Ladyfish (23 page)

“They won’t release the body for a little while. They have to get all the evidence first, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to the funeral.”

Finn pulled away. “The body? Evidence?” She wrapped her arms around herself as though trying to keep from flying apart. “It’s not a body, Oz. It’s Pete…” She started sobbing again, bent over her arms, her body taut with grief.

“No, baby, stop please. Listen to me. I’m sorry. We have to assume that your dad knows about you and me.” She pulled Finn to her and felt her sag against her. “We also know that he is a very dangerous man.” She let go of one hand and cupped Finn’s chin in order to raise her head from her chest. “Pete loved you, and the last thing he said to me was to look after you. He wouldn’t want you to go, knowing that it was potentially dangerous for you. I need to keep you safe.”

“You think he wants to kill me too?”

“I don’t know.

“He’s my dad. He wouldn’t want to kill me.” She ripped her hands from Oz’s and bent over, clearly trying to keep from vomiting.

“Finn, baby, how well do you actually know your dad?”

Finn stepped back and turned cold eyes on her. Eyes that had shown her tenderness and desire now held nothing but pain and fear. She felt her anger growing as she saw the light in those beautiful green eyes dim.

“Do you really think he wants to kill me?”

“I don’t know, baby, but I’m not going to take that chance. If we get to the base, he won’t know where you are. Please don’t be angry with me for wanting to protect you.”

“He’s my father, Olivia.” The tears fell from her eyes again. “My own father. I can’t believe he would want to hurt me.”

“Maybe I’m wrong. I hope I am. I really hope I am, baby. But please.” She kissed her cheek. “Please don’t ask me to take that risk.” She tightened her grip around Finn’s shoulders again. “I only just found you. I don’t want to lose you now.” Oz took her hand and led her to the helicopter. “Have you ever been in one of these things before?” Oz asked, pulling Finn into a crouch as they ran.

Finn shook her head and they climbed up, the wind from the blades blasting their wet swimwear dry instantly. Oz passed her a helmet with ear protectors and a microphone attached to it. Finn fastened it under her chin as Oz secured straps around her waist and shoulders.

“Everyone good to go back there?”

“Yes, sir.” After a ten-minute flight, they landed on the enormous base, but Finn didn’t seem to notice anything around them. An officer greeted them and escorted them through a maze of corridors before leading them into a room with a huge video screen, computer screens with radar, satellite, and map images covering them. Charlie handed a clipboard to another officer before he walked over to them.

“Oz, Finn, I hope I don’t have to tell you that everything in here is classified.”

Oz held her hand up to stop him. “You’re right. You don’t have to tell us. Is everything set up?”

“Yes, I just had the call placed to Pritchard, and they should be coming online any second.” He turned toward the large screen as it filled with the ruddy, stubble-covered visage of the man himself, his suit visibly wrinkled with the jacket and tie discarded. His thinning hair was sticking up at odd angles.

“Agent Pritchard. I’m Rear Admiral Zuckerman. This is my niece, Olivia Zuckerman, and Daniela Finsbury-Sterling.”

The man nodded. “Thank you for your help in this, Admiral.”

“Not a problem. I’ll hand you over to Oz now.”

“Agent Pritchard.” Oz stepped forward.

“Ms. Zuckerman.”

“Please call me Oz. Now, where do you want to start?”

“Very well, Oz. How are you involved in this matter?”

“Daniela is here training to be a dive instructor at my dive school. While she has been here, we have become very good friends.”

“You had no prior connection to the family or Peter Green?”

“No, sir, I did not.”

“Are you aware of Sterling Enterprises?”

“Yes, sir. Since meeting Finn, I have made it my business to find out about Sterling Enterprises and William Sterling himself.”

“And what have you learned?”

“That the legitimate businesses are extensive and well run, but the wealth he has amassed far exceeds what you would expect. There are many unsubstantiated rumors as to connections with terrorists, ostensibly in relation to his bio labs. The feeling is he’s ready to start selling biological weapons on the black market.”

“Oh God.” Finn’s voice was barely a whisper, her face paled and her hand shook as she covered her mouth.

Charlie wrapped an arm about Finn’s shoulders and led her to a chair.

“Ms. Zu—Oz. Is there anything else?”

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the evidence regarding the disappearance, and the subsequent coroner’s report, in regards to Finn’s mother. There is compelling evidence that the coroner was paid off to find a verdict of suicide and therefore halt the investigation, and rendered a verdict within weeks of the disappearance rather than the seven-year legal requirement for cases when a body is not recovered. I believe that Sterling killed his wife.”

“How did you come by all of this information?”

“Some of it I got from Mr. Green, some of it from my uncle.”

Pritchard nodded. “Ms. Finsbury-Sterling.”

Finn had her head between her knees, clearly trying to catch her breath. She got up slowly when Pritchard said her name. “Finn.”

“How did you become aware of all this information?”

“Pete told me some things before he left, and Oz told me the rest of what I know.”

“And what did Mr. Green tell you?”

“That you were investigating money laundering at Sterling Enterprises.”

“Anything else?”

“Not really. What happened to him?”

“He was shot. We’ve traced the call logs of the phone box he was in. It was less than a minute after he hung up from speaking to Oz. His death was quick. Three bullet wounds all center mass. It was professional.”

Finn swallowed convulsively and wrapped her arms around herself again. Charlie placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Prichard turned his attention back to Oz.

“After speaking with you earlier, we checked Mr. Green’s flat. There were no listening devices, but there had been a very obvious break-in. All electronic devices, computer, laptop, mobile phones, were missing. The place is a mess. We suspect that they removed any such devices at the same time. We suspect it was Sterling’s operation that had them planted. What else was discussed during the conversation that Sterling would have heard?”

“He’ll know that Pete was planning to betray him to you. That Finn isn’t planning to return to the UK, and that we are involved.”

“Romantically?”

“Yes.”

“Is this a new discovery for your father?”

“Yes. He wanted Pete and me to marry.”

“Was he aware of Mr. Green’s preferences?”

“Yes. It didn’t matter.”

“I see.” Pritchard signaled to someone out of the view of the camera. A figure moved into the shadows of the shot and handed Pritchard a file. “We do know that Sterling is still in the country and has not filed any flight plan for his private jet, nor has he booked any tickets on commercial flights. Where will you both be for me to contact you again?”

“I’ve made it possible for them to stay on the base for the duration,” Charlie said.

“No place safer, Admiral. Very good.”

“What are we expecting the duration to be, Agent Pritchard?” Finn asked

He looked at Finn. “A very good question. I’m afraid we’re still trying to get evidence together to prosecute your father. With Mr. Green out of the picture, and your father now alerted to our interest in him, that will be more difficult.”

“Is that your way of telling me you have no idea?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. We’re working as quickly as we can, given that Sterling is aware we’re watching him. Is there anything you can think of, Ms. Sterling, any person your father might confide in? Someone we could contact for information?”

Finn thought for a moment and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Agent Prichard. I wasn’t really involved in my father’s life or businesses. I’ve never seen him close to anyone.”

Prichard nodded. “Our records show you didn’t spend much time with him. But if you think of anyone, please let us know.”

“What do you know about the biological weapons?” Charlie asked.

“I’m not at liberty to say, Admiral. But if you have information, I’d like to hear it.” Charlie turned to Oz and motioned for them to leave. She took Finn’s hand and led her from the room.

“Ah, not in front of the civilians?”

Oz nodded. “Something like that, baby.”

“So we just wait?”

“It won’t take long.” The door opened two minutes later and Charlie stepped out. He motioned them to follow him and led them through the maze to an office, his name stenciled on the door.

“Would you girls like a drink? I’ve got water here. I can get coffee brought in or…” He opened one of the drawers in his desk and waved a bottle of Jack Daniels at them. They both agreed and waited as he poured three shots and raised his in salute.

“To Pete.” They repeated the toast and Oz and Charlie stared as Finn tossed back the whiskey and slammed the glass back down on the desk.

“So what are they doing about my dad?”

“They aren’t going to do any damn thing at the moment. We know more about the biological weapons than they do. With what they do have, they can’t do a damn thing. He is, and I quote, looking into the matter further. In other words, he’ll take the information I’ve given him and decide what to do next.”

“So what are we doing?” She looked at Oz. “We can’t hide on the base indefinitely.”

“I’ve got my source looking into the bio stuff further,” Charlie said. “If we can get more intelligence on that angle, then Pritchard will have to move on it, or the CIA will.”

“That doesn’t sound good.” Finn’s brow furrowed.

“No, it’s not likely to be a good outcome. Give me a couple of weeks. I’ll get you set up with some housing on base, and I can get your boat authorized to dock here if you want to keep diving. It will keep you occupied while we’re digging.”

“Thanks, Uncle Charlie. I need my laptop and some other stuff off the boat. Can you get them clearance to dock today?”

“No problem. Just get me the name of the boat and make sure any passengers they have stay on the boat when they dock.”

“Will do.”

Finn watched them organize the business, the boats, and her dive training from the base in a few short sentences. “Oz, surely this isn’t really necessary.”

“I’m probably being paranoid, but I’d rather be cautious.” Oz stepped close to her and placed a gentle kiss against her brow. “I’d also prefer it if you stayed here while I go to the house. I’ll pick up anything you want me to get for you.”

“Oz, that’s rid—” Finn put her hands to Oz’s chest and pushed her back.

“I think she’s right to be cautious, Finn. Your father has long arms, and it only takes a phone call to the right person…” Charlie left the rest unsaid. Finn looked from one to the other.

“You really think my dad would kill me?” she whispered.

Their sidelong glances answered her question.

“That answers that, then.” She pushed a hand into her hair and eased out of Oz’s embrace. She needed a bit of distance, a bit of control. Everybody was taking over, making decisions. No one asked what she wanted, and it didn’t seem to matter anyway. “And where exactly do you want me to wait?”

“There’s a house here on the base for you both. I can take you over there now or you can wait with me while Oz goes to get your things.”

“I shouldn’t be much more than an hour. Two tops. Can you lend me your car, Uncle Charlie?”

“Of course.”

“No offense, Charlie, but I really think I’d like to be alone for a while,” Finn said quietly, feeling like she could drop to her knees any second.

“None taken, darlin’. Should I show you to the house?”

Oz took Finn’s hand and she gently pulled it away, not acknowledging the flash of hurt in her eyes.

“It’s only a one-bed house, but it should be enough for the time being. It’s only temporary, after all.” He pulled a key from his pocket and opened the door. A dank odor permeated the air as they stepped inside. The living space and kitchenette were small, and the furniture, a small table with a single chair against a dingy wall, a dirty beige couch with a multitude of stains on the cushions, and a rug of indeterminate color, made the space seem like something from a bad vacation movie. Not a place to live while they hunted her psychotic father.

Finn wandered into the bedroom. The mattress was bare on the bed frame. There were no curtains, and the light shining through the grimy glass highlighted the dust in the air. The walls were the same dying magnolia color throughout. She went into the bathroom. Toilet, sink, shower, all uniform white and functional, all surprisingly clean.

“I’m sorry, Finn.”

“Charlie. Stop. Don’t say you’re sorry. There’s nothing wrong here that a little air and a pair of curtains can’t sort out. Thank you for your help.” She turned to Oz. “You ready for the list I’m going to give you?”

“Will I need a pen and paper?”

“Probably. My camera. Everything I need is in the case. My laptop and the books on the desk in my room. If you take the curtains from my room and bring those, they should fit the windows in the bedroom. I don’t think Emmy will mind, but you might want to ask her first. The bedding from there should be fine for in here too.”

“Of course it is. What clothes do you want me to get you?”

“Shorts, T-shirts, underwear, jeans, just the usual stuff. My suitcase is in the closet.” She turned to Charlie. “Is there somewhere on base that I can get some food?”

“I’ll take care of it, baby.” Oz said.

“Sweetheart, I can do it. It’ll give me something to do while you’re away.”

“I’ll take you to the store once Oz leaves.” Charlie said as he handed over his car keys.

“Thank you, Charlie.”

Oz left quickly and Charlie led Finn to the commissary. She was quiet as she filled her basket, not paying attention to what she was taking off the shelves. She was grateful that Charlie seemed content to let her be; she couldn’t take any more bad news. Her head felt like it was going to explode as questions pummeled her with no answers in sight. The few answers she did have terrified her.