Bluewater Enigma: The 13th Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Bluewater Thrillers)

by Charles Dougherty

  Liz nodded. "I didn't mean to pry. I'm just always interested in our guests; everybody has a story."

  "I'm sure," Beverly said. "Hey, I've read that there are some really fine restaurants in Bequia."

  "There certainly are," Liz said.

  "I'd like it if you ladies could join us for dinner ashore tonight, my treat."

  "That's very nice of you," Liz said. "What do you think, Dani? Are we going to get there early enough?"

  Dani studied the screen of the chart plotter above the steering pedestal, tapping two of the buttons. She frowned and shook her head. "It's going to be too late to clear in. That little interruption by the Coast Guard cost us over an hour on our ETA."

  "It only seemed like a few minutes," Beverly said.

  "The problem is that the tide turned while they were aboard," Dani said. "We were at a sort of critical spot. We're going to carry a foul current the rest of the way to Bequia, as best I can tell."

  "Wow. There's more to this than I thought," Beverly said.

  "Tidal currents can be tricky," Dani said. "Especially close inshore on the leeward side of one of these big islands. There are some funny eddy currents that vary from day to day depending on the wind."

  "But there's hardly any wind," Beverly said.

  "In here behind the island, there's not," Liz said. "But it's blowing at 15 to 20 knots in the open water. It's from an easterly direction, and that creates a wind-driven current that wraps around both ends of the island. It can add to or subtract from the tidal current. It can make a big difference in boat speed. What are you seeing, Dani?"

  "Speed through the water's nine and a half knots, but our speed over the ground's down in the sevens."

  "That means there's about a two-knot current holding us back," Liz said. "Thanks for the invitation, but I guess we'll be stuck with my cooking again this evening."

  "I'd hardly call it being 'stuck,' Liz," Beverly said. "I can't imagine we'd get a better meal ashore than what you can prepare. I was just enjoying talking with you, and I thought it would be fun. Maybe tomorrow night?"

  "Sure," Liz said. "That will be great, but does that mean you want to stay in Bequia for a while?"

  "Oh, I think so. From reading that cruising guide in our cabin, it sounds like there's plenty to do there for a couple of days."

  "There is. There's a nice beach and a couple of great reefs to snorkel, if you're interested," Dani said.

  "Good. Then that's what we'll do," Beverly said. "I'd better go wake up Harry, or he won't be able to sleep tonight."

  "There's a problem with your plan for tonight," the surveillance team leader's boss told him, when he answered his encrypted satellite phone.

  "Shit! What's the problem? I busted my ass to put it together on short notice."

  "Timing," his boss said. "The client heard back from his inside source. Tonight won't work."

  "Inside source? You mean that woman that's screwing the mark?"

  "Spare me the smartass remarks. Your fuck-up with the wasted boarding delayed their arrival to the point where they'll get in too late to go ashore for dinner."

  "Then what does the client want us to do? For all I know, they're going somewhere else tomorrow. I don't know when we'll get another shot like this. I got the local cops lined up to act on my 'anonymous' tip, see. It's tough to put shit like that together."

  "You're in luck. They aren't going anywhere tomorrow. Their plan is sightseeing in Bequia, and dinner ashore tomorrow night. Make it happen."

  "Okay, but it may cost us. The drug squad guy is greedy; he already hit me up for more than I paid the Coast Guard. He may up the ante even more if I reschedule."

  "Quit bitching and get it done. The money doesn't matter; the client's paying for it, and he doesn't give a damn about the cost. It's pocket change to him. And don't mess it up; I hear he's plenty pissed off already."

  "Yeah? Tough shit."

  "You having a bad day? You don't usually piss and moan so much, man. Shit happens. Suck it up and move on."

  "Yeah, I will. Next time though, I'm picking my own team."

  "You got personnel problems?"

  "You might say that. These two are dimwits."

  "I don't know but I've been told; airborne is as good as gold," the boss chanted in a mocking voice. Then he laughed.

  "Two things fall from the sky," the surveillance team leader said. "Rain, and birdshit. These two are definitely not rain."

  "Whip 'em into shape then, swab jockey," his boss said.

  "Semper Fi, asshole. Let me go. I gotta get ahold of this cop."

  "Do it. Keep me posted if anything changes."

  "Yeah, okay. Hey?"

  "Hey, what?"

  "Since we're going in anyway, should we swap out the disk drive?"

  "Well, let's see. It's been what? One day? You think there's enough on it to make it worthwhile?"

  "Hard to know. It'll be 48 hours, plus, by the time we pick it up. There might be some action on there. Like I said, we're going in anyway, so it'll only take a minute. If the client's pissed, maybe giving him a little something extra could sweeten him up."

  "You're pretty smart for a fuckin' sailor," his boss said.

  "I'm surprised a jarhead knows what smart looks like."

  "They sent me to a special school," his boss said. "Yeah, sure swap it out and let's see what we got. You're right; it might help make up for the screw-up on the boarding."

  "Good. Gotta make that phone call. I'll let you know when it's all nailed down."

  "Roger that," the boss said, disconnecting.

  12

  "It's a relief to be able to have a normal conversation," Liz said, as she and Dani left the customs and immigration office in Bequia.

  "It certainly is," Dani said. "I'm glad she wanted to stay on the boat and relax instead of coming with us."

  "I guess they aren't feeling time pressure," Liz said. "I'm happy enough that they wanted to stay here an extra day. This business of having to mind what we say to one another in our own cabin is stressful."

  "Yes. We've got a little time to ourselves; let's walk and talk. I told them the snorkeling would be better in the late morning, and that you could have a light lunch ready for us when we got back. Are you okay with that?"

  "Sure," Liz said. "Do you think we can delay going back long enough for the Rasta market to open? I could pick up a papaya and some limes to round out my seafood salad."

  "Oh, I think so. They seemed to want time alone, anyway. Let's go have coffee with Mrs. Walker." Dani led them onto the pedestrian walkway along the waterfront, heading toward Mrs. Walker's restaurant. "It's been too long since I've seen her."

  "After meeting your mother, I have a new appreciation for why you're so close to Mrs. Walker," Liz said. "I know she took care of you when your father was busy, but I always wondered about the bond you have with her. Now I think I understand."

  "She was more of a mother than my mother was, that's for sure. While we've got some privacy, though, let's talk about Beverly and the boarding yesterday."

  "You think she had something to do with that?" Liz asked. "Because she wanted to hug the coast?"

  "Not just that," Dani said. "It was a setup. I've been going crazy because I couldn't tell you."

  "Tell me what?"

  "The man in charge had pictures of the stash in his cellphone. I caught a glimpse of them when he was showing them to one of his men."

  Liz stopped in mid-stride, putting a hand on Dani's arm. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes."

  "How could you not tell me?"

  "It wasn't easy, but I knew we were going to need to talk it over. There was no way we could do that aboard the boat with them and the surveillance system."

  "That puts things in a different light," Liz said. "She almost surely knew about it, don't you think?"

  "It seems that way to me," Dani said. "It explains her wanting us to hug the shoreline."

  "You don't believe her photography was the reason?"


  "I don't know," Dani said, "but as long as we're stopped, let's call Luke. He's had time to get those prints; maybe he'll know who these people are by now."

  "Wasn't he going to call you?"

  "I guess you missed that when we were with Phillip and Sandrine. After Cedric called Phillip, Phillip called Luke back and told him about the surveillance."

  "I did miss that. Phillip must have told you that when Sandrine and I were in the kitchen, or something."

  "I guess. I'm sorry I didn't mention it. This notion that Vengeance is bugged is taking a toll on me."

  "Me, too," Liz said. "Phillip told Luke about it?"

  "Yes. They thought it would be safer for us to call Luke, rather than the other way around."

  "That's sensible," Liz said.

  Dani sat down on a bench overlooking the anchorage and took her cellphone out of her pocket. Liz took the seat next to her as she placed the call.

  "Luke?" Dani asked, when he answered. She held the phone between her head and Liz's, so that Liz could hear. She had the speaker on, but with the volume turned down for privacy.

  "Yes. Dani?"

  "And Liz," Dani added. "Good morning. We're where we can talk. Are you?"

  "Sure, and I'm glad you called; I've been going nuts since I ran those prints."

  "You found something?" Dani asked.

  "Nothing on the woman; she's not in the system. But — get this — Starnes is none other than U.S. Representative Horatio Velasquez. Ring a bell?"

  "Not for me," Dani said. "But I see why he's using a fake i.d., now. I'm guessing he's married?"

  "Bingo," Luke said. "Married, with an infant son and a pregnant wife. And not just that. He's making noises like he wants to run for President next time."

  "Do you think somebody's planning to stop him?" Liz said.

  "Or hold this over him after he's elected," Luke said. "Or maybe they want to lock in his vote in Congress. I don't know. But we're just guessing. It explains why somebody set him up, though."

  "I think this Beverly Lennox is part of it," Dani said.

  "She might be, or she might just be inadvertently caught up in it," Luke said.

  "I don't think so," Dani said. "Listen to this." She told him about Beverly's request to hug the St. Vincent shoreline, and the Coast Guard boarding.

  "It's suspicious, but not conclusive," Luke said.

  Dani frowned.

  "Tell him about the pictures," Liz said. "You forgot that."

  Dani repeated her story of seeing the pictures of the stash on the boarding officer's cellphone.

  "Hmm," Luke said. "That confirms that somebody set this up, and it makes her look more suspicious, for sure. Lucky for you that Sandrine's people found the drugs. I'm going to dig a little deeper into this Lennox woman. I'll check out the long-term-stay place; see if she left any trail there. Stay in touch, and be careful."

  "Okay, Luke. Thanks. Don't call us; we'll call you."

  "Okay," Luke said, and disconnected.

  "Let's go see Mrs. Walker," Dani said, standing up and putting the phone back in her pocket.

  "Ha!" Sharktooth said, when Dani and Liz entered Mrs. Walker's restaurant. "I tol' you they would show up." He sat at a table with the slender, elegant woman, a large plate of ham and eggs in front of him.

  She smiled, the dark, smooth skin of her face crinkling with pleasure. "Come in, Dani, Liz. Will you have breakfast with Sharktooth?"

  "No, thanks," Dani said, leaning over the table to hug the old lady. "We've already eaten. You don't look any different; how do you do it?"

  "I decided years ago that I was old enough," Mrs. Walker said. "So, I just don't get older. There's not much to it, really."

  "What are you doing here?" Liz asked Sharktooth. "We were just telling one of our guests about you yesterday."

  "Huh? 'Bout me?" Sharktooth's brow wrinkled into a frown. "What about me?"

  "She was admiring that painting of the sunset from Prince Rupert Bay," Liz said.

  "Oh," Sharktooth said.

  "Well?" Dani asked, looking him in the eye.

  "Well, what?" he asked.

  "What brings you to Bequia?"

  "Business," he said. "I had to see a man in Kingstown 'bout some t'ings yesterday, so I come to visit. I hear you hidin' drugs on Vengeance."

  "You've been talking to Phillip, or Sandrine," Liz said.

  "Mm-hmm. Phillip call me jus' now. So we know you be here."

  "Wait a second," Dani said. "Phillip knew we were here?"

  "Mm-hmm." Sharktooth smiled, enjoying her confusion.

  "Tell her, you big rascal," Mrs. Walker said. "You're being a bad boy."

  "Yes'm," he said, looking contrite. "Luke Pantene called Phillip right after he talked to you. Phillip knew I was down here, so he thought maybe he'd catch me in time."

  "In time for what?" Liz asked.

  "For me to meet you at the customs office. He didn't know you'd already cleared in when you called Luke."

  "So why are you here, eating breakfast, instead of waiting for us at the customs office?"

  "Already, I am here to order breakfas', when Phillip calls. So I call the customs office an' my frien' there tell me you already been there. So, I t'ink I may as well eat my food. If you don' come here, then I go find you."

  "Then you know we were boarded yesterday, and who the guests are, and everything?" Dani asked.

  "Mm-hmm. Where your guests now?"

  "On Vengeance," Dani said. "Why?"

  "Curious, tha's all."

  "Sit down, girls," Mrs. Walker said, rising from her chair. "I'll get you some coffee."

  Dani and Liz pulled out chairs and joined Sharktooth at the table while Mrs. Walker went back to the kitchen.

  "How long will you be here?" Dani asked.

  He shrugged, chewing a mouthful of eggs. He swallowed and said, "No special plans. Why?"

  "Are you on Lightning Bolt?" Dani asked.

  "Mm-hmm." He loaded more of the eggs on his fork, pausing before he lifted it to his mouth. "Why you ask?"

  "If it's not too inconvenient, we could use a little help," Dani said.

  Liz frowned and started to speak, but stopped when Mrs. Walker returned with a carafe of coffee and two mugs. She poured for Dani and Liz, and refreshed Sharktooth's cup before she sat down.

  "Did Phillip tell you that we think the woman is orchestrating whatever this is?" Dani asked.

  "Yes," Sharktooth said, setting the forkful of eggs down on his plate and taking a sip of the fresh coffee. "He said you thought she wanted you to stay in close so the Coast Guard could board you yesterday. Tha's what you mean?"

  "Yes," Dani said. "And did he tell you that the boarding officer had pictures of the drug stash in his cell phone?"

  "Mm-hmm. Setup. No question 'bout it."

  "After the boarding, I saw her sending a text on her phone," Dani said.

  "I saw that," Liz said. "When she was coming back to the cockpit, while Harry was taking a nap, right?"

  "Right," Dani said.

  "I meant to mention it when we were talking a few minutes ago, and it slipped my mind. I was watching her when she was making her way along the side deck. I think she actually stopped and sat down on the coachroof because she got an incoming text. I saw her pause and put her hand over her pocket the way you do when your phone vibrates. Then she sat down and took the phone out of her pocket and fiddled with it for a few seconds before she came back and started talking with us."

  "That's when she gave me the third degree," Dani said.

  "That was hardly the third degree, Dani," Liz said, "but I could sense your irritation. That's why I changed the subject."

  "I felt like I was being interrogated, anyway," Dani said.

  "I know, so I asked her a few questions. I thought she was a little evasive."

  "Yes. So did I. And then she invited us to dinner ashore."

  "Last night?" Sharktooth asked. "I heard you got in after customs closed."

 
; "We did," Liz said. "The dinner invitation is for tonight. And I saw her sending another text after we agreed."

  "I knew it," Dani said. "That's almost got to be another setup. I was suspicious before you mentioned the texts, but now I'd bet on it."

  "Where are you going with all this, Dani? You've lost me," Mrs. Walker said.

  "Mm-hmm. Me, too," Sharktooth said.

  "I think she and whoever she's working with wanted everybody off the boat," Dani said. "They either want to plant more drugs, or check on their surveillance equipment, or something."

  "Ah!" Sharktooth said. "You want me to watch Vengeance while you all go to dinner."

  "Will you?" Dani asked.

  "Mm-hmm," Sharktooth said, lifting the forkful of eggs from his plate and shoveling them in his mouth. "My pleasure."

  Liz was steaming seafood for their lunch when Harry came down the companionway ladder.

  "Feeling better?" she asked.

  Harry had opted to stay aboard Vengeance rather than joining Dani and Beverly on their snorkeling expedition. He had complained of nausea, and had been sitting in the cockpit. He smiled at Liz and stepped into the cramped galley with her.

  "I'm fine," he said. "I just didn't want to go snorkeling. I thought it might be more fun for us to get to know one another."

  "Us?" Liz said.

  "Yeah. You and me."

  When she didn't respond, he put a hand on her shoulder and moved up close behind her.

  "Don't," she said. "You'll make me burn myself."

  "Sorry," he said, his hand sliding down her arm. He took a half-step back. "Hot work for a hot lady."

  "I'm used to it," she said. "If the steam is making you uncomfortable, maybe you should go back up on deck."

  "It's you," he said.

  "Sorry?" she said, turning toward him and stepping out of the narrow galley. She backed away, putting more space between them. "What do you mean by that?"

  "I mean you're hot. I couldn't help but noticing. And I've got this thing for redheads."

  "I thought you had a thing for Beverly."

  He grinned. "Yeah, well, what can I say? She wanted to come down here, and I didn't want to disappoint her, you know?"

  "Then don't," Liz said, keeping her voice even.

  "Aw, you don't have to be that way. She's open-minded."