Lottery in Paradise (Florida Keys Mystery Series Book 11) Read online

  “Cleaner Dude is Mac’s connection. He has the hots for her, but she says it creeps her out to think about dating and… other stuff.” My cheeks burned.

  “I know him; he’s a weird piece of work but does a good job.”

  I was supposed to call Creole when I had contact with law enforcement; dead bodies and a few other things were on the list, but this one I would save just to see his face when he realized it wasn’t a made-up story.

  Kevin’s phone pinged. He snaked another bottle of water, nodded and grunted, which I took for “see you,” then left. He met up with my brother at the front door.

  My guess was they were talking about Kevin’s sister, Julie, and her son, Liam, the only two subjects they had in common. The conversation didn’t last long before my brother waved and headed my way.

  “Who died?” I asked him.

  Chapter Six

  Brad had changed a lot in the last couple of months, after a girlfriend from the past showed up, wreaking havoc. Gone was the easygoing boy next door, replaced by a more serious version. He had been in good shape before, but now his workouts had taken on a different intensity; his abs were rock hard, and he carried himself like a man you didn’t mess with. He had tossed aside the tropical shorts and shirt he’d often donned as a commercial fisherman, and they’d been replaced by tailor-made clothes. He’d hired a captain for his fishing business and partnered with Didier, the two making a name for themselves in commercial real estate. The black suit he wore was fitted and well made, showing off his lean physique. His sun-bleached hair had a slightly messy look.

  “Nice.” Phil whistled.

  I agreed silently with Phil. He looked hot, even if he was my brother.

  Brad ordered a bottle of Stella. Jake’s now carried a selection of European beer that only our boyfriends and my brother requested. The locals liked their beer cheap and on tap.

  “You’ve been calling; thought I’d return your call in person,” Brad said to me, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. He reached for the bottle, taking a long drink. “Put it on the boss’s tab,” he told Phil. He hooked his arm around my shoulders and turned toward the deck. “We need to talk. I’ll take her home,” he told Fab over his shoulder.

  Fab growled at him, which made him smile. He knew she hated being left out of anything. If there was any way for her to circle out to the deck ahead of us to hide and eavesdrop, she’d do it.

  “Fab won’t go anywhere,” I said.

  “I know. I wonder how hard she worked to perfect that outraged look.”

  Brad headed to the table tucked in the corner of the deck, just outside the door. It had a perfect view of the inlet of water that ran below. He took off his jacket and laid it over a chair, tossing the “Do Not Sit Here” sign aside. Early on, I’d made the table private for family and friends. Despite the sign, people sat there anyway and only got the hint when no one came around to take their order. There was no cheating and ordering drinks at the bar. The bartenders told them to change tables and then the drinks would be delivered.

  To say I was light-obsessed put it kindly. In addition to installing ceiling fans every few feet, I’d strung Christmas lights across the railing and on the bottom of the eaves.

  “I need your help with Liam,” he said as we both sat facing the interior of the bar, so we were able to see everything going on inside.

  Originally, the plan was for Julie’s son to stay behind and finish high school. He planned to go to the University of Miami and wanted to retain his resident status. It was to be a short separation, the first movie projected to take two months to film. Liam had opted to stay with Mother in the interim.

  “What’s Mother done now?” I asked.

  “Mother’s being all protective and weird. She interferes in any plans I make, as if I’m a bad influence, which is highly insulting. Look at me – an up-and-coming pillar of the community.” He puffed out his chest.

  “Did I mention that you’re looking smokin’ these days? New girl in your life perhaps?”

  He blushed slightly, snapping his fingers. “This conversation is about Liam. Has Mother forgotten that I spent more time than anyone else with the kid before Julie went to Hollywood? Now,” he said in frustration, “I practically have to sneak him out.”

  “You’re a step up on me. When I want to hang out with Liam, Mother has to come along.” Noticing that Brad had finished his bottle of beer, I signaled Phil for another.

  “Bullets have been known to fly around you.”

  “There’s a big difference between taking Liam on a job and out for ice cream,” I said in a huff.

  He squeezed my shoulders. “I’d trust my kids with you. I know you’d stop at nothing to protect them.”

  “Kids?” My eyes widened. “How many will be coming for a play date?”

  “Enough to field a football team,” he said with a straight face.

  “That’s a raft-load of kids. If they’re anything like the two of us, I suspect you’ll stop at two and borrow the rest for any games from your neighbors.”

  Brad laughed. “That’s an idea.”

  “Back to your problem,” I said. “I’ll talk to Mother, and in return, you stay seated until you tell me what’s going on with you.”

  “Been busy. I enjoy getting up in the morning; that’s more than most people can say. Didier and I want to take the real estate partnership big league. After much reflection, I decided it was in my best interest to be more badass and less nice guy.”

  “Don’t get so busy that you don’t have time for your little sister.”

  “Not going to happen. Sorry I missed the last couple of family barbeques at your house, but I wasn’t up to an evening with couples and me dateless.”

  Fab arrived, tray in hand, and served the drinks, setting down one for herself and slipping into a chair across from the two of us. “You look really nice, by the way.” She smiled at Brad.

  “You are one nervy chick,” he responded. “You can stay until your first rude comment.”

  “Did you forget I’m like a sister?” Fab reminded him.

  “That’s a good one.” Brad snorted.

  “What’s up with you and Julie?” I asked. “I thought you were going to pop the marriage question.”

  “I’m very proud of what Julie’s accomplished. Her career is important to her, and she’s worked hard to get this break. That said, bi-coastal isn’t going to work; we’re already growing apart. I’m afraid that in one of our conversations, she’s going to ask me to relocate to California.” He patted my hand. “Don’t worry, not doing that. Life here is good, and my family’s here. Besides, Los Angeles holds no appeal.”

  I sighed with relief that he wasn’t considering a move. We had always been a close family. After our father died during our teenage years, Mother had turned into a mother hen with a watchful eye on her chicks, which reined us in from the typical bad decisions that kids make. It had pulled us apart when I’d gotten married and moved away and Brad moved to Florida. I didn’t want that to happen again. After the divorce, I wanted my family together, where visiting was only a short drive and I could pound on their door at any time.

  “Maybe it’s time to have the ‘let’s be friends’ talk,” Fab suggested.

  “I’m doing the guy thing, waiting for her to bring it up. It’s coming, but since neither of us has anyone in our lives, it’s not urgent. Julie let it slip that she doesn’t want any more kids. I don’t see a compromise there; one of us is going to be unhappy.”

  “It’s better to agree upfront about your expectations for the relationship,” Fab said, a wistful look on her face. “Why marry and find out afterwards you’re more compatible as friends? You’ve got to accept that most of the time, being friends after being lovers doesn’t work out so well.”

  “What did you do with my friend?” I asked.

  Her eyes narrowed. “I can do sensitive.”

  “Yes, you can.” I smiled at her, then turned back to Brad.”Now that Julie
’s gotten a second gig, will she want Liam to join her?”

  “Liam enjoys visiting,” Brad said, “but he doesn’t want to move there. He’s been out there a couple of times already and says it doesn’t take long to miss Florida. I know for a fact that Julie doesn’t worry about him; she knows that we’re taking good care of him. I make it a point to see him every day, and if something comes up, we talk on the phone. I wanted him to come live with me but thought Mother’s would be more stable.”

  “We’ll get this worked out with Mother. Tell her you’re taking him alligator hunting; she won’t want to come along.”

  “Thanks, I’ll owe you one. You need me to run interference, say the word.”

  “Too bad all problems aren’t solved that easily,” Fab said. “I saw you having a drink with that cretin, James Bordello, when I stopped for coffee the other day. Every single Bordello brother is an ass. Just so you know.” She stuck up her aristocratic nose. “I know them all.”

  “I had a meeting with James today. Didier and I are in discussions to partner with him on a condo site in South Miami. It’s looking good.”

  “I met James at one of those fancy dinners the Miami PD holds once a year,” I said. “He demanded I call him sir. Thought he was kidding and laughed at him. He wasn’t amused. And even less so when Creole ribbed him about not every woman dropping at his feet. His snotty reply was ‘My women do what they’re told.’”

  “The Bordello brothers.” Fab shook her head. “There’s always an unsavory rumor or six floating around about one brother or another. Some free advice—and you know how I hate to do free—check them out and see if their skeletons are going to be trouble for you.”

  “That’s a great idea,” I said. “Before signing contracts, give me the names of any potential partners, and I’ll have them investigated.”

  Fab observed Brad intently, a smile curving her lips. “I’ve been watching the changes you’ve been making—from easygoing to wound rather tight. Your new kick-ass persona will cause some to make an adjustment or two. Any reason at all you need backup, we’re here for you.”

  I hit the table with my fist. Ouch! “I’ve always had your back, and that’s not changing. Got it?”

  “You’re still my favorite sister. Sorry,” he said to Fab. “You’re still family. If we’d grown up with you, I suspect Madison and I would’ve been grounded all the time and you’d have skated.”

  “But she’d have broken us out.” I laughed.

  “I’ll take you up on your offer to check out the Bordello brothers.” Brad took a business card out of his pocket, scribbling on the back. “Don’t get too snoopy. I hope you can do this without them finding out. I want to know if they have any kind of pending legal problems, personal or business. Check out all three brothers, even though I’m dealing with James.”

  “It’s actually Grigorio,” Fab said. “James is his middle name.”

  Brad nodded, clearly surprised.

  “You need us to ransack his home, office?” I asked. “We offer that service. Fab does, anyway.”

  Brad shook his head. “I hope I don’t regret this little request. Whatever you do, don’t do anything to get arrested, or I’ll bring Mother along to bail you out.”

  I shuddered at what a long ride home that would be.

  Brad’s phone rang once. He pulled it out of his pocket and read the message. “Family dinner at Mother’s.” His mouth pulled into a tight, hard line.

  “What did she do?” I asked.

  “She knew that Liam and I had plans for a guys’ night out – hamburgers at Roscoe’s.”

  I refrained from licking my lips. They served the best burgers in Tarpon Cove and were regularly featured on dive hamburger joint websites.

  “I don’t get the fascination with that greasy spoon.” Fab made an inarticulate sound of disgust.

  “Stop. For as much as you complain, you eat every bite.” I held out my hand to Brad. “Give me your phone.” I called Mother, putting a finger over my lips.

  “Mother,” I said in a conspiratorial tone. “This needs to be quick. I’m at Jake’s with Brad, and he’s not going to be gone long.”

  “That’s nice,” she said, although her tone belied her words.

  “You need to call Brad and cancel the family dinner plans.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because Brad and Liam have a boys’ night out planned. You don’t want to disappoint both of them, do you? You know that they’d never say anything to upset you, but this has been planned for a while—not something last minute. And your dinner can easily be changed.”

  “I’ll make hamburgers here, and there won’t be any difference.”

  “You need to stop interfering in their relationship… unless Julie told you she doesn’t want Liam and Brad together, which I highly doubt.”

  “I worry about Brad, and I’ve gotten to see him a lot more lately,” Mother whined.

  “Meddle some more, and the next thing you know, Liam will want to move out. I know you worry, but you need to lighten up. Brad’s back.” I handed him the phone. “Mother wants to talk to you.” I knew she could hear every word.

  The conversation was short. Brad disconnected. “Thanks, we’re back on. I owe you one.”

  “That was impressive.” Fab gathered up the empty bottles, setting them back on the tray.

  “Mother knows when she’s being heavy-handed, and at that point, it’s easy to guilt her into doing the right thing.”

  Chapter Seven

  Dragging my eyes open, I threw my hand out, fingers fumbling about, trying to find the source of the irritating noise. After a moment, I realized that it was my phone. Nothing good ever came from middle-of-the-night phone calls.

  On the screen, Shirl’s face smiled back at me. She was an RN at Tarpon Cove Hospital, once a tenant favorite. Knowing she was only a phone call away kept me sane.

  “What happened?” I answered.

  “Fab was admitted earlier. She got hurt tonight and seems to have lost her short-term memory.” Shirl snorted.

  “Is she going to be okay?” I asked, stumbling out of bed, opening a drawer, and pulling out a pair of crop sweats and a sweatshirt.

  “She’ll be fine. It’s a minor head injury. She growled when I told her she wouldn’t need surgery, perhaps because I was a bit overly dramatic.”

  “If you’re going to provoke her, I suggest you remind her that you’ve been useful to her in the past.” I already felt sorry for the hospital staff, knowing Fab would be at the top of the list of worst patients.

  “We’re holding her overnight for observation. I hid her clothes so she wouldn’t run out the door. Damn shame, her silk blouse was covered in blood.”

  “I’m on my way.” I hung up, tossing my phone on the bed and continuing to stagger around, getting into my clothes. “So my wily friend has once again snuck out in the middle of the night,” I murmured. “One of her secret jobs that went wrong.” It wasn’t the first time she’d gotten hurt on a job, but she’d never landed in the hospital before. On the way out, I grabbed my bag off the bench in the entry.

  This was one of those rare nights that I had the house by myself. The driveway was empty except for my SUV. Where was Didier? I remembered that he’d had a meeting up in Miami and was due back at any time. I jumped behind the wheel and slammed the car door. I’d wait until I saw Fab before calling Didier.

  I kept to the speed limit. This was a small town, but law enforcement was always out in force and eager to hand out tickets to those with lead feet.

  The hospital lobby was empty when I raced through the doors; instead of a receptionist, there was a telephone and a placard of instructions. Having been here more than a few times to visit people, I punched the elevator button and rode it to the ninth floor, where Shirl had her cubicle.

  Shirl glanced up from a pile of paperwork. “Could she be a bigger pain in the ass?” Her mouth formed a grim line. “I know she’s your friend, but to put it nicely, she�
��s not a favorite on this floor.”

  “That’s a good sign.” I managed a weak smile. “That mean she’s going to be released soon?”

  “Fab needed you here earlier when she uttered some convoluted nonsense about what she did remember. Slipping, tripping… She changed it to falling, but it didn’t make any sense and didn’t match her bruising. She finished it off by grabbing her head and pleading amnesia. I couldn’t help it; I laughed, and she shot me a dirty look. Dr. A laughed at her and whispered something in her ear, and her cheeks burned red.

  Dr. A was short for Dr. Ardzruniannos, whose name no one could pronounce. He was by far the hottest doctor in this hospital and a good friend.

  Shirl escorted me down the hall to Fab’s room. “Good luck,” she whispered.

  I took a breath, opened the door, and closed it quietly behind me. The bed was a jumble of sheets… and empty. The bathroom door stood slightly ajar, with no lights on. There was no place to hide.

  “Fabiana, what the hell?” I hissed. I turned and reached for the door handle, deciding to sneak out myself and ask Shirl not to tell anyone I’d stopped by.

  “I’m here.” Fab came out of the darkened bathroom, tying a second hospital gown on backwards to cover her behind.

  “That’s a fetching outfit; now get back in bed.”

  “Didier just left. He’s not happy with me.”

  “That’s surprising.” Even in the dim lighting, I could see that her eyes were red-rimmed from crying. “Unless you came up with some BS excuse, like you gave to the doctor, which Didier saw right through and stomped out of here. As your friend, I’m going to stop nagging you to tell the truth the first go-round, and I’m also not going to remind you that the man knows you better than you know yourself.”