Hostile Waters

by William Nikkel

  Robert said, “I thought they were meeting us down here?”

  “Obviously, that’s changed.” Jack picked at the label on his bottle. “You think I’m foolish for wanting to help Lindsey? For getting involved in Cherise’s scheme?”

  Out on the bay a speedboat kicked up a spray of foam. When the engine roar faded, Robert said, “Need I remind you that you genuinely like women? You believe they’re equals. You don’t think of them as sex objects placed on earth to satisfy your every desire. But you enjoy the inevitable romantic game.”

  “That’s what I’m doing by going along with her plan?”

  “Partly. Plus, you like action.”

  Jack studied the speedboat that had reversed course on another run. “Sir Galahad, according to Kazuko.”

  “She has a knack of putting things in a way that fits.”

  “Tarnished armor and broken lance, perhaps.”

  “So we accept who you are.”

  Jack raised his bottle in salute. “And we bust this operation wide open.”

  “We?”

  “Cherise suggested I bring you along. Besides, it’ll be nice having you there to balance out my habit of kicking in kitchen doors and smashing dishes.”

  “Then all that’s left for us to do here is to button up this tub and catch a plane north.”

  Jack set down his bottle. “I’ll go online and get us a flight.”

  “You do that,” Robert said, and slid down in his seat. “I’ll sit here and watch you.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do a good job of it, too.”

  Jack dug his phone from his pocket and began searching airlines. After several minutes and a lot of tapping on the screen, he paused and checked the time.

  “You found us a flight?” Robert asked.

  “And we have to hurry if we’re going to make it,” Jack said. “I’ve booked us on a Southern Airways Express flight that leaves in a little over two hours. Plane lands in West Palm Beach at five fifteen. We might hit a little traffic from people heading home after a day in the city, but it should be relatively light since it’s a Sunday. That’ll give us plenty of time to have cocktails before dinner.”

  Robert pushed himself upright in his chair. “Didn’t Cherise ask us to meet her tomorrow?”

  “Or sooner, if possible.”

  Jack hadn’t forgotten. He’d already concluded he and Robert had exhausted their search for Hemingway’s manuscript notes. An intriguing prospect in the beginning, but no cigar. And no reason for them to wander around Key West in a blind search when he and Robert were needed elsewhere.

  The business they had left to do here could wait.

  He added. “There’s no reason to sit around staring at each other’s ugly mugs. We’ll let her buy us dinner.”

  “Won’t it be the other way around?”

  “Either way we’ll be dining with a couple of beautiful women. Why don’t you start packing and I’ll give Cherise a heads-up call that we’ll see them tonight.”

  “You’re just a sucker for a pretty face.”

  Jack had to laugh. “What can I say?”

  CHAPTER 39

  At five-thirty, Jack and Robert stood at the curb outside baggage claim. Jack’s mind drifted back to the days he had spent island hopping with Cherise. And how much he missed her.

  Cherise, he realized during their time together, allowed only a few men close to her. She’d given him the impression she believed it best to keep her emotions to herself. Devoting her existence to helping others while she ignored her own needs.

  Then she had allowed him to get close.

  At least briefly.

  Now she was placing trust in him.

  “So you’ve never met Cherise’s friend Lindsey?” Robert’s question pulled Jack from his thoughts.

  “I only learned about her a few days ago. They became friends in Afghanistan. At the time, there weren’t a lot of women at the base so they naturally gravitated to each other. I understand it was common for female soldiers to bond with other female soldiers.”

  “That’s not hard to believe. A man’s world for the most part. All the pressure that goes along with that added to the prospect of being killed in battle.”

  Jack nodded. “We’re not just talking about sexual pressure. There’s a lot of male soldiers who would jeopardize their life to protect his female counterpart.”

  “Which is what you’d do.”

  Jack studied the traffic. His friend was right.

  He said, “Only in this case, it was Lindsey who ended up being wounded in the leg by a sniper’s bullet that’d been intended for Cherise. Bottom line is you can see why Cherise feels she owes her.”

  Robert’s expression sobered. “Totally. What’s odd is Kazuko and I had this very discussion not that long ago. Women have played a vital role in every military conflict from the Revolutionary War to the current war on terror. Initially, they served as cooks and nurses. But their roles in combat have evolved, along with the military, to what they are today. I’m afraid women casualties is something the country will have to get used to.”

  Jack spotted Cherise in her rental three cars back in the line of vehicles driving toward them. He picked up his valise. “Looks like our ride is here.”

  Robert closed his eyes. “I’m envisioning an exotic raven-haired beauty.”

  A change of subject. Jack had to chuckle. “You’ve been away from Kazuko way too long.”

  Robert furrowed his brow. “Doesn’t hurt to dream.”

  “Definitely. Just don’t let her catch you doing it.”

  “You’re who she worries about.”

  “For good reason, I’m sure.” Jack stepped to the edge of the curb. “And I’m sure you provide her with plenty of incentive.”

  “You take care of that well enough by yourself.”

  “Screw you.”

  Robert laughed. “Remember, you promised cocktails.”

  “At the very least.”

  Cherise pulled parallel to them in a blue Dodge Charger and stopped. A beautiful young lady he figured had to be Lindsey sat in the front passenger seat. Robert would be pleased. The door window on her side rolled down and he leaned in. Cherise looked as gorgeous as she did the last time he saw her.

  “Going our way?” he asked, peering across at her.

  “Mind riding in back?” Cherise grinned.

  He remembered the last time he rode in the back seat of a Charger she drove. An orange rental. And not that long ago.

  He asked, “Do I have a choice?”

  “Not if you want a ride.”

  She slid from behind the wheel and hurried around the front of the car. Lindsey got out on her side.

  A stunning pair.

  Cherise gave him a hug and a kiss. “It’s good to see you. This is Lindsey. She’s been anxious to meet you both.”

  “And we looked forward to meeting her.” To Lindsey, he said, “I guess you figured out I’m Jack. This is my friend Robert.”

  Robert stepped up. “The pleasure is all mine.”

  She said, “Nice to meet you both.”

  “You’ll have plenty of time to get acquainted,” Cherise said. “Grab your things and let’s go. We have a lot to talk about.”

  CHAPTER 40

  Jack un-wedged himself from the rear seat and waited while Cherise turned her car over to the valet. She re-joined him and they walked into the lobby together. Robert and Lindsey followed a half-step behind them.

  “Nice resort,” Jack said.

  “Extremely nice, actually.” Cherise led them to the elevator. “I took the liberty of booking you and Robert into an ocean-view room on the fourth floor down the hall from ours. I have your key cards with me.”

  “Can’t I bunk with you?”

  She gave him a dismissive stare. “I’m sure you and Robert will be quite comfortable.”

  “You’ll get no complaints from me,” Robert said.

  Jack noticed him smiling at Lindsey.

  And her sm
iling back.

  Cherise dug two key cards from her purse and handed them to him. The elevator doors opened and they stepped on. She pressed number four. “I got you the room that was available. Two queens and a mini bar. I took the liberty of having a bottle of Knob Creek sent up.”

  He handed Robert his key card. “Seems you’ve thought of everything. How about we get freshened up and meet in the bar in thirty minutes?”

  “Make it the Beach Club patio deck. And thanks again for coming. I know it is a lot to ask.”

  He winked. “You knew you could count on me.”

  “Knowing you the way I do, I figured I could. Besides, you did offer to help if I needed it.”

  He grinned. “And I don’t break my promises.”

  The doors opened and the four of them stepped off. She pointed. “412 is right over there. Ours is down the hall; 426 and 427.”

  “So they are.” Jack looked in that direction wondering which door was hers. “We’ll meet you on the patio deck in thirty.”

  * * *

  Twenty-five minutes later, Jack and Robert stepped onto the elevator. Jack pressed the button to take them down, and said, “Lindsey is a pretty girl.”

  “So is Cherise.”

  “Meaning we’re both lucky. Just don’t let it muck up our reason for being here.”

  “Not going to happen.”

  Jack wanted to believe that.

  They stepped off, followed the signs to the Beach Club, and found Cherise and Lindsey sitting at a table with an unobstructed ocean view. Both looking like models on holiday.

  “Hope we didn’t keep you waiting long.” Jack slid the chair next to Cherise back and sat.

  “Not long at all,” she said. “I’m relieved you’re both here.”

  Lindsey swiped at the corner of her eye and gave them a shaky smile. “And I want you to know I’m so very thankful you’re helping us. Not many men would get involved in something this dangerous.”

  Robert took the seat next to her. “That’s who we are, Lindsey. We would have flown here from Oahu to help.”

  Jack signaled a waiter over and looked at Cherise. “Let’s order drinks and then you can tell us all about this plan of yours.”

  The waiter, a tall redhead with a pleasing smile, stopped at their table and the women each ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Jack decided to stick with beer since that’s what he’d been drinking and ordered a Red Stripe. Robert did the same.

  “I take it I can talk freely?” Jack directed the question to Cherise.

  “You’re referring to me of course,” Lindsey answered for her. “I know Dad’s dead. He was on that ship in Belize and no one can convince me he left the ship with some woman in Miami.”

  He studied the resolve in her eyes. “Over eighty thousand people are missing in the US at any given moment. Sixty percent are adults. Many of them stay lost. You honestly believe this Corey Jameson guy is responsible for whatever happened to your father?”

  Her expression hardened. “And his sister Amanda is in it with him.”

  “At least it looks that way,” Cherise added. “I figure this scam has been going on for some time. Corey is Amanda’s half-brother. She’s clean as far as I know, but he has an arrest record for second-degree assault. Three years ago, in West Palm Beach. Pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge and received a year’s probation. At the very least, I think it’s safe to assume he exhibited a predisposition for violence.”

  “Including killing people?”

  “Lindsey asked me the same question. Corey could just be an asshole actor with a temper. Then again, it’s also possible he’s a sociopath with no qualms about committing murder.”

  “And you believe the latter to be the case.”

  “I do. But all we can really say is he appears to enjoy living the high life. His bank account fluctuates drastically from month to month. Lots of credit card expenditures at exclusive restaurants and clubs. I didn’t see any recent deposits that would correspond with the sale of the idols even though Susan confirmed he and his sister have taken nearly two dozen cruises to the Yucatan over the past two years. Different cruise lines—the two of them always traveling together with no cruise lasting longer than seven days.”

  “What—?” The flat of her raised palm stopped him.

  “Before you ask, the three missing passenger cases I told you about all correspond to cruises Corey and his sister were on. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t more victims. It’s likely that not all cases of this nature are reported.”

  “What else can you tell me about him?”

  He’s thirty-eight and is, or was, a fishing celebrity. Had a TV show where he traveled the world catching monster fish. The network canceled the show after a couple of seasons. That was two years ago. Now he supposedly makes his living advertising fishing and sports equipment.”

  Jack understood the implication. “And you find that questionable?”

  “Besides living the high life and a lot of credit card expenditures at restaurants and clubs, there’s his Palm Beach condo to consider. As well as his sister’s place next door to him.”

  “Pricy, I imagine.”

  “Very.”

  “I assume you got into his bank accounts. If he’s working, even promoting sports equipment on TV, he should be bringing in a decent income.”

  “Maybe enough isn’t enough. I’m no accountant, but even I can see he lives way above his means.”

  “And you figure he smuggles to supplement his lifestyle.”

  “Traveling the world fishing would be the perfect catalyst to get him started. Only that ended and he had to find another way.”

  Jack digested the information. Some of which she had already told him. “Seems like graduating to murder is a pretty big step.”

  “Money is a powerful motivator.”

  “How do you think his sister became involved?”

  “When we talked to her, I couldn’t help thinking she wasn’t the woman who had lured Lindsey’s father to his death. Yet you and Robert placed them together in Key West. And she’s undeniably the person sitting at the Captain’s table with him. Plus, her name and her brother’s name are on the ship’s passenger manifest.”

  Their waiter appeared and set their drinks in front of them. When Redhead walked away, Cherise tapped the screen of her phone and turned it toward Jack, “This is another photo Susan sent of Amanda. One you haven’t seen.”

  Robert leaned in for a look as well.

  Jack gave him room.

  In the picture, Amanda stood next to another woman. Shorter and not nearly as attractive.

  “She’s pretty,” he said. “And taller than I imagined.”

  Cherise arched a brow at him. “I noticed that, too. Amanda is a self-employed, independent chartered accountant. She’s thirty-two and single. Never married. Her mother, Veronica Kelly, owns Dream World Travel. Her father’s deceased. So are the grandparents. In addition to her half-brother Corey, she has a sister, Jessica Finch, who works at the travel agency. Husband deceased.”

  “And her financials?”

  “She has a high six-figure bank account and a half dozen major credit cards, all in good standing. There were no suspicious deposits that I saw.”

  Lindsey leaned in. “What she hasn’t told you is Dad booked his cruise through Dream World Travel. That can’t be a coincidence.”

  And probably wasn’t.

  He looked from Lindsey to Cherise. She knew he didn’t believe in coincidences any more than she did. “Have you checked out the place?”

  Cherise shook her head. “Only Dream World’s financials. The business is located on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Apparently they cater to people booking cruises. Unlike many of the travel agencies across the country that are struggling to stay afloat while competing with the discount travel sites on the internet, the company is doing well. But not so good as to raise any red flags.”

  “Still, it might pay to dig a little deeper.”

&
nbsp; “I truly believe someone at the agency is connected to what’s going on. The question is who. There’s also a matter of proof.”

  “Which will take care of itself. Once we take down Corey, the rest of the group will unravel and fall apart.”

  “I agree.” She angled her phone toward Jack. “You only had a headshot of him. Susan pulled this one from his website. I’m almost sure he’s the cornerstone to their operation.”

  “A big son-of-a-bitch. Ned wasn’t lying when he said Corey looked like a body builder.”

  “With playboy good looks,” Cherise added. “When I went through his condo, I saw a lot of photos of him in exotic locations posing with fish he’d caught. Built like a linebacker for a pro football team.”

  He took the phone from her hand and studied the face. “And more than capable of dropping a body overboard.”

  CHAPTER 41

  Jack had Corey Jameson pictured in his mind when he noticed Robert’s penetrating stare. He had seen it countless times over the decade they had been friends. That look of the perplexed bystander aching to speak up.

  “Out with it,” he said to Robert. “I’m surprised you haven’t given us your two-cents worth already.”

  Robert leaned in. “You’re setting yourself up as bait. Clearly, these two have been at this game for a while. How do you plan to get them to bite? It’s doubtful you can just walk up to Amanda and introduce yourself.”

  “It might come to that.” Jack looked at Cherise. “But I suppose you have a better plan?”

  She smiled. “You’re good, Jack. But not that good.”

  “Well now,” he said. “There might be one or two young ladies who would disagree with you.”

  “The less discerning ones, I’m sure.” She rolled her eyes, obviously for the benefit of the others seated at the table, and said, “Let’s not confuse the issue. The Dream World Travel connection is far too coincidental to ignore. I’m guessing the entire family is in on the scam. The agency provides the perfect cover for them to compile a list of potential targets. Probably wealthy men looking for on board romance. Older men who would be easily charmed by an alluring beauty like Amanda.”