She Shouldnt, But She Will (30 page)

Jim frowned. “I don’t know. Transportation. Isn’t that enough?”

“I’ll make sure their involvement with drugs stops completely. They’re doing some good, Jim, and I can’t do anything to help if they’re constantly being harassed by the government.”

Jim thought for a moment. “Okay, I’ll handle things on our end. But I can’t give you an indefinite time on the promise. Next year I could be overruled.”

Derek clasped Jim’s arm. “Thanks.”

He turned but Jim held him back. “That’s
if
they help us get Whitmore and provide all the information they have.”

Derek nodded. “They’re aware of that.”

Jim sighed. “I hope I don’t regret this.” The two men joined Thia and the Oglethorpes.

Derek made the introductions. The Bay was a splash of blackness over the rooftops from the studio window. The far hills of
East
Bay
mere humps of coal against the horizon. Having been through this kind of debriefing before, Derek knew the night’s activities had just begun. He settled on the facing sofa beside Thia.

“Okay,” Jim began. “Tell me how you met Howard Whitmore and got involved in drug running.”

Sylvester looked at Jim for a long moment, “This conversation never happened right?”

“I promised Derek something like that and I keep my word.”

“Then everything I say is hypothetical and won’t be used against us?”

“No. What you tell me will be used as evidence and had damn well better be true and factual. But what you say here won’t be used against you.” Jim’s face hardened. “My job is to keep our streets free from drugs. You helped make that job harder. People might have died because of what you did. For damn sure you added to the misery of the city, so what leeway I grant is only because I trust that man over there.” He pointed to Derek. “It’s not because I like you or buy into whatever other fun and games you take part in.”

Lilly started crying again. Thia poured her another cup of coffee. “It’s the only way, Lilly,” she said in a soft voice.

“Yes,” Jim said harshly. “It’s the only way.”

Clearly upset, Sylvester looked to Derek, who shrugged. “What if I’ve changed my mind?”

Derek sat forward, arms on his thighs and looked directly into Sylvester’s eyes. “Then this man and his colleagues will keep digging until they find how you’re involved or—” he paused for effect “—until they find something.”

Sylvester and Lilly were silent except for her near-silent crying.

“How did you meet Howard Whitmore?” Jim started.

“He approached us a year or two ago in Vladivostok.” Sylvester’s voice was lifeless and flat. He took a deep breath and continued. “He asked if we ever took cargo on our trips, since the ship was so large and he saw we made many trips back and forth to the States. I told him we didn’t. He said he thought we did—very special cargo and he knew all about it.”

Jim was instantly alert. “What kind of cargo do you take?”

Derek interjected, “That’s within the bounds of ‘better you don’t know.’ Take my word it’s not drugs.” Derek looked at Sylvester. “Better keep that information a little vague. Let’s just say it has something to do with saving girls from being killed in China. You know the one-child policy.”

Jim shifted in his chair. “Yes, it is dreadful what happens to unwanted girls.”

Lilly wrapped her hands around her husband’s in his lap. “Whitmore is an awful man. When Sylvester told him we didn’t want anything to do with taking on
cargo
—we had an idea of what he had in mind. It was that part of the world, after all, and we aren’t stupid—” she glared at Jim and Derek as though trying to prove the point “—he told us he’d found out what we do, he’d tracked us. He said he had several—” she glanced at Jim again and licked her lips in nervousness “—people we knew held hostage, and he showed us a picture of one. Su Li. She was just thirteen and she’d been. used horribly. He said if we did not cooperate he would tell the Chinese authorities what we did.” She buried her head in Sylvester’s shoulder.

Sylvester picked up the conversation. “What could we do? If he had threatened just me or Lilly, well, we have means to take care of ourselves. But when he attacked the others, our friends—whom we owed protection—I took his bags of poison. After that, we were trapped.”

There was silence in the room for a moment. “How did you hide the stash? Your ship has been stopped and searched many times.”

“Whitmore had it all worked out. We spent a little longer time in port to have a new stove put in the galley. It worked on the surface, but it wasn’t usable. The bags were hidden between layers of cast iron, safe from any detection. The drugs were in air tight bags and the cooking smells fooled the dogs.”

“You agree to help us to capture Whitmore and assist in any other way we deem necessary to close this case?”

Derek thought Sylvester looked like an old man when he nodded and said, “Yes.”

Jim looked at Derek. “I’ll keep everything else under the radar, though I’m sure some eyebrows are going to be raised. And I’ll keep them out of the spotlight for as long as I can.”

Derek shifted his gaze to Sylvester. “Good enough?”

“It has to be.”

Lilly raised her head. She reached to touch Sylvester’s face. “No, it’s good.” She waited until he nodded and then looked at Derek and then Jim. “Thank you.”

* * * *

Derek watched Howard Whitmore—Henry Williams to Thia—stride down the dock toward his boat and walked out to meet him. Whitmore wore an expensive suit and Italian shoes instead of the Dockers, Polo shirt and deck shoes Derek had on.

He was glad Thia was hiding in the small cabin off the galley. It was hard enough for him to face this bastard after all the grief he’d caused her, but he was afraid she’d lose it totally. Which is why he never should have brought her along. In every venture they’d had before, he’d judged there’d be no danger. This time, the danger level was sky-high. But she’d begged him to let her have a final word with Whitmore, and how could he deny her?

Now, getting ready to meet the asshole, he knew he was wrong. He hadn’t even exchanged words with Whitmore and Derek wished he could cut the S.O.B. up for fish bait. Trouble was, they had to take the guy in—he had valuable information. He’d have to stay close to Thia and make sure she didn’t try to kill her husband. She had good reason. He sure didn’t want her to get hurt—he just wanted her to have closure.

“You must be Howard. Sylvester called and said you need a ride to their place. I’m Derek Anderson. I’m helping them with some redecorating of the house.”

Whitmore gave a quick handshake and then handed Derek his bag, as though he were the purser of the boat instead of the captain. Derek ignored the slight, knowing the man was headed for federal justice.

“I usually take my helicopter but the thing is having problems.” As though by habit, Whitmore reached up and smoothed his moustache, which drooped on each side of his mouth.

Thanks to the mechanics of the DEA.
Derek shrugged. “Isn’t that the way it always goes?” He stepped on board and stowed the bag in the closet off the salon. “I think I’m going to get something to drink before we shove off. Want anything? There’s beer, soda, and juice in the galley.” He led the way down to the galley where the sound system would pick everything up clearest.

“Wine. I have a little time yet before the meeting.”

Wine? What a weenie, Derek thought as he handed Whitmore a glass of
Napa
Valley
’s finest.

“Have you known the Oglethorpes for very long?”

Derek settled in the seat over the compartment that housed his gun. “No, I’m creating the artwork for their remodeled rooms. That’s why I’m going up today. It’s quite a place they have up there. Have
you
known them long?”

“Going on two years. They help me with my import business.”

“Oh, how is that?” Whitmore raised his brows and Derek smiled deprecatingly. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

Whitmore stayed silent for a moment and then gave a one-shoulder shrug. “I buy stuff in eastern Russia and they bring it back on the
Natant Revel
. I don’t bring in enough to provide the kinds of crates and trouble a regular shipping line would require. Sylvester and I have a mutually satisfying arrangement. The
Natant Revel
—” Whitmore cast a doubtful look around the galley “—now that is a yacht.”

For Thia’s sake Derek wanted to punch the jerk, but he forced down his anger. “That’s the truth. I think they could just about carry the
As You Wish
on it. Sylvester gave me a tour and I thought I was on the QE II.” Derek put his own almost full glass in the sink, but tipped the wine bottle and filled Whitmore’s glass again.

“Well, let’s shove off. Would you like to do the honors?”

“Untie the ropes?”

“Yes. I’ll secure them and make sure the boat doesn’t drift away from the dock so you can get back on.”
Your wife does it all the time, and perfectly, too, you prick.
But of course, Thia didn’t try to do it wearing Italian loafers with leather soles. Derek smiled.

With a minimum of slipping and stumbling on Whitmore’s part, they set off. Derek maneuvered the
As You Wish
out into the Bay, and towards Alcatraz and the Golden Gate beyond.

“What types of things do you import?”

Whitmore had reclaimed his wine glass and stood beside Derek. “Basically anything I think I can get a good price for on the wholesale market. I don’t do any retailing.”

“I’ve never been in eastern Russia there. Do you like it?”

“It’s okay. Colder than hell in the winter and the women aren’t anything to brag about.” He grinned. “Unless you know the right places to go. Then you can find good looking broads that will do literally anything if you promise them a way out of Russia.” His brows rose. “Know what I mean?” He sipped the wine and strolled to the open doorway as they headed under the
Golden Gate
Bridge
.

On the Pacific side of the Golden Gate Derek turned the boat north.

Howard continued, “The main attraction in Russia for me is that the market is large for the number of people looking to sell combined with the large number of people here wanting to buy. I sometimes go into North Korea if I hear there’s something specific to examine. I’ve found the trips to be profitable at times.”

“Korea, too. You’re really the traveler. Where do you market your product here in the States?”

Whitmore finished off his wine and preened. “That’s the beauty of it. I bring my merchandise back here and three or four people buy it for resale. Couldn’t be easier, and I live like a king.”

“Sounds interesting. Maybe I’d like to invest in your business. What would I be buying into exactly?”

Whitmore laughed. “This is a one-man deal, I’ve no need for a partner. I’m not what you would call a ‘publicly traded company.’” He laughed again, his face reddening with the exertion and the wine. “Or then again, maybe I am. The public sure does trade it.”

Just let me punch him, one time.
“Let me get that bottle of wine. And now that we’re on auto-pilot I can step away. Be right back.” Derek went below.

In the galley, Derek found the transmitter. “Sorry, Jim. I know this wasn’t in the plans, but I promised my woman.” He switched off the electronics, imagining Jim turning blue and calling him every name in the book. Derek would calm him down later. Right now he went for Thia.

Opening the door to the storage compartment, he asked, “Have you been listening?”

She removed the earphone and accepted Derek’s hand to rise from her cramped position.

“Yes. I heard every slimy word.” She stretched and twisted, took a deep breath and then seemed ready.

“You’re okay, right?” Derek grasped her shoulders and studied her eyes. “My butt’s in a sling here, just letting you come with me, so go out there and blast him with every angry thought you’ve had this past year. Get it all out of your system, but keep control of yourself.”

“Thanks, Derek. I know you put yourself on the line for me.” She gave one quick nod. “I’m okay. I’m ready.”

He smiled and kissed her. “Shout at him, scream at him, give him hell, but remember I have to turn him over, so don’t get violent, okay?”

“Got it.” She smiled back.

Derek entered the salon ahead of Thia.

“Where’s the wine?” Whitmore asked.

“I’ve got something better to add some zing to your life.” He stepped aside.

Thia sped past Derek and started to attack Howard. “You God damn bastard. I’m going to kill you!”

Derek grabbed her from the back trapping her arms. He lifted her, pulling her back and trying to avoid her kicking feet as she struggled to reach Whitmore. Derek turned, separating the tornado in his arms from her target.

Searing, ragged pain penetrated the right side of his head and he fell forward, first knocking the wind out of Thia and then trapping her beneath him.

* * * *

Thia struggled to get loose, but not with the same vigor she’d just used to get at Henry because with Derek on her, she couldn’t get air. Italian leather shoes came into view.

Henry crouched, letting a nasty looking gun stay boldly in view. “It looks like your boyfriend isn’t going to be much help.”

“You fucking asshole. What have you done?”

Howard watched her struggle until she finally dragged herself from under Derek. Then he moved back and aimed the gun generally in her direction.

Thia felt Derek’s neck for a pulse. She looked up at Howard, fighting tears and a sinking feeling. She’d let Derek down, in every way. In the worst way. Protecting her from herself had gotten him killed. “You’ve killed him, God damn you.”

He shrugged. “Self-preservation. He was a cop, wasn’t he?”

“
No!
He was—” She’d almost blurted out the truth. “He was an artist. A painter. He was my friend.” She shouted the last.

“Right,” he said on a snort. “I smelled something right up front, but let it go because Oglethorpe recommended him. Fucking Oglethorpe,” he said with real venom. “But then you show up? This has got to be some kind of fucking trap. And when I feel cornered, baby, I take whatever way out I can find.”