Darrell laughed. "You could say that I found a certain kind of spirituality. One that transcends the physical realm. I don't believe in violence. It's not my place to dispense justice." He smiled. "I'm just here to embrace the moment, maximize my presence in the Universe, and leave a positive impression. I believe what we do here, however insignificant, leaves a cosmic imprint. Maybe it's just a scratch on the wall, or a scuff on the tile, but it's something. The building blocks of history. You see, I've come to realize we’re all hurtling through space on a rock at a million miles an hour. No brakes, no seatbelt, and nobody behind the wheel. We are all part of the same existence—this unique moment in time—this crazy train. Good or bad, it is what it is, and we must embrace the experience."
I couldn't really disagree with anything Darrell said. But coming from him, it sounded like unicorn farts and fairy dust. "Seems like everything turned out okay for you. You made over $1 million. You got a nice boat. You got a fresh start."
Darrell smiled again. "I got a book deal and a movie deal, too. Seems everybody wants to hear my story. Hell, that pretty blonde is coming out this evening to do a story. You know, they got a big movie star attached to play me. Go figure."
"You want to tell me where you were at 2:00 AM last night?"
"Well, I was right here on this boat, knee-deep in the most heavenly slice of pie," he said with a lecherous grin.
"Can anyone verify that?"
Darrell called back into the salon. "Lexi, can you come here and tell these gentlemen where I was last night?"
A moment later, a gorgeous brunette with Arctic blue eyes poked her head through the hatch and surveyed us. "He was here with me."
I recognized her right away.
"You work at Forbidden Fruit, don't you?"
She smiled. "Guilty as charged."
"Were you working last night?”
"Until I met Darrell.” She shared a lustful glance with him. “It was lust at first sight. We’ve been together ever since.” She gave him a kiss. "Darrell's gonna be famous."
"I'm already famous," Darrell said with a grin, then kissed her back.
“What time did you leave the club?” I asked.
“Around midnight, I suppose,” Darrell said. “But Lexi’s a time machine,” he said, gazing into her hypnotic eyes. “She can make a man lose all track of the outside world.”
Lexi beamed with pride. She knew exactly what kind of effect she had on men. As a convicted killer, Darrell had a mystique that was catnip for certain women. Danger and power were strong aphrodisiacs. Alpha male, apex predator energy.
"You in possession of a firearm, Darrell?" I asked.
He broke from her enchantment and glanced at me. “As a wrongly convicted felon, that would be against the law."
"We're gonna need to board your boat and take a look around. Routine compliance inspection.”
Darrell's grin faded. He knew the law, and he knew we had the right to do it. "Well, if that’s what you gotta do, let’s get it over with. I’ve got important things to do." He said to Lexi. "How about you clean up the cabin for our guests?”
She got the hint and disappeared below deck as we climbed into the cockpit.
Darrell moved out of the companionway, and by the time we descended into the galley, Lexi had hidden whatever Darrell wanted her to hide—probably drugs or other paraphernalia. Perhaps, a weapon.
The boat was sleek and stylish. Every option had been ticked. Black stainless steel appliances with an induction stove in the port side galley, convection microwave, and a fridge. A dining area with a settee to starboard, and a luxurious salon with slim windows, plush seating, and hand-stitched leather upholstery. Gloss walnut panels and brushed aluminum accents.
"I think it is bullshit, if you ask me," Darrell said. "I can't carry a gun to protect myself when there are all kinds of crazies out there. Hell, Mr. Sweet vowed to kill me. I think I ought to be able to protect myself, don't you?”
"I will need to see your paperwork, life preservers, flares,” I said. “You know the drill."
Darrell moved to a drawer to get the documents.
JD and I took the opportunity to look around the boat. Anything in the line of sight was fair game. I noticed a few suspicious things right away.
37
"Is that blood on your shoe?" I asked, pointing at the crimson speckle.
