The Hibiscus Heist

by C L Bauer

  Finally, Lily smiled. The traffic jam in her head had been cleared. All lanes were open. She might just make it to her destination.

  Jack Pierce told Lily to go into the hospital room first. As she entered, her eyes widened. Dev was sitting up in the bed, talking on his cell phone. His conversation was serious; he was working. His tone alerted Lily to some danger especially when she heard one word: hibiscus.

  Dev saw her move slowly toward the bed. He motioned her to his bed with the hand holding his ring and her necklace. She looked frightened and angry. He waved again.

  “Carlos, I will call you later tonight. Make sure they are both safe. She was pretty shaken when it all went down. He pushed her pretty good up against that wall.”

  Dev set the phone beside him on the bed. “Lily, what the hell does this mean?” He opened his hand to show her his two tokens of affection. She sat down carefully on the edge of the bed, but far enough away from his grasp.

  The terror showed on her face. “You said hibiscus.” Her voice was shaking.

  “Don’t change the subject. We need to talk about why you thought it was a good idea to leave these here.” His voice was raspy and low.

  “If we talk about those,” she answered pointing at the necklace and ring, “then can we talk about hibiscus?”

  “Fine, explain.” He was staring straight through her, sending chills down her back.

  “I can’t. You need someone else, not me.”

  “Like hell I do. Don’t tell me who I need.” His voice was elevated. Lily watched as the blood pressure monitor’s numbers rose slightly.

  “Dev, can we please talk about hibiscus now? It’s important.”

  “So are you. Now take these back,” he demanded as he leaned up to push them into her hand. He winced as he laid back on the bed. “Sometimes, I don’t know what gets into you. You are funny, smart, accomplished, beautiful with the best heart of anyone I’ve ever known and then sometimes,” he paused, “sometimes you become the biggest nut in the world and it’s unacceptable. I can live with your obvious lack of self-esteem. Just give me the name of the guy who treated you like crap, and I’ll take care of him. I can live with your fear of hospital rooms. I suspect I know what that’s all about. I can live with your neuroticism, your slight OCD behavior, your list making, and your ability to overthink something into the dirt. Heck, you have me purchasing post-it notes in bulk. I gave you my ring; I gave you that necklace; I am giving you my heart and a future. Just take them. Now we can talk about hibiscus.”

  She totally seemed to ignore every admission of his love for her. “Why hibiscus?”

  Dev searched her face. Where had that question come from? And why was she here? Who had called her, and why had they brought her in? His only play was to tell the truth.

  “Hibiscus is a code name and the Hibiscus Cottage is the name of our safe house in Key West. It’s where all of this happened.” He raised his arm slightly.

  “When you were working?”

  Dev nodded. Lily found some humor in thinking that his job offered a vision of Dev behind a desk, a nameplate at the front to welcome visitors. Good morning, Mr. Pierce, I’m your next client, I mean your next collar. If only drug traffickers were that civil.

  He watched as Lily’s face changed. Her eyes moved downward to avoid his gaze. She touched his hand and then pulled back as though the very touch of him would singe her soul. When she finally looked at him, her eyes were moist.

  “I need to tell you something and I just want you to listen. No judgement. Can you possibly do that?”

  Softly, he admitted, “I’m not sure, but I will try. I’m listening. Will you put the ring and necklace back on?”

  She nodded affirmatively and held them tighter in one hand.

  She began her story. “Garrett had my car stolen. Mrs. Notte told Abby and me. We thought she might be delusional.”

  Dev listened. His stomach was clenched as tight as his jaw. All the players had been discovered and the puzzle was complete. The long overdue photos of the packing slip and addresses were two more needed pieces of information. They were able to narrow the scope of the operation because of Abby’s photos. That information had led to a shootout. His eyes were darkening. As soon as Lily left, he’d call Tom Fullerton and have him inform the Kansas City Police Department of Mrs. Notte’s predicament. All of Lily’s hours of watching mysteries hadn’t prepared her for all of this, or had it? What? She had a delivery?

  “Lily, repeat please.”

  Instead, she showed him. She pulled a copy of the card from Garrett from her purse. “He says you’re dead.” She handed him the card.

  After he read it, Dev didn’t look up for a minute or two. Lily was once again, or still entwined in the web of the cartel. No wonder she was acting irrationally and looked like a scared puppy. He was listening to her talk very quickly. Garrett stalking, Garrett coming into the shop and bothering Abby, a hibiscus plant, the dog helped, kids dying in Kansas City from lethal doses of illegal drugs provided by Garrett, and Gretchen and Lily watching his house.

  His head shot up. “What the hell, Lily? You and Gretchen were having your own little Columbo moment together? What were you thinking?”

  She rose from her seated position and turned her back on him. She placed her hands on her hips. “It was more like Starsky and Hutch or Agent 99 and Maxwell Smart, although I’m not sure who would’ve been Agent 99.”

  “Stop babbling and please stop talking about old cop television shows,” Dev demanded.

  “I was trying to handle it on my own.”

  “You done?”

  “No. The DEA wants to use me as bait, not as a victim. I’ve agreed to do it. They’ll brief me and give me a little training. I am doing it. Then I’ll retire from the spy business.”

  He answered with only one word. “Fine.”

  Lily couldn’t believe he’d let her win. Wow, confidence did work. “I just don’t want to go back to Kansas City still worrying about my life and yours.”

  “Sweetheart, from the day I met you, you’ve worried about your life, and I know you’ll always worry about mine.”

  She unexpectedly yelled. “I worry about paying my bills, not my every breath.” She pointed at him. “As for you, I always worry about the ones I love.”

  Dev laughed out loud and winced at the pain. “And I love you too, every neurotic part of you. I could make a list if you’d like.”

  She scrunched her face at him and stuck out her tongue. “Very funny. You’re trying to be charming, manipulating me into doing what you want.”

  “I’m not sure I could ever do that with just words. Come over here and kiss me.”

  She walked slowly, teasing him. “I have to admit we are better together.” She leaned over and kissed him lightly.

  “That wasn’t much of a kiss.”

  “And you’re in a hospital bed and you haven’t shaved, Devlin Anthony. I’m not sure I like that stubble.”

  “Devlin Anthony?”

  “Aunt Pat says you hated it when your mom called you by both names.”

  He ran his good hand through his hair. His family was already betraying him. This would be a bumpy ride. Definitely one trip worth taking. “Aunt Pat, is it? Sounds like you’ve become part of this family.”

  He tried to reach for her with his good arm, but she playfully stepped back to avoid his grasp. “I’ll be out of this bed by tomorrow, and then I’ll want a proper kiss.”

  “And people in hell want ice water. You can wait. It’s for your own good.” As she walked out of the room, her head was held high. She was placing both necklaces, including the ring, around her neck. She smiled at Jack Pierce in the hallway. The smile told Dev’s dad everything he needed to know.

  Dev shook his head. Maybe it was the painkillers he was on. Where was the insecure Lily now? He couldn’t wait for the new Lily’s kiss. He had to get out of this bed.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “This drive is amazing. I’d forgotten
how beautiful the Keys are.”

  Dev was looking out the window as Lily drove. He had his good arm propped by the window. They’d carefully belted him in, trying not to touch the left arm. It was sore. He didn’t have it in the sling. He’d been shot before; he’d had pain that was much worse. But somehow he was feeling helpless. His girlfriend was driving the car. They had an unmarked car in front and behind them. They were walking into a trap again except this time he knew it, and Lily was with him. What had he been thinking agreeing to use her? What had the DEA been thinking involving her? He had protested when he learned the full scope of the plan, but he was soundly overruled.

  The next thing he knew, Lily was training a few defensive moves with Carlos, and two other agents were bringing her up to speed. She’d read the highlights of their operation. Occasionally, she’d looked up at him suspiciously as she looked through the file folder. It was probably the part about the nights with Alise, Dev thought. So much for keeping Lily out of his work.

  “The last time I was down here I couldn’t drive. The bridges were a little scarier back then.” Dev didn’t say anything. She looked over quickly to see his face. Did he wince?

  “Are you in pain?”

  “No.”

  “So what’s wrong?”

  He grimaced again. “Are you kidding me? Everything is wrong.”

  “We’ve been over everything. You’ve briefed me. Carlos has briefed me. Everyone has briefed me. I’m good. Remember, I’m good with being over-organized. I didn’t know the DEA was too. That’s kind of cool.”

  “Cool? Really?” His sigh was louder than he wanted it to be. She was taking on a lot. He should be proud of her, but he had been in that hospital bed and thought a lot about things, one thing in particular. Before they reached Key West, he needed something settled.

  Lily saw the sign for Marathon. “Let’s stop and get a snack. You need some air.” She was choosing not to argue again about her decision. During their discussion late last night, they’d both admitted that losing each other was not an option. Here she was heading into a fire he faced on a daily basis. She’d also learned that avoidance was a family trait of the Pierce family. Jack had avoided discussing anything about the operation in the hours before they put him on the plane back home. Dev avoided talking about his feelings for her. How long had he been in love with her?

  “I’m fine.”

  “Well, then I need a snack.”

  “I’ll phone the guys and tell them we’re stopping.”

  She heard him talking to his co-workers. That adjective just didn’t suit the three men and a woman. The men looked like they were professional wrestlers, and the woman looked like she was a marathon runner. Never stand next to any federal agents or beauty queens.

  “Carlos says there’s a drive-up café on the right. We’ll just follow them.”

  “I like Carlos,” Lily volunteered. “He said you and he were in the Army together? I think he likes Alise. I’m so proud of her. Her parents would be so happy.”

  “Yes.”

  “Please give me more than a one-word answer.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just going over everything in my mind. The odds aren’t good, especially after the last time.”

  “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “Well, a little. You know some of it. We miscalculated. We were supposed to have a meeting and it went sideways. I underestimated Garrett. He’s been in this game a lot longer than I thought and his father? Well, that’s just nuts. Did Carlos tell you that they put Mrs. Notte under surveillance?”

  Lily breathed a sigh of relief. “No, but I’m very happy they did. Her butler has been taking care of her. She may be a little eccentric, but she has a good heart.”

  “She may gain more out of this than she imagined.” Dev stopped himself. Lily didn’t need to know that Mrs. Notte might find herself becoming a great grandmother overnight. He chuckled at that thought. If Angelica ended up having a very rich life after all of this, that would be worth taking her biological father down. More than worth it. When they arrested Garrett, he’d make sure his cheek was swabbed for DNA on site. He didn’t want to wait until Garrett was charged to find out. They would get him this time. He’d made it personal. If Dev and Lily were to have a life together, failure was not an option.

  “I’ve been thinking a lot, Lily. Before we pull over, I need to know something.”

  Lily wanted to ask more about his cryptic statement, but this seemed more serious. Oh come on, he isn’t going to bolt after we’ve told each other how we feel, is he? Lily took a glance at his face. Of course, he was concerned, but something had been eating at him since they had released him from the hospital. She just thought he had been upset about her inclusion in the mission.

  “I’m listening, Dev.”

  “Dad said you deserve more than just ‘figuring it out as we go along’. But, something has been gnawing at me for a very long time. I think about it, push it out of my mind, and then it comes back again.”

  “What is it?”

  “When I was leaving Kansas City to go back to Virginia after John’s death, you literally threw me out of the shop. I wanted to tell you, show you how I felt, but you pushed me away. I never understood that. It wasn’t like something you’d do so I overlooked it. Were you being a tease, or didn’t you care?”

  Lily looked straight ahead as she drove. “I have never been a tease, and you know I cared. You were my friend. We were comfortable together. You didn’t know what you wanted from me, and I sure didn’t want to be a fling for you. That day, I wanted you to kiss me, but that’s all you were offering. You couldn’t tell me you loved me. You weren’t ready, and I couldn’t take a chance that you might not ever be ready.”

  Dev sat in silence. Lily had been completely honest with her words and her heart. His ribs were hurting, but her words had hit another blow. He turned his head to face her and saw her wipe away the tears.

  “Dev, I so badly wanted you to come back for me, and finally you did. You really did have to leave first. It hurt, but I understand it all now.

  He wished he could touch her, but he continued to concentrate on her face. “You loved me then?”

  “Yes,” Lily answered. Her voice was strong and sure.

  “Lily, I have no more doubts about where we are headed. No more doubts from you?”

  Lily laughed despite the serious conversation. “Have you met me? All my life I’ve worried about not measuring up, but I’m trying to keep that obsession only in my head. After you said you loved me, I’ve been a little more confident.”

  “I suppose I’ll have to say it several times before you believe it?” He finally smiled. His heart was still fearful, but at peace.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I wouldn’t mind it a couple of times of day, and if you could call me your majesty once in awhile, that makes a girl feel good too.”

  He began to laugh hard, but moaned in pain. Note to self, show and tell Lily how much I love her every day. Note to self, get the name of that jerk who hurt her and find his house, where he works, who he knows. Make his life a living hell.

  Lily followed the lead car onto the side of the highway. Two agents went up to the window while Lily helped Dev out of the car. He was in pain. She looked at him as he struggled to remove himself from the car. With his good hand, he touched his rib cage while attempting to breathe in fresh air.

  “Do you have broken ribs?” Lily asked as she helped him stand straight.

  “Just bruised. If they were broken I couldn’t even breathe. Been there, done that.”

  “A little walking might be good?”

  “A little. I’d like something with lots of ice and then another cup of ice I can hold against my chest.” Dev touched her arm softly. “I wish I could kiss you right now. I love you.”

  Lily nodded as she heard footsteps behind them.

  “Lily, I’ve got him,” Carlos said as he joined the couple. “Go order something. Grab me an iced tea please. I’ll
walk him around.”

  Lily thanked him, and was joined by the female agent as she walked up to the window.

  “How long you two been together?” The agent asked as she looked at the outdoor menu on the side of the café.

  “Well, we’ve known each other almost two years now but I’m not sure how long you could really say we’ve been together.”

  The agent pulled out cash. “I’ll order for all of us.” They ordered their cold drinks, Dev’s extra cup of ice, and several bags of french fries and conch fritters.

  “I’m Victoria, Tori, by the way,” she said as they walked away from the counter with their items.

  “It’s very nice to meet you. You’re a runner, aren’t you?”

  She looked sideways at Lily. “Yes, I am. I only eat this junk when I’m with all these guys.”

  “I don’t know how you do what you do,” Lily admitted. “You all are amazing.”

  She smiled, letting her guard down a little. “You aren’t so bad either. I mean, it’s hard when we bring in civilians, but after your briefing with Carlos yesterday I knew you’d be able to do it. You’re pissed, aren’t you?”

  Lily laughed out loud. “Oh, you could say that. On many, many levels.”

  “I want you to know we will make sure you are safe, no matter what. We have to get this guy this time. He’s a nothing burger, but he has led us on a chase, worse than some of the Taliban.”

  “So, you were over there too?”

  “Yes. I was a Marine, well I’m still a Marine.”

  “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” Lily muttered. “Do you know Dev’s friend JT?”

  The agent smiled and shook her head. “That whack job? Oh yes, ever since basics. It’s a small circle sometimes. You’ve met him?”

  “And a few of Dev’s other friends from West Point.”

  “And they didn’t scare you off? Good for you.” Both women shared a much- needed laugh.

  The agent proceeded to hand out drinks and food. Lily and she didn’t talk again. Once their short break was over, they piled back in their cars and headed down to Key West. Dev nodded off for some much-needed rest.