Bluewater Rendezvous: The Eighth Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Bluewater Thrillers Book 8)

by Charles Dougherty

  "All right. Well, thanks for calling, I guess. We'll stay in touch. I want to talk this over with Sharktooth before they get back."

  "Yeah, okay. Sorry to give you bad news. Call me if you think of anything they might be holding over your brother to make him back down."

  "Okay. Talk later." Dani disconnected the call and filled Sharktooth in.

  "Like fightin' a snake," he observed, after she finished. "All twistin' an' turnin' an' snappin'. Mus' cut off the head."

  "Guido Cappelletti?" Dani asked.

  "Mm-hmm. I t'ink so."

  "I don't know about you, but I think I need to spend 24 hours or so in Miami. Maybe sort out my brother for Luke, or something. We could visit Guido."

  "Mm-hmm. I got some unfinished work there, too. Mebbe we catch the same flight."

  "Let's pack. We'll get Liz to run us ashore as soon as they get back. The less time we have to discuss it with Angela and John the better."

  "My bag already packed. Jus' you bring it up wit' you," Sharktooth said. "I need to finish the chicken."

  Dani went below and tossed a few things in a small duffle bag. She grabbed Sharktooth's bag on her way up the companionway ladder. When she came back to the cockpit, Liz was bringing the dinghy alongside. Angela introduced John to Dani and Sharktooth as they came aboard Vengeance.

  "Nice to meet you, but we have to make a flight." Dani stammered a quick apology for their abrupt departure and climbed into the dinghy, Sharktooth on her heels. Liz took a moment to settle their guests, promising to return as soon as she dropped Dani and Sharktooth off.

  "What's going on?" she demanded, as soon as they were out of earshot of Vengeance.

  Dani gave her an abbreviated explanation of what had happened to the case against Andretti and Cappelletti.

  "I can guess that if Luke calls, I should tell him you had to fly out to Martinique for some family emergency," Liz said to Dani. "And what about you, Sharktooth?"

  "I missin' Maureen bad. Gone home to Dominica."

  "Okay. Sorry I'm going to miss the fun, but somebody has to keep an eye on things aboard Vengeance, I guess." Liz flipped her hand in a wave as they stepped ashore. "Call when you can," she yelled.

  Chapter 29

  It was after 9 p.m. when Dani parked the rental car at the public boat ramp on Watson Island near the turning basin for the Port of Miami. Sharktooth had arranged for someone to leave a dinghy there for their use.

  "He say leave the key over the sun visor," Sharktooth said. "He out there watchin', somewhere. I see the dinghy down by the ramp. He say call him when we leave Star Islan', an' he put the car in the grocery store lot on Collins Canal. We jus' leave dinghy there when we done."

  Two minutes later, they were motoring across the anchorage area off the Miami Yacht Club. At slow speed, the small outboard was as quiet as a whisper. Sharktooth was steering, and Dani was sorting through the zippered bag that hung under the dinghy's seat.

  "Two nine-millimeter Glocks with silencers," she said in a soft voice, "and two good commando knives. What's this?" She extended the pouch that she couldn't identify toward Sharktooth.

  "In case we need an explosion. Something new. Be careful. You hit wit' fist and start five-minute fuse. Blow like a few pounds of C-4."

  Dani nodded. She picked up the wetsuit that was folded in the bottom of the dinghy and held it up, checking the size. She slipped out of her shorts and shirt and put it on, leaving the zipper down the back open for ventilation.

  "Too bad you so white," Sharktooth said. "Mus' be hot."

  "Yes, well, we all have our crosses to bear," she said, smearing camouflage paint on her face.

  Sharktooth let the dinghy coast to a stop against the riprap that bordered the MacArthur Causeway. He wedged a short steel bar into one of the crevices between the rocks, tying the dinghy to it and shutting off the outboard. They were in the shadows, invisible to the people speeding past in automobiles a few feet away.

  They turned off their cellphones and put them in small waterproof bags. Sharktooth pocketed his, and Dani slipped hers into the front of her wetsuit. She reached over her shoulder, finding the lanyard for the zipper and pulling it up. She strapped the sheath of the commando knife to her right calf. Feeling around in the bottom of the dinghy, she picked up a pistol, which Sharktooth had put into a larger waterproof plastic bag.

  They slipped into the water and paddled away. Sharktooth was in the lead, since he had been to Cappelletti's house before. After a five-minute swim he turned, treading water, and pointed to a lighted dock a few meters away. Dani nodded, and Sharktooth took a deep breath and disappeared beneath the surface.

  Less than a minute later, Dani saw his hand extend over the edge of the dock, waving for her to approach. She scampered up one of the concrete pilings and rolled herself over the edge, keeping her body flat to the surface of the dock. She glanced around and spotted a sentry, sprawled on his back with a gaping wound across his throat. Then she realized from the size of the pool of blood that he wasn't a victim of Sharktooth. She looked at the big man and raised her eyebrows. He shrugged and turned his palms up.

  Dani nodded, and they crept up the dock. They moved from shadow to shadow until they reached the paved area that surrounded a big swimming pool. Sharktooth motioned for her to follow. He led her around the perimeter of the pool to the corner of the house. He ducked under a railing and slid onto the veranda on his belly. She followed, and they found another dead man, also with his throat cut. Sharktooth raised his head so that he could see the sliding glass door into Cappelletti's study. He noticed that the door was open about two feet.

  He slithered to where he could see in and motioned for Dani to follow. She moved up next to him and raised her head. Guido Cappelletti's body was seated in a swivel chair, facing them. Both knees were shattered and bloody. There was a red blossom on the starched white shirt that was stretched over his paunch. Two small black spots between his eyebrows trickled blood.

  "Too late," Dani whispered.

  Sharktooth nodded. He took out the explosive pouch and held it up, raising his eyebrows.

  Dani thought for a moment and shook her head. "No point; leave it for the cops to figure out. Let's go."

  Sharktooth nodded, and they retraced their steps to the dock. Dani froze as they approached the first body they had found. She put a hand out to stop Sharktooth and lay in the shadows, watching and listening for a full minute. She motioned for him to come to her.

  "Somebody was here since we left him. Footprints in the blood," she whispered, pointing out the trail of smudges that led to the edge of the dock.

  "Sloppy work," Sharktooth said. They dropped into the water and swam away.

  ****

  Liz was serving lunch for Angela and John when a water taxi drew alongside. Dani had called this morning as she was boarding her flight. Liz had told her that they were going to move to a mooring at Caneel Bay, St. John, to enjoy the scenery while they waited for her to return. Dani paid the operator and tossed her small duffle bag onto the side deck. She sat down at the cockpit table and poured herself a glass of wine.

  "Should I fix you a plate?" Liz asked.

  "No, thanks. I ate a sandwich on the plane."

  "Where's Sharktooth?"

  "Oh, I'm not sure. He had something to talk to Mario about, and then he was going home, I think."

  "Did you get straightened out with your brother?" Angela asked. "Liz told us you wanted to try to persuade him to testify."

  "I didn't catch up with him. He had already gone back to New York. The trip was an utter waste of time; I'm sorry I disrupted your charter."

  "But you didn't," John said. "Not at all. Angie and I have just been enjoying the peace and quiet. Liz has made us feel right at home. I want to tell you how sorry I am that you got drawn into our problems, and how grateful I am for everything that you and your friends did to help."

  "You're welcome," Dani said. "I'm afraid we didn't do much, though."

  "Nonsense,
" Angela said. "Luke called this morning, by the way."

  A chill ran down Dani's spine. "Oh? What was on his mind?"

  "He said something about telling you to forget about his worries from yesterday," Angela said. "We weren't sure what he meant exactly. I guess we missed that call. But anyway, the cook found my father's body in his study at Star Island this morning. Luke said it looked like a typical Mafia killing. His two bodyguards were found with their throats cut."

  Liz cast a furtive glance Dani's way. Dani shook her head.

  "How awful," Dani said. "I know you had your problems with him, but — "

  "Dani, I don't feel anything but relief. He was a monster. I'm ashamed that I'm related to him."

  "When I talked to Luke yesterday," Dani said, "there were problems with the case against Andretti. That was why I wanted to talk with Rollie."

  "That must be what Luke meant about you forgetting his worries from yesterday," John said. "When he called to tell us about Angie's father, he mentioned that Andretti hung himself in the holding cell last night. Ripped up the prison jumpsuit to make a noose."

  "Well, I suppose, that's — "

  "Hello, Vengeance!"

  They all turned to see two women pulling up in one of the yellow rental dinghies from the place in Cruz Bay. The one in front, a tall blonde with long, flowing hair, stood and grasped Vengeance's toe rail. The woman at the helm, an attractive Latina, killed the engine.

  "Sorry to intrude," the Latina said. "Angela, I'm not sure if you — "

  "Yes, of course. I remember you. Come on up."

  The blonde came aboard and tied the dinghy off to one of the lifeline stanchions while her companion stepped back to the cockpit.

  "I'm Carlotta Solanó," the Latina said, "and this is my friend, Donna Becker."

  Angela introduced the others, who nodded and shook hands with the two women.

  "Can I offer you lunch?" Liz asked. "There's plenty; or at least something to drink?"

  "No, thanks, Liz," Carlotta said. "We can't stay but a moment; we have a flight to catch, but I wanted to return this." She reached into her shoulder bag and took out a U.S. passport, which she handed to Angela.

  "Let me get yours. It's below with our ship's papers," Liz said, stepping to the companionway. She returned in seconds, giving the passport to Carlotta.

  "I have a video that Ralph wanted me to show you, Angela. It's pretty gruesome, but he said you'd be okay with it. If you'd rather not, I — "

  "No, I'd like to see it, if he thought I should."

  Carlotta nodded and pulled a small camera from her shoulder bag. She switched it on and fiddled with the controls, finally turning it so that Angela could see. The others crowded in around her. Carlotta pressed a button, and an image of Guido Cappelletti filled the screen.

  "You're dead, bitch," he snarled.

  There was a dark-haired woman in a wetsuit, her hair dripping water, with her back to the camera. She laughed, and Guido started to rise from his swivel chair. "Ralph said to tell you this is for all you had done to his Aunt Lucy."

  There was a soft, coughing sound, and his left knee erupted in blood.

  "Hollow points are messy," another woman remarked from off-camera.

  The woman with her back to the camera shrugged and turned slightly, exposing the pistol in her right hand. "Ralph's orders. Otherwise, I'd have to use a nine-millimeter. He doesn't like the .22s. The hollow points are our compromise."

  Guido Cappelletti writhed in the chair. "What do you want?" he gasped, as he clutched at the knee.

  "And this one," the woman with the pistol said, "This one is for the way you treated Angela."

  His right knee exploded.

  "For John Welsh," she said, as the pistol coughed again, twice. Two spots appeared on the white shirt stretched over his stomach.

  "And this is because you are the scum of the earth and have no business living among decent human beings."

  Two black spots appeared between his eyebrows, and as he convulsed, the small screen went black.

  In the silence that followed, Carlotta removed the memory card from the camera and handed it to Donna. Donna clipped a bobby pin around the card and held it in the flame of a disposable lighter until it was a blackened blob of melted plastic. She flipped it over the side and slipped the lighter into her pocket.

  "Angela?" Carlotta broke the silence.

  "Yes?"

  "Do you have any questions for me?"

  "No."

  "I do, if it's okay," Dani said.

  "Ask."

  "Was that a Colt Woodsman?"

  "Yes. From early in the first production run."

  "Thought so," Dani said. "A classic. Beautiful."

  "Thank you," Carlotta said, a puzzled smile on her face as she studied Dani.

  "Where did you find it, if you don't mind my asking?"

  "It was my father's."

  "Ah," Dani said.

  "Ralph had a message for you, as well."

  "Oh?" Dani said.

  "He said to tell you he was sorry to preempt you and your friend. But he wanted to make sure the Star Island house didn't meet the same fate as the warehouse and the villa. I don't know what that means, but he said you would understand."

  Dani nodded.

  "He said to tell you that the Star Island house is in Aunt Lucy's name, and that it was one of her family's properties. That's why."

  "Thank him for the explanation," Dani said.

  "He has a great deal of respect for you. I can see why; I think you and I might have some things in common besides Ralph."

  There was a long silence. Liz cut her eyes at Dani and nudged her, raising an eyebrow. Dani ignored her.

  "Well, we must go, Donna and I. As I said, we have a flight to catch. Ralph says you should enjoy Vengeance, Angela, and he wishes you and John all the happiness that should be yours."

  ****

  Read an excerpt from Bluewater Ganja, the next book in the series

  Chapter 1

  "Careful! You're pinching," Liz said, frowning.

  "Sorry. I'm not used to such a smooth bottom," Dani said. "Just trying to get accustomed to how slick it is."

  "Slides along like it's silk," Liz said, laughing.

  "It's slippery, all right," Dani agreed. "Glad you did it; it feels way better than it used to."

  "Her bottom was pretty foul," Liz said. "Freddy and the yard crew had to sand her down almost to the gel coat to get rid of the barnacle rings."

  "Thanks for taking care of that while I was gone, Liz. She's sailing better now that she's clean — points closer to the wind, for sure. That's why I was pinching the jib."

  "Both of us didn't need to hang around while they painted Vengeance's bottom. I thought some time with Ralph might cheer you up."

  "Mm," Dani said. "It might have cheered me up, but ... "

  Liz didn't say anything. Dani would tell her about her time in Brazil when she was ready. Dani's love life was one of the few topics that wasn't up for discussion between them. Early in their friendship, Liz had made the mistake of asking about Dani's relationship with Ralph Suarez; she'd been surprised at how quickly Dani had rebuffed her.

  "What's the story on the new guests?" Dani asked. Their agent, Elaine Moore, had booked a charter for them while Dani was in Brazil.

  "A single father with a teenaged daughter," Liz said.

  "Divorced? Or widowed?"

  "Both, from what Elaine said."

  Dani raised her eyebrows at that, turning to look at Liz and steering Vengeance by feel. She and Liz were en route from Grenada to Bequia, where they were to meet their guests. "Both?"

  "The girl's mother was his first wife. She died several years ago, and he's been married and divorced a few times since then."

  "Unstable," Dani muttered. "Can't have been good for the girl, having strange women come and go in her life like that."

  "Are you speaking from experience?"

  "Not really. I didn't have much contact w
ith my various stepmothers until I was older and got to be friends with Anne."

  "Did you spend most of your time with your mother after she and J.-P. were divorced, then? You were about this girl's age, I'd guess."

  "No, I wasn't around either of my parents much after they split. How old is she?"

  "Sixteen, Elaine said."

  "That bodes ill for this charter," Dani said. "Just what we need: some sulky teenager with excess hormones."

  "Oh, come on, Dani. She might be fun to have around. I wasn't sulky at that age."

  "I'm sure you weren't, Pollyanna."

  "Well, were you?"

  "Was I sulky?"

  "That's the question."

  "I was too busy to be sulky. When I was sixteen, I was deck crew on the big Perini Navi in the Med, fighting off the advances of this shithead who had chartered her for six months."

  "I'm surprised your father put up with that."

  "He's a hands-off owner; he always leaves things up to his hired help."

  "What about the captain, then?"

  "No help there. He was worried about his gratuity."

  "Were there other guests?"

  "The shithead's wife, and several of his hangers-on. He was a famous Italian actor — played all these macho-man parts."

  "His wife? She let that go on?"

  "Thought it was funny. She was amusing herself with the captain, so she didn't care."

  "Wow. So how did you handle that?"

  "Invited him to my cabin one night. While he was groping me, I cut the crotch out of his pants with a filet knife and threatened to neuter him if he touched me again."

  "That sounds like something you learned from Sharktooth."

  "It was. The previous summer, when I was down in Nicaragua with him and Phillip."

  "What were you guys doing there?"

  "Contract work for the DEA."

  "The DEA hired a 15-year-old girl? What kind of contract work?"

  "They didn't know I was part of the team. The mission was to blow up as many coke factories as we could find and make it look like the work of rebel forces. That meant any time we got a chance, we ambushed the government troops, too. It was great fun."