Scent of Gardenia (Scott Tucker Series) (18 page)

Chapter
43

As she
walked back from Shawn’s cell, she was contemplating what she was going to do
with him. As she opened the door from the basement, the phone started ringing.

“Hello.”
Margaret said.

“Margaret,
it’s me. You asked me to keep my ears open relative to the missing men. Can I
expect the normal reward for this?”

“As a
matter of fact…I said I would double it. What do you have?”

“Remember
the ‘Holly’ woman I mentioned to you earlier. Well she’s checking out some things
including the dive cages. I thought you should know about it. She’s also with
Jules Bennett, the tall good-looking cab driver.”

“I’ve
seen him about town. Do you have any idea where she’s staying?”

“No, but
I think Jules might know though.”

“I’ll
leave double the amount in the usual spot. Thanks, and keep your eyes open and
let me know. Bye.”

*.*.*

She went
to the boat yard, taking her boat to the dock at the back of her property.
There wasn’t much of a moon tonight, which made it perfect.

She
rolled one of the dive cages out of her back shed and down across the dock.
Thank
God these things can roll, or I would never be able to get it onto the boat.
The
boat winch helped her lift and aided her rolling the cage onto the boat. The
cage smelled, but she tolerated it long enough to tie the chain to it along
with the heavy cement filled tire. Once she had the cage and the tire on the
back of the boat she could roll each one right off the back of the boat. She
was out of breath, but still had to get Shawn.

*.*.*

She
studied Shawn’s lifeless body.
You were good while you lasted. Sorry about
the infection, but it was time for a change. I’m sure you were pretty tired of
me by now anyway.
An hour later she was doing a ‘fireman’s carry’ to get
him from the basement to her boat.

She was
soaking wet. She dropped his body onto the dock. She quickly dragged him by the
ankles over to the side and then onto the boat. There was a loud thump as his
body fell onto the deck of the boat and a crack when his head hit off the side
rail of the boat. She quickly rolled his body into the cage.

She
stripped off all her clothes. Grabbing the bucket of fish oil, she applied it
all over his body. The oil will help the sea creatures devour your body.
She
thought how funny it was how his body used to excite her, but now it repulsed
her.
She rolled him over and coated that side. She tied the short chain to
the cage and wired the cage shut.
That seems so stupid. Where’s he going?

Margaret
checked to make sure everything was ready for her to leave. Then she went
inside the cabin to put on her wet suit. As she suited up, she remembered several
of the men in her class were paying particular attention to the instructor that
day, not necessarily the instruction. She smiled knowing there were two young
men waiting for her return. They hadn’t eaten since breakfast;
they’ll be
ravenous…and hungry too.

Soon,
all she heard was the lapping of the waves against the boat and the low rumble
of the diesel engine. She paid particular attention to her compass setting,
speed and the length of time to her destination. She picked this location
because it was rarely explored, there being much better dive sites than this
one. However, she knew the body would be found eventually. Hopefully it would
be just the skeletal remains, like the last one.

She
double checked her sightings. This looked like the right spot. She lowered the
bow anchor, letting the boat drift until the anchor caught. She rolled the tire
off the stern and then the cage. The large cage hit the water with an explosive
splash. She put the rest of her scuba equipment on, took the light and dove
down to the cage to make sure it was hidden as much as possible.

She used
her light to find the cage. When she was close enough, her light focused on Shawn’s
body. His eyes reflected the light. It looked like he was a demon. She checked
the positioning, determined she needed to move the cage closer to the coral
formation nearby. It wasn’t that hard to move. She was finally satisfied with
its location. Margaret studied Shawn’s lifeless body, remembering the many
hours they spent together. Then she started to feel sorry about what she had
done.

The
feeling was getting weirder and weirder. She began to realize what was
happening.

Chapter
44

Holly
was trying to forget about Willie. Fortunately, she had Jules to make her more
comfortable. She gave some thought to the redhead who Willie said picked up the
dive cages.
If she was the one who was holding these men and then disposing of
them, then she must know how to dive.

“Jules,
I’m thinking about that woman picking up these dive cages. Let’s assume she’s
involved and has already disposed of one man’s body in one of the cages. That
would mean that she knows how to dive.”

He
looked over, smiling at where her thoughts were leading.

She contemplated,
“Let’s assume she didn’t want to take the chance of anyone knowing what she was
doing and was working alone. Are there many dive shops or dive charters on the
island?”

“There
are quite a few…too many to check each one out. However, if Willie was correct
about a beautiful redhead—that should reduce the number considerably. I have an
idea.” Jules started his cab.

*.*.*

Jules
had been driving for about twenty-five minutes which gave her some time to
admire the scenery including Jules. She still couldn’t ignore that the
inspector and Jules knew each other. However, she had come to know Jules well
enough to know the man could not be a criminal. She had to ask him, or it would
drive her crazy.

“Jules
you know in my short time here on the island how much I’ve fallen for you.
But…”

He
interrupted her, “But you need to know how the chief-inspector knows me…is that
what is bothering you?”

She felt
guilty, but he was sensitive enough to know it was bothering her. “Yes. I guess
it’s my inquisitive mind that won’t let me drop it. If you don’t want to tell
me, I can appreciate that.”

As he
drove, he found the next scenic overview to pull off the shore road and park.
Jules opened his door and came around to open hers. They were seated on the bench.
Jules was staring out at the turquoise water.

He was
quiet for several minutes then broke the silence. “About three years ago there
was an investigation into the theft of US Navy supplies. The Navy, along with
the local police, conducted a lengthy investigation. I was one of the people
questioned in the disappearance of the supplies.”

As Holly
studied Jules, he didn’t seem upset to be telling the story.

“I was
questioned along with several other cabbies about this because we had access to
the Navy base here and often had fares into town. I believe the police and the
Navy have not dropped their investigation. I periodically get wind of things
still being questioned. In fact, I have been questioned more than once by the
investigators including the chief inspector. In the process, I learned enough
about the details of what was stolen and when. I didn’t like the attitude
especially of Inspector Hughes. I felt he was too pushy, looking for someone to
dump this on.”

He
looked at her, continuing, “I knew I hadn’t done anything. I knew some of the
other cabbies well enough to know they wouldn’t have done anything either.
Without telling anyone, I started my own investigation into the missing
supplies.”

Holly
was listening to Jules’ every word, turning to pay attention to only him and
not the ocean view.

“I
learned enough about the theft to consider the chief-inspector to be personally
involved. I could never get enough proof to go to the Navy with what I learned,
but I’m sure based on what I knew…that his nephew, the inspector and one other
man at the Navy yard pulled off this theft.”

“I’m
still trying to put the pieces together. I have the odd feeling the inspector
knows I suspect him. Consequently, I watch my back, and when I’m around the
inspector, I’m especially vigilant. The bottom line is I don’t trust him. Since
men have disappeared and now one has been found killed, I can’t put my finger
on it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t somehow involved.”

Holly
put both her hands around one of Jules’. “Jules, thanks for sharing that with
me.” She watched him stretch his neck. She moved both her hands and rubbed his
neck to help relieve his tension. “What was stolen?”

He
stretched his neck and looked at her. “Military SCUBA equipment including
complete wet suits, breathing apparatus, tanks, and spear guns.”

Her mind
was already racing on what Jules had just shared.

They
both stood up. “I’m a little surprised. Holly, you haven’t asked me something I
would have expected.”

She was
relieved he shared those details and not something more devastating. “What’s
that?”

“Don’t
you want to know how Mike Miller got my name as your guide?” he asked. “I’ll
let you think about that one, but let’s get to where I was taking you.”

*.*.*

Ten
minutes later, Jules pulled his cab into the parking lot of
Bermuda Air Gas
Supply Company
. Jules and Holly found the manager inside the building.
Holly did the introductions followed by a question about whether they knew an
attractive redhead who runs dive excursions.

Paul
Dermot indicated that the delivery men would almost fight over who was going to
deliver her air tank order. Holly asked, “Can you tell us anything else about
her and give us her name and address?”

Paul
asked Jules to come with him for a minute. “I didn’t want to talk about this in
front of the lady.” Jules nodded, and the manager continued. “I had a personal
experience with Ms. Margaret Orion. She is indeed the redhead you’re asking
about. She’s the only one who matches the description…she’s extremely well
built and very attractive.”

He took
a deep breath and continued. “She called one Saturday and needed a rush
delivery of some air tanks. She indicated that something happened. The tanks
were thought to be ordered, but I checked and they were not. She asked me to
make a special delivery and she would pay extra for the special Saturday
delivery.”

Jules
waited for him to continue, but the man hesitated. “So, did you make the
special delivery?”

Paul
looked over toward Holly to make sure she was still out of earshot. “Yes I did.
Not only did I make the delivery, but once I delivered the tanks she asked me
if I wouldn’t mind bringing four of the tanks down to her dive boat. I honestly
thought she could do it, but it wasn’t that much of an extra effort. It took me
a few trips to bring them down and load them on the boat. When I brought the
last tank down, I went into the cabin to have her sign the paperwork. Well she
was standing at the table holding her sundress in front of her and she just
smiled and let it drop…she was stark naked. She said she wanted to reward my
special delivery with special thanks of her own.”

“Well
I’m happily married. My wife would kill me if she ever found out. I asked her
to sign the delivery slip and I would be on my way. She was incredibly
beautiful. She took her time signing the paperwork. I came very close to giving
in. She knew she was having an effect on me…if you know what I’m saying. Maybe
that’s why my guys almost fight over making the delivery. All that aside…there
was something about her that gave me an uncomfortable feeling.”

Jules
responded, “Thanks Paul for sharing that story. I think we’ve found the person
we want to talk to. Can you give me her address?”

“I will
do that. When I first saw your friend here I thought it was her. There’s a
slight resemblance especially with her red hair, however she’s much taller than
your friend.” He looked up her address, writing it down for Jules. “Can I ask
why you need to find her?”

Jules
answered quickly, “We heard about some of the dives she does and wanted to talk
with her about one of our own.” Paul nodded his head, and they headed over to
where Holly was standing.

Jules
had a big smile as they approached.
She was still trying to think about the
possible connection between Jules and Mike.

*.*.*

They
were headed in the cab in the direction of Hamilton. Holly couldn’t hold her
tongue any longer. “You look like you just won something…care to share?”

He
looked over at Holly and smiled. “I think we may have found someone who might
just be capable of these crimes. This Margaret Orion has a dive service, is
also a tall-gorgeous redhead, likes to show off her body…and I imagine shares
it as well, based on what the manager indicated.”

Holly
immediately responded, “We need to go over there and check her out.”

Jules
shook his head. “Actually Holly, we’re headed back to Hamilton to pick up your
personal effects…remember you’re checking out of your hotel and checking into
mine. Besides, it’s getting dark and I think we need to check her out in the
daytime. I doubt she would be at her business this late. Not only that, but it
is in the opposite direction.”

Holly
was processing all of that. “Jules, I can’t wait to be with you again, but
would you please do me a favor and take me to see her operation—now?”

He
pulled into the next scenic parking area. “Holly, it’s getting dark already.
What do you expect to discover?”

“Jules,
I’ll make a deal with you if you take me there now. I’ll make us breakfast in
the morning and I’ll bring it to you in bed. She reached over, running her fingernail
up his thigh.

He
smiled, started the cab, and checked traffic before heading in the opposite
direction from Hamilton.