Devlin's Defiance: Book Two of the Devlin Quatrology (29 page)

“
Ah, I
should have guessed that. Insurance.”

“
Of
course. What else?”

“
Uh,
let's see. Anybody in the Service you can trust, and I mean really
trust?”

“
Been a
year and a half since I retired, but there's a few I can
think
of.”

“
Good.
While I make those calls, how about if you start making a list?”

“
Okay. I
can also think of some in the FBI and a few in the Company.”

“
Great;
add them, too.”

“
Will
do.”

“
Oh, I'll
tell Jean-Claude to take borscht and beets off our menus, too.”

- 72 -

December
31, 2012
11:53
p.m. local time

Bonita Springs,
Florida

“
Great
party, Rosemary.”

“
Thanks,
Dallas. Glad you could make it.”

“
And I'm
glad I came. Look at that chick dancing out there.”

“
The one
with all the tattoos?”

“
Yeah,
and the big boobs.”

“
Uh-huh.”

“
Silicone
and ink, sure signs of the skank.”

Rosemary nodded
and chuckled.

“
You
know, Gordy said something once, “The bigger the boobs,
the
dumber the boob – or was it the shallower the boob? Something
like that.”

“
So true,
Rosemary. But I'd bet a lot of the guys here think she's sexy as
hell.”

“
You
don't mean the guys in our group, do you?”

“
Nah, the
ones who are just here, like that guy with the mullet.
See
how he's ogling her?”

“
Where –
oh, yeah. The guy in the athletic T-shirt?”

“
Yeah;
it's called a wifebeater.”

“
No,
really?”

“
Yup,
really. They'll be having sex tonight, for sure … probably
out in his pickup. At least that's how I'd write it if I were
gonna.”

“
And what
names would you give 'em?”

“
Hmm.
Maybe Debbie and, and … Duane – no, no, Darryl. Yeah,
that's it; Debbie and Darryl.”

“
Good
names, fitting. So do you have any more tips for me? Gordy and I
will be celebrating in our own way tonight.”

“
Let me
think. I've already given you – uh-oh. Maybe later. Hi,
Gordy.”

“
Hi,
Dallas. Can I steal Rosemary away for a dance? Ro, my dear, would
you join me?”

“
Sure,
Gordy. Take her away.”

“
I'd love
to; let's go,” Rosemary said, glancing over her shoulder at
Dallas as she left, mouthing the word, “Later?” Dallas
nodded, then frowned as the guy she'd named Darryl headed her way.

Out on the
dance floor, as she and Gordy danced one of the few slow dances the
band had played all night, Rosemary whispered in his ear, “I've
got a few new things to do with you tonight. Let's try to leave
right after midnight, okay?”

Gordy smiled
and whispered back, “Okay, hon. And I've got a few new ideas,
too.”

“
Mmmm.”

“
Mm-hmm.”

A moment later,
Gordy felt a tap on his shoulder, turned and saw two men in suits,
one older and squat, one young , tall and rail-thin.

“
Jake
Devlin?” the older one said.

“
I write
under that name, yes.”

“
FBI.
Come with us, please.” He flashed a badge and ID card in a
leather wallet.

“
On New
Year's Eve? Can't this wait?”

“
No, sir,
it cannot. Come with us now.”

“
What's
this about?”

“
Come
with us now. Quietly, please, or we'll handcuff you and drag you
out.”

“
Gordy?”

“
Ma'am,
stand back and be quiet,” the younger one said, puffing
his
skinny chest up and stepping between her and the two men.

“
But”
–

“
Ma'am,
do you want us to arrest you for obstruction? Stand back and be
quiet.”

“
Do as he
says, Ro,” Gordy said. Then to the agents, he said, “I'll
come with you.” He reached into his pocket,
pulled out his keys and
tossed them to Rosemary.
“Can you get that home for me?”

“
Sure.
Be careful, Gordy.”

“
See you
in the morning, Ro.”

The agents
walked him out of Slinky Joe's and into a silver SUV, which sped out
of the parking lot, leaving Rosemary, Dallas and the rest of the
group in stunned silence, at least until Darryl headed in Dallas'
direction again.

- 73 -

December
31, 2012
11:59:59
p.m. local time

Aboard
Defiance

In
the Gulf of Aden

“
Happy
New Year, Evelyn.”

“
And a
Happy New Year to you, Paul.”

“
And a
very Happy New Year to you, Captain Zander, and to the entire crew.
Cheers!”

He lifted his
glass and sipped from the top-end champagne, as did “Evelyn,”
the captain and the crew. “Paul” raised his glass again.

“
And I
want to thank all of you, ladies and gentlemen, for making this the
most efficient and delightful cruises Evelyn and I have ever taken on
any boat anywhere in the world. Congratulations and thank you, one
and all.” He took another sip and raised the glass toward the
captain.

“
Captain
Zander, I'm sure gathering these men and women to staff the boat
wasn't easy for you, but you have picked some of the best people to
support you and your core group. Congratulations
and
thank you to you.” A third sip and “Paul” began to
sit back
down, but stopped himself as the captain
raised his glass.

“
And to
you two, Mr. and Mrs. Burnett, and to the absent JJ, on behalf of the
entire crew, new and old alike, thank you for choosing the
Defiance
for your charter. And I hope we can make your stay onboard for the
next few months as comfortable and successful as I hope you have
found it for the past two months. Three cheers to you both …
and to the absent JJ, who was a delight to have onboard for the time
she was with us.”

“
Hip-hip
hooray! Hip-hip hooray! Hip-hip hooray!” the crew shouted,
glasses raised. “Paul” raised his glass in return and
everybody finished off their champagne.

“
Refills
for all, as long as you want tonight,” “Paul”
shouted,
smiling at each in turn.

“
But not
too much,” Captain Zander shouted. “We'll all need to
be
sharp in the morning.”

“
Thank
you, Captain,” “Paul” said quietly.

“
And
thank you, Jake,” the captain virtually whispered. “It's
good
to have you aboard again. And Pam, you are
truly a delight.”

“
Thank
you, Captain, “Evelyn” whispered back.

“
Good
night, everybody,” Jake shouted. “Enjoy yourselves.”

He waved, as
did Pam, and they left the main salon and headed to their master
suite.

“
Happy
New Year, Pam,” Jake said, closing the door behind them. “I
love you.”

“
And I
love you, Jake,” Pam said, kissing him passionately. “And
now I'm going to show you just how much. Take out your teeth and
let's get naked.”

- 74 -

January
1, 2013
1:38
a.m. local time

Bangkok,
Thailand

“
I swear,
CB, I did not sign up for this,” Jill said, her eyes glued to
the monitor. “Disgusting!”

“
I agree,
Jillybean, but we knew what he was when we took the job.”

“
And to
think taxpayer money is not only paying for us, but for all those
little boys his people have been bringing him. What a corrupt,
perverted sonofabitch!”

“
And he
keeps getting re-elected. If the voters only knew.”

“
Hell,
they're so blind, they'd probably keep putting him back in office
even if they did.”

“
You got
that right, JB. You can't fix stupid.”

“
Who said
that, CB?”

“
I think
it was some comedian, one of those blue collar types. I
forget
his na-” --

A child's
scream from the room next to theirs made them both jerk upright.

“
Oh,
Jesus, Carie Berry. Look at what he's doing to that poor kid.”

“
God,
that is disgusting.”

“
Can't we
do anything about it? Can't we just shoot that bastard right now?”

“
Not yet.
We can't blow our cover. We've got to wait for the right
opportunity.”

“
Shit.
Fuckin' disgusting prick! I swear, Carie, when the time is right,
I'm gonna cut off his fuckin' balls.”

- 75 -

January
1, 2013
3:48
a.m. local time

Fort
Myers, Florida

“
So where
did you get these photos?” the older, squat agent
asked
for a third time, pointing to the two prints arrayed on the table.

“
I told
you, I never saw them before,” Gordy responded, turning them
facedown. “They're disgusting.”