Im not here to bother you or break up your party, he assured her.
She just stared back at him. He definitely had a blind side. It was tonight, and he was here.
And he was definitely a bother.
I need you and your dolphin tomorrow, he told her.
First, Im working tomorrow. Second, I dont have a dolphin. I dont own any of the dolphins, and Im not a trainer. Im pretty new to the facility, as a matter of fact, she told him.
Ive already spoken with Mr. Miller, and he says that hes willing for you, Rick and Cocoa to participate in what I propose, as long as we record the process for research purposes.
In what you propose? Lara echoed slowly. She turned to look toward the dining area. Grady Miller was still standing by Sonia and Ely, but he was looking at her and Agent Cody. And when he caught her looking at him, he nodded gravely.
When had all this happened? How long had she been standing there in the mist?
Im leaving, Agent Cody assured her. I really just interrupted you in youryour moment of whateverto let you know about tomorrow and to thank you. You were a tremendous help today, and Im hoping that we fare better tomorrow.
She hoped she wasnt staring at him quite as blankly and stupidly as she had a feeling she was.
Youre welcome, she told him. As Grady told you, were more than willing to help. Whoever did...that needs to be brought to justice. I have absolutely no idea what youre proposing. Im sure I will tomorrow, though. There. Hopefully she sounded semi-intelligent.
Were going to search the bay, he told her.
For?
More of the victim.
She was no cop, but she knew enough to know that what he was proposing was like seeking the proverbial needle in a haystack. He was crazy.
In all of Biscayne Bay? she asked.
Were researching online tonight, he told her. Were going to track the tides and the wind patterns, try to pinpoint where more body parts might have ended up, where someone might have dumped them so that the foot and finger ended up here.
Lara blinked. Someone might have spent hoursmaybe daysdumping body parts in all different places, she said quietly.
Thats true. Were going to assume that the plan was to have them end up spread out, but we also believe the killer was in a hurry to get rid of the evidence and wouldnt have taken any more time than necessary.
Im really sorry, but I dont know how much help I can be. Ive tried explaining. Im not
Youre not a trainer. I know. But Grady believes that like dogs and cats, dolphins pick who they like. Cocoa likes you. And Rick Laramie will be helping us, too. Do you dive?
Dive? I No.
You do swim. I know because Ive seen you in the water.
How observant. Yes, I can swim. But Im from Virginia, Agent Cody. We didnt do a lot of diving in Richmond, not in my family, at least. If you need a diver
According to Grady Miller, I need you, he told her. Thank you so much, Miss Ainsworth. Enjoy your party. Ill see you in the morning.
Lara watched him go, still feeling stunned. Shed only been working here three weeks. Tonights party was taking place on the Monday of her fourth week. It was an annual event, and most of the planning had already been underway, but shed worked hard on it after taking over, wanting it to be as special as possible.
Her days here were usually all about happiness, watching both children and adults who were thrilled to enjoy the dolphins, laughing at their antics, anxious to break the communication barrier between animal and man.
It was putting words together to fight for positive press coverage, for funding, sharing facts and figures with anyone who thought what they did here was cruel. It was writing press releases about dolphins like Cocoa, who wouldnt have survived without peoples help.
But tomorrow would be...
A search for more body parts.
Enjoy your party.
Grady wouldnt insist that she go. He knew about her past and how traumatic today had been for her. But he had given Agent Codys plan his blessing.
Maybe shed insisted a little too strongly that she was all right.
But if she was needed...
Well, hell. It would only be one day.
Right now she needed to rejoin the party and mingle. Shed discovered that she liked their sponsors, especially Sonia Larson. And it was Sonia she bumped into first.
In Miami less than a month and it appears youve met some very intriguing people, Sonia said, nodding toward the path Agent Cody had taken when he left. Where did you meet him? Somewhere dark and dangerous, I bet. What does he do for a living? Let me guess. Soccer player! And hesArgentine. Oh, dear, Im sorrytoo many questions. Sonia sighed softly. Forgive me?
Though the womans name was Sonia Larson, Lara had caught the faintest hint of an accent and was pretty sure that she came from a Slavic country.
Lara managed a smile. Hes not actually a friend at all. I met him here earlier today. Hes with the FBI. And youre not asking too many questions at all.
No, I do ask too many questions. Im...awkward.
Lara looked at Sonia. Despite her beauty and vivacity, it was true. She did seem a bit awkward, as if she was uncomfortable in a crowd. As if all that vivacity was an act because she wasnt sure how else to behave. She was a self-made millionaire. Her clothing line consisted entirely of her own designs. Shed begun selling in some of the high-priced shops on the beach, and around Aventura and the Bal Harbor area before expanding to other cities, other states and then around the world. But Lara suspected she was happiest and most comfortable when she was on her own, designing the clothes that had brought her such success.
Its okay. Youre fine, Lara said reassuringly. Then she smiled. My turn. Russia? Maybe the Ukraine?
Close. Romania, Sonia told her. Larson was once Lungo. My father changed it when we came to this country. Ive been here since I was eight. Not everyone hears the accent.
I worked in DC for a long time, Lara told her. I got good at recognizing accents.
Yours is very nice. Soft and so clear, and yet...
Lara laughed. Im from Virginia. Richmond. Very cosmopolitan now. But I guess we still have a bit of a Southern touch.
I like the Southern touch. Like Florida. This is my home now. I love iteveryone is here! I meet with Russians in the morning, Venezuelans in the afternoon and Cubans or Germans, or maybe someone Jamaican or French, at night. I love the salsathats Brazilian, yes? Everyone comes together here. And thanks to the night life, my shoes and short skirts are popular, eh?
I love your clothing. I have some of your Biz-Wear line, Lara told her.
Yes? Sonia might be a fashion mogul, but she seemed like any normal person, pleased by the compliment. I must bring you some things.
Oh, thats sweet, but really
Sonia waved a hand in the air. You will hurt me if you refuse them.
Please dont feel that way, its just that its not really appropriate for me to accept such an expensive gift, Lara said.
Sonia waved a hand in the air. You will hurt me if you refuse them.
Please dont feel that way, its just that its not really appropriate for me to accept such an expensive gift, Lara said.
Sonia waved a hand dismissively. Just think of it as a welcome-to-Miami gift. Im in Rio next week for a fashion show, but Ill send some things over. She smiled, then said, And now you cant argue with me, because we have company. She lowered her voice to a whisper. Watch out for him. His hands like to wander.
Lara turned to see Grant Blackwood headed their way.
He was a good-looking man in a rough-cut kind of wayone that he probably took great pains to achieve. He played the Texan, the cowboy, to the hilt, right down to addressing Lara as little lady several times. He had two homes in Florida, one on Star Island and one in Key West, a mansion in Houston and several small cottages around the country.
His wife was currently at their little place in the Hamptons.
Ladies! How cruel of you to deprive the rest of us of your company, he said, his drawl booming, rich and deep.
Im so sorry, but this lady has just received a call from her chauffeur. I told him he must get me out of here and home to bed at a reasonable hour, Sonia said, followed by a yawn. I promise you, its not the company. Its too many flights in too few days, and Im off again soon.
Blackwood sighed elaborately. Well miss you, Sonia. Until the next soiree, then.
Always such a pleasure, Grant, Sonia said.
He turned to Lara. What about you, little lady? How about a walk down to the docks to fill me in on anything new with our wonderful dolphins?
Lara wasnt new to his kind of game; shed worked in the media after all. She was good at handling herself. But before she had a chance to put him off, Sonia leaped to her rescue.
I think that Lara needs to be very careful about walking on the docks with any man, Sonia said.
Whys that? Grant asked.
Didnt you see her boyfriend? Sonia smiled. Hes a very handsome manand a government man, at that.
Youre dating a fed? Grant said, turning to Lara.
She had seldom felt put on such a spot, but since Sonia had only been trying to help herand since she was clearly right about Gerryshe phrased her answer carefully. Well, we havent known each other long, she said. But he is...quite a man.
I wonder if hes part Latin? Sonia said. He looks as if he could be quite passionate.
Oh, yes, hes very passionate, Lara agreed drily.
I imagine, Grant Blackwood muttered, looking over her shoulder.
As he did so, Lara knewjust knewthat she had stepped in it now. Why in Gods name he was back again, she didnt know.
But he was back. The stick-up-the-ass agent was back. And this time hed undoubtedly heard her.
Miss Larson, Mr. Blackwood, he said. He looked at them and nodded, and though he said nothing else, his nod clearly indicated that they should leave.
They took the hint. Sonia waved goodbye and headed for the exit, and fell into conversation with Ely and Dr. Amory. They were lucky to have Nelson Amory, Lara knew. Hed received degrees in both veterinary science and marine biology. He was considered one of the top scientists working in the fields of marine mammal behavior and physiology.
Lara didnt even want to look at Agent Cody. She had to, of course. He was standing right in front of her, waiting for her attention.
What now? she asked with a wince.
I wanted to let you know that well be heading out early. I need you to be at the end of the dock by seven.
Seven. After today and tonight. No problem, she said drily.
Thank you. And good night.
Good night, she said.
He took a step away, but then he paused and turned back. She could almost have sworn that he nearly cracked a smile. Youre welcome, by the way.
What?
Feel free to use me. To protect yourself from Blackwoods advances, I mean. His Lothario tendencies are well-known. Thinking of me as your boyfriend will probably keep him from bothering you. Even if I do have a stick up my ass.
He turned and was soon swallowed up by the shadowy path to the parking lot.