"And the ransom is now up in smoke."
"Yes. Exactly."
He gave me a stern look. "All of it?"
"All of it.”
"Because that money would be subject to civil asset forfeiture.”
"I’m aware.”
"And who are these other assholes?" he asked, noting Rico and his crew.
"A rival gang," I said.
"Where did the van come from?”
"It's complicated.”
His eyes narrowed at me.
With hesitation, I told him the full story.
His eyes filled with disbelief. "Okay, look. Just make something up that's halfway believable for your official report. Because nobody is going to buy the tomb thing.”
"I'm sure I can come up with something," I said.
Helicopters circled overhead, and news crews captured footage.
Mickey and Kendra were the stars of the show. Cameras and reporters mobbed them.
"Were you kidnapped by Pedro Sandoval?
"What happened to Pepe's money?
"What’s next for you?”
“Thanks to the swift action of the Coconut County Sheriff's Department, I have my daughter back,” Mickey said. “That’s the only thing that matters to me. I hope we can begin to repair our relationship."
Kendra teared up, nodded, and hugged him.
The media ate it up.
Paris asked me for an interview, but I declined to comment. I figured the less I said about the situation, the better.
JD recovered the drone. He and Flynn drove back to theAvventura. The sheriff gave me, Kendra, and Mickey a ride. He dropped me off at the dock, and Mickey and Kendra thanked me again and said they'd be in touch.
I strolled back to the boat, feeling accomplished. Boats swayed in their slips, and the moon glowed overhead. The water was calm and relaxing.
Buddy greeted me eagerly when I boarded the boat. I grabbed his leash and took him out for a quick walk. After I returned, I took a shower, still smelling like smoke from the noxious flames. I fell into bed and slept like a baby—the events of the night still lingered in my dreams.
I woke with the sunrise and stumbled down to the galley after going through my morning routine. Flynn was always up early. This time, he had taken charge of breakfast. “I’m taking requests. Let me know what you want?”
“Dealer’s choice,” I said.
“Ham and cheese omelettes, hash browns, bacon, toast, fresh coffee?”
“Sounds great.” I poured a cup of coffee and sat at the breakfast nook, trying to come to life as I sipped the hot java.
