Chapter 13
“Idon’t know what you’re talking about,” Catalina said.
“Cut the shit,” I snapped. “Two of your guys in a stolen silver sedan just tried to air us out.”
She paused. “Are you okay?”
“We’re fine. Thanks,” I said in a snarky voice. “The car’s a little messed up. But that can be fixed.”
“You have to believe me, I had nothing to do with this.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe.”
“How could you think I was capable of doing something like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve got a track record of that kind of thing.”
“I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I’m not sold.”
“This could have been anyone,” she said.
“I like to think I’m a likable guy,” I quipped. “Who would want to kill me besides you?”
“I’m sure there are a lot of people.”
She wasn’t entirely wrong.
“I swear to you, I had nothing to do with this.”
“Then maybe you should talk to your father. If the order didn’t come from you, he’s the only other person it could have come from.”
Catalina said nothing.
“Gotta run. Been nice chatting. Catch you later.” I ended the call.
The driver dropped us off at Diver Down, and we strolled into the restaurant and took a seat at the bar.
Teagan greeted us with a bubbly smile. “Afternoon, boys. What’s shaking?”
“Oh, this and that,” I said.
Her perceptive eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t sound good.”
I told her the story.
She didn’t seem surprised. Her face tightened. “I knew something was going to happen. I just had a bad feeling all morning. I’m glad you’re both okay.”
“Well, next time you have a bad feeling, let me know,” I said with a chuckle.
“What can I get for you?”
Jack went with the coconut shrimp, and I ordered a grilled Mahi sandwich. We stuffed our faces and talked about the cases.
Harlan sat at the end of the bar as usual, sipping a longneck.
Teagan leaned against the bar and said, “I think this would be a great time for us all to take a vacation. Get out of town.”
In that tight bikini top, she made an enticing argument.
I smiled. “I’d love that. But it’s not going to make the problem go away.”
A pouty frown pulled her lips. “It’s always going to be something. You need to enjoy life. Take a little time for yourself.”
“I do enjoy life.”
She gave me a doubtful look.
“What!?” I said innocently.
“I just want you to enjoy it for a long time.”
“Me too,” I assured.
After we ate, JD and I took the Wild Fury van to find Gwen Wescott.
This time, I kept a watchful eye on my surroundings.
I didn’t think the cartel would try to exterminate us twice in one day, but you never know.
For all I knew, I had tagged one of the assailants.
One of them might turn up in the hospital with a gunshot wound or wind up in a dumpster.
We caught up with Gwen in Stingray Bay. She lived in a posh mansion on Mango Terrace. We spoke to her at the front door. She wasn't too keen on letting us inside. I'm sure she had spoken to Blair.
Gwen was a sophisticated woman with short, stylish blonde hair, sculpted features, and alluring brown eyes with smoky eyeshadow.
She wore a cream designer dress with daring cuts, and she had plenty of sparkly rocks dangling from her ears, her collar, and on her fingers.
Gwen was no stranger to Botox and filler.
"It's terrible what happened," she said, feigning empathy. “I still can't believe it.” She paused. “I understand you're talking to everyone at the club.”
"Yes, ma'am."
"I can't imagine that anyone at the club would do such a thing. Though some of the newer members are suspect in my opinion.”
It seemed to be a common sentiment.
"Anyone in particular come to mind?" I asked, dancing around the subject.
She took a deep breath and pretended to think for a moment. "It's hard to say. I don't really keep up with the gossip."
I'm sure a woman like Gwen knew all the juicy dirt around the club.
"When was the last time you saw Liam?” I asked.
She took another deep breath. "I think it was Monday when we had our last lesson.”
"How often did you receive coaching from Liam?”
"We had a standing appointment on Mondays.” Gwen frowned. "I don't know who I'm going to get to replace him. He was an excellent instructor. My game has improved dramatically."
“I bet,” I said, trying not to be too pointed about it. "Did you ever see Liam socially?”
"Well, I would bump into him here and there in a restaurant or at a bar from time to time.”
"Did he ever come to the house?”
"We don't have tennis courts.”
I smiled. "Did you ever see him at the Seven Seas?”
She shifted uncomfortably. “No.”
“No?”
“Well, I may have encountered him at a social function.”
“Liam was very social in the Pineapple Cabana.”
Gwen swallowed hard. “What are you getting at?”
I gave her a flat look. “There’s really no need to hide it at this point. According to the phone records, you met him there seven times.”
Gwen stiffened.
“He came to the house on more than a few occasions. How about you start telling me the truth?”