Crazy in Paradise

by Brown, Deborah

  “Go easy on her. Her intentions were good.”

  “Whatever. Thanks for the warning on Connor Manning. Half way through dinner, I had a bad feeling about him. I was happy to get away.”

  “He likes to control everything in his life, women in particular. He also has a bad temper. How are you going to get rid of him?”

  “I’ll start by not taking his calls. I hope he’ll get the message, and go away on his own. If not, I’ll make my mother tell him to take a hike.”

  “Don’t worry. If he doesn’t leave you alone, I’ll personally feed him to the alligators, and consider it a public service.”

  “Poor alligators. He probably wouldn’t digest well,” I laughed.

  “We’re wrapping up this case of ours, and I’ll be back to spend some quality time with my girlfriend. Miss me?”

  “Sort of.”

  “I miss you. See you soon.” He hung up.

  I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, smiling, and playing over and over in my mind the part where he told me he missed me. “Are you ready to get up, Jazz?”

  * * *

  At The Cottages, everything had been washed clean by the rain and the flowers and tropical plants thrived. Elizabeth had shared her idea of painting each cottage a different color, resembling Miami art deco and I was skeptical, but all the color made the property stand out.

  The office was closed, and this time no sign taped to the door. The overhead vacancy sign hadn’t been turned on either and I knew there were available units.

  I knocked on Will’s door. I listened for movement and, though all was quiet, someone was definitely standing behind the peephole. I debated creating a scene. Whoever was inside would be out in a hot second.

  Joseph’s door stood open. I called out to him.

  “Hey girl, come on in. Thanks again for the ride.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “I’m not in jail.”

  “I came for some gossip.” Behind me, I heard a door close. The man in Cottage Four had just walked out. He briefly looked my way, and then disappeared around the corner of the building.

  “Was that Creole?” His skin was the color of a caramel latte, his dark hair slicked back.

  “That was him. Disappears fast, doesn’t he? That’s the most anyone ever sees of him.”

  “I need to talk to you, and I want your word you won’t tell anyone, especially Will.”

  “Word. What’s up?”

  “Smart ass. Bet you’ve been told that before.”

  “Whatever. What secret am I keeping?”

  “If Will tries to evict you or Miss January, you let me know immediately, and I’ll handle him.”

  “Did he tell you he wants me out? If his grand plan is to get rid of everyone who was here when Elizabeth ruled, the place will be empty.”

  “My hands are tied until the property is legally transferred to me, but some things I’ll derail even if I have to make a nuisance of myself at Tucker’s office. I can’t fight every issue, so I need to choose my battles.”

  Joseph gave me an assessing look. Clearly, he hadn’t decided if he could trust me or not.

  I continued, “How much do you know about Tucker Davis?”

  “I know he’s a real dick,” Joseph said. “Most of his clients are criminal. Hard-core, not like the bullshit I get myself into.”

  “What about the relationship between Will and Tucker?”

  “Tucker’s been here twice, maybe. He stands out in the front, never sets foot on the property. He came by right after Elizabeth died. Will jumped in his car, and they drove off. An hour later Tucker dropped him back off.”

  “Interesting. I knocked on Will’s door, and no one answered. I can’t be positive, but I thought someone was looking through the peep hole.”

  “Sissy boy left a while ago and hasn’t come back. It was probably Forrest,” he laughed.

  “I haven’t met Forrest yet.”

  “And you won’t, if he has his way. He leaves for work every day at the same time, and when he comes back, he stays inside and never talks to anyone. The only time he comes out is late at night. He walks around the neighborhood, his baseball cap pulled down low. He’s stupid if he thinks no one recognizes him.”

  “He sounds a little odd.”

  “My opinion is he’s wanted, and keeping a low profile.”

  “What’s his last name?”

  “No idea. I think Forrest is a nickname. He’s a mean-looking bastard, thin and well over six foot. Scarred face like he’s been in a few too many fights. Don’t go around asking questions about him,” Joseph warned. “You’ll piss him off, and he might pay you a visit like he did me. He scared the hell out of me.”

  “Do me a favor and keep an eye out for Miss January. If Will bothers her, call me.”

  “She’s an old drunk.”

  “People say the same thing about you. But you can stick up for yourself, and she can’t.”

  “Want some free advice?” Joseph asked. “Be careful where Will is concerned. He came out of nowhere and got in tight awful damn quick. Both he and Forrest sneak around at all hours.”

  “He’s certainly a piece of work.”

  “One night, Will and Creole got into a fight in the driveway because someone had gone through Creole’s cottage, and he pointed the finger at Will.”

  “Thanks for the info,” I said, turning at the sound of footsteps. “Isn’t that Will walking down the drive?”

  “Don’t leave until he gets inside. He knows you’re on the property, and I don’t want him to see you coming out of my place. Letting him think you were here is one thing, but he doesn’t need to know for sure.”

  “You hear anything, I’m your first call,” I said getting up to leave.

  “Will and Forrest are bad news, and this ain’t the ramblings of a crazy old man.”

  “Just remember this is a ‘no blab’ conversation.”

  Joseph grunted, and I left with more questions than ever. I needed someone to talk to. Brad would go into over-protective mode. Mother would be here in a hot flash, trying to kick ass.

  I knocked at Will’s cottage for the second time. He opened the door slightly, a smile firmly planted on his face. “Did you need something?” He walked out closing the door behind him.

  I guess he wouldn’t be inviting me in. “A family friend is coming to town, and needs a place to stay for a couple of months. I’d like the key to Cottage Ten. What’s the rent?

  “Everything will be in the report I give you,” he said.

  “When? I assumed I’d have them by now since we agreed in Tucker’s office.”

  “When I get them done.”

  “Could you be more specific? You told Tucker and me they were completed.”

  “I’ve been busy,” he muttered. “I’ll have them done by next Monday. You and that accountant of yours will be getting your reports.”

  “I’ll call you on Monday to set up a time to come by and pick them up.”

  “You do that.”

  “As a personal favor to me, please do not evict Joseph or Miss January. My aunt rented to them and they have lived here a long time, and I want to respect that.”

  “I thought after a night’s sleep you would come to your senses. Guess not. Even you have to realize they’re crappy tenants, and make it impossible to get good ones.”

  “We can figure this out later, when things are more settled.”

  “Anything else?”

  “The key to Cottage Ten. Then I won’t need to bother you again. And when you give me the reports, I’d like an entire set of keys.”

  “Keys!” He stopped short of yelling. “Why do you want them? I’m responsible for the keys, and I’m not comfortable with anyone else having a set. I’d insist on Tucker’s written authorization to protect myself.”

  “Fine. Check with Tucker. I’m sure it won’t be a problem. Today, I want a key for Ten.”

  He stomped into his unit and slammed the door. I wasn’t leaving w
ithout the key. I waited and waited. Two more minutes and I was pounding on the door.

  Finally he opened the door and handed me the key. “I’ll need the relative’s name.”

  Oh no, I’d forgotten to ask Spoon. “I’ll give it to you when he gets here.” As I walked back to my SUV, Miss January was sitting on her porch, snoozing with Kitty in her lap. She was sleeping anyway. I refused to think about that cat.

  I called Spoon. “What’ve you got for me, Miss Madison?”

  “The key to Cottage Ten for your friend. I’ll drop it off.”

  “I’m in Miami for a meeting and I won’t be returning until late tonight.”

  “I’m going to stop by Tucker’s office, and afterwards I’ll drive to the body shop and put them in the mailbox.”

  “Girl, you need a better attorney,” he shook his head.

  “So, I’ve been hearing.”

  “Watch yourself,” he said still laughing when he hung up.

  Chapter 18

  When I arrived at Tucker’s office, I was surprised Ann wasn’t standing by the door. She must have left for the day, but I could hear Tucker’s voice from down the hall. I took a seat in the waiting room. I scanned the back parking lot, and realized Tucker and I were the only ones here.

  I could hear Tucker speaking to someone, but I didn’t hear anyone respond. I was about to knock on his closed office door, to let him know I was here and would be waiting in the reception area, when he yelled, “You better listen up! If you want to get the most out of your divorce, you’ll do exactly as I say. Make a list of all the items in the house you want, and where they’re located. Take your wife out to dinner. I’ll have my man parked outside, and as soon as you leave, he’ll go in and retrieve everything. When you get home, call the police, report the break-in, and make sure you get a report number.”

  My legs buckled as I leaned against the wall. Tucker was planning a crime. I wish I hadn’t heard anything, and I didn’t want him finding out I was here.

  “Who’s the lawyer here? Do you think this is my first divorce?” he yelled. “You worry too much. No one will connect you to anything, especially if you keep your mouth shut, and do as you are told.” His voice had gone ice cold.

  “Calm down. Don’t overreact. Forget murdering your wife. Why do that when you’re going to get everything you want from the divorce? Besides, it’s much more satisfying to screw her over and leave her with nothing,” he laughed.

  His laugh chilled me. I needed to get out of here. What if he found me listening?

  “Looks like my original plan for acquiring the property we need isn’t going to work. We have to discuss other options, figure out another strategy. I could easily kill the bitch myself. She’d already be dead if it would get us what we want, but I need her alive. I’m thinking of a two-pronged attack. First, we terrify the hell out of her, and at the same time throw some complicated legal issues her way.”

  He was suddenly silent. Whomever he was talking to was finally getting a chance to get a word in.

  “In the end, I hope she gives us what we want, and at a bargain price. If she’s lucky, I’ll just run her ass out of town. Every time I see her, she’s a bigger pain than the time before. After we’re done with her, there are a couple of other people that’ll need persuading, but they’ll be the easy part.”

  That was the last of his conversation I heard before slipping quietly out of his house/office. Safe in the car, I took a deep breath, my hands shaking, and forced myself to drive calmly away.

  Chapter 19

  I’d ignored my mother’s calls for two days, and it was time to forgive her. She’d spent the morning psycho-dialing me, and I was tired of hearing the phone ring.

  “Hello, Madeline.”

  “Don’t call me that. On the other hand, at least you’re finally speaking to me.”

  “Don’t ever, ever fix me up again.”

  “He’s young, good-looking, successful what’s not to like? Besides, when we started talking about you, he insisted on meeting you.”

  “Good grief mother, he’s creepy. Thank God he’s never called back.”

  “That surprises me.”

  “I’m pretty sure Zach had something to do with it.”

  “Zach?” Her radar kicked into high gear.

  “Yes, Zach. He didn’t think much of your choice of a blind date. In fact he warned me about Connor’s bad temper.”

  “I thought you two would make a good couple,” she insisted.

  “Mother, he’s a control freak with a temper.” I was exasperated. Did she think I’d change my mind? “By the way, he said he’d talked you into quitting smoking. You’re on the patch.”

  “Well…”

  “Well, what? You’re smoking now. I can hear the sucking noises.”

  “Honey, I did listen when he talked about quitting. Why does it matter that I smoke? You don’t smoke, so I didn’t see a problem.”

  I laughed. “Mother, you’re hilarious.”

  “What can I say? I like a good cigar. How did the date end?”

  “I left him at the restaurant, he went wherever and I came home. End of story. So far, no calls and if it doesn’t stay that way you’re going to be the one to tell him to take a hike.”

  “I’ll do better next time.”

  “Two minutes ago you promised no more fix-ups,” I reminded her. “I can find my own dates. You do that to me again and I’ll walk out, and it’ll be a long time before I speak to you.”

  “What do you know about Zach?”

  “I know I like him, and I enjoy his company.”

  “We should invite him to dinner.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Mother, maybe, we could wait to see if we become a couple. This discussion of my love life is over.”

  “Honey, I need a favor. Can you come pick me up and take me to Mr. Spoon’s? My car is ready. I’m not exactly sure where he’s located.”

  “You had car trouble? How did your car get to Spoon’s?”

  “If you’d pick up your phone and talk to me once in a while I could tell you what’s going on. I got in the car the other morning, turned the key and nothing.”

  “Okay, mother. I feel bad now. What happened with Spoon?”

  “I called him and when he found out I was your mother, he went out of his way to be helpful. He sent out a flat bed to pick up my car.”

  “That’s some service. I’ll be over in an hour to pick you up.” Wait until mother meets Jimmy Spoon.

  * * *

  The traffic in South Miami is killer. Whichever way you’re driving, all of the cars are going in the same direction. I was happy to be on the freeway headed out of town, to the Overseas Highway and back toward the Keys. This time of the year, the landscape is lush and vibrant green from the summer rains.

  Mother turned to me. “Has he done work on your Tahoe?”

  “He comes highly recommended,” I said, explaining how I met him. I omitted all references to Zach.

  “He asked me to put in a good word with you. He obviously likes you.”

  Just great. I wonder what else those two discussed.

  I drove through Tarpon Cove and took the last street off the main highway, then a short drive down to the docks.

  “Where are we going?” Mother asked.

  “Spoon’s place is back on the water.”

  The area was a mixture of old abandoned buildings and warehouses. No new construction down here. Everything standing had survived the ravages of hurricanes, Mother Nature at her fiercest.

  “It would’ve taken me awhile to find his place. Really, Madison, this is a terrible area.”

  “It’s not so bad. Besides, Spoon is the law back in here. Nothing’s going to happen to us.”

  Spoon’s business was located on an inlet of water off the Atlantic Ocean, in the heart of the fishing district. The boats unloaded their catch and sold to nearby seafood houses. Businesses along here were primarily family-owned, passed down generation to generation. What they all ha
d in common was electric gates and fencing. From the street, it would be anyone’s guess as to what went on behind the gates. In this tough area, people minded their own business, and expected others to do the same. Not doing so wasn’t worth the trouble.

  “Don’t worry so much,” I patted my mother’s arm. “We’ll be fine. Besides, we both know finding a good mechanic can be as hard as finding a hairdresser. He has a superstar reputation.”

  I parked in front of a plain, two-story brick building, where I rang the bell.

  “I don’t think the bell works,” Mother said, sounding doubtful.

  “He knows we’re here. Trust me.”

  “Hello, girls,” Spoon said as he opened the door.

  “Spoon, this is my mother, Madeline Westin.”

  “Nice to meet you, Madison’s mother.” He leaned in and kissed my mother’s cheek. “Your daughter broke my heart.”

  My mother looked at me. “When did that happen?”

  “Enough, you two. We’re here to pick up her car.”

  “My guys are finishing up the detailing. Give them five minutes. Can I get you a drink?” He led us into a reception room with comfortable leather furniture and a small kitchen. Not your typical body shop waiting area.

  “I’ll have Jack, rocks?”

  “Mother, really?” I shook my head.

  “Jack it is,” Spoon winked at my mother. “I have a fully stocked bar. What about you Madison?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Cigar?” My mother held out her silver case.

  “You’re my kind of woman, Madeline Westin,” Spoon flirted. And, she was enjoying herself, giggling. I poked her in the side.

  Spoon’s phone rang. “I need to take this call. I’ll be right back.” He walked out into the work area.

  “What are you doing? You’re flirting with Spoon?”

  “I like a man who smokes and drinks.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re too much. Please try and behave yourself.” I had to admit it bothered me to watch my mother flirting, and with Spoon, of all people. I needed to chill; it was harmless.

  “How did you break Mr. Spoon’s heart?”