Two down - By Nero Blanc Page 0,14
was already on board his plane, flying back from his hunting cabin. He asked me to meet him at his home.”
“It’s horrible, Rosco, I . . . I just talked to those women Saturday . . . Genie seemed so . . . She seemed so nice . . .”
“And she probably still is, Belle. Let’s not assume the worst. The boat was badly burned but afloat, and the Coast Guard hasn’t located the Orion’s inflatable tender yet. Besides, the women were known to be excellent sailors; they should have been able to handle almost any situation.”
“But what if the tender tore loose in the blaze and they couldn’t escape?”
“Then the Coast Guard would have found two bodies aboard the Orion—which they did not, meaning the women and the dinghy have to be somewhere . . . There’s a full search-and-rescue operation under way, Belle. We have to give it a little time.”
Belle remained quiet for a long moment. “Why does Pepper want to see you?”
“He’s very upset . . . which is natural. And he’s a guy who’s accustomed to getting things done quickly—and calling all the shots. Obviously, the Coast Guard has no answers presently. So . . . he’s not a happy man.”
“You mean he’s hiring you? To investigate this?”
“Like I said, he’s upset. I’ll just have to talk to him. See what he has in mind. I’ve investigated maritime loss in the past. He knows that.”
“Well, he must be thinking the fire’s a result of foul play.” Rosco could almost hear Belle’s brain whirring with this new piece of information.
“I doubt that. Most likely, he just wants to make sure the Coast Guard is giving the situation one hundred percent . . . Which you can bet they are; they don’t go into these things halfheartedly.”
“You really believe Genie and Jamaica are all right?”
“Absolutely.”
Another unhappy pause. “I’d been thinking some terrible things about Jamaica . . . I wish I hadn’t . . . It makes me feel so guilty . . .” Then Belle’s practical side kicked in; she was a person addicted to finding solutions. Ambiguity and doubt were two sensations she abhorred. “Why didn’t the women radio for help—or even phone? I can’t imagine Jamaica going anywhere without a cell phone.”
“I’ll check with Pepper. Maybe he knows.” Rosco glanced at his watch. “Look, I should be going. I told him I’d be there by five-thirty. Are you all right?”
“. . . Yes.”
“You’re sure? You don’t sound it.”
“I’m okay . . .”
“I’ll stop by after I leave Pepper’s, how’s that?”
“Thanks.”
“I almost forgot . . . How was tea?”
“We’re still having it . . . Sara says hello . . .”
Rosco smiled into the receiver. “Sara?”
“I’ll be home at six,” Belle said in answer. “Get there when you can.”
The drive from Rosco’s office to the Pepper home took about twenty minutes. It was five or six miles south of the Yacht Club on a high bluff. On a clear day the property would have had a commanding view of the coastline and the sea beyond, but a thick bank of burly gray clouds had suddenly swept in from the east, bringing with it a squally rain that stung Rosco’s face as he stepped from his Jeep. He turned up his coat collar, trotted over to a broad entry portico, and rapped three swift times with the polished brass knocker. The door was opened by a short, beefy man in his sixties. He was dressed in the formal black suit of a butler, but his build was more like that of an aging bodyguard.
“You must be Mr. Polycrates.” The accent was vaguely British, although Rosco guessed England wasn’t the man’s country of origin.
“Yes.”
“Come in, please. Mr. Pepper is expecting you.”
From over the butler’s shoulder Rosco heard Pepper call out an irritable: “That’s all, Anson. No . . . Wait! Take the man’s coat. Hang it up.”
After Rosco had shed his soggy coat, Pepper approached. A rocks glass filled with Scotch was in his left hand. He offered his right to Rosco. “I appreciate the hell out of you coming here on such short notice . . . The weather’s certainly turned foul . . . Scotch?”
“I think I’ll pass. Thanks.”
Tom stared down at the glass. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s early . . . Sorry, I just needed to calm myself down. I’m a wreck . . . Why don’t we step into my office. I’ve set up a command post there.”
Rosco followed Pepper down a corridor