Bluewater Drone: The Eleventh Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Bluewater Thrillers Book 11) Read online

  "Why? I don't care what he thinks."

  "No, but there were other guys in that bar that were attracted to you until you squared off with him."

  "How do you know?"

  "I saw the looks you were getting before you flamed out."

  "Before I flamed out?"

  "Yes. After your little bit of theater, you were getting a different kind of look entirely. They looked a little scared, as you might imagine."

  "Scared?"

  "Yes, in a 'there but for the grace of God go I' kind of way."

  "So I flunk being a barfly pick-up?"

  "Well, as I said, you need more work. The good news is, at a resort like that, there's a lot of turnover. You'll have a whole different audience for your next — "

  "Hello, Vengeance!" The harbormaster's launch drew alongside, interrupting Liz.

  "Good morning, George," Liz said.

  "Morning, ladies. You pickin' up guests? Or just visitin'?"

  "We're working," Dani said. "Guests are coming this afternoon."

  "You gonna come inside? Pick 'em up at the dock?"

  "We'll stay out here, I think, and pick them up in the dinghy," Dani said.

  "Well, I'll be around. Just give me a call if you need a slip, or if they've got too much luggage for your dinghy. I'll ferry their stuff out if you need a hand."

  "Thanks, George. We'll let you know," Liz said. "Speaking of that, I need to get moving. I want to stock the galley before they get here."

  ****

  "I'm looking for a charter yacht run by two women," Kev Strong explained to the woman behind the counter. He was in the marina office in English Harbour, a short walk from the resort where he'd met Dani last night. The clerk smiled and shook her head. "Do you know the name of the yacht?"

  "No. Just that these two women live on it."

  "You know their names?"

  "Danielle Berger is one of them," he said.

  She tapped on the computer keyboard in front of her and studied the display, her lips pursed. Scrolling down the screen, she shook her head. "Sorry. I don't see anything. Are you sure they're staying here?"

  He shook his head. "No. I met her at the bar in the resort across the bay last night, but I didn't get the name of her yacht."

  She smiled at that. "And you say she runs charters on it?"

  He nodded. "She and her partner."

  "Just the two of them?"

  "I think so. Why?"

  "That would make it a smaller yacht, probably. Most of the charters that come in here have larger crews. Same with Falmouth Harbour." She studied him as she spoke, a slight frown giving way to a smile. "A handsome fella like you would make some gal's whole day. I'm surprised she didn't make it a little easier for you to find her."

  "Um," he said, a sheepish look on his face, "we, uh, we had a little misunderstanding."

  "Mm-hmm," she said. "Maybe go look in Jolly Harbour. A lot of the smaller charter yachts use it; it's a little more laid back."

  "Jolly Harbour?" he said. "There's another golf course there, right?"

  "Yes," she said. "But most people staying here play the other course."

  He nodded. "That's what they said at the resort. Is Jolly Harbour far from here?"

  She shook her head, smiling. "You take a taxi. Just go right out the front gate. They all know it."

  "Thanks," he said, turning toward the door.

  "You're welcome," she said. "Oh, and, sir?"

  He paused at the door and looked over his shoulder. "Yes?"

  "There is a flower shop at Jolly Harbour. They will deliver to the yacht. Roses are always a nice way to smooth over a misunderstanding."

  "Thanks," he said.

  "She's a lucky lady," she said. "I hope you find her."

  Strong walked out into the midday heat and decided to have lunch before he went to Jolly Harbour. He walked around the complex and studied the menus on display, finally selecting an open-air place that afforded a view of the harbor.

  After he ordered, he sat at a table under a ceiling fan and sipped at his glass of ice water. He thought about the girl, clenching his teeth at the memory of his gaffe. Still, she had a short fuse, even given his faux pas. He'd thought for a moment that she was going to attack him, before the other girl had put an armlock on her. That must have been her partner, or at least someone Dani knew, judging from the way she'd backed down.

  When the girl first interceded, he'd half expected Dani to turn on her. He'd been thinking about how to calm her down when the bartender had stepped in front of him. Now he recalled the bartender had been passing time with the other white woman, the one who had grabbed Dani. They had been talking like two old friends. Before he went to Jolly Harbour, he'd go back to the resort and see if the bartender knew where to find them, or the name of their yacht.

  He dressed the hamburger that the waitress brought him, and thought again how perfect Dani would be for the role of Cassie. Even the fiery temper would fit; he'd have no trouble getting her to project Cassie's bottled-up anger. And besides, when she turned those sea-blue eyes on him, his pulse raced. It was all there, in that one package. He would have her, and make her a star, to boot. Lucky lady, indeed. He smiled at the words of the woman in the marina office and took a bite of the burger.

  ****

  "Did you find everything you needed?" Dani asked, as Liz stowed groceries in the galley.

  "Well, I found enough. I should be able to manage with fresh stuff for a few days. I wish I knew where they wanted to go. I hate to load up the freezer if we're going to Martinique, or even Bequia."

  "I guess we'll know in a few hours. There's still time for you to make a last-minute run here, if you need to. We'll have to go in tomorrow morning for our departure clearance anyway," Dani said, closing the engine compartment and wiping oil from her hands on a piece of paper towel.

  "Unless they want to spend a few days here in Antigua," Liz said. "Are you happy with the engine?"

  "Yes. I just wanted to check the oil and top it off while it was cold. It's fine. Are you fixing lunch, or are we eating ashore?"

  "Either one's okay with me," Liz said. "Why? Do you have a craving for something?"

  Dani smiled. "I smelled the curry from the little snack bar by the gate to the boatyard when I went to get engine oil."

  "A roti sounds good," Liz said. "Especially if I don't have to cook the curry. Are you — " She reached for the phone that was buzzing on the nav station, glancing at the caller i.d. screen as she lifted it. "It's Elaine," she said, and answered in speakerphone mode.

  "Hi, Elaine," Liz said.

  "Liz?"

  "You have us both," Dani said. "What's up?"

  "Good. I think you both need to hear this. I just had the strangest call about you two ... "

  "Okay," Liz said. "You have our attention. Tell us about it."

  "Well, it sounded normal to start with. This guy was looking to charter Vengeance. Someone had recommended you; he didn't say who."

  "That's great!" Liz said. "It would be nice to know who's sending us business, but still ... "

  "Right," Elaine said. "Actually, I asked him that, but he kind of blew by it, saying he was interested in a long-term charter starting ASAP in Antigua. I told him you were busy for the next few weeks; I couldn't remember off the top of my head how long the Wilkeses had booked. I offered him Diamantista II instead. Connie and Paul just finished up a charter in Martinique. I told him it was a sister ship, and that they could be in Antigua in a day or two."

  "Too bad," Dani said, "but there's nobody we'd rather lose business to than them."

  "Uh-huh, that's what I thought. I told him they were friends of yours — that I was sure he'd have a great time with them. That's when it got strange."

  "Strange how?" Dani asked.

  "He wanted to pay to transfer the Wilkeses' charter to Diamantista II. I told him that wasn't something that we normally did, unless there was some problem with the boat or the crew, and he began to get huffy. He sa
id money was no object; he'd pay the other people's expenses and give them a week's extra charter fee for their trouble."

  "Now, that's strange," Liz said.

  "Who was this guy?" Dani asked.

  "Victor Laszlo was the name he gave, but I think it was bogus."

  "Why?" Dani asked.

  "Well, he got my curiosity up, so I Googled him after we got off the phone. The first hit I got was for a character in the film Casablanca. Besides, it didn't ring true when he gave it to me; there was too much hesitation, you know?"

  "How did you leave it with him, Elaine?" Liz asked.

  "I told him I'd talk to you and get back to him. I mean, I knew the answer, but still ... it was just so odd that I thought I should talk it over with you. I've never had one like this before."

  "So he left a callback number?" Dani asked.

  "No. He said he was traveling and that he'd check back with me, which I also thought was strange. Who doesn't have a cellphone these days?"

  "Creepy," Liz said. "I don't want any part of this one. How about you, Dani?"

  "No, thanks. I wouldn't wish it on Connie and Paul, either."

  "No. I agree," Elaine said. "It is creepy. That's really why I called. I thought you should know. I'd already decided that if he called back before I could reach you, I'd tell him I couldn't help him."

  "Well, thanks for the warning," Dani said.

  "Since you called," Liz said, "do you know any more about the Wilkeses?"

  "Not much. They called the other day to ask about video equipment, but it all fits in a small case. She said it was carry-on size, so I didn't think that would be a problem."

  "Video equipment?" Dani asked. "I thought they were travel bloggers, or something like that."

  "They are, but when she called, she told me they're planning to shoot some video for this show they have on one of the cable channels. It's called Off the Edge, and it's like a travelogue featuring unusual vacations. I thought it sounded like a great PR opportunity for you. They didn't want anything special — just your normal thing, so I didn't call you after I found out. You're okay with it, aren't you?"

  "Sure. It sounds like fun," Liz said. "We were just trying to second-guess where they might want to go, so I thought I'd ask."

  "They didn't mention anywhere special. I'm sure they'll be open to suggestions."

  "Elaine, thanks for calling," Dani said, "but we'd better get going if we're going to have lunch ashore before they get here. Would you let us know what happens with this Laszlo character?"

  "I will. Have a nice lunch, ladies, and have fun with the Wilkeses."

  Chapter 3

  "Tell us a bit about yourselves," Liz said, as she poured wine for Mindy and Blaine Wilkes. They had been aboard long enough to stow their belongings in their stateroom, and they were sitting at the fold-down table in the cockpit, relaxing. "Are you familiar with the islands at all?"

  "Not really," Mindy said. "Most of our traveling has been in Europe and Asia."

  "You've seen the faraway places, but not the paradise that's close to home, huh?" Dani said, taking a sip of her wine.

  "You could say that, I guess," Blaine said. "We've been travelers since before we met."

  "In fact," Mindy said, "we met on a backpacking trip in Nepal right after I finished college. Blaine had been there for a while."

  "I was bumming around Asia, taking pictures, hoping I'd be able to sell them," Blaine said. "I had visions of making a career as a freelance photographer." He chuckled and shook his head. "That didn't work out, but I met this hot chick that liked the same things I did," he said, giving Mindy an exaggerated wink.

  "You sell some pictures, Blaine," Mindy said. "Don't be so negative about your accomplishments."

  "Our charter broker told us that you have a cable TV show," Liz said. "Off the Edge, I think she called it. Are you planning on shooting some video while you're with us?"

  "Yes," Mindy said. "That's what pays the bills. It's a monthly thing; the network alternates our show with a few others that are kind of reality vacation shows."

  "That must be fun," Dani said. "How long have you been doing that?"

  "Off the Edge?" Mindy asked. "We've done three episodes. Not very long. In spite of what Blaine said, he does all right selling photographs."

  "What sort of photographs, Blaine?" Liz asked.

  "Well, what I like to shoot and what I can sell are two different things. Landscapes and seascapes are my passion, but they don't put money in the bank, unfortunately."

  "Not yet," Mindy said, "but they're starting to sell. There's kind of a tie-in with the show; people see the places on TV and then buy nice, framed prints of the spots that catch their fancy."

  "So do you sell through galleries?" Liz asked.

  "Online," Blaine said. "Mindy's set up a web-based business around my portfolio. I wish I could get my work into galleries, but that's tough when you're a nobody."

  "I understand that," Liz said. "Been there."

  "Are you a photographer?" Mindy asked.

  "No, I'm a painter," Liz said.

  "Cool," Blaine said. "Have you managed to get your stuff into any galleries?"

  "Only a couple of small ones that are run by friends down here in the islands."

  "That's okay; it's better than I'm doing. Congratulations."

  "Thanks. I haven't sold anything, ever," Liz said. "But I keep hoping."

  "Will we be visiting the places where your friends' galleries are?" Blaine asked. "I'd like to see some of your work."

  "Well, our itinerary is up to you," Liz said. "One gallery is here in Antigua; a friend from university owns it. The other's in Dominica."

  "All but one of the paintings below are Liz's," Dani said.

  "Wow!" Blaine said. "I caught a glimpse of a couple. I want to take a closer look, but at first I thought they were photographs. What's the medium?"

  "Acrylics, for the ones aboard. I like to work in oil, better, but it's not practical given the way we live. And they're behind glass, in case of salt spray, so that makes them look like photos."

  "No, I disagree," Blaine said. "It's your skill that makes them look so realistic. Artists like you make me feel like a hacker of some kind with my snapshots."

  "But you have to be good, Blaine; I couldn't begin to make a living with my paintings."

  "The only way I make real money with my photos is selling celebrity candids to the tabloid papers."

  "You're a paparazzo?" Dani asked. "That's fascinating."

  "Right," Blaine said, his tone sarcastic. "Don't be — "

  "No, I'm serious. I think it would be fun to stalk those people. Kind of like hunting wild animals; lying in wait to ambush them."

  "That's an unusual way of looking at it, Dani," Blaine said. "Most people think what I do is an invasion of privacy."

  "Celebrities don't want privacy," Dani said, "and they certainly don't deserve it. They're just drones, feeding on the dreams of frustrated, working-class people who shouldn't spend their money on the kind of foolishness that makes those jerks famous."

  "Whoa! I like your way of thinking," Mindy said. "I've been trying to tell him that for years. Since you feel that way, maybe you could help us out a little with a side project."

  "What kind of side project?" Dani asked, a wary look in her eyes.

  "We picked up a rumor that there might be a movie in the works in Antigua. Our sponsors want some travel video, you know: sailing shots, local color and scenery, that kind of thing. But we could pick up some extra cash if Blaine can catch some movie people with their, um ... guard down, so to speak." Mindy raised her eyebrows. "Heard anything?"

  "No, but we can ask around," Liz said. "We have friends in low places."

  ****

  "I have read the script you sent, Mr. Strong. I am interested in discussing this project with you in person."

  Strong released the breath he had been holding since he learned that Danilov was calling. Some flunky speaking broken English had pl
aced the call and asked Strong to "Hold for Mr. Danilov, please." Strong had never received a call like that before; he was mildly irritated, tempted to say, "Tell him to call me himself when he has time," and hang up. He was glad now that he had reined in his impulsiveness. If Danilov wanted to meet, his reaction to the script could only be positive.

  "I would be pleased to meet with you, Mr. Danilov." Strong considered whether he should play hard to get, but he thought better of it. "At your convenience, of course."

  "If we will work together, we must not be formal, yes? You will call me Andrei, okay?"

  "Thanks, Andrei, and — "

  "And I will call you Kevin, yes? This is the American way, isn't it so?"

  "Yes, of course. But my friends call me — "

  "Or do you prefer Kev? I see this in the papers, but it sounds like a fairy name to me. I like Kevin better if we are doing business. People will not think I do business with some fairy, yes?"

  "Kevin is great, Andrei."

  "Is good. We will stop this Kev foolishness if we work together on Cassie's Dream. You will learn to command respect, so that this will not become another of your famous failures. You see, I bring more to this deal than just money, Kevin. You are the artist, but I will be the hard businessman. I am good at this; nobody can negotiate harder than me."

  "I see, Andrei. When would you like to — "

  "I will send a boat for you within the hour. You will be checked out of the hotel and waiting on the dock."

  "A boat? But I need to get my lawyer down here. Can you pick him up in the — "

  "Lawyer?" Danilov interrupted. "We do not need no lawyers. We make the agreement between us like men. We shake hands and drink the vodka, yes? Lawyers are for fairies and women. My ex-wives, they all had lawyers. You know what that bought them? It bought them nothing. That is what. I do not talk to lawyers. One hour. You will be on the dock, with your luggage."

  "Okay, Andrei. I'll ... " Strong realized the call had been disconnected. He looked at the time displayed on the phone and got to his feet; he needed to pack and check out. He was throwing things into his suitcase when it occurred to him that he didn't know where he was going. He felt a tremor of fear, remembering some of the less attractive things he'd heard about Danilov.