“I’m just really tired of people here sticking their noses into my personal life. It’s nobody’s business what I choose to do when I’m not at work and who I choose to do it with.”
“Why would he care?”
“I don’t know. I’ve always suspected Jarvis had a thing for me, and I admit I used that to my advantage in the past, especially when other people weren’t happy with me. I liked knowing I had at least one person in my corner. But I’ve never given him any indication he’d ever get anything in return besides my continued dedication to my job and the animals here. If he got a different impression, he’s living in a fantasy world.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“He wouldn’t be the first boss who couldn’t separate reality from fantasy when it came to a beautiful female employee.”
“You know what? I’m fed up with people expecting things from me just because of my looks. Speaking of that, here comes another idiot who can’t separate fact from fiction.”
* * * *
Cosby whirled around as the Tom Selleck look-alike headed their way. Being with Monica seemed to get more complicated by the minute, and it struck Cosby that a lesser man might’ve questioned whether she was worth it. The stranger stopped in front of them and, ignoring Cosby, flashed her a wolfish grin.
“You’re in fine form tonight, as always.” He oozed charm like a leaky oil can. The way his gaze caressed her curves, it was obvious he was imagining her naked. Cosby wanted to plow his fist into the jackass’ unnaturally white teeth.
“I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Cosby Williams.” Monica nestled against him, and he brushed his hand across her back and rested it on her hip. “Cosby, this is Truman Raines, a friend of our aquarium director.”
Truman’s expression tightened, but he showed no other outward signs of discontent. “Looks like you and I are here for the same reason.”
“Which is?” Cosby didn’t care if he sounded testy.
“To help the whales, of course.” Truman winked at Monica, and a green haze fogged Cosby’s vision. Normally he wasn’t the jealous type, but he felt very territorial. In the dark recesses of his mind lurked doubts about her ability to be faithful to him. He shoved those suspicions aside as soon as they surfaced.
“They’re probably about ready for us to start our shift in the pool,” she told Cosby. “Go ahead and gear up.”
He stripped off his shirt, enjoying the way Monica’s eyes darkened with desire whenever he bared his chest. Stepping into his wet suit, he worked the neoprene slowly up his sinewy body, giving her a show without being too obvious. Meanwhile, Truman tried to steal her attention by asking her questions about the whales. But she kept her focus on Cosby and brushed off the other man.
“There’s Sitara Patel, the rehab supervisor. She can tell you anything you want to know.”
Truman’s smile faltered, and he excused himself to talk to Sitara.
“What a horse’s ass.” Cosby scowled at the man’s back. “Has he been bothering you?”
“Let’s just say he’s been overly attentive. That’s just one of the reasons I’m glad you’re here tonight.”
“I wouldn’t miss a chance to spend time with you. And I really do want to help care for these beautiful animals.”
The mother whale punctuated his comment with a whistle, which her calf answered. Cosby stepped to the edge of the pool and looked into their soulful eyes. He felt oddly connected to them, as if he could sense their fright, their grief, their pain, and it left him hurting, too.
He watched Monica, now in the water, as one of the vet techs handed her a bottle. She nuzzled the calf with her nose, then pressed her lips against his rubbery skin, and Cosby could tell she held back tears. The poignancy of the moment made his heart swell, and he had difficulty swallowing around the lump in his throat.
Chapter 24
Monica and Cosby spent three hours in the water before Dani and Evan relieved them. When Monica went into the rehab kitchen to get coffee and snacks, she found Jarvis there making microwave popcorn. Now’s as good a time as any to clear the air, she thought.
“You didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat to my boyfriend. What gives?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Jarvis avoided making eye contact.
“Sure you do. You gave him nothing but attitude, and I want to know why.”
His expression hardened, and she panicked for a second, thinking maybe she’d stepped over the line. Jarvis leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms, but he appeared more contemplative than irritated.
“I just can’t figure out why you’d choose that guy over Truman Raines.”
“Truman? That’s what this is about? Why would you even ask me that question?”
“Because I care about you.”
“Look, Jarvis, you stood by me when a lot of people wouldn’t, and I appreciate your support, more than you know. But you’re my boss. If I did anything to give you the idea there’s something more going on between us, or that there ever could be, that wasn’t my intention.”
“Hey, now, hold it right there. You may be the most desirable woman I know—and if my wife gets wind I said that, I’ll deny it—but I’m not dumb enough to jeopardize a twenty-year marriage, not to mention my job, by coming on to you or any other female employee. So if that’s what you think is going on here, you’re mistaken.”
“Then what is going on?”
“I’m just…looking out for you, that’s all. You’re like…family to me.”
Monica expected his nose to start growing any minute. “I’m not buying it. Why don’t you try again, and give me the truth this time.”
Jarvis cleared his throat. Monica stood there, waiting, watching him squirm.
“Okay, fine. I’m not proud to admit it, but I thought if you got involved with Truman, maybe he’d, I don’t know, make a big donation to the aquarium or something. And, of course, if Truman’s happy, then Wesley’s happy.”
“And because I work for you, then you’d earn major brownie points. Right?”
Jarvis looked chagrined. “Yeah, pretty much. But I’m not just thinking of myself. I’ve been pushing certain expenditures for our department, and so far I haven’t had much success convincing Wesley they’re necessary.”
“So you thought pimping me out might help?” Monica’s voice rose, and she struggled to rein in her temper. “That is so incredibly insulting. Do you really think Truman Raines cares about me as a person? The man is used to getting whatever he wants, and I’m sure my disinterest is a real slap to his ego. But Cosby—he has no agenda. He wants me for me. And yes, this is ironic coming from me, but I’ll be damned if I’ll allow anyone to cause problems for us.”
“I’m sorry, Monica. I’ll stay out of your private life from now on.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
She wasn’t totally convinced, but she had little choice but to take him at his word.
“I’d better get back out there,” she said.
“I’ll bring some popcorn out for you two.”
Monica wanted to roll her eyes at his paltry attempt to make amends. But she took the high road instead and thanked him. Then she poured two cups of coffee, grabbed a couple of packs of crackers, and left to rejoin Cosby.
* * * *
Several days later, Jarvis came out to the rehab unit to deliver discouraging news. Fifteen short-finned pilot whales had shown up in Gordon Pass, and three of them had died before rescuers could reach them. Later updates only deepened the somber mood. Three more sick whales were euthanized, and the rest remained in peril. Wildlife officials determined from their tags that this was the same group that stranded about a week earlier.
While sad at the latest turn of events, GSA’s rescuers at least found solace in saving three members of the pod. The older female finally responded to the medication, and the mother and calf grew stronger every day and were swimming on their own.
<
br /> Even if they recovered, their long-term future was still in question. Wesley already was talking about seeking permission from the appropriate government agencies to keep the whales. Flipper and others hoped to release them eventually if they were deemed healthy enough. Both options carried complications.
“Wesley had this idea a few months ago that we should expand Dolphin Inlet and acquire whales, but he dropped it to focus on building a 4-D theater,” Monica explained to Cosby over a quick dinner that evening. “Keeping the pilots means we’d have to shift focus, and quickly, to get that habitat ready for three new residents. But it’s going to take months even if we accelerate the process.”
“And if you release them,” Cosby noted, “their pod’s been decimated by illness, so their lives will never be the same regardless. I can’t imagine what that must be like for them.”
She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “You really care about them, don’t you?”
“More than I thought possible. I finally get it.”
“Get what?”
“Why you have such an affinity for sea creatures. I mean, I understood it in my head before, but now I feel it in my heart. Once I’m no longer needed to help with the whales, I still want to be involved with the aquarium. I’ve been thinking about joining the dive team.”
“Are you sure? It’s no fun cleaning the habitat pools and tanks. In fact, it’s an awful lot of work for no compensation, and it’s not like you have much spare time.”
“Are you trying to discourage me?”
“No, Cosby, of course not. If you really want to do it, I think it’s great. We need the help, and I’d love having you there, especially on nights I have to work late.”
“That’s definitely a plus. There’s also a good chance my family will be spending more time at GSA. You heard that Melanie’s been called for a second interview for that marketing and promotions position, right?”
“I did. I’m crossing my fingers.”
“She’s got a portfolio full of ideas aimed at increasing attendance, especially return visits, and encouraging community participation. Gavin told me she hasn’t been this excited about anything in a while. I have you to thank for that.”
“Me? I didn’t do all that much.”
“You told her about the opening, and you’ve done a great job prepping her with background information about the aquarium. That really boosted her confidence going into the first interview. Next, she’s meeting with Wesley and his top managers.”
“How do your nephews feel about the prospect of her going back to work?” Monica asked.
“They’ll be thrilled if she’s hired because it means they’ll get plenty of opportunities to visit their favorite animals. Not to mention they’ll get to see you and Flipper and Dani and all the other staff and volunteers who’ve taken the time to encourage their interest in marine science.”
“That’ll be fun.”
“You sure you wouldn’t get overwhelmed having me and my family around so much?”
“Absolutely not. I’m getting pretty attached to all of you.”
Cosby grinned. “And we’re getting pretty attached to you, too.”
* * * *
Monica and her colleagues had put in so many extra hours working with the whales that Wesley finally insisted they take a day off so they didn’t burn themselves out. Cosby figured he’d earned a break, too. He’d been by her side in the rehab unit most nights after he left work. They routinely stayed past midnight, then were out of bed and back at their respective jobs before eight each morning.
They hadn’t made love in almost a week, so sex and sleep were priorities for the day. They didn’t wake up until almost noon, and then they lazed around in bed talking, cuddling, and just enjoying each other’s company.
When their stomachs started to growl, they got up and ate bologna sandwiches in front of the TV. Afterward, as they watched a documentary on the Nat Geo Wild channel, Cosby offered to give her a back rub, and she removed her shirt and stretched out on the couch. As he kneaded her sore muscles, his fingers strayed to the sides of her breasts and between her legs, and before long they both were half naked and panting.
Just as he considered how quickly he could retrieve a condom from the bedroom without ruining the mood, she whispered a suggestion in his ear that made his pulse race even faster. They practically ran from the living room, shedding the rest of their clothes on the way, stopping once or twice to share sloppy kisses. Bypassing the bed, she gently pushed him down onto a ladder-back chair and grabbed a condom out of the box in the nightstand. She straddled him and made a big production out of rolling the rubber onto him.
He wanted to hurry her along, eager to be inside her, but she obviously enjoyed teasing him. Finally, she settled over him and took him into her body.
“I’ve missed being with you like this,” he told her as he cupped her rear. She rocked against him and set a rhythm that he matched.
“Mmmmm. Me, too.” Their lips met, and the talking stopped. After they found their release, she slumped against him and kissed his neck. He wrapped her in his arms and could’ve stayed like that forever.
“I love you,” he said.
“And I love the way you make me feel.”
It wasn’t the answer he’d been hoping for, but he kept his disappointment to himself. He’d just have to be patient until she was ready to say the words he knew she felt in her heart.
Chapter 25
“Listen to this one.” Flipper held up the letter to read it. “You people are reprehensible. How can you torture those poor dolphins by holding them captive like prisoners who’ll never be free on parole? They deserve to be wild as nature and God intended, and you’ll pay for your cruelty unless you do the right thing and release them back where they belong. This is your last warning.”
“Who wrote that?” asked his boss, Kenshin.
“I don’t know. It’s not signed. The postmark is Orlando.”
“That’s the most threatening letter so far. It’s time to call the police.”
“You really think whoever wrote this is serious?”
“Even if nothing comes of it, we need to get it on the record, just in case. Why take a chance?”
“All right. I’ll call Jo.”
Flipper had Joanna Tompkins’ number in his cell phone. The Gulf Shore Police detective, better known around GSA as Kelsey Kramer’s other half, answered on the third ring.
“This had better be good, Fins. I’m busy,” Jo growled. Even on a good day she could be rather prickly. Around Kelsey, however, she turned into a marshmallow. It really amused Flipper, although he didn’t dare tell Jo that. She carried a gun and handcuffs, after all, and knew how to use them.
“Hello to you, too, beautiful,” the trainer cooed. “Bad day?”
“You might say that. Punk I arrested had his burglary charge thrown out in court this morning.”
“That sucks.”
“Damn straight it does. Had him dead to rights. Fingerprints, footprints, even a witness who saw him enter the house through a window. Not a good idea to pull a job while tripping on acid. He could’ve made a dumbass criminals highlight film.”
“So what happened?”
“State attorney’s office cut a deal with him in return for his testimony in a murder case. Seems the little pisshead saw his fence execute somebody for screwing him over. Pisshead kept his mouth shut because he didn’t want to end up with a bullet in his brain, too. But when he got busted, he suddenly developed a conscience and wanted to share what he knew about the shooting. But only if prosecutors agreed not to pursue the burglary case against him.”
“At least the fence won’t get away with murder.”
Jo huffed out a breath. “Yeah, there is that. We really need to get pisshead off the street, though. We know he did other burglaries, but we didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with those. I can’t see him suddenly going straight. What happens if next time he breaks into an occupied home? Som
ebody could get hurt.”
“Can’t you put him under surveillance?”
“Sure, but to do that we’d have to blow off other important things. Remember, this is a small department, Flipper. We don’t have the manpower to follow somebody twenty-four/seven except in extreme circumstances, and getting help from another agency is iffy given that everybody’s budgets are tight.”
“Then you probably won’t be happy to hear what I called to tell you.”
After he read her the letter, Jo advised him to place it in a plastic freezer bag and not let anyone else touch it. She’d pick up the note when she dropped by the aquarium later to take Kelsey to dinner.
“By the way,” the detective added, “when’s this poker party you’re hosting?”
“I haven’t set a date yet. We’ve been so busy with the whales, I haven’t had a chance to think about it. I’ll plan one soon.”
“You’d better. I need some walking around cash, and you’re always good for at least seventy-five.”
“Not this time, babe. I’ll be ready for you.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll just have to see about that.”
* * * *
Dani had just clocked out for a late lunch break when her cell phone rang.
“I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time,” her mother said. “I knew you’d be at work, but I really needed to hear a friendly, encouraging voice.”
“What’s wrong, Mom?”
“Oh, just the usual. The rehab center where they sent your grandmother when she left the hospital is quite nice, and her therapists have the patience of saints. Today during her speech exercises she got a mulish look on her face and turned her back on them. She refused to participate for the rest of the session.”
“Has she been able to say anything besides yes and no?”
“Not yet. And apparently, having a vocabulary worse than a toddler brings out the worst in her.”
“How’s she doing with her physical therapy?”
“She’s even more resistant to that, despite the fact her right arm keeps tingling, which ought to be an encouragement. She still has no feeling in her right leg, and the more time that passes, the less optimistic her doctor is that she’ll recover the use of it.”
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