Catrina And The Duchess` Necklace (Catrina Series PART-1)

by Susan J Willbanks

  “And that is who you have been working for the last three months then?”

  “Yes, but a few days ago, a couple things happened to make me feel like I could be in trouble. First, my home office was broken into and all my files stolen. Then this guy . . . here’s his card.” Joey handed Brandon a business card. “His name is Antonio Barbieri, he is with Interpol. I had him checked out, he’s the real deal, bro. Anyway, he contacts me out of the blue. Then when we talk, from this Barbieri guy I find out that the guys I am working for are part of an international jewelry theft and forgery ring. Barbieri asks me to work with him and Interpol to make a case against them. I’m here to talk to you and see what will happen if I just walk away from all of it . . . and not work for these guys and not help Interpol.”

  “Wow! I don’t know what to tell you, my friend. Let me talk to this Barbieri guy, and I’ll have a better idea what they have on you and what they might want in return to let you just walk away. I’ll be in court again all day tomorrow, so it will have to wait a few days. When do you need to answer this guy?”

  “Brandon, I only have a few days to think this over. He said he would be in touch when he gets back from an assignment in Belize. He was going to make an arrest. I think it is one of the guys I have been appraising for, but I am not sure. Brandon, I don’t know what to do and think I got myself in over my head here on this one, bro. Can you help me?”

  “Jesus, Joey, I don’t know what I can do. Let me talk to Barbieri, and we can go from there. Until I know what they want from Interpol and what you are involved in, I can’t tell you what, if anything, I can do for you. I’ll call you soon as I have talked to Barbieri and let you know what I find out, okay? And you said he was in Belize? Isn’t that where Cat and Sarah are on vacation? Now I’m thinking they may be in some kind of danger as well. I am glad you decided to come and talk to me, bro. Thanks. I need to get in touch with the girls soon too and make sure they’re okay without letting them know there might be a problem.”

  “Okay, Brandon. Thanks, man, I owe you one. Really, thanks.”

  “Joey, let’s just go and eat. We can talk more while we do. I’m starving, and you look like hell. Let’s go.” Brandon picked up his files for the next day and turned out the lights to the office as he and Joey headed out to eat. Neither one of them noticed that a stranger was following them.

  Chapter Four

  Airport Shenanigans

  “Hey Cat, wake up . . . Hey . . . sleepyhead. We are on final approach to Belize City. Cat, wake up!” Sarah yells at her, shoving her arm off the armrest of the seat.

  Other passengers look over to see what the commotion is.

  Cat sleepily opens her eyes, trying to focus on what Sarah is saying. “Hmm . . . what? Where are we? Why did you push me off the armrest?”

  “Cat, we’re here. We’re landing, look out the window at all the lights of the city. It’s so beautiful, Cat . . . even at four in the morning, it’s exciting!” exclaims Sarah, sounding like an excited child on her first trip to Disneyland.

  The next thing they heard was the captain. Ding, Ding, Ding. “We will be landing in Belize City in just about 10 minutes. Please stay seated until the seatbelt signs have been turned off and the cargo lights turned on. Thank you, and hope you enjoy your stay in Belize.”

  “We’re here, Cat, we’re actually here. Oh, I can’t wait to get to the hotel and take a short nap and see what this looks like in the light of day—and find out what other attractions there are on the beach.”

  “My gosh, Sarah, you seem really excited . . . but then I am too. This is a whole new place to explore and enjoy, somewhere we have never been. I can’t wait to see what there is to do and whom there is to meet.”

  Ding, Ding, Ding. “This is your captain, we will be turning off the seatbelt signs now. Please remember to check all seats and overhead compartments, make sure you don’t leave any of your personal belongings behind. Welcome to Belize.”

  “Sarah, how will we find the hotel at this late hour?” Cat asked, still a little dazed and sleepy.

  “Cat, that’s a ridiculous question. I am sure that there are cab drivers, and we can catch one outside the airport. C’mon, follow me, sleepy. We’ll get our bags and then find a cab to our hotel. You need to wake up.”

  And off the two of them went to the baggage claim area, Sarah dragging Cat right behind her. Making their way through several corridors and walkways, the two women payed no attention to anyone looking at or following them. But, just behind them a mysterious dark-haired figure was keeping a close eye on the girls from a distance.

  Finally finding the correct carousel that housed the luggage from their flight, Cat was the first to spot her suitcase. Her first attempt to get it off the moving conveyer belt left Sarah laughing at her uncontrollably. When Cat grabbed for the suitcase, it slipped out of her hand and stayed on the conveyer, landing Cat on her backside in a heap on the floor with a loud thud that made everyone turn to see what had happened. Sarah burst out in laughter while Cat sat on the floor, turning bright shades of crimson. When she finally stood up, those in the immediate area applauded as Cat took a rather embarrassed bow.

  Catching back up to her luggage and to Sarah’s, the two of them asked the porter to please remove the bags from the moving conveyer. He did as requested and the girls thanked him and gave him a small tip. Next, they needed to find a taxi to get to their hotel. As they walked out the doors, Cat went left and Sarah went right.

  “Sarah, hey! Sarah! Over here!” Cat waved her arms in the air and yelled to her. “Sarah! Yes, over here!”

  Sarah finally paid attention to Cat’s calling her from a few yards away.

  “I found a taxi that will take us to the hotel, hurry up and get in. They charge for sitting too.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m moving as fast as I can. Remember, it is two o’clock in the morning where we are from and four o’clock in the morning here.”

  “Uh-huh, now who’s the sleepy one? Well, if I can put on a floor show, you can certainly get in the taxi with me.”

  Both of them started to laugh.

  The driver put their bags in the trunk, opened the door for them to enter and after closing the door behind them, he got in the front seat and took off to their destination.

  Arriving safe and sound at the hotel only a few minutes later, they paid the cab driver, who seemed to be looking a bit strangely at the two of them. Taking their luggage to the check-in desk, Cat noticed that even at this early hour, there were a lot of couples and the two of them were getting some strange glances. While Sarah was getting the key to their room, Cat, noticed her talking to a dark-haired, handsome man. Just then, the bellman appeared to escort them to their room. Once inside the room, they both began to feel the lateness of the hour and their lack of proper sleep. So they decided it was time to get a bit of real rest since the two of them would want to be fresh to start out bright-eyed and beautiful in a few hours.

  Chapter Five

  The resort

  BUZZZZZZ, BUZZZZZZ.

  “What the heck! Oh. Oh yes, I forgot to turn off my alarm. Well, guess I’ll get up and see what Sarah is up to and take a shower. Then I’ll see about that white sand beach and if the stories we heard on the plane about the cabana boys were true.” Cat looked out onto the balcony of their room and saw Sarah just sitting there and staring at the beach view. She didn’t even notice when Cat joined her. “Good morning, Sarah, did you sleep well? I did, I’m all rested and ready to go to the beach and rest again.” Laughing, Cat hugged Sarah.

  “Yep, I’m good. Let’s get ready to hit the beach and see what we can find by way of single, gorgeous men, warm water, and some spectacular seas shells.”

  The girls got ready and headed to the beach, still getting some rather interesting glances while walking through the corridors of the resort.

  Sitting at the cabana bar, Cat motioned for the bartender to come talk to her. As he approached Cat and Sarah, there were a few snickers down the
end of the bar, but Cat just ignored them until he got to her and then she motioned for him to come a bit closer for her to talk to him.

  When he leaned in, she asked, “What’s your name?”

  “Umm, Tom, miss. I’m the regular bartender here. What can I get for you and your . . . uh, friend?”

  “Well, first of all, Tom, you can tell me what it is that we have done that is amusing some of the other guests and the resort staff. Can you do that? And by the way, I’d like a strawberry margarita and an amaretto sour for Sarah blended. Thank you.”

  “Yes, Miss. Ummm . . . as for the stares and all . . . well, umm . . .”

  “Tom, you can call me Cat, and my friend here, her name is Sarah.”

  “You see, ma’am—uh, Cat, at our resort, being a couples honeymoon retreat and all . . . these folks think you and Sarah are a couple. Umm . . . you know, lovers. Not a problem, mind you, it is just not something we see every day at this particular resort. They were just commenting on it, no offense meant, ma’am, I assure you.”

  “Ha ha ha ha, Ha ha ha ha, ha ha.”

  As Cat laughed hysterically, Tom looked a bit surprised. Sarah looked on at her in a sort of distracted manner, wondering what the bartender could have said that was so amusing to her.

  “Oh, is that all they think? Ha ha ha ha. Sarah, these nice people think that we—YOU AND I—are a couple, as in lovers.”

  “Are you kidding me, Cat? Is that what all the looks and stares have been about? Oh my God. Well, now we do need to find a few single guys to hang out with. Maybe your new friend over there, Tom the bartender, knows some he can point out for us.”

  “This resort is a popular couples retreat for honeymooners, Sarah. Did you know that when you booked our two week trip with Mia? Hmmm . . . I don’t think we will find too many single guys here, but at least it will be relaxing. What I find so funny is that we are dating now. Ha ha ha ha.”

  “Well, after what happened with Mark last week, who could blame you. Ha ha ha ha ha. Oops! Sorry, Cat.”

  “So Tom, how about our drinks please? And no, Tom, I can assure you we are NOT dating, NOT lovers, and NOT interested in each other in that way at all. Sarah and I are just two friends on vacation that wanted a good deal, and well . . . Sarah booked us here at an all-inclusive resort. HA HA HA HA. I do hope we get the chance at least meet a few single men in this city. Tom, do you know any staying here or close by that we might look up for dancing partners? Sarah, maybe that guy you met when we registered has a friend or two. What do you think?”

  “If I see him again, I’ll be sure to ask him.” Laughing and staring at Cat, Sarah got a Cheshire grin as if she knew something that Cat didn’t.

  Tom looked thoroughly amused at the girls now. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for you, ladies. At the first sign of a single man, I’ll be sure to raise a flag to let you know. In the meantime, here are your drinks, and I’ll just put this on your room tab.”

  “Sure thing. Thanks, Tom. And don’t forget about the single men either,” Cat laughed, half joking and half serious.

  Chapter Six

  The Accident

  So far, after arriving in paradise, all Cat had accomplished was sunburning her nose while watching all the happy honeymooners at the resort. It looked like Mia had neglected to mention that the all-inclusive hotel she had booked was a romantic couple’s resort on a private beach. This was not exactly the perfect setting to forget about your romantic heartaches. But, determined to make the best of it, Cat watched Sarah walk on down the beach to look for shells as she dug her toes deep into the powdery white sand. The warmth and massaging touch of the sand felt wonderful. After everything that had happened to her, this get away seemed like the perfect way to unwind, forget the past, and find a new beginning for herself.

  Looking out at the waves lapping at the sun-bleached sand while reflections glistened on the clear blue water, Cat’s thoughts drifted over the things that had happened to her in the last few months and where she wanted to go from here. She was dreaming of the new life that she could make and all the directions it could take when the sound of a voice interrupted her thoughts. It was masculine and husky with a slight hint of an Irish brogue.

  Looking in the direction of the mysterious voice, she found the body it was attached to just a few beach chairs to her right, a handsome blonde man in swim trunks who was ordering a margarita from the cabana waiter. Cat quickly snuck a peek at his left hand. There was no tell-tale gold band, not even the faint tan mark from one that might have been there. Letting her gaze travel from his hand up his muscular arm and across to his chest, she noted to her satisfaction that she had finally found some worthy eye candy. There was no question that he was in excellent shape—well-muscled, tan, and apparently to her surprise, alone. Cat was lost in her admiration of this newfound eye candy when he shot a sexy smile her direction after he noticed her watching him. Cat, embarrassed that he caught her gawking, gave him a little wave and thinking to herself, “It’s high time I get myself out into that gorgeous blue water.”

  Cat stood and walked down to where the sand met the surf. The ocean water was warm and clear as Cat dove into the white sea foam of the oncoming waves. Swimming leisurely just on the surface, she could feel the blond man’s eyes on her.

  “Well,” Cat thought to herself, “fair is fair, after all.” She hoped he was enjoying what he saw as much as she had enjoyed watching him. Cat had an outgoing and playful personality, beautiful figure, shapely legs, deep green eyes, and long reddish auburn curls that she seemed to have inherited from her own Irish roots and crazy family.

  As Cat swam, she saw something pink glimmering on the sandy ocean floor. Diving down to see what it was, hoping to find some large shells, she saw the outline along with the rose and cream swirl of a conch shell. Surfacing just long enough to take a deep breath, she dived back down to collect her prize.

  Just as her fingertips brushed the edge of the shell, a searing pain shot up her right leg. Her involuntary scream underwater forced liquid into her lungs. Terrified and unable to see what had caused the pain, Cat tried to reach the surface. The pain was excruciating with each move of her leg. Desperately, Cat clawed at the water attempting to reach for the surface, trying to get to the air. Her head finally broke through the water, but in her disoriented and panicked state all she could do was cough and flail her arms around in the water.

  Suddenly, someone with considerable strength seemed to be pulling Cat towards the safety of shore. A soothing male voice penetrated the fog of fear in Cat’s mind. “Easy there now, I’ve got you. Just breathe. Don’t fight me, your safe, just breathe.” Over and over, the voice commanded her to relax and breathe.

  As Cat coughed the salty liquid from her lungs, she began to relax a bit, taking in short quick breaths and wiping at her eyes, trying to focus on the man who was carrying her back to shore.

  By the time she had gotten the seawater out of her eyes, the two were back on the beach and she found herself being carried by the handsome blond man toward the waiting beach cabana chairs. Horrible pain still emanated from her leg and she was unable to comprehend what had happened to her.

  Setting her carefully on the chair, the man called to the cabana waiter. “You! Yes, you there, young man. Please get me some vinegar and baking soda as fast as you can. This young lady has been stung by a jellyfish.”

  Cat clutched the handsome stranger’s arm while whimpering as the pain throbbed up and down her leg, unable to pay attention to his directions to the waiter.

  Finally seeing that her friend was in trouble, Sarah ran back up the beach to where the stranger had put Cat down.

  “Oh my God, Cat. What happened, what can I do to help you?” asked Sarah.

  “Looks like your friend here’s been stung by a jellyfish. We need to get something on the stings as quickly as possible,” answered the blond gentleman.

  Just then, the waiter returned at a run with the vinegar and baking soda.

  The man tur
ned to Sarah. “Could you please take the ice bucket there and fetch me some ocean water quickly?”

  Efficiently, he began treating the stings.

  Sarah returned. “Here you are, ocean water. What will that do?”

  “First, I’ve cleaned the entire leg with the vinegar. Now I am making a paste of the sea water and baking soda and will apply that to the stings. This cleans the wounds and will also ease the pain of the stings,” he answered her.

  As the pain began to fade slightly, Cat finally managed to take in what had happened to her. She stared at her rescuer in amazement. “Who . . . who are you? How did you . . . how do you know how to do that?” Cat stammered, coughing still and trying to regain her regular breathing and remove the remaining liquid from her now sore and raspy lungs; however, Cat did manage a slightly rueful smile at her savior.

  “I guess there hasn’t been time to get introduced. My name is Patrick, I was in the Coast Guard, which is where I learned how to treat a jellyfish sting and rescue beautiful drowning women.” He winked at Cat and looked down at her injury. “There are still a few tentacles left embedded in your leg. Those are going to have to come out.” Getting his wallet, he pulled out a credit card. “I’m going to scrape them off, and then we are going to put the baking soda paste back on. How are you doing? Are you breathing all right?”

  “I . . . I’m doing better, thanks. It’s still very painful, but my breathing is getting better . . . OUCH. At least I’ve stopped choking. Geez, it hurts scraping that stuff off my leg. Thank you for your kindness, for saving me, I’m still a bit shaken . . . and very embarrassed, but truly appreciative of what you have done for me.” As Cat glanced down toward the sand to avoid eye contact with him, she noticed that she was very attracted to this kind and gentle stranger and was enjoying his attention.