to Scott’s books are at all entertaining, it’s because of him. I’m no great writer, and Scott helps me to polish up my journals and turn them into parts of his story… and as you can clearly detect from the heading… he’s rubbing off on me!
Scott was gone when I woke up around eight-thirty. I had a vague recollection of him slipping quietly out of bed at like five-thirty or something. I remember him kissing me and then he was gone. Now that I was fully awake, I felt a little sad. I loved waking up next to him. His big warm body next to mine… ah, well…
I threw on my bathrobe. It was royal purple and lined with soft fluff that showed at the wrists and the collar. Scott had gotten it for me not long ago because I was always stealing his. So after a while, he got the hint and now I have a super-comfy robe. Yes, girls… they can be trained, lol!
I made my way out into the family room and kitchen and was not at all surprised to see my mom in the kitchen and George sitting at the counter sipping a cup of coffee.
“Mornin’ sleepy head,” George said with a grin. “We thought you might sleep the day away.”
I scoffed, “It’s like half past eight… the crack of dawn, for God’s sake.”
My mom laughed as she turned around, “Your brave hero was up and out before six.”
I chuffed, “Yeah, well he’s a little cray-cray. Everybody knows that.”
Mom set a cup of coffee in front of me, “I hope his grandparents are all right.”
“Yeah, I bet they’ll be okay,” George offered. “That John Jarvis is one tough old boy. And Rachel is as steady as a rock.”
“How did you sleep, mija?”
“Like a log,” I replied.
“What time did you end up getting to sleep?” George asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Don’t be fresh, mi amor!” Mom said in a scandalized tone.
I just grinned, “Did you guys enjoy last night? In spite of the… uhm… excitement?”
George chuckled, “It seems to follow old Scott around, doesn’t it?”
“It’s his job,” I stated.
“And yours, too, mija?” Mom asked. “You’re a detectiva now as well.”
“I suppose I am,” I said, sipping the strong coffee. Mom brewed regular but added a shot of espresso to give it an edge. A little jolt of cafesito to get the blood flowing.
“What about your degree?” Mom asked. “All that work to get the MBA?”
I shrugged, “Well… I’ve used it, and still do. Since I’ve been back I’ve worked with several clients in an investigative capacity that puts my financial education to use. It’s actually expanded Scott’s business some.”
Mom considered me for a long moment and then smiled, “Are you happy, Lisa?”
I felt a flush in my face, “I am, mommy… Scott is… well… nobody’s ever loved me like he does.”
My mom held my gaze for a long moment and then smiled big, “I’m so glad, mija. True love is mas importante. You hang onto it this time, eh?”
“That’s right,” George added, smiling at my mom, “It’s a beautiful thing.”
“Yes… I wish I’d figured that out last October…” I muttered.
“It’s the past,” Mom said, waving a hand. “And to answer your question, we had a wonderful time. It was very interesting… especially the excitement. I can’t believe Scotty jumped off the boat after that man!”
George laughed, “I can! Christ, Lisa, I don’t know how you haven’t had a heart attack yet!”
I laughed, “Just wait until his new book comes out. The one abou
t the mystery man who called himself Shade… Anyway, Ray and his wife Theresa were very nice, huh?”
“Si,” Mom said. “Very charming.”
“Yeah, that Ray is a charmer all right,” George said.
I saw a small flicker of a frown cross his face and thought I detected a tightness in his voice. Mom either didn’t notice or didn’t pay it any mind. I like George, but he definitely has a bit of a jealous streak in him.
That kind of bothers me. He never really comes out and says anything overt… but when you spend time with him, you can pick up on it pretty regularly. At least when we’re out in public. My mom is very beautiful and men always look at her and flirt with her. I guess it could be a little hard on a guy, as it would be the other way around.
In a way I can understand. A lot of women are attracted to Scott as well. Not a big shock, I mean the guy is six-two and two hundred and fifteen pounds or so and all of it muscle. He’s handsome, has gorgeous eyes and an excess of personality. He’s got a sexy smile and he smiles a lot. He’s outgoing and friendly and it’s only natural that women would give him the old beady eye.
And men like to check me out and flirt with me, too. That’s been a problem in the past for me. I have had jealous dudes as boyfriends and it can get real old real fast.
You have to be pretty confident if your significant other is at the upper end of the attractiveness scale. For my part, I never worry about Scott. I’ve never really been the jealous type… yet I’ve also never had a man like him, either. Yet in spite of that, I’m absolutely confident in his loyalty to me. And I know he’s the same way with me. He’s never jealous and loves to show me off.
Considering what a hot little Cuban number I am, it’s no wonder! Lol.
So I can kind of understand how George might feel a bit insecure sometimes. My mother is gorgeous. She’s younger than him and looks younger still. I’ve seen college guys practically drooling over her. Yet what bugs me about George’s jealousy is that my mom would never even look at another man. She only has eyes for him, so why can’t he just accept that and be happy?
“Speaking of charming,” Mom went on, cracking some eggs into a bowl. “That blonde woman he pointed out… Nicole…? She’s muy hermoso. This is the one that he…”
“Yes, mom,” I said. “The one he wrote about in his first book.”
“Damn,” George stated. “Guy sure knows how to land the tens, huh?”
“That’s right, George,” I said with a grin.
“Does it bother you?” He asked. “Y’know… knowing she’s mixed up in all this and stuff?”
I shrugged, “Not really. Scott was pretty angry when he found out she was alive last spring. They worked through it, though. They’re friendly at least. I’m not worried… not personally worried, that is. But if Agent Sloane is sniffing around Don Ramon… then this case is getting complicated very quickly.”
Mom went back to the stove and poured the eggs over the mixture of peppers, onions and sausage she’d been sautéing. George went and refilled his cup, “So what’re you guys gonna do now?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’ll wait to hear from Scott about his grandparents and then I guess we’ll see… still… I hate to just sit around. What’re you guys’ plans today?”
“I’ve got to go into the office,” George said.
“And I have several clients this morning,” Mom added, “but I should be free by lunchtime. We could have lunch and go shopping in Coconut Grove… or go to the beach…”
“That sounds nice,” I said. “Wonder if I have time to drive down to Key West…”
“Key West?” George asked.
“Yeah… Ray said that the captain and first mate of one of his shrimp boats quit when the sheriff showed up to look for dope,” I explained. “I thought maybe I could go interview the crew or even find out where these two guys lived and talk to them. I wouldn’t be able to get back before three or four, though and that’s if I left in the next twenty minutes.”
“That sounds dangerous, mija,” Mom said. “If these men are bad…”
“I can take care of myself, Mom,” I said.
George drew in a breath, “Well, I’ve got a friend with a charter flight business. He flies down there and back a couple of times a day. I could probably get you a flight around ten. Get you to Key West by eleven… you spend a couple of hours and fly back at one and you’re here by two. Maybe a little sooner.”
“That’d work,” I said. “When’s your last appointment, Mom?”
“One o’clock,” Mom said.
“Cool… I can rent a car at the airport down there,” I said. “That’d be great, George, if you can arrange it. I’ll be glad to pay whatever he charges.”
“It’s a couple of hundred bucks each way,” George said, reaching for his smart phone. “But my buddy does the flight regularly and his plane seats eight. I’ll just ask him to reserve you a seat. Won’t cost you a penny… except maybe a tip for the pilot. Throw him twenty bucks each way.”
Mom looked back at us and I saw a frown on her face but she said nothing. She went and started scooping the scramble onto three plates.
“It’s okay, Mom,” I reassured her. “Just routine. I’ll talk to Sheriff Pelton, the shrimp crew and these two guys. No big deal.”
My white Ford Mustang convertible was waiting for me outside the Key West International Airport. The car, having been delivered by Enterprise, was a little pricier than I’d needed… but I figured what the hell? Got a free flight so why not splurge for a little sexiness?
Besides, it was November and the temperature in Key West was hovering right around eighty and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. As I got in and started the big v8 up, I slipped my shades on and lowered the top. As it went down, I suddenly realized that this was the first time I’d been back in the Keys since Scott, Lauren and I came down in the boat last summer.
That made me a little sad. In spite of the crazy adventure that had cropped up, it had been a fun trip. Yet it had also derailed Lauren’s plans to come and live in Orlando. Everybody thought that being around Scott might be a little too dangerous. I know that had hurt him even though he never really said anything.
I drove over to the Monroe County Sheriff’s main office on College road. I hadn’t called ahead or anything and now that I was actually here, I wondered if Sheriff Pelton would even be at the stationer had time to see me.
It’s funny… I’ve never actually been in the office and yet I felt like I had. I guess it comes from reading Scott’s first book. The squad room, I guess that’s what it was, was totally empty except for one deputy at a desk typing on his computer and a female deputy sitting at a raised desk near the door. She looked to be in her late forties and had short curly hair and a bit of a bulldog look to her face. Although when she smiled it seemed friendly enough, but I thought she’d have no problem kicking a little perp ass.
“Can I help you, Miss?”
“Uhm… yes… I was wondering if I could see Sheriff Pelton? Is he in? I don’t have an appointment or anything.”
The woman frowned slightly, “What’s this regarding? Deputy Hendrix over there is free, could he help you?”
“I don’t think so…” I said hesitantly. “This is something I think I need to speak to the Sheriff about. Could you tell him Lisa Gonzalez would like to speak to him and also that it’s regarding Ramon Tavares from Miami?”
She nodded and picked up her phone and spoke into it, informing the Sheriff of what I’d said. She nodded again and set it down.
“Okay, Miss Gonzalez, he’ll be right with you.”
A minute or so later, a tall lean man dressed in the uniform of the department strode out from a hallway. He saw me, cocked an eyebrow and then smiled in recognition.
“Well, blow me down,” He said and came over to shake my hand. “Lisa. How have you been? Where’s that low-key boyfriend of yours?”
“In Stuart at the moment,” I replied. “We’re staying in Miami with my
mom… uhm… can we talk in private?”
He nodded and led me down the hall and into his office. It was a nice office. Big desk, big comfy chair and several not-so-comfy interview chairs. He had a fern that sat in a corner bathing in the light from the wall of windows behind the desk.
“Can I get you anything?” Pelton asked. “Coffee, tea… a soft drink or a water or something?”
“A water would be great,” I said. “Thanks, Sheriff.”
“Call me Jeff,” he said, going to a mini fridge near the door and handing me a bottle of Evian. “So what’s all this about Ramon Tavares? I take it this has something to do with his shrimp boats?”
“Yes… he’s hired Scott, and I guess by extension me—“
“You a private eye now, too?” he asked with a wry grin.
I smiled, “Yes. Working on qualifying for my Florida investigator’s certificate. Putting in my apprentice hours with Scott. Anyway, he’s hired us to find out who might be smuggling dope into the country using his boats.”
Pelton sighed and leaned back in his chair, “Yeah… he contacted me for the same reason a week ago. On his tip, I went aboard the Rebecca D. About the only thing I found was a baggie with maybe three joints worth of weed in it. Probably one of the crew’s. I didn’t press the matter, though. I pretended I didn’t find anything.”
I frowned, “Yeah, that’s what Ray said. Yet did you know that the captain and first mate… the Morris brothers I guess… quit the next day?”
Jeff tapped his chin, “No… although that explains why the boat hasn’t been out since. I just happened to look into the matter day before yesterday. Know a guy over at Robbie’s pretty well. Said the boat’s been tied up for a week. All the crew have stayed on, doing some busy work aboard but that’s it.”
“Know anything about these Morris guys?”
“It’s a small island,” he replied. “I grew up here, so yeah, I know a lot of the locals. Lot of fisherman. I’ve never met Tom or Earl… but what I’ve heard is… colorful at best. Good shrimpers, as I understand it, but a couple of roughnecks for sure. Well known around town, especially Stock Island, as boozers and they’re not afraid to start a brawl.”