Chapter 26
“Idon’t know what you’re talking about,” Tonya said in an innocent voice.
My eyes narrowed at her. “Cut the shit.”
Of course, I couldn’t prove anything at this point, but I knew they’d stolen the plastic egg.
“The island is unsafe. Apartments get broken into all the time. Do better. Up your police presence.”
“Do you think insulting me is going to work in your favor?”
“I’m sorry if you can’t handle the truth.”
My jaw tightened, and my eyes seared into her. “You’re doing a great job.”
“Of what?”
“Getting on my bad side.”
"We've only just met, deputy. Do you really find me that disagreeable?" she said, attempting to flirt.
I had no doubt that Tonya could flirt her way out of a lot of trouble. She could probably also flirt her way into a lot of trouble.
She looked at Jack. "What's the matter with him?"
He glared at her. “Toothache.”
She made a sad, pouty face.
"Now that you've acquired the data,” I said. “I want to know what this is all about.”
Tonya hesitated a moment.
I looked past her into the living room. "Where's Paige?”
Tonya glanced over her shoulder for an instant.
I got the sense Paige was in the cabana. “You girls are playing with fire.”
Tonya stared me down and took a sassy stance. “Is that all?”
“Evelyn is dead because of whatever was in that egg. I think it was a data drive. What makes you think you two are safe? If I found you, Rory can too.”
Her throat tightened, and fear flashed in her eyes.
I didn’t know what kind of capabilities Rory had, but cell tracking wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
“Who are you planning on selling the data to? If Evelyn was your client, you don’t have to split the proceeds with her now.”
From her look, I knew I was right over the target.
“Have a good evening, gentlemen.” She looked at Jack. “Hope you feel better.”
She closed the door and latched it.
I shared a look with JD, and we walked back to the lobby.
We stepped outside, and the valet pulled the Porsche around.
I climbed behind the wheel, spun the car around, and drove through the lot.
I found a dark place to park. From there, we had a view of the main entrance and the private path that led to the cabanas from the lot.
"If they're smart, right about now they're making plans for a venue change," I said. "Their cover is blown."
"I'm not sure how smart they are," Jack muttered. "It seems like they think this is a game.”
We sat there for at least half an hour.
The stakeout got old fast.
I was getting ready to fire up the engine and call it a bust when the two girls exited the private path with roller cases in tow. I had no doubt they'd learned their lesson and turned off their burner phones. They wouldn't pop back up on the grid again from a location that could be tied to them.
They loaded their bags into the trunk of the Mustang, then Tonya slipped behind the wheel.
Paige was a gorgeous blonde with wispy hair that kissed her shoulders. She had a slim figure and wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, which only drew more attention at this hour. The whole incognito thing wasn't really working for her.
Paige climbed into the car. Tonya cranked up the engine and pulled out of the space. We kept our distance as they drove out of the lot. But we weren’t the only ones who had taken an interest in them.
A black SUV followed them out of the lot.
Maybe it was just a coincidence.
We kept a few car lengths behind the SUV. It hugged the Mustang’s bumper for a little while, then crossed the double yellows and began to pass. A submachine gun emerged from the passenger window and opened fire.
Muzzle flash flickered, and bullets spewed.
Tonya jammed the brakes, and the taillights blazed red. She swerved and pulled onto the shoulder as bullets pelted the quarter panel and the windshield.
With the Mustang stopped on the shoulder, the goons in the SUV screeched to a halt in the lane of traffic.
The passenger hopped out with the machine gun to finish the job.
He wore a weathered black ball cap, sunglasses, and a surgical mask covering his face.
I was pretty sure this was the same shooter who had killed Evelyn.
I screeched up to the scene, flung my door open, and hopped out with my pistol drawn. "Coconut County! Drop the weapon!”