Bluewater Bullion: The Seventh Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Bluewater Thrillers Book 7)

by Charles Dougherty

  "We need you, Danielle. Your family needs you; the bank needs you. Jason needs you. I know it didn't work out when we tried a few years ago, but we've all grown a bit. You have, too, I'm sure. Things are different now. Everything will work the way it should have, if you'd just commit to try it again."

  "I tried it for two years, Mother. It didn't work then, and you're right, I've changed since then. My tolerance for bullshit has decreased from seldom to never."

  "Danielle! Such language. You've spent entirely too much time with boat bums like your father. You need to — "

  "I need to go to bed. Liz and I are picking up a client early tomorrow morning, and it's an hour later here than it is in New York. Goodnight, Mother."

  As Dani took the satellite phone from her ear, she heard her mother yammering away. With a sad smile, she pressed the disconnect button and went below. She found Liz nursing a cup of herbal tea and reading at the table in the main saloon. She looked up and smiled at Dani. "Tea?"

  "No, thanks," Dani said, putting the phone in its bracket at the chart table. She sat down across from Liz and said, "That went well," with a sardonic grin.

  "At least you don't have to worry about it anymore," Liz said.

  Dani gave a rueful laugh. "True, dat, as they say down here."

  "What did she say when you told her you weren't coming?"

  "I'm not sure she heard me, Liz. It's like we don't even have a language in common."

  "Well, at least that beats email ping-pong."

  "Maybe."

  "I thought you'd be more relieved once you talked to her, I guess."

  "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I still don't know what prompted this sudden effort at reconciliation. Not that I care."

  Liz pursed her lips and shook her head. "Sorry it didn't turn out better."

  "Thanks, Liz. Bedtime for me. See you at sunup," Dani said, standing up.

  ****

  Chapter 3

  "We should be right on time," Dani said, as Liz passed her a cup of coffee and settled in on the starboard cockpit seat.

  "Five miles, right?" Liz asked.

  Dani nodded. "Guess we could have eaten breakfast; sorry I got us going so early."

  "That's okay. I was half-awake anyway when I heard you rummaging in the galley making coffee."

  "Thanks, Liz. I didn't rest well last night. I'm annoyed with my mother. She's trying to push my buttons, big time."

  "That's such a strange expression," Liz said. "Push my buttons."

  "She's a strange woman. I'm lucky I had J.-P. in my life when I was a child. It's no wonder Rollie's a druggie."

  "Was his father not around?"

  Dani shook her head. "No."

  "I mean, you never mentioned a step-father, but I just assumed he wasn't important to you, I guess."

  "He didn't last long; I was too young to know what was what, but I don't remember him at all."

  "So Rollie has to be, what, like two or three years younger than you?"

  "Almost four, but he was kind of a slow starter, too. Followed me around like a puppy; he drove me nuts as we got older."

  "He gave you a hard time?"

  "No. Just the opposite. He idolized me. From what she said, he still does. That's why she wants me to come back — to help him through this rehab thing."

  "Does that make you feel guilty?"

  "It might if she hadn't already spent so many years trying to make me feel that way. I've got calluses on that part of my conscience. If I didn't, I'd be right there with him, doping myself into oblivion."

  "That's so sad; he's just starting out in life. I feel sorry for him."

  "Me, too, but only in concept. I mean, come on. He's handsome, smart, and rich. He's made his own decisions."

  "So she thinks if you came back, you could help him pull himself together?"

  "That's what she says. But I don't think she cares whether he gets sorted out or not. She's more worried about the bank. She implied that he caused some embarrassment before they had their intervention with him." Dani throttled back as she worked Vengeance through the maze of anchored boats in Redhook Bay. "We're about five minutes early, according to the GPS time. Grab the binoculars and see if you spot her on the fuel dock."

  "Okay," Liz said, picking up the glasses and getting to her feet. She scanned the dock, which looked empty at first. "Maybe," she said. "There's somebody hanging back in the shadow alongside that little shack where the cash register is. Looks like a duffle bag, too. Take us on in. If it's not her, we'll just swing by and come around again."

  Dani nodded. She caught her lower lip in her teeth, a look of intense concentration on her face as she played the wind and current. Watching, Liz saw that Dani planned to put the port side to the dock, the bow into the 15-knot east wind. She tied two big fenders amidships and stood on the deck ready to help their guest aboard. Dani executed the maneuver with precision. Vengeance coasted to a stop about two feet off the dock, her bow angled to the wind just enough so that they drifted sideways. The gentle touch as the heavy vessel kissed the face of the dock barely compressed the big, air-filled fenders.

  The figure in the shadows bent, picked up the duffle bag, and dashed toward them. Dani saw that she was an attractive woman about her own age, with dark, curly hair and flawless olive skin. The woman slung the bag over her shoulder and grasped the aft intermediate shroud with her left hand. She planted a deck shoe on the gunwale as she swung her right leg over the lifelines. "Hi," she said, as Liz reached for her duffle bag. "I'm Carlotta Solanó."

  "Welcome aboard. I'm Liz Chirac."

  She and Liz made their way back to the cockpit as Dani cut the helm to the starboard and shifted into forward gear. She opened the throttle for a moment, the burst of power forcing the stern in against the aft-most fender. As the bow swung through the wind, she centered the helm and eased the throttle forward again. In half a minute, she was threading her way through the anchored boats, working her way out of the bay. She turned to their guest, who stood facing toward the open water.

  "Welcome, Ms. Solanó. I'm Dani Berger, the other half of Vengeance's crew. Looks like you know your way around boats."

  Carlotta turned, her head down so that she peered through a curtain of hair covering her face. She extended a hand. "Call me Carlotta, please. I've been around boats all my life, but never a sailboat. She's gorgeous. I don't mean to be rude, but I need the head, please."

  "Follow me," Liz said, disappearing down the companionway ladder with the duffle bag.

  ****

  "Is she okay?" Dani asked, when Liz joined her in the cockpit a couple of minutes later.

  "I guess. I dumped her bag on the berth in the guest cabin, and she shut herself in the head.

  "Strange," Dani whispered. "She sure acts like she's on the run."

  Before Liz could answer, Carlotta appeared on the companionway ladder. She wore a big, floppy sun hat and wrap-around sunglasses as she made a 360-degree visual sweep. Satisfied that no one was watching them, she came up into the cockpit and sat down with her back to Redhook. "Sorry about that. Too much coffee."

  "Can I get you anything?" Liz asked. "Juice? Milk?"

  "Do you have any fruit?"

  "You bet. Dani and I haven't had breakfast yet. I'll fix us all a fruit plate. Would you like eggs, or cereal? Anything else?"

  "No, thanks. The fruit plate sounds perfect. Maybe with some cold water."

  "Coming right up. Dani?"

  "More coffee when you get a chance, thanks."

  Liz stepped below.

  "Sorry for the drama," Carlotta said.

  "No apology necessary. We're at your service," Dani said, forcing a smile.

  "I'm ending a relationship with a guy who has other ideas."

  "I thought maybe you'd just robbed the bank or something," Dani said.

  Carlotta's face flushed. "No, I — "

  "Sorry," Dani interjected. "I just want you to be at ease. Forgive my twisted sense of humor."

&nb
sp; The tension left the woman's face. "That's okay. I'm on edge."

  "Well, we're here to help you relax. Where would you like to go today?"

  "Antigua," the woman said.

  "Okay. Today?"

  "Well, I guess ... "

  "It's around two hundred miles. If we push, that means we'll get there sometime midday tomorrow, if this wind holds."

  "Oh. I didn't realize it was that far."

  "Hey, this is your boat, for at least the next two weeks. Antigua's not a problem."

  "Well, if we go for it, would we stop somewhere tonight?"

  "Stopping tonight's not a problem either," Dani said. "There are several nice spots where we could anchor, but that would mean we wouldn't get to Antigua until day after tomorrow."

  "I'm sorry. I'm kind of lost, Dani. My dad's boat's a lot faster, I guess."

  "No problem. You said you were used to powerboats. Vengeance is a little slower. Figure we can make eight or nine knots under sail. Maybe a little less under power. What kind of boat does your dad have?"

  "It's a Palmer-Johnson. A hundred and twenty feet."

  "Nice," Dani said, "if power's your thing. It would make a much quicker run to Antigua."

  "Do you have a schedule?" Dani asked after a moment of silence.

  "Schedule?" Liz asked, passing a serving tray through the companionway hatch. She set it on the bridge deck as she climbed into the cockpit.

  "We're just talking itinerary," Dani said.

  "Right," Liz said. "Elaine said — "

  "Sorry," Carlotta said. "Who's Elaine?"

  "The charter broker," Liz said. "She said we'd be picking up another guest, but that you would give us the details."

  "Right. My fiancé, John Welsh. He'll be in Antigua three days from now."

  "That's no problem, then. You just need to figure out where you want to spend the time between now and then," Liz said.

  "I didn't realize how far it was, or how long it would take. Dani was just telling me about options."

  "You open for suggestions?" Liz asked.

  "Sure."

  "We could make St. Barth sometime this evening."

  "I've heard of St. Barth; don't a lot of movie stars hang out there?" Carlotta picked up a big slice of papaya and drizzled it with lime juice.

  "It's a favorite of the rich and famous, yes," Liz said. "There are a couple of anchorages there that we can manage safely in the dark. One is off the main town, Gustavia, which is quaint and pretty, but quite pricy. It will be a little crowded, but who knows what celebrities you might see there?"

  "And the other?" Carlotta took another bite of the papaya.

  "It's more private. It's off a beach — Anse Colombier. It's a beautiful spot — pristine, crystal-clear water. There will be some other boats there, but nothing like Gustavia."

  "Sounds grand," Carlotta said. She helped herself to some mango. "And then?"

  "Well, you could idle away a day there, and we could leave early the next morning and make Antigua by nightfall. Or we could go on to Antigua tomorrow if you want, and hang out there until Mr. Welsh arrives."

  "Let's spend a day in St. Barth. Could we do the town and the beach both?"

  "Sure," Liz said. "We'll stop in Anse Colombier and we can take the dinghy to town before it gets hot and busy. Then you can chill out on the beach the rest of the day."

  "I'm sold!" Carlotta said. "I'm really beat. My flight got in late last night, and I had to get up early to slip away and meet you. Think I'll nap for a while."

  "Let me come below with you and make sure you're settled," Liz said, standing up.

  "Rest well," Dani said.

  ****

  When Liz returned to the cockpit, she brought the satellite phone with her.

  "I thought I heard that ring," Dani said. "Who is it?"

  Liz shrugged. "For you. He didn't say."

  Dani frowned and took the phone, switching off the mute button as she raised it to her ear. She slipped to the side, allowing Liz to slide in and take the helm.

  "Hello?" She paused, listening. "Who?"

  "Will Kimble, Dani," the rich, cultured voice purred in her ear.

  "Will?"

  "None other. It's nice to hear your voice after all this time. We've missed you."

  "This isn't a great time, Will. I'm right in the middle of making sail, and there's a lot of boat traffic. I need to — "

  "I won't keep you, then. I just wanted to be the first to welcome you back to the bank. I — "

  "What did you just say? Welcome me back? Were you not listening when I resigned? Get with it, Will."

  "Now, Dani, I'm not going to put up with that. I'm still your boss and I'll soon be practically your father-in-law — "

  "You WHAT? You must have been talking to the bitch-queen. No way am I — "

  "Show some respect for your elders, young woman. We need to — "

  "I'll 'young woman' you, you worthless son of a — "

  "Dani! Control yourself!"

  "Control myself! You don't listen, do you? Neither one of you. I'm NOT coming back. You and that worthless nephew of yours can marry each other for all I care. Or marry my mother. I hope the SEC catches on to your shady dealing and locks the whole lot of you up and throws away the key."

  Her face flushed, Dani disconnected the call and clenched the phone in her fist, drawing it back over her shoulder. Before she could fling it over the side, Liz snatched it from her. "Guess you told him," she said, keeping a wary eye on Dani. She could almost feel the adrenalin raging through her friend's system. "Why don't you take a deep breath and tell me about it."

  "In a minute. Let's make sail; I need to work off this rush. Otherwise, I might have to kill something."

  She tugged on her sailing gloves and scrambled up to the base of the mast. They had uncovered the mainsail before they dropped the mooring in Hawksnest Bay. She shackled the halyard to the head of the sail and took up the slack. Starting at the mast and working her way back, she untied the webbing straps that held the sail furled on the boom. As Liz held the bow into the wind, Dani sat down in front of the mast facing aft and braced her feet. She took three turns around the drum of the winch with the halyard and glanced aft.

  She saw that Liz had the mainsheet in hand, so she began hoisting the big sail, hauling in the halyard hand over hand. She felt the perspiration soak through her shirt, and the muscles in her arms began to cramp. She pressed on, determined to raise the heavy sail without using the mechanical advantage of the winch. When she felt the sail stop rising, she jerked the tail of the halyard into the jaws of the self-tailing winch. She pulled the winch handle from its holder and snapped it in place. Cranking with vigor, she tensioned the luff of the sail as Liz fell off the wind and eased the sheet.

  The sail filled, and Vengeance heeled to the starboard, coming alive as Liz killed the engine. Dani made her way back to the cockpit and unfurled and trimmed the Yankee jib and the staysail. Vengeance surged forward, spray flying as her bow cut into the wind-waves atop the two-meter swells. As Dani caught her breath, Liz punched a few buttons on the GPS.

  "What's our ETA?" Dani asked.

  "Around 6:30, if we hold this speed."

  "We're making about nine knots?" Dani asked.

  "Nine and a half. You checked the forecast?"

  "Yes. Wind's supposed to back to north-northeast and fill in to about 20 knots."

  "Perfect," Liz said. "You feeling better?"

  "Yes. I pretended I was hanging my mother and Will from the masthead."

  "I wondered. I was afraid you'd rip the mainsail, the way you were hauling in that halyard."

  "I can't believe that asshole called me to welcome me back to the bank."

  "He was your boss?" Liz asked.

  "Yes. He said my mother told him I was coming back to work. His nephew was the idiot I was supposed to marry to keep the whole family business intact."

  "How long have you been gone now? Three years?"

  "Just about; I h
aven't been counting. Not long enough, anyway."

  "You haven't mentioned hearing from your mother the whole time I've known you."

  "I haven't."

  "No, I know, that's — "

  "No, Liz. I mean I haven't heard from her. She had a snit when I didn't call on her birthday back when I was in that coma a few years ago."

  "You mean, when the human traffickers had you?"

  "Right. She couldn't seem to get past that, so I just cut myself off from her bullshit."

  "So why now?"

  "Why now, what?"

  "Why do you think she's doing this? Because of your brother?"

  Dani was quiet for a minute, her face in her hands. She looked up at Liz and shook her head. "That doesn't explain it. He's been in and out of rehab for years. It's a regular pattern; he gets straight enough to convince everybody he's over it, and signs himself out."

  Liz nodded. "So this isn't anything new."

  "No. There's something else going on. She said one of my old clients wanted me back on his account. That was her pretense for the email."

  "Should I make us a pot of coffee?" Liz asked.

  Dani shook her head, a rueful grin on her face. "No, thanks. Not for me — I don't need the caffeine right now. Where'd you put the phone?"

  "It's in the locker behind me. Why?"

  "I'm going to call her and put a stop to this."

  "You sure you shouldn't give it a little more time? I thought you were going to have a stroke or something."

  "I'll be okay. That shithead just ambushed me. I'm initiating this encounter. That makes all the difference. I want this over with before we get settled in with our guests."

  "Okay," Liz said, doubt written on her features. She reached back and opened the little locker behind her and handed Dani the satellite phone.

  "The autopilot's holding our course well. I'm going below and make us some herbal tea while you call her — give you a little privacy and run interference in case Carlotta wakes up. Can I get you anything else?"

  "No, Liz. Thanks, though."

  ****

  Chapter 4