by Connie Mann
“I’m sorry, Officer Stanton, but I cannot continue to do this.”
Her stiff tone startled Nick. Someone must be listening. “No, ma’am. I wouldn’t expect you to. But I’m trying to locate a missing teenager, and she just called from this number. I need to find her. I believe her life is in grave danger.”
A pause. “Well, then. Just one moment.” Nick heard her fingers flying over the keyboard. “Here is the current location. Though it seems to be moving west-northwest.”
“Thanks so much, Eloise. I definitely owe you. I need to go rescue this young lady.”
“Let me know she’s all right, would you?”
He smiled. “You bet.”
Behind him, JD hurried out of the men’s room, a woman’s beach cover-up flowing to the floor. Nick hid a smile at JD’s red cheeks, especially when Wanda took one look at him and declared him “beautiful.”
“Cut it out, Wanda. I feel ridiculous.”
Nick studied the blonde wig, baseball cap, and dark sunglasses. “That’ll work. The hat will keep the wig from flying off. You have your weapon?” He nodded to the straw tote bag slung over JD’s shoulder.
JD nodded, suddenly serious. “Yes. And an extra clip. Plus a spare gun in an ankle holster.”
“Then let’s go.” Nick led the way, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, plaid shorts, a fisherman’s hat that covered most of his face, and a cheap pair of sunglasses. It wasn’t much of a disguise. But he hoped it would be enough to get them close to Garcia’s boat.
Cat didn’t have to wait long to see if her plan worked. Several minutes later, Manuel opened the door, her violin case in one hand and a bunch of clothes in the other. “Let’s go.” He indicated the door.
She froze. “Go where?”
“Mr. Garcia wants you to take a shower, then put that dress on and play for him.” He nodded toward the clothes he’d dumped on the bed, then grabbed her arm and marched her down the interior hallway.
“I’m not showering. Not with you there.” She made sure her voice was loud, in case Blaze could hear her.
“Too bad. Orders are orders.” He stopped at another stateroom and walked her through to the bathroom. “You can do it yourself or I can do it for you.” He leered at her. “Your choice.”
Cat decided not to bait him. She nodded and walked into the room.
“Just so you know. There’s no way out of there, except past me.”
Cat nodded and closed the door in his face, relieved when it locked. She took the world’s fastest shower, not wanting to be caught in such a vulnerable position. She quickly dried off and put her stinky clothes back on, then let the goon lead her back toward her stateroom.
“Don’t worry, Blaze! We’re going to get out of here!” she yelled and got backhanded across her cheek for her trouble.
“Shut up,” Manuel muttered, shoving her into the room. He slammed the door, and Cat leaned against it, heart pounding, cheek throbbing, until she heard his footsteps retreat.
She grabbed the clothing that had been left, scowling at the scanty underwear and slinky red dress, but put them on anyway. Now was not the time to show weakness.
As soon as she had the outfit on, she combed her hair and used the hair products and makeup.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled her violin out of the case and walked over to the porthole. Then, with apologies to her late mother, she started playing one of her favorite pieces, Charlie Daniels’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Not only did the lively piece give her courage, but she figured Blaze would hear it, too. And since Garcia wanted her to play for him, hearing it might get her out of this room sooner. But most important, when Nick arrived—and she had no doubt he would—it would be easier for him to find them.
Chapter 34
When they reached the Safe Harbor Marina, Sal had a skiff gassed up and waiting for them. He glanced at JD’s disguise and Nick’s shirt, eyebrows raised. “You think this is going to work?”
“We think so, yes.”
“Bring my girls home, Nick.” Sal’s expression showed his fear.
Nick understood. He was battling his own. “I plan to.” He glanced at the house. “You keep Mama Rosa from worrying, OK?”
Nick’s cell phone rang. Wang. “You get those coordinates yet?”
Wang rattled them off. “I’m heading there now. Do you have a plan?”
“I do. You’ll have to trust me.”
“Get her out of there, Stanton.”
Nick didn’t answer, just hung up and turned to JD. “Ready, Sally?”
He grinned, batted his eyelashes. “Ready, darling.”
Nick burst out laughing, as did JD, dispelling some of the tension. “Let’s get out there, then. It’s showtime.”
Blaze had her ear pressed to the wall, listening. Things were starting to happen, she could feel it. Cat had been yelling, and it sounded like she got slapped. Blaze hoped she wasn’t hurt badly.
The door to her room suddenly opened, and the same guy walked in and dumped some clothes on the bed.
“Get dressed. Mr. Garcia wants you on deck in five minutes.”
He closed the door, and Blaze picked up the clothes, wincing at what she saw. The whole outfit looked like it was bought at Hookers-R-Us. A thong, a teeny bra, and a blue slinky dress with a slit that would come almost to her hip. There was also a bag with makeup, deodorant, and a bunch of hair products.
She slipped into the dress, pretty sure Cat was going to be wearing something similar. Good thing there wasn’t a full-length mirror. She really didn’t want to know what she looked like. She decided not to think about what Garcia had planned, either, because that made her want to throw up. She had to stay focused and positive, ready to help Cat when the time came for them to escape. She didn’t figure leaping off a yacht would be a good idea, but she was game, if that’s what it took.
Nick would be here soon, too. She was counting on that. They just had to stay alive until then.
She struggled for calm as she paced the small room. This would all be over soon. Please, God.
Anxiety gnawed at Nick’s gut. He was sitting at the stern, hand on the tiller, as they raced across the choppy waters of the Gulf. JD sat on the wooden bench in front of him, wincing as they bounced along. “Sorry, JD. It’s windy today.”
Nick kept his head down, hat pulled low, chin strap in place so it wouldn’t blow off his head, gun at the ready. “Wang’s boat is still on course, right?”
“Yes. They’re approaching from the south. Going about the same speed we are. The yacht is still heading west-northwest.”
Nick and JD had left the marina and caught up to the yacht in the channel, staying a nice, unobtrusive distance behind them. Now, they were almost past the end of the channel, where the water was deeper. That’s where they’d make their move to intercept the yacht.
“Good. Once Wang is close enough to the port side, we’ll swing in from starboard. But first, we need to do a little acting. You ready?”
JD nodded, his back ramrod stiff, one hand holding the brim of the ball cap against the wind.
“I’m going to zip around the yacht like we’re going to pass, but then I’ll collapse. Ready?”
Keeping his back to Nick, JD trained his eyes on Wang’s boat. “They’re almost there. Closing fast. And . . . go.”
Nick made a show of clutching his chest and collapsing, just in case someone on the yacht was watching through binoculars. JD turned and grabbed the tiller, slowing the boat, then made a show of trying to do CPR on Nick.
After several minutes, Nick muttered, “Now,” and JD took the tiller and raced over to the yacht. Once he got close to it, he started waving his arms, calling for help in a terrible falsetto. Nick winced, hoping the wind would distort it enough so this would work.
Nick heard a Charlie Daniels tune and let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Cat was alive and playing her violin.
Fully in character, JD guided the skiff around to
the starboard side where a boarding ladder was secured, and kept calling, “Help! My husband has collapsed, help me! Please!”
One of Garcia’s men peeked over the side of the boat. “Go away.”
JD brought the skiff closer yet and grabbed the bottom of the ladder. “My husband. Please, we need help.”
“We don’t have a doctor. Go back to the mainland. We can’t help you.”
“He’ll die before then. Doesn’t anyone know CPR?”
The music stopped. “I know CPR. I can help.” Cat’s voice was loud and confident, and it turned Nick’s insides to ice. What was she doing?
He suddenly realized that she was trying to get them aboard. He moaned and clutched his heart, playing his part.
Before long, one of Garcia’s men climbed down the ladder and hopped into the boat. He slung Nick over his shoulder as though he weighed nothing and climbed back up.
Once he was on board, the man dumped him onto the teak deck. Nick’s moan was real this time. His eyes opened to the sound of two rifles, each chambering rounds.
Garcia stood over him, holding a cigar, smiling. “Welcome aboard, Officer Stanton.” He watched as JD was dumped on the ground beside him. “Who is your lady friend?”
One of Garcia’s men whipped off JD’s hat and wig. He heard a muffled gasp and glanced up to see Cat and Blaze huddled together, wearing dresses more suited to ladies of the night.
“Get their weapons,” Garcia said.
One of the men took Nick’s gun and the knife on his belt, and then took the secondary piece he had strapped to his ankle. Beside him, they did the same to JD. “Gentleman, please join us.” Garcia motioned toward the sectional sofa, where Wang already sat holding a drink, as though this were a social gathering.
Nick met Cat’s eyes. Are you OK?
She nodded.
He inclined his head at Blaze.
Cat nodded again. They were both fine.
There was a commotion near the boarding ladder, and suddenly Chief Monroe strode into the middle of the group, gun in each hand. “Police. Drop your weapons.”
Garcia laughed, and his men raised their rifles into position. Blaze moved closer to Cat, who whispered something in her ear.
Nick glanced over at Wang just in time to see a look pass between him and Chief Monroe. In that moment, one of his questions was answered. The two men were definitely working together.
Nick and JD exchanged a look, and Nick realized JD had seen it, too.
“You’re not listening, Garcia. Tell your men to stand down,” Monroe said.
As all eyes turned to Garcia, Nick and JD leaped up from the ground and lunged for Garcia’s men.
Chapter 35
Cat had been watching Nick. The second he started moving, she pulled Blaze behind her, grabbed her hand, and prepared to make a run for it. She had to get the girl belowdecks and out of sight.
A gun fired and Cat took off, Blaze right on her heels. She didn’t get far before Garcia lunged for her from out of nowhere. He grabbed her arm and yanked her back against him. Before Cat could react, he had his arm around her neck, a gun at her temple.
“Run, Blaze!”
Footsteps pounded on the teak flooring behind her, and she saw Blaze disappear down the aft stairs. Good girl.
“You’ll not escape me this time, Catharine,” Garcia muttered.
“That’s what you think.” She elbowed Garcia’s midsection with all her might, then spun hard to break his hold. While he gasped for air, she jumped out of reach and turned, kicking his gun from his hand and sending it clattering across the deck. She ran after it but glanced up just in time to see her uncle fire his weapon at Garcia.
At the same time, Cat saw red bloom on her uncle’s white shirt, the stain spreading as if in slow motion. She scooped up the gun and hurried over, saw him slump to the ground.
She heard another gunshot and glanced over her shoulder as Garcia collapsed on the ground.
Before she could figure out what to do next, Nick came flying at her and tackled her, shoving them both in the corner and covering her with his body.
Around them, more shots were fired, until finally everything went still.
Nick raised his head, gun in hand, and scanned the deck. “You OK?” he asked, but he didn’t look at her, just kept scanning the scene in front of them.
Her heart pounded, her breath coming in short gasps. “Yes. But we’ve got to stop meeting like this.”
He glanced down then, and that quick smile shot straight into her heart. “Don’t move. I mean it.”
He stood and slowly made his way to the first sprawled body, one of Garcia’s men. He carefully moved the weapon out of reach. Did the same for the second man.
“JD? You and Blaze OK?” His voice was quiet.
“We’re good.”
Cat let out the breath she’d been holding and eased to her feet.
Though he glared when he saw her get up, he didn’t say anything as he worked his way around the deck.
Cat hurried over to where her uncle lay on the white sofa and gasped at all the blood. She crouched down, checked his neck for a pulse, and sucked in a surprised breath when his eyes opened.
She looked around for a towel, saw one behind the bar, grabbed it, and pressed it to the wound in his chest. Behind her, she heard Nick talking to Florida Fish and Wildlife.
“I am not that easy to kill, Catharine,” he said, smiling.
“Shh, don’t talk. Help is on the way.”
She glanced over her shoulder, saw that Nick was trying to stop the bleeding in Chief Monroe’s chest, too. Garcia appeared to be dead, along with both of his men. She couldn’t find it in her heart to feel bad about that.
As far from the carnage as possible, JD had both arms around Blaze, keeping her back to the scene on deck. She had to admire the protective way he held her.
“I would not have let Garcia have you, Catharine.”
She snapped her eyes back to his, snorted. “Really? Because that’s not what you’ve been saying.”
“It was a test of your loyalty.”
Cat couldn’t believe her ears. This was some kind of crazy test? To what end? Before she could find words, he kept talking.
“I asked Nick to come rescue you. He is a good man, worthy. You are a daughter to me. You should have been mine. Be happy, Catharine.” His eyes slid closed, and for a moment, Cat thought he’d died. But his chest continued to move up and down.
Cat’s mind spun, trying to make sense of it all. Had he been in love with her mother? She couldn’t begin to process that right now.
After what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes, two Fish and Wildlife boats raced over. Two of the officers loaded Monroe and Wang into a boat and took off, while Nick and JD talked with the other FWC officers and the shaken captain and first mate, who had heard the gunshots but had not seen anything.
After Cat and Blaze had answered question upon question, Nick and JD finally took them back to the marina. The other bodies had been secured on the yacht as it headed for shore. The Fish and Wildlife vessel followed the yacht, which would be held as evidence.
Cat felt like she was watching everything happen from a distance. The only thing that seemed real was Nick’s hand holding tight to hers the whole ride to the marina.
When they arrived, Sal and Jesse were waiting on the dock, and she and Blaze found themselves hugged until they couldn’t breathe. Seeing tears run down Pop’s cheeks as he embraced them would stay with her for a long time.
As they walked up to the house, Cat slung an arm around Blaze’s shoulders. “You OK, kiddo?”
Blaze glanced back at JD, who gave her a shy smile as he lounged against Nick’s police SUV. She turned toward Cat, who raised an eyebrow. “What? He’s a nice guy.”
“He’s too old for you.” Cat heard the words and almost laughed at herself. When had she become parental sounding?
Blaze rolled her eyes, then said, “Thanks for coming to get me.” She l
ooked over her shoulder at Nick, walking behind them. “Both of you. I knew you would.”
Something in Cat’s heart shifted, clicked into place. What if she’d left? But she hadn’t. Today, she’d come through for the people she loved. That had to count for something. She pulled Blaze close for a hug, and for once, the teen didn’t pull away.
More tears and hugs from Mama Rosa and Sasha for all three of them. Finally Nick turned to Cat. “Walk me out?”
She nodded and followed him across the porch, aware that the whole family was watching. They walked halfway to his truck before he stopped and pulled her into his arms, kissing her with a desperation that fueled her own. She’d almost lost him today. Had almost lost Blaze, too. Might have, if not for him.
“You were a complete idiot going after Garcia on your own. But I love you,” he muttered.
She grinned against his lips and poured her love for him into the kiss. She loved him, too, without doubt or hesitation. But before she could work up the courage to tell him so, JD called, “Nick. We have to go.”
He pulled back. Slowly. Reluctantly. Then he tucked her hair behind her ears, and his eyes cruised over the skimpy red dress she wore, lingering on all the interesting places. “You are beautiful, and you were amazing today. Would you—”
“Nick. Hospital. Now,” JD said again.
“Hold that thought.” He leaned in for a quick, hard kiss, and then he was gone.
Chapter 36
The Following Week
“Come on, Blaze. You can do better than that. Hit me like you mean it,” Cat taunted. She and Blaze were facing each other, sparring in their favorite clearing, where Mama Rosa couldn’t see them and get upset. Sweat dripped into their eyes, and Cat’s muscles ached, but Blaze wasn’t ready to stop yet, so Cat wouldn’t, either. Blaze had asked Cat to teach her some basic capoeira moves, and Cat was making sure she kept her promise.
“You ready to call it a day?” Cat asked again a while later.
Blaze stopped, grinned. “Why, do you have a hot date?”
Cat smiled, raised an eyebrow. “As a matter of fact, I do, smarty-pants.”
