Liam pulled a folded sheet of paper out of his pocket. “Everything I got on the guy is here. I also included Glacier’s information.”
“I’ll text this info to Xander. Maybe he can turn up another address for this Robert. If nothing else, he can send a picture so Fab knows she’s beating the heck out of the right kid. You know, if he’s not cooperative.”
“Your favor?”
“Talk to Xander and tell me what you think of him. I think I’m a decent judge of character, but it would be nice to know that he’s not jerking me around and I just haven’t caught on yet.”
“Your radar for that is pretty good, so I doubt that’s happening. But I’ll let you know.” Liam peered around me. “Grandmother’s getting antsy. She’s not going to be able resist crashing the conversation much longer; we should go back. Then we don’t have to make up a story.”
As we walked back to rejoin the others, I asked, “You staying overnight?”
“I’m staying at Brad’s. I promised Mila I’d cook her breakfast. Probably going to run a con on her: throw cereal in a bowl and boast about my culinary skills.”
“Sweet. Brad fixed me many a breakfast before we hiked the five miles to school, up and over the mountains.”
Liam laughed. “Mila’s going to enjoy the family stories as much as I do when she gets older.”
I shoved his notes in my pocket. “We’ll get on this, and I’ll call you tomorrow with an update. Tell Glacier not to worry. This kid doesn’t stand a chance once I sic Fab on him.” I stopped and bent over to whisper in Fab’s ear, “We’ve got a job tomorrow. So no excuses.”
Her father wasn’t the least bit bashful about leaning over and listening in. “It better not be dangerous.” He shook his finger at me.
I shushed him. “I’ll have the prodigal daughter call with the details, but we’re not talking about it here. Capiche?”
“Yeah, I get it. I’m going to hold you to that phone call,” he said sternly to his daughter.
I sat between Creole and Didier.
“How much trouble are you in now?” Didier asked.
Creole laughed.
“No more than usual.” I looked up at Creole. “How do we get out of here? There’s no dessert. Who does that? And in this family.”
“Stand up, take a couple of steps, and pretend to faint,” Creole coached. “I’ll catch you and carry you out.”
“That trick is not part of my repertoire and would need practice. Falling on the floor doesn’t appeal to me, and it would get my dress dirty.” I smoothed my hands over my black dress.
“Too much drama, you two,” Fab leaned across Didier and whispered. She stood up. “We’re leaving because the guys have an early business meeting.”
Brad winked at me. “Almost forgot,” he said. He held out a hand to Emerson, and they went inside to get his daughter.
We hugged and kissed and said good-byes all around, then walked down the dock to the parking lot.
Chapter Fifteen
Fab picked me up early and didn’t utter a word until we’d cleared the coffee drive-thru, where she placed the order without asking what I wanted. Good thing she didn’t double her own choice, or I’d be stuck with the latest mushroom blend and no whipped cream, which I’d throw out the window.
“Where are we going?” Fab demanded.
“Miami-ish,” I said, enjoying being deliberately vague.
“‘Ish’ would be where, exactly?”
“Now you know what it’s like going places with you.” I smiled, guaranteed to annoy her further. “Just keep driving. I’ll wave at you when it’s time turn.” I leaned down, pulled the sheet of paper that Liam gave me out my bag, and entered the car thief’s address into the GPS. Sensing that Fab was about to pull over and push me out on the side of the road, I related my conversation with Liam.
“What did Creole say when you told him?”
“He left early and the ‘what are you doing today?’ inquisition got tabled. Before you continue with your grilling, I’m going to ask this Robert character nicely for the whereabouts of the SUV and hope he didn’t pass it off to a fence.”
“Thief boy—since that’s easier to remember—is going to cooperate because…?” Fab tapped her chin. “You’re so scary?”
“If he doesn’t cooperate when confronted, then he’s never going to, and I’ll tell Glacier that her only option is to report the theft to the cops.”
Fab sped up the highway, easily finding the address and coasting to a stop in front of a four-plex on a quiet, tree-lined street.
I fished my phone out of my pocket and pulled up a picture of the Jeep Cherokee in question, with a nice clear shot of the plate for verification. “Let’s cruise the block. Maybe Robert has it parked close by, although Liam said he and Glacier did a block-to-block search.”
“Doesn’t thief boy know that he can be charged with a felony?” Fab asked while we took a completely fruitless spin around the block.
“I’ll ask him.”
“Since it appears that I’ve been relegated to the role of backup, what will I be doing?” Fab sniffed.
“You’re going to stand back, paste on a busy face, and make sure nothing goes south.” I demonstrated. “There’s no plan B, so don’t ask. I’m not going to threaten him, since he’s young and I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
“Are you carrying?”
“I am, but I’m leaving it in the car.” I took my Glock out of my holster and put it in the glove box.
A car pulled away from the curb, and Fab took the spot, giving her a diagonal view of the property and the doorstep.
I got out and smoothed down my jean skirt, then looked up and down the street. All was quiet. I walked across the walkway to the unit on the left. As I extended my hand to knock, the door opened. The girl with partially purple hair and a backpack over her shoulder was just as surprised to see me as I was to see her. She let out a muffled squeal as she’d stuffed her mouth with smooshed bananas on bread.
“I’m here to see Robert.”
She motioned me inside and pointed to the hallway. “Second door,” came out garbled. She then left, closing the door and leaving me standing in the mess of a living room. Clothes, dishes, and books were lying around, the sports channel muted on the television.
I took a deep breath, headed down the hallway to the second door, and knocked. “Robert,” I called out in a calm voice.
I didn’t have to wonder what I’d do if he didn’t answer. Another door at the end of the hall opened, clearly the bathroom, and a college-age boxer-clad boy, complete with morning scruff, stood in the doorway staring. “Who the hell are you?”
“Robert?” I asked, sounding hopeful.
He eyed me up and down. “He moved.”
“I’m here to locate a missing Jeep. If I can get the location, I’ll leave and that’ll be the end of it.”
The remnants of sleep vanished from his face, replaced with anger. “Get out, bitch.” His hand disappeared behind the door and came back into view holding a broom above the bristles. He took a swing directly at my head.
I blocked the blow with my arm, managing to protect my face, stumbled back into the wall, and screamed.
He jabbed the handle like a poker at my mid-section, and I reached out, grabbed hold, and jerked, but he was stronger and wrestled it back.
A male face popped out of the other bedroom.
“Call the cops,” Robert ordered.
The door slammed shut, the lock clicked, and I suspected he was doing just that.
I wanted to relieve Robert of the broom and shove it up…but he had a hundred pounds on me, and I figured in hand-to-broom combat, I’d be the loser. I shifted to retreat mode, sliding along the wall without taking my eyes off him, and made it to the front door. I wrenched it open and hustled outside. “I just came here to talk calmly about the situation with Glacier.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I do know you’re going to jail,” he snapp
ed with confidence.
I took a few steps backward along the walkway, not wanting to take my eyes off the kid. A cop car screeched to a halt at the curb, getting my attention. Fab, who was leaning against the passenger door, straightened and started forward. I shook my head at her. One of us would need to arrange bail. I put my hands up and walked toward the cop as he got out.
“Stop right there,” he shouted, which I did, leaving my hands in the air. “You the one that called?”
“It was him.” I inclined my head over my shoulder to where the guy I figured was Robert, who’d put on a pair of jeans, was bolting down the walkway, pitching the broom into a hedge under one of the windows.
“She broke into my house,” he accused. “Arrest her. I’m pressing charges.”
Another cop car rolled up.
I sighed. “I didn’t. A girl with purple hair invited me in.”
“You’re a liar,” he shouted, having come close enough to hear what I said.
“You need to stand back and put your hands in the air,” the officer directed Robert. To me, he said, “Do you have identification?”
“In the car,” I said. “I need to disclose that I have a permit to carry. My Glock is in the car, but I have a waist holster on—empty.” I slowly lifted my shirt with one hand and did a slow turn.
The other officer had gotten out of his car and joined his partner. They exchanged a few words before the first one turned back to me. “I’ll take that ID and your version of events.”
Fab had moved away from the SUV and was on her phone, talking or shooting video, it was hard to tell. Both, if she could manage it.
I opened the car door and grabbed my purse off the floor, taking out my wallet and handing him my license and carry card. I told him why I’d come and what had happened since I arrived at the door. He examined my arm and the colorful bruise that was already forming. “Do you need a paramedic?”
“I’m good. It hurts, but better that than my face.”
He half-laughed. “You’re right there.”
“One more thing. He’s lying about purple girl. When I got here, she was on her way out eating a banana sandwich.” I made a face. “To prove that I’m telling the truth, there have to be banana skins in the trash or lying on the counter—the residents appear to be short on housekeeping skills.”
“This Glacier woman will confirm your story about the car?” the officer asked.
“I’ve got a picture of the car in question.” I held out one hand and reached in my pocket with the other to retrieve my phone.
He chuckled. “This isn’t your first arrest?”
“I’m married to a retired cop, so I know the drill.” I kept all the times I’d been questioned for one thing or another to myself.
“You wait here. Don’t make a run for it.” Appearing amused with himself, he walked over to the other cop, who was on the phone, laughing with someone after ordering Robert to have a seat on the empty planter on the porch.
Fab, now half a block away, was still on the phone. I gave brief thought to the idea that she might be talking to the second cop and dismissed it as absurd. I cleared my mind, refusing to focus on possible outcomes, and leaned back against the car door. I noticed that Robert was glaring, which I ignored, refusing to look in his direction again.
The second cop, who had thus far done all the talking on the phone, now handed it to the one who’d questioned me, and he appeared to be answering questions himself, chuckling a few times.
The cop finished up his side of the call, handing the phone back and walking over to me. “This Glacier woman doesn’t want to press charges; she’s only interested in getting her car back?”
I nodded. “She doesn’t want her father to find out about her poor dating choice.”
“He should have been her first call,” the officer grumbled. “I’m going to have that talk with my daughters when I get home.”
“Lucky girls.” I smiled at him.
“Don’t go anywhere.” He crossed over to his partner, who was beckoning to him.
After a brief conference, they both came over to me. The second officer said, “Robert is dropping the charges against you.” Stupid ass hung in the air. “The Jeep is in the parking lot of the Target on Dixie, keys in the cup holder.”
“Thank you. I’ll head over there now,” I said.
“Is that your friend?” He nodded in Fab’s direction. “Heard you guys travel in pairs.”
“You have friends in high places,” the original officer said, clearly having more questions that he didn’t ask.
“The chief,” I squeaked. I couldn’t imagine how he got involved, but I’d bet big money Fab didn’t call him. “I’m going to owe him.”
“He said big time.” The second officer laughed.
“Follow me to the Target,” the first officer said.
“Can we do it with lights and sirens and screaming through the streets?” I joked.
He squinted one-eyed at me. “No!”
I waved to Fab, got in the car, and slumped back against the seat. The adrenaline rush having worn off, my arm hurt like the devil.
Fab slid behind the wheel and handed me the phone. To her, I said, “Follow the cop car; we’re headed to Target.” I checked the screen. “I love you,” I said as I put it to my ear.
“You better not be hurt,” Creole barked.
“My arm hurts.”
“The bastard told the cops he had to defend himself. He’s lucky I don’t have his address.”
“So you were the one that called in the big guns?” I asked.
“You’re lucky you’re one of the chief’s favorite people. He doesn’t hold me in the same regard, and I worked for him for years.”
“That’s not true or he wouldn’t take your calls. We should have him to dinner. At Fab’s house.” That garnered a humph from Fab.
“We need to include Help. The chief has heard rumblings about the bodies that were recovered and isn’t happy that one of his men was involved and he didn’t hear the details from Help firsthand.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t know that Help was on the suspect list.”
“He just got back from vacation and has some catching up to do. He was grumbling about the stack of paperwork sitting on his desk,” Creole said, his tone conveying that he didn’t miss that part of the job. “Tell me that you’re headed home and today’s drama is over.”
“I’m recovering the Jeep. If it’s drivable, I’ll be returning it to Glacier, and then we’re headed home. Fab just nodded, so we’re in agreement.” I sent a kiss through the phone. Fab gagged. After hanging up, I put the phone on the console.
“Details.” Fab snapped her fingers.
I hit the facts from when purple hair opened the door. “I don’t know if Glacier ever got a taste of Robert’s anger, but it’s fast and red-hot. She’s lucky to be done with him. It’s a good thing she wasn’t able to confront him herself.”
“I should’ve gone with you to the door.”
“You saved me from going to jail,” I said emphatically. “Which is probably where I’d be headed while they got everything sorted out. For a guy who committed a felony, he didn’t have any hesitation about calling the cops on me for something I didn’t do.”
It was a short drive down the busy highway, the traffic signals in our favor. The officer spotted the Jeep at the end of one of the aisles and drove straight to it.
“It’s got tires; that’s a good sign,” I said.
Fab pulled into a space a row away from the car, and we got out. The cop already had the door open and was searching the inside. We stood back and watched.
He finished and got behind the wheel, and it started right up. Fab and I exchanged a grateful smile. He got out and walked over to us.
“I know it’s none of my business, but did Robert have an explanation as to why he left it here?” I asked.
“Robert’s story is pretty much the same as Glacier’s, except he claims that she ditched him
and he didn’t know what to do when she wouldn’t take his calls. So he got scared and left it parked here.”
“Who knows what the truth is,” I said diplomatically. I knew what I thought, having experienced his temper personally. A guy like that doesn’t get scared. “Glacier is a friend of my nephew’s, and I’m going to forbid him to date her. If he had that in mind, he can get over it.”
The cop laughed. “If only it were that easy. I’d forbid my daughters to date until they’re fifty.”
“Thank you for all your help deescalating the situation and keeping me out of jail,” I said with a smile.
“Old Robert backed off when we told him he’d also be transported to the precinct. We also suggested to him, and strongly, that he not level BS charges that could come back to land him in cuffs.”
“If you’re ever get down to Tarpon Cove, stop at Jake’s. We have a cop discount—free. Voted best dive bar in Tarpon several times, and we serve the best Mexican food around,” I said.
His phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and waved to us as he walked away.
“I’m going to put the address in the GPS and follow you, so don’t lose me,” I said. I leaned into the Escalade and entered the information, replaced the GPS on the dash, then got into the Jeep and u-turned to follow Fab out to the highway.
It took less than ten minutes to get to the address that Liam had given me, which was a parking lot associated with the University. I parked the Jeep under a tree in the closest spot to the entrance and left the keys under the mat, sending a text to Liam to retrieve them ASAP.
“I’m in need of a margarita, preferable a pitcher, and a tray of mini tacos,” I said, sliding into the passenger seat.
“We can’t get sauced and drive. Our options are takeout or going to Jake’s and calling a car service.”
“Is that what we’re calling our husbands now?” I laughed. “I say we take the party to your house and picnic on the beach.”
“Another great idea.”
I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.
Chapter Sixteen
Fab flew back down the Interstate towards home, making it in record time due in part to relatively light traffic.
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