Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 03 - Secrets at Sea

by Peggy Dulle

  “Hey, guys. We missed you at the show last night.”

  Oh, I’d forgotten I promised to save them a seat.

  “Liza ate something that played havoc with her system, so we decided to turn in early.” Tom grinned. In an odd way, what he said was true, I thought, smiling to myself.

  “What have you two been doing today?” I asked.

  “I’ve been winning at the slot machines and Jack’s been losing at the blackjack table,” Emily said as she sat next to me.

  “Sounds like Liza and me,” Tom told them.

  “Are you going to be playing bingo at four?” Emily asked me.

  I looked at Tom and he shrugged.

  “Sure, I love bingo.”

  “Me, too,” Emily said.

  “You want to join me in the casino, Tom? They’re having a blackjack tournament. Maybe we can pick up some pointers.”

  Tom looked at me.

  I shrugged. “Go ahead. Bingo takes about an hour, how long is the tournament?”

  “Two hours but I don’t think I can stand there and watch someone else play for that long,” Jack said.

  “Me, either,” Tom agreed. “I’ll come to the Carousel Room and find you.”

  “Okay.” Emily and I went in search of bingo.

  We took the elevator up and found seats. A crew member came over to sell us our bingo cards.

  “I’ll get yours, Emily.”

  “No, I can buy my own.”

  “You paid for my spa treatment, it’s the least I can do.”

  “Thanks,” she said.

  A few minutes later a waiter came over. “Have a drink of the day, Liza. My treat.”

  “I’m not much of a drinker.”

  “It’s just one and they’re not very strong.”

  “Okay.”

  Emily said, “We’ll both have a Mexicali Rose, but put hers in a souvenir glass. I already got one yesterday.”

  My Mexicali Rose was twice the size of Emily’s. The glass was a clear red plastic tumbler with roses etched on the sides. The drink smelled like strawberries, but it burned all the way down.

  I felt the alcohol after just a few sips. We played several games of bingo on the same cards, pushing the tabs in and out.

  Three kids were running up and down the aisle. I wanted to yell at them to sit down, but controlled myself. Emily didn’t seem to notice them, so I didn’t point them out. Teachers hate running children.

  On the next game, I came within one number of winning and yelled at the caller, “Come on, Rita. That’s a lousy number. Pick something in the B-row.”

  Then she called, “O-75.”

  And the lady three rows in front shouted, “Bingo!”

  “Damn,” I said to Emily. “I was so close.”

  “Closer than me,” Emily exclaimed. “I barely got six numbers on the whole damn set of cards.”

  On the next game you had to cover the four corners to win. Emily was close after only five numbers were called. I yelled and hollered for her and completely ignored my own card.

  Every time they’d call a number, I’d yell, “Come on, Rita!”

  “Liza, don’t you have a bingo?” Emily tapped my card.

  “I don’t know. I’m watching yours.”

  “Well, I think you’ve got one,” her voice elevated on the last three words.

  My head was swimming from the drink and focusing was becoming difficult. I looked at my card and squinted toward the large board in the front of the room.

  Emily grabbed my card, punched the four corners and yelled, “Bingo!” and handed me the card.

  I jumped up and screamed, “Bingo!”

  The crewman came over, checked my card, and handed me a hundred and fifty dollars.

  “There’s only one game left, Liza,” Emily said. “You better finish your drink, so you can take the glass back to your room.”

  I finished it while we were waiting for the next game.

  “What about another?” Emily said.

  “Oh no, I think I’ve had enough.” I’m not a drinker, so the alcohol affected me more than I thought it should. I could barely see the little numbers on the cards now.

  We sat through the last game, losers, and when bingo was over, Tom hadn’t returned.

  “Let’s take a walk down to the Casino. Maybe the guys got involved in the game and lost track of time,” Emily suggested.

  “Won’t Tom be surprised with my winnings?”

  “Today’s your lucky day.”

  “Yeah, I should try my luck at the slot machines.” I stuffed the wad of bills into my pocket.

  We left the Carousel Room and stood at the elevator for several minutes.

  “I didn’t exercise this morning,” Emily said.

  “Me neither,” I said. “It’s only two flights down. Let’s take the stairs.

  “Great idea, but let’s walk outside. It’s too cold in here.”

  “It’s the air conditioning. They always have it on too high.”

  We walked out onto the deck. The weather was warm, with just a slight breeze. The only thing I could see was water, not a speck of land in sight. I glanced up and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my face.

  As I stood on the top step, my feet suddenly slid forward and I went tumbling. I frantically grabbed for the handrail, but it slipped through my hands.

  I heard Emily scream, “Liza!”

  Chapter 20

  Someone grabbed my arm and yanked me back up toward the top of the steps.

  “Easy, Liza, I’ve got you.” Brian put his other arm under mine and lifted me up.

  “Are you all right, Liza?” Emily ran forward.

  I finally got my footing and said, “Yes, I’m fine. What’s on that floor?”

  “It looks like someone spilled a drink and didn’t bother to tell anyone,” he said.

  “Thanks for catching me, Brian.” I grabbed the stair railing.

  He nodded and let go.

  I took a step and my feet slid, again.

  Brian caught me and said, “Maybe I better walk you back to your room. You seem a little unsteady.”

  “I bought her a super daily special,” Emily confessed.

  Brian frowned, then lifted me up again. “Let’s go, Liza.”

  I turned to Emily. “Don’t say anything to Tom, he thinks I’m a klutz already.”

  She laughed. “I’ll just tell him you went back to the room.”

  “Thanks.”

  Emily went off to find Jack and Tom, while Brian walked me to my room.

  I handed Brian my card and he opened the door, walked me into the room and over to the couch. He scanned the room.

  I laughed.

  “What?” he said.

  “You do the same thing Tom does when he goes into any room.”

  “What?”

  “He examines every inch of the place. I don’t know what he’s looking for but he always does it.” I tried to sit up, but fell back again. “What did you say you did again?”

  “I’m an insurance salesman.”

  “You should have been a cop,” I told him.

  He smiled just as Tom strolled through the door.

  Brian jumped and reached to his ankle. Now, that’s a move I’d certainly seen before.

  Tom looked from me to Brian and then back to me. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I stood up slowly, steadying myself. “I’m going to the bathroom. Say hello to Brian or whatever the hell his name is. Find out which law enforcement agency he works for?”

  “What?” they both said in unison.

  “Yes, he’s definitely a cop,” I insisted.

  I went into the bathroom, stripped down, and climbed into the shower. Usually I like a very hot shower, but this time I turned it on as cold as I could stand it and let the water beat down on me.

  Finally my head started to clear and I could think straight again. I toweled off and dressed. When I came out Brian and Tom sat on the couch.

  “So is Brian y
our real name?” I asked.

  “Of course,” he said, adding an emphatic nod to the statement.

  “He’s not a cop, Liza.” Tom said.

  They’re both lying to me and I hate that, I thought. They want to play dirty and so can I, and I know exactly what to do.

  I smiled and said, “If you’re going to start lying to me, Tom Owens, I’m going to take my chocolate melting cake to Dorian’s room.”

  Tom looked at Brian. I could see the fear in his eyes. Sometimes power was a good thing.

  I sat on the bed since my feet were still a little unsteady. It was hard to make ultimatums when you were slightly smashed. “I’d say FBI, though you could be a U. S. Marshal.” I looked over at Tom. “Don’t they deal with witness protection?”

  He frowned. I ignored him.

  “So let me just ask – why are the cops shacking up with Carmelita?” He started to speak, but I put my hand up, “If you tell me you’re on vacation, I’m going to tell everyone you’re a cop, starting with Carmelita and all the way down to Dorian’s little playmates.”

  Brian frowned and glared at Tom.

  Tom shrugged. “I told you she wouldn’t believe you were an insurance salesman.”

  Brian looked at me. “I’m on a case.”

  “Now there’s a revelation.” I laughed. “What case?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say.” He headed toward the door.

  “Fine. Call your superiors, tell them your cover’s blown and they should just let you enjoy the rest of your vacation.”

  “You can’t do that.” Brian turned around and put his hands on his hips.

  “Yes, I can and I will,” I said. When he started to object, I glared at him. “You either tell me what’s going on or kiss your cover goodbye!”

  “Liza,” Tom said. “He can’t tell you.”

  “Is he the one who stole my pictures?” I asked.

  “What pictures?” Brian asked.

  “The ones…” Tom started to speak, but I interrupted him.

  “Oh no, if he doesn’t have to talk to me, we’re not telling him anything either.”

  Brian glowered at Tom.

  Tom glanced toward me.

  “Chocolate melting cake, Tom.” I picked up an imaginary spoon. “Spoonful by spoonful and you won’t be there to finish it.”

  Tom stood up. “Stop that, Liza,” he said. He turned to Brian, “Tell the woman what’s going on.”

  Brian’s frown deepened. He did not want to share anything.

  “Oh brother, let me start for you,” I began. “Adam Sherman wasn’t his real name. His name was Garrett Reinhold. He saw or was involved in something that entitled him to the lovely experience of witness protection, although it didn’t work very well. He’s dead and so is his wife.”

  Brian shook his head. “It wasn’t our fault.”

  “Yeah, well, he’s still dead. And I figure my parents were involved, too.”

  Both Tom and Brian eyes widened.

  “Yeah, well. I’m not stupid. My parents left Texas the same time Adam — or Garrett, whatever you want to call him —, did. My parents refused witness protection but they got killed, anyway.”

  Brian sighed and looked at Tom. “Smart woman.”

  Tom sat back down on the couch and exhaled noisily. “You have no idea.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell you what I know, but can I ask a few questions first?”

  I shrugged. “Sure.”

  “What pictures?”

  “I had some pictures my mom took on their cruises with various people. The first set was taken in Long Beach. The duplicates were taken from our safe, here.”

  “Someone got into your room and the safe?”

  “Yes,” Tom said. “I’ve already talked to the purser and security people. They say it’s impossible.”

  “Okay. The person you have searching at home. They found Garrett?”

  I walked over and slugged him in the arm.

  He lurched back and Tom jumped up.

  “Liza!” Tom said.

  “What was that for?” Brian snapped and rubbed his arm.

  “For grabbing me and scaring the hell out of me in the casino.” I glared at him.

  Tom turned his attention to Brian. His eyes narrowed and he scowled. “I don’t take kindly to people threatening her.”

  Brian put his hands up, more in defense against Tom than me. “Easy, Tom. It was just a warning.”

  “Next time you want to warn her, pick up the phone and call me!” Tom growled.

  I put my hand on Tom’s arm and kissed him on the cheek. “My protector.”

  Tom rolled his eyes at me, but it broke the tension in the room.

  “By the way, your guy at home is very good,” Brian said. “They bury the links to the witnesses very well, but he found them.”

  “I’ll tell him you said so. So are you FBI or a US Marshal?”

  “I’m with the FBI. The Marshals take care of the witnesses when they’re alive, during the cases and even after they’re placed in new cities. We take over if they are killed.”

  “So tell me what you do know.” I sat down on the bed. “And start at the beginning, start in Texas.”

  “Okay, you’re right about Garrett and your parents. Garrett, his wife, Sarah, your mom and dad were friends.”

  “I assumed that,” I retorted.

  “Let the man tell his story, Liza,” Tom replied patiently.

  I frowned. “Okay.”

  “One day, your family and Garrett and his wife went out on a lake near your home. They’d rented a party boat. The story goes that your dad wanted to try fishing.”

  “My dad always tried to fish. He hardly ever caught anything and when he did, he always threw them back.”

  Brian nodded.

  Tom came over and sat down next to me. He put his hand on my leg.

  I looked up at him and he smiled.

  Brian continued, “They anchored the boat in a small cove and your dad and Garrett hiked over a hill and into a secluded lagoon to fish. You, your sister, your mom, and Garrett’s wife stayed on the boat.”

  “Wait.” I held up my hand. “My sister and I were with them?”

  “Yes.”

  Tom squeezed my leg. “Let the man talk, Liza. You can ask questions later,” he turned to Brian, “right?”

  “Sure.” He nodded, then continued, “Your dad and Garrett walked right into an execution. Johnny Detelli was, and actually is, a crime boss in Texas. He never did the dirty work himself, not ever, until that day, he was so mad at his newest son-in-law he took out a pistol and shot him in the head. Your dad and Garrett saw him. And unfortunately, they were also seen. They ran back to the boat.”

  Tom’s cell phone rang. He picked it up.

  Brian frowned.

  “It’s Ju…,” Tom started but caught himself, “it’s your sidekick.”

  I took the phone. “Yes?”

  “Hey, teach, I found something!” his voice rose and he sounded excited.

  “A boating accident with my family’s name attached to it?”

  “Yes, how’d you know?” his voice flattened out.

  “I’ll call and tell you later.”

  “Why? Can’t you talk now?”

  “No.”

  “Ah, the cops?” Justin’s voice elevated and I was sure he was smiling.

  “Worse.” I told him.

  “Oh, no, the Feds?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s okay, they can’t trace this call. I always bounce my signal several times before it connects to you.”

  “Smart.”

  “Call me later, teach.”

  “I will.” I hung up the phone and handed it to Tom.

  Brian looked at me. “He found the boating accident?”

  “Yes,” I agreed, working hard to keep my pride from showing. Justin was a computer genius.

  “Damn, he’s good. We played the accident up big in all the papers, but left off the names. I thought we’d cl
osed all the loopholes. Do you think he’d want a job?”

  “Maybe.” I could have added when he finished high school, but decided to just keep that information to myself.

  “So anyway, Detelli chased them. The party boat was no match for his speedboat, but your dad was smart. He set you and your sister, your mom and Garrett’s wife into the water before leaving the cove. There weren’t enough life preservers, so your mom and Sarah put them on and they held you and your sister. Your dad told them not to get out of the water. He was afraid if something happened to him and Garrett, the killers would search out the shoreline and find you. He and Garrett took off in the boat and the speedboat followed.”

  “Where were they headed?” Tom leaned forward toward Brian, clearly interested in the story.

  “They were trying to get to the Marina, but never made it. As the speedboat got closer, your dad rigged the steering wheel so the boat would keep going straight, and he and Garrett slipped over the side opposite to Detelli’s boat. As soon as Detelli’s men were close enough, they started shooting and hit the propane tank on the party boat. It exploded and the party boat sank.”

  “Her dad and Garrett played it off as if they’d been killed?” Tom asked.

  Brian nodded. “Detelli’s men continued to search around the wreckage and on the shore, so your dad and Garret stayed away from land, but made their way toward the marina.

  I thought about my water phobia. “How long were we in the water?”

  “By the time the local cops arrived and then the FBI, you’d been in the water over five hours. We found your dad and Garrett first. They came to shore near the marina and were hiding in a group of trees. We sent them to the nearest hospital and searched for the rest of you. That lake’s big and your mom did exactly what your dad had said, she’d kept the four of you in the water, continually moving, keeping the shore in sight but never went close to it. It’s a good thing too, because we learned later that Detelli did go looking for you, even though he knew you hadn’t seen anything. He’s thorough that way and never leaves any witnesses.”

  “How long did the search go on?” Tom asked.

  “We searched for almost sixteen hours. Your mom saw our lights a few times but hid in some plants by the shore. We had our sirens going and called out to them, but she wouldn’t answer. Your dad had recognized Detelli from a case he’d worked and knew how powerful he was. Before he left your mom, he told her not to trust anyone, especially the police.”