Page 43 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
Decker shrugged. “It’s survival in the streets of Miami run by the Barbaros and others like them. When I was in high school, there was a war going on between them and some cartel. Not the kind of battle done with guns. But the kind done with money. It was quiet, but we all knew it was happening. It came down to power and who controlled those in power. I didn’t know the players because I just wanted out. I did my best to stay invisible, and I thought I’d been successful. But I guess, they always kept tabs on me.”
“Does the name Mendoza ring a bell?” Fletcher asked.
Decker nodded, eyes wide. “Sounds familiar. Could’ve been the same cartel. There’s more than one in Miami, and honestly, I try to stay clear of it all. I don’t even speak to anyone in my family. When I went to college, my uncle told me to make a clean break. Just walk away and never look back. He told me it was better that way.”
“That cartel used to run drugs in and out of here with Paul Massey.” Fletcher arched a brow. “Do you live under a rock? You were coming around at the start of all that.”
“I was.” Decker nodded. “But I can’t say I paid much attention to it. I try to avoid anything cartel-related. It brings up a lot of trauma, and I don’t want to get involved in that shit. I was spending more time in Marco Island than here, and I was trying to…hell, I don’t know. I had my head buried in the muck.”
“You can say that again.” Fletcher set the papers on the table. “What kinds of things did you report back to Tessa? And was it always phone conversations?”
“If I texted, she called.” Decker nodded. “Honestly, there wasn’t much to tell. Things like you all were living in town. She did take an interest in Dawson being a cop, and there were some questions about how the town reacted to you all.”
“I would think she’d be really interested in the Massey case.”
“I didn’t bring that up. It didn’t affect Baily. Not directly anyway. But she did ask a few questions. She wanted to know how Dawson handled the case—was he a good cop. Thought she was just shooting the shit with me, and I did my best to get her off the line because I wanted her out of my life.” Decker rubbed the back of his neck. “Things didn’t heat up until the Crab Shack burned down. That’s when Tessa wanted more. Wanted me to turn up the charm and find Baily’s weak spots, but I told Tessa no way. I wasn’t that guy.”
“We’re gonna need you to pretend to be that guy,” Fletcher said, cocking his head.
“Yeah, I can do that.” Decker nodded. “I can lie to Tessa because I’ve been doing that for a while.”
“Excuse me?” Fletcher blinked.
“I told you, I wasn’t the enemy,” Decker said. “I fed Tessa just enough information to keep her off my back while I tried to figure out my move. Only, I quickly learned I don’t have one. At least not alone. I’d tell Tessa dumb things.” Decker chuckled. “I will say she wasn’t very pleased to learn that Hayes took up with a Fed.”
“Does she know Chloe moved here and retired?”
“She knows they're living together, but I haven’t said Chloe’s left the FBI. Not sure that’s public knowledge.” Decker sighed. “Lately, Tessa’s been hyper-focused on Baily, the marina, and the Crab Shack. My last conversation with her was right after our meeting at Massey’s Pub. I told her that I informed you of my intentions. That I had more money and that there was no way you’d win the bid.” Decker laughed, although it was sarcastic in nature. “Tessa told me I better not screw it up. I’ll enjoy knocking the wind out of that woman’s sails. I just don’t like the way Baily looks at me now.”
Fletcher chuckled. He shouldn’t be thrilled that Baily was giving the old stink eye to Decker. But after being on the receiving end of it for years? Yeah, Fletcher would enjoy it for as long as it lasted. He didn’t care that it was childish or that it made him appear a little jealous.
“I’m glad you find this amusing,” Decker mumbled.
The door creaked open, and in walked Chloe with Baily two paces behind.
Fletcher stood, nodded to Chloe, and made a beeline for Baily. He rested his hands on her hips. This might be considered a dick move, but he didn’t give a shit. He pressed his lips over her mouth and kissed her good and hard.
The room stilled.
That was until Chloe cleared her throat.
Fletcher pulled back. “Is everything okay?” He traced Baily’s jawline.
“I’m fine,” Baily said with an arched brow. “Chloe talked me into staying for this meeting.”
“Good. I think you should be here.” Fletcher pulled out another chair and opened it. “Chloe, why don’t you start?”
Chloe sat cross-legged on the edge of the table, phone in hand, her brow tight with focus. Decker leaned against the wall near the corner, arms crossed, trying to pretend like he wasn’t the most uncomfortable man in the room. Baily sat next to Fletcher, her eyes hard as steel, but Fletcher knew her well enough to see the worry swimming beneath the surface.
“I did some digging into Tessa Gilbert, hoping to find some cracks—something that ties her company back to the Barbaros?—”
“I know she’s working for them,” Decker muttered, interrupting Chloe. “Even if no one can prove it, she’s all but admitted it to me.”
“Well, we need proof, and so far, I've got nothing,” Chloe said. “She’s third-generation rich. Never really had to work a day in her life. That company was her father’s, and she’s just pretty much lived off the dividends, not really working, just pretending to, and backing a few younger studs she’s dated over the years.” Chloe glanced in Decker’s direction, who grunted. “Don’t feel bad, you’re not the youngest. Before you?—”
“I’m well aware of Tyson Hughes. He was maybe twenty-five. Like I said, I was never in love with the woman, and I get that makes me look like a greedy asshole.” He shifted his gaze to Fletcher. “Who did exactly what he’d been trying not to do his entire life.”
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Fletcher said, holding Decker’s gaze. “She’s a Trojan horse. An unexpected enemy, and anyone could’ve fallen for it.”
