Caribbean Rain

by Rick Murcer

  Forgetting her promise to kill him, Sophie was laughing out loud. She stepped closer, careful to avoid the left side of his body. The arm and hand were in a cast up to his shoulder with about a million tiny pins sticking through the creamy cast. She cradled his face in her hands. “Think that was funny Dough—ah, Laughing Boy? Your joke did scare the hell out of us.”

  “Yeah, but I noticed you were laughing when you came in. Why are you holding my face like that, Princess? Are you going to kiss me? I know, you know. You always say bad things to me to cover up your true feelings, but I know. I’m so sorry, but I’m going to have to break your heart. I love my wife. But you do have a great rack. Are those natural?”

  Quiet laughter filtered through the room. Manny wasn’t sure if it was relief or the fact that Alex on meds was akin to a standup comedian, probably a little of both. Chloe moved beside him and palmed his hand, her tears were light, but her gratefulness was clear. . . Manny’s wasn’t far behind.

  Sophie stepped back, laughing harder. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to get over it, and of course my boobs are real, but that’s not something you should ask a princess.”

  Alex leaned over to her and spoke in an exaggerated whisper. “Okay. Don’t worry; your secret’s safe with me.”

  Looking around, his eyes lit up again. “Did I say it is SO good to see you all? My friends. My life, sort of. Hey, look at this. I can control this wonderful pain filling, er, killing stuff. Just watch.”

  He hit the button again, smiling wider than the last time. The laughter in the room grew louder.

  Sitting up suddenly, like he’d just remembered something, his face as serious as an IRS agent, he said, “You know, I had my hand whacked off, my left one, and it doesn’t even hurt. You should see what they did to put it back on. Great surgeons, you know. I should be able to use it in a day or two.”

  “That fast?” grinned Manny.

  “Yep. That’s what they said.”

  “You know, Laughing Boy, it was a good thing it was your left hand,” said Sophie.

  His eyes grew wide. “Why?”

  “Because if it had been your right hand, you’d have no sex life,” she laughed.

  Putting his hand over his mouth, he giggled. “That was funny. But Barb handles all of that. Get it? Handles?” Then he burst into another infectious laugh that would have made a dead man smile.

  “Oh. Hey, Dean. Come here.”

  “Will do.” Dean did as he was told. “Yes Sir. What can I do for you?”

  “I just wanted you to know that you’re the best damn CSI I ever saw, well, except for me, but you’re a better shot. Anyway, thanks for the tunakit, or whatever the hell they call those things you put on an arm to stop the bleeding.”

  “You remember that?”

  “Hell yeah,” he said, tapping his head. “I never miss a thing.”

  The doctors came in and gave them a few more minutes, but not many. Alex needed to rest, and tomorrow the pain medicine wouldn’t be as effective, after the local anesthetics wore off.

  “Okay. We have to go, but we’ll be back, tomorrow, and with a surprise,” said Manny.

  “Damn. I love surprises. Can’t wait. But I need to talk to Chloe first. Come see old Alex, Irish Queen.”

  “Ah. Now I’m a queen?” she smiled as she sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Always were.” Alex’s eyes focused, and he put his hand on her arm. “Listen. Don’t feel bad. I’d do it for you and Manny, a thousand times over. A million. Second chances are rare, and you both have that. I just couldn’t stand by, got it?” he laughed. “And that’s just how we roll.”

  Kissing him on the forehead, she let the tears run. “Thank you, Alex Downs. You bet your ass that’s how we roll.”

  “It is. Say, did I tell you guys I can control this pain medicine?”

  His eyes grew heavy. “Manny? I love you, man. Josh. Your shorts are too tight, but you’re the best.”

  Then he was out.

  Chapter-69

  The next morning, they met for breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, but Manny was a little late. He’d checked with the concierge, and Tina had everything arranged, including calling the hospital to make sure Alex was okay to participate in what Manny had planned. They weren’t happy, but finally agreed. He made one more call and knew where he had to be at three o’clock that afternoon. It was awesome when a plan fell into place.

  He sat down at the table and took in the brilliant aromas that accompanied every breakfast buffet in the Caribbean, and this one was a good one.

  Sitting beside Chloe and looking across at Dean and Sophie, he realized he wasn’t the only one who was late.

  “Where’s the fearless leader?”

  “He got a call, left the table, came back, got another call, and hasn’t come—oh wait, there he is,” answered Chloe.

  Josh slid into his chair. “Like I started to say; good morning. Let’s eat, then we can talk.”

  Manny thought he was doing well, but there was no question it hurt to see his brother this way, even worse to contemplate what Caleb had done. Manny knew a little about those life lessons.

  After they all had made a second trip to the buffet, Josh ordered a pot of expensive coffee and sighed. “I want you all to know that I’m doing all right. I guess it helps to realize that Caleb isn’t the same man I’ve known over the years. But I’d be a liar if I said I saw this coming. Anyway, early this morning, he decided to talk, but he only wanted to speak with Detective Crouse. He said we, the FBI, only wanted to analyze him. Apparently, he and Julia had some torrid affair, one she didn’t tell us about, and it added to the fire that fueled her divorce with Sam. She said they hadn’t talked in a long time and that she hadn’t really kept track of him. She was a little freaked by his request, especially since he’d killed her ex, but she’s a tough one, so she agreed.”

  “That had to be interesting,” said Manny.

  Sipping coffee, Josh nodded. “It was. You’ll all get copies of the interview, audio, video, and transcripts, but basically, Manny was right. It seems he was bent on finding his mother after he’d been taken away from her in Chicago. But he couldn’t do it until he got out of college and she got out of prison. I never knew that part. His mom had stabbed a guy in a bar fight and went away for twenty years.

  “Before that, she’d left the guy she moved to California with after her daughter had been killed in a car wreck, and her husband offed himself. Caleb and she had settled on the south side of Chicago. A couple years after she went away, dad got a call, and I had a new brother. He was always kind of to himself, but smarter than a whip.”

  “Funny how people want to take up with their real parents,” said Dean. “I know I wanted to, but never could find my biological mom.”

  “That explains some things, Mucus,” grinned Sophie.

  “It’s Mikus. And I suppose it might,” Dean sighed.

  “Anyway, she was killed in a freak accident in El Yunque, and that was the event that led to his evolution. He admitted that it started out as a war against the defilement of his first real love, the rainforest, but after the first murders, it became something more. That’s when he decided to stage his death, figuring it would make him harder to catch. He found a single camper about his build and age, and well, we know the rest, more or less.”

  “That poor camper must have been one of the missing persons reported,” said Sophie.

  “He was,” said Josh.

  “Voices, delusions, and a bloodlust. Obviously, not a good combination,” said Chloe.

  “At any rate, he detailed all of it, including how the whole thing had taken on the game flavor and how he thought he’d won. He almost did have the last laugh. That phone Sophie starred out of his hand was a trigger device for a bomb he’d set up underneath the reception room. It would have been devastating if he’d gotten it to blow. But apparently, that was only a backup plan for him. He’d found a way to disconnect the main light breaker, then he was going to have
a sword party,” said Josh.

  “He would have killed dozens,” said Manny.

  “Yeah, given the bag of swords we found, that’s right.” Josh’s eyes flickered brighter. “Oh, as a sidelight, I forgot to tell you that they found Anna Ruiz alive, barely. She’s hanging in there. After we left the gallery, Julia took over and decided to go to Caleb’s house. It was still taped off tight because we thought he was a victim and they didn’t want anyone to go inside until I got there. She had a brainstorm, checked public records for home ownership, and found that he had a beach cottage on the other side of town. They stormed that one and found Anna.”

  “That’s good, but Anna’s under guard too, right? Although I don’t know how dangerous she is with a foot and a hand missing,” said Manny, remembering the conversation he and Sophie had had with her father.

  “She is, and it never hurts to be too cautious.”

  Josh refilled his cup and continued. “I want to thank you all for a great job. We’ll debrief some more when we get home, but that won’t be for a couple of days. You all deserve a little rest, so take some time. I’ll send a jet for you on Tuesday. I’m going back tomorrow.”

  “Interviews?” asked Sophie.

  “No sense in trying to fool you. Yes. The race has started, and solving this case makes my BAU unit look like the best thing since margaritas.”

  “Well, I for one, hope you screw up the whole thing, Sir,” said Sophie. “Just saying.”

  “Thanks, I think,” smiled Josh.

  They talked a while longer, then Manny made a request. “I know we’re all heading up to see Alex this morning, and his wife Barb should be there by now, but I need you all to show up at three thirty.”

  “Why?” said Josh, his eyes narrowing.

  “You’ll find out when you get there, but don’t be late, or I’ll send Sophie out looking for you, got it?”

  Josh shrugged. “Okay, sure, if that’s what you want. I guess we can spare some time from shopping and the beach.”

  “Oh man. Shopping.” Sophie got up, pulled Chloe from the chair, and ushered her toward the door. “We’re going up to see Laughing Boy, then we’re going shopping, then we’ll be back. I forgot about the shops on the Condado Strip. Even on Sunday, that place is special.”

  Then they were gone.

  Five hours later, after Manny had made the run he needed to make, he ushered his gift for Alex into his new double room. It was still cramped, but would do. He scanned the room and saw that almost everyone was there, including Barb Downs, and the guest Manny had requested through the concierge.

  Alex looked up at Manny, then to his right, and broke into a grin. “Jen Williams! It is so good to see you, girl.”

  Jen rushed to Alex and gave him a hug. “Glad you’re doing good, Uncle Alex. Dad told me what you did. Pretty brave for a science guy.”

  “Not really, but thanks.” He said, grinning. “Did you come down here just to see me?”

  “Well, that’s part of it. Dad needed me for something, and I’m, like, ready to do it. Now is as good a time as any.”

  Jen left Alex and walked over to Chloe, taking her by the hand. “I’m forever going to miss my mom, but it’s time for me to do what she would have wanted, and give my dad to you. But, you’ll have to take care of him, okay?” Then she hugged her.

  “What are you talking about? I—”

  Looping her arm through Chloe’s, Jen pulled her over to Manny and motioned to someone outside the door. The guest wearing the white collar joined them. The room grew silent as Manny went to a knee. “Chloe, I want you to marry me today, right now, in front of the people that matter to me. We made a commitment in Ireland, and now it’s time to make good.”

  Chloe twisted the Claddagh ring on her hand, tried to speak, but nothing came out.

  “Ya better answer the man, girl, ya got him where you want him,” came a response from the door. Chloe’s mom, Haley Rose, stood there. “I didn’t fly this far ta hear any excuses.”

  “Mum?” she looked back at Manny, more shock on her face. “You know how ta get things done, I’ll give ya credit for that.”

  “We’ll do the big wedding later. Maybe even in Galway, but this will have to do for now,” said Manny.

  “I’m holding you to it, man,” Chloe said.

  After the hugs and greetings, and a thousand more tears were unleashed, the priest began.

  “Do you have another ring?”

  Reaching into his pocket, Manny pulled out an exact copy of the one Chloe was already wearing. He handed it to her. She reached up and kissed him, then again.

  Ten minutes later, with Jen at his side, and all of the people that meant anything to him at his back, Manny said I do to his Irish Queen.

  ***

  After a meal of fast-food burgers, fries, and shakes, the nurses finally booted the wedding party out of Alex’s room. They drove back to the hotel and headed for the casino. Manny was grateful when the guard smiled after he sized up Jen, then waved her in.

  Sophie took Jen by the hand. “I got her for the rest of the night. It’s been awhile since the girl and I have had some time together.”

  “Yeah. Like a week,” said Manny.

  He handed Jen a room key. “Not too late and no drinking. Got it?”

  “Dad! I’m only seventeen. Besides, Sophie might need help to her room.”

  “You mean will need some help to her room. I’m ready for a couple Long Island iced teas,” laughed Sophie.

  Looking at Chloe standing next to Manny, her hand in his, Jen tilted her head. “I don’t know if I said this, but welcome to the family. I’m still working through some stuff, but it’ll be cool.” Then she disappeared into the casino.

  “She’s a good girl. I hope I don’t disappoint her, ya know.”

  He kissed Chloe. “How could you ever disappoint anyone?”

  There was a bump from behind and then loud laughing. He turned to see Haley Rose flanked by Dean and Josh, all with drinks in their hands.

  “Excuse me,” grinned Haley Rose. “These fine gentlemen have agreed to teach me the art of counting cards at the blackjack tables, and I expect to be rich before the night’s done.”

  Without warning, she pulled Manny to her, kissed him on the cheek, then stepped back. “You’re a good man, Manny Williams. A little old-fashioned, but then again, maybe we need more of that.”

  She hugged her daughter again. “What the hell are you two still doing down here? It’s your bloody wedding night. Move your asses. I just might be needin’ a grand babe or two.”

  “Holy smokes, she’s right,” said Josh.

  “TMI,” smiled Dean, “TMI.”

  Then Chloe and Manny left, hurrying through the lobby.

  “I’m thinking there’ll be a hangover or two tomorrow,” smiled Chloe, almost shyly.

  “There will, but not my problem,” he grinned.

  Their eyes met, and she drew him in tight. “I’ll not be waiting another minute,” she whispered.

  When they reached the door of her room, Manny picked her up, found a way to work the slide key, and carried her in.

  The room had been decorated with shaving cream, colorful balloons, and condoms all over the bed, but neither of them really cared.

  They stood, kissing, as Manny slowly worked his way down both sides of her neck. Her small moans said he was getting it right. His hands were surprisingly steady, he thought he’d be more nervous, but was instead on the other side of excited.

  She pulled his shirt over his head and kissed his shoulders. The feeling was next to unbelievable. Returning the gesture, he helped Chloe slip off her blouse. She shook her red mane, and her eyes grew wide.

  He slid his hand around to her smooth back and popped her bra loose with one flick.

  “Nice touch,” she said, thickly.

  “A little out of practice, but it worked,” he breathed.

  He teased her breasts with his fingers, then kissed them gently as he ran his other hand down h
er hip and cupped her backside.

  She reached for his belt and loosened his khakis, and they slithered to the floor. Her hand found what she was searching for and squeezed.

  He gasped.

  He lifted Chloe to the bed and finished undressing her with steady hands and a steady purpose, relishing each movement and wondering how his life could contain such joy. Three hours later—and another robust session of getting to know each other— they leaned back on the bed, sipping champagne and talking. Every move of her mouth, every motion she made, only added to his appreciation for his new wife. She was completely intoxicating, and completely his.

  Getting up to pour more champagne, he heard the knock at the door.

  “Great. They were supposed to leave us alone,” he lamented.

  “Get rid of them, Special Agent Williams, and I’ll make it worth your while, I will,” she said.

  “I’m looking forward to collecting on that one.”

  Manny threw on a robe and peered out the peephole. Crazy. Word must have spread fast. The copilot that had flown them to San Juan stood outside the door, gift in hand.

  Rolling his eyes, he wasn’t going to open the door, then decided that would be rude. After all, the man was bearing a gift. He opened the door.

  “Sorry to bother you, Agent, but I’ve a gift for ya.”

  It was impossible to ignore the Irish tint in his voice. Manny cocked his head. He didn’t remember that accent from the jet.

  “Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”

  “Oh, but it is. Some gifts are just better than others.”

  Dropping the package on the carpet, he thrust the long knife deep into Manny’s chest.

  “One never knows, Agent. One never knows,” he said, then sprinted down the hall.

  As Manny dropped to the floor, his hands gripping the hilt of the blade, blood gurgling from the wound, he heard Chloe scream his name.

  Then Manny Williams greeted the darkness.

  Acknowledgements

  I want to thank my wife for her hard work and dedication to what we’re trying to accomplish. It can’t be that easy working with your husband who doubles as a writer. I love you.