Daniels sighed and said, “Just be careful out there.”
“Always,” Jack replied.
We wrapped up, chatted with Denise for a bit, then I drove the Porsche to Sparky’s. He could give the mechanicals a once-over, fix the bad synchro, then send it out for paint and bodywork. In a month or two, it would be back in pristine condition.
“It’s almost criminal what you guys do to cars,” Sparky said.
He wasn’t lying.
We shot the breeze for a bit, then caught a rideshare back to the marina at Diver Down. I took the opportunity to call Catalina. I had a few things on my mind.
She picked up after a few rings. “Deputy Wild, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?”
“Two of your flunkies just tried to kill us.” There may have been a little venom in my voice.
13
“Idon’t know what you’re talking about,” Catalina said.
“Cut the shit,” I snapped. “Two of your guys in a stolen silver sedan just tried to air us out.”
She paused. “Are you okay?”
“We’re fine. Thanks,” I said in a snarky voice. “The car’s a little messed up. But that can be fixed.”
“You have to believe me, I had nothing to do with this.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe.”
“How could you think I was capable of doing something like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve got a track record of that kind of thing.”
“I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I’m not sold.”
“This could have been anyone,” she said.
“I like to think I’m a likable guy,” I quipped. “Who would want to kill me besides you?”
“I’m sure there are a lot of people.”
She wasn’t entirely wrong.
“I swear to you, I had nothing to do with this.”
“Then maybe you should talk to your father. If the order didn’t come from you, he’s the only other person it could have come from.”
Catalina said nothing.
“Gotta run. Been nice chatting. Catch you later.” I ended the call.
The driver dropped us off at Diver Down, and we strolled into the restaurant and took a seat at the bar.
Teagan greeted us with a bubbly smile. “Afternoon, boys. What’s shaking?”
“Oh, this and that,” I said.
