"It's nothing," Ortiz said, leaping to his feet and stemming the spreading puddle with a napkin. "It was almost empty."
"I'm such a klutz," Dani said.
"Nonsense. Could have happened to anybody. In this humidity, the moisture forms on a cold glass and makes it slippery as all get out. It's my fault for choosing an outdoor table. It wouldn't have happened inside in the air conditioning. You okay?"
"Yes. Thanks for being so nice."
"Like I said, it's just one of those things. It happens a lot in this climate."
Dani felt a smile on her face. "I didn't mean just about my clumsiness. I had a wonderful time. I don't know when I've enjoyed anyone's company so much."
Ortiz, still standing, beamed his sexiest smile. "Me, too. I'd better go, though. Can't keep my client waiting. Can I call you this evening?"
"Yes, please. I hope you will."
He nodded. "Count on it," he said and stepped around the table. He leaned over, bending close to her, holding her gaze. "May I?", he asked, in a soft, husky tone.
Dani suppressed a grin and nodded, turning her face up to him and closing her eyes. She was disappointed to feel his chaste peck on her cheek.
"Talk to you this evening, then," he said, turning to walk through the breezeway and out the front door.
Dani was still in a warm daze a minute later when she heard Liz say, "Well, tell me about it!" as she took Ortiz's chair.
Shock on her face, Dani asked, "Where were you? I didn't see you by the pool."
"Inside at the bar. When I saw you two out here, I thought I'd be less conspicuous there. Nice flowers, by the way," Liz said eyeing the six long-stemmed roses in a box that was open on the table.
"Oh, Liz. It was going so well, and then ... " Dani shook her head, her dazzled look fading to one of dismay.
"And then what?"
"I was so rattled that I knocked over my water."
Liz laughed. "That's all? Nothing else went wrong?"
"I'm such a social dork," Dani said.
"From what I could see through the window, he was mesmerized by you. How did you part company?"
"He said, 'I enjoy your company very much, Dani, and I hope we can do this again, soon.'"
"That's nice. How did you respond?"
"By spilling my water."
"No, silly. I saw all of that. What did you say afterward? Did you tell him you had a nice time?"
"I thanked him for being so nice, and told him I couldn't remember ever enjoying anyone's company so much."
"Good job. Is he going to call you?"
Dani nodded. "I think so. He asked if he could call me this evening." She frowned.
"What's wrong?" Liz asked.
"Do you think he will? Call, I mean?"
"I'd bet my share in Vengeance on it," Liz said.
"Really?"
"Really. You did a good job. Now that he's hooked you need to think about whether you want to land him or not."
Dani was silent for a moment, a distant look on her face as she thought about what Liz said. Breaking the silence, she said, "Let's go back to the boat. I want to put some real clothes on, and wash this sticky mess off my face."
****
Chapter 6
Ortiz, a cardboard cup of overpriced coffee in hand, pressed the key fob to unlock his car. He opened the driver's door and sat down, putting the coffee in the cup holder in the center console.
As he closed the door, he heard a woman's voice from the back seat. "Don't turn around or acknowledge me yet. Pull out of the garage and head south for the MacArthur causeway, back to Miami." He flicked his eyes to the rear-view mirror, but saw no one.
Ortiz pressed the start button, put the car in reverse, and backed out of the parking place. He drove to the nearest exit and inserted his claim check in the machine, followed by a five-dollar bill. He retrieved his change and pulled out of the garage, following the woman's instructions.
"Anyone following?" the voice asked after a couple of stoplights.
"No," Ortiz said.
"Good. Tell me how things are going with Cruz."
"Well enough. He's assigned me to a project with Lupita Vidal."
"Excellent. In Little Haiti?"
"No, it's not."
"What, then?"
"I think it's Alpha-66 business, but that's kind of a guess, so far."
"Well, at least he trusts you. Tell me more about the project."
"I'm supposed to set a honey trap for a woman whose father's apparently an arms dealer. He's rented a big place on Star Island for some kind of family gathering."
"Name?"
"J.-P. Berger. The daughter is Danielle. Dani, they call her."
"Where are these people from? The States?"
"No. The father's from France, although he's originally from Martinique. Dani and another woman own a charter yacht that they run in the islands. She's got an American mother, but she's divorced."
"She who? Dani's divorced, or the mother? Or the other woman? Whose mother?"
"Jeez. Dani's mother's divorced from her father. The other woman's named Liz Chirac, and she's Belgian. Okay?"
"Yes. Thanks. So why a honey trap?"
"I'm guessing now, but I think Cruz is trying to score weapons for Alpha-66."
"You think they're planning something?"
"I don't know yet. It could be opportunistic, because Berger's here."
"Try to find out what they're up to."
"All right, but it's off the track of our mission. I'm not happy about being pulled away from the Haitian thing."
"I understand, but the boss says you should go with it. It'll build trust with Cruz, and Lupita Vidal is the link between Cruz and Santos. Try to get close to her, if you can."
Ortiz laughed. "That's like trying to tame a wildcat; she's nuts."
"Try. That's an order."
"Yes, ma'am. Where are we going?"
"Head on into downtown. Park in one of the garages close to city hall and take a walk for a few minutes. I'll be in touch."
****
"Where's Dani?" Connie asked, as Liz settled into the cockpit cushions aboard Diamantista II.
"She's gone to a day spa with her stepmother," Liz said.
"I can see Anne pampering herself, but that doesn't sound like Dani," Paul said.
"I called Anne during Dani's lunch date and asked her to insist that Dani go with her," Liz said. "It turned out not to be such a hard sell. Dani jumped at the chance to get her hair done."
"Dani?" Connie asked, wide-eyed. "I thought you cut each other's hair."
"She's had a sudden onset of vanity," Liz said.
"The date went well, then?" Connie asked.
"She's in love, or thinks so, anyway," Liz said. "I've never seen her in such a dopey state. It's like he put something in her drink."
"Really?" Paul asked. "You think he drugged her?"
"No, but he might as well have done."
"Good for her," Connie said. "She's been needing this for a while, ever since that Ralph guy dumped her."
"Well, I don't know about that. I think a lot of the Ralph thing was in Dani's mind, but don't tell her."
"You think this guy's serious?"
"That's why I asked Anne to take her to the spa. I wanted time alone to talk with you. I don't know what he's up to, but I'm worried." Liz told them about Ortiz's explanation for abandoning Dani the night they met.
"His sister's named Lupita?" Paul asked. "That's a coincidence. That plate you asked me to run earlier?"
"Yes," Liz said, "but the last name's different. I suppose she could be married, but that still doesn't explain why she was sitting in the car at the yacht club, taking pictures of Dani and Ortiz. Or why she's here when she's supposed to be in Martinique."
"She was what?" Paul asked, raising his eyebrows.
"That's why I asked you to run the plate."
"Somebody might have borrowed her car," Connie said. "Did you get a good look at the woman? Was she th
e same one who was on the beach last night?"
"I got a good look at the woman in the car. She could be the same one; the hair's the same. But it was pretty dark last night on the beach. I can't be sure."
Paul fussed with his smartphone for a few seconds and handed it to Liz. She studied the mug shot and nodded. "Maybe. Same hair, but I saw her in profile."
"Swipe right to left," Paul said.
"This is the woman in the car," Liz said, looking at a profile shot. "No question. Is she Lupita Vidal?"
"Yes," Paul said. "And that's her maiden name. She's a serious bad-ass."
"You think she could be this guy's sister?" Connie asked.
"Not if he's who he says he is," Paul said. "This woman's an only child. Her parents came from Cuba, all right, but they settled in Savannah, and they're dead. She's got quite a record."
"She has a police record?" Liz asked. "For what?"
"She's been arrested several times for assault, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, that kind of thing. Never been charged. Witnesses didn't want to follow through."
"Isn't that odd?" Liz asked.
"Not too odd," Paul said. "The people she picked on are as scared of the police as they are of her. She's muscle for a slum lord named Tony Santos who rents to poor immigrants. She collects overdue rent, and kicks people out when it suits him. That kind of thing."
"A woman? Doing that kind of work?" Liz asked.
"She's a tiger, apparently," Paul said. "She's a semi-pro cage fighter."
"A what?" Liz asked.
"Mixed martial arts," Paul said. "It's a blood sport. Bare knuckles, anything goes. No rules. They shut two opponents in a cage and let them go at it until one gives up or gets knocked unconscious."
"That sounds like it should be illegal," Connie said.
"It is, in some places. Lupita Vidal is undefeated, so far."
"Why would someone like that be tailing Dani and Ortiz?" Liz asked.
"I don't know," Paul said, "but you'd better warn Dani."
"That's what my reaction was earlier," Liz said. "Then I saw how excited she was. She'll be devastated."
"You have to tell her, Liz," Connie said. "She can ask David Ortiz about it. Maybe there's some explanation. Maybe this Lupita's got him confused with someone else, or ... " She shook her head.
"You're clutching at straws, Connie," Paul said. "He told Dani that Lupita's his sister, remember?"
"But Liz isn't sure she's the same woman."
"Liz can't positively identify her as the woman on the beach, but she had to be. One guy, two women of similar appearance within a 24-hour period? Both named Lupita? No question. You need to tell her, Liz. This woman's dangerous."
"How do you feel about that, Liz," Connie asked.
"Awful." The look on Liz's face was more eloquent than her answer. "Thanks for your support. I have a feeling I'm going to need you two to help pick up the pieces."
"I think some of Paul's rum punch is in order," Connie said. "When are she and Anne due back?"
Liz glanced at the screen of her phone. "About an hour. Make mine a double, please."
****
The Mercedes sedan with the dark windows pulled to a stop under the portico of the Star Island mansion. Phillip sat in the back, blindfolded. The man in the front passenger seat said, "Okay, señor. You may remove the blindfold."
Phillip pushed the black cloth band up over his forehead and put it in the man's waiting hand. "Thank you."
"My pleasure," Phillip said. "Have a nice evening."
"Thank you, señor, and you as well."
He glanced at his watch as he opened the front door of the house. He turned to watch the car leave, checking the license plate. As he expected, it was the same car that had picked him up. He'd committed the number to memory, planning to ask Paul Russo to check with his former colleagues at the Miami PD.
Entering the sunken living room, Phillip was surprised to find J.-P. sitting on a big leather couch, reading a local newspaper. When he saw Phillip, he folded the paper neatly and put it on the coffee table.
"Well?" J.-P. asked.
"Hey, I thought you'd be out sightseeing with Anne. I didn't expect to see you until later."
"Liz called and asked Anne to keep Dani amused this afternoon. When Dani and Liz returned, Anne took her to a day spa. I was surprised that Dani went; it is not like her. Liz wanted to talk with Paul about investigating this gentleman friend of Dani's."
"Sounds mysterious," Phillip said.
J.-P. shrugged. "Dani is Dani. She will tell us when she wants us to know. Was that Martínez in the car that came for you?"
"No. Two men. They were sent to take me to him." Phillip said. "Same two brought me back. They blindfolded me, so I don't know where they took me. Not far, though. Ten minutes, each way, some of it on the Interstate. Probably into Little Havana, but that's a pure guess. Martínez was waiting, apparently alone, in a modest house. All the shades were drawn, so I have no clue where it was. I'll get Paul to run the plate, but it's probably stolen."
"What did he want?"
"He was following up on my contact with the agency earlier this morning. Apparently, they watched. Maybe they eavesdropped; I couldn't say. He implied that they knew the kid who met me from previous encounters."
"So who is he working with?" J.-P. asked.
"He wouldn't say. He implied that it was 'the usual suspects,' as he put it, but he declined to name anyone. He says the exile organizations are all full of double and triple agents. He doesn't trust them, or the kid from the agency, either. He's worried that word of what he's doing will get back to the wrong people."
"That is interesting," J.-P. said, "but how will you proceed?"
"He said he would send a signal that they couldn't miss. It will prove he's serious and positioned to move forward."
"What is this signal to be?" J.-P. asked.
Phillip shrugged. "I don't know. I guess the agency will know it when they see it."
"Very strange. Did you discuss the money?"
Phillip smiled. "Yes. He said the money's not a problem. He has funding."
"And did you ask about a supplier?"
"Yes. He chuckled and said that 'in the fullness of time,' he would tell us."
"So, we wait, then," J.-P. said. "Would you like a drink?"
"Sure, but I'd best call in this contact first. What time are Anne and Dani coming back?"
"I do not know. Anne called a few minutes ago; she and Dani are going shopping. Dani needs some clothes, so they are delayed. Anne said she will explain when she gets back."
"Dani needs clothes?" Phillip shook his head. "Now that is strange. Let me make my call while you mix us drinks."
"Rum?" J.-P. asked. "I have Saint James Reserve."
"Good. Make mine on the rocks, please."
****
Paul had just offered Liz and Connie refills on their drinks when Liz's phone rang. She nodded her thanks and extended her glass toward him while she slipped her phone out of the pocket of her shorts.
"Dani," she announced, as she accepted the call. "Hi. How's the haircut?"
She listened for a few seconds. "Good. So are you and Anne on your way home?"
She listened again. "No, you're not on the speaker. I'm having a drink with Connie and Paul. I can talk. They're both below, fixing a snack tray."
Connie, taking the hint, got to her feet and went below to join Paul, leaving Liz to converse in privacy.
"He called while I was getting my hair cut, Liz," Dani said, her voice squeaking with excitement.
"I see," Liz said. "And?"
"And I'm going to dinner with him! He had a client meeting scheduled, so he didn't ask me earlier, but it got changed, so he called. I'm pumped up!"
"I can tell. You're coming back here first, right?" Liz asked, looking at her watch.
"No. there's no time. I just called to -- "
"Dani, you can't go to dinner with him dressed the way you are."
&
nbsp; "I'm not. Anne and I are shopping for a dress and shoes for me to wear right now. After he called, I showered at the spa and got my makeup and my hair done. I'm a new woman. You won't recognize me. I've got a date, Liz!"
"Um, that's great, Dani. I'm happy for you. Where is he taking you?"
"He didn't say; he hadn't booked a table yet when he called, so it'll be a surprise."
"Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Call me if you need me for anything."
"I will. I mean, I probably won't, but thanks for everything. All your help's paying off, finally."
"Any idea what time you'll get home?"
"Now you sound like my mother. No, I have no idea. He might ask me to ... should I ... what if he wants me to go to his place, and ... you know?"
"Take it slowly, Dani. It's your first date with -- "
"Second date!"
"Yes, technically it's your second date, but what I was going to say is that you shouldn't rush into anything physical with him until you're sure how you feel about him. If you're feeling the need to ask me, it's a sign you've got some questions in your own mind."
"But I don't want him to think I'm, you know, some kind of prude or something. He might not call again if I don't ... "
"Trust your judgment, Dani. Think this through. You could blow it by being too easy. That can be just as bad as the other. Wait and see what happens before you decide, okay? You'll do the right thing for you. That's what matters."
"Okay, but don't wait up for me. I'll probably be late, and I'll just sleep in the guest cabin so I won't wake you."
"Okay, Dani. Thanks for calling, and have a nice evening."
Liz put the phone down and called, "Thanks. I'm off the phone now."
Connie climbed back into the cockpit and turned to take a tray from Paul before he joined them. She put the tray on the cockpit table and sat down across from Liz. Paul passed the fresh glasses of rum punch and sat down beside Connie.
"Can you talk?" Connie asked. "We don't want to pry."
Liz, a wry smile on her face, took a sip of her drink. She swallowed and said, "He called her and asked her out. She's going to dinner with him."
Bluewater Revolution: The Twelfth Novel in the Bluewater Thriller Series - Mystery and Adventure in Florida, Cuba, and the Caribbean (Bluewater Thrillers Book 12) Page 5