Deborah Brown - Madison Westin 06 - Revenge in Paradise (18 page)

Her phone rang again. “Brick,” she said after looking at the screen, and handed me the phone.

My voice fluctuated between calm and angry. I detailed my day. He exploded in a string of colorful language. When he found out I didn’t have his car or money in my possession, he sputtered a few words in English, so I pretty much knew his line of thought, and he ended in a flourish of explosive Spanish.

“You need to get my purse, phone, and gun, and have them delivered to the hotel before morning. Leave them at the front desk; I’m not giving out the room number. Our flight leaves at 8:00 a.m. and I need my identification. You might mention that if Dunbar doesn’t return them, that I’m not without friends. I’ll press kidnap and assault charges and I have the bruises to prove my claim. You and I both know I could get the cops to knock on his door tonight.”

It surprised me when he said he was sorry, admonished me not to overreact, and assured me my belongings would be there by morning.

“Any idea why Dunbar screwed Brick?” Fab asked.

“Dunbar was definitely paranoid over not getting what he paid for, but tying me to a chair?” I thought about the phone call. “I got the impression Brick wasn’t expecting any problems. He seemed surprised and he’s smarmy enough to mumble some pitiful excuse. Would you call Didier and tell him that if Creole calls, I’ll be home tomorrow?”

“I called him while you were in the shower, had to promise we’d be low key until we got back home.”

“I’m so happy that we’re this weird, happy family.”

* * *

Fab called down to the front desk and found out a package had been delivered. She ordered me to stay put and ran down to retrieve it.

She returned and sat cross-legged on the bed, slicing open the box with her pocketknife.

“Doesn’t that package have my name on it?” I asked.

“I’m only speeding up the process. You’re not good at these things.” She upended the box Brick had delivered. Everything was returned, including an envelope of cash, his way of saying he felt bad.

Wait until he receives the expense report
.

Even my fun red slides that I dropped—and they’d disappeared one at a time in the bushes—had been returned; but they didn’t suffer the abuse well. First priority: Go shoe shopping.

Fab threw her bathing suit in the suitcase, snapping it closed. “Brick arranged for a car to take us to the airport and the man is downstairs waiting. Let’s leave early, we can shop at the airport, surely that’s a business expense. I’ll feel better when we’re out of here.”

“Let’s stop at Lincoln Road when we land in Ft. Lauderdale, there’s at least two shoe stores I’d like to run through.”

“You have enough shoes.” Fab let out a long-suffering sigh.

“Now’s not the time to go all meany on me. It won’t take long, you know I shop fast.”

We hadn’t been home long when I got a frantic call from Mother saying she needed a ride home from the sheriff’s office.

“It was all a misunderstanding,” Mother stammered.

“Do I need to bring bail money?” I laughed.

“Madison Elizabeth Westin, get over here right now,” she snapped. “Hurry up.”

Oops, she used my full name. I was in trouble now. Growing up, my brother got his full name yelled out a lot more than I did, mostly because I covered my tracks better.

Fab arched her brows at me. “What?” was on her lips. She and Didier were laughing in the kitchen, making some sort of culinary mess.

“Didier,” I called. “I need a favor.”

He looked around the corner and I batted my eyelashes, not wanting to move off the couch and disturb Jazz from his nap.

“The answer’s no. I don’t do jail runs,” he said, and laughed.

“But it’s Mother.” I can’t believe that Westins were turning out to be jailbirds.

“Sorry, Cherie, you’re on your own.”

“I’m busy, too,” Fab yelled.

“Sorry, Jazz, you’ll have to move. No one wants to be nice to a girl who’s had a bad week,” I whined loudly, and slipped into my flops. “I’m going to tell Creole you were both mean to me.” Didier glared, I thought he would come after me and wring my neck. I closed the door and hurried over to my SUV. No competition to drive today.

* * *

As soon as I slammed the door of my SUV shut, my phone rang. I looked at the screen before answering. “It’s about time,” I mumbled.

“Do you know who you’re speaking to? You must have drawn the short straw.”

“Yes, Chief, sir, I do.” I ignored his reference to Fab not being the one to call. “Did you get the report?” I had suggested she call, in a gesture of showing that she’d had an attitude change, but she made a face and walked away. Even when I threatened to tell Didier, she only laughed.

“Yes. I have another job for you,” Harder said, clearly not amused. “By the way, where’s the invoice?”

Rather than blurting out, “No,” I’d wait until he made his pitch and then turn him down. My intuitive sense kicked in, and his “job offer” didn’t surprise me.

“Are you still there?” he asked.

“We took a vote and unanimously decided to give you what’s known as a freebie. In appreciation for everything you’ve done for Fab and I.”

He snorted. “I want you to call Lizzie, take her to lunch, whatever, and tell her what a piece Dane Thorson is,” he blurted.

Men were such cowards when it came to emotional issues.

“No! I don’t know Lizzie, and believe me, you don’t want Fab to do it.” I almost laughed at the thought. “Trust me. It’s better coming from someone who loves her.”

“Double pay?”

“This is what you’re going to do: Invite her over, just the two of you, and sit with her while she reads the report. If she bursts into tears, wrap your arms around her and hold her close, you don’t have to say a word. Pat her head a couple of times. Do not complain that she’s getting your shirt wet or admonish her not to use it as a Kleenex.” I smiled at the thought of him being the comforter; I had faith he’d do a good job.

I broke the silence. “It will give you a special bond.”

He blew out a long breath. “I suppose you’re right,” he said.

“We’re available anytime.”

“Did you check with your cohort before making that offer?” he said, and laughed. “You two did a good job.”

“Rip off the Band-Aid and call her.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks again.” We ended the call.

Lizzie wouldn’t think so at first, but she was better off without Dane Thorson and she’d move on to find a nice guy, not a fraud.

* * *

Mother had given me an address I didn’t recognize until I pulled up in front of the Fish and Wildlife building. It had been a long time since I’d been here; Fab had a friend who used to work here but he’d gotten promoted and moved to another office. Mother fidgeted, pacing just outside the fence, scowling. Her hair was a knotted mess, not her usual impeccable self, but rather more like a cat toy after it had been drug all over.

She flung the door open. “This is not my fault,” she yelled loudly enough that a couple of officers turned around and stared.

I leaned over to kiss her cheek and she drew back. “Bail money, indeed. I am not a criminal.”

“What is it you used to say to me? ‘Why don’t you start at the beginning and don’t leave out one damned detail.’” I scowled back at her.

Mother’s cheeks turned the same shade as a tomato. “Can I use your phone? I need to call Spoonie.”

I groaned. “Jimmy Spoon is a grown-ass man. One who no one in their right mind would challenge…one who slays lesser men with his growl, sending them into a run for their lives––and you give him a baby name?”

“He’s such a teddy bear.” She grabbed my phone off the dashboard. “Straight to voice mail. I know he didn’t get arrested—I asked. If that wet-behind-the-ears officer had paid attention, we’d still be out on the water, enjoying the day.”

“The beginning, Mother,” I sighed.

“Before you take me back to your house, swing by the docks where Spoon parks his boat. If he’s there, you can drop me off.”

“I’m not dropping you anywhere, until you tell me what the heck happened.”

“Spoon’s boat got pulled over on the water for a safety check. Two officers boarded, they had a list to check for life preservers, that sort of thing. The one hinted that the licensing might not be up to date, which I knew was ridiculous and told them so. Then the other officer leaned down to look in the lockers. I wasn’t paying attention, and the tip of my cigar caught his pants on fire.”

“Mother,” I shrieked. “Is the man okay?”

“Him? What about me? He jumped in the water.”

I’d never seen her throw a fit ever––she stressed manners and no public outbursts to me and my brother while growing up. It amused me. Thankfully no one was hurt.
Wait until I tell Fab
.

She continued in a state of indignation. “I couldn’t believe that the Coast Guard has the right to board a boat, especially for no reason. It’s called a suspicion-less search. The main guy told me to be quiet and Spoon gave me one of those faces of his that he uses when he’s not pleased with me. I gulped down the rest of my Jack, and the next thing you know there was a fire.”

I covered my face and laughed, which sounded more like a coughing fit.

“He kind of did put his butt in my face, doesn’t that make it his fault?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t get arrested.” I took a long drink of water before I succumbed to more laughing.

“I apologized and then burst into tears. He believed it was all a mistake.”

“You cried.” I stared at her.

“Not real tears, but he didn’t know that. I rubbed my eyes hard so they looked red. ”

“Did you and Spoon have something to hide and you created a diversion?” As long as I’d known Spoon he’d been a law-abiding citizen. I wanted it to stay that way.

“How can you ask that?” Mother squinted her eyes.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“No, we did not. We were minding our own business and the other was an unfortunate accident. I peeked when he got out of the water and the fire didn’t go through his underwear.”

I took the loop down to the docks and pulled into a parking space. “Spoon hasn’t brought the boat back,” I said, and pointed to the empty slip. “Or is he in custody and you haven’t been notified?”

Mother glared at me. “I told you we didn’t break any laws.” She reached for the door handle. “I’ll wait here.”

I grabbed her arm. “You get out and I’m calling Brad. You’re not going to stroll the docks waiting for lover boy.” I didn’t waste time. I put the SUV in reverse, flying backward, figuring she wouldn’t get out of a moving automobile.

“Shouldn’t he have been back by now?” She turned in her seat, staring out the back window. “Take me back.”

I ignored her. She’d never allow me out of the car by myself. “Spoon can pick you up at my house.”

She picked up my phone and pushed redial. Frustrated when she got no answer, she left lover-boy a terse message.

“Spoon will come to my house first. He knows you’d stay with me.” On the verge of yelling, I struggled to stay quiet. I wanted to go home. “Call him back and tell him you’re at my house.”

I rounded the corner of my street, happy to see my driveway. Although Mother complained all the way, I thought it prudent not to remind her that at least her day didn’t end in cuffs.

Before she got out she said, “I did get a ticket to appear in court. Can you make an appointment with your lawyer?” She grabbed my arm before saying, “Our little secret.” She zipped her lips.

I walked in ahead of her and claimed Jazz, then threw myself in a chair with my feet over the arms. Fab and Didier lay on the couch watching something riveting on television with the sound down. Reminded me of college when we’d get drunk and watch muted Shirley Temple reruns.

I looked at Fab, my lips a tight line, a slight shake to my head. She knew to ask later.

Mother poured herself a Jack on the rocks and paced the floor relaying her story to Fab and Didier. Fab looked at me and rolled her eyes in a gesture that she wanted confirmation it was all true. I didn’t think Mother would exaggerate this story.

Didier gave her a hug, whispering something in French, which seemed to calm her frantic pacing. He finally got her to sit down, thank goodness. I’d grown weary watching her flitter about the room. He murmured something else and she stayed put, leaning back and putting her feet on the ottoman. Good thing Brad wasn’t here; he had no such power over her. It always irked him when someone could get her to do something he couldn’t.

The doorbell rang so Didier answered it and carried the pizza into the kitchen.

Mother cleared her throat. “Neither of you will say anything to Brad. He’s still on the fence about my relationship with Spoonie,” she said to Fab and Didier.

Didier assured her neither of them would say a word.

Fab stuck her finger in her mouth.

It startled me when Spoon walked in through the French doors without making a sound. It made me wonder if he’d been standing outside listening before making his presence known.

Mother squealed, jumped up, and ran to him, pushing him back out onto the patio. Fab and I exchanged looks. She started to get up to eavesdrop, but Didier pulled her back down.

“How are we going to find out what really happened?” I glared at Didier. “Let Fab go listen, she’s good at it.”

“That is your mother,” he admonished. “You really need to stop doing that,” he said to Fab.

We both looked at one another and exchanged the same thought:
Like that’s going to happen
.

“Wait until I tell Creole that he’s short on the details because of you.” I smirked at Didier.

He frowned and shook his finger, and from the tone of his voice, I knew I was getting a short lecture in French.

I said to Fab, “You can translate later.”

The patio was turning out to be a busy place; Creole’s voice drifted through the door before he entered.

I jumped up. “How was your day, honey?” I pulled him into the kitchen and pressed my body to his for a much-needed hug.