Whether Picard or some other lowlife, those men on the boat meant business. A lone lady cop out of her element and her jurisdiction wasnt a match.
That meant it was up to Jason to keep Detective Carlucci safe.
He gritted his teeth to keep from swearing, a habit hed been trying to break for years. Why did foul words rise so easily when he was frustrated?
Out of the mouths of men came the issues of the heart.
Jason could just hear Garretts voice piping into his mind. Even from the grave his friend was trying to save him. Anger and frustration were things Jason and God were working on. Some days there were small victories. Other days, not so much.
After quickly tying off the boat, Jason went after the pretty detective. He found her opening the door of her rental convertible.
Nice ride, he commented. You know how to vacation in style.
Frowning, she asked, What do you want now?
He chose not to take offense at her annoyed tone. I take it your call to the chief didnt go well?
Turning away, she closed her eyes for a moment. He said I could come in and make a report.
Not the response shed obviously been hoping for. Are you going to?
Her lips twisted. Would it do any good?
I dont think so. He hoped she wouldnt push this. For her safety. And for his mission. You did your duty. You informed the local law enforcement. Nothing else can be done.
I guess.
She stared out at the dark ocean. How long has Decker been Chief?
A while now. Decker had been elected a few months prior to Jasons arrival. The guy had checked out.
You think hes competent?
I think this is a small island with a low crime rate.
And Im just a hassle.
He hated how deflated she sounded. He rather liked her spunk. Hey, forget about him. How about I buy you a late dinner.
Peering at him with speculation, she said, No, thanks. Shouldnt I be paying you for taking me out?
Naw. He waved a hand.
Not a very smart business move, dont you think?
Oh, but she was quick. And he needed to remember to maintain his cover. I can afford it.
He didnt mention the excursion was on the governments dime.
Business that good, huh? Even in this economy?
What can I say? Tourism may be down elsewhere in the world, but not here on Loribel.
Right. She slid into the car and turned the key. Im sure Ill see you around.
He stepped back so she could pull the convertible out of the parking space. As the red glow of the cars taillights disappeared into the night, he said aloud, Count on it.
Hed be keeping an eye on the pretty detective for as long as she was on the island.
And he hoped that wasnt going to be very long. He really didnt want the distraction. Forming any sort of attachment wasnt part of Jasons game plan. Work and women didnt mix. Even ones as pretty and spirited as Angie Carlucci.
Angie entered the darkened cottage and paused to listen before turning on the lights. Her internal warning system stayed quiet. No discernible threat waited in the shadows. Still, she kept her hand on the weapon at her waist as she flipped on the light, locked the door and searched the premises, to assure herself all was as shed left it.
She let out a relieved breath.
Going to the kitchen to fix herself a tuna sandwich, she scoffed at her own silly paranoia. The armed men on the boat had rattled her more than shed expected or cared to admit. For several heart-throbbing moments shed been afraid. Only the silent prayers shed sent heavenward had allowed her to keep her composure.
Fear was not something that could be allowed. Fear could mean death. Hers or others.
But Jason had hardly seemed unnerved by the boat of armed men.
Except when he was barking orders at her to stand down. Hed sounded exactly like her academy instructors. What was up with that?
Ex-military? That would explain how nonplussed hed been. And how autocratic.
At first shed chafed against the obvious he-man tactic hed employed by pulling her behind him as if she were some damsel in distress. Okay, maybe a bit of distress, but still
If those men had wanted them dead, Jasons body would hardly have been an effective defense. Though in retrospect, she realized hed been trying to protect her, not as a fragile flower but rather to shield her identity from the men on the boat.
So they wouldnt come after her because of what shed seen? She shuddered at the thought.
She hadnt expected gallantry from a total stranger, but there it was. Tenderness welled up. The man might be a bit irritating, but hed shown a streak of honor she couldnt deny. Definitely military material. And good-looking. Very good-looking. Muscular but not overly. Strong, capable hands. And a slow, killer smile that knocked the wind out of her lungs.
Forcing Jason from her thoughts, she took her food out to the back deck. A gust of wind threatened to rip the plate from her hand. She tightened her grip and stared out at the ocean to the spot where shed seen the black bag go into the water. She burned with curiosity and the need to prove to Chief Decker and Jason that what shed seen was worth investigating.
What if those men whod chased them away hadnt been able to find the bag? It could still be at the bottom of the ocean.
Angie sure could use a boat of her own. And scuba gear. Shed have to wait until morning to rent either one. But would she be early enough to get out on the ocean before Chief Decker? Doubtful.
She sliced a look to her left where there was a storage door underneath the cottages eaves. Maybe her aunt had something she could use.
Setting her plate on the small round table beside the Adirondack chair, she tried the knob. Locked.
She ran inside for the keys Aunt Teresa had sent her. There were two keys. One fit the front and back doors. The other had to open the storage closet.
Sure enough, the key slid easily into the lock. With the door open, she felt around the inside wall until she found a light switch. Score.
A single-person sit-on-top kayak was fastened to the wall by bungee cords. Several shelves lined the wall filled with beach gear.
The kayak wasnt ideal. Shed only ever kayaked down the Charles River, which was a far cry from the agitated water of the ocean. But she wasnt going to let a little thing like inexperience stop her.
She held a paddle in one hand and snorkel gear in the other and made a decision. As soon as the sun rose shed paddle out. Obviously, she wouldnt be able to go very deep with a snorkel but she wasnt planning on dredging the bag up. Shed leave that to Decker and his men. All she wanted to do was confirm what shed seen.
Shed show Mr. Jason Bodewell that a Carlucci never gave up on an investigation.
Beneath a sky streaked with gold and safety-cone orange, Jason eased the Regina Lee away from the dock. He searched the horizon for the impending tropical storm predicted on the news. Other than the wind gusting over the Gulf water, he didnt see any signs. But that didnt mean one wasnt brewing. Sometimes they came on fast and left a trail of destruction in their wake. But not yet.
Once clear of the marina, he sped toward the apex of the coordinates hed memorized last night, while keeping a sharp eye out for any unwanted attention. Especially a boat full of armed men.
Once clear of the marina, he sped toward the apex of the coordinates hed memorized last night, while keeping a sharp eye out for any unwanted attention. Especially a boat full of armed men.
He doubted hed find anything at the bottom of the ocean; the men in the boat wouldnt have left anything of value behind. But one never knew.
And it gave him something to do. He was so tired of waiting. Waiting for Picard to slip up and show his hand. Chatter through the intricate intel channels monitored by both ICEU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementand ATFBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivessolidified the belief that Picard was on Loribel Island.
Posing as a charter-boat captain allowed Jason to explore the coastline all the way around the island. He had narrowed down three possible places Picard could be working from, since the arms dealer would need ocean access. All were being monitored by satellite surveillance. Which hadnt yielded much so far.
But now that Jason had identified the man from last night as Hector Ramirez, a name linked with Picard in Interpol files, Jason was sure it would only be a matter of time before he found Ramirez again. Jason prayed the man would lead him to Picard.
Up ahead, a small craft, maybe a kayak, bobbed in the waves. Jason slowed the Regina Lee, his gaze sweeping the area. About fifty yards from the kayak, a dark head popped up, breaking through the waves. Water spurted out of a snorkel.
Jason stared as disbelief and frustration built in his chest. There was no mistaking the face staring at him from behind a clear mask.
Women, he muttered, making the word sound like an epithet.
Putting down anchor helped calm his ire. Moving to the side of the boat, he called out, What are you doing?
With graceful, broad strokes, Angie swam closer. She had on a short-sleeved black dive suit similar to his own. When she reached the Regina Lee, she lifted the mask to rest on her forehead and blinked up at him. Enjoying the water. You?
His mouth quirked. The same.
She smiled, clearly not believing him any more than he believed her. Did you see anything of note?
She shook her head. No. She held up the snorkel. I was hoping Id be able to see the bottom but its too murky.
He reached behind him to where his scuba gear sat on the floor of the boat and held it up for inspection. I can take care of that.
Id appreciate it.
You might want to grab your kayak before it floats away, he pointed out, watching the drifting craft move farther out to sea.
Ugh, I had it tied to my wrist, she exclaimed and swam away, powerful and lithe in the water.
Jason couldnt deny he liked the lady cop. She was determined and persistent. Good qualities, but ones that could get her hurt. Not something he was going to let happen.
Slipping the tank onto his back, he donned the dive mask and breathing apparatus, readying himself for the dive.
Glancing around to make sure no boats were approaching, he slipped over the side and into the water. He swam down to the ocean floor, careful to check the depth meter on his watch so as not to go beyond the limit and risk nitrogen poisoning.
At fifty feet he could see the ocean floor. Sediment and sand swirled with the current, seaweed danced in clumps and fish scattered. He searched for several minutes. Nothing. He rose slowly, letting his body adjust to avoid decompression sickness.
At the surface, he found Angie treading water while using one hand to hold the kayak in place.
Anything? she asked, her voice eager.
Nope. Didnt really expect to see anything.
Right. She stripped off the snorkel gear and tossed it into the seat of the kayak. Thanks for trying.
Did she think hed done this for her? Interesting. And useful for hiding his true motivations. Youre welcome. I figured youd be itching until you knew for sure. I just hadnt expected to find you out here already.
Tenacious as a bulldog, or so my father likes to tell me, she said with a self-effacing grimace.
A good quality in a detective, he replied as he kicked his legs to remain upright, the weight of the tank heavy on his back. Hey, why dont we finish this conversation on my boat.
For a moment indecision warred in her lovely brown eyes. Dont you have some tourists to motor around the island?
Oh, man. His cover. Dude, youre slipping. Not today. The weatherman predicts a storm. He hoped she bought the flimsy excuse. Im all yours.
She blinked and turned away. Right, a storm.
He studied her profile, liking the straight line of her nose, the high cheekbones and long-lashed eyes, so natural in the morning light. So can I give you a lift?
Slowly, she nodded.
Great. He moved closer to help her with the kayak.
Together they towed the kayak to the Regina Lee. Jason was acutely aware of her beside him. When their legs brushed against each other beneath the surface of the water, a wave of shock jolted his system. Not good. Not good at all.
The last thing he needed was to let attraction derail his mission. He needed to stay focused and professional. Romance and undercover work didnt mix well. A painful lesson hed already learned.
Purposefully, he distanced himself from her as they worked together to maneuver the kayak onto the back of the boat.
Once Jason was on board, he grabbed towels from a cupboard in the cabin and handed one to Angie.
She took the towel with a grateful smile. Thanks.
Keeping his gaze from following the towels progress over her limbs, Jason started the engine but let the boat idle. So now will you let this situation go?
She sat on the padded bench near the helm. Ive not much choice now, do I?
Relieved to hear she had come to that conclusion on her own, he relaxed. How long are you planning on staying on Loribel?
She lifted her shoulder in a negligent shrug. Supposed to be a week, but
But?
I dont vacation well.
That made him chuckle. Yeah, so Ive seen. He really liked her. What would it hurt to spend a little time with her before she left? Im starved. How about I treat you to breakfast?
Tilting her head to the side slightly, she regarded him intently. Why are you being so nice to me?
I shouldnt be?
Whats in it for you?
Youre never off duty, are you?
She raised a nicely arched, dark eyebrow in reply.
He conceded the point with a laugh. Cant a guy ask a pretty lady to breakfast, especially after what weve shared?
The corners of her mouth tipped up but her eyes showed doubt. I suppose. Though Id be more comfortable if I could put on some dry clothes.
Ah. Tell you what, well moor the boat at the marina and Ill drive you in my Jeep to your place. You can freshen up and then well head into Old Town Loribel. I know the best place to get fresh seafood omelets.
She contemplated him a moment before answering.
Deal. She sat back, letting her head rest against the side of the boat, her eyes drifting closed.
Jason smiled with satisfaction. Today would be a nice, calm day. A day where he could just be a guy enjoying a ladys company. He had to admit the prospect was tantalizing since he couldnt remember the last time hed allowed himself a day off. That was one of the many things his ex-fiancée had complained about.