"Except for your name, all she did was curse Lupita in Cuban Spanish. Spoke it like a native. Words only a Cuban would have used, mostly."
Ortiz shook his head. "No idea, Manny. Maybe Lupita was up to something she didn't tell me about."
"Whatever it is, whoever's behind it, they got your name, kid. If I were you, I'd watch my ass."
"Yeah, I will."
"Okay, Ortiz. If anything comes to mind, let me know. Meanwhile, how come you're not screwing Dani Berger tonight?"
"She had some kind of family thing going on tonight at the compound. I talked to her late this afternoon to see about making some plans for tonight, but she couldn't do it. I tried to get her to invite me to whatever it was, but she said it wouldn't fly -- too small a group, but she wanted me to meet everybody. She said there'd be another chance; they're all going to be around for several days."
"Okay. I need you in there. Your job's to become part of that family gathering, as quick as you can. Understand?"
"Yes, Manny. I got it; I'm pushing as hard as I can. I don't want to piss her off."
"No, don't do that. But anything you can do to speed it up, anything you need, just let me know, okay."
"Okay."
"With Lupita laid up, you're going to be working directly with me. I like to be kept in the loop -- even dumb stuff. You never know what might be important. Don't feel like you need to hold anything back because it seems trivial, okay?"
"I understand, Manny."
"Good. Now get some rest and get to work on Berger tomorrow."
"Uh, Manny?"
"Yeah, kid. What is it?"
"Lupita did say something about somebody named Martínez."
"Martínez?"
"Yeah. She'd never mentioned him before."
Cruz stared at him for a moment. "You said, 'him.' This Martínez is a guy, then?"
Ortiz frowned. "Yeah, I guess. I can't remember exactly what she said, now. But I must have gotten the impression Martínez was a guy, huh?"
"I guess. Why'd she mention him?"
Ortiz shrugged. "Had to be something about this Berger business. I thought maybe it might be important, you know?"
"Maybe, kid. If you remember anything else about this Martínez, let me know, okay?"
"Sure, Manny. The way she said it, it somehow made me think you knew him."
Cruz shook his head. "Common name, but it's not ringing any bells right now. I gotta go. Have a good evening."
Ortiz nodded, and Cruz opened the door and left, closing it behind himself. Ortiz went into the kitchen and put three ice cubes into a highball glass. He reached far into the back of a cabinet and took out a bottle of the best rum he had. He filled the glass and took it into the living room. He needed to think his way through this.
****
When Dani returned to the Star Island mansion, she saw that everyone was still in the outdoor dining room. In no mood to socialize with them, she crept around the perimeter of the grounds and slipped aboard Vengeance. She stowed the small duffle bag that she'd been carrying, and stretched out on her bunk to consider how she wanted to deal with David.
Although she was still bowled over by his attention, she recognized that she'd lost considerable respect for him. She couldn't comprehend his attitude toward this Lupita Vidal. As handsome as he was, and as sweet as he had been to her, she had to admit that he might be a coward. To knuckle under to someone like the Vidal woman was incomprehensible to her.
But she liked him; he was kind and gentle. Of course, those traits helped explain why he let the woman push him around. She couldn't help comparing him to the other men in her circle, but she knew that wasn't fair to him. He was attractive to her because he was a regular guy. Her father, Phillip, Sharktooth -- they shaped her notion of how a man should behave. But would she want a man like that as a lover? She didn't know.
She reflected on her half-brother and her former fiancé; both were despicable weaklings. Not just physically -- she could excuse that. It was their lack of grit and determination that she found unattractive. Ralph Suarez, the one man she'd ever thought she could love, had his failings, as well.
She knew now that she'd misread Ralph's interest. A gentleman to the core, Suarez had treated her as an equal, a responsible, competent person. She'd been swept off her feet by his consideration and respect, only to discover that he was unavailable. She had been stunned when she learned he was gay. Hurt and angry didn't even come close to her feelings when she'd discovered that.
Now, with some time to dull her pain, she knew that Ralph wasn't to blame. He'd done nothing to encourage her amorous feelings; he'd been looking for a business partner, not a soulmate, and had been as upset as she was when her misunderstanding surfaced. They'd parted on good terms. Dani was still embarrassed by the memory of her naïveté, though.
She could imagine how Suarez would have dealt with someone like Lupita. It wouldn't have involved paying her blackmail, nor would he have responded to her summons the way David had. He might have gone to meet her once or twice, but only to set her up.
It wasn't that she was worried about Lupita's interfering in her future relationship with David. She was certain that wouldn't happen -- not after tonight. But would a man who had let himself get into that kind of situation be able to avoid falling into a similar trap another time? She had a strong view on that, and it didn't augur well for a future with David.
Still, he was handsome and polite. She was only here for another few days -- maybe a week or two at the outside. What was the harm in a little dalliance? She wished Liz were back; she needed to talk this over with her. And she needed to decide what she wanted to do before she met him in the morning.
She'd made the excuse of a mandatory family dinner when he asked her out tonight. He'd been obvious in his willingness to accompany her, suggesting that he'd really like to meet her family and friends, but she'd managed to stall him. She knew she couldn't keep putting him off. She either needed to dump him or bring him into the fold.
She heard footsteps on the dock outside and stood up to peep through the port light. Paul and Connie were coming back to Diamantista II. Liz wouldn't be far behind.
****
"Dani!" Liz yelped when she came down the companionway and turned on the light.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Why are you sitting here in the dark?"
"I didn't want to deal with everybody, so I sort of sneaked in."
"I've been watching for you to come back. I was a little worried, to tell the truth. Are you okay? How long have you been here?"
Dani shrugged. "Yes, I guess. I got back … I don't know. Maybe half an hour?"
"Did you get something to eat?"
"I'm okay, Mom." Dani teased. "I just need to talk, if you're not too tired."
"Where did you go? The beach?"
Dani nodded. "Did they grill you about David and me?"
"I wouldn't say that, but of course they're curious. They asked if you were out with him this evening."
"What did you tell them?"
"As little as I could. I told them you had gone for a long walk, that you needed some time to yourself." Liz took in Dani's worried look and went on to explain. "I sort of had to tell them that much; they wanted to know why you didn't invite him to dinner here."
"But you didn't tell them about Lupita blackmailing him, did you?"
"No. I didn't mention her."
"Good," Dani said.
"So what excuse did you give David when he called this afternoon, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Not at all; I need to talk this through with you, please."
"I'm listening," Liz said. "So what did you tell him?"
"That this was a family-only affair."
"He thinks you were here, then?"
"Yes. He kind of invited himself. He wants to meet everybody. But I just couldn't deal with that. Not on top of this whole Lupita thing."
A few seconds passed in silence. "Blackmai
l," Liz said, shaking her head. "I guess you have to believe him about that. You can hardly ask her."
"I considered that. But then I decided she'd just lie, and maybe retaliate against him."
Liz nodded. "Uh-huh. Just as well that you don't confront her."
Dani looked at Liz, appraising her friend's expression for several seconds, and then looked away.
"Dani?"
"Yes?" Dani looked Liz in the eye. "What?"
"Did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Confront her."
"Not exactly."
"Do you want to tell me what that means?"
"He's a wimp, Liz."
"We were talking about Lupita."
"Yes. That's what I meant."
"How did you 'not exactly' confront her?"
"I just helped her to see that she should leave him alone from now on."
"And did she agree?"
"I was persuasive."
"Do you need to tell me what happened?"
Dani shook her head. "No. I'm okay with it. If you don't know, nobody can put you on the spot."
"Are there going to be repercussions?"
"No."
"What keeps her from retaliating?"
"Given her situation, she can't."
"Is she ... did you?"
"Are you trying to ask if I killed her?"
Liz locked eyes with Dani, but didn't say anything.
After a moment, Dani said, "She's a strong woman. She's not happy about her new situation, but she'll get over it with time. Probably."
"Was that what you wanted to talk about?" Liz asked.
"No. I'm still trying to sort out my feelings about David."
"Do you believe what he told you about Lupita, then?"
"More or less. It's moot now anyway. But I'm troubled that he couldn't handle it on his own."
"Does he know?"
"Know what?"
"That you persuaded her to back off."
"Not yet. I'm thinking I should tell him in the morning."
"You're going to see him in the morning?"
Dani nodded. "For brunch."
"Do you want to keep seeing him?"
"He's so kind and gentle. Not to mention being a real hunk to look at."
"That sounds like 'yes' to me," Liz said.
"But he's a wimp," Dani said.
"Is there an alternative explanation for his behavior?"
Dani frowned. "What are you saying, Liz?"
"Besides his being a wimp, can you think of a reason he would have put up with Lupita?"
Dani's mouth opened and closed a few times. "Uh, I haven't thought about it. Do you think -- "
"I don't have any opinion. Just asking," Liz said. "If he weren't a wimp, would you keep seeing him?"
"Maybe."
"Why?"
"Because he's fun?"
"Is he?" Liz asked.
"I think so."
"And that's all you were looking for, isn't it? When we went to the club the other night? Someone who would be fun to go out with a few times?"
"Yes."
"Are you looking for something more than that right now?"
"I don't know. I hadn't thought of it like that. Should I be?"
"I can't answer that, Dani."
"I see. What do you think I should do?"
"Take small steps. You're meeting him for breakfast?"
"Right."
"If that goes well, invite him back here for lunch. Let's see how he fits in with everybody."
"You think that's okay?"
"Sure. And if it's not, you'll be closer to some answers, maybe."
"Thanks, Liz." Dani stood up and hugged her friend.
****
Chapter 11
It was just after sunrise when Phillip, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand, stepped out onto the veranda. There was no sign of life aboard either Diamantista II or Vengeance when he put his coffee down on the table and reached for a chair.
"Good morning, señor." Martínez had approached from the shadows, making just enough noise to alert Phillip to his presence. "I hoped you would come out early this morning. Are Señor Berger and his wife still asleep?"
"I think so; they haven't come out of their suite, anyway."
"Good; I see the yachts are still dark, so we have a few minutes, yes?"
"I expect so, but we should walk around like we did the other day, just in case. Can I get you coffee? It'll only take a ... "
Martínez shook his head, smiling. "Thank you, but I have already had breakfast."
As he turned and began to walk toward the flower beds in the front of the mansion, Phillip fell into step beside him. "I wondered if you'd lost your inside source, José."
Martínez looked at him and smiled, shrugging. "You mean because I waited to get in touch?"
Phillip nodded.
Martínez said, "I thought it best to give General Olsen some time to learn what he could. Now, at least, we know they are taking this seriously. I was offended on your behalf that they chose such an inexperienced person as your contact at first. I'm glad they saw their error."
"What's next, José?"
"Next? We should discuss my clients' requirements."
"We haven't made a commitment to you yet; you still haven't told us -- "
"Excuse me, Colonel Davis. You and I both know what the appointment of General Olsen means. I appreciate that you must maintain a posture of negotiation, but I know your side is in the game, as the saying goes, yes?"
Phillip shrugged. "If you say so."
"Yes," Martínez said. "For now, let's work on the assumption that your people are committed. I need to equip a light infantry battalion. Only weapons, though. Uniforms and transportation are not a problem."
"So, 550 people, then?"
Martínez nodded. "Let us say 600, señor, to be safe."
"Eastern-Bloc weapons okay?" Phillip asked.
"Hmm." Martínez stroked his chin and looked down at the flowers. "I suppose that's necessary. Many of our people are veterans, though, so that will mean a bit of extra training. Maybe more ammunition than if you provide U.S.-made weapons."
"I don't understand," Phillip said.
"Veterans of your Gulf wars, señor. We are no longer dealing with a bunch of old men from home. We have a new generation, and they are battle-hardened."
"I see."
"Are U.S. weapons available? The price isn't critical," Martínez said.
"Everything is available. That isn't the problem. I can ask, but I know the preference will be foreign-manufactured."
"Ask, please."
"And you still want delivery in the Everglades?"
"Yes. Is this a problem?"
"Maybe. We aren't talking about a couple of pickup trucks with a few cases of rifles, here."
"Ah, of course," Martínez said. "I should tell you that delivering in small quantities would be good. We will do this a couple of platoons at a time, let's say. This makes a difference, yes?"
"Yes. That's much more manageable from a logistics' perspective. What kind of interval between shipments?"
"Let us say two weeks, for now," Martínez said.
"Can you take delivery somewhere like the Shark River Entrance? Whitewater Bay?"
"Yes. That would be excellent."
"Do you have anything else for now, José?"
"The cost? And method of payment? I will need to make arrangements, of course."
"Of course. I'll have to get back to you, now that we know the scope of your requirements."
"I'll be in touch, señor." With that, Martínez let himself out the pedestrian gate and got into a nondescript pickup truck driven by another man.
****
Ortiz sat on the bench at the Bayfront Park Amphitheatre facing the fountain. He picked up one of the two cups of coffee that sat next to him and took a sip, watching the old crone pushing a grocery cart along the sidewalk. As she approached, he could see that the cart was filled with b
ulging plastic bags that contained various discarded bits of clothing. He was downwind, and the homeless woman was still several yards from him when he wrinkled his nose at the sour odor wafting his way.
She gave him a gap-toothed grin and pushed the cart up to the end of the bench farthest from him. Still grinning at him, she sat down on the bench. When she reached for the extra cup of coffee, he said, "Sorry, but I'm expecting someone."
She nodded and took a sip of the coffee. "Yes, David. You called, and I came. You like the disguise?"
His face reflected his surprise. He gave her a closer look and saw that her "missing" teeth had been blackened temporarily. "You smell like a garbage truck. Thanks for not hiding in my car this time."
"I was here working on another case, so I was in the neighborhood. I knew you'd be meeting Dani Berger at the yacht club in a little while for breakfast. That's not too far from here. What's up?"
"I had a visitor last night after we talked."
"I know. You're wired, remember?"
"Then you already know about Lupita Vidal."
"Yes. South Beach can be dangerous at night, I guess. I'm on a tight schedule, here. What's on your mind?"
"Lupita."
"What about her?"
"Did you, um ... have someone ... "
She shook her head, making a clicking sound with her tongue. "Why would you think that?"
"Never mind the bullshit. Did you arrange that beating?"
"Of course not. You know we don't operate that way."
"Yeah, and I believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, too."
"So your mind's made up. Why'd you even bother to ask, then?"
"I wanted to know why. I'm reporting directly to Cruz, now. Is that what you wanted? Because if it is, you really screwed the pooch on this one."
"I told you, we had nothing to do with it, David. It's good that you're closer to Cruz, though. And why would you think we'd screwed the pooch, by taking out Lupita, which I assure you we did not."
"Because, she was key to the Haitian connection. That's why."
"She's just an enforcer, David. They'll get somebody else, no sweat."
"She was more than that. She was the go-between for Cruz and Santos."
"Yeah. After Cruz took over running you last night, we thought maybe he'd put you in that role."
"I wouldn't bet on it."
"And why's that?"
Bluewater Revolution: The Twelfth Novel in the Bluewater Thriller Series - Mystery and Adventure in Florida, Cuba, and the Caribbean (Bluewater Thrillers Book 12) Page 9