Montego Bay

by Fred Galvin

  Clearly that was all we were going to hear about it and we all leaned back, sipped our drinks, and listened to the music. Ife and his band finished up their set with the Bob Marley’s classic Redemption Song to the delight of the remaining patrons.

  Chapter 14: “It will be much safer that way, for now.”

  After the others had departed and discreetly left Delyse and me alone, I followed her around and helped where I could as she closed up the Flip Flop Lounge. I had thanked Ife once again for the surprise Rescue Me riff as he and Ronnie left together. It was good to see her so at ease and seemingly happy with him. Roje and Gabi said good night and wandered off.

  Delyse dismissed the help, made a few last tidying-up acts and then turned to me.

  To my surprise and complete delight she moved into me and wrapped her arms around my neck. My arms instinctively embraced her waist. Her fragrance was intoxicating, even after a long evening. I had no idea how “intoxicating” mine was, but at least it didn’t keep her from getting close.

  My fantasy didn’t take long to come true. Without any words her full red lips parted and pressed deliciously to mine. I felt as if I could swallow her whole. The kiss lasted about two hours, well, maybe ten seconds. Anyway I was a goner.

  As she pulled back she whispered, “That was nice.”

  “Yes it was. May I have another?” Twelve years old indeed.

  No answer, just an obliging kiss, this one longer and more passionate.

  She focused those jet black eyes on me and I truly thought I was going to melt. “Dan, I feel as though I’ve known you for quite a while because of everything Ronika has said about you. According to her you are a good man, honest, dedicated, sensitive, and trustworthy. All good traits a woman wants in a man. In the very short time I’ve known you personally I have seen nothing to contradict anything she has said.”

  “Thank you, Delyse. That’s very …” Her fingers went to my lips.

  “Now hush. Let me finish.” I hushed. “I feel warmed by you and I believe you feel the same with me.” Still hushed, I managed to nod. “I believe you will agree with me that we should at least explore each other further.”

  “Oh yes. I agree compl…” Again with the fingers on the lips. I nodded enthusiastically.

  “I hope you will also agree with me that tonight, at least, it would be best for us to continue our explorations with a walk on the beach rather than into your room. It will be much safer that way, for now.”

  She assured my agreement by taking my hand and leading me down toward the beach. I could hear the waves gently lapping the sand. We slipped off our flip flops, just the flip flops, and waded through the warm water along the shore (and I finally confirmed that she indeed had feet). I looked up at the stars, and involuntarily imagined Jen looking down and smiling. I felt comforted and free of guilt.

  She took my arm. “What do you see looking up there, Dan?”

  “Oh, I guess I see the freedom and comfort of this moment with you. You are exactly right. This walk is what we should be doing right now.” She smiled up at me and squeezed my arm. “However I do have one request.”

  “And what is that?”

  “May I have another?”

  She giggled, turned to face me, and planted another sweet wet one on me. My knees nearly buckled. Then she devilishly leaned her hips into me. “Well, I can feel that it is indeed a good thing we are walking the beach tonight. Maybe tomorrow night we will walk a different way.”

  I managed to catch my breath. “I’ll have to check with my excursion guides to see if I’ll be free.”

  She stepped back, hand on hip. “Just remember that the excursion guides are my children and they were raised to mind their mother. If I tell them you will be free, then you will be free.”

  I pulled her to me and kissed her again. “Don’t worry. That won’t be necessary.” She willingly obliged. Ronnie’s rule number three was spot-on. Jamaican women are very passionate.

  After walking in silence for a while she stopped and turned to face me again, this time with a serious look. “Dan, if we’re going to at least explore going down this path, I think we should discuss how it might work. Jamaica is my home and New York is your home and they are far apart.”

  “That thought has occurred to me as well, Delyse, and my thought is that if we do decide to continue ‘going down this path’ as you put it, my days living in New York could be numbered.”

  She kissed me again and this one brought with it a message. And the message was good.

  ~~~

  As we walked the beach we spoke a little more, dangling our toes into what we hoped would be a future for us. We were both old enough and mature enough not to let ourselves get totally swept up in the moment and to realize that we had to take things at a reasonable pace. But we also acknowledged that if we were able to make a go of it, we would have an excellent chance at happiness.

  After walking Delyse back to her room and saying good-night with a wonderful, and promising, good-night kiss, I went to my room and just stared at the ceiling from my bed. Was this really happening? I had the overwhelming feeling that my life was going to change in a big way, and for the better.

  We also both knew that the big elephant which was lumbering along on the beach with us would be our constant companion until we became intimate, “sealing the deal” so to speak, and eliminating the need for him to hang around. We planned to have dinner at the Lounge, just the two of us, and let nature take its course.

  She had assured me, “The kids will understand.”

  “Oh, I believe they understand already.”

  She laughed and agreed. “Has Roje spoken to you?”

  “Let’s just say that he has made his position clear about how he expects me to treat you and the consequences if he’s disappointed.”

  She looked down at the sand and said, “He’s always looked after me, especially since Brandon died. I’m very proud of both my children.”

  Chapter 15: “He’s our best bet. We have no other options.”

  Gillian returned to the ratty apartment he shared with his brother. It was dark, unkempt, with occasional multi-legged creatures scurrying about. Vernon was smoking a joint and watching a cricket match on a TV with terrible reception. He’d messed with the rabbit ears all night to no avail.

  “Well, how’d it go? Did he agree?”

  Gillian grabbed the doobie and took a deep drag. “No. He thought about it for less than a minute and said no thanks.”

  “Shit! Was his sister there? The ex-New York cop?

  “Yeah. She was there along with her mother, Roje’s bitch cop girlfriend, and another man I didn’t recognize.”

  Vernon thought a moment. “This other man. Was he older, about Roje’s mother’s age? Graying hair?”

  “Yeah, that’s about right. Why? You know him?”

  “Could be Ronika’s friend, also from New York. Maybe Roje was just reluctant because all the family and his girlfriend were there. Perhaps we need to give him another try, alone. He’s our best bet. We have no other options.”

  Vernon opened a couple of beers while Gillian paced sullenly.

  “Stop pacing. You’re making me nervous. We have to think this through. One hundred thousand American dollars with fifteen up front! We can’t afford to let that get away from us. We can get out of this stinking place, I can quit my nothing-job, we won’t have to scrounge for pissant burglaries and petty shit, and you can settle down with Alayna. The occasional run to Cuba in the Whaler will keep us going nicely.”

  Gillian took his beer and sat down. “Yeah, that sounds great. I really want to be with her but she deserves better than I can give her now.” He was quiet for a moment and took another drag. “You really think your idea will work? It’s pretty risky.”

  “It’ll work because it’ll have to work. There’s no way we can come up with a boat sea-worthy enough for that trip. Our Whaler certainly can’t handle it. We sure can’t rent or buy one, and stealing one is a sure-
fire way to prison. We may as well fly a big flag that says, ‘Stolen boat on our way for a gun run!’ The cops will be looking for it and will be on us like flies on shit. We need Roje’s boat and we need him in this with us. He’s been all over the sea with that boat. Hell, he’s even been up to New York and back with it. A trip to Grand Cayman would be a piece of cake for him.”

  “How much did you mention to him?”

  “Ten thousand cash.”

  “And he just shot that down, just like that.” He snapped his fingers. “Maybe we can sweeten the pot, go up to fifteen.”

  “What? Blow our entire up-front money?” If the job doesn’t come off, we’ll have nothing.”

  Vernon put down his beer and addressed his brother soberly. “Gillian, if this job doesn’t come off, we would be in deep shit much worse than having nothing. Like six-feet deep shit. Understand?”

  Gillian just sat still staring at his beer bottle. He knew Vernon was right. T-Bone was nobody to mess with. If they didn’t come through with the job, he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate any possibility of either of them talking to the cops. They’d be fish food for sure and it wouldn’t take long.

  They sat there staring at each other, each knowing what the other was thinking and neither wanting to say it. Finally Gillian addressed the elephant in the room (different elephant).

  “I guess the only alternative is your idea. It’s risky but the payoff is huge. It’s going to take lots of planning so we’d better get to it.” He paused. “I’ve been thinking about our plans to get off this island and I think we’re good. We sure can’t stay here after it’s done.”

  Vernon nodded. “I’m okay with that. But are you? What about Alayna?”

  “She’s good with getting out of MoBay. Her father is an abusive asshole and there’s nothing keeping her here. I floated the idea of someday leaving and she was all for it. So you’re sure too?”

  “Yes, I’m sure as long as we stay together.”

  “That’s a given, little brother. Maybe there’s a woman out there waiting for you.” They clinked beer bottles. “Now, let’s get to it. Let’s review our steps one by one. First …”

  They lit another joint and went on until just before dawn when it was time to move and get everything ready.

  Chapter 16: “Marlin? Barracudas? Me?”

  The morning after my beach walk with Delyse I was at the Sea Nymph by eight as instructed. Roje had a day of sea fishing planned and I was looking forward to it even though I had no idea what to expect. I had no delusions of hooking one of those classic swordfish and battling it all day like in the movies. But he had assured me that I would have my turn in the fighting chair and we’d try for some big game fish. At least he didn’t call it the electric chair or Old Sparky. My idea of fishing was Spencer Tracy in The Old Man and the Sea, at least the first half while waiting to hook the fish.

  Ronnie had said, as she left the Lounge after dinner, “Don’t worry Dan. We haven’t lost a client out there … yet.”

  “Very reassuring.”

  When Roje went below, I took the opportunity to take Ronnie aside and ask her if she knew anything about Roje’s conversation with the Whyte brother last night at the bar.

  “I did ask and he made it clear it was nothing worthy of discussion. In this business we occasionally get approached by people wanting some kind of one-off deal, something unusual. Roje usually isn’t interested in that sort of thing. I know it looked suspicious but his suggestion, and mine, is to let it drop. The Whyte brothers are not big time.”

  I noted her use of the phrase “Roje usually isn’t interested” but didn’t pursue it. Then she turned to me with a mischievous expression. I had a feeling I knew what was coming. “So, did you and Mama have a nice walk on the beach last night? She texted me this morning saying that you two will be dining alone tonight.”

  “Yes, we had a nice walk on the beach and, yes, we are dining alone tonight.” I provided no elaboration figuring none was needed. I asked, “Is that your idea of dropping a line in the water hoping to catch something?”

  “How am I doing so far?”

  “What’s the fishing expression? Not much luck today?”

  She smiled. I knew she was happy for both Delyse and me and she’d respect our privacy.

  Just then Roje came up out of the cabin and caught the two of us grinning. “What’s so interesting? You two look like you have a secret.”

  Ronnie took the lead. “No secrets. Let’s review the day’s plans with our lone client here, Mr. Justin Case.”

  That got Roje’s attention and we sat down at the small table in the cabin. “Today we will be heading out from here about four miles off Doctor’s Cove Beach. There is a small reef out there that quickly drops off to over two thousand feet of water where we will set up our gear and start trolling. Those waters are plentiful with a variety of fish that can give you plenty of sport. Mahi mahi, tuna, king fish, sail fish, white marlin, wahoo, blue marlin, and barracudas.”

  “Marlin? Barracudas? Me?”

  Ronnie just patted my shoulder. There, there little boy. Everything will be okay.

  It was a beautiful day. The sea was brilliant blue with gentle rolling waves. My stomach is usually strong. I’d never been airsick and I didn’t anticipate any problems. But I also had never been out to sea before. My only boating experiences were on several NYPD police boats looking for evidence. The East River isn’t known for rough waves.

  When we reached the drop-off, Roje cut the engine down to trolling speed and we sent the line out. He reviewed my instructions if I felt a hit and he secured the rod in the holder attached to the chair with me in it. Within two minutes the line began to whir out and Ronnie yelled, “Hit! Start pulling him in, Dan.”

  I began to reel in at a steady pace as Roje had instructed and I was surprised at how easily the fish was coming in. When he was about thirty feet from the boat I saw a flash of silver breach the water.

  “Bonito! Little tunny.”

  I had hooked a small tuna about three feet maybe eight to ten pounds. Not very impressive but very tasty according to Roje. I was beginning to feel like I knew what I was doing. That didn’t last long.

  Roje made an adjustment to the engine and moved the boat about a half mile closer to shore. “We’re moving closer to the reef right near the drop-off.” I caught him and Ronnie trading looks that disturbed me.

  Ronnie came closer to the chair, bent to me, and said conspiratorially, “That’s where the barracuda like to hang out.”

  “Barracuda? Me?” Pat on the shoulder. There, there.

  I obviously didn’t know much about fish or fishing but I’ve seen enough movies to know that barracudas are among the most fierce predators in the sea. They look like snakes with fins, have white fang-like teeth of various sizes, an underbite, and pointed heads. Every one I’ve seen being caught had put up an epic battle that continued even after it was brought onto the deck of the boat. The person unfortunate to have hooked the mean-spirited fish was usually totally exhausted and needed help landing his catch. Not my cup of tea.

  “Seriously?”

  Ronnie laughed. “Don’t worry, Dan. We haven’t lost a client …”

  “…yet, I know! But there’s always a first.”

  She just laughed. Roje was more reassuring. “Dan, if we do hook a barracuda you will enjoy one of the ultimate battles a man with a rod can experience. I have caught many and I have never been disappointed.”

  We spent the rest of the day trolling the waters around the reef near the drop-off. I never did hook a barracuda, much to my relief, but I did catch a small shark, an old trawler net (it didn’t put up much of a fight), and saw an amazing display by hundreds of flying fish. We drank cold beer, ate sandwiches, and I endured mild mannered teasing about their mother’s interest in me and mine in her.

  At one point, Roje said, “It has been just a couple of days but I have not seen my mother so happy and at ease since my father died. I have to admit you two a
re a fine looking couple.”

  Ronnie looked at him incredulously then turned to me. “Dan, I don’t know who this man is that’s speaking but he’s not my brother Roje.”

  “Look you two. I understand your wanting to protect her. I can assure you, I like and respect her. In the time since Jen died I have not felt this at ease. I have high hopes.”

  We all clinked beer bottles and sat in the shade of the cabin to relax.

  Roje leaned forward toward me. “Dan, I would like to thank you for how you and your department handled the whole affair with Ronika and that Finacci character. I realize it could have easily gone in a completely separate direction.

  “It was certainly a high stress situation. You saved her life that night.”

  Roje sighed. “I may have saved her life on the boat that night but you saved her life, and essentially mine as well, with the way you handled everything.”

  “Roje, I worked with your sister for many years and we shared very high stress times when we covered for each other and we always had each others’ backs. That Finacci was a low-life cold-blooded murderer. He killed Ronnie’s confidential informant to whom she was fiercely devoted. She felt it happened on her watch and she felt deep guilt about it. I understood the situation and couldn’t fault her for trying to get him to justice legitimately and it just didn’t pan out. I was happy to run interference for you both and I’m glad it’s all worked out.”

  Ronnie was taking all this in and, astonishingly, I caught her surreptitiously brushing away a tear. I couldn’t remember ever seeing her cry. I didn’t think Roje noticed but I was sure she knew that I did. I just took her hand.

  “So, you’re doing okay now? No more … impulses?”

  “If you mean have I kicked my gambling addiction, yes. I’m fine. There is a G.A. meeting every Sunday night in Kingston. I’ve been to a few and they’ve helped me. Mama knows about it and Roje has been a tremendous help. He keeps me very busy.” She squeezed his hand.