by Giselle Fox
“That was considerate,” Sheila said.
“Then there’s the cyber gang known as Carbanak,” Ambrose continued. “They are completely invisible, unknown even to each other. They work from anywhere and could be anyone. They gain access to the computer systems of world’s largest financial institutions and play with account balances without anyone even knowing they were there. They’ve been doing it for years - to the tune of one billion dollars.”
Mr. Bloom, the banker, nodded gravely.
Esme Bloom shuddered as if a ghost had run up her spine. “Who would do such a thing?”
“I think it could be anyone, my dear, that’s what makes it so fascinating,” said Ambrose as he glanced from face to face.
“Well, I’m sure I wouldn’t be the first to say that in each case, and especially the bank’s, they probably all had it coming,” chimed in Sheila.
Mr. Bloom looked offended by the comment but said nothing. He sighed and looked at his wife. Esme patted his arm as Ambrose began to chuckle to himself.
“Then there was the guy that lifted a ninety-pound bucket of gold shavings off an armored truck and took off on foot. Security cameras recorded the whole thing. He’d been deported out of the United States four times already. But my favorite part of that story was that the best photograph the authorities had of the fellow was taken at Madame Toussaud’s. He was sitting on Drew Barrymore’s bicycle with E.T. in the basket! The bugger had half the world rooting for him because of that picture alone.”
Everyone laughed.
“Was he ever caught?” Cate asked.
“Sure. It’s only a matter of time before they all get caught. The trick, I suppose, is to live as large as you can in the meantime without raising suspicion.”
“If I had ninety pounds of gold in my arms, I might make a run for it too,” laughed Stanley Bloom.
Esme slapped his arm. “That would be stealing, sweetie.”
“Only if it wasn’t stealing, I mean,” he said quietly.
Cate knew her fair share about insurance fraud since it happened all the time. Someone slipped and fell in front of a lawyer’s office and figured it was their big chance to pay off their mortgage. Someone else lifted a box that was a few pounds over the maximum weight and could no longer work at all, even though their Facebook page showed them skiing moguls a week later. She scanned her brain for some of the bigger cases that had circulated in the industry quarterlies. She cleared her throat. “I work for an insurance broker, part of larger umbrella corporation, of course.”
“Aren’t they all?” said Ambrose.
“There was a huge scandal in our industry back in the nineties, you may have heard of it. Without getting too complicated, big insurance companies sometimes enter into agreements with Managing General Agents, small firms or individuals that handle the underwriting, claim process and reinsurance on behalf of the big company. In this instance, the two MGA’s underwrote an extremely high volume of business in a short period of time, taking on high-risk, low profit accounts - policies for basically everything that the rest of the industry didn’t want - at cut-rate prices. They had no risk since they weren’t responsible for the actual payouts. But they made off with close to $35 million and funneled it all into their properties in the Turks and Caicos. ”
Ambrose sat back in his chair and scratched his chin. “I think I can work that in somewhere.”
“You’ve given him an idea, Cate,” Sheila said with a smile.
“He hasn’t had one of those all week,” Alice added sarcastically.
“Oh stop, I have more ideas than I know what to do with,” Ambrose said.
Cate wasn’t sure what they all were talking about. “Ideas for what, Ambrose?”
“He’s writing a book,” said Sheila.
Ambrose looked pleased that people were talking about him. “It’s true, I am.”
“Fiction?” Cate asked.
“Yes, I’ve been working on it for some time. Don’t know if I’ll ever get it done.”
“It shouldn’t be too hard, you write for a living,” Sheila said.
“I write social commentary for a living. This is different.”
“Well I think it’s fabulous, Ambrose,” chimed in Esme. Everyone’s head turned to her.
“I do,” she said. “I think if you have a dream then you should just hurry up and get to work on it. You only live once.”
“Here here,” said Mr. Bloom.
Sheila smiled at her. “And what is your dream, Esme?” the question wasn’t without a hint of sarcasm, though judging from Esme’s pleased-as-pie expression, she hadn’t noticed.
“I’ve been writing too!” Esme announced.
Mr. Bloom smiled proudly and plopped his soft paw on her knee. “She writes every night before bed, don’t you, my darling?”
Esme nodded. “It helps me sleep having all of those wonderful images in my head.” Her eyes drifted somewhere over their heads and she sighed.
“What sort of writing, Esme?” Cate asked.
“Oh, the only kind there is! Romance.”
“She’s quite good,” said her husband.
“Stanley helps me edit. It’s become a team effort.” The couple looked at one another lovingly.
Sheila smiled back at them. “You two are definitely ... something.”
Ambrose shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “Well, I prefer something with a bit more teeth.”
“Oh there’s been some teeth, hasn’t there, Stanley?” Esme said and winked at her husband. They giggled and kissed one another again.
“Okay,” Alice said into her empty glass. “Perhaps another round?”
“I’ll get this one. It’s my turn,” said Cate.
“No, you’re a guest,” said Ambrose. “You’re exempt from buying rounds until at least -” he pretended to look at an imaginary watch on his wrist. “Never mind,” he said happily, “I’ll take a Pacifico. Lots of lime please.”
“Make that two,” Sheila said.
Esme looked at her husband. “Want to share?”
He nodded. “Another margarita, por favor. Make it a double.”
“Calvin’s here!” Ambrose whooped suddenly. “I thought the lads were going to be outnumbered tonight.”
“You’re still outnumbered,” said Alice blandly.
Calvin sat down at the table and nodded to everyone. “What are we drinking?”
“Cate was about to get us another round,” Ambrose said.
“Perfect,” Calvin grinned and looked around the table at the empty bottles. “Pacifico will do, thank you.”
Cate looked down at her friend. “Another?”
“I’ll have what the Blooms are having,” Alice replied.
“Two double margaritas and three Pacificos. I think I can remember that,” Cate said and marched off to the bar.
“Don’t forget to get something stiff for yourself,” Ambrose called.
CHAPTER EIGHT
When she reached the bar, Lexi was mixing something in the blender with her back turned. Cate took a seat and waited with her elbows on the bar.
“Hey!” Lexi smiled when she turned around. She poured the frothy lime-colored contents into two chilled glasses and dropped two little umbrellas on top.
“Very pretty,” said Cate.
“Can I make you something?”
“I’m here for another round,” Cate said. “They drink fast.”
Lexi looked over her shoulder. “That they do. What can I get you?”
“I need three Pacificos and two double margaritas.”
“What are you having?”
“I haven’t decided. What’s your specialty?”
Lexi grinned at her. “Want me to make something up?”
Cate was suspicious. “As long as it doesn’t make me regret anything, go for it.”
Lexi wiped her hands on her towel and winked. “No regrets, hey? Let me see what I can do about that.” She grabbed the margaritas and walked around the bar. “B
e right back.”
Cate watched her deliver the drinks out onto the patio where a happy looking couple received them with open smiles. Lexi said a few words to them. Cate imagined she’d asked where they were from and where they were heading since she’d heard her do that before. Lexi walked back a few seconds later and went back behind the bar. “Okay, three Pacificos,” she said and pulled open the bar fridge. She plopped them on the counter and popped the tops one by one. Then she jabbed a few large slabs of lime in each.
“I can deliver those,” Cate said.
“Um, just in case you’re thinking of moving in on my action, they don’t tip,” Lexi grinned.
Cate flashed her a smile and grabbed the three beers and walked back to her table.
“Here’s the first batch,” she said as she deposited a beer each in front of Calvin, Ambrose, and Sheila.
“This is why it’s better to order beer. You don’t have to wait,” said Ambrose to Alice.
The three clinked their bottles and took a long sip and went back to their conversation.
Alice looked at Cate and patted the seat beside her. “Why don’t you wait here? She’ll bring the rest over.”
“I ... haven’t figured out what I want yet,” Cate said and hustled back to her barstool. Lexi looked over her shoulder as she sat down.
“You’re right, they don’t tip,” Cate whispered. She watched as Lexi poured margarita ingredients into the blender. “The lime smells good.”
“You want a margarita instead? I’ll mix it separately.”
“No, thank you. I’m not even sure I need any more alcohol. I’m a little worn out from your tour today.”
Lexi looked up as she poured a long stream of alcohol into the canister.
“Whoa! Is that what four shots looks like?”
“It’s closer to six,” Lexi said quietly. “If it doesn’t burn their throats, they complain. Yolanda doesn’t want to fight with them since they’re in here every day.”
Cate turned around and looked at her friends sitting there. “Hard to imagine the Blooms complaining about anything. Alice too?”
Lexi didn’t answer. “They’re good customers. It all works out.” She plunked the canister onto the machine and pressed the button. She turned back and wiped her hands.
“Okay. Time to get creative for the lovely lady from Chicago.”
“Nothing too strong,” Cate said and then smiled to herself about the lovely lady comment.
“So, you had fun today?” Lexi asked as she selected a few pieces of fruit from the big bowl on the counter.
“Oh my gosh, I had so much fun! Thank you. I should buy you dinner or flowers or something.”
Lexi smiled broadly. “Dinner sounds nice.”
Cate looked around her. “But, maybe not here since you work here and ... well.” She glanced over her shoulder and saw that Alice was staring at her. She didn’t look happy.
“Your friend doesn’t like me,” Lexi said quietly.
“I can’t understand why, honestly. You’ve taken more of an interest in me being here than she has.” She realized that had come out sounding bitter.
Lexi watched her a moment. “I know the perfect place for dinner.”
Cate perked up. “You do?”
“But it’s not exactly a restaurant. In fact, it’s not even in town, but you’ll love it.”
“If it’s not a restaurant and not in town, how am I going to buy you dinner?” Cate asked skeptically.
“I’ll take care of the dinner part too since I know my way around and you don’t.”
“Okay, wait. As much as I like the sound of this, even though I have no idea what it is, how is this plan going to help me do something nice to thank you for all your hospitality?”
“You don’t have to do anything but say you’ll come with me. That’ll be more than enough thanks.”
Cate was still skeptical.
“Seriously,” Lexi continued. “This place will be way better with a friend. I’ve always wanted to take someone up there.”
“Well, alright. I’ll just have to think of something nice to do for you on my own.”
“Is that a yes?” Lexi asked.
“Yes, it’s a yes! If it’s anything like today, I can’t wait to see what you’re going to show me.”
“Say, two o’clock tomorrow afternoon? How about we meet here?”
“Okay,” Cate said. She felt excited and then a little shy since it was all beginning to feel more like a date than a simple thank-you dinner. She watched Lexi squeeze some fresh juices of lime, orange, and pineapple into a glass and then watched as she juiced and strained kiwi in too.
“It looks delicious,” Cate said. “Does this drink have a name?”
“I’m thinking of calling it No Regrets.”
Cate laughed. “I like it.”
Lexi discreetly pulled a bottle of something from behind the bar and concealed it from view.
“What is that?” Cate asked.
“This is the good tequila. It’s not for everyone,” Lexi whispered.
Cate glanced behind her. “Meaning those with less discerning tastes?”
Lexi measured a single shot and poured it into the mix of juices. “Now for the ice,” she said.
She shook everything in a martini shaker and poured the lot into a tall thin glass. She slid it across the bar. “I give you No Regrets,” she announced with a smile.
“Thank you! It looks beautiful. What do I owe you?”
“Your drink is on me. Theirs comes to $11.50.”
“Now you’re buying me a drink?” Cate asked.
Lexi smiled and shrugged. “It’s an experiment. It could be awful.”
Cate took a sip of her drink and then gave her a look. “It’s delicious. Let me pay for it.”
Lexi smiled and shook her head.
Cate sighed. “Thank you for spoiling me. I’m going to go home with a very good impression of this place because of you.” She looked back at the group of friends who were now arguing about something.
“I better send these drinks over,” Lexi said and grabbed the two margaritas.
Cate watched her walk to the table and set them down before she remembered that Alice was probably expecting her to sit down again. But Cate stayed where she was. Alice took a sip from her margarita and then scowled at Lexi’s back.
“Well, the Blooms almost choked on their first sip. That’s a good sign,” Lexi said as she scooted behind the counter.
Cate sipped her drink happily. Lexi leaned back against the counter and smiled at her. She had an easy elegance to her. She was a little androgynous because of her mid-length hair and built shoulders. Her jeans were belted low on her hips, her low-cut blouse barely covered her obliques. Cate envied that kind of definition.
“What?” Lexi asked suddenly.
It popped Cate out of her daydream. She realized she’d been staring. She looked away quickly and stirred her drink. When she glanced back, Lexi was grinning from ear to ear.
“I was just thinking about -” Cate let her words trail off as she fumbled. She tried to think up something witty but nothing sprang to mind. She felt her cheeks get hot. In a panic, she told the truth.
“I was looking at your -” she waved her finger toward Lexi’s belt. “You have such nice definition there. How do you get that because I’ve seriously tried every kind of ab workout there is?”
Lexi attempted to cover up her laugh with a cough. She settled back against the bar and gave Cate a cocky grin. “I climb a lot, remember?”
“Right, of course,” Cate said. “That was fun today.”
Lexi grinned. “Would you like to do it again? I can take you somewhere not far from where we’re going tomorrow.”
Cate realized that she’d been graciously saved from an embarrassing situation. “I don’t know. Is it hard?”
“It can be easy or challenging. It’s a lot of fun.” Lexi stepped closer to the bar. “Besides,” she said lowering her voice, “if you wan
t these…” She lifted her shirt high enough for Cate to see the whole beautiful stretch of abdominals that ran from her rib cage down to her low-slung jeans. Lexi’s eyes flashed up at her and there was that cocky grin again.
Cate threw her hand over her face when she realized she was being teased. “Okay fine! You caught me checking you out. I blame the drink.”
Lexi placed her hands on either side of the bar. “I’m flattered, Cate. Honestly.”
Cate waved cool air over her face with her hands and then jumped suddenly. “I almost forgot to pay you! I need help.” She pulled a twenty from her wallet and slapped it down on the bar.
“I’ll get you some change,” Lexi grinned.
Cate watched her walk to the till. She tried to focus on Lexi’s back and not anywhere below the hips in case she had eyes in the back of her head. She decided that it was safer to concentrate on her drink just in case.
“Here you go,” Lexi said when she returned. She slid the change onto the counter in front of her.
“So how long have you worked here?” Cate asked.
“I don’t technically work here. I’m just helping Yolanda out.”
“Oh,” Cate said, surprised. “That’s kind of you. Can’t she hire someone?”
“Her husband is a bit -” Lexi paused as she tried to find the right words. “He likes his product a little too much, shall we say.”
“He’s a drunk?”
Lexi laughed. “Or you could just say that.”
“That’s rough,” Cate said.
“It is and Yolanda’s a really nice lady. She’s got three kids and she’s here from morning until night. She needs help, he’s not here, so I help.” She shrugged and leaned her back against the bar again.
Cate was impressed. “Wow. That’s a very noble thing to do. Most people would want something for their time.”
“It’s not a big deal to me. I have a paying job and I also have time.”
“Is that why you got the coveted rooftop suite with the 360-degree view?”
Lexi shook her head and laughed. “Ahh, the expats. They do love their conspiracies.”