“Let me stop you right there,” I said. “Before you ask for an attorney, you might want to think about naming everyone involved in the Consortium.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m out on the water, minding my own business for an evening cruise?—”
“In a storm,” I snarked.
“When all of a sudden, my boat sinks. A very expensive boat. I wonder who’s responsible.”
“Your men opened fire on an officer.”
He shrugged. “There are all kinds of pirates on the high seas. One can’t be too careful.” He paused and glared at me. “Said officer didn’t properly identify himself.”
I recognized the voice. This was the scumbag I’d talked to on Memo.
“Said officer clearly identified himself.”
“He began shooting at my men. They were merely reacting. In fear for their lives.”
My eyes narrowed at him. I didn’t like him before, and I really didn’t like him now.
“Perhaps it is you who needs a lawyer, Deputy Wild,” he said with a grin. He just knew he was going to get out of this.
48
“You better be careful,” Daniels said in a hushed voice after we left the interrogation room. “I’m guessing that guy has friends in high places and deep pockets. He may come for you.”
I dismissed it. “The last thing he, or anyone he’s associated with, wants is more scrutiny. A civil suit is not in his best interest. And the crew…? The crew and everyone on that boat knew what they were getting into working for a guy like that. They’re all accessories to kidnapping, among other things.”
“This isn’t the Wild West, but you guys keep acting like it is.”
“Maybe I should have just smiled and waved when they shot at me,” I quipped.
“FDLE and IA are going to be all over this. You better hope you haven’t made any enemies.”
JD and I were known to ruffle feathers.
“I don’t want to lose a good cop over this nonsense.”
I appreciated his concern.
I filled out an after-action report and may have left out certain details.
Wet and tired, I caught a rideshare back to the marina. I hustled down the dock through the pouring rain to theAvventura.The storm continued to rage and would all night. I greeted Buddy when I entered. JD and Madelyn were in the salon.
“Thank God you’re okay,” Madelyn said as she rushed to give me a hug. “We were getting worried about you.”
“How’d it go down?” JD asked.
I filled them in on the details over a cocktail. We sat at the bar, and I told my story.
Their jaws dropped.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about from Kovalenko. I don’t think he’s getting out of prison anytime soon.”
Madelyn said, “Thank you for getting my brother back.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied with a grin. “I’m just glad we all made it back alive.” I glanced around. “Speaking of, where is your brother?”
“Sebastian caught a rideshare to the hospital to see Ava.”
