Chapter 8
Chapter eight
Roger
Elijah and I glance back at our wives once we reach Carter and Leanna at the entrance to the open-air restaurant. The soft sounds of piano music waft into the waiting area just as the hostess calls out, “Andrews, party of six!”
Sherri, as the name tag would read, says, “All persons in the party must be present before we can seat you.”
“They are right there!” Leanna screeches. “Girl talk is important.”
Sherri finally smiles. “Why didn’t you say so?”
Carter and Elijah both laugh when they see my annoyed expression because that’s exactly what I just told the hostess. Elijah slaps my back, “Terms like ‘tête-à-tête’ are lost on today’s youth. You have to use slang like jawing, gassing, or spilling the tea.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard! When did referencing a conversation become akin to flatulation?’”
Carter doubles over in laughter, barely able to walk as Sherri leads us to our table.
I glance back at Harper and Jessie one more time and nearly turn back to rescue my wife.
Elijah stops me. “Slow your roll, Roger. Jessie isn’t going to let whatever is being said between them escalate into a fight. ”
“Are you sure about that?” I ask. I’ve known Jessie almost as long as Elijah has, and she’s never backed down from a fight.
Elijah stops to scurry back and glance at the two women. “Normally, I’d say ‘yes,’ but Harper looks coiled like a viper ready to lash out. Jessie can handle herself, but her mouth can sometimes run away from her.”
Don’t I know it? “I’m going to go rescue my wife,” I tell him. For some reason, the words feel like chocolate on my tongue, and I enjoy the way they roll off it. “My wife.”
Elijah grabs the back of my shirt. “They aren’t going to brawl on the lawn of a prestigious resort. At least, I don’t think they will. Whatever is going on between them is between…them.”
“Jessie is a lethal weapon,” I argue.
“From what I’ve read in Harper’s file, she’s no wilting flower.
She had at least four years of intense Krav Maga training and seven more years after that to hone her skills.
Jiu-jitsu is about taking the fight to the ground, but Krav is dirty and effective.
We incorporate a lot of Krav into our training, but I have a feeling that Harper can hold her own. ”
A small burst of pride permeates my body when Elijah says that.
Anyone who can take on Jessie is a fierce opponent.
If Elijah believes it would be a worthy match, then maybe I should step back and let things unfold naturally.
“So, what you’re saying is to allow them to duke it out and let it come down to survival of the fittest? ”
“That’s not exactly what I said, but there’s no less truth in the statement,” Elijah replies as we sit down at the six top.
Carter finally interjects once the hostess passes out the menus and leaves. “I may not be able to hear Jessie and Harper’s conversation, but I’ve heard yours. Do I need to order the popcorn so we can watch a brawl?”
I laugh. I’ve never been able to explain it, but popcorn is a sign of respect in our group. It means that two people are worthy adversaries, and the outcome is uncertain and garners our full attention—much like going to the movies and getting deeply enthralled in the plot line.
Leanna excuses herself and goes to the railing, taking out her phone and capturing the exchange on video.
She returns a minute later and pockets her phone.
“Having had six siblings, I’ve seen some epic throwdowns over the years, but apparently, your wives have learned to work out their differences through communication. Bummer.”
Leanna had six siblings at one point in time, but being part of a family of firefighters has unintended consequences. Her oldest sister, Isabella, died fighting a fire in Afghanistan, and Isabella’s twin sister, Callidora, works for Shining Knight as a forensic arson expert.
“And that’s a bad thing?” I ask, more casually than I feel at the moment.
“Less exciting for sure, but not bad—per se. I just know that when I duked it out with my brothers or sisters, we were closer after the dust settled and the bruises healed.”
“I, for one, am grateful that Harper won’t be having to ice a black eye tonight,” I say.
The waitress, Heather, comes over and takes our order. We ask for a round of ice waters and specialty drinks for the ladies. Heather scrunches her nose and says in a condescending tone, “We don’t have a kids’ menu here. Our drinks are pre-made with alcohol.”
Leanna wipes her mouth with the napkin and goes into full paramedic mode.
“Then make them according to your customer’s wishes.
A dash of juice here, a little blend of ice there.
Not everyone enjoys losing their inhibitions and going hog wild like they’re on spring break.
Also, did you know that there are people who can have an allergic reaction to alcohol that can turn deadly?
Man, can you imagine the lawsuit on something like that? Woo wee!”
“I’ll see what the bartenders can do,” Heather replies and spins on her heels.
“What did we miss?” Harper asks as she and Jessie join us. Elijah and I immediately stand to pull out their seats.
“Nothing much,” I say nonchalantly. “A little posturing, nothing more.”
Harper’s back becomes rigid. “Posturing?” she asks.
“Yeah. The waitress was giving us grief about ordering non-alcoholic drinks,” I reply. Harper’s and Jessie’s shoulders both relax a fraction until Carter speaks up.
“Don’t worry. We weren’t taking on bets about who would win the brawl we thought was sure to happen between the two of you,” he says.
“Or trying to get video,” Leanna amends.
Jessie and Harper both chuckle, but Jessie speaks up first. “I’m willing to go toe-to-toe with Harper and see what she’s got, but…”
Harper doesn’t back down. “Tomorrow morning, bright and early, on the beach in front of our cabana. The first one to tap out buys drinks.”
“The resort is all-inclusive, Harper. The drinks are free,” Jessie says with a grin.
Harper nudges me. “Tell them your theory about my parents.”
Now that Jessie and Harper have re-engaged their communication devices, we can talk just above a whisper and not be overheard. The piano playing behind us is muted, even though I’m really enjoying the music.
“Are you sure? You didn’t seem to agree with me earlier,” I ask Harper.
“I’m sure. I’m too close to this situation to be fully objective,” she says.
I take the next few minutes to lay out my rationale for Robert Finnegan using his real name when booking this resort. I leave out the fact that Eloise is a prior agent and an active asset.
Carter steeples his fingers under his chin, and his brows furrow deep in thought. “I can see where you might think that, but then I have to wonder why he didn’t bring agents with him. It’s pretty risky to try and draw out criminals without any backup.”
I nod in agreement. “That’s a valid point.
Even if Robert didn’t have any backup staying on the premises, he would have had them close by.
Can you coordinate with Jerry and have him search the FBI database to see what cases Robert was involved in?
Have him narrow down the search parameters to anything in the last three months. ”
Harper gasps. “You can’t just go poking around in the FBI database all willy-nilly because you want information. There are appropriate channels we need to go through.”
“You mean like getting explicit permission from Director Marshall Whitman? I believe he gave it to us when he authorized us to join in the investigation. You didn’t leave him much choice, Harper,” I say, slightly exasperated.
I’ve done things by the book for two decades, but I have found that asking forgiveness often works out better than asking for permission, especially when the end results work out in everyone’s favor.
“Even if we were to access the servers through a back door, anything we find would have to be turned over to the FBI. However, in this case, we aren’t circumnavigating any procedural guidance and have permission to access the database. ”
Harper’s shoulders relax only a little. “I’m sorry. It just sounded like you were suggesting that Jerry hack the FBI servers.”
I was, in a way. I don’t really care if we have permission or not when it comes to finding my friend, but Jerry knows how to cover his tracks if push comes to shove.
“We also need Patrick to search for any other hotel check-ins within a five-mile radius. Specifically check-ins with Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware identifications? If Robert had agents here, they would have been close by. He should start with hotels in Key West and then expand outward, going no further than Big Coppitt Key.”
Jessie sips from her giant pineapple filled with fruit juice and grenadine. “Why those states in particular?”
“Because they surround FBI headquarters in DC. Most agents commute in. I know I did because the cost of living was too high, and the crime rate practically guaranteed your home being broken into at some point. Do we know if Robert and Eloise flew commercial?”
Harper sets her drink on the table and smooths out the napkin on her lap. “They did. Delta flight 2168 out of Baltimore to Key West.”
“Great!” I nearly shout. “Carter, instead of having Patrick search for people checking into hotels with IDs from the states I previously mentioned, have him compile a list of anyone who checked into hotels within the defined search area on the same day Robert and Eloise checked into the Keys of Romance. Then have him cross-reference those names with anyone on flight 2168.”
“Got it, Boss,” Carter replies.
“Do you think my father would have had agents on the plane with him? Wouldn’t he have staggered his approach the same as you all did?” Harper asks.
“Yes and no. Your father would have had them all book their own itinerary, rental cars, and hotels. They would have been close since Key West proper is less than two miles away. There’s only one road leading in or out of Flemming Key, which would allow them to block off any vehicular means of escape,” I say.
“Vehicular. What about by boat? There’s a dock no more than fifteen feet from your back door,” Leanna asks. She may not be an agent, but she’s sharp as a tack.
“It’s very possible that Robert and Eloise were kidnapped and transported by boat.
That’s most likely the case. Without any camera footage, though, we have no way of knowing for sure.
If Robert had a team of agents nearby, he and Eloise would have ensured there was some way that they all could be tracked.
If we can find out who that team consisted of, maybe we can find out what happened to them. ”
Leanna nods and looks pleased that she’s able to contribute in some way. There are no bad ideas when it comes to brainstorming possibilities, and I dip my chin in gratitude for her input.
Harper frowns. “Why wouldn’t those agents have come forward and said something? None of this is making sense to me.”
“It usually won’t until all the pieces come together,” I tell her. “Maybe whatever your father stumbled on runs a lot deeper than we originally suspected.”