Page 45 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
Fletcher stepped behind her, pressed his hands into her shoulders, and gave them a good squeeze.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Decker said. “If there was a competing cartel running drugs in this town, that cartel would’ve wanted you to stay in business. They would’ve done whatever it took to make sure that happened.” He turned to Fletcher, catching his gaze. “Including telling Baily the loan was legal, and she needed to continue paying on it.”
“Paul always sent business to Baily,” Fletcher said. “He was supportive. But considering he was born and raised here, that wasn’t a shocker.”
“Before we learned he was a drug smuggler and a murderer, outside of his animosity towards Audra and her return, and perhaps the fact he could be an arrogant asshole, he was always trying to lend a helpful hand. Always slipping me a big fat tip.” Baily glanced over her shoulder. “But he did so with that slimy kind of look that I never missed. It wasn’t like Silas, who does it with a sweet half smile and a bit of guilt, knowing how prideful I am. No, Paul made me wonder if he expected me to pay him back.”
“I barely knew the guy,” Decker said. “But if he worked for the cartel, I’m sure he expected some kind of return on his investment, and if that day had ever come, he would’ve found a way to remind you of all he’d done.”
“Sounds like you know these types well.” Chloe glanced between Decker and Fletcher.
“I spent my youth ducking and dodging them, only to learn that my arrogance in adulthood hadn’t shaken them,” Decker said with his gaze firmly planted on his feet. “As far as your brother goes. I didn’t know the man, so I could be talking out of my ass.” He lifted his gaze. “But, since he was married to Julie, and he married her young, it’s quite possible he went into that relationship blind. That they waited until they knew they had him by the balls…pardon my expression…before they showed their hand and started controlling his actions through fear and manipulation. It’s how they operate. I’ve seen people like them do it in my old neighborhood.”
It was hard for Fletcher not to give Decker some respect.
Chloe lifted her phone. “I need to call Greer’s cousin first thing in the morning and set up a meeting. I think both Fletcher and Baily should be present for that, and you need to bring all the loan paperwork and anything else that might help with that paper trail.”
“We’ll be ready.” Fletcher nodded.
“Greer says he’s good,” Chloe said. “If there’s something connecting the Barbaros to the loan, your accounts, or anything tied to this town, he’ll find it.”
“Anything else we need to discuss?” Fletcher asked.
Decker inched closer, tapping his knuckles on the table. “I have an idea. It’s risky, but I think it’s better than pulling me out of the equation altogether.”
“I’m listening,” Fletcher said.
“Right now, the plan is for me to disappear. But what if you have me go through with the bid?” He held up his hands. “I mean that only in terms of right to the point of the actual auction. I draft the plans, make the calls, and talk to Mueller and the investor to keep up appearances. If they think I’m still doing their bidding, they’ll stay out of my way. Then at the town meeting, I’ll kill the proposal. I can do it publicly or quietly. That’s up to you. But we can turn the tides before they even know they’re drowning.”
Baily crossed her arms. “If you do that publicly, you’d become a target.”
Decker nodded. “I know. But I kind of already am. And doing it this way buys us time. If I go dark on them now, we don’t know what they might do. But if I play along...maybe you all can figure out the pieces that you don’t have.”
Fletcher leaned back. “That’s a hell of a gamble, but I kind of like the odds better.”
“They already know I’m on the edge,” Decker said. “They’ve threatened me, my company, my reputation. They want me to play ball or get crushed. They know I don’t like to lose. I’m good at my job. My weakness has always been three things. Fear of being dirt poor again. My reputation. Nothing worse than being a no-good loser. And being a criminal like my family. They’ve hit me with all three, and they believe I’m crumbling.”
“Why are you doing this?” Baily asked. “Because just a few weeks ago, you were willing to date me to get intel and give it to those assholes.”
“Because life—and being in this town—has taught me a few things.” Decker tapped his chest. “I’ve been poor, and I’ve survived. My reputation has taken big hits before, and I can rebuild it if I’m honest and true. I’m not a criminal. I never have been, and I won’t let them turn me into one. But the one thing I’ve never had before…ever.” He waved his hand. “Is this—community. I want to be a part of it. I know it’s not something I can just walk into and expect to be trusted or welcomed. But this is how I can first, right what I’ve done wrong. And second, help where I can. Let me.”
“Your plan keeps us with an open line to Tessa and to the Barbaros outside of putting Baily in the middle by having her reach out to Julie and playing that angle,” Fletcher said.
“Agreed,” Chloe nodded. “But we still may want to do that.” She stood, tapping on her screen. “Fletcher, you need to get with the boys about how to work the auction angle and make sure Decker’s plans are good enough that they’ll be entertained and won’t cause suspicion from anyone.”
“I wanted to speak with Fletcher about that.” Decker reached across the table and lifted the stack of papers he’d brought. “I’ve been working on two sets of plans. One on my computer. Those, Tessa has seen. They’re good. Actually, they're great—but not for a town like this. It’s too upscale. Too yacht club vibe. But these?” He waved and whistled. “I’ve been sketching offline and by hand. Very small town. Very fisherman vibe. I can work with you guys to create exactly what you’re looking for and what this town needs.”
“You sound quite confident,” Fletcher said. “But if we screw it up, it’s not just your neck on the line—it’s the whole town.”
Decker cracked a crooked smile. “Then we don’t screw it up. We fight like hell and beat those assholes at their own game.”
“Those are fighting words.” Fletcher nodded. “And Calusa Cove and Mitchell’s Marina aren’t going down without one.”
Chapter 12
The steady click of her pen was the only sound in the marina office besides the distant whirl of a trolling motor and the occasional cry of a gull. Baily stood behind the counter, thumbing through invoices and rental logs, trying to ignore the knot forming at the base of her neck. The numbers didn’t lie—things were tight. Tighter than they’d ever been, even with allowing help from Fletcher and his friends.
She glanced at her cell. No new texts from Fletcher, and that made her nervous, especially since he’d been meeting with the boys and Decker for a super-secret meeting at the B&B about the plans for the old Crab Shack.
