Jason sipped his coffee, then nodded. "That's the one. He called Drakos. He wants to meet again. The day after tomorrow. He's definitely still interested in The Mandeville. Drakos isn't interested in selling, but he agreed to meet."
"Is Kendall going to give Drakos an offer he can't refuse?" Knox couldn't resist posing his question with his best Godfather accent.
Jason rolled his eyes. "I hope not, but if Kendall is behind the bloody suit, that's the type of offer we can expect." He looked atAllie. "I'd like you to observe the meeting. Either in person or by video. We can figure out the logistics later. Any insight you can provide on this guy would be helpful. We don't have any information on him, but apparently he's high enough in Byron to negotiate major real estate deals."
Allie nodded. "Where was their first meeting? Was there any security footage? If so, I'd like to view it. The more I can watch of this Kendall guy the easier it will be to get a baseline."
"Good idea," Jason said. "I'll ask Drakos about that."
"First," Knox said. "Try the coconut pancakes." He forked half a pancake from the stack on his plate and tossed it onto Jason's plate.
Jason looked at Allie. "You know, I thought he requested this assignment because of the beach." He jabbed his fork toward Knox. "But I'm beginning to think it was because of the food."
Knox chuckled. He decided not to correct Jason, but the first reason he wanted this assignment was to work with Allie again. And the second reason was to work with Jason.
Though the beach and the food were a nice bonus.
Knox and Allie found Henrik Kurtz's rental shop with no problem. With a view of the ferry pier, it sat between an ice cream parlor and a coffee shop. All three boasted Victorian-inspired architecture, though they looked like new construction.
Knox chose a spot in the small parking lot between Henrik's business and the coffee shop. As they walked toward the entrance, Allie's face scrunched up.
"This doesn't look right. I thought this guy had security cameras next to a Byron property with a warehouse on it."
Knox chuckled. "That's what's bothering you? The name of his shop is what's getting me. 'Pelican Rentals.' Seriously? Do they rent pelicans?"
Allie groaned. "That was dangerously close to a dad joke." She added a dramatic wince. "Pretty sure he's just trying to encourage the island vibe. It says," she glanced at the Pelican Rentals website on her phone, "they rent scuba and snorkeling gear, fishing poles, surfboards, boogie boards, ATVs, and bicycles. They also sell beach essentials and hiking supplies."
"Disappointing. I was pretty curious about the hourly rate of a pelican."
She punched his arm.
He laughed. And he was pleased to see her smile. "Well, he told Jason he had footage that might be helpful. Let's see what he has to say." He held open the door to Pelican Rentals. "After you."
Her smile broadened. "Thank you."
He would never tire of that smile.
Three minutes into their conversation with Henrik Kurtz, Allie had to will herself not to roll her eyes and pinch the bridge of her nose—though mentally, she was doing both of those things.
Henrik was an amateur detective. Emphasis onamateur.
He had cameras all over the exterior of his property pointing in seventeen different directions. Why? Because he believed in about as many conspiracy theories. Plus, he was certain his coffee shop neighbor was in a witness protection program—though, he couldn't say from which country.
Thankfully, no one else was in the shop to overhear this discussion.
Allie was beyond impressed with Knox's patience with the Jessica-Fletcher-wannabe. He was usually unnecessarily blunt in these situations. But he listened to Henrik rattle on, asking questions from time to time.
They eventually learned that Byron Industries owned the warehouse on the other side of the alley that ran behind Henrik's shop. And therefore in view of Henrik's many security cameras.
Allie watched Henrik's posture, hands, feet, and facial expressions. She noted his tone. As far as she could tell, he didn't pose a threat. They just needed to make sure he didn't snoop around Byron. The poor guy would be in way over his head.
"Mr. Kurtz," Knox said.
"Henrik. Please, call me Henrik."
"Thanks, Henrik. We really appreciate all this. You're a wealth of information. Could we take a look at that security footage?"
Allie managed to keep her expression neutral. But she was shocked how respectful Knox acted toward Henrik and all his wild speculations—even the one about the lost city of Atlantis sinking off the coast of Isadora Island.
