Emerald Fire (18 page)

Finn’s investigator senses were tingling. She’d mentioned that before. “If Lisa’s involved, why would she hire pirates to steal the yacht for an insurance claim? Why not just take the journal?”

“Because she didn’t know it was on the
Fire
. I was only going to be in Poland a few days. I thought the journal would be safe on the yacht until I returned. I’d no idea that Uncle Jon would leave early.”

“So let me get this straight. You’ve got a black widow trophy wife who married your uncle for the money.” When Chloe nodded, he continued. “She paid to have him murdered so she can collect life insurance, boat insurance, and I’m assuming inherit everything he owns.”

“With some stipulations made in the will, but yes, that’s basically correct.”

He pointed to the journal. “How does that fit into the picture?”

“Owen Larson is a cousin on my father’s side. My dad married up, but it was very much a love match. As you can guess, mom came from money. We had a great life, and Owen always resented me because of it. His wasn’t so great. A broken home, in and out of trouble during school years. Dad tried to help, even paid for what little college Owen managed to complete. But it was never enough as far as my cousin was concerned. He often took his anger out on me. It’s one thing to be that way as kids, but Owen has gotten worse as we’ve grown older. He looks for ways to torment me.”

Finn’s jaw tightened. If he ever met the guy, there’d be a day of reckoning. “So are you related to Desmond on your mother or father’s side?”

“Father. But that’s the thing. Desmond isn’t the ancestor. He never actually had any children.”

It took a second for her meaning to sink in. “The daughter?” he asked in surprise.

“My mother was the one who actually made the connection. I inherited her research after the plane crash.”

He tried to make sense of what she was saying. “So this is all about…what? Proving Desmond was a hero for taking on the role of fatherhood? Or is it that you’re descended from royalty?”

She laughed at that one. “Neither, actually. Emily Desmond never knew her mother, much less that she was the daughter of a queen. I want to right history. She deserves at least that much.”

“Finding the emeralds would prove that?”

“It would be a pretty solid piece of evidence, don’t you agree?”

He did. But there was one more piece of this puzzle missing. “If Owen knows about the emeralds, why is he part of the plot to get rid of your uncle and collect on the insurance?”

“I’m not sure he ever really believed, but he tracked my progress just in case. It’s been two years since I found the journal, and nothing has happened. I think he got tired of waiting for the big payoff.” She flipped a page in the book, her fingers brushing the page lovingly. She cared about Desmond and Emily, despite two-hundred years separating them. Finn was surprised to realize he liked that about her. And for the first time, he began to understand his father’s claim that the past always predicted the future.

“So we are up against a couple of very dangerous felons in training.” And that was another surprise. He was thinking in terms of
we
.

Chloe sighed. “I’m afraid we are. I can’t prove that Owen and Lisa are a team, but I suspect they’ve been working together since before Uncle Jon married her.”

“Damn.” Talk about a twisted tale of greed and betrayal. “So what about Jonathan?” Based on their similar reaction to the name NorthStar, she’d talked to him about it. “He’s married to Lisa. Doesn’t that worry you?”

“A little. But I trust him. He’s always been there for me, always the person I can talk to. He also helped me try to solve some of the riddles in the journal.”

“Like NorthStar.”

She looked up at him in surprise. “Yes, the name is mentioned more than once.” She flipped a few pages and pushed the journal closer to him and pointed. “Read this line.”

He scooted forward and looked down at the page. “The man from NorthStar will be your guide.” Finn frowned. How was that possible?

“Now you understand my shock?”

He just stared at her, not knowing what to say.

Chloe leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes on a sigh. “That line has never made any sense until I met you.”

“It still makes no sense,” he said.

Her eyes snapped open, and he saw determination. Anger. And something else he couldn’t put a finger on.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” she said. “Help me put Lisa behind bars before she runs. Then we’ll find the emeralds. Together. Just like Desmond predicted.”

Finn already planned on seeing the black widow chained. Maybe cousin Owen, too, if he was involved. He’d never consider walking away from this until it was safe for her to return to a normal life. But she had the order of events wrong.

“I’m more than willing to see Lisa Banks pay for her crimes and have every intention of making that happen. But we have a third problem.”

She raised a brow in question.

“Pirates.”

Chloe scoffed. “They never saw the journal.”

“Maybe not, but our stowaway was on board long enough to know something is in the wind. There’s every chance they’ll come calling. If they pay Lisa a visit, and she thinks there’s a possible treasure, she’ll use the promise of its existence to leverage for time.”

“Why wouldn’t she just run?”

“I doubt she’s aware her game is up, not yet. The best option is to find the emeralds first, before everything blows up in her face. And let’s not forget Owen. If he’s involved, I don’t think he’d hesitate to throw you to the wolves.”

Finn knew that much was fact. Everything else was as clear as mud. The only thing for certain was that Chloe had guts.

“Okay, I’m listening,” Chloe said. “What do you propose we do?”

He sat back in his chair, contemplating a new deal. “Lisa Banks is willing to condone murder to get what she wants, but a greedy social climber isn’t made from the same stock as a hardened criminal. When the going gets tough, she’ll run. But it’s all in the timing. With millions on the line, she’s not going to bolt until the last minute.”

Chloe nodded slowly in agreement with that logic. “Owen is just as guilty in this. I can’t prove it, but I know it. If there’s even a slight chance of success, he will try and keep Lisa in place,” Chloe reasoned. “He’s all about the money.”

That greed might buy them time.

“We keep searching for the emeralds,” Finn said matter-of-factly. “We pull Sam Brady into the investigation against Lisa. And Jonathan continues to stay under witness protection.”

Her jaw worked as she struggled with her decision. “I want her to pay, Finn. For every piece of grief she’s caused.”

He understood that, but he also realized she needed to circle back to her original goal. If she abandoned her search and fired all guns in an angry need for vengeance, she would fail at both. He couldn’t let that happen. And maybe, by brokering this new deal with her, he still had a chance to save NorthStar’s future. “Believe me, Lisa will pay for her crimes.” Those weren’t just words. He’d make certain of it. “But you have to keep going. Don’t let her rob you of your original focus.”

Chloe didn’t say anything, just chewed on her lower lip and looked deep in thought.

“If you’re looking for revenge,” Finn added, “I hope you know that rarely ends well.”

“What I’m looking for is justice.”

“Then your best move would be to win, despite her scheming.” He honestly believed that. “Think how furious she’ll be if you succeed in finding the emeralds. That prospect alone should make it worth continuing.”

A tiny smile curved her lips. “Maybe.”

“So new deal,” Finn offered. “We go to NorthStar. My father is there, and he knows the history of the place better than anyone alive. It’s a starting point.”

Her warm brown eyes stared at him, but it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. He held his hand out. “Shake on it?”

Her soft hand grasped his, and she squeezed. “Just promise me one thing. If anything changes and Lisa bolts, we drop what we’re doing and go after her.”

That might be difficult, but he’d give her that much. “Agreed,” he said with a firm shake.

She slumped back in her chair, exhaustion finally catching up with her. She needed sleep. He stood and pushed his chair back in place, then pulled her into his arms. When she rested her head against his shoulder, he held her tightly against him.

“Go to bed, Chloe. I’ll read some of the journal tonight, and tomorrow we’ll start digging for answers.”

She weakly nodded and turned toward her bunk.

Gray clouds still covered the early afternoon sun, but the rain held back as the
Seagrove
slowly moved to dock at Freeport, Bahamas. Breakfast had been late and consisted of a muffin and juice, as they’d both slept until roughly ten. They’d needed it. She had pushed well past the point of exhaustion last night, and even though Finn had been equally tired, he had stayed up long into the night reading William Desmond’s journal.

Right now Chloe was below decks helping her uncle get ready to move ashore and Finn had carried their bags topside in preparation to leave. He didn’t intend to waste a minute getting to NorthStar.

“You realize she’s worth fighting for, right?” Jason asked as he stepped up beside Finn at the rail.

“That’s a pretty big statement for someone you just met yesterday,” Finn replied as he checked his cell phone for a signal.

“True enough. But then, I’m a good judge of character and a quick study.”

Finn chose not to take the bait and changed the subject. “We can’t thank you enough for your timely rescue.” He handed the man both his cards, Boston Marine Insurance and NorthStar. “If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you…”

“It’s easy to see that she’s into you.” Jason wasn’t letting it go. “Near as I can tell, the feeling is mutual. What’s standing in your way?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Always is, my friend. Chloe seems a rare breed, though. She’s beautiful, cultured, and undoubtedly strong. Not many women could take on pirates, get shot, and still be an engaging dinner guest. One in a million I’d say.”

He was absolutely right about that, but there was more to Miss Chloe Larson than Jason knew. Finn had a sinking feeling he’d barely scratched the surface. Another night alone with her, one that wasn’t marred with bullet wounds and emotional distress, could well prove to be one of the more interesting nights of his life. The Bahamas just might offer him that chance. He couldn’t wait to get ashore.

“She is definitely one of the most stubborn women I’ve ever met,” Finn finally replied. “If she’s set on something, there’s little anyone can do to change her mind.”

“Those are the most interesting kind. Gotta love a woman who goes after what she wants. It’s the lucky man who gets in her way.” Jason grinned.

“How do you figure?”

“Someone once said ‘Well behaved women rarely make history.’ I think it was Marilyn Monroe. Whoever it was, I couldn’t agree more. They are the kind of women that challenge a man.”

Finn glanced sideways at Jason. “What makes you think Chloe is that kind of woman?”

“Several things actually.” Jason leaned back against the rail and surveyed the activity humming on the ship as they docked. “She went through hell yesterday. Did she ever falter? Faint at the sight of blood?”

Finn shook his head. “If anything, she took charge.”

Jason smiled. “Exactly my point. She’s got courage. Life around her won’t ever be boring. I’d think about uncomplicating things if I were you.”

Finn didn’t want to think about anything but getting off this boat, getting Chloe alone, and heading back to NorthStar. In that exact order.

“Anybody ever accuse you of being a matchmaker?” Finn asked.

Jason laughed. “More than once. But my record is spotless. As long as one doesn’t count that time right after my Africa trip when I set up two mutual friends without realizing one was actually a transvestite.”

Finn choked. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I wish,” Jason said with a shake of his head. “Knew the girl over a year without ever realizing she was really a he.”

“How on earth?”

“In my defense, he was gorgeous.” Jason grinned. “And I didn’t hang out with her crowd much.”

“You realize that following up romantic advice with a story like that blows your credibility all to hell?”

“Don’t know why,” he replied with a nod toward the main cabin. “Just look at her. Tell me everything I said isn’t true.”

Finn turned to see Chloe and Jonathan slowly making their way toward them. Jonathan was on crutches, and it looked like the effort to move cost him dearly. But despite yesterday’s ordeal, Chloe was fresh from a shower, wholesome without a drop of makeup, and confident enough to take on the world. She looked up at him right then, and he could swear he saw the memory of last night’s visit to third base in her eyes. He felt certain parts of him tighten in response.

“She’s trouble,” Finn said.

Jason clapped him on the back. “The best kind, my friend.”

Shouts from the dock interrupted, and the clatter of a deck ladder being secured to the ship signaled it was time to go.

Finn reached out to shake Jason’s hand. “We appreciate the hospitality. If you ever find yourself in Mystic, Connecticut, don’t hesitate to look me up.”

Chloe reached out to hug him. “I don’t know how we can ever repay you. But we owe you a huge debt of thanks.”

Jason wiggled his eyebrows at Finn over Chloe’s shoulder. The message seemed clear. Trouble. No matter which way you looked at it.

* * * *

It didn’t take long to figure out that Jonathan needed another day of rest and pain meds before he’d be in any shape to fly. Part of Finn chaffed at the delay, the other, bigger part was actually thankful for the additional time. Twenty-four hours wouldn’t make any difference in puzzling out the journal, but in terms of recuperation, it meant a great deal. For all of them.

They took an island taxi to the Grand Lucayan, an all-inclusive resort with sprawling grounds, endless pools, and easy access to the Port Lucayan marketplace. They’d traded back the borrowed clothes for the ones they wore when they boarded the
Seagrove
, and though they were beat up, at least they were clean.