Page 24

Chapter 23

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Camila rushed at Mari as soon as she, Colin and the others stepped into the safe house.

“You might not want to hug me,” she said even as she gripped her friend tight. “I’ve been hiking through the woods.”

“And apparently running from some gun toting assholes. I already talked to the sheriff up in the West Feliciana Parish and they picked up the two people who attacked you. One’s in the ER.” And Camila looked positively happy about that. But then she looked at Colin, her expression cooling a bit.

“He saved my life. Twice. We’re gonna let old shit go, okay?” She looked at Colin, who just blinked between the two of them. “She knows what you said.”

“I was a stupid kid—young man,” he grumbled. “And I’m very sorry.” Somehow he looked adorable as he apologized.

She turned back to Camila. “Who else is here?” she asked as Berlin, Chance and Bradford piled into the foyer.

“Just me. I figured you two would be exhausted and wouldn’t need anyone else in your face. ”

“But the cops know that we were the victims?”

“Yes. I’ve already explained why you ran, that someone has been trying to kill you for days and that you didn’t know who to trust. They’re going to be contacting you, but we should be able to smooth things over so you can give a statement over Zoom.”

Not to mention that Mari and Colin still needed to talk to NTSB, and soon, about the investigation into the flight “incident.” They had to file their official report. Luckily since there was no actual damage to anyone or any property other than the plane being clearly sabotaged, it should be open and shut on their end. And Gary had airplane tow service so his insurance would have covered the towing.

“Oh, and I’ve got a phone you can use until you replace yours,” Berlin added as they dumped their backpacks into the foyer. “But first, why don’t you two shower and change and then we’ll talk.”

She looked up at Colin. “I’d rather get everything over with now and then shower. What about you?”

“Same.” He hadn’t said much on the drive back to New Orleans, but he was standing protectively close to her.

And she was glad for his presence. But she wasn’t sure where things stood with them. Though with everything going on, that wasn’t her top priority.

“Okay, come on.” Camila turned and headed back to what turned out to be a kitchen.

They were in a different safe house than the one from before, and this one had a shotgun-style layout. The kitchen was in the center of the house and it looked like the bedrooms extended beyond.

Mari and Colin sat at the center island while Camila and Berlin stood across from them. Bradford and Chance disappeared into the back, likely to double-check things, if she had to guess.

“So what have you found?” Mari asked, fighting a yawn. She’d dozed a little on the drive back, but her body felt like it was shutting down from pure mental exhaustion. She’d been in flight mode and now that she knew they were safe (relatively speaking) she wanted to curl up and fall asleep next to Colin. And eat a lot of carbs.

“Ackerman is definitely shady. He’s on the DEA’s watchlist. And for the record, none of this leaves this room,” Camila said.

Berlin scoffed.

“I know, I know, you know how to keep secrets, but I’m throwing it out there anyway. Also, the DEA can’t locate Ackerman. But the DEA has linked him to some low-level cartel members—of the Suarez cartel. Apparently they suspect him of transporting drugs for them using his contacts from his day job. There recently became a bit of a vacuum out west when the Becerra cartel lost so many of their people and now it seems the Suarez one is looking to swoop in and take all their lost territory.”

“So the DEA thinks he’s really into drug smuggling?” She glanced at Colin. Apparently he’d been right about Ackerman. Still didn’t explain people trying to kill them.

“Oh yeah,” Camila said, with Berlin nodding next to her. “But the two people who tried to kill you are currently being questioned. And we’re running their fingerprints. The DEA is hoping to find a connection between the suspected hired killers and Ackerman. They think once they have that, they might have enough to bring him in—once they locate him.”

“What does that mean for us? For Mari?” Colin asked, his voice raspy. He had to be as tired as she was, but he certainly didn’t look it.

“I want you both to sit tight. I know you need to file an official report with NTSB and do interviews and that’s fine. But no flying, no nothing right now until we find Ackerman and figure out what the hell is going on. I’ve got friends with the DEA so they’re not going to shut me out of this investigation.” She glanced at her phone. “In fact, I’m pretty sure they’ve already taken over the interviewing of the two who tried to kill you. So you’ll probably end up being interviewed by them instead.”

Mari nodded, but didn’t feel any better about the whole situation. “I need to call my clients and arrange other options for them.” She occasionally worked with other contract pilots in situations like this. Her friends did favors for her and she did the same for them.

“One of my guys can take your flights for the next couple weeks,” Colin murmured.

Surprised, she looked up at him. “Really?”

“We’ll make it work.”

“Thanks.” She didn’t want to put all the changes on his partner, but having an extra pilot in addition to the people she planned to reach out to would be a big help.

“And he won’t try to steal your clients,” he added, a grin tugging at his mouth.

His very kissable mouth that she needed to stop staring at. Things felt different now that they were back in New Orleans.

She looked back at Berlin. “Are we good to stay here for a while?”

“You could move in forever,” Berlin said. “But it won’t come to that, I’m sure. We’ve got clothes and toiletries for both of you in the back bedrooms.”

“And that’s my cue because I need to get home. Emma needs help with some theater stuff and I promised I’d be there. Mari, I love you and we’re going to figure this out.” Camila was walking around the island as she spoke. “I’ve got my phone on me 24/7 so call if you need anything.”

Mari hugged her friend again before Berlin walked her out. Once they were alone—because Bradford and Chance had disappeared—she said, “Your guy really won’t mind taking over my flights? ”

“Nah. We’ve got a slow couple weeks anyway.”

“I feel like you’re lying.”

His mouth curved up, making him look years younger. “I’m not.”

“Okay, well, I’ve got another couple pilots I’ll be reaching out to. Between them and your guy, I should have enough to cover all my clients and not piss anyone off.”

“What about your main client?”

“Gary? He’ll be fine. I fly him the majority of the year, but he’s had fill-ins before when I’m on vacation or whatever.” He’d been so loyal, moving with her when she’d struck out on her own. And he’d sent a decent amount of business her way.

“I thought you said his insurance wouldn’t cover anyone else.” His tone was dry.

She felt her cheeks heat up. “I might have been exaggerating.”

Colin just snorted, but paused as Berlin strode back in.

“Okay now that Camila is gone, we can talk about our plan.”

Mari blinked. “Plan?”

“Yep. I trust the DEA just fine, but we’re not leaving this completely in their hands. We need to figure out why Ackerman wants you dead and then figure out a way to make him stop. Or stop him. If we can get him on video doing illegal shit, he’ll be locked up and that should hopefully end your problem with him.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Colin asked.

“Then we’ll stop him another way.” Berlin’s expression was slightly feral as she answered.

Mari was glad that Berlin was on her side and she definitely wasn’t against stopping Ackerman “another way.” She wasn’t going to let someone destroy her life without standing up to him.

“Oh, also,” Berlin continued, “Magnolia has been blowing up my phone so please call your girl and let her know that you’re okay. All your previous numbers are programmed into that phone.”

“You’re an angel, thank you. I’ll probably shower too after calling her.” She looked at Colin. “You good?”

“Are you worried about leaving him with me?” Now Berlin looked amused.

“Of course not, but be nice.” She gave her friend a pointed look.

“I’m fine.” Colin’s tone was dry. “And also kinda hungry. I think I’ve had enough protein bars for a lifetime.”

No kidding.

Berlin was telling him all about the food in the fridge as Mari headed to the back where she found Bradford and Chance talking quietly in the farthest bedroom.

“Everything good?” There were clothes that looked like they’d fit her on the bed so it was a good guess that this was her room.

“Yep. House is secure,” Bradford said. “We just didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

“I’m fine, I promise. Just make sure Berlin is nice to Colin.”

Chance just chuckled as they strode out. “There’s no controlling that woman.”

Yeah, that was accurate.

Bradford gave her a kiss on the side of her head and a half hug before heading out. Once she was alone, Mari collapsed on the tufted chair by the window and called her best friend.

“Mari, you’re okay!” Magnolia said by way of answering.

And that was when the tears fell. Because hearing her best friend’s voice was everything.