Chapter 20
My phone buzzed with a call from Catalina as we walked back to the lobby. I swiped the screen and held the phone to my ear with a smile. "I hope your day is off to a good start.”
"It's a little brighter now," she said.
"Thanks again for the adventure yesterday.”
"The adventure is just beginning, Deputy.”
"I like the sound of that."
"I was thinking you might enjoy another adventure. Something more cultured.”
"Color me intrigued."
"I’ll keep it a secret for now. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but are you available this evening?”
"I certainly could be.”
"That sounds noncommittal. Perhaps you're not interested."
I laughed. "Oh, I'm interested.”
"Good. I'll have my driver pick you up at 7:30 PM.”
“Perfect. How shall I dress?"
"Wear something stylish. Look nice. I'm sure you'll have no trouble in that department."
"It's a date," I said.
“Caio.”
I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket with a grin that couldn't be contained.
JD waited for me to spill the beans.
I told him about my plans, then called Cassandra. It went to voicemail, and I left a message.
We left the Nautilus and stopped by her apartment, but she wasn’t there. I called Isabella and asked her to track Cassandra’s phone, but it was off the grid and had been since the day of Evelyn’s murder. That raised a flag.
We went back to the Avventura and chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. I got a workout in, took Buddy for a run, then took a shower and got ready for my date. I slipped into a nice Di Fiore suit, collared shirt, and shoes by Giancarlo Savini. I looked pretty dapper, if I do say so myself.
Marco picked me up in the Navigator at 7:30 PM on the dot.
I slid into the comfy leather seats in the back. "So, where are we going?”
"I'm not at liberty to say," he replied.
That was fine by me. I enjoyed the mystery of it all.
Marco drove through the streets of Coconut Key and pulled into the parking lot at the museum. He drove to the main entrance, put the vehicle in park, then hopped out and grabbed my door. I stepped out of the Navigator and adjusted my jacket.
"She's waiting for you inside the lobby," Marco said.
I thanked him and climbed the steps, then pushed in through the main doors.
Catalina looked delicious in a black, skintight cocktail dress that hugged her glorious form. A plunging neckline revealed a deep valley of cleavage adorned with a sparkling necklace. Her smoky eyes smoldered, and her full lips begged for attention.
She greeted me with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. "So glad you could make it. She took my arm and escorted me into the museum. "We have the place all to ourselves tonight.”
"That's a neat trick. How’d you manage that?”
She smiled. “I have friends in high places.”
A few security guards remained to look over the priceless artifacts. We took the steps up to the second floor and began the tour.
The first gallery we stepped into was full of priceless jewelry and gold, illuminated in glass display cases.
“This collection is from the Solatari Empire, thought to exist between 1400 and 900 BC. Legend has it, the jewels were crafted by the gods and given to King Ta’kali as a gesture of his chosen eternal reign.”
“When did the King die?”
“He was sad to have lived for almost 500 years until the end of the Solatari Empire.”
“Not so eternal, but not a bad run, I guess.” I didn’t buy into that kind of thing, but I found the legend interesting. “The last time we hung out around priceless jewels, they got stolen.”
"Fortunately, these jewels are not my responsibility. Their safekeeping is in someone else's hands.”
The security guards followed us around, but kept their distance and remained unobtrusive.
“By the way, how’s the investigation going?”
I shrugged. “It’s been busy. Murder cases take priority.”
“I understand.”
“Don’t worry. We’re still doing everything we can.”
She smiled. “I’m not worried.
Catalina motioned to the artifact in the next display case. "This is the king's crown."
It was an intricate piece with finely cut gems that sparkled under the light. Something far more sophisticated than should have been available at the time.
“You tell me how primitive people were able to create such wondrous works of art with such limited tools.”
It was fascinating to think about.
We browsed through all the display cases. Catalina knew the history of every piece. She had clearly studied this collection. It was important to her. This wasn't just some random date to occupy time. This was something personal. She was sharing a part of herself with me.
"As a jewelry designer, I take inspiration from everything," she said.
"I'm fascinated by the craftsmanship of ancient civilizations. I think we have a duty to honor the fine workmanship of the past. Not everything needs to be cut with machines and assembled in a factory. I prefer a more artisanal approach.”
"I'd love to see more of your work. It's obviously in high demand.”
She smiled. "I hope this isn’t boring to you.”
"No. Not at all. I find it quite interesting."
"Good. I thought we’d do something a little slower-paced this evening. Not so life-threatening. It's good to know you're comfortable in multiple settings.”
I got the impression Catalina was vetting me for the position of boyfriend. I could certainly be persuaded to apply.
We continued through the museum, marveling at the wondrous artifacts. After we’d seen everything, Catalina said, "How do you feel about dinner?"
"I would feel great about that.”
"Excellent, I've reserved a private room at the Five Fathoms.”
She was a take-charge kind of girl, and a meticulous planner. Catalina knew what she wanted, and I suspected she always got it.
We left the museum, and Marco took us to the fancy restaurant.
The hostess greeted us with a cheery smile. "Miss Navarro, so good to see you again. Right this way.”
She led us through the busy restaurant. Forks clinked against plates, and chatter filled the air.
The delightful smell of grilled beef and seafood swirled.
The hostess seated us in a private alcove that wasn't too claustrophobic.
We still got a sense of the restaurant, but had a degree of privacy.
Bottles of expensive wine lined the racks around us.
The waiter approached and greeted us with a smile. "Miss Navarro, so great to see you again!"
It was a common refrain. I suspected every waiter in the restaurant wanted to serve Catalina. No doubt she tipped well and ran up an expensive tab. Her first order of business was ordering a Lafite Rothschild.
The sommelier brought the wine and poured a sample for her to taste. Once he received her approval, he poured the glasses, and we enjoyed the expensive grape juice.
I ordered the filet mignon, topped with lobster and served with a side of sautéed mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes. A bowl of creamy lobster bisque started things off in the right direction.
The meal did not disappoint.
We enjoyed dinner, chatted effortlessly, and indulged in the famous key lime pie. The tangy, zesty overload of sugar was heavenly.
Catalina was just as sweet.
At the end of the evening, the waiter instinctively handed the bill to Catalina. I managed to steal it before she could grab it.
"No! This is my treat.”
"I insist,” I said. “You covered the skydiving. This is the least I can do."
"Technically, a case could be made that this is our third date,” she said.
"Can you really call the gala a date?”
"It depends on how you look at it. I hope you don't think that buying my dinner will get you into my pants tonight."
I laughed. "I would never be so presumptuous.”
I slipped my credit card into the folio and handed it back to the waiter.
"I'll be right back with this," he said when he retrieved it.
"Thank you. It's not often that someone steals the tab from me.”
I had no doubt a woman like Catalina ran into her fair share of freeloaders.
I signed the check and left a nice tip. Fat and happy, we strolled out of the restaurant, hopped into the Navigator, and Marco drove us back to the marina at Diver Down. He pulled around by the dock.
Catalina took my hand. She had nice hands, and her touch was warm. “I had a wonderful evening,” she said before kissing my cheek.
She lingered in the vicinity.
Marco watched in the rearview.
I wasn’t keen on the audience. “I’d invite you aboard for a drink, but I’m sure you have better things to do.”