Chapter 24
Out came the credentials.
"I'm Special Agent Jennings," Flattop said. "This is Special Agent Beckett. We need to have a word with you."
"What seems to be the trouble?”
With all of our past run-ins with the feds, I was cautious to say the least.
"It's about Catalina Navarro.”
"What about her?"
"What exactly is your association with her?”
"How is that any of your business?" I didn't like being on this end of the questioning.
"Are you working an operation, or is this a personal interest?"
"Operation?"
The two agents exchanged a glance.
"How much do you know about her?" Jennings asked.
"I know she seems like a sweet girl.”
Jennings laughed, and I didn't like it. He picked up on that fact. "Seems like you haven't done your homework.”
Something told me I wasn't going to like where this was going.
"Her father is Diego Navarro. He’s the head of one of the most ruthless criminal cartels. We believe she's a point man for his operation here in the States. The jewelry store is a front. There's a good possibility she orchestrated the heist and is committing insurance fraud.”
It hit like a punch to the chest.
I didn't know what to believe. I didn't want to believe it. But Catalina had a lot of money and a commanding presence. It wouldn't be totally implausible.
"She doesn't seem like the type," I said, instinctually wanting to defend her. I guess I liked her more than I realized.
The two agents laughed. "Sounds like she's got you good. That ass of hers is clouding your judgment."
My jaw tightened. "You got anything to back up your statements? Or is this all just speculation?”
Jennings and his sidekick frowned.
"If I had anything to back up my suspicions, she’d be in jail right now. But that's where you come in.”
I knew where this was going. "You want me to get close to her. Spy on her. Feed you intel.”
"You're in a prime position to do it. We've been trying to build a case against Diego Navarro for a long time. You could crack that thing wide open. You've gone on what, two dates now? We couldn't have asked for a better informant."
"I'm not an informant.” I didn’t like the fact that they’d been following me around.
"I realize that sometimes in the fog of war, things can get confusing. Lord knows a woman like that could confuse me.” Jennings chuckled. “You have an opportunity right now to take a bad man off the streets and bring down an entire organization."
"She knows I'm a cop. If what you say is true, I seriously doubt she would let any information slip that would be incriminating. She's not a fool. She strikes me as an intelligent woman."
"She strikes me as a ruthless killer. If you'd like, I can send you case files on all the people who have been executed by the Navarro cartel. It's pretty gruesome. Makes for good bedtime reading. Guaranteed to give you nightmares.”
I frowned, and that sense of dread swirled.
"There's an international warrant out for her father right now. He'll likely come to the States at some point. A heads up would be great.”
This was not exactly on my bingo card.
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news,” Jennings continued. “I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear. The woman has enticing qualities.” He dug in his pocket and handed me a card. "Do the right thing.”
I took it and slipped it into my pocket. "I'll look into this. But I think you're wrong about her.”
"For your sake, I hope I am.”
I continued down the dock to the Avventura, and the feds walked back to their black SUV with tinted windows.
I crossed the passerelle and stepped onto the aft deck. Buddy waited for me at the salon door. I slid it open, knelt down, and petted the little guy. He brought joy to an otherwise depressing moment. I felt like the wind had been taken from my sails.
I stepped aboard and found JD. He sat on the sky deck, soaking up the sun with an ice pack on his cheek.
"What's the matter with you?” I asked.
His face twisted with anger. "My tooth hurts worse now than it did before. That whole side of my mouth is on fire, and the damn thing throbs. Don't even talk to me about drinking something cold.”
"Is that normal?"
"How the hell should I know? I never had a procedure like this before.”
"Have you called the dentist?”
"Yes, I called the dentist. She's out of town.
I'm waiting for a callback, but I'm not holding my breath.
Pepper said to keep icing it, take some ibuprofen, and try to relax.
I don't know how I'm supposed to relax when my tooth is screaming.” He paused.
"Maybe a pair of pliers would have been a better option.”
I chuckled, though there was nothing funny about the way JD felt.
"Where have you been?"
I caught Jack up to speed, and I told him the bad news about Catalina.
He frowned and considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "I told you that girl was dangerous."
My mouth tightened. "I'm not sold."
"That's because you’re not thinking clearly."
I couldn't deny that certain attributes may be clouding my judgment.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to spy on her?”