“You go on ahead. I’ll join you in a few minutes,” said another man.
“Who’s this?” grated a third fellow’s voice.
“Cutter is my cousin. Cutter, this is Wake Hollander. Wake and I have some business to finish.”
“Sure, Evan. Is this business that pertains to me?” Cutter’s nasal voice inquired.
“Wouldn’t I tell you if it did? Wait in the lab. I’ll be right there.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll stand my ground.”
“Suit yourself. Wake, I told you, the shipment was delayed. It should be in early next week.”
“I paid you to have it ready today.”
“I can’t control what happens on the other side. You’ll have to be patient.”
“Be patient, my ass. My sponsor is expecting them tonight.”
“Look, I’ll throw in some extras. I’ve got an Anegada Island iguana coming in. Should be some new macaws, too. You tell him he can have his choice.”
“No way. We had a deal. You don’t deliver on time, you don’t keep the cash, buddy.”
“What is this?” Cutter broke in. “Listen, cuz, you told me you’d finished with this stuff.”
Marla crept closer to where she could discern their outlines through the trees. Squinting, she wished her vision allowed her to see more clearly. Maybe it was time to visit the eye doctor. Beside Cutter stood a brawny fellow. Together they faced a shorter, wiry figure.
“I have your parakeets, Wake,” said Cutter’s cousin. “I promise I’ll call you as soon as our other shipment comes in. It’s not my fault. I’ve always been reliable, you know that.”
The short man clenched his fists. “I’ll discuss it with Tiger. We’ll get back to you.” Abruptly, he turned on his heel and left.
Afraid he’d come in her direction toward the exit, Marla slinked back against a prickly tree trunk. Instead, he walked the opposite way, making her think there must be another entrance to the property. That made sense, especially if the rancher lived here. He’d want to drive up to his house. Did this place belong to Cutter’s cousin?
“You’d better not mess up our project,” Cutter warned the man named Evan when they were left alone.
“Don’t worry. I can handle those guys.”
“You’re risking our enterprise by screwing with Tiger. If he decides you’re a liability-”
“He won’t. I’m his main supplier. He won’t cut off the hand that feeds him. Now follow me to the lab. The results of our latest tests are exciting.”
“You’re able to proceed without Verkovich?”
A heavy sigh. “It’s necessary. Have you had any success tracking our friend?”
“Nope, but I have in mind someone who might lead us to him.”
As they strode away, Marla strained to hear more, but she couldn’t make out their words. Darn! She sidestepped along the path, intending to trail them, when she stepped on a particularly large twig. A loud crack made the two men glance over their shoulders. Marla froze, praying she blended in with her surroundings. After a moment suspended in time, they shrugged and resumed their pace.
She watched a lizard scurry up a papaya tree, waiting until the coast was clear before she proceeded after her quarry. She came upon a few buildings that looked like work sheds. Peacocks strutted across the grass, eyeing her warily. Rounding a corner, she stopped, confused. The two men were nowhere in sight.
She stepped onto a concrete path and entered an alley between huge wire enclosures. Each mesh cell was labeled and appropriately designed for its occupants, with rocky prominences and tropical foliage. But this was no zoo, and Marla wondered at its purpose.
Her nostrils wrinkled as she stepped carefully around a splotch of bird droppings. The stench reminded her of dead lizards she sometimes found at home. Curiosity compelled her to peer into some of the enclosures. At least the labels helped to identify the residents. Two red-tailed hawks kept each other company next to a cage harboring prairie owls. A Mississippi kite, with a gray body and black tail, gave a high, keening cry. Marla hoped its noise wouldn’t draw attention. Osprey, eagles, and a collection of vultures stared at her as though they knew she was an intruder.
Were these creatures for sale, or were they part of a private collection?
The air grew hot and still. Just as she considered clapping a hand over her nose to filter out the odor of death, someone else did it for her.
“Whaddya doin’ here?” hissed a male voice in her ear, a strong hand clamping over her mouth. When she mumbled between his fingers, he transferred his grip to her shoulder. Turning her around, he maintained hold of her arm while giving her the once-over.
Marla swallowed as she faced what appeared to be a thoroughly disreputable character. Hunched over with a twisted spine, the man stank worse than their surroundings and looked as if he’d been groveling in the dirt. Torn jeans covered mud-splattered boots. A ratty T-shirt hung over his beer belly. Much of his face was hidden by a scruffy black beard, but it didn’t distract from the man’s bulbous nose or his sharp gaze. He licked his lips, waiting for her answer.
She swiped her mouth where he’d touched her. “Uh, I…had some trouble with my car and was looking for help.” Her excuse sounded feeble even to her own ears. She glanced at his hairy arm. “Please let me go. I’ll just head back to Flamingo Gardens and call the motor club from there.”
“No, ya won’t, missy. My boss will wanna see ya.” His grip tightened. “This way.”
“Wait!” Panic flared at the thought of Cutter finding her here.
“My friends know where I was headed. They’ll be looking for me.”
He halted, squeezing her arm painfully as he drew her close enough to smell his sweat. His gaze flickered downward, resting on her bosom. “I think you’re lying. You behave, or it’ll go the worse for ya.”
“You’re making a mistake!”
She struggled futilely as he shoved her toward a pair of double wood doors with chipped, peeling paint. Swinging one open, he pushed her inside a dank, dark room. “Mr. Fargutt will decide what to do with ya. When he’s done, maybe he’ll give ya to me. He knows ole Jimbo is hunkerin’ for a woman.”
Slam went the door, followed by the thud of a bolt sliding into place.
Marla whirled around. She faced a small space with a dim light-bulb overhead. Her gaze fell to the wall where a series of glass tanks were filled with branches, leaves, and rocks. And something else. A long black snake slowly uncoiled.
“Yikes! I’m outta here, pal.”
The next instant found her shoving open the double doors at the other end of her cell. She pushed outside into moisture-laden air that smelled like dung. Glancing around, she noted with dismay that the entire area was enclosed by heavy wire mesh. Great, she’d landed in an aviary, trapped like a bird.
Mashing a mosquito that considered her arm to be a handy ledge, she stepped forward onto sandy ground. The sound of water slipping over rocks reached her ears as she strode forward through a swampy preserve. Ducks held a quacking competition that increased in volume as she passed by. She spied a yellow-crowned night heron beside a cluster of spiky sawgrass. Other birds sat with their beaks tucked into their feathers like silent guards, watchful and wary. Brightly colored creatures flashed overhead among tree branches that veiled them from clear view. Ahead on her path, a dirt-covered turtle lumbered across the sand as though its life were a burden too heavy to bear. Or maybe she was projecting her own feelings onto her cell mate. Crossing a slippery wooden bridge, she cursed when something splattered onto her hair. Dammit, just what she needed: bird poop on her head.
There had to be a way out of this place. Schmuck. You shouldn’t have left your cell phone in the car. You could have called for help. Ma would worry when she didn’t arrive for dinner, but that might be too late. With no way to summon friends, she’d have to escape on her own. If only I’d brought a pair of wire cutters! she, thought, mentally reviewing the contents of her purse. Nothing useful in there.
Quickening her pace, she decided to prowl the edge of the screening. Maybe she could pry a section loose from the ground.
Brushing through a clump of bamboo creaking in the breeze, she encountered a cobweb that imparted a sticky residue on her skin. With a cry of disgust, she scraped it off. Never mind; just hurry. Twigs and other debris stuck to her sweater, while her neck dripped rivulets of sweat. Ducking her head, she aimed for a clearing beyond a cluster of tall green fronds with jagged edges. A branch caught her hair, tearing at her roots. Tears wet her lashes as she yanked herself free, leaving behind a few strands as she sprang forward.
Crouching at the perimeter, she used a stick to clear away a mound of yellow feathers at a point where the mesh wire didn’t quite seem to touch the ground. Sure enough, a small gap was just large enough to slide her hand underneath.
Retreating, she cried out when the protruding wire gashed her wrist. Blood welled while she fumbled awkwardly in her purse for some tissues. She didn’t have time to apply pressure. Giving up the effort, she grabbed a rock and began digging. Time flew by while she labored, her breath coming in short bursts, perspiration dripping down her face and blinding her eyes. In desperation, she held the rock in both hands and banged at the screen. Her heart leapt in joy when it bent outward. Between pounding and digging, she finally created a hole big enough to slip through. She barely scraped past the barrier, ignoring abrasions on her skin and broken fingernails.
Exhausted, she lay prone on the other side, mindless of the insects crawling inches from her nose. Get out of here, an inner voice prodded. Her muscles quivered, resisting her mental order. She felt as if all the adrenaline had drained from her body. They could still find you. Move!
Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to her feet. Her vision narrowed, and her head swam dizzily. Hunger pangs struck, nauseating in their intensity. All that effort had required extra fuel. She lifted her purse from the ground and rummaged a shaky hand inside. A moment later, she’d stuffed a Lifesaver into her dry mouth. Those things had a literal meaning, she thought wryly as she headed for the entrance.
Hoping her car would still be where she’d left it, she limped down the dirt road. She hadn’t gone far when a human cry of outrage reached her ears. They must’ve discovered her absence. Fear gave her the impetus she needed to charge ahead until her Toyota came into view. Refuge, at last. She dove inside, slamming down the locks before sticking the key in the ignition.
Trembling from head to foot, she didn’t allow herself the luxury of rest. Her pursuers might come after her. She drove off without another minute’s hesitation.
Taking her cell phone from its charger, she dialed her mother’s house. Her hand shook so badly, it took her several tries to punch the numbers. “Hi, Ma. I’m running late, but I’m on my way. Don’t get upset when you see me. I can explain.”
Right. How will I tell her why I’m bleeding, covered in dirt, and stink like an unkempt zoo?
After she got cleaned up, she’d be able to think more clearly. A calm, orderly dinner would be balm for her wounds.
Or not.
“What in heaven’s name happened to you?” Anita demanded upon opening her front door.
“I’ll tell you as soon as I get washed.” Utterly fatigued, she dragged herself across the threshold.
“Use my bathroom. I’ll get you some clean clothes.”
“Something that fits, I hope,” Marla muttered, watching her mother’s petite figure disappear down the hall. Stopping in the kitchen to get a glass of water, she paused when she heard voices coming from the living room. Oh no! She’d forgotten Ma had invited Roger and Barry for Shabbat dinner.
Her attempt to slink by them unnoticed failed. “Good God, woman, were you in an accident? You’re a wreck,” Roger stated bluntly, shoving his large bulk from a chair. Marla noticed he’d been enjoying the appetizers. Only one cracker remained on the chopped-liver platter, and the herring dish was empty.
Barry jumped to his feet. “Can I help? Do you need to lie down?” His ocean blue eyes reflected astonishment mixed with concern.
“I’ll be fine once I wash away this filth. Go ahead and start the meal without me,” she urged her mother when Anita returned with a towel and washcloth.
“I hung your suit in the bathroom. You gave it to me for our Hadassah chapter rummage sale, but I’m sure you can squeeze one more use out of it. You can’t go to services wearing pants.”
Her scowl of disapproval got on Marla’s nerves. “I would have gone home and changed if I hadn’t gotten locked in that aviary. There’s probably bird glop in my hair. I’m lucky I got out, or I would have ended up as feed for their next meal.”
“What aviary?” Anita asked with a worried frown. “I hope another killer wasn’t chasing after you again.”
“Again?” Barry queried, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s a long story.” Marla trudged toward the lavatory, looking forward to a quick shower. As she soaked away her fears along with the grime, she said a silent prayer of thanks for her narrow escape.
“Your mother says you need to settle down,” Roger said when Marla joined them at the dining table. “She’s told us all about your encounters with criminals. It’s her opinion that if you had a husband, you wouldn’t go chasing around town looking for excitement. You’d find it home in bed.” He guffawed loudly, patting his belly.
Her scornful gaze swept over the paper napkin he’d tucked into the collar of his blue shirt under a lemon yellow sport coat. The latter looked about to burst its button over his girth. You’d think his son would have told him to wear something other than dark green pants with that yellow shirt, she thought with an inner shudder. His colorful outfits reminded her of the parakeets in the aviary.
“My mother thinks she knows what’s best for me, but she isn’t always right.” Unable to suppress her hunger, Marla helped herself to a few slices of roasted chicken, a heaping spoonful of kasha varnishkes, some tzimmes, and green beans with pimento. Breaking off a piece of challah, she said a quick Hamotzi prayer followed by the Kiddush for her kosher wine.
“So tell us why you showed up looking like a schlepper,” Barry said, his eyes twinkling.
“Ma already told you,” she answered blithely. “I’m tracking another criminal, maybe more than one. They caught me snooping, but I got free.”
“Aren’t you concerned about the danger?” His handsome face sobered. “If they know who you are, they could come after you again. Shouldn’t you let the police handle things?”
“My neighbor Goat is missing.” She regarded him beyond the burning Shabbat candles. “The detective believes Goat may have murdered a man found in his house. I think Goat was a witness and is hiding from the real killers.”
“So why is it your responsibility?”
“It’s not; I just want to help a friend.”
If that ranch hand, Jimbo, described her to Evan or Cutter, she could become their next target. That is, if she wasn’t already singled out by virtue of being a former member of Cutter’s class.
As Ma would say, az me shloft mit hint shtait men oif mit flai. If you lie down with the dogs, you get up with the fleas.
It was a chance she was willing to take.
Chapter Seven
“Do you see any possibilities with Barry?” Tally asked Marla after they were seated at Legal Sea Foods in the Oasis at Sawgrass Mills. There had been a short wait for a table, unlike the crowds at the Cheesecake Factory or Wolfgang Puck. Saturday night was bound to be busy anywhere in Broward, but with the cinema here, shoppers competed with moviegoers for restaurant tables.
“I like him. He’s good-looking, quiet in a dependable sort of way, and sincere. It’s his father who I can’t stand.”
“That your mom’s problem.”
“Roger does seem devoted to her. I wonder what would happen if I fixed Ma up with someone else?”
Tally laughed. “That would be a switch!”
“I know Ma approves of Barry. Here I thought
she had begun to accept Dalton. I guess deep down she still wants me to marry a nice Jewish boy.” Her ex-spouse, Stan, didn’t count. While he qualified by being Jewish and a lawyer, he wasn’t nice in any sense of the word.
“Barry is an optometrist, and he’s never been married. That makes him a good catch,” Tally said, tucking a stray blond hair into her French twist.
“Whose side are you on?”
Tally tilted her head. She looked svelte in an ankle-length flowered dress with a cranberry sweater tied stylishly around her neck.
“Well, you told me you were mad at Dalton because he’s too strict with Brianna, and he wouldn’t listen to your advice. Children won’t be an issue if you go out with Barry.”
Marla shifted in her seat, tugging at her long black skirt. It had felt oddly comfortable to sit next to Barry at services last night, chanting hymns and reciting verses in unison. His broad-shouldered figure beside hers seemed to belong there. He’d looked debonair in a navy sport coat that brought out the deep hue of his eyes, and often she caught him glancing at her. His interest made her feel softly feminine.
Or maybe she’d just been grateful to the Almighty for sparing her harm, and her sensitivities were on overdrive.
“Let’s change the subject,” she said to Tally. “I went to the Sunrise Academy of Beauty to look up those names Giorgio had given me.” She paused to sip from her glass of chilled chardonnay. “Remember how he mentioned Louise Cunningham was a hit-and-run victim? Another stylist drowned last month. Her name was Eileen McFee. They were both in my class taught by Cutter Corrigan.”
“Interesting.” Tally watched her expectantly.
“Yani Verkovich was Cutter’s client. Yani’s body was found in Goat’s house, and Goat is missing. Along with his pet snake, I might add.” She shut her eyes, remembering the snakes at Evan Fargutt’s ranch. It might be wise to take Spooks out on his leash for the next few days, rather than let him run loose in her fenced backyard.
“Are you okay?”
She snapped her eyes open at her friend’s solicitous tone. “I’m not done. I decided to ask Cutter about my classmates, but he was just leaving when I reached his salon. I followed him to a ranch owned by his cousin, Evan. From what I could gather, Evan breeds exotic birds. He probably sells them to pet stores or local tourist attractions. Evan was arguing with some guy named Wake Hollander about a delayed shipment.”
Highlights to Heaven Page 7
