“I know youthinkyou do.” She punched his hard bicep with her fist. “But I’m not sure how far your influence extends outside the gates of the Palumba Falls...or Palarita.”
“Far and wide. Watch me.”
He rolled up to the curb in front of the small baggage claim area at the airport and hopped out of the Jeep. Before she could push open the passenger door, he swung it open for her and helped her out.
They made their way past one creaking carousel with two lonely bags traveling around in a circle. Only a few commercial flights serviced Miami a few days each week with puddle-jumpers and private planes making up the rest of the arrivals and departures. The commercial flights had ended for the day, and the airport resembled an off-the-beaten-track bus depot.
Jake sauntered to the information counter, where an attractive woman with a flower tucked behind her ear greeted him with a wide smile, her white teeth glistening against mocha skin. “Jake. It’s about time you paid me a visit. A girl can get awfully lonely at this airport.”
“You? Lonely? I don’t believe that for a minute, Felicia.” He reached over the counter, took her hand, and kissed her fingers.
Georgette forced a smile onto her face. Jealousy never looked good on anyone...and one did not express jealousy over a fling. She’d learned a few things from Jamie.
Jake introduced the two of them, and Felicia dimmed her megawatt smile for Georgette before hunching over the counter, putting her face close to Jake’s and her cleavage on display. “Taking your private plane off to your secret island?”
Jake had a private plane? Georgette raised her eyebrows.
“A plane? I could swim to my secret island, but I do have a favor to ask you.”
Felicia studied her nails. “What do I get out of it?”
“How about a spa day at the Falls?”
Felicia’s full lips pouted.
“And I’ll throw in dinner at the restaurant for you and a guest. Who do have groveling at your feet these days?”
“Johnny Bonnaire.”
Georgette opened her mouth, and Jake nudged her foot.
“Then dinner for you and Johnny. It’s just a small favor, Felicia.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“I need you to look up some information on the lockers. Hallie La Croix, Georgette’s sister, or her companion, may have rented one. I want to see if they did, if it’s still rented, and the location of the locker.”
“Even if I give you all that, I can’t give you the combination. The renters set those themselves.”
“I know that. We’ll take care of that part.” Jake planted his hands on the counter. “I’ll throw in a bottle of good champagne with the dinner.”
“Johnny wouldn’t know what to do with a good bottle of champagne...so I’ll drink that myself.” Felicia sat back in her chair and scooted it in front of a computer. “I’ll check for Hallie first.”
Jake winked at Georgette.
“Nothing under Hallie’s name. Next?”
Georgette licked her lips. “Jamie Lawson.”
Felicia’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and she whistled through her teeth. “Jamie Lawson rented a locker over a month ago.”
“And the rental has expired?” Georgette folded her clammy hands on top of the counter.
“Nope.” Felicia squinted at the computer screen. “She rented it for four months, paid in advance.”
“Four months?” Georgette twisted her fingers. She’d had no idea Jamie planned to stay on Palumba for four months, and if that was the plan, where did she go?
“The locker number, Felicia?” Jake covered Georgette’s stiff hands with one of his own.