Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Best to forget Ariel. But then, as I tossed the napkin in the trash can near the door, I rewound to those moments in The Pink Pelican, then later at her hotel. That time on the lounge chair when she’d desperately sought her pleasure had obliterated my brain cells, and now the rich, ripe memory of it was making it hard to think about anything else.
Too hard.
I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I walked over to the trash can, fished out the napkin, and read it one more time.
123. Happy Turtle. Tomorrow.
Fuck it.
I was an adult. I could handle a tropical affair without it spilling over and affecting the job. And that was all this was—an island rendezvous that stayed inside the lines.
The next morning found me in my rental car parked a safe distance outside Eli’s house, keen to learn his habits. Sunglasses on and ball cap pulled low, I watched the silhouette of a tall man wander past a window on the second floor a few times and tried to make out what room he was in. Bedroom maybe. Perhaps an office. Even with my mini binoculars, I couldn’t tell. Too many tree branches in the way, and blinds covered most of the windows.
I lowered the binoculars, and for a while, I alternated between watching the house and answering emails from potential tutors for Kylie.
Then, I thumbed through Kate’s emails about inquiries from new clients. Have I mentioned you need to bring someone else on board? Lots of work coming our way.
I sure did enjoy those words—lots of work—because lots of work was the one guaranteed way for me to pay off all the college bills for my brother and younger sister. Excellent. Try Dan if it’s not too wild a job.
Dan was a buddy from my Army days who picked up occasional work for me.
Movement at the front of the house made me table all thoughts of work. Eli strolled down the stone path of his house, tossing his keys lightly from hand to hand, pausing to literally stop and smell the roses growing around his tropical home. He certainly knew how to enjoy every moment. The nightclub, the island sunshine…other people’s money…
He walked to a gleaming black Audi, as if to prove my point.
When he pulled onto the road and drove into town, I followed from a few vehicles behind. Looked like he was headed to the financial district. Banks, banks, and more banks lined the main street, slicing the island into water and money. Sleek black cars dropped off sharp-dressed women and men in crisp suits and ties, their outfits a stark contrast to the island lifestyle.
With my quarry parked outside a large white building, I grabbed a not-too-near spot, about to tail Eli inside, but he popped back out and I had to duck out of the way of the revolving door. He hadn’t been inside long enough to do anything but grab a few dollars at the ATM. No chance he’d dropped off any hefty sums of cash or checked on goods in a safe deposit box.
I walked purposefully to the gurgling fountain outside the bank as if that had been my intent all along. To sell it, I tossed in a few coins, making a wish that this job would pay off.
Eli crossed the street, then headed up a set of steps to a chichi restaurant called Tristan’s with a terrace one story up from the road. A sign said Open for Brunch at Ten, but Eli rapped on the door, and a tall man answered it, letting him in.
What was Eli doing there so early? It was only nine-thirty. I stayed by the fountain for a bit, looking like I was checking my phone while I watched the place. No sign of Eli coming out. Hardly anyone going in either. But then, hold the hell on.
At a few minutes before ten, I peered more closely. I did a double take. No way. There was no way that was her walking up the steps and into the restaurant.
The woman I planned to meet later today.
I hustled across the street to get a better view. She walked from inside the restaurant out to the terrace, joining…Eli.
What the hell? Why would Ariel be dining with him?
I had no answer and clearly no time to linger.
Irritated, but curious as all hell, I wove through the financial district, running through scenarios for Ariel and Eli, but none felt right. Finally, I reached Wayboard Street where small storefronts had signs like Duty-Free, Wholesale, and Uncut.
I had to shove Ariel out of my mind and focus on my mission. Intel.
I tried the first diamond shop I came to. Posing as a curious customer, I said I was looking for a blue-tinted stone. The shop was busy, and the proprietor told me he hadn’t seen anything like that and sent me on my way.