by Aubree Lane
“Expect whatever you like, Mr. Crandall. Just don’t hold your breath.”
The phone went dead.
David pumped a satisfied fist. His day wasn’t complete until he pissed off someone of authority. He turned the key in the ignition and headed off in the direction of the DEA office, hoping to talk his way behind the two-way mirror and observe Callie and Warden as they were being questioned.
• • •
Agent Tam leaned over the interrogation table inside the cold gray room. “Let me get this straight. Erika Turner was the one who told you about Grady Barlow’s backyard and encouraged you to plant your marijuana there?”
David stared through the glass. His face grew hard and his fists clenched. If what the boy said was true, his little sister-in-law was in for a world of hurt.
Warden didn’t flinch under Agent Tam’s scrutiny. “She told me that she didn’t think he’d been in his mother’s garden since she passed away. Erika said there could be millions of illegal plants growing back there and no one would ever find them.”
David let his anger dissipate and concentrated on the kid’s wild story. It didn’t add up. Erika met Warden weeks after the plants were in the ground. Even if Erika made a statement similar to what Warden was saying, he was taking it out of context to shift responsibility.
“Tell me again when you first met Erika Turner?” Tam pushed.
The savvy DEA agent caught the discrepancy.
“The first day I began working at the B&B. Erika helps with the housekeeping there.”
“Which was when?” Tam eased back into her seat. “I feel the need to remind you that your response will be verified by both Lena Javier and Brittany Sutherland.”
Warden’s armor began to crack. He removed his Harry Potter glasses with shaky hands and cleaned them on his Maui Waui Cannabis Classic t-shirt. The shirt wasn’t evidence, but it didn’t exactly ooze innocence either.
Agent Tam began questioning Warden about his brother, but David didn’t need to hear anything else. She had her man. It was only a matter of time until he caved.
He moved to the cubicle down the hall to see how Callie was holding up.
David arrived just in time to hear the young woman being told that the first one who gives up their accomplices was the one who got the deal.
Callie’s hazel eyes were wide as saucers. They darted back and forth with indecision. A moment later she blurted out, “It was all Oliver and Warden’s idea. They made me sleep with Grady. Oliver thought he’d be able to keep a better eye on his plants if I stayed close. Ollie knew Grady’s dad had a grow card. Ollie tried to be nice, he asked Mr. Barlow if he would grow him a plant or two. Mr. Barlow wouldn’t do it. He told Ollie to take a hike.” If possible, her eyes grew wider. “Ollie is not someone to mess around with. He got mad, and when Ollie gets mad, I get out of town.”
Commander Barone sat across from the young woman. Agent Tam’s boss was a large man. His eyes blazed with intimidation. Callie didn’t stand a chance.
“How did Oliver Johnson know Mr. Barlow?” Barone demanded.
“Johnson?” Callie repeated, confused. “He hasn’t used that name for a while. He goes by Oliver Beal. Oliver Johnson has a pretty long rap sheet. He couldn’t get a job, so he changed it. Ollie brokers boat deals. He helped sell Mr. Barlow’s last boat and found him the one that exploded. Before the accident, he and Ollie spent quite a bit of time together. That’s how Ollie found out about his medicinal marijuana card.”
Barone glanced at the guard standing stoically in the corner of the interrogation room. The guard nodded and stepped outside.
“What is your relationship with Oliver and Warden Johnson?” Barone demanded.
Callie’s head jerked up.
The look on her face when she realized the DEA didn’t have as much information as she thought was priceless. David backed out of the room. Grady was in the clear, and Brittany and Erika wouldn’t see the inside of a courtroom unless it was to testify against these two lamebrains. His job was done.
Agent Tam met him in the corridor. “Leaving so soon, Mr. Crandall?” she asked with mock sincerity.
“I gather you’re off to pick up big brother.”
“You gather correctly. Callie is married to the elder Johnson boy. I suppose she could recant her statement, but I don’t believe she will. She has too much to lose.” A frown crossed her brow. “One thing still bothers me. That lawyer who first came in with Brittany and Grady,” she paused, trying to form a question without actually asking it. “At the time, Mr. Kaplinger’s credentials checked out, but when I tried to discover more about him, it was like he never existed.”
It took all of David’s self-control to maintain a straight face. Lena’s crazy fable would be just the ticket to send Agent Tam over the edge. Deadpan and serious, David said, “That’s because he came in with the dolphins and left with the Winter Solstice.”
The furrow on her brow grew deeper. Before Tam had a chance to question him further, David turned on his heel and headed for the exit.
• • •
Lena stared at the photograph of Oliver Beal and gasped, “The resemblance is uncanny. He looks almost exactly like Warden. All that’s missing are his little round specs.” She tapped the pic and glanced up at Agent Tam. “So this guy was the cab driver who dropped off and picked up Mr. Kaplinger?”
“That’s what the company’s records indicate. When the boat brokering biz is slow, Oliver moonlights as a cab driver.”
“I can see why I thought he was Warden.” Lena shuttered. “His eyes are much harder, though. This boy gives me the willies.”
Tam could relate. The same thought crossed her mind. “Oliver has been able to elude capture so far, but we’re closing in. I fully expect to have him in custody before too long.”
Terence had gathered most of the clan to hear her final report, but the young girl, Erika, along with David Crandall and his wife, were absent. Detective Dave already had the inside scoop so he and Marissa missing the action didn’t surprise her, but Ayako wondered about the wayward teen.
Erika’s story intrigued Tam, and she hoped to see her again. The girl wasn’t any of her concern, so she clapped Grady on the back and reached into the breast pocket of her regulation DEA suit. She withdrew an envelope. “We’ve been after this trio of con artists for a long time. The kid you know as Warden isn’t nearly as young as he appears. I suspect he was up to no good working at the B&B, and with Oliver involved, you can bet I’ll be looking deeper into the deaths of Larry Wright and Grady’s parents.”
The family drew in a collective breath, and Agent Tam raced to explain. “Mr. Wright’s death has officially been ruled natural. David Crandall already spoke with the coroner, and I doubt his findings will change. I simply don’t want to leave any stone unturned where Warden Johnson and Oliver Beal are concerned.” She turned to Lena. “I suggest your guests do an inventory of their belongings. It might be a good idea for them to freeze their credit for a while. I can’t think of a better place to steal someone’s identity than right out of their own wallet or purse.”
Lena’s anguished expression turned more distressed. “I saw free help and let a criminal into my home and business. I didn’t think twice about it. Larry swore he wasn’t acquainted with the boy. I can’t believe I was that stupid.”
Agent Tam couldn’t believe it either, but chose to be generous. “He’s a professional. Warden knows how to set people at ease. Brittany worked side by side with him on a daily basis and didn’t suspect a thing. She doesn’t seem very trusting, but he easily pulled the wool over her eyes.”
“He was a crappy gardener,” Brittany countered. “I caught that right off.”
Ayako ignored the girl’s outburst. “If they hadn’t tried to run a con on Grady, we might not have caught up with them. Warden is smart and devious. His downfall was his brother and his greedy sister-in-law. For the last three years, Warden stuck to what he was familiar with, but as Miss Sutherland can a
ttest, he sucked at landscaping. Callie pegged Grady as an easy mark. She saw a distraught kid with a big backyard and thought they had it made in the shade. I’m sure it never crossed her mind that Grady would dump her for the girl across the street. Don’t let Callie’s innocent act fool you. She’s had a few run-ins with the local PD.” Tam focused a stern look directly at Grady. “Before I give you this, I feel the need to reprimand you.”
Grady reared back. “Why are you looking at me like that? What did I do?”
“Tapped That,” she stated flatly. “It’s rude, crude, and more than just a little insulting.”
Grady’s cheeks glowed with remorse.
With that settled, she extended her arm and handed him the envelope. “There was a ten-thousand dollar reward for Warden Johnson’s capture. The check is made out to you, Mr. Barlow.”
“You’re kidding!” Grady grinned from ear to ear. “I was just trying to save my own neck.”
Ayako Tam smiled tenderly. “We rarely send victims of a crime to prison. We checked you out, of course, but it was evident early on that you were innocent.” She scratched her nose remorsefully and admitted, “My boss told me to move off you. He sees things where the rest of us don’t and I respect his judgment. He was also instrumental in disbanding the investigation on Brittany and Erika.” She faced Terence Javier. “On that note, I have been instructed to express the DEA’s appreciation to you, Mr. Javier. Without the cameras you installed, we might not have captured Warden and Callie Johnson.” She glanced at Grady. “Perhaps Mr. Barlow would consider splitting the reward with you.”
Terence waved off the offer. “Thank you, but we didn’t find anything useful with those cameras. One shot of Warden walking by the house doesn’t prove anything. Besides, the kid is family. He doesn’t owe me a thing.”
Grady stared at the check. He grabbed Annie’s hand. “I know you don’t want to franchise Jamoka Jack, so I want to buy the business from you.” He pressed the check in her palm.
Annie looked at Terence, holding their infant son.
Terence’s eyes smiled brightly and his head dipped a slight nod.
A huge smile radiated across her face. Annie turned back to the lovable kid from across the street. “One coffee cart is not worth ten thousand dollars.”
Grady grinned sheepishly. “It will be when I come up with the cash to get the franchise off its feet.”
She shoved the check back into her former employee’s hand. “How about a loan to get you started.”
The kid’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Take it, Grady,” Terence said warmly. He wrapped an arm protectively around his wife as she lovingly rubbed her tummy. “Annie and I are going to be far too busy to mess around selling coffee down at the pier.”
Grady was too stunned to speak, let alone catch the announcement the Javiers covertly made. Brittany and Lena were much more perceptive and rushed to congratulate the parents-to-be.
Agent Tam tapped Grady on the shoulder and pulled his attention back to her. “That concludes our business. I’m glad everything worked out.” She waved a warning finger under his nose. “You’ve been given a great opportunity. Don’t mess it up.”
On impulse, Grady pulled the DEA agent into his arms and embraced her warmly. “I’ll do my best, Agent Tam. Thank you for all your help.”
She pulled away from the boy’s exuberant hug and eased the door shut behind her.
A second later, Grady flung it open and was back on her heels. “Agent Tam!” he shouted. “Do you really think those three had something to do with my parents and Larry Wright’s death?”
She didn’t, but there was enough evidence to reopen their files to make sure nothing was missed. Oliver was the more hardened criminal of the three. He had means, motive, and opportunity. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do, but she didn’t want to give the kid false hope. “Honestly, no. The Coast Guard did a thorough investigation into your parents’ accident. I doubt anything will come of it, but considering this new information, it would be a travesty not to take another look. Callie and Warden know more about your parents than I’m comfortable with.” Seeing fresh pain gather in the boy’s eyes broke her heart. Grady still needed his mom. “It’s every man for themselves right now, and they are both trying to get a better deal. Callie and Warden can shift blame all they want, but we’ll eventually sort everything out. If they are responsible, I promise they won’t get away with it.”
Grady nodded solemnly. “I hope so, but nothing will bring back my parents.”
Tears stung her eyes. This was the part of the job she hated. She hurt for the kid. “No, it won’t.”
He wiped his eyes. “You’ll keep me informed of your progress?”
“I will.”
He kicked his head towards the Javier home. “I’m more concerned about how this will affect them. If I brought Callie into their life and she had anything to do with Larry’s death―”
Ayako cut him off. “We don’t know that. David Crandall double checked with the coroner and reported absolutely nothing suspicious.”
Grady stepped back towards the house. “I hope it stays that way.”
She waved goodbye. “Take care, Grady.”
Dismissed from any further conversation, Grady turned and headed back inside to be with his adopted family.
As Agent Tam walked back to her car, she couldn’t help but be in awe. The Javiers were generous to a fault. More than taking in Erika, they fought for her. When that didn’t work, they orchestrated a deal with her biological father and somehow the odd family blossomed. When Grady’s parents died, they made sure the kid didn’t starve and helped him find his way through his grief. Then Annie’s little sister shows up broken and battered, and they opened their arms to her.
On the outside, they seemed like an ordinary family, but Ayako knew all too well that looks could be deceiving.
• • •
Grady stepped back inside the Javier house. He was overwhelmed with emotion. Once he finally realized Annie was pregnant, he understood why she insisted he take over the business. Grady was happy for her and Terence, but mostly he was happy for himself. They had given him a future.
Brittany caught Grady’s eye and motioned for him to join her outside. Her fingers laced through his and they walked side by side down to the beach.
The sun was beginning to set. A warm glow spread out through the thin clouds and protected their eyes from the sun’s glare.
“I’ve watched the sun go down a million times in San Diego,” Brittany began. “But it never brought me peace.”
Grady tugged her down to sit beside him in the sand. “That’s because you weren’t watching it with me,” he joked.
Her eyes turned soft and warm. “You laugh, but you’re not wrong. My dad is a piece of work. For the longest time, I believed he treated me the way he did because I was somehow deficient. It took coming here to realize that there’s something missing inside of him. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why my mom puts up with him, and if Annie hasn’t figured it out by now, you can bet it’s a lost cause.”
Grady pulled her hand into his lap and caressed it tenderly. This wasn’t the time for him to speak. All that was required was for him to listen.
Brittany drew in a deep breath. “It’s crazy, but I truly believe Mr. Caprice was one of Lena’s lucky strangers. He spoke to me the day the dolphin jumped over your head.” She squeezed his hand. “Luck and love, Grady. We get both.”
Grady didn’t need Mr. Kaplinger or the dolphins to tell him that. He’d been in love with Brittany from the first day she spoke to him. From that moment, there was no one else.
The sparkling glint in Brittany’s mischievous blue eyes caught his attention.
“With the new baby on its way, it’s going to get much cozier at Annie and Terence’s house. I was wondering,” she continued, “if the offer for me to move in with you was still open.”
Grady’s heart began to beat wildly. Annie took t
hat off the table the first day he made the offer. He believed this moment was a long way off, but he was overjoyed with the prospect of having Brittany so close.
He reached into his pants pocket. One of the few things recovered from the debris of his parents’ mangled boat was his mother’s set of keys. For the past year, it had been intertwined with his. Grady was glad he kept them because now they had a new purpose. He slid the rings through each other and disengaged the one which carried an acrylic photo of him on his eighteenth birthday. “Mi casa es su casa. I just need to know one thing. Will you need your own room? It’s cool if you do, but all the doors in my house are open to you.”
Brittany gripped the keys and leaned her body into his. “I told Annie I’d take our relationship slow. How about we officially have separate bedrooms to make her happy, but we unofficially do whatever we want.”
Grady glanced at her sideways. “That doesn’t exactly answer my question.”
A sympathetic smile formed on her lips. “I’m sorry, but I don’t exactly have one.”
Grady nodded. He could live with that. They had nothing but time.
• • •
“Are you sure your parents know you’re here?” Ben asked Erika as she stroked Turnabout’s brand new adult feathers.
“Of course I’m sure,” she answered absently.
Ben didn’t believe her. He saw her walk up from the bus stop. Her dad would have dropped her off if her visit was on the up and up. He wanted to keep seeing her, but if she kept sneaking out, Erika was bound to get grounded. “You’re going to get caught, and we won’t be able to finish our project.”
“Ben,” Erika soothed, “don’t worry. Dad knows exactly where I am.” She placed Turnabout back in his cage and approached him seductively.
The grownup moves didn’t fit the young girl standing in front of him. Ben fell for it the first few times Erika used her womanly charms on him, but she wasn’t nearly as experienced as she led him to believe. He liked her and didn’t want her pretending to be something she wasn’t. It was time for Erika to come back down to earth and just be his friend. “Please don’t do that, Erika. I don’t like it when you lie and try to manipulate me. You rode the bus to get here. That means you didn’t ask your parents’ permission. You need to call them, or I’m going to ask my grandfather to take you home.”