by Tripp Ellis
Things didn't exactly go according to plan. I opened the hatch to my stateroom and my heart sank.
Aria was stuffing her clothes into a small carry-on rolling bag.
My face twisted, confused. "Going somewhere?"
A guilty look played on her face. She'd been caught red-handed. She cringed. "I'm going back to New York. I was kind of hoping to slip out while you were gone. I hate goodbyes."
My jaw dropped.
I usually had a pretty good read on people, and I wasn't expecting this. "New York? How long?"
"I don't know."
"Oh…” I said, realizing this was a permanent address change.
She moved close and hugged me, the way you’d hug a friend. "This is why I hate goodbyes. I'm no good at them."
"Then don't go," I said, wrapping my arms around her.
"I have to. I can't stay here forever. It's not that I don't love being with you. It's just that… I've been passing up so many modeling opportunities, and I I need to get back to the city."
My throat tightened. I liked this girl more than I wanted to admit. My heart pounded uncomfortably. "I understand."
"This doesn't mean we're not gonna see each other again."
"Sure," I said for lack of anything better to say.
"You're upset."
"No. I'm not upset,” I lied.
“You know I love being with you. But I've been totally neglecting my career. I'm losing follower counts. I'm not getting as many offers."
"I totally get it. You need to do what you need to do." I forced the words out, trying to maintain my cool.
"I'm not really used to this whole relationship thing. I'm used to guys just not texting anymore when they're not interested."
"I never said I wasn't interested."
"I know,” she said, quickly. "It's just, I'm no good at the whole break up thing."
"I thought you said we were still going to see each other?”
"Of course. But, I don't think we should try to do the long distance thing. I mean, it would create unrealistic expectations, and it wouldn't be fair to either of us. I mean, come on, you’re a hot guy. You'll have another girl in your bed tomorrow."
I appreciated her vote of confidence, but I wasn't quite sure there would be someone else keeping my sheets warm that soon.
"Did you meet somebody else?" I had to ask. It was eating away at me. I knew better than to ask that question, but I couldn't resist.
"Oh my God no. Of course not." She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed me passionately. Her full lips melted into mine, and her warm body felt amazing pressed against me. "Believe me, I hate that I have to leave. But, you know, my career is not going to last forever. These tits aren't always going to defy gravity. I need to make the most out of this while I’ve got it."
"Something tells me you're going to defy gravity for a long time."
She kissed me again. "I should get going. I booked a flight out at 1:30.
I looked at my watch. "Plenty of time to get in one last hurrah…”
She arched an intrigued eyebrow at me. Then smiled. “I guess I’ve got enough time.”
6
The boat felt empty after Aria left.
So did my heart.
I had this strange sensation like something had been ripped from my insides. I was usually excellent about separating my emotions—putting things in little compartments and locking them away where I would never have to acknowledge them again. But I had let myself get closer to her than I should have.
No big deal.
It was time to put on my big boy pants and accept the fact that I got dumped. Nothing a little whiskey and another woman couldn't fix. At least, that's what I told myself.
Aria had taken an Uber to the airport. She said she'd call or text when she made it back to New York. I was pretty sure I would never see her again. She lived a fast-paced life, and I was a little surprised she slowed down a few weeks for me.
I told JD all about the situation when he called. He filled me with the usual words of encouragement, saying something about getting back on the horse. “The best way to get over someone is to get on top of someone else.”
It all made sense, but it did little to fill the empty pit in my stomach.
"So, how did things go with Belinda?” I asked.
"It went well. She laughed at my stupid jokes. That’s a good sign. Right? We’re gonna meet up for drinks later. I'm sure she’s got a few hot friends if you want to tag along?"
"I think I'm going to sit out for a few innings. Catch my breath."
"That's a mistake. You need to get another at-bat, slugger. I’ll swing by and pick you up in a little bit. I tracked down Travis Wilkes. I think we should pay him a little visit."
"Roger that."
I hung up, pulled my sorry ass out of bed, and sauntered down the dock toward Diver Down. I had pretty much lost my appetite. But I figured a cheeseburger and a beer might give me an attitude adjustment. I took a seat at the end of the bar and ordered.
Madison looked at me, confused. "Where's Aria?"
I grimaced and told her the situation.
"Are you sure you're not the one who dumped her?" she asked.
"I'm pretty sure about that."
"Really? That's not your style."
"I'm not the insensitive monster you make me out to be."
She looked at me with skeptical eyes. “Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I liked her."
“So did I.”
She made a sad face. "Aw, big brother’s got a broken heart. Serves you right.”
I scowled at her.
She was still pissed because I dumped her friend Hannah. It’s not that I dumped her. More like, I pushed her away. It was for her own good. At least, that’s how I justified it at the time.
JD showed up when I was halfway through my burger. He ordered one for himself and another round of beer. “Put it on his tab,” he said, pointing to me.
“His tab is getting pretty big,” Madison said, giving me the side-eye.
“I’m good for it,” I replied.
“How’s it going, JD?” Madison asked.
“I can’t complain.”
“How’s Scarlett?”
JD groaned. “Okay, maybe I can complain. That little hellion just started dating this loser, Justin Meeks.”
“Oh, I know him,” Madison said. “He doesn’t seem like a bad kid.”
“He’s got a slick exterior, but he’s trouble. Let me tell you.”
“Really, Jack?” she said, dryly.
“Believe me, I know trouble when I see it.”
“What’s the matter? Worried she met someone like you?” Madison asked.
Jack scoffed. “He ain’t nothing like me. That kid is a bad influence.”
Madison rolled her eyes. “She’s 18, Jack. You don’t have a say in the matter anymore.”
“As long as she’s living under my roof, I’ve got a say in the matter. If that boyfriend of hers ain’t careful, I’m gonna carve him up and feed him to the sharks.”
“Take a deep breath,” Madison said. “I don’t want you to have a heart attack in my bar.”
JD was getting a little red in the face, and the veins in his neck were starting to bulge. It was a little amusing to see him get so worked up.
“I just get so goddamn mad at her. She’s got no common sense. She comes and goes whenever she pleases, stays out all hours of the night, burns through every penny she makes at that shitty waitressing job, and she still hasn’t enrolled in school.”
“Go easy on the waitresses,” Madison said.
“I wouldn’t get too worked up about it,” I said. “She’ll be onto another guy in two weeks.”
JD arched an eyebrow at me. “Are you saying my daughter gets around?”
“You know what I meant. She’s got the attention span of a gnat. She’ll lose interest in the guy in no time. Trust me.”
“I hope you’re right.”
JD inhaled his cheeseburger.
It was like the man was starving.
"Didn't you just eat lunch?"
"She had a salad. Which pretty much meant I could only eat a salad. So, no, I wouldn't call that lunch.”
After JD finished, I asked for the check to settle my tab. “Are you still offering a discount to law enforcement?”
“Yep. LEOs don’t pay around here.”
A shit-eating grin curled on my lips. I exchanged a glance with JD, then flashed my gold badge. “I guess this one’s on the house?”
Madison’s astonished face crinkled with contempt. “What is this bullshit?”
She grabbed the badge and surveyed it closely. “Did you buy this at a novelty shop?” she said, half joking, not wanting to believe it.
“Nope,” I said, still grinning.
“Who in their right mind would deputize you two?”
“Sheriff Daniels knows talent when he sees it,” I said.
She scoffed. “The only talent you two dipshits have is being annoying. You both excel at that!”
“Don’t hate,” I said.
“New rule. Free meals for law enforcement officers that aren’t either of you.”
I scowled at her playfully and settled up my full tab which had been growing over the last week.
We left Diver Down and headed over to the Pirate’s Cove marina. The slip where Wilkes’s boat should have been docked was empty. The only person around was a guy on a neighboring boat, cleaning fish.
"Excuse me, do you have any idea where we could find Travis Wilkes?" I asked.
"If his boat's not here, he’s probably out on the water," the man said in a snide tone.
"Really? I hadn’t considered that,” I snarked.
He looked up from his fish and glared at us. "Who's asking?"
I let JD flash his badge because I knew he wanted to.
The man suddenly changed his tune. “He took some girls out. I think he said he was going down to Black Rock Key. But don't quote me on that."
"Thanks," I said.
"Want to track them down?" JD asked. “We can probably get there in an hour. Be a good excuse to get out on the water. We can expense the fuel." He grinned.
"Sure. Why not?"
We headed back to the marina at Diver Down and boarded the Slick’n Salty. Jack cranked up the engines and idled us out of the harbor. He throttled up and brought the boat on plane, skimming across the ocean.
It was a beautiful day, and the wind raced through my hair. The seas were calm, and the sun’s reflection glimmered on the water.
This was definitely the life.
When we arrived at Black Rock Key, it wasn't hard to spot Travis Wilkes's boat. The thing was a behemoth—a 65 foot luxury yacht named The Good Life. It has a sticker on the stern that read: My other boat’s a piece of shit too.
It had sleek lines and graceful curves. And I'm not just talking about the boat. There were several scantily clad women on board, sunning themselves topless. Music blasted from the stereo, and a deckhand served cocktails.
The party was in full swing.
We pulled alongside The Good Life and dropped anchor.
"Mind if we join you?" JD shouted.
"The more the merrier," a stunning blonde replied.
We boarded the boat and joined the festivities.
“Know where I could find Travis?" I asked the blonde.
She pointed toward the salon with a smile. I tried not to ogle her jiggling bare breasts. Let’s just say it was extremely difficult to pry my eyes away. They were absolutely perfect.
“On top of another,” JD said, patting my back with a grin, encouraging me to get back on the horse. “On top of another.”
I focused my attention on the task at hand.
Travis was not a looker. His pudgy belly hung over the waistline of his board-shorts. He had a fat head, narrow eyes, and looked like he may have been dropped as a child. But apparently he’d done well for himself in the tech industry. He sat on a sofa and sparked up a fat joint as we entered the salon.
JD flashed his badge again, making Travis grimace.
"Oh, come on, man! You’re not gonna bust me for a little joint, are you?"
"Not if you answer a few questions," JD said, throwing his weight around.
"I'm not answering any questions without my lawyer."
"You don't even know what this is about," I said.
"I don't need to. Talking to cops is always a bad idea."
"It's about Scott Kingston."
“Fuck that guy."
"So, I take it you didn't get along?" I said.
"That ass-clown fucked my girlfriend."
Two stunning beauties pawed at him from either side.
“Looks like it worked out okay for you," JD said.
"It's the principle of the thing," Travis said. He took a drag on the joint and blew the smoke in JD’s face.
"I guess that gives you motive to kill the guy," JD said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Kingston washed up on the shore this morning with two bullets to the back of the head,” I said.
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."
"You own a gun, Mr. Wilkes?" I asked.
"Fuck you both. I'm not saying another word."
"Is your girlfriend around? We’d like to speak with her,” JD said.
"I kicked that stupid bitch to the curb."
"What's her name?" I asked.
"Like I said. I'm not saying anything without my attorney."
"It would be a shame to ruin your party and bust you for possession. You might have to forfeit the boat," JD said.
"Yeah. That would hurt. Wouldn't it?" I said.
"I paid 6 million for this boat. You can't take it over a joint."
"I believe we can," JD said. He had no idea what he was talking about, but it sure as hell made Wilkes nervous.
"We’d be inclined to forget all about this if you just answered a few questions,” I said. “I mean, if you didn't kill Kingston, you’ve got nothing to worry about."
Wilkes glared at us with his red, glassy eyes as he pondered things.
7
"Riley Johnson," Travis said. "That's my ex. Go talk to her. Skank. I'm sure she's going to say all kinds of terrible things about me. But I didn't kill Kingston. When did you say he died? Three weeks ago? I wasn't even in the country then. I was in Monaco, banging some hot ass bitches, I might add."
"Can you prove that you were out of the country?" I asked.
"I didn't fly commercial. I chartered my own plane. Want to see the receipts? I didn't kill the guy.” He paused. “Sure, I may have sent him some threatening texts. But he was a peon. Not worth my time. It's not like I gave a shit about Riley, anyway. It was the point of the thing. Kingston took something that was mine.”
"We’ll check out your story," JD said.
“Don’t leave town until we've cleared you," I added.
He glared at us. “If you're done, I'd like you to get the fuck off my boat."
"Sure thing," I said.
JD and I strolled out of the salon, straddled the gunwale, and boarded the Slick’n Salty. We weighed anchor, and JD cranked up the engines, leaving the bouncing beauties behind.
“He sure has a pleasant disposition,” I said.
“The guy’s all talk. He couldn't have killed Kingston himself. But he might have paid someone to do it."
“And he was conveniently out of the country at the time."
"Let's talk to the girlfriend," JD said. "Get her side of the story."
We made our way back to the marina, and by the time we hooked up water and power, Special Agent Archer was sauntering down the dock. She flashed a bright smile, and her perfect teeth sparkled in the late afternoon sun. She had a smile that could sell toothpaste. "Afternoon, boys."
"Agent Archer," I said, courteously. I sat on the gunwale in the cockpit. "What can I do for you?"
"I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’ve got some information that I thin
k you boys might find useful."
"Oh, so you’ve come bearing gifts, and you think you can get into our good graces?" JD said.
She shrugged. "Something like that."
"What have you got?" I asked.
"I pulled Kingston's phone records. He had a number of threatening texts from a number that is registered to—“
"Travis Wilkes," I said, cutting her off.
She frowned.
I smiled. "You're going to have to do better than that."
She bit her lip in the most adorable way as she thought about what else she could offer.
"Looking cute's not going to cut it," I said.
"Speak for yourself," JD muttered.
She let out an annoyed sigh, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She barked, "I am not cute, Mr. Wild!”
"Well, I wouldn't call you ugly. At least, not after a few beers." I was trying to get a rise out of her, and it was working.
The vein that ran down the middle of her forehead started to pulse, and her face grew even redder. She folded her arms and bit her tongue, trying to contain herself. "Perhaps you don't want my assistance now, but I'm sure there may come a time when you need the resources the FBI has to offer. Good afternoon, gentlemen.”
She spun around and strutted away.
JD and I watched her mesmerizing assets as they swung from side to side.
"Agent Archer," I yelled, stopping her midway down the dock.
She paused for a moment before turning around, lifting a perturbed eyebrow at the two of us.
"How about I buy you dinner, and we can talk about the case?” I suggested.
"Dinner?"
I raised my hands innocently. "A free exchange of information."
“A free exchange of bodily fluids,” JD muttered in my ear.
"Just information," she said, adamantly.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," I said with a grin.
She rolled her eyes.
I scaled the transom and trotted down the dock, catching up with her.
JD followed.
We grabbed a table at Diver Down and ordered a bucket of beer.
Kim waited on us. She had platinum blonde hair, pulled back in a ponytail. She was 19 and taking the year off from school.
