Page 61 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
The man exhaled, long and slow. “Because they have my brother over the coals. I do this for them, and they let him off the hook.”
Dawson's tone hardened. “What’s your brother’s name? And while we’re at it, we still don’t know yours.”
“My name is John. My brother’s Mark Jensen. He’s not a part of any of this. Just a mechanic from Jacksonville. Doesn’t even own a gun.”
“What do the Barbaros want with Mark?” Dawson asked.
John closed his eyes for a long moment before blinking them open. “A couple of years ago, they loaned him money. I was still in the Marines. I didn’t know, or I would’ve told my brother to tell those assholes to fuck off. But they come in all sweet at first. Promise you this and that. Then they have you sign on the dotted line, only you don’t have a flipping clue as to what you’re actually signing, and next thing my brother knows, he’s laundering money for these people. And strange packages are being delivered. Turns out, they’re drugs.”
Fletcher's pulse ticked faster. He turned to Dawson. “So, what you’re saying is if you did this favor for them, your brother gets his shop back, free and clear.”
“That’s what they said.” John nodded.
“And you believed them?” Dawson asked.
“No. Not really. But what else was I supposed to do?” John asked. “Besides, if I didn’t do it, they told me they’d turn on Mark. Set him up to take a fall, and off to prison he’d go. My little brother couldn’t handle something like that. He’s a good man, a little soft, and prison would break him.”
Dawson rubbed the back of his neck. “You just stepped into a minefield, pal. You want to help your brother? Start talking faster. Every detail. Names. Contacts. Where you stayed last night. You give us enough, we’ll forget about you taking a shot at my friend over there, and we’ll help you get your brother out alive and with his shop intact.”
The man hesitated, gaze darting to Fletcher, then Dawson. He looked tired. Like a man in too deep to swim but not quite ready to drown.
“How do I know this isn’t bullshit to get me to lay over?” John asked.
“You don’t.” Dawson arched a brow. “But it’s either me or the Barbaros. Time to pick a side.”
“Fine. I’ll talk,” he said finally. “But I don’t know much, except what little my brother’s filled me in on how they operate.”
“I might be a small-town cop, but I know people in high places.” Dawson stood, gathering the paperwork. “For your safety, I’m going to need to keep you here.” He pulled out his keys and uncuffed John. “I’m gonna call in a friend who’s ex-FBI. She’ll come and have a little chat with you, and I expect you to tell her everything. She’ll get eyes on your brother and make sure nothing happens to him while we set up our sting operation here.”
John leaned back, rubbing his wrists. “I haven’t a clue as to what they have planned for you. I only know they’re coming, and if they don’t hear from me today, I’m scared as to what they’ll do to my brother.”
Dawson nodded, glancing at his watch. “If they have eyes on the town, they’ll know we took you into custody. They’ll also know I’m, for the most part, a rules man, so you’ll get your one call. You’ll make it to them, with me listening and guiding you as to what to say.” He waved his finger. “You don’t fuck me over, and I’ll make sure you walk out of here free as a bird.”
“Thanks, man.” John blew out a puff of air. “I only did this to save my brother’s ass. We’re all each other’s got.”
“I understand that.” Fletcher opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, Dawson one pace behind. “Do you trust he won’t screw us?”
“I have no idea.” Dawson threaded his fingers through his hair. “But we’ve got to let it play out, and we’ve got to do it fast. Silas got the town to move the meeting up. They’re going to hear our plans and our bid tomorrow. They still believe Decker is on his own, and I’m not about to correct them on that. But Silas asked the committee not to make a stink about it for fear that some other big company would try to make a play. He told them everything that’s been happening and how he’s concerned it’s all sabotage.”
“And what did the committee have to say about that?” Fletcher asked.
“For the first time since Audra’s dad went missing, no one in this town is crying conspiracy theory.” Dawson arched a brow. He glanced at his cell. “Chloe, Remy, Tully, and I will handle things here. Why don’t you go back to the B&B and stick close to the girls? Trinity’s there, too. Hayes will meet you. Keaton’s gonna stick by Decker.”
“We need Decker’s input. We can’t do this without him.”
“You can always FaceTime. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for everyone to waltz into that hospital.”
“You’re probably right about that.” Fletcher nodded. “Let’s touch base in a couple of hours.” He turned and headed down the hallway, waving a hand over his head at Anna. Pushing open the door, he let the warm Florida air smack his skin as he sucked in a deep breath. He tilted his head and stared at the darkening sky.
“What the hell did you get us all into, Ken?”
Baily twisted the corkscrew into the wine bottle, the soft pop echoing through the warm, lived-in quiet of Fletcher’s kitchen. A soft golden glow spilled from the undercabinet lights, reflecting off the glass of the wine she’d already poured and the neat row of snacks she’d set up—apple slices, sharp cheddar, and a small bowl of pretzels. Nothing fancy but comforting. Familiar.
Except for the three boxes taunting her from the table. Fletcher had brought them down from his bedroom closet earlier. They were all labeled with his name in his mom’s bold handwriting, nice and neat.
She turned, doing her best to ignore them and the past, reaching for the whiskey glass Fletcher liked best. It had a small chip near the base from where he’d dropped it last year. He refused to throw it out. Said it added character. But the reality was…it had been his father’s, and Fletcher struggled to toss anything that had belonged to his parents.
She understood. She really did. But sometimes, it wasn’t about holding onto things.
