Bodies in Paradise Page 10

  “I think we should have more fun days.” I leaned sideways and brushed a kiss across his cheek.

  Creole had called in sick yesterday, and I’d heard him making threats if a certain person came banging on the door, then laughing at the response. It had been easy to deduce he expected Didier to keep a rein on his wife so we could have a fool-around day. We turned off our phones, dragged out the water bikes, and went for a ride out into the Gulf. The race was on getting back to shore. I couldn’t compete with those long, muscular legs of his, and Creole had to wait several minutes on the sand for me, smirk in place. I demanded a rematch, and this time, we hugged the shoreline. I needed to save my energy and waited as he raced ahead and doubled back. The course hadn’t been clearly established, so I cut mine short and got turned around and ready for him, then rammed his front tire, and as he struggled to keep from tipping, I sped off and barely made it back to the start before he caught up. He stored the bikes, threw me over his shoulder, and hauled me back to the house. I tried not to laugh all the way, but failed.

  “And more mornings like this, working side by side.” He pulled me to my feet. “Sorry that I have to cut it short, but I’ve got a lunch meeting.” He led me back into the house and down the hall to the bedroom, where we showered and changed.

  At the front door, I handed him his briefcase. “You’ve got company,” he said before kissing me.

  I looked around his shoulder and saw Fab headed in our direction. “Either she’s got a camera on us or she’s got impeccable timing.”

  Creole laughed. “I texted Didier that I was on my way out.” He walked past Fab, and whatever he said had her lips quirking. Both he and Didier waved as the Mercedes roared down the street.

  “Come in.” I motioned to Fab. “I can cook you up a cup of swill.”

  “I’ve lost all hope of you expanding your tastes to include an excellent cup of coffee.” She looked ready to laugh but would never let it happen if she could stop it. “You need to put something more professional on.” She eyed my t-shirt skirt and top. “I’ve got a meeting with Gunz’s nephew or something. You even try to weasel out, I’ll call your husband and pitch such a fit, he’ll ask you to go just to shut me up.” Before I could say anything, she cut me off with a wave. “Then I’ll be available to you for whatever you need.”

  “I thought it was a security system job, not a meet-and-greet.” I picked up my laptop and paperwork and shoved everything in my briefcase.

  “That was yesterday,” she said, as though I should know. “You were deathly ill. Happy to see you’ve made a full recovery.”

  “Sarcasm…” I shook my finger at her.

  “I gunned up Didier and took him as my backup. It was the most boring in-and-out job ever. Sorry you missed it.”

  “No, you’re not.” I laughed. “If you’re going to be picky, you need to come choose something for me to wear. And hustle it up, or I’ll pull the first hangar within reach out of my closet.”

  I was ready in record time, approving of the sleeveless black dress that Fab handed me, then going back and deciding on a pair of slip-on sandals.

  On the way out to the car, I asked, “What’s this latest family drama about?”

  “Jimmy Jones…”

  I rolled my eyes. “You need practice making up names.”

  “Are you finished?” I got the evil eye. “And just for that, you can wait until we arrive at the appointment to hear the details.”

  “If you need my personality to sparkle, a caramel coffee would give me the kick I need, and don’t forget the whipped cream.” I licked my lips.

  “As it so happens… Well, just so you know, I didn’t choose the meeting place. We’ve been there before, and neither of us was impressed. So be nice.”

  “It appears you’ve forgotten, Pot, that I’m always nice.” At her raised eyebrows, I added, “Mostly.”

  It was a short drive. Fab turned off the highway and parked around the back of a brightly painted shack that advertised… Good one. If there’d been a sign, it was taken down, but I recognized the place. The gigantic coffee cup on the edge of the roof was a recent addition, and I guess the only identifier they thought they needed. The only other car in the parking lot was a bright-orange fifty-year-old hatchback Mustang in pristine condition. A motorcycle had been pushed up to the rear entrance, and in case anyone took a notion to wander off with it, they left the door open.

  “I’m amazed this place stays in business,” I said as we tromped down a gravel path to a seating area of picnic tables and benches. An upgrade from the folding chairs from last time? I’d disagree.

  A slightly built man in his early twenties with dark hair swept to one side of his face dressed in his dad’s roll-up jeans and plaid shirt stood and stuck out his hand. “Jimmy Jones.”

  I skipped the introductions and sat gingerly, trying to avoid getting a splinter in my butt.

  “Gunz and I only had a minute to talk, since we were both headed into meetings, so why don’t you start from the beginning?” Fab said to him and sat next to me.

  I wanted to applaud her excuse for not getting Gunz to fill us in, although I suspected she knew more than she was letting on.

  Jimmy plunked down across from us. “I got my masters in business and, right out of college, started working for a big property development company out of Miami.”

  Older than I thought. Okay.

  “I’m taking night classes and studying to take the CPA exam, but all my hard work is about to be wasted, since I’m going to be charged with embezzlement unless I can repay the missing million dollars in five days.” He oozed sadness.

  “Did you steal the money?” I asked.

  His brown eyes shot up and met mine. “I did not. Yesterday, I got called into my boss’s office. He informed me that the money came up missing during an audit, and after some digging, it was traced to an account with my name on it. I wanted to knock the smirk off his face but knew I’d get mine rearranged, since he’s twice my size. He brushed off my denials, barely listening, then let me know what a great guy he was, giving me time to pay back the money before going to the CEO. He assured me that if I returned the money, it would lessen my prison time.”

  “I think he’s overstepping his authority, keeping that kind of a loss from his boss,” Fab said. “His job might be on the line for withholding the information, even for a few days.”

  “Going on the assumption you’re innocent…” I said. Gunz must have thought so or we wouldn’t be there. “You have any idea who would set you up to take the fall?”

  “Milton Track—my boss. The only other person with access to all the accounts is the CFO, and he’s an old man that rarely shows up at the office.” He uncapped his water and about downed the bottle. “Milt seemed to be under the illusion that I could write a check. Even if he weren’t wrong, I wouldn’t pay back money that I didn’t steal.”

  “Were you able to look at the transactions?” Fab asked.

  “Briefly, and then I was locked out. It showed that the money was transferred to an offshore account. Whoever did this used me to cover their tracks.”

  “We’ve got a computer expert on call; he has the ability to track the cash,” Fab said. “Is the money still sitting in the account and all it would take is transferring it back?”

  “Milt said that the account had a balance of fifty thousand, asked what I blew it all on. I wasn’t able to independently verify any of what he confronted me with.”

  “My first question to Milty would be, ‘How do you know all this?’ Because if his name isn’t on the account, how did he gain access?” Fab asked.

  “I pointed out the same thing, and he said, ‘Unfortunately, you chose a bank where I have a friend.’”

  “How convenient,” I said.

  “Are you still going into the office?” Fab asked.

  “I’ve been asked to stay away until the meeting, which is on Monday. According to Milt, the theft isn’t on the agenda, but he plans to break the ne
ws once everyone’s assembled.”

  Even if Milt didn’t have his sticky fingers all over the missing money, he would probably lose his job for bypassing the CEO, who wouldn’t take the surprise announcement well.

  “Since we’re short on time, I’m going to make your case a priority. I suggest that you lie low and try not to worry.” Fab smiled at him. “If all else fails, we can sneak you out of town.”

  “Do that, and no one would ever believe my innocence.” Jimmy returned her smile, but barely. “I’ll admit to the jitters. I keep thinking the authorities are going to descend and haul me off in cuffs.”

  “Both of us have worked for Gunz long enough to know that he takes care of his own and would never let you rot in jail,” I tried to reassure him. “Even if you were guilty. And that’s not the case here, so he’ll be more motivated to see that you’re not railroaded.”

  “Gunz has been around my entire life. Always looked up to him. When this trouble went down, I called him first. I need to tell my parents before it hits the news. Still hoping that everything gets resolved in my favor and I can tell them that as well.”

  “If they’re anything like my mother, they’re going to be annoyed,” I said. “Only because they would’ve wanted to hold your hand through the process and reassure you it will all work out.”

  “It’s hard to go from a kid that never got in trouble to big-time criminal, especially when you factor in that I didn’t even do the crime. The thought of going to jail makes me sick.” Jimmy hunched his shoulders.

  “Trust me when I tell you I’ve got people who can help to clear you,” Fab reassured him. “And we’re getting right on it.”

  We ended the meeting and stood. Jimmy walked us back to the SUV.

  “Nice car,” I said.

  “It’s a 1965 Mustang and belonged to my grandfather. He loved it, and I was happy that he lived long enough to see it fully restored.” Jimmy ran his hand down the door panel.

  I reached in my purse and handed him a business card. “If you ever want to sell—and I don’t mean for legal bills—I know someone who can get you top dollar.”

  “You can also reach either of us at that number,” Fab said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be in touch. I won’t leave you hanging out to dry, not knowing what’s going on. You’ll be getting a call from Xander Huntington; know that he works for me and can be trusted.”

  Jimmy took the card and nodded. He got in his car and roared out of the parking lot. We were right behind him.

  “Mr. Jones needs a makeover,” I mused. “Something more professional so he doesn’t come across as a kid and he’ll be taken more seriously. A self-defense class might give him some added confidence. Give him the courage to stand up for himself.”

  “Thinking the same thing, and I’ll put that in my report to Gunz, along with a referral.”

  “Please don’t let Xander hear you refer to him as your employee or he’ll pack up and run out the door,” I teased.

  “I don’t know why I’m the one with the scary rep.”

  “Maybe…” I tapped my cheek. “It’s all the growling you do.”

  “I’ll be telling Xander how much I appreciate him. That make you happy? He does a great job at getting us all the information we need for these jobs.”

  “I happen to know he likes sharing the office with us. Never a dull moment. Plus, we’re not snore bores.”

  “What’s next? You have some hokey client?”

  “I object.” I hit the dashboard and laughed. “It’s afternoon, so margarita time. I need to make a quick stop at Jake’s, and then we can go get our sauce on and I’ll make drunken phone calls.”

  “You’re going to have to put your tequila on hold. We need to go to the office and get started on Jimmy’s case. If whoever set him up thinks someone is onto them, the cops will get called in that much sooner or the real culprit will run.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Fab turned into the parking lot of Jake’s and parked at the front door for a change. We walked into the middle of a full-on brawl between Kelpie and another woman. The men at the bar were whooping and hollering, beer splashing.

  “You break it up.” I nudged Fab. “I don’t want to get hurt.”

  Fab shot me a toe-curling smile, and I should’ve known I wasn’t going to like her response. Before I could call her off, she drew her gun and put a hole in the ceiling. Another hole. It wasn’t the first time a bullet had been lodged overhead. That brought the festivities to a halt.

  I stared up, trying to assess the damage.

  The women had initially rolled away from the other, but they tossed curse words back and forth and showed signs of launching themselves at each other again. “I’ll shoot the next one that throws a punch,” Fab yelled. “Now sit down.” She pointed to the woman we didn’t know.

  I motioned Kelpie over. “You better have a good story or you’re paying for the damage to the ceiling.”

  Fab stood over the other woman, silently daring her to get up. The woman did a double take and stayed seated.

  Kelpie roared, her words tumbling out over one another. “Stealing… short-changed… not on my watch.” She twisted her turquoise leotard back into place, her matching hair shaking side-to-side. The men at the bar hadn’t taken their eyes off her, not sparing a glance at the woman sitting on the floor.

  “Kelp’s telling the truth,” one man yelled. The rest raised their beers in salute and nodded.

  Kelpie gulped in several deep breaths. “That woman,” she seethed, “came in with her friends and gave me a credit card so they could run a tab.”

  I looked over at the table where the woman’s friends were seated. No one said a word as they stared wide-eyed.

  “When my back was turned, she snatched the card from the side of the register and tried to beat it out the door. One of my regulars pointed her out, and I rounded the bar and grabbed the back of her shirt. One of her hands shot out in an attempt to dump me on the floor, the other came around with a closed fist. I don’t think so.” Kelpie heaved in deep breaths.

  The bar stayed silent. Having heard every word, all the patrons nodded in agreement.

  “You’re a liar,” the woman yelled. “I thought you’d charged my card when you handed it back. There was no way to know you were so damn stupid and had no clue how to do your job.”

  Kelpie leapt forward with an aggrieved shout. “Lying witch.”

  I grabbed hold of her arm, and she carried me a few steps before skidding to a stop.

  Kevin strolled through the door, a huge grin on his face. “Got a call that mayhem was happening and hurried right over. Want to tell me what’s going on? This time.” He stared at the woman on the floor until she looked away. When she looked back, he pointed to an empty table, and she hauled herself up and took a seat. He motioned to Kelpie to do the same.

  “You might want to have them sit at separate tables,” I said, not able to hide my sarcasm.

  “Thanks for telling me how to do my job.”

  I was tempted to offer him a soda, sugar him up a bit, but decided next time… and there’d be one. Instead, I whispered to Kelpie, “Stay calm when you tell Kevin what happened.’

  “The first person to leave by any exit gets arrested,” Kevin yelled.

  It wouldn’t be the first time, or last, that patrons beat it out the door at the first sign of the cops. The downside to having an outstanding warrant—you always had to be on the lookout to avoid getting arrested.

  Another cop walked in, and the two exchanged words. Cop two walked over to the men at the bar, Kevin back to the women.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Doodad: Where the hell are you?

  In my office. Let me know when it’s all clear came the answer.

  I walked behind the bar, smiled at the customers, and was ignored. “Round on the house.” That got their attention, along with a once-over.

  Fab came up to the bar. “I’m going out the back via the deck. I’ll be waiting in th
e car.”

  “One step,” I threatened, “and everyone on this block will know you’re making a run for it.”

  A couple of the men laughed.

  “Hop on a bar stool and get your freebie.” I motioned to Fab.

  “All clear?” Doodad poked his head out of the hallway.

  “Cops are here. When you find out who called them, they’re banned,” I grouched.

  Doodad asked what happened, and I told him.

  “That’s a popular scam that’s going around,” he said. “I think we should press charges. If word gets around that we’re an easy mark, folks will come in to rip us off, thinking we’re dumb stints.”

  “We’ve got security footage that will back up Kelpie’s story, since I’m certain she’s telling the truth,” I said. “You can handle it however you want.”

  Fab answered her phone and grabbed her drink, mouthing Xander. Like me, she figured it would take a while before we got out of there. She went out to the deck and sat at our reserved table.

  Doodad joined me behind the bar as I refilled the beers.

  “The side job I contacted you about…” I said. “You get any good information on the demise of the Taco Bar yet? The arsonist’s name would be way cool.”

  “These delicate issues take time.”

  “Whatever the going rate is, you decide and pay. Take the money out of the till and pay yourself a commission.”

  Bouff, one of our closing bartenders, walked into the main room from the hallway, looked around, and laughed. The broad-chested six-foot man moved with confidence on his prosthetic leg and didn’t take guff off anyone. “Did I miss a chick brawl?”

  “Kelpie was a smidge away from cleaning the floor with the woman,” I informed him with a big smile.

  “I wouldn’t bet against her, no matter the challenger,” Bouff said. “I’m here to talk to you. Word drifted down the pike that Cook got you involved with the Taco Bar explosion. That’s what he told the Vickers. Anything new yet?”