“Hey, man,” I heard Tom say. As I turned towards the door, Tom came through it.
“Everything ok in here?” he wanted to know. “When you weren’t back in an hour I decided to come check on you.”
“Yeah man, everything’s cool.”
I didn’t realize it had been that long. It had actually been more than an hour and it was good knowing that Tom had my back.
“Where are the girls?” I asked.
“Back at the bar. We told them we’d be right back so we better get going,” Tom said.
“Ok then, André, we will see you in a couple days and will go from there.”
“Ok, but please don’t jeopardize Bruce’s safety,” André pleaded.
“No problem,” I assured him as we headed back outside.
In the course of our conversation, I had asked André why he didn’t just go and strong-arm Bruce out of the house on St. Barts where he was being held. André was a businessman type but I thought surely he could, with enough money, entice enough muscle to do the job for him.
André explained that he feared the repercussions of Bishop both in the form of violence as well as the evidence he was holding which would incriminate him and Bruce in the smuggling of cocaine. Apparently Bishop had filmed the three times André had loaded his airplanes with the drugs.
As we headed back out to the car, I was feeling anxious about our trip to St. Barts. André had explained to me that it was a small island and that didn’t lend well to outsiders blending in and not being noticed, especially in the boat we would be arriving in. I wasn’t sure if we wanted to blend in unnoticed or make an entrance that drew some attention. I knew that the Scarab would definitely draw a crowd.
It had every place we had been so far and it seemed that the further south we went there were fewer and fewer of that kind of boat. André had also suggested entering Gustavia Harbor for clearing customs and re-fueling if necessary.
Back at the bar we found the girls watching the sunset from a table out near the water.
“Hey, guys! Watch this,” Ava suggested to us.
“Watch what?” I asked.
“The sunset,” she replied. “Don’t take your eyes off the sun as it drops below the horizon.”
“I’ve seen a lot of sunsets over water before,” I informed her.
“Well, you’ve seen the flash before then?” she asked.
“Flash?” I replied in a questioning tone.
“Ok, watch, watch,” she said.
We all sat there as the last portion of the sun disappeared below the horizon. At the very last second a bright flash appeared on the horizon - kind of like a flashbulb going off.
“Wow!” we all exclaimed.
It was great. Here I was in my early 30’s and I had never taken notice or knew about such things. A simple time like that moment would always humble me and leave with me a moment I would remember the rest of my life.
After another round of drinks we headed back to the boat. Again, Brian was relaxed up topside listening to some Reggae music from his boom box. He was very discreet and had the volume down low enough as to not be bothering the people on the other boats.
Nice, I thought to myself. It’s nice when people just know how to act. Meeting Joseph and his brother couldn’t have worked out any better. Walking down the dock I could see that Tom was once again going to be a lucky man. He and Evonne were exchanging affections and, like many times before, I wished that I could share his casual attitude about life and relationships.
It wasn’t just the women in his life that he shared this attitude about. Tom never seemed to get attached to anything, whether it was a car, guitar, motorcycle or women. I, on the other hand, I tended to get attached to most everything.
I figured coming from a large family and having to hustle for everything I ever wanted made me more protective of whatever I did get. I was real careful about anyone driving any car I ever owned and surely no one else rode my old panhead. I also tended to be very loyal and it was those emotions that night that were truly being tested.
After Joseph and his brother left and Tom and Evonne headed down below, Ava and I sat up topside. I knew I could be lucky that night, as well. I could strongly sense that Ava was ready and willing to accept my advances. It became obvious when suddenly we were embraced and sharing a long kiss. I found myself giving in and the feeling of that embrace was good. I was enjoying the moment.
“Wow,” I said as I pushed myself from her arms. “You don’t know how badly I want to do this but I just can’t.”
Damn, I thought. I can be an asshole and a lot of other things but I just can’t be unfaithful to someone who believes in me. And that’s what it really came down to. Linda put up with me doing and not doing just about anything but she trusted me. That trust I valued and respected enough not to want to tarnish it. It wasn’t a matter of her never knowing or finding out. It was me knowing it. Ava understood and, like many times before, questioned aloud, “Why couldn’t she find a man like me?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” I said. “It’s only because there only a few stupid men like me that would pass up a woman like you.”
“Oh, that’s sweet,” she said.
“Yeah, well, if I was ever going to jeopardize a relationship, it would be for somebody as nice as you,” I told her.
Despite everything, we both fell asleep that night in each other’s arms.
The next day the four of us got up and waited in line at the marina restaurant for breakfast. It was equally as good as Drew’s but couldn’t compare with the views of the ocean that Drew’s afforded.
By the time we finished breakfast Joseph and Brian showed up. I hadn’t even considered whether or not they would be going with us to St. Barts. After discussing it with Tom, we decided it would be best taking just Joseph with us. When I explained to Joseph no need for his brother that day he informed us that Brian didn’t care much for being out on the ocean anyway.
“He no like boat, he no like the water, mon,” he said.
I handed Brian a $100 bill and he was more than happy. So with no one’s feelings hurt, we cleared customs and headed out of the pass and into open ocean. The ocean was calm and on our way over to St. Barts we passed a couple of water taxis which were ferrying as many as thirty passengers to and from St. Maarten and St. Barts. Everybody on board had drinks in their hands and big smiles on their faces. As we passed we all exchanged big waves to each other.
Nice, I thought. Even for a couple weeks a year to come down here and experience these islands is a good thing. Someday, I thought, I wouldn’t mind coming back down here and spending some laid back time. Then I thought how nice it would be to bring Linda here when I didn’t have a mission to accomplish and just kick back. She would love this, I thought.
With that in mind, I was a little surprised when Ava came up behind me while I was busy steering the boat and lost in a day dream.
“You look so serious,” she said as she put her arms around me and pulled herself closer up against my back. That feels good, I thought to myself.
“No just thinking about where we will be able to tie up to,” I said to her.
André had informed me that Gustavia Harbor was the main anchorage but that dock facilities were very limited. The distance between the islands was only about twelve miles or so and we were there in no time at all.
Chapter 9
Entering the harbor we could see that it was full of yachts which, for the most part, were large expensive looking sailboats. I was concerned about snagging one of the anchor lines as these boats were staggered in such a way that it left us going in between and around various boats to get into an area that looked like it had some open dock space. Finally, past the crowd of boats, I took notice to an open area at one of the few docks at the end of the harbor.
“Right over there,” Tom pointed
“Yeah, I see it,” I said. “Get the lines ready and you might have to jump onto the dock if nobody offers to help.”
“Yeah, no problem,” he said. The water was as still as it could be but even then docking this size boat was always a challenge.
How many times do I have to do this, I thought, before I don’t get all worked up inside? Some of it was not wanting to do damage to the boat but I knew that most of it was my pride. I was able to get the boat close enough that when no one showed up on the dock, Tom jumped from the boat to the dock and Joseph was then able to throw the bow and stern lines to be tied up.
With the boat tied up, we all cleared customs. When we came back to the boat there was a guy waiting for us. He told us that we could not stay tied up there. When I explained that we were only there for the day and that I was prepared to pay for the privilege he informed me that we were tied up to the pier the water taxis used for loading and unloading their passengers.
“You can anchor right over there,” he said, pointing to an area about 100 yards away.
“So if I do that, how do I get from the boat to shore?”
“Your dinghy,” he replied in a sarcastic tone.
Through this whole ordeal of getting the boat, equipping the boat and spending the past month around this boat, I never did figure a dinghy into the equation. Now in hindsight, it seemed like it would have only made sense that somewhere at some time we would need one.
We did have an inflatable life raft that was tightly packed into an emergency container that was strapped down on deck, but I had no idea of how big or little the damned thing was. Overhearing our conversation was a sailor from one of the boats anchored in the harbor. He was busy loading food supplies back into his dinghy and rowing back out to his boat.
“You’re welcome to use one of ours,” he offered. “We have two of them and you’re welcome to use one.”
“Hey, I appreciate the offer,” I said. “Where’s your boat?”
He pointed out to a beautiful old wooden sailing yacht that reminded me of the one that had given me a ride to Nassau.
“Hey, ok, sounds good”.
Evonne and Tom got into his dinghy and off they went. Joseph, Ava and I got back on board and when I got the boat started, the guy on the dock untied us and threw us our lines. By the time we got the boat anchored we could see Tom and Evonne rowing towards us in a small inflatable.
Nice, I thought, we are all not going to fit into that thing. As they rowed up beside the boat I could see there was only enough room for three people at a time in this little boat. Joseph offered to row the girls in then come back and get Tom and me.
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.
Tom and I stood there on the boat as Joseph slowly made his way towards the pier. As the girls got out of the dinghy and Joseph started making his way back for us, I noticed a couple of guys approaching the girls while they stood there on the dock.
The whole time Joseph was rowing back I watched these guys conversing with the girls. I didn’t like it. It wasn’t jealousy, it was something else but I put it out of my mind as we saw them turn and walk away back down the pier.
“Hey, some guy here wants to buy your boat,” Evonne said as the dinghy got to within a few feet of the dock.
“Buy our boat?” I asked.
“Yeah, he said to let you know and that he is serious.”
“Well, I don’t think we’ll be selling the boat,” I said. “Let’s get something cold to drink,” I suggested changing the subject.
From the dock we could see a little establishment close by and, with dining tables out front, figured it was a good place to start. It was actually a bar that had a lunch menu so we decided to eat before heading off. We ordered up lunch and drinks and were all enjoying both when I took notice to the same two guys that were talking to the girls on the dock cross the street headed in our direction.
I could see determination in the one guy’s eyes and right off knew he was the one inquiring about the boat. Now, to own such a boat I knew you either came from money or earned a lot of it quickly, most likely from some illegal activity. I wasn’t stupid and knew that people here in these southern latitudes who had, or wanted to have boats like ours, were most likely traffickers or pirates. With that thought in mind, I heard him ask if my boat might be for sale.
“For sale? No, I’m not selling my boat,” I said in an unfriendly tone.
“Mighty nice,” he said. “That’s a Kaama isn’t it?” he wanted to know.
“It’s expensive,” I shot back. Again, I thought to myself, my lack of knowledge of this boat keeps biting me in the ass. All I knew is that it was a 38 foot Scarab with a lot of power and it was rare.
“I see you are out of Lauderdale,” he said. “What brings you this far south?”
At this point I figured I better come up with some kind of story so I could quickly end this conversation.
“Look man, it isn’t my boat. I’m just delivering it here for someone.”
“Here,” he asked in a surprised way. “To St. Barts?”
“No, actually, to St. Maarten. The owner will be down next week and we’re just killing time till he gets here.” That seemed to satisfy this stranger’s curiosity about the boat and us.
“Look, man, sorry about all the questions but I’ve been looking for the same boat now for a while. My guys saw you coming into the harbor and let me know. I figured I’d come down and check out the boat.”
He said, “Bishop’s the name,” as he stuck out his hand for me to shake.
Tom about choked on his cheeseburger and I’m thinking, I don’t believe this! We come all the way down here, come over to this island and the first person we meet is the one we’re looking for.
As surprised as I was, my facial expression surely didn’t show it because the man continued holding out his hand and I made a conscious effort to reach out and shake it.
“Pat,” I said, “without even thinking.”
I looked over at Ava and Evonne and no one gave me up. I could see a look of puzzlement in their faces at the fact that I said my name was Pat but no one let on.
Bishop wanted to know what had brought us to St. Barts and I explained that the girls were from one of the cruise ships and that we met them and offered to bring them here for the day. We were planning on heading back later in the day.
“Well, I live here,” Bishop said, ”and you should come check my place out. It’s on the other side of the island and looks out over the bluffs.
“Sounds great, I said, “but . . . “
“Hey, the property goes all the way down to the ocean with its own private beach.”
As I was thinking of all the reasons we shouldn’t go, the girls both were expressing reasons for taking Bishop up on his offer.
“Hold on,” I said. “Wait a minute.”
Now, up until this time we had never been up front with the girls about our true mission here in these islands. They only knew we were looking for a friend of ours. Even then, they didn’t know how serious our efforts to find him really were. With that thought, I stood up with a feeling of having to do something quick to keep Joseph, Ava or Evonne from saying something that might jeopardize us.
“We have something to do first but I tell you what, give us an address and when we’re done we’ll catch a cab to your place.”
Bishop must have sensed my urgency in getting this “something” done because he got up from the table asking the bartender who was clearing our table for a pen and something to write on. He wrote down an address and as he handed it to me he mentioned that any cab driver would know the place.
“Ok, then,” I said, “we will see you in an hour or so.”
“Very good. Look forward to it,” he said as he and his friend, who he never introduced, walked back across the street and around the corner.
“What was that all about?” Ava asked sensing my edginess.
Rubbing my eyebrow with my thumb and index finger, I said, “Look, I need to better explain something to you.”
“What?” they wanted to know as I pulled the chair back under m
y ass and sat down.
“This guy here, Bishop . . .”
“I know this mon,” Joseph interjected.
“What?” I asked.
“Well, I don’t know him, but I see him many times before in St. Maarten.”
“St. Maarten?” I asked.
“Yes, mon, at airport. He have very big plane.”
“You mean like André’s DC3?”
“No, mon, no, mon. Big, very fast plane.”
“Really?” I said. I was wondering why André never mentioned that fact. “Ok, so you have seen him there with a big plane?”
“Yes, mon. Many times.”
“Alright, listen to me Joseph, we’re good right?” I asked him
“Yes, mon, we good.”
“Ok, I’m going to tell the three of you something but it must only be between us five.”
“What?” the girls asked with a sense of intrigue in their voices.
“Well, first of all, the boat. It’s not ours. Secondly, this guy Bruce, well, he’s not a friend of ours. In fact, I only met him once.”
“Then why is it so important to find him?” Ava asked.
“Ok, let me start from the beginning.”
The three of them sat there with wide open eyes as I laid the happenings of the past couple of months.
“And there you have it,” I said. “It’s this guy Bishop who’s responsible for it all. Now, who still wants to go up to his house for a visit?” I asked. Joseph suggested that if Bishop had Bruce that we should go up and get him.
“Can’t do that,” I said.
“If he lives here he’s got a lot of help,” Tom offered up.
“Yeah, that’s right. Right now we are just a couple of guys delivering a boat that he likes. If we go up there and Bruce sees me, then what? He might react in a way that would jeopardize us all. What do you think?” I asked Tom.
“I say we pass.”
“Yeah, me too. I mean we’re not prepared for this. Besides he may even be on to us. After all, this is his backyard.”
Adventures In A Pair-A-Dice Page 12
