“I’d rather do it now,” I said. “But you might have a point. Let’s head back.”
I changed directions, and Irma led the way back. I stopped for a few minutes, and Irma didn’t seem to notice I wasn’t walking with her, so I did the only thing I could. I ditched Irma.
I sprinted down the boardwalk, the sound of the ocean cadencing with each breath. Lights from boats at the pier ahead guided me, and I stopped as a stitch in my side reminded me how out of shape I was.
Star of the West in big blue letters caught my attention. I had expected it was much farther away. I smiled as I approached the white cottage. Three lawn chairs were positioned near the rental, and my eyes narrowed as I caught sight of Bev lounging on one of the folding chairs, a drink on a small table near her.
I tried to convince myself to return to the hotel and bring Taney back with me, but I’d never be able to find out the information I most wanted. Why did she betray me?
The closer I came to the chair the angrier I became. How dare Bev search me out to take a fall. I nearly wound up with a lengthy prison sentence while she lived it up on the beach like nothing happened.
I suppose that’s why I ran up and kicked over the lawn chair. Instead of Bev flailing as the chair was tipped over, she fell with a dull thud.
My heart flew to my throat. This can’t be good, even a drunk woman would have woken up and not fallen so heavily.
I powered on my cell phone and shined it over Bev, biting down on my lower lip. Blood speckled not only the chair but Bev. Her arm felt warm to the touch, and I felt for a pulse, but even though I’m not a medical professional, I realized she was dead.
I should have fallen to the sand below me, but instead I moved toward the house and slipped inside. The interior had a minuscule amount of furniture that you might find in a tiki hut. It was neat and tidy without any dishes, although takeout containers overfilled the trash can.
Moving through into the bedroom I cut on the lights. The bed was made with a salmon-colored bedspread, and a flimsy nightgown was laid out on the bed. Bev obviously was planning to call it a night after having a drink on the beach, but apparently it was her last.
I opened drawers and felt inside for the ruby, taking each of them out and feeling inside. I came up empty and tried to put everything back in the way it was before searching the closet, bed, under the bed, behind the curtains, even the carpet, but the ruby simply wasn’t there.
I checked the remainder of the house before I caught sight of blue lights as cop cars skidded to a stop, the occupants exiting their vehicles. I raced outside, ran up the beach, and pulled out my phone and called Taney, reporting what I’d found.
“Stay where you are,” he ordered.
It was fine by me because none of the cops saw me hiding in the darkness. My chest ached and my stomach cramped. I’ve never seen so much blood before. I brought my knees up and rested my chin on them until my phone rang as one lone figure strolled toward me.
I sighed as Taney came into view. I was in the worst possible situation, and I hoped I’d be able to convince not only Taney but the cops that I had nothing to do with killing Bev.
Taney offered me a hand. “What happened?” he asked as I crawled to my feet.
“I don’t exactly know, but Bev is dead.”
It was too dark to read Taney’s expression, but I imagined the muscles in his jaw bunched.
“I see.” He glanced back at the crime scene. “Did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Murder your partner.”
“I didn’t have time to murder anyone.”
“You certainly had opportunity and motive.”
“Are you listening to yourself? I was with your grandmother tonight.”
“Yes, and you also gave her the slip.”
“Only because she was cold and wanted to go back to the hotel. I had a reliable tip of Bev’s location, and I wasn’t about to leave it until tomorrow.”
“Well, you should have left with my grandmother. Now this case has gotten more complicated.”
“I suppose that means you’re dragging me back to the scene of the crime.” I swallowed hard. “I kind of kicked over Bev’s lawn chair, but I swear I didn’t know she was dead, not until she hit the ground with a thud.”
“How didn’t you know she was dead?”
“Because I couldn’t see in the darkness, but she was still warm, I can tell you that.”
“How long since you parted ways with my grandmother?”
“Ten minutes, but it might have only been closer to five.”
“It was more like twenty.”
“Look, I don’t even have a gun.”
“How do you know if she was shot?”
I sucked in a breath and puffed it back out. “I don’t, but I did see blood on the lawn chair and Bev once I turned my cell phone flashlight on.”
I was glad I wasn’t able to see Taney’s eyes.
“Is that it?”
I swallowed hard. “No, I might have checked the inside of the cottage for the ruby.”
Taney slapped his head. “You have to be kidding me.”
“I wouldn’t kid about something like that.”
“Did you find the ruby?”
“I wish I had, but since I didn’t, it must mean someone else is looking for the gem besides us.”
“How did you learn about Bev’s supposed whereabouts?”
“I don’t think I can tell you.”
“Your fingerprints are all over the inside of the cottage, and you won’t tell me where the tip originated?”
“That’s about it. I can’t have my source know I’ve spoken to the cops. I was there with your grandmother earlier and told them I worked for a crime boss and showed them Bev’s picture. You should understand what might happen if you blow our cover for not only me but your grandmother.”
“I don’t want to hear this right now. I have to deal with the scene after you go back to the hotel. I’ll have to bring in the feds on this.”
“You’re going to have the feds handle Bev’s murder?”
“Not exactly, but they’ll need to somehow keep your name out of it. But I wouldn’t worry about it. I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
“Don’t worry about it you say. It’s the only thing I’m going to think about.” I shuddered. “I’ve never seen a dead body before. I hope nobody tried to shush her up after we learned that she was trying to fence the ruby.”
“We really need to sit down and talk.”
“We will, but I’ll have to go back to the jewelry store in the morning to ask them some serious questions.” I bit on my pinkie for a minute. “Except that I sort of name dropped some crime boss and I’d hate for them to have learned that I lied.”
Taney sighed. “You really need to brief me about this tomorrow, and I hope you know I have a way of learning information without blowing your cover.”
“And don’t forget your grandmother’s since she played such a vital role. She really helped me out to get in the door.”
“I don’t know what I’m more worried about: you or that you brought sweet grandmother into this.”
“Sweet? She’s anything but. I’m positive I’ll have a bruise on my chin in the morning.”
“Now that I’d like to see.”
“I’m sorry I bothered you tonight. I hate that I took you away from your girlfriend.”
“Anna went out with some friends who live in the area.”
“Oh, so you mean she didn’t only come to Harper Cove to see you?”
Taney dropped me off at the hotel, and only then did I really let out a labored exhale. Tonight was a nightmare for me, and I’m glad I hadn’t pushed Irma to stay with me. That might have given the old woman a heart attack. Although I had to admit that she would have stopped me from ransacking the place for the ruby.
It also had me thinking about who murdered Bev. She reportedly worked for Rico, which made the likelihood of someone murdering her slim, unless
he wanted to reap all the benefits without having to give her a cut of the sale. He also could have been impatient about her inability to fence the ruby. I had to admit three weeks is a long time frame to move the gem. But the high profile theft of the Imperial Ruby was a featured story on every news channel and paper. The FBI was hard-pressed to solve the case before they lost their chance to recover the jewel, and I had to wonder if that’s how it played out.
I took a quick shower, and Irma was waiting for me when I strolled out of the bathroom.
She tipped a tropical drink to me and casually sipped it. “I heard you had quite the night.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “So Taney gave you the details?”
“I picked a good time to head back to the hotel.” She made a face. “I could do without seeing another dead body.”
“Finding a date dead in the morning after a night with you hardly counts as discovering a victim who has been murdered.”
Irma lips curved up into a dangerous smile. “I enjoy your wit, but you’re so wrong on many accounts.”
I sat on the bed and tugged a brush through my tangled hair. “Let me guess. You’re a retired cop.”
“Nope, try again.”
“FBI agent.” I laughed. It was too ridiculous to imagine.
“I found my husband’s body. He was shot about five times, and I was the prime suspect.”
“Because you were the wife.”
“It’s understandable, although at the time I was bitter about it.”
“I can’t blame you. So how did you get out of it?”
“The evidence piled up in another direction.”
I stopped brushing midstroke. “So who murdered him?”
“His mother. There were family dynamics that led to his death that I’d rather not discuss further. Just suffice to say that I’ve seen a murdered victim before and I’m glad I didn’t have to see another one tonight.”
“Me too because I know you would have stopped me from searching for the ruby at the scene.”
Irma raised a drawn-on brow. “Before the cops showed up?”
“Right before, actually.”
“However did Taney get you out of there before you were spotted?”
“I managed to do that all by myself, but I called him after I slipped away.”
“He’s not very happy about the situation.”
“Me either. Especially when I conducted my search carelessly. I’m sure my fingerprints are everywhere. I don’t see how Taney will be able to keep my name out of this. Actually it would be better if I was brought in for questioning as a suspect.”
“Your cover would be blown.”
“I thought about that, and I’m not so sure it would be a bad thing.”
“Except that people believe you’re still in jail.”
“I got bail.”
“And you went on the run, is that it?”
“Something like that. It happens more than you think.”
Irma rubbed her brow with her free hand. “Believe me I know, but I agree with my grandson. You need to stay under the radar for now.”
“I’d love to get a drink before bed, but I’m too beat to move.”
She yawned. “I must admit I am too. I’m sure we’ll be up at the crack of dawn, speaking to the FBI. I mean, you.”
“Ugh, crack of dawn. Are you serious?”
“What better time for it to go unnoticed?”
I pulled down the covers on my side of the bed and crawled in, pressing my cheek into the pillow and closed my eyes. Bev’s murder bothered me more than I wanted to admit even to myself. If someone was aware of who she was, they might also know I’m in Harper Cove and I could very well be next on the murderer’s list. Unless the ruby was found in the cottage Bev was staying at.
Seven
Taney poured me a cup of coffee, and I forced a smile.
“Thanks. Irma told me I’d be up at the crack of dawn for a meeting with you, but I didn’t know she was serious.”
“We’re trying to keep a low profile.”
“Then you should have asked your girlfriend to sit this one out. She’s hardly a woman that wouldn’t draw attention. I just don’t see you as the type to want to stroll around with arm candy.”
He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“You’re right. Don’t you think it’s high time you let down your guard? After all, we’re in this together.”
“Not exactly but I see your point.”
Taney moved away from me, and in walked special agents Gunther and Flynn. Taney handed them each a cup of coffee, and they took seats opposite me.
“Taney tells us you had quite the night,” Flynn said.
I blew on my coffee and nodded. “Not by choice.”
“How did you learn where she was?”
“Sorry, next question.”
“What?” Gunther exploded. “Have you forgotten your deal?”
“No, and I’m doing my job. I’m a former thief and I can’t—I won’t—give you my sources. I can’t risk you screwing up my investigation.”
“Investigation, that’s a good one, and you’re still a thief in my book.”
I leaned forward. “And you’re not acting very professional. I know you were trained to handle yourself in a calm manner.”
“She’s right, Gunther,” Flynn said. “We have to allow her to conduct herself in the manner she is accustomed to. But know this, eventually we’ll need all the details pertinent to this case if you ever get the chance to recover the ruby.”
“What happens if I can’t?”
“Then you’ll be forced to give us a bigger fish or back to jail you go.”
“I have a signed deal.”
“With specific criteria.”
“So the cops didn’t find the ruby?” I asked.
“No, and we’re running interference at the moment, but that won’t last indefinitely. Your prints were all over the place.”
“I didn’t kill Bev, although I certainly wanted to. Err, I meant I wanted to knock her senseless and force her to hand over the ruby.”
“Without telling us who, how did you learn about her whereabouts? Can you answer that?”
“She’s been trying to fence the ruby in town is all I can say.”
Gunther glanced at Flynn and nodded. “At least we know the ruby is here.”
“Or was,” I said. “I’m planning to get back at it today, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
Flynn locked eyes with me. “Name it.”
“I need a handgun.”
“Out of the question.” Gunther exploded.
I pressed my palm on the table and stood. “Today I have to confront the people who might have last seen Bev, and I can’t go in without a way to protect myself.”
“She has a point,” Taney said. “Even if I don’t like it either.”
“Don’t think about me. Do it for Taney’s grandmother Irma. She’s still keeping tabs on me from what I understand.”
“Has she really been of much help?” Flynn asked.
“Yes, she’s been a tremendous help. I wouldn’t have gotten in to ask about Bev without her. She’s also good under pressure as long as she doesn’t get cold.” I laughed.
“Is that why she wasn’t with you last night?”
“Yes, unless she had a hot date.”
“That’s funny, a woman her age still dating,” Gunther said.
“It’s not so funny when you walk in on her I can tell you that much.”
Taney looked positively ill, but I had to have some comeback that would put them off-kilter.
“So are we done here?” I asked.
“Yes. What are your plans for the day?”
“Find out who killed Bev so I can find the ruby.”
“It’s long gone now with the murderer.”
“Jewel thieves are smart enough to stash something that valuable away.”
“Then why did you search the cottage she was
staying at?” Taney asked.
“I thought it was worth a check.”
“Maybe you should bring gloves the next time you want to do your own search.”
Flynn groaned. “Not a good thing to tell her. We can’t have Sarah conducting her own searches.”
“How did you plan I’d find the ruby if I didn’t look for it? It’s not going to be sitting there waiting for me out in the open.”
“Keep in touch. Taney, stay behind, we have things to discuss.”
I nodded and carried my coffee and tossed it in the trash can on my way out of the conference room.
Since I was now wide-awake, I walked in the direction of the beach and eased onto a lounge recliner. It was a misty morning, but the scattered clouds promised it would be a nice day. And despite the early hour, tourists were on the beach, digging for seashells and wading in the ocean. Two young men carrying surfboards entered the water and paddled out to catch their first waves of the morning.
I smiled as I leaned back to watch. The tiny hairs at the back of my neck tingled, and I glanced over and saw the man from the day I arrived, watching me. His face was hidden under the hat he wore, and he settled himself on a chair and buried his face in a newspaper like the last time.
I pulled out my phone and began to take pictures of the surfers and turned my phone in the man’s direction only to find that he had gone. Was I being paranoid, or did I have something to fear from the man? Or did the FBI bring him here to spy on me to make sure I made good on my deal?
Anna plopped down on the chair next to me and put her nose in the air.
“Good morning,” I said.
“What are you doing here? And don’t give me any crap about you being Taney’s girl Friday?”
I smiled pleasantly. “No need to be jealous. I assure you I’m not interested in Taney.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “As if I’d worry about him straying with the likes of you.”
“What are you talking about? You don’t even know me or what I might be capable of if pushed.”
“You don’t scare me.”
I shook my head dismissively. “Believe me, if I wanted to scare you, you’d know it. You’re not even interesting enough to talk to.”
“You ugly shrew, you take that back,” Anna exclaimed as she climbed to her feet and raised her small fists.
Tequila and Sunrise Page 5
