Bluewater Drone: The Eleventh Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Bluewater Thrillers Book 11)

by Charles Dougherty

  "Nothing interesting. But that reminds me. He was worried about how she might react if he gets it on with Berger, or whoever ends up playing Cassie."

  They both laughed, and Greg left, closing the door to Danilov's office behind him.

  ****

  Vinnie Albarino put down his afternoon cigar to answer the cellphone. It was the one he'd designated for the people he had hired to watch Kevin Strong. He'd been expecting it to ring ever since he'd taken the call from Strong himself; he was mildly annoyed that they hadn't called before Strong. Pressing the green key on the cheap cellphone, he barked, "Yeah?"

  "Johnny?"

  "Who's this?"

  "Antigua," the man on the other end said. "He left the resort, picked up by an unidentified yacht tender. We're still checking, but we're pretty sure it was from the Russian's yacht."

  "Yeah, okay. Save yourselves some time. He's on the Russian's yacht, all right. He called in a little while ago on the satellite phone. Said they're like 30 miles west of Antigua. Any way you can get there? Within drone range?"

  "Should be able to, but we'll be visible. There's nothing but open water out there. They'd spot us from miles away. You want us to use the drone already? What for, specifically? Pictures?"

  "I just wanted to know. I gotta fill the boss in. He'll want to know how long it'll take you to cover the 30 miles if he gives the word."

  "Figure a little over three hours. Remember, you wanted us on a sailboat, so we'd blend in better."

  "What the hell's that got to do with anything?" Albarino asked.

  "A power boat would have been faster. But you were right; it would have been more obvious."

  "Yeah, okay."

  "You want us to stand by? You got anything you want us to do here besides be ready?"

  "Yeah. He said he'd found somebody to play the role of Cassie. Sounded like it was somebody he'd met there, but she ain't on the boat yet. See if you can find out anything about her."

  "Cassie?" the man asked.

  "Yeah. The broad he's gonna be bangin' in the movie. You didn't read the script I sent ya?"

  "No time yet. We've been busy trying to track him down."

  "Yeah? Well, we know where he is, now, so read the fuckin' script so you know what the fuck's happenin'. Then see if you can find out what broads he's been sniffin' around while he was there waitin' for the Russian, okay?"

  "Sure. You got something in mind if we find her?"

  "Yeah. We'll want to get as much information on her as we can. Maybe there'll be somethin' we can use for leverage."

  "Got it. Anything else?"

  "Not now. I'll let you know if something comes up. Strong's supposed to call every afternoon between two and three your time. Why don't you call around 3:30 every afternoon unless you got somethin' hot?"

  "Good enough. Talk to you tomorrow."

  "Yeah." Albarino disconnected the call and picked up his cigar. He leaned back in his swivel chair and put his feet on his desk, thinking about how to organize the day's information for Don Petrillo. He wasn't looking forward to the meeting; there wasn't much to tell the boss. That meant he'd catch a lot of shit, get a lot of off-the-wall, make-work assignments. Sometimes, there was nothing to do but grit your teeth and wait, he reflected. He remembered his father's sage advice: "When you don't know what the fuck to do, Vinnie, just don't do nothin'."

  ****

  "Hey, Dani?" Liz called from below deck.

  "Hey," Dani replied, as she polished the brass binnacle above the helm.

  "I'm almost done with my prep work for dinner. Any idea when Blaine and Mindy will be back?"

  "They were going to do a little scouting around Nelson's Dockyard. She wanted to get a feel for the place before they started shooting video. They were planning to be back for dinner. We could call them and see, I guess."

  "No need to do that. I just wondered if we had time for a glass of wine and some cheese — it's still early to be thinking about dinner. You interested?"

  "Sure; that sounds nice. Bring up my phone when you come, would you?"

  "Yes. Give me a couple of minutes."

  "That's fine. I'll finish up with the brass. There's no rush."

  Five minutes later, Liz reached through the companionway and set a tray that held two moisture-beaded glasses of white wine and a platter of cheese and crackers on the bridge deck. Climbing out, she handed Dani her cellphone.

  "Who did you want to call?"

  "I've been thinking about what you said about Kev."

  "Oh," Liz said. "Have you decided to call him, then?"

  "Maybe. I was thinking it might be fun to see how Blaine and Mindy would react."

  "You mean after they learn that you met him?"

  "Well, that too, I guess. I was really more curious to see what they'd do if they knew his whereabouts. I'm intrigued by this paparazzi thing."

  "Troublemaker," Liz said, with a chuckle. "I should have guessed you'd want to stir things up. So call him."

  "Not yet! What am I going to say?" Dani frowned, and a flush spread up her neck from inside her polo shirt.

  Liz laughed at her friend's discomfort. "I'd start out with, 'Hello, Kev. This is Dani Berger.'"

  "But then what?"

  Liz handed her a glass of wine. "I should have brought the bottle. Just take a sip and relax."

  Dani took the glass and brought it to her lips, barely tasting the wine. "I want to hurry up and get this over with, Liz."

  "No. Let's get you comfortable. Otherwise, you'll blow it. What do you think he'll say after he finds out it's you?"

  "I don't know. Probably something like, 'Hi, Dani! Glad you called.'" Dani looked at Liz expectantly.

  "Good. He'll say something like that. And then what?"

  "And then what, what?"

  "It'll be your turn to say something. Why are you calling him?"

  "Uh ... I want to find out where he is?"

  "Don't be rattled. I know you have some social grace; it just deserts you at times like this. Now, work your way through this. You two have said your hellos. What's logical for a next topic."

  "The flowers?" Dani asked.

  Liz nodded, smiling, and sipped her wine. She made a rolling motion with her right hand, encouraging Dani to go on. When Dani hesitated, Liz asked, "What are you going to say? Do you want to role-play this?"

  "Yes, please. Let's." Dani bobbed her head in agreement. She took a breath and said, "The flowers were lovely."

  "Glad you liked them," Liz / Kev said. "I wasn't sure whether to get you roses or lilies."

  "Um ... yes, well ... " Dani frowned, realizing that she should comment on his choice.

  Liz made a time-out sign with her hands. "You set him up to trap you, didn't you?"

  "Yes. Let's try again," Dani said. "Thanks, Kev, for the flowers. That was a nice gesture, but I didn't have anywhere to put them, so I asked to have them dropped off at the hospital. I hope you aren't offended that I didn't open them."

  "Much better," Liz said. "You want to stay in control of the conversation. Don't ask open-ended questions. It's just like in a fight; you want to keep him moving in the direction you want him to go, not give him a chance to back you into a corner."

  "I never thought of it like that. I mean, when I was negotiating deals for the bank, yes, but not in a situation like this."

  "This is very much a negotiation," Liz said.

  "That helps. What will he say next?"

  Liz put her glass down and picked up a cracker, placing a sliver of Mancheco on it. "No, of course I'm not offended. That was a thoughtful thing for you to do with them."

  "Sorry I over-reacted the other day," Dani said. "I was a little surprised that you chose to join me. I wasn't expecting it."

  "I understand," Liz / Kev said. "It was a bit forward of me, I know, but I was just stunned when I saw you sitting there, alone."

  "Stunned? Why?"

  "A beautiful woman like you, all alone with all those guys on the prowl. I can't belie
ve I was lucky enough to find you before someone else cornered you. I was dumbfounded; that's why I made such an ass of myself. I hope you'll give me a chance to make it up to you."

  "Are you still at the resort?" Dani asked.

  Liz grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "No, actually I'm on a friend's yacht. But we're still in the area. I could meet you somewhere with no trouble."

  "Well, we have charter guests at the moment, so I'm not sure how that would work. I don't know yet what their plans are. What kind of yacht are you on?"

  "Oh, it's a megayacht. I don't know much about boats; I'm a golfer, you know, not a sailor." Liz / Kev chuckled, reading the flash of embarrassment that crossed Dani's face.

  "I deserved that," Dani said. "I can be such a boat nerd sometimes. Is your friend's yacht sail or power?"

  "Power. I'd really like to see you again. We could have a nice, early dinner somewhere if you get a break from your guests. Or lunch. You have my number; just give me a call."

  "Thanks, Kev. I'll let you know. And thanks again for the flowers. I'd better go. Sorry to cut it short, but I have to pick up our guests. 'Bye, now."

  "Not bad, for a boat nerd," Liz said. "Why don't you call him now, while it's all fresh in your mind?"

  Chapter 9

  Strong lay on the bed in his stateroom, staring at the ceiling. Hands clasped behind his head, he was wondering how to deal with the loss of the sat phone. He dared not talk to the people in Vegas on his cellphone. No doubt some of Danilov's people would monitor his calls.

  That had to be the reason for Greg's taking his sat phone. All the GPS security stuff was bullshit. Even as ignorant as he was when it came to technology, Strong knew better than that. They wanted his phone calls in the clear, with no encryption.

  He had to come up with a way to let Vegas know the sat phone was compromised. If they called him on that number and the call was forwarded to his cellphone, they wouldn't realize the call wasn't encrypted. Then Danilov would hear everything. Strong's life expectancy would be shorter than a gnat's attention span if that happened. Either Danilov or the mob — he wasn't sure which one scared him more.

  The fact that his cellphone worked was a plus, though. Dani Berger could reach him if she called. He had expected the flowers to work their magic yesterday. When he didn't hear from her, he had assumed that it was because he didn't have cell service.

  Once he learned otherwise, he checked his messages after Greg left a little while ago. He had been disappointed to discover that Dani hadn't called. She was no doubt busy with the charter; maybe she was in an area with no service herself. He was sure she'd call; no woman could pass up Kev Strong and roses. He'd just have to be patient. He didn't have much choice; he had no idea how to reach her.

  He could try an Internet search for the yacht; they were, after all, in the charter business. They must have a web page. There was probably a phone number or email address for them. Or it might just direct him to that charter agent he'd already talked with. He'd wait and see what Greg had learned about her. That would give her a little more time to call; it would be better if she came to him, anyway. He was startled when his cellphone rang.

  ****

  "Hello?" Strong said, as he fumbled the cellphone to his ear.

  "Hello," a woman's voice said, her tone tentative. "Is this Kev Strong?"

  "Yes, who's calling, please?"

  "It's Dani Berger, Kev. I'm calling to thank you for the flowers. That was a nice thing to do, after the way I behaved the other evening."

  "Oh, it was nothing, really. I'm just sorry I got off on the wrong foot with you, but I'm glad you called. I thought the flowers were the least I could do, after making an ass of myself. I hope you like roses."

  "Well, to be honest, I didn't have anywhere to put them, so I asked George to take them to the hospital on his way home. Still, it was nice of you to send them."

  "George?"

  "The harbormaster at Jolly Harbour. The shop asked him to bring them by the boat."

  "Oh, I see," he said. "Are you still at Jolly Harbour, then?"

  "No, we've moved on. We picked up some charter guests, so they're setting our itinerary. So far, it's a day-to-day thing. Are you still at the resort?"

  "No. I'm aboard a yacht that belongs to a friend — actually, a business associate, I guess."

  "I see," Dani said. "Power, or sail?"

  "I'm sorry?"

  "The yacht," Dani said. "Is it a sailing yacht or a motor vessel?"

  "Oh, I get it. It's a big motor yacht."

  "Really? How big?"

  "You know, I couldn't say. It's really big, but I don't know much about these things, being a golfer instead of a sailor."

  "I deserved that," Dani said. "Sorry I was such a boat nerd the other night."

  "Oh, I didn't mean to pick on you about it; it was kind of funny, I thought. Antigua really is more of a yachtsman's resort than a golfer's."

  "That's okay. I was being sort of a dork, I guess. You caught me a little bit off guard; I was surprised that you came to sit with me."

  "I was a little off my game, myself," he said. "Beautiful women like you can be intimidating."

  "Now you are teasing me, Kev."

  "No, really. Every man in the place was eyeing you; you were the star of the show. I couldn't believe my good fortune that you were still sitting by yourself when I came in."

  "You do flatter a girl."

  "No, it's true. You're dazzling. Have you ever done any modeling? You've got that look about you."

  "No. Never. I'm just a simple sailor. Thanks for the boost to my ego, though."

  "Look, Dani. I'd really like a chance to see you again. Maybe we could meet for lunch or dinner somewhere, kind of patch things up."

  "I don't know, Kev. I — "

  "Sorry. I don't want to pressure you, but I'd really like a chance to make up for my faux pas the other night. It was inexcusable. Just think about it, okay?"

  "Sure. Okay. I'll think about it, but my time's not really my own, now. Liz and I are at the mercy of our guests, so I'm not sure where we'll be from one day to the next, let alone when I'd be able to slip away for a few hours."

  "I understand. My host is going to be around Antigua for a while, and he's got some pretty fast small boats — tenders, he calls them. It would be easy enough for me to meet you somewhere on short notice. Just give me a call, if you decide you'd like to get together. No obligation — just lunch or dinner and some chit-chat. But I am working on a project, a movie actually. I'd like to kick some of our ideas around with you, get your reaction."

  "That sounds fascinating, Kev, but as I said, I don't know when, or even whether, I could get free. I'll keep it in mind, though. What's the name of your friend's yacht? Maybe we'll cross paths somewhere. That could make it easier."

  "Platinum Odyssey. Let me know where, and maybe I can ask him to meet you guys."

  "Thanks for the offer, but I don't know our itinerary until the guests decide."

  "My pleasure, Dani. You've got my phone number. I hope you'll call."

  "Thanks, Kev. I need to run; I have to ferry our guests back to the boat now."

  "Okay, Dani. Stay well ... oh! There's one other thing."

  "What?"

  "I have your number from caller i.d. Is it okay if I call you sometime? I've enjoyed chatting with you, and if we can't meet in person, I'd still like your thoughts on this movie idea."

  "Okay, sure," Dani said. "I really have to go, now. Goodbye, Kev."

  "Goodbye, Dani."

  ****

  "What do you think, Greg? Is she going to call him?" Danilov asked.

  Greg had just played the recording of Strong's conversation with Dani.

  "Hard to say, but she seemed open to the idea. She's vague on their guests' plans, so she wouldn't commit, but she didn't say no."

  "He made any other calls?"

  "One, but he just got voicemail."

  "Who'd he call?"

  "Lance Jarvis Talent."r />
  "Lance Jarvis — who's that?"

  "It sounded like a booking agency for actors. There was an automatic answer — offered a bunch of menu choices. Apparently Lance and Jarvis are two different people, and there were choices for contract questions, billing, payments, and that kind of thing. He left a call back message for Mr. Jarvis."

  "What was the message?"

  He said, "I got the go ahead to start signing people for some of the parts. We need to talk. By the way, the sat phone's not working. It's forwarded to my cellphone, so just call me on that. No need to pay the freight for forwarding over the sat phone network."

  "Did you get anything on that first call he made? On the sat phone bill?"

  "Yeah, but it's no help. It's a prepaid cellphone."

  "That's strange. Who the hell would he be calling on a burner?"

  "We're still working on it, but the guys pointed out that not all prepaid phones are 'burners.' People use them for all kinds of reasons."

  "Yeah, but most of 'em are up to no good, Greg. Stay on it."

  "Oh, we will. The phone was in Vegas, by the way."

  "Vegas? Why Vegas?"

  "Come on, Andrei. We don't know who it was. Could be a writer, a lawyer. Whoever it is could be traveling. We're trying to get a grip on it. I've got them checking on the talent agency, too."

  "All right. Keep me posted."

  Chapter 10

  Vinnie Albarino pushed the rare veal chop around on his plate. Talking to Nino Petrillo spoiled his appetite. The Don was unpredictable at best, and after being screwed over by Danilov, he was nowhere near his best.

  "You don't like the veal, Vinnie?"

  Vinnie gulped the sip of wine he had just taken. "It's great, Don Petrillo. I'm just a little off my feed; I wanna get that Danilov son of a bitch where we want him."

  "I can send it back. I got a new chef; Willie kinda died on me after he fucked up the dinner party the other night. This new guy's a fuckin' Frog. We gotta teach him how things work around here."

  "No, it's okay boss — really. I maybe got an ulcer or some shit like that, ya know?"

  "You worry too much, Vinnie. It's bad for your health." Petrillo cackled, the demented laugh that signaled danger. He watched as Vinnie took another sip of wine, and then asked, “What're you doin' about Danilov, anyway?"