Desperate Measures (25 page)

“Your mother’s replacement passport hasn’t arrived yet and she can’t leave the country. In case you forgot, St. Kitts is out of the country.”

“Geez! Lighten up, Dad. I’ll go with Mom on the morning flight. I want to see my twin too if it makes any difference to you.” Dean threw the towel he had draped around his neck onto his bedroom floor, probably atop one of the many piles of clothes and bathing suits. He stormed out the front door.

Jack shook his head and returned his thoughts to his other problem, Ginny.

Ginny, why the hell haven’t you answered any of the FBI calls or called me back after the last message I left you? Granted when I reached you last week and barked at you, I didn’t leave much opportunity for you to defend yourself. The situation has changed drastically now. I know who the hell your boyfriend is that you’re shacked up with. At least you could return my fucking call. Your own life could very well be in jeopardy after that stunt you pulled with the picture switch at Gary’s! Believe me, dear sister, I’m not looking out for your best interest or welfare. I just need you to tell me what the hell you know and what you have done to help Michael.

Only a select few had the number of the second and private cell-phone that Virginia Spencer carried. Even her close twin obviously has been left out of the loop, Jack determined after he’d spoken to his brother. Jack would not be among the elite in possession of this guarded secret number if Barry didn’t use his detective talent and obtain the ten digits for him years ago.

* * * *

“Yo, Mon! Karaoke time at the Oceanside, come everyone let’s get dis party started. It’s a beautiful evnin’ here in St. Kitts!” Raoul shouted into the microphone. He had a special talent of entertaining an audience and getting them involved in the hotel activities.

Alexandra, Chad, and Isabel finished the last of their appetizers before running off to the shallow swimming ledge to watch the singing contest. Behind them Pam and Chris gave Caitlin a nod of acknowledgement. They wouldn’t let the kids out of their sight.

The children’s exit left Caitlin alone with Linda. Caitlin had no desire to be accused of prying about who Isabel’s father was, so she brought up a mundane subject. “They’re having a good time aren’t they? I’m glad you brought Isabel over today. She’s having a blast playing babysitter to Alexandra.”

Nonchalantly, Linda looked over at her daughter and smiled. Linda turned back to Caitlin with a somber look. “Yes, she’s enjoying herself. We were interrupted before. I suppose you’re waiting for me to tell you the name of my daughter’s father.”

Caitlin tapped her fingernails on the wicker poolside table and took her time before she responded. After a prolonged silence, Caitlin shrugged and responded with an indifferent voice. “Only if you want to tell me.”

“It’s Sylvester, Jumpstart. You introduced us!” Linda blurted out in the same accusatory tone she used before.

Wow. Ouch. That stung. Where’s this going? Caitlin didn’t understand the comment at all and couldn’t figure out what she’d done wrong. Linda wasn’t herself. These statements and accusations were out of character, not like her at all. Caitlin peered over the rim of her oversized daiquiri glass and held it in midair. “Linda, I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.”

“All he used to talk about was ‘Miss Caitlin this, Miss Caitlin that. She taught me how to do that dance. She’s so nice. No one would ever talk to me but her.’ I well…I guess I got jealous for a while because I wasn’t the one to break Jumpstart out of his shell.” Linda paused for a moment and fire returned to her eyes. “You should’ve seen him this morning after you almost got him arrested last night.”

Caitlin took a long gulp of the icy cold drink and processed what Linda had just said. “Linda, look at me! I can’t begin to tell you how bad I feel about what happened last night when Jumpstart was taken away. The whole situation got out of control.

Regarding your other comment, you know there’s never been anything between Jumpstart and me. He was a very shy guy who never left this island. If I introduced him to you and something bad happened I sincerely apologize. I doubt that’s the situation. You have a beautiful daughter and I can see the glint of caring in your eyes when you talk about him. So what’s wrong?”

Linda hung her head in shame and spoke just loud enough for Caitlin to hear. “Nothing’s wrong. Now I’m really embarrassed. He’s been a wonderful father to Isabel. When he found out I was pregnant, he was determined to get a good job, so he could provide for his child.”

Caitlin slammed her empty glass on the table in triumph. “Can’t you see it? You were the one to really motivate him, not me! If it wasn’t for you and Isabel, he never would’ve had the initiative to venture out on his own.”

“Yes, but I wish I was more like you, successful, smart, and beautiful.”

Caitlin gasped. “Linda, the last person you want to be is me right now. I have loans out the ass on my company and an unknown grandfather out there that just might cause my death! Be happy with what you have with Jumpstart. I would love to retire and live in St. Kitts for the rest of my life.”

Caitlin’s declaration of the owed loans reminded her that she still hadn’t met the realtor. She made a commitment to the Board of Directors. Her chin lifted in confidence. Tomorrow, come hell or high water, she’d wrap up business. Since it was Saturday night, Caitlin opted to text message her realtor instead of calling. The killer had yet to arrive on the island. She planned to see the property she intended to purchase, even if she had to take her entourage with her.

Caitlin tucked her cell-phone into her beach bag and looked up. She was startled by the spiteful expression on Linda’s face. What was this about? Similar to hitting a rewind button, her brain replayed the entire conversation with Linda. Something was there, she knew it. She found the scene that triggered her suspicion. Inspiration took over and she told Linda hospitably, “You and Isabel are joining us for dinner tonight. I hope you made enough of your grouper and shrimp bisque, if not we’ll make do. Besides, Isabel is having fun and I bet she would love to play Wii.”

Linda grabbed Caitlin’s wrist. “Thank you, we’d love to. In fact I’m starving and was about to order something to eat. I’ll hold off and refrain from gobbling up the kids leftovers. I made plenty of food for everyone. Isabel is having such a good time, she’ll be so happy to stay a while longer.”

Caitlin excused herself for a moment and walked over to Scott and Tomas. Both gentlemen stood by the pool. They had their eyes on the three children that were engrossed in the songs sung by the brave and adventurous contestants of karaoke. Caitlin slipped between them.

“Listen, both of you need to go along with me on a hunch, all right? Don’t badger me with fifty million questions. Linda just said some things that raised some flags and outright admitted she’s jealous of me, I’ll explain in detail later.” Scott’s and Tomas’s jaws dropped. Before they could say anything Caitlin continued, “Here’s the deal, Linda prepared us dinner and brought it to the kitchen for room service to deliver. I’ve been the wife of an FBI agent long enough to know something isn’t right. This is the plan. Tomas, you’re starving right?”

“Yeah, I’m hungry but I can wait if we need to investigate Linda!” Tomas protested.

“You’re wrong. This is the perfect time, so just listen. Tomas, Linda’s starving too. I’ll walk back to the table with you. You tell her how hungry you are and you need to get to the police station soon. Rave about her meal and how much you’d love to try it. I’ll send you two ahead, say I’m going to round up the kids and will meet you at the room. Call for the dinners she made. Prepare her and yourself a plate. Encourage her to eat while the food’s hot. Scott and I will stay here and play with the kids for a while. As time lingers on if Linda doesn’t touch her food page Scott, on second thought page him even if she does eat her food and we’ll know the coast is clear. Oh, I’m making this too complicated! If she doesn’t eat, just send a text message ‘NO’ if she does eat the food send ‘YES’. Sound simple enough?”

Both men stared in disbelief. Scott blurted out, “Where the hell do you think we are? The medieval times when the king had servants test his food for him?”

Insulted and furious, Caitlin maintained her composure. She had a damn good reason why she thought the food had been compromised. Linda made it clear she’d prepared Caitlin’s favorite dish. Scott, an avid landlubber, wouldn’t touch the seafood dishes with rich sauces and the creamy soup, and preferred a steak or hamburger. The only seafood Chad liked was lobster and Alexandra turned her nose up at anything other than macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and other assorted junk food. That left Caitlin to eat the food and maybe Tomas who ate anything.

Caitlin realized she may have misinterpreted the situation and overreacted but Linda’s odd behavior contradicted a friendly gesture. She was sure something was awry with Linda. Caitlin didn’t want to confront her outright without more concrete evidence. More importantly, she didn’t want to subject any of the children to the potentially poisoned dinner.

The two men glared at her as if she were incompetent of rational thought. “Fuck both of you, can’t you go along with me on this? It’s not that big of a deal. Tomas, if she doesn’t eat the food she made herself, don’t touch a morsel. If she does eat, then I’ve made a fool of myself and we move on. The FBI sure as hell hasn’t come any closer to finding the asshole that’s after me. What can this diversion hurt?”

“Fine,” Tomas grunted. “I’m hungry anyway. She made grouper and lobster bisque, right?”

“Shrimp bisque but you’ll never know the difference. Get your ass moving and let’s go.”

* * * *

Forty-five minutes later, Scott received a text message. It didn’t read yes or no but,
Come on home, the food’s delicious, and Linda had a taste of everything
. “Let’s go, everything’s fine.” Scott grabbed his wife’s elbow and waved to the children to clear out of the pool.

Once everyone dried off, they approached the door of the suite. Chad, Alexandra, and Isabel lingered behind with Chris and Pam. Scott whispered in Caitlin’s ear, “Don’t you feel silly? Linda tried to do us a favor.”

Caitlin shot him a stern look and then stepped into the room. He followed but bumped into her when she stopped suddenly. She spun on him, throwing up her arms. “Then why the hell are they both unconscious, smartass!”

The dining room table and two slumped figures were visible from the entrance. Scott stepped inside and rushed past Caitlin. His actions must have conveyed the message to Chris and Pam; something was amiss.

Chris blocked the pathway and encouraged the children. “Hey, how about some burgers for dinner instead of fish and soup? Then we can play Ping-Pong.”

“Yeah, let’s go,” all three children shouted.

Scott checked Tomas and Linda’s vital signs. He sighed with relief. “They’re both alive and breathing, pulses are strong.”

“I’ll call for medical help,” Caitlin told Scott.

Without touching the victims or anything else that might contain evidence, he made an observation; they both appeared to be healthy enough despite the fact they were passed out and in a deep, deep slumber. He heard Caitlin speak into the phone. “This is Caitlin Martel. We have a medical emergency and need an ambulance now.”

Mackenzie settled himself in the sparse campsite and snuggled in the bundles of garments he had from the carry-on bag. He closed his eyes, attempting to fall asleep on the wet earth covered with a layer of pine needles and leaves. He started to drift off, recounting his fortuitous encounter with Linda Sampson. From his conversation with Jumpstart, he’d learned of Linda’s friendship with Caitlin.

When Mackenzie roamed the streets earlier, making his simple purchases, he stumbled upon Linda. She struggled with bowls and platters, loading them into her small hatchback. Mackenzie seized upon the opportunity, tested his Mabel disguise, and leaped into action…

“Oh dear, let me help you with all of those trays and plates. Are you catering a party tonight?”

“No, I’m just bringing these homemade dishes over to my friends. They’ve had a bit of bad luck this week.” Looking into his face, Linda’s eyes widened. He thought he was caught for sure but she said, “Mabel? You look a little different. Have you lost weight or done something new with your make up? Regardless, welcome back, it’s always nice to see you when you come to visit you sister.” Linda hugged him.

Not only had Mackenzie succeeded in passing for Mabel, another opportunity had presented itself. “Why thank-you dear for those generous compliments, I lightened my hair a little bit and started walking for twenty minutes each morning. It’s so lovely to be back. I like to come here as often as I can to stay with Bernice. This is such a magnificent island.” A loud horn blared. Mackenzie jumped. “Oh, goodness, you’re double parked and the driver behind us keeps blasting his car horn. He must be in a hurry. Let me help you carry these dishes to your car. I’ll take the cart back into your restaurant.”

Linda protested. “Mabel, I can’t let you do that.”

“Nonsense, it’s no trouble at all. I’m spry and fit. You just get ready to drive off and I’ll handle the rest.”

Knowing full well who Linda’s friends were, Mackenzie had just enough time. While Linda settled herself in the driver’s seat, he looked at the contents in the containers. He poured some of the concentrated drug, the same drug he had introduced into the real Mabel’s tea, on the soup and fish. He closed the hatchback door and waved goodbye.

These opportunities seemed to fall at his feet. First, he stumbled upon Jumpstart, a chatterbox who shared important information without much prompting. Second, airport security really needed to tighten up. He’d gotten by luggage check- in, and the carry-on bag, with three four ounce bottles of liquid, and made it through inspection. The crowning glory, he passed as Mabel Thompson. The same Mabel he successfully located, befriended, coerced into a cup of tea, and impersonated.