Creole and Didier came out of their offices, both men shaking their heads.
Lark, who hadn’t missed a word, sat back in her chair and grinned the whole time.
“I assume you’re yelling at us,” Didier said.
“Come have a seat. You’re not going to want to miss this.” I waved to the chairs. “As you know, Gunz was here, and Fab videotaped Mother laying down the law to him. A little spoiler: he took it better than if I’d done it.”
“What’s the job?” Creole asked as he sat next to me.
“Gunz wants me to recover his Mercedes,” Fab answered. “A woman friend made off with it, and he doesn’t want to be a dick but wants it back.”
“This isn’t the first time he’s been relieved of a spendy auto by a lovely young woman he’s doing it with,” I informed everyone, happy that Lark was still paying attention. “Last time, we were shot at, or maybe the time before. Let’s hustle this heartwarming story along.”
Fab handed her phone to Creole and Didier, and the two leaned together and watched the video. Both laughed.
“Tell me that Gunz took your mother’s no as the final answer,” Didier said.
“I smoothed over the situation, telling him I’d hand the job over to Toady and not to worry—he has prowess with the ladies and can charm the keys out of the girlfriend’s hands.”
I grimaced, thinking about that leathered old guy with the skin of a reptile. Fab had stepped in and given him a makeover—gone were the wife-beaters and tattered shorts, and he claimed it made him more popular than ever. “Toady’s got a new woman in his life—Fuchsia, who we’ve yet to meet. If she can keep up with that old goat, then she’s no shrinking violet.”
“Thank you, Madeline.” Didier smiled at her, and she blushed. “I’m willing to bet that Fab wouldn’t have turned down the job if you hadn’t done it for her.”
“Since we’re talking about your client, what happened to the man who was screwing him on the property deals?” I asked.
“He relocated for health reasons,” Fab said.
“That means what?” Creole demanded. “If he doesn’t want to die, he better head out of town?”
“Gunz assured me he was unharmed,” Fab said.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Fab called early and invited me to lunch, promising a surprise. I’ll admit, that made me suspicious about what she was up to, but I managed to stop short of questioning her.
Rummaging through my closet, I chose a full black skirt and paired it with a sleeveless black top that dipped in the back, then strapped my Glock to my thigh, just to be safe. Fab announced her arrival by laying on the horn. I grabbed my purse, walked out, and slid into the passenger seat. “Where are we going?” So much for no questions. “You look hot, by the way.” I admired her black short-sleeve dress, with its square neckline and flared skirt.
“The Crab Shack,” Fab said as she drove out of the compound. “It’s been too long since we’ve been there.”
I refrained from licking my lips but thought about it. “You must be buttering me up for something.” I tapped my cheek.
“You’re so suspicious,” Fab said with amusement. “I thought, who better to share great food and a drink with?”
I squinted at her, then turned and checked out the back seat. “You definitely mentioned a surprise, and I don’t see a huge box anywhere.”
“It’s not that kind of surprise,” she said and shot me the behave stare. “You didn’t get your shopping day, and I’m going to make it up to you. There’s a store that just opened in Marathon, and I thought we’d check it out.”
“Sounds fun.”
Fab pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, which overlooked the cool waters of the Atlantic. She parked, and we walked up the steps to the entrance. It was a favorite, with its low-key atmosphere, decorated with fake palm trees and fish, mounted on walls strung with ropes of lights. Fab had made a reservation for an outside table—we both loved a view of the water. The server took our drink order and was back in a flash.
“To more fun times,” Fab toasted.
“Ladies.” A dark-haired man of medium height with cropped brown hair and a scruff of stubble strolled up. His blue eyes were trained on Fab, holding nothing but icicles. He sat down without being invited.
“That seat’s taken,” Fab stopped short of snapping. “If you don’t move, and now, I’ll call the manager.”
“No need to be unfriendly.” He cracked a small, insincere smile. “Michael Ashton.” He stuck his hand out, which she ignored. “I’m a reporter with a local news outlet. I’ve tried to get ahold of you several times, but my calls have been routed to voicemail and not returned. That’s why I’m getting in touch with you directly.”
“About what?” I asked.
“This isn’t any of your business.” He briefly turned towards me, and I struggled not to flinch under his frigid glare. “If you would sit somewhere else, the two of us could conclude our business a lot faster.” He glanced at Fab.
“That’s not going to happen,” Fab snapped. “Whatever it is you want, you can say in front of her, and if that offends you, tough. Now, you’ve got two minutes.” She tapped her watch.
“I thought you’d like a heads up that you’re about to be inundated with requests from reporters wanting to interview you, since you’re an eyewitness to the disposal of the bodies that were recently fished out of the Gulf. You could head that off by talking to me. Tell your story your way, and once it makes print, other writers won’t want to waste their time.”
“You’ve got the wrong woman,” Fab told him as he continued to stare at her intently. It was clear he didn’t believe a word she’d said.
“Police reports say otherwise,” he said with a ‘gotcha’ smirk. “A woman fitting your description was the one to call the cops.”
We both knew that was a lie.
“Are you done with your fishing expedition?” Fab returned his intense stare.
“The report is that the bodies washed up in front of your house.”
“You heard wrong.” Fab held her cool despite his insistence.
I picked up the menus and waved them at the server. “Sounds like that’s the end of the story, so if you don’t mind, we’re hungry.”
“No one asked you anything,” Ashton snapped. “You weren’t invited to this interview.”
I doubted he got a lot of interviews with his abrupt, cold attitude. Ashton was definitely taken with Fab, and I was sure that wasn’t a good thing. The server came over, and I ordered, adding, “He’s not staying,” then nodded at Fab, who also ordered.
“I’m sorry you wasted your time tracking me down,” Fab said. “I truly don’t have anything to contribute to your article.”
Ashton stared at her, and to Fab’s credit, she didn’t flinch. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again.” He stood, crossed the deck, and went into the restaurant.
“That was totally creepy.” I took my phone out of my pocket and texted Xander: Run a check on Michael Ashton, news reporter, might be local.
“If you weren’t here, no telling what he would’ve done.” Fab checked out the bar area, but Ashton had left. “I knew if he tried anything, you’d shoot him.”
“Without hesitation.”
“Wonder what he really wanted?” Fab mused. “He was too intense for just a story. Several times, I thought about snapping a picture, but there wasn’t an opportunity… not one where he wouldn’t notice.”
Our food arrived, and as always, it smelled good.
“We need to keep an eye out and make sure Ashton’s not following us,” I said. “You more than me, since all his attention was focused on you. Judging by his demeanor, he’s not used to being told no.”
“I’m sure he’s heard it plenty; he just doesn’t like it.”
“I’ll feel better when Xander gets back to us and tells us who he’s employed by.”
Neither of us enjoyed having our lunch intruded upon, and we both pick
ed at our food.
“You know we both enjoy leftovers,” I reminded her as I waved the waiter over and asked him to box our food.
“Can I owe you one on the shopping? I’d really like to go home. We can kick off our shoes and go for a walk on the beach.”
“Love that idea. I’m going to get you a bucket so you can pick up shells with me. Won’t that be fun?”
Fab laughed. “You’ve lost your mind.”
“You laughed, which made me laugh, so mission accomplished.”
I picked up our bag of food, and as we left the restaurant, we went out of our way to compliment the server, so he wouldn’t think our lack of appetite had anything to do with him.
Fab cruised out of the parking lot and took the direct route towards home, one eye on the rearview mirror. “I’m pretty sure we’re being followed. The Jeep.”
I tightened my seatbelt and looked in my side mirror, watching wide-eyed as the Jeep swerved around us and came within a hair of clipping the front bumper. Fab jerked on the wheel to avoid contact and quickly recovered. The Jeep sped off, weaving back and forth in the lane.
“Appears to be drunk,” I said. “If that was intentional, and the goal was for us to end up in the ditch, the driver didn’t have the skills to manage it. Besides, your skills are superior to most, and it takes a lot to knock this ride off the road.”
“You know what they say about coincidences?”
“There are none. But maybe this time.” I wasn’t totally convinced. “I only had a clear view of the Jeep for a second, and I couldn’t make out if it was anyone we knew behind the wheel. A man is all I got.”
“One of us needs to call the husbands about the overzealous reporter.” Fab pointed wildly at me. “Maybe save the almost car accident for later.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
As Fab cruised up to the signal and turned off the highway, her phone rang. She picked it up out of the cup holder, glanced at the screen, and handed it to me.
I knew it wouldn’t be a fun call and took a quick glance—Toady, swell. “Bonjour, Mr. Toads,” I answered and hit the speaker button. “Fab fluffed you off on me, so she must know this is going to be a doozy of a call.”
Toady growled a laugh that would unsettle most, but I knew to be harmless. “I love the Frenchie stuff; reminds me of my girl.”
Fab shook her head, knowing he was referring to her.
“You’re on speaker,” I felt compelled to tell him, to save me from having to listen to him go off on some romantic tangent.
“Took nothing to find Gunz’s car, but there’s a problem…” He hesitated. “You two think you could hustle to the Kroger’s on the main highway?”
Fab nodded.
“We’re not far. Give us five, and we’ll be there,” I said, and he grunted, his way of ending the call.
“You didn’t think to get details?” Fab demanded in a bossy tone.
“Clearly your fault. You should’ve trained me better.” Her lips quirked. Good enough for me. “Besides, we’re two blocks away, and by the time I was done with the questioning, we’d be cruising into the parking lot. It’s not like you’d turn him down, even though you’re not hot over heels for him like he is you.”
“I missed my opportunity. There’s a steady woman in the picture now.”
“Sarcasm aside, we both know you’re his true love—one tiny indication of interest from you, and the new babe would be history.” I made a heart with my fingers and batted my eyelashes.
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Not in my car. Had that happen once in college, and not me either. Robin was her name—you never forget barfers, especially when the smell reminds you every time there’s a hot day.” I made a gagging noise.
“Enough.” Fab had morphed into Mother, using her behave voice. She pulled into the parking lot and, after a quick glance around, saw Toady leaning against the bumper of his beater truck. His hands shot in the air, and he waved wildly. She coasted over and parked next to him. We both got out.
“Hey girls.” Toady winked as he closed the space between us. “The Mercedes with the engine running…” He pointed to a shiny black model with tinted windows. “That’s the coach Gunz wants recovered, except there’s a slight problem. There’s a little kid in the back in a car seat, sound asleep.”
“What the heck is wrong with people?” I said.
“The woman left the air conditioning running, which is good. I followed her here, and she got out and bolted into the store. Figured, I only had a small window and hopped behind the wheel. Had it in reverse when I noticed the kid. I jumped the hell out, not wanting to get charged with kidnapping. Even if she’d taken the kid with her when she got out, I’m not such a turd as to leave a mother without a ride.”
Fab stormed over to the car and peered in the window. “What the devil is going on? Gunz didn’t say one word about her having a…” She stared again, taking a closer look. “A young child.”
I backed up a couple of steps, thinking we should just leave and let Gunz handle his own personal issues for a change. I agreed with Toady; I wouldn’t leave the woman stranded, and I was certain Fab wouldn’t either.
“There’s another thing you should know,” Toady said, then stared over my shoulder. “But you’re about to figure it out for yourself.” He nodded to a woman barreling down on us, pushing a shopping cart.
The young blonde was so ginormously pregnant, I suspected she was due in the next minute or two.
Fab and I shared the same look of shock.
“What’s going on?” The woman skidded to a stop, ditching her basket. Toady kept it from rolling away. “Is my son okay? I didn’t want to wake him… I did hurry.” She flew to the passenger door and hit the key fob.
Fab gently touched her arm. “No worries; your son is still asleep.”
“I don’t understand what you’re all doing around my car.”
“Your car?” Fab questioned. “Gunz claims to be the registered owner and sent us to retrieve it.”
The woman burst into tears. She covered her face and stumbled backwards, but Fab caught her and kept her from falling.
What a messy situation. I stopped short of bolting back to the car. People constantly pointed a finger, calling me a do-gooder; time for Fab to step up and give me some competition. I could think of two reasons—it was an icky situation and her client.
Toady reached in the window of his beater and pulled out a napkin, handing it to the woman and awkwardly patting her shoulder.
“You can’t.” She sobbed and then blew her nose. “I know what I did wasn’t right, but how will we get home?”
Fab appeared to be taking a deep breath. “Is Gunz the father?”
Nothing like direct and to the point.
The woman sniffled and rubbed her stomach. “This one is his baby.”
“Toady, would you load her groceries in the trunk?” Fab asked.
Toady, who had a set of keys from Gunz, popped the trunk, pushed the cart over, and put all the cloth bags inside. While he did that, Fab stepped away, turned her back, and made a call.
The woman started to cry again. Toady finished, returned the cart, and came and stood next to the woman. “Don’t you worry none; there’s no chance that we’re leaving you here.” He patted her shoulder again.
Fab finished her call, stomped over, and pocketed her phone. “I don’t want you to think I’m bugging you for details of your personal relationship with Gunz, because I’m not,” she told the woman, then leaned forward and whispered something in her ear. The woman nodded in response. The two whispered back and forth.
Toady handed her another napkin.
“Gunz wants the Mercedes back,” Fab told the woman. “I negotiated a deal for you. Toady is going to follow you home and then return the Mercedes to Gunz. He’ll be back in an hour or two with a loaner for you to use. Just know that you can’t keep the car indefinitely. In the meantime, you need to get with Gunz and work out your situation.
”
“Okay.” The woman sniffed.
“My best advice is to deal with this quickly. Don’t wait for Gunz to come to you—take the initiative.” Fab walked the woman around to the driver’s side and held the door while she got in, then closed it, motioned for her to roll down the window, and said something. “Call me, when…” She nodded to me, and I guessed at what she wanted. I’d know soon enough if I was wrong. I grabbed a business card from the SUV, walked back to the Mercedes, and handed it to the woman. She thanked Fab and backed out.
Toady saluted the two of us, then jumped in his truck and followed the Mercedes.
“You couldn’t toss in your two cents? You had to stand back and do… what?” Fab demanded as she slid behind the wheel. “I watched you keep stepping back… surprised you didn’t make a run for it. In case it slipped your mind, you’re the one with the sensitivity skills.”
“You’re exaggerating. You were great with the sobbing woman, all calm, collected, and nurturing.” I smiled at her. “I’m going to go against my better judgment and ask what’s going on. Besides, it’s no fun minding my own business.”
“Tracy is her name, and she and Gunz dated.” Fab made air quotes. “Anyway… her car was repoed for non-payment, she needed a ride, and the Mercedes was sitting in the garage, all neglected… her words. That’s when she got the bright idea to borrow it.”
“Tracy is lucky that Gunz didn’t press grand theft auto charges. Although even when bodily harm is committed on his person, he doesn’t call the cops.” I shook my head. “Not to mention that she’s the mother of his baby, about to be born any second?”
“Gunz claims he’s not the father. I asked him how he could be so certain if they’ve been doing it. He mumbled something, and I let it go. Nosey and all, and there was nothing to stop me from poking around even more, so why not? I asked Tracy how Gunz could be so certain he wasn’t the father.” Fab blew out an aggravated sigh. “Gunz told her in all seriousness that it was impossible for him to be the father, as he’d had his dick twisted. She hadn’t heard of that procedure and asked me about it. Me. Then went on to confide that she hadn’t been with anyone else, and I believed her.”
Bodies in Paradise Page 22