Tequila and Sunrise

by Madison Johns

  “I already told you, I work for him.”

  “I wasn’t asking you.” Anna huffed.

  “Oh darn, I’m missing all the fun,” Irma said when she sat next to me. “If I had known there was going to be a cat fight, I’d have come back to the table sooner.”

  “Hello, Irma,” Anna said. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

  “If you say so, but personally I’d rather—”

  “Grandmother,” Taney cautioned her. “Isn’t it much better in Florida than the home in Ohio?”

  I hid a smile as I planned my next words carefully. “How dare you put your sweet grandmother in a home.” I patted Irma’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t make you go back there.”

  Taney’s face reddened. “I thought you two were hungry.”

  I plopped a chunk of pineapple in my mouth and nodded.

  Irma’s plate was filled with an omelet and an excess of bacon and hash browns.

  “Do they make omelets to order?” I asked.

  Irma nodded as she devoured the bacon on her plate.

  “So what are your plans today?” Anna asked. “Not hanging around with me and Adam, I hope.”

  “Nope,” I said. “We’re going shopping on his dime.”

  “How nice of you, Adam. And here I thought I’d be stuck in the hotel with you and that atrocious blonde you call a girlfriend.” Irma smirked.

  Anna’s lips came apart in a sneer. “I swear one of these days—”

  My brow rose in irritation. “Careful, that’s Taney’s grandmother you’re talking about.”

  “Who are you, her companion?”

  “I thought we had already established who I work for, but it doesn’t matter. You’re here to spend time with Taney, not us.”

  “Call me if you need anything,” Taney said stiffly.

  He slid money across the table, and Irma snatched it up before I had the chance to touch it. I sighed. I could see Irma was going to make my job harder for me. I could hardly slip away without any cash.

  “Let me handle the money.”

  “Huh,” Irma scoffed as she tucked it into her bra, the one place I wouldn’t be able to get it back from.

  “Eww, that’s disgusting,” Anna exclaimed.

  “At least nobody can steal it.” Irma nodded curtly.

  “What are your plans today?” Taney asked.

  “I already told you we’re going shopping. Anything beyond that and I’ll give you a ring.”

  We finished our breakfast in silence, and Anna glowered at Irma and me the entire time. It was apparent I had one thing in common with Irma: neither of us cared for Taney’s girlfriend.

  Irma and I left the hotel after breakfast, and she turned to face me. “Just so you know, I think Anna is wrong for my grandson, but don’t go thinking that I like you.”

  I shrugged. “I’m here to do a job, not fawn over your grandson. I am a little shocked that Anna showed up. I thought Taney took this assignment more seriously. How can he possibly monitor our movements if Anna is around?”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. He’s a good detective.”

  “I never meant he wasn’t.”

  “You jealous she’s here?”

  “No, I’m not interested in your grandson.”

  “It’s probably for the best since Adam is blind as a bat when it comes to women.”

  Four

  I grabbed a local map and tucked it under my arm as Irma and I wandered outside and up the brick sidewalk to the bustling beach community of Harper Cove. While it’s not a big town, it certainly had its perks with more than normal amount of jewelry stores. It’s the perfect place to fence stolen jewelry, which is the reason I suggested it.

  Irma power walked up. “Can you let an old woman catch up?”

  “You should try to keep up unless you want me to leave you in the dust.”

  Irma passed me and glanced over her shoulder. “Who needs to keep up now?”

  I groaned, but in all actuality I’d be able to slip away much easier while Irma was driving her point home. Then I remembered Irma held the purse strings, and I resigned myself to the fact that I was stuck with her.

  Irma stopped in front of me at the first ice-cream shack, and I plowed past her with a wave.

  I watched the tourists, looking for someone who appeared out of place. Two women bumped past me, and I grumbled as I chased them down.

  “Excuse me, could you kindly give me back my wallet?” I asked none too nicely.

  The first woman lowered the brim of her hat over her face. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Irma grabbed the shopping bag the second woman held, and the contents scattered over the sidewalk. She picked up my wallet and handed it back to me with a satisfied grin.

  “Oh, how did that get in there?” the woman asked innocently.

  I fisted my hips. “Look, I’m familiar with your game, but you picked the wrong victim.”

  “Should we call the cops?” Irma asked.

  “No! Consider this a warning, ladies.”

  The women raced up the sidewalk and out of sight.

  “You know those women look strange, don’t you think?” Irma asked.

  I shrugged.

  “I don’t think they’re women at all.”

  “That’s pretty perceptive of you.”

  “Yes, I’m quite aware of men who camouflage themselves as women.” She nodded curtly. “I don’t know why you let them off the hook. Someone needs to stop them or they’ll continue to steal wallets.” She frowned. “Why is it you carry your wallet and not a purse?”

  “It’s easier to carry a wallet.”

  “Ah, easier to crawl through an open window.”

  I shot Irma a look and gently guided her away as I tucked my wallet in my front pocket. I should have remembered pickpockets flourish during the busy season. And for a reformed jewel thief, I should have been more diligent walking in crowds.

  Irma and I bought ice cream, a vanilla waffle cone for her and a small hot-fudge sundae for me since I’ve never been big on cones.

  I smiled. “Now Irma, please refrain from talking about calling the cops or calling them for that matter. We’re about to enter the criminal underground.”

  Irma rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait.”

  “Don’t be so eager. It’s going to be dangerous, and it would be nice if you acted the part of a criminal, like a jewel thief.”

  “Me, a jewel thief? Nobody would ever believe that.”

  “Nobody suspected international jewel thief Doris Payne either until she was caught. She’s in her eighties now, and I bet if she had half a chance she’d continue in her profession.”

  “I’ve always been on the right side of the law.”

  “You’d have to be, otherwise Taney would never have you working alongside me. It’s just that where we’re going, I’ll need to come up with an elaborate story to explain you.”

  “You better not even think about speaking to anyone without me there because that’s not happening.”

  “We’ll see how it goes. I don’t know how long it will take me to get a solid lead on my former partner.”

  “You mean the one who got you busted?”

  “Did your grandson tell you that?”

  “Not in so many words.”

  I tossed the remainder of my sundae in the trash. “She didn’t get me busted as much as she left me behind when the alarms went off at the museum.”

  “So what kept you from leaving?”

  “She left via the ceiling like what you’d see in a spy movie.”

  “Now, spies I know a lot about. I love James Bond.”

  I wrinkled my nose; a lover of Bond movies I’m not.

  “I’m ready if you’re finished with your cone.”

  “Sure thing. Where are we going now?”

  I pulled out my notebook, popped a glance at it, and put it back in my pocket for safekeeping. If only I were a little on the busty side so I coul
d shove things in my bra like Irma does.

  I led the way to the opposite street and tucked down a side street that soon looked a little less touristy and more on the shady side. Some of the most notable thieves worked in the area even if I hadn’t myself. I preferred residing in middle-class neighborhoods, while the most profitable live in mansions on the coast.

  Irma held her purse tightly against her body. “Where are we going?” she asked in a whisper.

  “Out of your element, but don’t worry. If you’re with me, you’ll be fine, but let me do the talking.”

  “I might pee my pants if it gets scary.”

  “I secretly peed myself when your grandson busted me, but keep it between us.” I smiled.

  The aroma of a variety of narcotics wafted in the air, thankfully most of it smelling like weed. I wasn’t ready to deal with any hardcore addicts, especially a meth head.

  A dark-skinned man stepped out of a door, with one hand cradling his cell phone and the other inside his jacket wrapped around the handle of a handgun. He nodded and I returned the gesture as we continued past.

  Irma wrapped her hand around my arm. I shook her off and motioned across the next street. I didn’t blame Irma, but I couldn’t risk someone thinking we were out of place. We needed to blend in, not stick out.

  I knocked on a door and leaned into Irma. “You look terrified, knock it off.”

  Irma plastered a false smile on her face, and I rolled my eyes. “Your eyes are bugging out.”

  The door opened a crack. “Who are you?”

  “I’m looking for Vinnie. Tell him Sarah Black is here to see him.”

  The door slammed in our faces, and a man cleared his throat from the alley. “This way.”

  We followed the man into a courtyard on the other side of the apartment building, and he pointed out a gray-haired man sitting in a lawn chair in front of an empty in-ground swimming pool.

  The man lowered his sunglasses and smiled. “It’s not every day an international jewel thief comes to visit me.”

  “Oh, this is Irma. She makes Doris Payne look like a novice.”

  The man’s brow shot up. “Is that right? I can’t wait to see her in action.”

  Irma folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not a performing monkey.”

  “I love a woman with spunk.”

  “Vinnie this is Irma. We’re working together.”

  “Bring lawn chairs over here for the ladies,” Vinnie ordered.

  The chairs were quickly set down for us and I chuckled. “That’s something you don’t see everyday, alligators in a swimming pool.”

  “What?” Irma screamed as she jumped up and wobbled dangerously close to the edge. I caught her before she fell and guided her back to her chair.

  “You have to be careful around here,” Vinnie said. “My alligators bite.” He roared in laughter.

  “That’s a strange pet if you ask me,” Irma said.

  “They serve their purpose.”

  The alligators often snapped at one another in the shallow pond that was provided to them but were otherwise harmless since the walls prevented them from escaping.

  “Remind me not to get on your bad side.” Irma forced a smile.

  “Trust me, not many people do.”

  Vinnie turned back to me. “I didn’t expect to see you again after the fiasco in New York.”

  “That’s exactly why I’m here. I’m looking for Bev.”

  “How did you get out of jail?”

  “The cops didn’t have anything on me since Beverly double-crossed me.”

  “Consider yourself lucky.”

  “I should feel that way, but all I can think about is getting my revenge.”

  “Don’t blame you, but I’d let it go. Bev is planning to fence the ruby for Rico Alvarez.”

  I clenched my hands into fists. “Good, then I have time before the transaction takes place.”

  Vinnie’s smile faded. “Let me offer you some advice, Sarah. Let this one go.”

  I pursed my lips. “I can’t. Not this time.”

  “I can’t back you up this time. In fact, I’ll deny even speaking with you.”

  “It’s like that, is it?”

  “Rico runs the town.” Vinnie stretched. “Consider this a professional courtesy and drop it.”

  Irma and I left and followed the walkway to the beach. I plopped down on the sand and ran my fingers through my tangled hair.

  “Who is Rico?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “So this is more dangerous than you thought?”

  “No, I expected our lives to hang in the balance if we cross his path. But I’m not giving up on Bev, although it explains a lot.”

  “Like what?”

  “Bev slipped away too easily at the museum. She purposely left me out in the cold, if only I knew why. Jewel thieves don’t work for anyone but themselves. Sure, they fence the jewelry, but not for a criminal organization.”

  “Well, apparently this Bev had other ideas.”

  “Yup, she didn’t want to get caught. Probably thought if I was on the hook for it she’d have time to get away.”

  “She sounds like a smart woman.”

  “I’d love to give her kudos, but I can’t. I’d love to pound her into the ground.”

  “There, there now, don’t go postal on me. You have to find the ruby for your deal to stick.”

  “I thought you were only here to watch me. How much do you know?”

  “Adam briefed me.”

  “And?”

  “That’s all I have to say.”

  I yawned. “I have a lawn chair back at the hotel with my name on it.”

  Irma groaned. “You have to find Bev.”

  “All in good time, but right now I need to relax.”

  We walked back to the hotel, and I plopped down on a chair beneath a colorful umbrella. I motioned over a server. “Could you please bring me a tequila sunrise?”

  Irma thankfully had gone back to her room, not that I cared. All I wanted now was to concentrate on relaxing and head back out at dusk when the real nightlife began.

  The drink was brought, and I had the server charge it to my room. I hoped Taney was ready for an expensive bar bill while I’m here.

  Taney sat down. “Aren’t you here a little early?”

  “Nope, just in time for a nap. If you bought me more comfortable shoes maybe I’d have stayed out longer.”

  “I gave you money to buy whatever you needed.”

  “No, you gave it to Irma, and she wouldn’t give me a dime.”

  Irma rushed over. “You didn’t ask me for any money.”

  “I shouldn’t have to; it’s a given that I should have cash of my own.”

  “I swear, Adam, we barely spoke to anyone before Katherine—I mean Sarah—decided to come back.”

  “Did you find out anything?”

  “Nothing I can confirm as of yet,” I said. “Where did your girlfriend go?”

  “She’s taking a nap upstairs.”

  “See, it’s siesta time. Irma take a load off and order a drink.”

  “I don’t drink alcohol.”

  I opened one eye. “Who said the drink had to have alcohol in it. I’m sure they have fancy juice drinks here.”

  “I told her not to come back so soon,” Irma explained. “We had plenty of time to—”

  “That will be enough for now, Grandmother. I need to speak with Sarah privately.”

  I rolled my eyes as Irma reluctantly left. I had a feeling she was one tough old bird that would be back with a vengeance.

  “So what happened today?”

  “I can’t tell you anything, Taney. I’ll get back out there later tonight.”

  Taney frowned. “Can I trust you not to disappear from the hotel without Irma?”

  “Probably not, but I’ll try.” I smiled. “So where are the feds?”

  “Monitoring the situation is all they told me.”

  “This is too dangerous
for your grandmother, I hope you know that.”

  “She’s been in dangerous places before.”

  “The people that are involved don’t care who they hurt even if the person is an old lady.”

  “My grandmother is a tough old bird, so I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  I sipped my drink in enjoyment. “Fine, but don’t blame me if Irma gets caught in the cross fire because it might come to that.”

  “Maybe I should have rethought involving you. It’s apparent you’d rather stay in jail than recover the ruby.”

  “If you’re going to drag me all the way here, the least you can do is be hospitable. I’m taking care of business as planned, so get off my back.”

  I stood up and carried my drink back to my room where I could get some rest. I’ll admit the sun was a little too much for me today, and so was seeing the pool filled with alligators. It would have been hard to explain to Taney about how his grandmother was eaten by gators if I hadn’t caught her before she tumbled into the pool.

  I walked into my room, and Irma jumped up, her chair falling to the floor with a thump. “What are you doing here?”

  “What do I plan to do here? Take a nap.”

  “Oh no you don’t. I’m expecting company.”

  “Then you might want to put on your other false eyelash.” I yawned as I fell on the bed.

  I closed my eyes and opened one to see Irma attempting to put on the other eyelash. I couldn’t understand why anyone would wear them. I don’t think even on a good day I’d be able to do it.

  “It’s no use. I’ll never get it on.” Irma fussed.

  “They have a beauty salon and makeup counter downstairs. I bet they could help you out with your lashes.”

  “I don’t have the money.”

  “Taney gave you plenty of money this morning.”

  “I know, but that’s for you, not me.”

  “It’s for our expenses, which include yours too. I promise not to breathe a word to Taney.”

  “Thank you.” Irma winced as she pulled off the one lash and flew out the door.

  I wondered who was so important that Irma wanted to doll herself up for, but hopefully it wouldn’t be the same man we caught here yesterday. It’s hard to know the mind of a woman Irma’s age. I really should get to know the woman better. It would make this go so much easier.