Legal Attraction: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Legally Suspenseful Romance)

Chapter 21

Hours later, Coral and Rand stood side by side on the docks of a boating club in Charleston. The client had requested the water front meeting. The docks were lined with gorgeous yachts and for a moment, Coral felt right at home. Everything felt so similar to the royal marinas she’d been to for most of her life. They waited at the gate where someone from Monroe Company would meet them.

Movement on the other side of the security gate caught her eye. She turned around to face away. “Rand. Behind me. That’s Muskanza. That’s Juliet Strong, Thomas Handy, and Stefan Santori. I met them at lunch.”

He studied them over her head and then shook his head. “They seem like perfectly friendly normal people to me.”

“That’s what I thought. But our firm was more than clear that they are the problem.”

“But they were hinting that the firm was the problem.”

“Yes, they were. I just don’t see our Goldstein and Smithson being involved in international royal hunting. What would be the motive?”

“Who knows. It’s curious that they are here the same time as we are, the very three you met with, isn’t it?”

“I suppose it is. I don’t want them to see me yet. Maybe you can follow them, see who their contacts are.”

Someone approached behind them. “I think I spy our attorneys.” A cheerful voice belonging to a tall, rotund man approached with a skinny pale woman at his side. She smiled. “How can you tell?”

“They are calculating how much to bill us for their time standing around.”

“Oh no. of course not.” Coral stepped forward and introduced herself. “We are actually standing here hoping to get a tour of a yacht while we are here.”

“It’s true. Coral grew up around boats like these. And I have actually never been on a yacht.”

“Then you’re both in luck. Our meeting is on the largest yacht in our fleet. Just follow me right inside.” She held up a card and the gate unlocked. Then they led them inside on an interior wood dock lined with boat slips on either side. Each spot was filled with tall, beautiful boats most with masts to sail. She smiled. “I love to sail.”

“If you are the same Coral name we see on Yacht magazines associated with the Mediterranean royals, then we understand you are a frequent winner at the Mediterranean Regatta every year.”

Her breathing caught but she forced a relaxed looking smile. “Yes, the one and the same. I do enjoy putting all those princes in their place now and again.”

“As you should.” The skinny pale woman fanned her face. “I feel a little bit like we’re meeting someone famous.” She laughed. “I’m Fannie Mae and this is Nigel. We’re the in-house attorneys at Monroe Company. And although we specialize in yachts, you will see our portfolio in a minute. The company has prided itself in a great diversification recently.”

“Excellent.”

They turned into the next slip. “Here we are. Angelique.”

“Oh, she is beautiful.” Coral climbed up the stairs resting on the dock toward the third level of an immense yacht. “Do you ever take her out?”

“We do. In fact, you’re both invited tonight to a dinner party where we will take her all the way to the bridge and back. It would be helpful if you can come. All our subsidiaries and companies will be there.”

Coral nodded. “Thank you. We’d love to come.”

“I think you may know a couple of them or you will. Turns out we share the same attorney even before some of the mergers will happen.”

They had all reached the top deck by now.

Coral stepped on Rand’s foot. Mergers? Was Monroe going to become the next Muskanza? How much would they share together? Mutual terrorist goals? She needed to put those thoughts way at the back of her mind if she was going to function naturally in such a casual friendly conversation.

A table was spread with white linens, drinks, and a tray of shrimp and crackers.

Their meeting was pleasant. If Coral didn’t suspect them of violent crimes, she would have been in heaven with this new client. Yacht manufacturers, meetings on yachts, talking about yachts. It was a dream client. But as things like this most often did, it felt a bit too good to be true. With any luck, all this new networking would also be productive because Muskanza would also be present at the party that evening and they could learn more.

Fannie Mae leaned back in the luxuriously comfortable couch across from Coral with a glass of champagne in hand. “Tell me Coral, what is it like participating in a regatta?” She leaned forward. “With princes!” Her laugh turned into a slightly girlish giggle which Coral found oddly discordant with her lawyer persona, but she was always a bit disturbed by the overly obnoxious focus on the princes by the press and just about everyone else in the world when no one spent too much time with the princesses. It just breathed sexism in every way to Coral. But she didn’t seek attention so she’d also not done too much to change the current perceptions.

“Well, mostly, like I said, it’s fun to beat them. They tend to think rather highly of themselves.” Coral laughed. “But really, most of them are highly noble. They value country. They see the importance of public service, and they are often very caring.” She smiled. “But all of them rather like brothers or cousins I’m afraid.”

Fannie Mae sighed. “We’re considering entering next year.”

“Oh, you must. I need another woman out there winning. And you’ll have to meet them all to see for yourself.”

Fannie Mae might have started salivating. Coral couldn’t tell, but there was a good chance true salivating was happening.

“And we can get you tickets into all VIP events of course. If you end up coming, please let’s coordinate.”

“Oh, we will. We may even beg you to help train our team.”

“Participating in the regatta would definitely be good marketing for Monroe Company if you’re considering a larger Mediterranean presence.” She toyed with her cup for a minute and then cleared her throat. “I do hope all of the upheaval has calmed down by the time we are able to hold another regatta.”

Rand shot a glance in her direction and then studied Fannie Mae and Nigel.

Nigel responded. “Upheaval? Oh dear. What kind of upheaval?”

“Oh, like the attack on The Palisades? There have been a few events lately that have had targeted disruptions. I know it was discussed among the royals about whether or not it would be safe to continue a regatta.”

“Oh dear no.” Fannie Mae fanned herself. “I hadn’t heard. We unfortunately are at the whim and pleasure of our American press which is sadly lacking in international news.”

Nigel shifted uncomfortably. “I did hear there was some talk of risk over there. We will need to carefully monitor the situation before we decide to enter.”

Fannie Mae frowned. “Surely it will all die down before summer.”

No one answered because no one knew if a terrorist would stop terrorizing by summer.

“If we hold the Regatta it will be because we feel like the risks are minimal.” Coral nodded. “I’m sorry to bring upsetting news. I guess I assumed you were already aware.”

Nigel didn’t say anything but Fannie Mae shook her head enough that her hair swung back and forth at her neck line.

They finished a lovely luncheon and even talked about specific details in coming work that Coral would see on her desk next week. All in all, she was happy with how things went and could see no reason to distrust the new client.

As she and Rand were heading back to the car, he said the same. “I just can’t see any of these suspects having the gumption or the evil intent to actually pull off a mass threat against a large group of people, in situations where people died. I mean, does Fannie Mae look like a killer to you?”

“No. Nor do the three I’ve met with Muskanza. It’s ridiculous in every way.” She paused, hating the words she was about to say. “Joe however, he’s one creepy man.”

Rand nodded. “I give you that. But then, motive. You’re right about motive. Why would our Goldstein and Smithson want to terrorize the royals of the Mediterranean? And what connection do they even have over there before Aster joined the firm? None at all.”

Coral held up a finger. “Except for Muskanza.”

“Do they have royal connections?”

“A bit, more like Mediterranean connections.”

He nodded. And neither said anything for a minute. Coral wasn’t sure what to think. She was still pretty convinced that there was something highly suspicious about Muskanza and she was inclined to believe the warnings of security name.

“We will know more tonight I think.”

“How are you going to spy on Muskanza without them seeing you?”

“You are, for one. But if they come to the party tonight, there’s not much I can do to hide, is there? I’ll probably just act reasonably happy to see them and chat it up.”

“We should watch who they talk with though. I think that will help us in some way.”

“All their contacts we can pass to Lucan for background checks. He can run their faces or names through the international travel data bases and things.”

Rand reached for her hand and Coral found herself relaxing and smiling. “There are worse places to be.”

“I’m thinking we have about five hours until we have to be anywhere. Maybe we should see about taking one of these boats out?”

“What? How?”

“I noticed over here there are some small sailboats for rent?” He pointed in the direction of a boat rental office with a big sign on the door. Next to the office were a line of small dingy sailboats, a few larger open bow boats, paddle boats, canoes and some wake surfers. “You game?”

“I’m so game.” Coral laughed. “In fact, going out in one of those little sailboats sounds like exactly what I need right now.”

“Perfect, because I called and reserved a time slot. You can rent any boat you like for the next three hours.”

Coral squeezed his hand. “Can we change?”

“What? Like our clothes?”

“Um, yeah. We might get a little wet.”

“Sure, I mean, there’s a small gift shop attached to the office. They might have suits in there.”

“Perfect. And remember we have to get me some evening wear for tonight.”

“You are high maintenance, woman.”

“I aim to please.”

They hurried over to the gift shop and Coral picked out a suit for her and one for Rand as well as towels and a cover up while Rand checked them in.

She joined him already changed and was rewarded with a spark of appreciation in his face. “Nice.” He murmured. Then turned back to the man at the computer. “Whichever boat she wants.”

“Can we start with the larger of the two sailboats?”

He raised an eyebrow, looking her over for a moment. “Have you ever been sailing before. It takes a certain touch and an understanding of the wind to handle a boat of that size.”

“I’ve gone a few times. I think once I familiarize myself with the boat…”

“Oh, it might take more than just familiarizing yourself. Can you handle the rigging? Sometimes the ropes are tough and people get confused about which ones go where.”

Coral raised an eyebrow and waited for him to finish. Then she signed his waiver. “Which one is reserved for us?”

Rand snorted and tipped his head. “You heard the lady. I think we’re ready.”

“If you say so.” He filed away the papers and then pushed open the office door. “You’re the fifth one down on the right. We call her Princess.”

Coral’s mouth wanted to smile, but she resisted.

Rand on the other hand, burst into a fun loud laugh. “Perfect.”

They hopped in the boat. Coral ran her hands up and down the sides, the mast, the rutter, all of it. She breathed in the smells on the water. She felt the breeze on her face. “Today is going to be a perfect sailing day.”

Rand sat opposite her. “Just tell me what to do Captain oh my Captain.”

“Oh, I’m gonna enjoy this.” She grinned. “First, we need to untie this thing and get Princess out on the water.”