A Fortune in Blood: A Florida Action Adventure Novel (Scott Jarvis Private Investigator Book 7)

by Scott Cook

  I shrugged, “Seems that way… quite a big mystery for a lowly private dick, wouldn’t you say? Anyway, his theory is that she’s staging all this stuff to make Miles look bad so she can wrest control of EcoLife from him.”

  “Yikes…” Missy mused. “Sounds like something she’d do.”

  “Is it…? I don’t know the lady, so I can’t say… but I wonder…”

  “You don’t think Miles is behind this, do you?” Missy asked incredulously. “We’ve known the guy for longer than we’ve known you. Not as well, certainly, but he’s just not the type. Remember, it’s Andrea’s drive… or drives… watch out if you ever meet her, Scott. She’d look at a man like you as a yummy meal to be devoured… anyway, its Andrea’s drives that have pushed EcoLife into the nine figure business it is today. Miles, although smart and capable, probably wouldn’t have done that on his own.”

  “That’s what I keep hearing,” I said. “Still… my instincts are flashing a little red warning light. I think… well, maybe it’s not even as high level as that… I suspect that Miles is somehow tied up in all this. Even if he doesn’t know it.”

  “Maybe Lisa can shed some light on things,” Missy suggested.

  According to the mile markers, we were not far from where we’d have to turn off to head up to Lake Arenal and to Palmer’s facility. I was just about to pick up the satellite phone and call Miles when it chirped with an incoming call.

  “Jarvis,” I said after accepting.

  “Señor,” It was Umberto and he sounded pensive. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, Umberto, we’re fine. I located the camp and freed nine prisoners, including Clay’s wife and daughters. But we’ve had some complications.”

  There was a pause before Umberto said: “I was afraid of this, señor. What happened?”

  I briefly ran down the scenario for him. When I got to the part about how this Manuel Garcia had captured Clay and Declan, Umberto let a string of Spanish oaths fly. He was clearly upset.

  “I was afraid of this, Scott… I need to speak with you pronto… very soon. Where are you now?”

  I scowled and cast a glance over at Missy who could hear the conversation. She only shrugged. I said: “I’m getting ready to get off the Pan American. I was actually wondering if you could direct me back to Green City.”

  Another long pause, “No… don’t come here. I need to speak with you in person. I want you to go toward San Luis. I have a friend there who has recently created a new tourist attraction. It’s not open yet, but the ship is operational.”

  “Ship?” I asked in confusion.

  “Si,” Umberto replied. “A steam powered paddle wheel boat, such as those that used to go up and down your Mississippi River. It is a three-floor vessel and can accommodate you all for a few nights. I will send you the address to that phone. It has a built-in GPS and it’ll guide you. I shall contact my friend and set things up. Do not tell anyone of this, por favor. Not until we speak, amigo.”

  I hesitated for a moment, “Umberto… a lot is going on here. How do I know I can trust you?”

  “Is true. Much is happening. Yet I think you are someone I can trust, Scott,” Umberto said. “I can help you, but I think I need your help as well. Nothing is as it seems. I cannot tell you more now. I ask only that you trust me and go where I’m sending you. You and your people will be safe and the boat is defensible, comprende?”

  I pursed my lips and decided to take a leap of faith, “Umberto… I think that Miles or his ex-wife could be connected to this. You work for him…”

  He paused again, “My friend’s name is Juan Alvarez. He is the owner of the lake cruise boat, but he has a foreign financial backer… backers, actually. Does the name Conklin or Santino mean anything to you?”

  That floored me. I knew that Conklin’s name might come up. He and Clay had served together, so that wasn’t a big surprise. I even thought I’d probably see old Charles pop up while in Costa Rica. After all, Santino told me himself that he was going to be in the area aboard Jack Brody’s Robert Ballard. Yet Santino’s name mentioned along with Conklin’s in this context was surprising.

  Several months before, both men had mysteriously appeared while I was working for Henry Lambert. I was helping him find a sunken German U-boat that his own submarine sank just after the close of the Second World War. During that incident, which I’d already written about in a book I was going to release entitled Sins of the Fatherland, I met an oceanographer who was an Israeli Mossad agent as well. I’d also found out that a man I’d met early in my private detective career whom I’d thought was a yacht captain turned out to be with MI6. As if this weren’t confusing enough, Santino and Conklin had appeared and virtually abducted me one evening.

  Santino came to give me information on a group of hitmen and he and Conklin even helped me take them down. At the time I thought that the two of them coming together was a little strange but nothing Earth-shattering.

  Conklin had become something of a mercenary after the events I chronicled in my first book, Choices. The mafia had murdered his wife and destroyed his life and he’d vanished into the ether only to pop up again nearly two years later while I was visiting Key West. He was tangled up in Santino’s business then, as well.

  Gregorio Santino was the head of one of the big five mafia families in New York. To this day I still don’t know which one. Partly because I don’t want to know. He and I became friends while I worked on a case a year before. Apparently, he and Conklin had more dealings with one another than I knew about.

  “I know the names, Umberto,” I replied finally. “All right. I’ll trust you. Send me the information.”

  We hung up and a moment later, the sat phone bleeped and the screen lit up with an active track map. Missy glanced at me with an obvious question in her eyes.

  “I guess we’re going on a cruise,” I told her with a wry grin.

  “And here I was just thinking how you never take me anywhere,” Missy joked. “The twists and turns just never end, do they?”

  I laughed, “Ain’t it the truth. Welcome to the fast-paced and crazy world of Scott Jarvis.”

  Chapter 16

  Umberto’s directions weren’t exactly to the port city of San Luis. Lake Arenal’s closest point to the city was further from the city than I thought. You had to drive east out of the pacific port and through a large section of coffee and other farms until you came into the hills near the big lake. Missy said that San Luis had plenty of shopping, restaurants and several other adventure attractions to choose from as well.

  Umberto’s friend’s river boat… I guess perhaps Santino’s and Conklin’s too… was moored behind what had once been a small lakeside home on a small coffee farm. Even at night, it looked like a lot of work was being done on both the house and the farmland to turn it into a major tourist attraction.

  It was the boat herself that really drew my eye, though.

  Umberto was right, she could’ve come right out of a Mark Twain novel. The boat, river ship was more accurate, was perhaps two hundred feet long and fifty feet wide. She featured three balconied decks above the waterline, giving the impression of an Antebellum-style plantation home. Two tall smoke stacks rose another ten feet above the aft super structure and a massive rear paddlewheel was mounted behind the main hull and rose as high as the second floor balcony.

  “Are we going on that, Mommy?” Aubrey asked.

  “I guess so, honey,” Missy said in awe. “Wow…”

  I parked the Jeep near the farmhouse and Lisa pulled up beside me. I got out and stood near the vehicle for a moment, not sure of what to do next.

  A man stepped out from the house and sauntered toward me. He looked to be in his fifties with salt and pepper hair and a wide Indio face. He wore slacks and a blue Guayabera shirt.

  He stuck out his hand when he got close, “Señor Jarvis?”

  “That’s me,” I said, shaking the offered hand. I was a little surprised by that, considering what the world had bee
n through not so long before. “You’re Umberto’s friend?”

  “Yes,” He said in good but accented English, “As well as señor Santino. He and I are business partners. He is the investor behind this venture and I am the Tico who oversees the operation… or will once we open. My name is Juan Alvarez.”

  “A pleasure, Señor Alvarez,” I said and then waved a hand at the river boat. “A most impressive vessel.”

  “You like her?” Alvarez asked with evident pride. “She is called Reina del Lago… Lake Queen.”

  Lisa came over and stood near me and whistled softly, “Beautiful. I’ve been on a similar ship on the Mississippi River.”

  Alvarez gave Lisa an appreciative look similar to the one I’d given the boat. He obviously appreciated beauty, “Yes, it is modeled after them. She was built in the United States and then shipped here in pieces. She was reassembled right here at the dock. We have only recently finished and removed the construction equipment.”

  “Blimey,” Gus Jeffries said as he and Jen came to stand with us. The sisters hung back a little. “She’s gorgeous mate. A real beauty.”

  “Señor,” I prompted, “I am grateful that you’ve allowed us to come here. I know this must be an imposition for you.”

  Alvarez waved a hand dismissively, “Think nothing of it, señor. Umberto is my cousin in fact, and there is nothing we would not do for each other. He says you are a man to be trusted and worthy of help. Also, I have spoken with señor Santino and he insists that I do anything and everything you ask. He seems to have a very high opinion of you.”

  “And I him,” I said. “Your cousin as well. I’ve only just met him, yet he seems like a man you’d want as a friend. So… uhm… what now?”

  Alvarez chuckled, “Please follow me. I’ll give you the tour. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have a crew. The vessel is operational, and does have electricity from the shore, but there are no stewards aboard. So I’m afraid that I can’t offer you any of the amenities you’d normally receive as passengers.”

  “What does that mean?” Julie asked with just a hint of pique in her voice.

  “Oh, you may have full access to the vessel,” Alvarez said cheerfully as he led us toward the landing and the railed brow that connected it to the main deck of the boat, “but there are no cooks or housekeepers. My sincere apologies, yet for the time being, you will have to cook your own meals and do your own laundry. There is plenty of food and drink aboard, of course, and you may have anything you wish. Depending on how long you stay, I should be able to get you some assistance in a day or two.”

  “How long can we stay?” Gus asked.

  “As long as you wish,” Alvarez replied and directed this to all of the former hostages. “I know that you have been through much. This is a safe place. It may take you a little time to sort out your arrangements, so if you wish, you’re welcome here. If you wish to leave more quickly, then my wife and I will do all we can to help in that way, tambien… also.”

  “That’s very generous, Señor Alvarez,” I said in a tone that I hoped conveyed my desire for Julie to shut the hell up. “We’re very grateful.”

  “Please, call me Juan,” Alvarez said kindly. “Now, the main deck is mostly smaller cabins. Deck two is the dining saloon and kitchen… the galley… as well as a lounge and game area. The upper deck houses the bridge as well as first class cabins. The engine room, crew’s quarters and additional storage are found below decks in the hull. Altogether, she can hold one hundred passengers and fifty crew.”

  “How romantic…” Lisa said as we all stepped onto the teak decking of the vessel.

  Alvarez took us on a complete circuit of the main deck, paying special attention to the large open foredeck where lounge seating was available. He said that there was an elevator that was operational but led us up a staircase to the second level. The forward end of this was expanded beneath the next deck and featured half a dozen tables and chairs for outdoor seating in addition to the large dining cabin. Between the dining saloon and the after lounge, which featured a bar, tables and several games was the well-appointed galley.

  “As I say,” Alvarez explained as we passed through the clean and spacious cooking area, “Everything is here. The refrigerator and freezer are fully stocked as is the bar.”

  “Glad to hear that, mate,” Gus said with a grin. Even Jen had a small smile on her face. “Think we could all use a bit of the creature, eh?”

  “She seems better,” I whispered to Missy as we followed the group to the upper deck.

  “I think getting her out of there has helped,” Missy replied softly, “but it’s going to take time. The sooner she gets home and gets some counseling, the better.”

  The upper deck featured ten staterooms, each with a king sized bed, private head and dressing area. The balconies on the port and starboard side were extra wide here, and each stateroom had three lounge chairs set in front facing out for the private use of the guests. The balcony didn’t extend all the way around the deck up there because the bridge took up the forward section.

  Juan showed us into the large control room and any resemblance to the nineteenth century ended there. This was a thoroughly modern navigation center with digital displays, autopilot and fly by wire controls. In addition, there was an office for the captain and private head for the bridge crew.

  “So please feel free to pick any cabin you like,” Juan told us. “I’d recommend the first class cabins, as they’re large and comfortable and…”

  “And more secure up here than those on deck one,” Lisa added.

  I gave her an appreciative smile.

  “Is true,” Juan said. “I understand that you’ve all been through much lately. Since none of you has any luggage, you may be interested in one of the storage rooms on the crew deck. There is extra clothing down there. In the morning, if any of you are interested, my wife will be returning from a trip and she’ll be happy to take you into San Luis to go shopping or to assist you with any other needs.”

  This was directed more at Garcia’s former prisoners. I had stuff at Clay’s house which I could retrieve as could Missy and the kids. I didn’t know about Lisa. We’d never tried to find the motorcycle she said she rode in on. I had no idea if she’d left a bag or anything.

  “Each stateroom is fully equipped,” Juan said. “Soap, shampoo and some other comforts. Is there anything else I can do for you this evening?”

  “We’re starved,” Ellen, the third sister, piped up a little hesitantly. “I’m sorry… but…”

  “That’s quite all right, señorita,” Juan said gently. “I’m sure that I—“

  “No need, Juan,” I said, glancing at my Luminox dive watch. It was nearly one in the morning. “Since the galley is fully stocked, I can prepare something for everyone. You’ve been so generous and it’s late. I don’t want to hold you up any longer. Please get some rest. And if you like, I’ll be fixing breakfast in the morning, too. Please join us.”

  Juan grinned, “You cook, señor?”

  “Like a chef,” Lisa said with a broad grin.

  That earned a delighted murmur from the group. They all seemed relieved both that somebody could cook and that somebody was going to take care of them.

  Juan chuckled, “Excellent! Then I will see you all mañana.”

  I quickly pulled him aside, “Does the brow retract?”

  He nodded and lowered his voice, “Si. It can be controlled from the shore or the boat. There is a remote control panel mounted on the pole where it joins. Two buttons, very simple. You wish me to remove it when I go?”

  I nodded. He nodded back and smiled wryly. I patted his shoulder and he went out.

  Everyone said good night as Juan headed back onto the deck and left us all standing in the middle of the bridge. Some chatter began and I held up a hand.

  “Okay, everyone,” I said, feeling a little silly. As if I were a cruise director. “There are enough staterooms on this deck for everyone to have their own, even the girls and L
isa. I’m going to occupy one on the main deck—“

  “Not up here with us?” Tanya asked sounding a little disappointed for some odd reason.

  “No… I want to be closer to the only access to the boat for security reasons,” I said, “but just when I’m sleeping. For now, I’m going to go down one level and start whipping us up a little midnight snack, how’s that sound?”

  That got smiles from everyone, even the frazzled Jen and sour Julie.

  “Why don’t you all get freshened up and settled in,” I suggested. “It’ll be a half hour or more before I have something, I would imagine.”

  The other former prisoners went aft excitedly. Only Lisa, Missy and the girls remained behind with me. Shelby and Aubrey looked uncertain as to what to do.

  “Go ahead, girls,” Missy said with a smile. “You can each have your own cabin if you want.”

  Aubrey looked at her older sister. I could see that she wasn’t quite ready to solo after their experience. Shelby, who even at fourteen was already so much more a young woman than a new teenager smiled at her younger sister and took her hand, “We’ll share one.”

  Aubrey beamed and the two of them also went out, starting to chatter excitedly about which one they’d pick.

  “They seem okay,” Lisa commented with a smile.

  Missy heaved a sigh of relief and weariness, “Yeah… thank God…”

  I chuckled, “Christ, Missy… Shelby looks like a twenty-five year old model. She seems very mature for her age, too. It’s amazing how time flies…”

  Missy smiled, “You don’t have to tell me… okay, I feel like I need a shower. You two okay?”

  I waved her off, “Go ahead. I’ll handle the galley. Both of you should get freshened up and relax.”

  Missy smiled and then it suddenly vanished from her face and a frown took its place. I instantly knew what had changed.

  “It’s going to be all right,” I said, pulling her into a hug, “We’ll get them back.”