by Tripp Ellis
I tried not to spit out my beer as she sauntered away. “So, I’m guessing that ended well?”
Jack’s eyes narrowed at me. “She’s just being playful.”
I didn’t buy it for a minute.
We ordered the salmon, a spicy tuna roll, a California roll, a few pieces of eel, a couple of Kiran Lights, and a bottle of sake. Fortunately, JD’s jilted lover didn’t serve us. But I was pretty sure she had complained about him to all her waitress friends.
“How’s Scarlett doing?” I asked.
“Don’t quote me on it, but I think she dumped that Justin guy.”
“Good.”
“I don’t know what’s come over her lately, but she seems to be mellowing out a bit.”
“Maybe she’s maturing.”
JD scoffed.
I felt bad about keeping a secret from him, but it seemed like there was no need to rehash the situation—as long as Scarlett was staying on the straight and narrow.
“Look, I’ll make sure your boat gets back into as new condition,” I said. “Don’t worry about it. Whatever insurance doesn’t pay for, I will.”
“I appreciate that, buddy. I’m not worried about it. But it’s nice that you offered.”
Our meal was perfect. The fish tasted like it had been pulled out of the ocean this morning. Fresh and clean. The only other place where I’d had sushi this good was in Japan.
“I’m going to meet Belinda and her friends later. Do you want to come along?”
“I think I’ve got enough relationship drama at the moment.” I pulled out my phone and texted Aria again, trying to get a response.
This time she replied:
[ I’m back in New York. I’m not ignoring you. I just don’t want to talk about it right now. No need to keep texting me.]
My brow lifted with surprise. I couldn’t help but feel like I had been punched in the stomach. I showed the message to JD. “I guess she told me.”
“Move on. There’s nothing to see here. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be. If it’s not, you’ll find someone else in no time.”
“Yeah, but I liked her.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have banged the FBI agent.”
I scowled at him. “You were the one who told me to get back on the horse!”
“I didn’t think you were actually stupid enough to listen to my advice. Look at me. You know how many ex-wives I’ve got. Whatever I say, you should probably do the opposite.”
I glared at him and clenched my jaw.
JD's phone blew up with a bunch of texts. He slung the last gulp of beer down his throat. "I've got to run. Meeting Belinda and her friends at Bumper. Last chance?"
"That's all you."
"Text me if you change your mind.” He motioned to the empty plates. “This one's on you, right?"
"Sure."
He surveyed the restaurant and darted out when Kaylee wasn't looking.
I finished the last few pieces of the spicy tuna roll, then flagged down our waitress. I was surprised at how cheap it was during happy hour. I left a wad of cash on the table, and strolled toward the door.
Kaylee stopped me before I could get to the hostess stand. She handed me her number. "Just because I know it will piss Jack off."
She winked at me and sauntered away.
I had no intention of ever using the number, but I was curious as to what Jack had done to get on her bad side.
I caught an Uber back to Diver Down, and stopped in for a drink at the bar. Madison gave me a dirty look. "Have you told Jack yet?"
"Told him what?"
"You know what." Her eyes burned into me.
"For the last time, I didn't sleep with her."
"You’re going to break that girl’s heart, and lose a best friend."
"Why aren't you listening to me?"
Her eyes narrowed at me. "You swear you didn't have sex with Scarlett?”
"I swear. I’ve got enough trouble as it is, I don't need to go adding that to my list."
Madison sighed, reluctantly. She was still skeptical. ”What will it be?"
"I think I'll stick with beer for now."
She grabbed an ice cold bottle, popped the top, and slid it across the bar. It took me a moment to adjust to the taste after the Kiran Light.
I stayed for a few beers and watched the game. As I was leaving, the land-line phone rang. Madison answered behind the bar. Her face crinkled. "Yes, I’ll accept."
Her quizzical expression changed to worry. "Scarlett, are you okay?"
I paused at the bar, my face tense with concern.
Madison's eyes flicked to mine. "Yeah, he's right here."
She handed the phone to me.
"Tyson?” Scarlett squeaked, her voice frail and timid.
"What's going on?"
"I need you to come get me out of here.”
“Where is here?" I asked,
"I'm in jail. Dade County.”
I lifted my brow, astonished. “What are you doing up there?"
"It's a long story."
"I'm listening,” I said, waiting for an explanation. My mind raced with possibilities.
“It’s not a big deal."
“Something tells me this is a big deal.”
“Chloe and I were going to a club in South Beach. I don't want to talk about it on the phone.”
“What are you being charged with?"
She hesitated. “Possession of a controlled substance. But it's not mine. I swear!”
My face scrunched up in anger. "You promised you weren’t going to do this shit again!”
"Are you going to help me or not?" she cried.
I listened to her sob on the other end of the line. "I'm scared, Tyson. I really need your help."
God, I was a sucker for that pathetic voice. “What's your date of birth?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm going to need it to get your prisoner number to coordinate your release."
"You don't remember when my birthday is?"
"Yes, I do. I just want to be sure."
She confirmed the date.
"Do you know when you’re getting arraigned?”
"I don't know anything. All I know is the people here are mean, I'm hungry, and it's freezing."
"You'll probably go before a judge tomorrow morning. That’s when they'll set bail."
"You mean I'm going to be in here all night?"
"If you're lucky, you'll get out sometime tomorrow afternoon."
"Oh God," she sobbed again. "Is there anything else you can do?"
"Not really."
"Don't you know people?"
“My contacts aren’t going to do you any good. Just sit tight and I'll get on this. Keep to yourself and stay out of trouble. And don't say anything to anyone. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Did you answer any questions when you were arrested?"
"I'm not stupid. I've watched enough cop shows not to talk to them."
"I'm sure JD knows a good attorney."
"You're not going to tell him, are you?"
"What was our deal? You stay out of trouble, and I keep your secret. You broke your end of the deal."
An automated voice said, “This call will end in 15 seconds."
"Thanks, Tyson,” she whimpered before the call got disconnected.
I handed the land-line back to Madison who had been listening intently.
"You want to tell me what that was all about?" she demanded.
21
"What the hell were you thinking?” JD’s angry voice crackled through my phone. I had come clean about Scarlett’s overdose.
"I thought she'd get her shit together. Most people do after a scare like that. She made a promise."
JD grumbled to himself.
"That girl is a master manipulator,” I said, making an excuse.
"You don't have to tell me. She puts on that pouty face and bats her eye-lashes, and she gets anything she wants."
"Exactly."
"Well, that little miscreant can spend a couple nights in jail as far as I'm concerned."
"You can't just leave her there."
"The hell I can't. A few days, maybe a couple weeks, might do her some good?"
There was a long pause.
"Goddammit,” JD griped. “And I was having a good evening too."
"You know a good lawyer?" I asked.
"I know a few. Something tells me this is going to be expensive."
"Yep."
"Hopefully she kept her damn mouth shut."
"She said she did."
"I'm going to make some phone calls, see what I can find out. Maybe I can make this whole thing go away?” JD said, hopeful.
"I'll run up there with you in the morning, if you want?"
“Let me sleep on it. I seriously might let her sit there for a few days."
There was a pause.
"Are we good?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah. But the next time she pulls a stunt like that, and you find out about it, you tell me ASAP!”
"Fair enough."
"Oh, I got a call from Ashley. She cracked another encrypted file. She said it looks like ledgers and accounting info—balance sheets, transaction reports, a list of inventory, etc.”
"Anything interesting?" I asked.
"I don't know. I was going to get the file from her tomorrow. But it looks like my day might be full."
"I thought you weren’t worried about the case anymore?"
"Something just isn't sitting right with me,” JD said. “I’ve been thinking about it all evening."
"Me too."
I hung up, left Diver Down, and strolled back to the Slick’n Salty. I climbed up to the bridge deck and drank another beer and looked out over the marina. It was calm and quiet. A gentle breeze blew through my hair. I stewed on everything that had gone wrong lately, wondering how it was all going to get sorted out?
After I finished my beer, I climbed down and went to bed, hoping that in the morning things would be a little clearer.
I was probably asleep 45 minutes when I heard the aft hatch squeak. It took my brain a moment to process the sound. I knew it couldn't be Aria—and it was unlikely Agent Archer was making a booty call.
I reached for my pistol, and just as I did, the hatch to my stateroom flung open. A black pistol edged into the compartment. It had a suppressor attached to the end of the barrel, and the pistol was held by a man dressed in all black, wearing a ski mask.
Bullets zipped from the barrel as I rolled aside, crashing to the deck on the starboard side of the bed. Feathers fluttered in the air from my down pillow as a bullets tore through it.
I popped up and angled my pistol over the top of the bed and returned fire. Muzzle flash flickered.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The deafening report rang my ears. I lost all hearing for a moment, leaving nothing but a high-pitched whine.
Bullets tore through fiberglass and wood paneling, and the haze of gun-smoke filled the air.
The assassin retreated. I heard his footsteps thud across the deck. The assassin scaled the transom and sprinted down the dock.
I raced through the salon and held up at the hatch, I whipped the barrel of my pistol around the corner and took aim at the assassin.
He craned his neck over his shoulder and fired two shots at me as he reached the end of the dock.
I ducked back into the salon as bullets impacted the bulkhead inches from where my head had been.
My heart thudded, and I took a deep breath.
I cautiously poked my head through the aft hatch again, but this time the assassin was gone.
Tires squealed, spitting gravel as the assassin peeled out of the parking lot and disappeared onto the highway.
The sound of my pulse rushed through my ears. The ringing had subsided, replaced by an annoying hiss, which was pretty much ever-present from my prolonged and consistent exposure to weapons fire.
I could hear just fine now, but I would probably be that old man who said what a lot and complained about his hearing aid—if I made it that long.
I had never locked the hatch when I was aboard the Slick’n Salty. Marinas were generally safe. There was a good sense of community. People looked out for each other. But I was beginning to think I should probably keep the boat locked up, even when I was aboard.
I stepped back into the galley and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. At least I knew one thing, the assassins that shot up the Slick’n Salty the other day weren’t just after Agent Archer.
I looked at my watch. It was a little after two in the morning. I figured I better call Archer and warn her. After a few rings, her groggy voice answered, "What?"
"Somebody just tried to kill me."
"What?" she said again, this time her voice perkier.
I gave her the details.
"I just thought I'd call and let you know. You should watch your back."
"Thanks for the heads up," she replied. "So, were you alone on the boat?"
I could tell she was partially asking out of professional curiosity, and partially asking out of personal. "Yeah, it was just me."
"Did you get a look at the guy?”
"It was dark, and it happened fast. He wore a mask. Beyond that, I can't tell you much."
There was a long pause.
"I'll let you get back to sleep,” I said.
She scoffed. "Like that's going to happen. I’m up for the rest of the night, now.“
"Would you feel better if I came over?"
"Absolutely not!”
"I was only offering in a professional sense,” I said. "I can call the Sheriff’s Department, if you'd like a protection detail?”
"You don't have the resources, and I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"I have no doubt."
"Good night, Deputy Wild."
"Good night, Agent Archer."
I hung up the phone and called JD and told him to watch his back as well.
"Hell, I'd like to see them come around here,” JD said. “They'll be in for a rude awakening."
"I'm getting the impression this case isn't as cold as we may have thought,” I said.
"You took the words right out of my mouth."
"You know, maybe it's a good thing Scarlett's in jail. At least she's safer there."
"Ha. Right,” JD grumbled. He thought for a moment. “I guess that's one way to look at it."
22
FBI agents from DC showed up bright and early in the morning. They asked a ton of questions, dug slugs out of the fiberglass hull, and took a statement from me.
I told them about the previous night's assassin, and they collected slugs from the stateroom as well. They were all business, and weren’t exactly friendly.
Once they had left, I figured I would get some work done around the boat and wait to hear from JD. I gathered up a load of laundry that I'd been putting off, and stuffed it into a bag. I slung it over my shoulder and marched to Diver Down and asked Madison if I could use her washer and dryer.
Living full-time on a boat sounds great, but you give up a few conveniences. It's not much of a sacrifice, but you’ve got to haul groceries from the parking lot down the dock. There is usually a community cart to assist with such things, but it frequently goes missing. And you're constantly fighting mold and mildew, especially in the shower. All things considered, I was enjoying living on the boat, apart from the times when people shot at me. But with my history, that could happen anywhere.
My phone buzzed. I looked at the display. To my surprise, it was Aria.
"Hey," she said when I answered.
"Hey."
There was a long pause.
"I'm sorry I freaked out on you. I just didn't expect you to move on so quickly."
"I didn’t move on. Things just… happened."
"I get it." She paused. "I feel like I made a complete mess of things. This is all my fault."
&nbs
p; "You did what you felt you needed to do," I said, trying to be understanding.
"Listen, I don't have a lot of time to talk right now, but I miss you. I'd like to see you again. I have a pretty hectic schedule over the next month. I'm doing shoots almost every day. Maybe we can get together after that. Maybe we can go on vacation somewhere?"
"That sounds nice."
"I still don't expect you to do this long distance thing. So, whatever you need to do in between now and then, I just don't need to know about. I just want to be able to spend time with you, and I don't want it to be weird or filled with drama."
"Life's too short for unnecessary drama,” I said.
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Whew. That’s a load off my chest. I was feeling really… bad about the way we left things."
"Me too."
"Great!" She said, in a cheery voice. "I'll talk to you soon."
I wasn't about to pretend that I had the skill to actually decipher the meaning of our conversation. I’ve been around long enough to know that sometimes what is said is not what is meant. But it sounded to me like we didn't have any obligations to each other, and we would just see what happened when we got together next? But I had no idea when that would be, and I wasn’t going to hold my breath.
I had finished a couple loads of laundry when JD called. "I have no willpower. I can't let her sit there for a few days. Do you want to ride up there with me?"
"Since I feel partly responsible, yes.”
"Okay. I'll swing by in a few and pick you up."
JD showed up at the Slick’n Salty with a green ammo case. “Got any place to stow this?”
“What is it?” I asked, suspicious, knowing full well what it was.
“See for yourself.”
I took the case and opened it. Inside were fragmentation grenades, still in their shipping canisters. “Where did you get these?”
“Fell off the back of a truck,” JD said with a wink. “I’m trying to child-proof my home. I don’t want anything walking off when that little dope-head gets back. I’ve locked up all my guns and valuables.”
“You think she’d steal from you?”
“I didn’t think she was using drugs. Caught me completely off guard. I’m not taking any chances. You could get a pretty penny for those on the market. Enough to feed a habit.”
“You got an angle with a supply clerk somewhere?”
