Mouth of the Rat (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) (11 page)

“Sam, I told you he was successful. Believe me now?”

I turned to her, smiling. “We found it, didn’t we?”

She started laughing. “Looks like it, doesn’t it?”

“What do you think is the collection’s value?” I asked.

She surveyed the cars. “I did some online research to be prepared for something like this. Well, into the millions.”

It was my turn to whistle, as I watched the other three moving from one car to another, overwhelmed. “Wow!”

Mona turned to me. “Now do you understand why the ex was so interested? Who told her initially, I don’t know, but Marco was adamant she shouldn’t get it, just his uncle.”

“Which brings us back to why I’m here, to find Carlos.”

Dreamy-eyed, she scanned the cars. “That’s right.”

I nudged her gently. “You’re not getting any ideas about reneging on your promise to Marco, are you?”

Shaking her head, she tore her eyes from the cars. “No.”

“Good, because they are nothing but trouble.”

She sighed. “Of course, you’re right, but it was exciting there for a second, dreaming about the
what ifs
.”

“
What ifs
are a waste if you’re not here to enjoy them.”

“You’re right. Let’s take inventory.”

“Hey, everybody,” I said. “Get your phones out and start taking pictures. Mona and I will look for the documents.”

We spent the next two hours comparing the cars with receipts. When the last picture was taken, we took one last look back, turned lights off, and secured the lock in place.

“When are you notifying the authorities?” I asked Mona.

“Not until I legally hand these cars over to Uncle Carlos, lock, stock, and barrel. You’re right. The sooner I get rid of them, the better. I do not want a target on my back.”

I understood where she was coming from. I wasn’t sure I agreed with her logic though because if Marco could get killed in the process of being protected, why not her, too?

Now, where was this elusive Uncle Carlos?

Chapter 45

Pausing For Possibilities

We sat around the kitchen table, comparing notes with Mona who, by some small miracle, was sitting in on our session. No disappearing act this time. I think since we found those cars she had a renewed interest in finding Marco’s Uncle Carlos to transfer the cars into his name.

I filled her in on what happened with Nikko. Then I explained about Sylvie and Bunny, what they said and found, including the lipstick and that address on the club card. Taking notes on her iPad, Mona was amazed we found so much in such a short time, plus locating the house in Boca Bay Colony, but upset we checked it out alone.

“I don’t like hearing about those pictures,” said Mona.

I turned to Martha. “What about that house? Anything?”

She smiled. “Well, the three of us got to work checking public records and online. It looks like it’s owned by someone legitimate, but the renters are a company called NB Inc. I checked them out and, surprise, surprise, there is no paper trail on them, at least not in any searches I made.”

Knowing Martha’s hacking abilities, no one said zip.

“I’ll see what I come up with at my end,” said Mona.

Hazel leaned in. “Do you think it’s a safe-house?”

Martha chuckled. “For who? The FBI?”

Betty started laughing. “It does sound absurd, right?”

“Well, who’s taking pictures of Sam?” Hazel asked.

Betty threw out, “The ex?”

Again, no one said a word, absorbing that one.

Mona suddenly shoved back from the table. “Well, I think I’ll make a few calls and go see some people who might have a better idea what’s going on here.”

“I presume you won’t tell us who?” Betty asked.

Mona gave her a grin. “You presume right.”

We watched her grab her car keys and leave.

Martha’s hand hit the table. “I’m just not buying it.”

“Her calling or her FBI involvement?” Hazel asked.

Martha looked back at Hazel. “Most likely both.”

I looked at the three of them. “Think she’s involved?”

Martha frowned. “I have a feeling there’s more to this.”

“More what?” Betty asked.

“More to come,” she said.

I leaned back. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

With Mona involved, there was always something more, something around the next corner you didn’t expect. Was she really trying to get out from under all this, or was she using us as a diversion to get what she really wanted?

The question was what did she want? Find Uncle Carlos and get rid of the cars? Find out who killed Marco? Did she really love him or was it all an act to use us as pawns so who was responsible would watch us and not her? What drove her? Was she working for the authorities, or was this merely about getting revenge for Marco’s murder?

Anger was a force to be dealt with, Mona included.

Chapter 46

Feeling The Pinch

I was feeling the pinch of time constraints, knowing the ex, plus Thug One and Two, who were obviously keeping tabs on us would be closing in on Mona. Even though we spent twenty minutes riding around, making sure we weren’t being followed that day, I was still edgy.

Who else might know about this warehouse? The ones taking those pictures? The people Mona was reporting to? Would all of them let this play out? Since no one had swooped in while we were at the warehouse, I thought the latter. Maybe they were looking for Uncle Carlos, too.

Where was the ex? Where were those thugs? They were conspicuously absent in the last two days. Maybe they were watching and waiting behind the scenes like everyone else. I had a bad feeling that Uncle Carlos was more than an uncle. I could be looking for someone who didn’t want to be found and would be extremely upset if I did find him.

Who was looking for whom, and why?

I sat at my laptop, looking over what I had written. I typed in another quick chapter to placate my agent. My turning off the phone and ignoring her text messages and emails was wearing thin. She wanted something with meat. Well, I gave it to her, throwing in a thug or two until I could do a rewrite and give her the real thing. I hit send, figuring I’d deal with the aftermath of that later. Knowing her, there would be aftermath.

But then when I thought about it, she (like Martha would say) was a piece of cake. My editor was the stickler. I could see the red ink and comments now.

Who and what are you referring to? Be specific. Don’t leave your readers hanging out there. Keep them with you and let them know what you’re thinking or you’re going to lose them. Once you’ve lost them, they aren’t coming back.

She was right. To tell you the truth, I was having a real hard time keeping up myself, but would solve this thing before I headed back home or I would never hear the end of it from my senior backups. They would be busting my chops for weeks, like some fishing fiasco, needling me about the first big one that got away.

Sylvie and Bunny knew more than they shared. I had to go back to try and find out exactly what it was. Nikko did a disappearing act on me, which made me more determined to go back to him. But first, I thought I’d pay a visit to Sidney in the hospital. I heard he would be released soon and my questions needed answers. They couldn’t wait.

I would also keep a close eye on Mona’s whereabouts via my senior consultants, who had rented a car of their own, which I thought was a great idea. My instructions? Covert surveillance from afar. Keep a low profile like me.

Martha considered that an oxymoron and laughed.

Chapter 47

Patience With The Patient

Because he was doing much better, there were no restrictions on Sid’s visitors. I hustled down the hall toward number fifteen. I was rounding a corner when I spotted someone exiting his room: Sylvie. Wariness hit me and I hung back, hiding behind an overflowing supply cart. Was there something going on between them or was she just a friend? I resumed walking once she disappeared going down another hallway.

I tapped lightly on his door.

“Come in,” he replied.

When I peered around the door his face lit up.

“My dance partner. What a nice surprise, Sam!”

I moved toward his bed. “What an attention getter!”

“I always make great exits,” Sid said, chuckling.

“I’ll say. You brought the house down with that one.”

He made himself comfortable. “Did I miss anything?”

“After your exit, the rest of the evening was a dud.”

He chuckled again. “So I heard.”

I wondered if I should mention seeing Sylvie leaving, but then decided not to. I had to figure out what was going on first,
if
there was something going on.

“Remember our little talk while we were dancing?”

He gave me a blank look.

“You were explaining to me about that night Marco was murdered. Your last words to me were about a scent.”

He gave me another blank look, then glanced away for a second, thinking. “A scent? I don’t recall much else about the evening. I read that’s normal after a heart attack, even a mild one.” He frowned. “All the tests. I’m feeling so old.”

“You must keep busy at the club with hobbies, right?”

“Rarely, I’m too busy supplementing my retirement.”

“Doing what? Anything interesting?”

“Nothing notable, but it’s a great little moneymaker.”

“Now you have me interested. I love moneymakers.”

He smiled. “I own a storage/warehouse facility on 441.”

I stiffened, then barely got out, “…Called?”

“It’s not very original, it’s called 441 Storage.”

“…Tell me about it.”

“What’s to tell about storage?” he asked, amused.

“Any unusual renters? I bet you get all kinds.”

“Sure do. And one’s that don’t pay, too.”

“How about the unusual ones?”

“I used to wonder what they stored in there.”

“You mean you don’t anymore?”

“Or care. It’s the money I’m interested in.”

“But aren’t you the least bit interested if it’s legal?”

“As long as they pay up front, I couldn’t care less.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why the blasé attitude?”

He chuckled. “Once I checked an air-conditioned space. I walked in. The guy had it set up like a bedroom and…”

I was still laughing later.
Imagine walking in on…

Chapter 48

Nikko Was Next

Nikko called me first. I complained. He said he was sorry. I vented. He apologized profusely. Somewhere in between, a dinner date was arranged. I wondered how that happened in less than five minutes after hanging up.

This time, I arranged for us to meet inside Mona’s clubhouse lobby. She had put me on her club card guest list. I’d have home advantage. If he disappeared and my rental car got stolen again, I could walk home.

I left my car with valet parking. Nikko was waiting.

“This better be good,” I said, brushing by him.

He caught up to me saying, “Still a little ticked off?”

Glancing at him, I kept walking to the hostess. “Yup.”

I gave the name and we were escorted to a corner table.

Waiting until he sat across from me, I asked “…So?”

“Do I have to spend the whole evening apologizing?”

“That might not be long enough.”

“It was unavoidable,” he said. “An agent was killed.”

I was about to sip my water, but set the glass down.

“Exactly who are you?”

“I think I’d better start at the beginning.”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “That works for me.”

“Mona reported to my agency. Then she disappeared.”

So that’s how he knew about Mona’s connections!

Feeling my way, I asked, “So what’s the deal now?”

“I’m on a special FBI task force for Marco’s drug case.”

Interrupted for drinks, we both ordered a glass of wine, while my mind raced with possible theories. “Go on.”

“We’ve been watching Marco for a while.”

I nodded. “And suddenly, you found an ‘in’ when Mona reemerged in the company of Marco, am I right?”

He smiled. “I guess it’s not true about blondes.”

“Watch it. I’ve got the temper of a redhead.”

“Duly noted,” he said, as our wine was delivered.

Suspicion lingered.
Why was this guy confiding in me?

So I asked, “Why are you confiding in me?”

“You seem to have people confiding in you more than any of us, including Mona. You’re perfect.”

“Whoa. Are you suggesting I should continue?”

“Why not?”

“Why not? Because I have a thing about getting shot at.”

He laughed. “Don’t worry, we have you covered.”

“Just like Marco? Oh, I’m so relieved to hear that.”

“Ouch! Okay, we dropped the ball on him.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“We didn’t expect a wife coming out of left field.”

“Which one?”

He laughed again. “Oh, you’re good.”

“I know.”

“We also know about Mona.”

“Old news. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Those two thugs with the pooch are FBI.”

Chapter 49

More Food For Thought

When he showed me his ID, ordering dinner went south.

“I thought otherwise.”

“Good. That’s what we wanted you to think.”

“But he challenged me in the mall.”

“We wanted you to stick around.”