Pastries and Pilfering

by Danielle Collins

  “What are they?” she asked as Adam riffled through.

  “Looks like they are written in some sort of code. Probably nothing too complicated. I think…” His voice trailed off as he read through a few, careful not to touch any of them. “I think they are pick up and drop off locations. Though it’s difficult to tie these to Kristen exactly. I’m assuming they’re hers, but…”

  Margot leaned forward. “May I see one?”

  He angled one toward her, holding it open with the handkerchief, and she gasped. “I know that writing.”

  “You do?” He was shocked.

  Margot stepped back, blinking. “It’s Noah’s. Noah Spence.”

  “The guy who bakes? The same guy who you saw talking with Brice?”

  “Yes!” She frantically ran through all that she knew about Noah. He had seemed upset about Kristen’s death, but was it sadness or anger? Had he been the one to kill her? And what of Michael Bowers? Had he also been involved with that? And what about Brice? How was he involved with any of this?

  “Talk to me, Margie,” Adam said, his gaze intent on her. “Tell me what’s going on in that brain of yours.”

  She blinked rapidly. It was all starting to come together, but in order to crack the case, they would need the involvement of the FBI and a few well-placed visits in Ensenada. “Is the FBI really working with the authorities in Ensenada?”

  Adam frowned. “If Gabe says so, then yes, he’ll be in contact with local authorities.”

  “Then I need to talk with him. And I need to talk with someone else too.”

  Adams eyebrows rose. “Are you going to fill me in?”

  She smiled up at him, brushing off a swatch of dust from his shoulder. “Always.”

  Chapter 11

  Margot clutched her canvas bag with one hand, the strap slung over her shoulder, and her floppy hat with the other as she made her way across the crowded deck to the more private deck at the back of the ship. The moment she turned the corner, the wind died down somewhat due to the partition, and she let go of her hat.

  There, reclining in a blue-cushioned chaise lounge, lay Brice Simmons. His chest bare and tanned, shining with a recent application of some type of tanning oil, no doubt applied by one of the bikini-clad women on either side of him.

  Margot fought the urge to roll her eyes as she approached, hoping she got what she wanted out of this meeting.

  “Hello, Brice,” she said with a bright smile.

  Brice moved, his hand reaching up to push the dark and expensive sunglasses onto the top of his head. He looked surprised to see her, but in a pleasant way.

  “Margot. It’s good to see you. Will you sit?”

  He looked to the side where one of his assistants was already getting up.

  “Actually, I was wondering if we could talk…just you and I?”

  His surprise grew, but so did his smile. “Absolutely. Ladies, will you give us a few minutes?”

  The former police officer, Haden, looked ready to argue with him but then she looked at Margot. Likely assuming Margot was no threat to her boss, she followed the other woman down the deck.

  Brice smiled again, patting the lounge next to him. “Please.”

  She sat, leaving her legs on the ground and propping her elbows on her knees to look at him. “What I have to say may not be pleasant,” she began.

  He replaced his sunglasses and his eyebrows hiked, but he didn’t say anything, allowing her the room to explain.

  “You see, I followed you into Ensenada. I saw where you went.”

  He tried hard not to let his emotions show but she caught a glimpse, the quickest flutter of movement, in response to her words.

  “I heard what José Luis Martinez said to you. I also know that you know Kristen Chambers’s death wasn’t an accident. It was murder.”

  Brice sat up, more like jerked up, and yanked off his sunglasses. “You don’t know anything.” His gaze drilled into Margot but she didn't flinch.

  “But I do, Brice. I think you are working with people on this ship to smuggle drugs into America.”

  “Drugs? No. Absolutely not. We do not smuggle drugs,” he said, the color in his tanned cheeks flushing red. “I would never—” He ground his teeth and looked out to the ocean. “I would never do that. Not after my sister.”

  She remembered his story about his sister. So he had been telling the truth. That meant it was time for Margot to take the next step.

  “Look, the FBI is on this case. They are going to finger you in the smuggling. It’s no use for you to deny it. They’ll find the drugs.”

  “There are no drugs!”

  “Don’t deny it,” Margot pushed. “I know you met with José and the FBI are already looking into his business. They’ll find your drug connection and that’ll be it.”

  “I’m telling you, Margot,” he said, leaning toward her with fury in his gaze. “No drugs.”

  “Then what aren’t you telling me, Brice? Because the police are going to find all the evidence they need. There was an undercover agent. It’s over. And, from where I sit, your sister would be disgusted with you.” It was a low blow, one she was loath to make, but she had to push him to a certain point

  “I would never do that! Not drugs. Never. Not for anyone.” His features fell and he looked out to sea again. “It’s gems.”

  Margot leaned forward, her gaze flicking over Brice’s tanned shoulder. “What do you mean?”

  “I smuggle gems into the U.S. without paying import taxes.”

  “Gems?” She had suspected this, but she wanted to be certain. “You met José when you were here filming Green Flames Rising, didn’t you?” She needed to dig further, to get him to open up more.

  “You know a lot for not knowing the truth,” he shot back. “Yeah. I met José when he catered some of our meals. He said he had a way for me to make some extra money on the side. It was during that time in my career when my gambling debts were plastered all over magazine covers. He said he could help. That he knew a guy. I was certain I could get them to the right people and sell them for a lot more than they could here in Mexico. There’s a hot market in underground Hollywood circles.” He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

  “But not drugs, Margot. Never drugs. I wouldn’t…” He broke off and she saw the pain on his features. “I know what they do to people, to families. I’d never be a part of that.”

  She watched him, looking for any signs of deception, but while he kept his gaze on the ocean in front of him, he gave no indication that he was lying. Lost in painful memories, yes, but not lying.

  She nodded slightly and Adam, Gabe, and two of the ship’s security officers stepped out from behind the wind partition where they’d been listening to the conversation.

  “Mr. Simmons, you’re under arrest.”

  He looked from the men to Margot. “You’re with them? What? This whole time?”

  “No. Not at first.” She shook her head, unsure why she felt the need to explain herself to this arrogant man.

  “It’s a shame, you know,” he said with a rueful grin. “You and I could have made a pretty great power couple. Besides, I love good French pastries. Then again, who knows? I’ve got access to some great lawyers and I’m sure you’ll find that my hands are clean. Friends in high places and all.” He winked at her.

  She felt the urge to slap him. As if sensing this, Adam stepped beside her and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.

  “Good thing I’ve got friends in high places too.”

  His hands now cuffed behind him, Brice turned his attention to Adam, his eyes dancing between the man and his arm around Margot.

  “Ah, I see. You prefer the more law-abiding type. Well, to each their own.”

  “Come on, Simmons,” Gabe said, rolling his eyes. “Let’s go.”

  Margot watched him go with a mix of sadness and justification. She was glad he had been caught, but now they had to wrap the more pressing—if not more important—angle of how dru
gs were getting into the U.S. when they weren’t tied up in Brice Simmons’s operation.

  Or were they?

  Margot leaned into Adam, letting out a sigh as her mind raced through details. If Brice wasn’t involved with drugs, it was a stretch to think he was involved with the murders. She wouldn’t rule it out, but she couldn’t bring herself to see him complicit in something so sinister. At least the smuggling of gems was purely from a monetary motivational standpoint. But murder? That fell more in line with the drugs, at least in Margot’s mind.

  “What’s on that beautiful mind of yours now?” Adam said, smiling.

  “I was just thinking that—if Brice wasn’t involved with drugs, what if his contact was involved with them and the gems.”

  “I think I know what you’re getting at, but do we have enough proof to arrest him?”

  Margot’s eyes narrowed as her gaze flew to the water in front of them. “Maybe not yet, but I have a feeling I know how to catch him because I think I know where the gems and the drugs are. But it’ll require a little bit of planning. Are you up for that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good, because it’s crucial we don't make a mistake. I have a feeling this was their last cruise.”

  “I’m so sorry about all of this,” Addie said as she and Margot sat on the private deck attached to Margot’s room. “If I’d had any idea…”

  Margot laughed. “You can’t guess when murder is going to happen. It’s in no way your fault.”

  “What’s next then?” Addie’s brown eyes peered at Margot over her steaming cup of coffee.

  As much as Margot trusted her friend and wanted to share what was going to happen next, she knew that the less people that knew, the better.

  “I’m afraid I can’t say, but I wanted to take a few minutes before we docked to chat with you and make sure everything was all right. We’ve barely seen each other on this cruise—for good reason—but first and foremost, you’re my friend and I care about you and what’s happening in your life. I know you couldn’t open up to me before, but if there’s anything you wanted to share now, I wanted to let you know that I'm here for you. I was once your age and in love—” Margot smirked at how old saying that made her feel. “—and I relied heavily on my friends during that time.”

  Addie sighed and turned her gaze out to the ocean. Land was just visible in the distance and, with their arrival, plans would be set in motion that would end everything. At least Margot hoped so.

  “It’s just frustrating,” Addie said, looking back at Margot finally. “I love Grayson so much and I know he’s the right guy. Like, he asked me to marry him and I had no doubts, but sometimes he’s just…so frustrating.”

  Margot chuckled. “I understand. Men look at things very different.”

  “Very.”

  “But you guys are talking about it, right? That’s the important part. To keep communication lines open.”

  “Oh yes.” Addie nodded emphatically. “We talked a lot after you and Adam left. I think it was good. After this nightmare of a cruise is over, things should settle down. Again, I’m so sorry.”

  “Really, it’s okay.”

  They both looked off into the distance until Addie spoke up again. “So, Adam…”

  Margot smiled, knowing what her friend was getting at. “He’s a good friend.”

  “More than a friend?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Sure,” Addie laughed. “I saw the way he looks at you, though. He definitely cares for you. How do you feel about that? After Julian and all.”

  Margot let her friend’s question sink in. How did she feel? Then again, it was hard to pinpoint her own feelings when, in the back of her mind, she was still cycling through the logistics she’d worked out with Gabe and Adam. But, didn’t that count for something? The very reality of her reliance on Adam and her trust in him spoke volumes.

  “He’s a good man. Similar to Julian in some ways but very different in others. I…” Margot felt the faint flush and chided herself for reacting so childishly about it all. “I really care for him.”

  “Good.” Addie reached across and gripped her hand. “You deserve happiness. Especially after…” Her words trailed off but Margot didn’t need her to say any more. Julian’s death had been unexpected and mysterious, a shock to Margot as well as anyone who had known her husband. Then again, his job had been dangerous and she’d known that. But still…

  “Margot?”

  Drawn from her thoughts, Margot looked up and met her friend’s gaze. “Thanks again for coming. It was only fitting that I received this award with the person who helped me become what I am today.”

  “You had a lot of amazing teachers.”

  Addie shrugged. “But you were the one who taught me to love being a baker, not merely the art of it.” She stood, letting out a sigh. “I’d better get back to the kitchen. Noah will be cleaning up in preparation for disembarking. We’ve got a week off of this ship while it undergoes some new construction so that means vacation for the crew, but a massive move for certain areas—the kitchen being one.”

  Margot sat up straighter. “Oh? What does that mean?”

  “Nothing too major. We just have to get any extra supplies off when usually we’d let some sit. Our food overflow gets donated to a charity in the area, which Noah oversees, but I want to make sure things are flowing smoothly. They’ll officially pull everything off tomorrow, but I have the day off so I’ll just check in now.”

  “I understand,” Margot said, following Addie to the door. “Let’s see if we can all do dinner—Grayson included—toward the end of this week then.”

  “I’d really like that. I’ll let you know.”

  Margot watched her friend walk back down the hall as more pieces fell into place. She had to update Adam and Gabe.

  Chapter 12

  Night had fallen across the dock, the sounds of water traffic much decreased at the late hour. There were still workers going back and forth, but they were confined to the warehouse areas instead of near the gangplank that led to the aft entrance for the crewmembers.

  Margot walked arm and arm with Brice as they made their way up the gangplank. Her heart pounded in her ears, but she continued to remind herself that they would be safe. No matter what, Adam would watch out for her and she knew that.

  “This isn’t a good idea.” Brice swallowed hard, not even looking at her.

  “You’re making the right choice, Brice. I think at heart you’re a good guy, but you’ve made some poor choices. Think of your sister—she’d want you to do this.”

  He nodded almost imperceptibly and kept going. “You’re right. She would. You kind of remind me of her.”

  Margot wasn’t sure how to take that. His sister had been a drug addict and eventually overdosed.

  “I mean, before the drugs,” he added quickly. They were almost to the outside door where a dim light shone out from the hall inside. “She was smart, observant, and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  Margot smiled despite the situation. “Thanks.”

  They approached the door and Brice reached out.

  “Easy,” a voice said into the earpiece she’d concealed under her hair. “You’re doing great, Margie.”

  She resisted the urge to react to Adam’s nickname. Instead, they walked inside and Brice led the way toward the kitchen.

  “Okay,” Adam’s voice whispered in her ear, “time to put on the act.”

  Brice wasn’t wearing an earpiece so she whispered to him. “Here comes the act.” He nodded and she let out a peal of feminine laughter as they came up on the kitchen door. “Oh Brice, you’re too funny.”

  He pushed the door in and she stepped into the kitchen with him.

  There, at the back by the pantry door, Noah stood surrounded by bags of flour. “What in the—” He pulled out a gun, aiming first at Brice then at Margot. “Margot? What is she doing here?”

  “Noah?” Margot said, trying to sound pleasantly surpris
ed. “You’re his contact?”

  He frowned, his gaze flying to Brice’s. “What is going on? What does she know?” he demanded.

  “Dude, chill.” Brice patted Margot’s hand woven through his arm. “She’s with me now.”

  “I’ll repeat myself,” Noah said, still leveling the gun at Margot, “What is she doing here? Where is Haden?”

  “She’s my new partner,” Brice explained. “And please, man, put the gun down. This is a civilized operation.”

  It lowered a fraction of an inch. “I don’t get it.” His gaze rotated to Margot. “What are you doing here?”

  “I want in on the action,” she said with a smile. “I’ve gotten to know Brice here on the cruise, and he let me in on the sweet deal you guys have going on down here. I wanted in.”

  The gun rose again. “Absolutely not.”

  “Oh come on,” Margot said. “I may run a pastry shop, but that’s not all I do.” She flashed a cunning grin his way.

  Noah looked interested for a moment before his mask slid into place again.

  “I’m in the import-export business, if you know what I mean,” Margot said, rehearsing what Gabe had told her to say. “I’d be a valuable asset to this organization. I took this opportunity to see if I could do some networking in Ensenada.”

  “But you’re friends with Addie.”

  “Sure,” Margot said, shrugging, “but she hasn’t seen me in a while. People change. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

  He wasn’t buying it, she could tell, but she had to do something to convince him. Then it came to her. She slipped her hand from Brice’s arm and stepped forward, trying not to let the gun barrel frighten away her courage. “Look, I know this guy—” She pointed over her shoulder at Brice with her thumb. “—isn’t daring. I have a feeling you’re the type of guy who sees an opportunity and goes for it. I’m not afraid of getting into…other things. If you know what I mean.”