Page 11 of Pirates in Calusa Cove (Everglades Overwatch #2)

Dawson shook his head. “That takes the hunt away from her because then either the jewels go back to Ralph’s family or stay in police custody. If we want to catch these assholes, we need to give them a reason to come, and I need to consider the idea that Mallary is alive. That they might use her as leverage. You know how this works.” He held up his hand. “Chloe’s thinking we should put out there that we have a lead on Mallary. I have my reservations about doing that, but it could bring these bastards out of the woodwork.”

Keaton nodded. “That brings me to Monty and my question.”

“Because that last bit wasn’t an actual question?” Dawson chuckled.

“Monty’s going to be a houseguest of mine.” Keaton pinched the bridge of his nose. “I have no intention of keeping anything from Trinity, not unless I believe it’s for her own safety, but since knowledge is power and?—”

“I don’t expect you to keep things from her,” Dawson said. “We’re asking a lot of her by keeping this close to the cuff, and I know that’s not easy for you.”

“I want to be able to keep Monty informed. I get that there will be things you don’t want the public to know about this case, but that’s his daughter.” He rubbed one of his stab wounds. It still ached, but the pain was dull and barely registered, until he thought about what could have happened. Then it coursed through his body as if someone had carved out his heart. “I’m not sure I can lie to him.”

“I won’t ask you to.”

“Does that mean you’ll keep things from me?” Keaton asked.

“No,” Dawson said firmly, lifting his index finger. “If there is something I feel no one should know, including him or Trinity, I’ll tell you, and as always, we can discuss the pros and cons, and you can bitch me out if you think I’m wrong.”

Hayes meandered through the glass sliders, carrying two beers—no milkshake—and Monty was nowhere to be found.

“Where’s Trinity’s dad?” Keaton asked.

“After taking two double shots.” Hayes wiggled his fingers. “He went to go peek at Trinity. Then he was going to open one of those ‘less than stellar bottles of wine’—his words, not mine—before joining us.”

Keaton laughed. Trinity had commented how her dad would stick his nose up in the air over her choices, but she didn’t care. She liked the brand, and she was going to continue to drink it. Besides, she’d realized that his spending habits on wine were as bad as when she used to drop a few grand on one handbag.

“Monty said we should start eating before it gets cold.” Hayes sat down and dug in.

So did Keaton and Dawson.

“I’m so glad they decided to get rid of that special sauce altogether,” Keaton said. “It was gross anyway.”

“Pissed off Audra. If you put that goop in a cup, she’d drink it.” Dawson scrunched up his nose.

“I might have vomited a little in my mouth.” Hayes lifted his burger. His was plain, nothing but lettuce and one tomato and nothing else. No ketchup. No mustard. Not even a freaking pickle. The man was weird.

“Why didn’t Fletcher come?” Keaton asked.

“He’s doing a few things around the marina for Baily.” Dawson shook his head. “Audra said a few superlatives were coming from Baily’s mouth when she pulled in from the sunset airboat tour tonight.”

“Baily gives Fletcher a lot of crap for coming around and doing stuff, but she never says no.” Hayes waved a fry in the air before he plopped it in his mouth, with nothing on it. Freaking sacrilegious.

“And how are things with you and Chloe?” Dawson lifted his beer and lowered his chin. “And before you go denying anything, I saw you chatting her up when she was in town last.”

“Chatting, yeah. But that’s all it is.” Hayes shrugged. But if Keaton wasn’t mistaken, his lips twitched. He might have even cracked a smile. And his eyes darted away from him and Dawson.

That dirty dog. He was keeping secrets .

Well, Keaton would let him have his secret love life—because that’s all Hayes ever did. He’d date a woman—if one could call it that—and then the next thing the guys would know it was already over. Keaton had once asked Hayes why he was like that. Why didn’t he bring the girls around that he took out? No one cared that he wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship. They just didn’t understand.

All Hayes did was shrug and say, most of the time, things were over before they got off the ground.

For the longest time, the guys wondered if Hayes was ashamed of them. Or maybe the women. But it wasn’t that.

And there were a few ladies he did bring around. The ones who lasted longer than a few weeks. But it wasn’t often. And the guys, well, they didn’t push. They had each other, and no one would mess with that dynamic.

It’s what made Audra so flipping perfect.

Dawson didn’t have to constantly race home to the little woman. He didn’t need her permission to go out with guys. Of course, he was respectful and checked in, but she loved the guys and wanted nothing in their bond to change. And it hadn’t. Nor would it.

Honestly, Trinity had been the same way for the last year. She was always there, always hanging out with them, like Baily, who was madly in love with Fletcher, and vice versa, even if the two of them were being idiots.

But Trinity, she just fit. Sadly, she didn’t know it. Nor did she accept it .

Keaton glanced over his shoulder as Monty nearly tripped over the track on the sliders.

“Crap. Sorry,” Monty mumbled, holding a full glass of wine in one hand and the open bottle in the other.

“You okay?” Keaton asked.

“Just ducky, and before you ask, Trinity is still sound asleep.” He set the wine on the table. “I put my stuff in your guest room. I assumed that’s where I’ll be staying.”

“Yeah. I’ll take the couch.” Keaton nodded.

Monty laughed. “I doubt that, and she’s going to need you. When my daughter had troubles with Charlie, her ex, she had nightmares. While the situations are vastly different, and in so many ways this is worse, what she went through because of that asshole was traumatizing.”

Keaton cocked his head. “She told me what he did and how she fought back. How he never bothered her again. But I’m starting to wonder if she downplayed it.”

“I doubt that. But I also doubt she told you the whole story, and that, young man, isn’t a confidence I’m willing to break.” He brought the wine to his lips and chugged like it was whiskey. Then he made a funny face.

“Speaking of Charlie,” Dawson said. “I’ve requested the police files. They might be sitting on my desk by now. I am looking at him as a possible suspect.” He held up his hand. “It doesn’t matter she’s had no contact with him for three years. He could’ve been stalking her. Watching and waiting. I’ve seen that shit before.”

“Wonderful. One more pissant to deal with.” Monty sipped, this time more slowly.

This was not a side of Trinity’s father that Keaton was used to. While the man could be a little rough around the edges for a rich dude, this man was on edge. And not just because someone had tried to kill his princess—twice.

“Monty, what’s going on with you tonight?” Keaton asked, making sure he used the man’s first name. He didn’t want to cause more conflict, even though “sir” still rolled off his tongue easier.

“Fenton has been up my ass since he left the hospital today. The man has been relentless.” Monty pointed his index finger at Keaton. “And boy, does he dislike you. He thinks you’re nothing but trouble. He told me I needed to talk some sense into Trinity. Tell her to go home to my place or stay with him—that no way was she safe with you.” He let out a long, exasperated breath. “I’ve known Fenton for eight years. That’s how long he’s worked for me. He started as a salesman at my dealership over in Orlando. I brought him to the Marco Island one three years ago as a manager. He’s good. Real good. But things have been weird ever since he got involved with my kid.”

Keaton did not want to have this conversation.

Fenton was an arrogant prick with an ego that did nothing but make him look like an asshole.

“Weird how?” Dawson asked, shoving aside his food and clasping his hands together.

Monty shrugged. “For as long as I’ve known Fenton, he’s been a driven man. Hardworking. Always wanting to please me. He worked his way from being in sales, to finance, to service manager, to finance manager, and finally, running one of my most prestigious dealerships. I always thought I’d lose him one day to opening up his own dealership. I can’t blame the guy, but it’s a tough gig. Then he started dating Trinity.”

“I’ve got a dumb question,” Keaton interjected. “Who initiated that relationship?”

“He did,” Monty said. “But I know she wasn’t uninterested.”

“They didn’t last very long,” Hayes added.

Keaton squeezed his beer. He’d heard all about Fenton and what Trinity suspected he’d done. He knew Fenton had denied cheating and, technically, Trinity couldn’t prove anything, but still, there was some pretty damning evidence.

“I don’t know what she told you about that, but my daughter tends to tell me everything about her life.” Monty stared at Keaton.

More like, he chuckled with his eyes as if he found humor in what he thought he might know. Then he glared. More like, hosed him down with fire instead of water. Again, as if he knew, but this time, he didn’t find it so amusing.

Keaton swallowed. Hard.

“So, I know that she believes that little shit cheated on her and only wanted to be with her so that he could have access to my money.” Monty polished off his wine and poured more.

The man hadn’t slurred a single word—yet. But soon, he would if he kept drinking like that.

“She begged me not to say a word to Fenton, and well, I couldn’t fire him because unless he laid a hand on my girl, which he didn’t, I don’t have cause, so I’ve acted like nothing happened other than my kid doesn’t want to be with him anymore.” Monty waved his hand in the air.

“She doesn’t,” Keaton said under his breath. “But she’s too nice in her delivery.” He chuckled. “Though she did tell him to shut up today.”

“Good for her.” Monty nodded. “When it comes to Fenton’s employment, I can’t complain. Not one bit. But I don’t like him sniffing around my daughter. Not even when they first started dating. But she’s a grown woman, and I learned a long time ago not to butt in where I don’t belong.” He lowered his gaze. “Unless I think she’s going to get into serious trouble, but even Charlie the creep didn’t come off that way at first.”

“Most guys like that don’t,” Dawson said. “They ‘love bomb’ to get what they want.”

“Yeah. Unlike Keaton, who acts like a Neanderthal for a year.” Hayes leaned back, folded his arms, and smiled.

Keaton ignored him, but it was hard not to ignore Monty’s laugh.

“Oh, I heard all about it,” Monty said. “I tried to tell her he was just like little Tony on the playground.”

“Who’s Tony?” Keaton asked.

“This boy back in California, from when she was four. He’d tease her and pull on her ponytail. But that kid loved her. Had a big four-year-old crush on her. Kind of like you for this last year.”

“I don’t crush on anyone,” Keaton grumbled.

“And I’m not halfway to drunk.” Monty lifted his wine and lowered his chin .

“Well, just to be safe, I’m going to do a full background check on Fenton.” Dawson stood. “I need to stop by the office for a little police work before heading home to Audra.”

“I’m on your six, boss.” Hayes hopped to his feet with a grimace. “That sounded like I’m a sad, pathetic puppy.”

“Because sometimes that’s exactly what you are.” Dawson reached out and patted Hayes on the head.

“Jerk,” Hayes mumbled.

Keaton smiled. Not much had changed since they’d left the Navy, other than that, technically, Dawson wasn’t their team leader.

But in some ways, that title would always be his.

Keaton's mood turned somber, remembering Ken. The whole reason they’d left the Navy in the first place and landed in this perfect little town. “I’ll talk to you both tomorrow.”

“Call if you need anything.” Dawson waved his hand over his head. Instead of walking through the house, he and Hayes strolled around the side.

“Those two are good men. You’re lucky to have them as friends,” Monty said.

“I sure am.” Keaton nodded. “I’d be lost without them.”

“I appreciate Dawson checking into Fenton, but other than being the male version of a gold digger and a cheater, I doubt he had anything to do with this. Same with Charlie, though that man still scares me.”

“Better safe than sorry.” Keaton sipped his beer. “Any thoughts on who else, outside of random pirates, because that’s about our best guess. The Coast Guard had reports of them being in the area that day, and with Trinity’s boat being stripped of her expensive nav system and them coming after the jewels, we’re at a loss.”

“Pirates have always been a big thing around here.” Monty shoved his wine aside. “We have so many legends built around the idea. Some are special to the Everglades, and some are specifically related to the ships that have sunk in nearby waters, like the Flying Victoria .” Monty leaned closer. “Did you know that some say the jewels from that ship are cursed?”

“I’ve heard that before.” Keaton nodded. “That anyone who touches them will have bad luck both in this life and the afterlife.”

“It’s more than that.” Monty ran his hand across his mouth and glanced toward the water. “When the Flying Victoria was first found, no one would even scuba near it. It was believed it went down because of the jewels. There are stories about Edgar Watson and his ghosts going after the jewels, and that’s why they were cursed.”

“Now that’s one I hadn’t heard.”

“Not well known, but there are many versions of each story,” Monty said. “However, the documented story is that the jewels being found didn’t end so well. The family, well, they were excited. A year later, their house burned down. The man who found them survived, but his wife, his children, and even his grandchildren all died.”

“Jesus.”

“It was terrible,” Monty said. “The only thing to survive, besides him, were those jewels. This was in the early fifties. The headline was something like: Man Survives House Fire, Clutching Jewels from Sunken Ship, while Family Perishes . It was harsh. Everyone believes, months later, he tried to put the jewels back.”

“And did he?”

“At first, no one knew what had happened. He was considered a missing person. People thought he went up in the Everglades and killed himself, but no one could find the jewels.” Monty shrugged. “Two years later, the mystery was solved.” Monty sighed. “His body was found in the wreckage—decorated with the jewels. He’d been tied to something. It’s believed he was murdered.”

“Now that’s weird. Why murder him and not take the jewels?”

“The legend is that someone did, but the jewels caused them great suffering, and they brought them back and put them on the bones as an offering to the sea gods.”

“How long did Ralph’s family have the jewels? And did it cause them any pain?” Keaton found himself asking.

“Not that anyone knows of. But here’s the interesting part.” Monty raised his finger. “The jewels disappeared again after they were recovered the second time. Ralph’s dad and his buddies went diving one day, and they found them. That was about six months before Jared was lost to the sea. The legend is that, for those who find them, bad things will happen, and then the jewels will compel you to return them.”

“That’s a clusterfuck if I ever heard one. ”

Monty tossed his head back and laughed. “Trinity did say you had a way with words.”

“Sorry. That was?—”

“No, son. That was fine,” Monty said. “You forget. I grew up in this town.” He motioned across the water and up toward Manatee Island, where Keaton knew Audra had been born and raised. “My family was dirt-poor, and when I say that, I’m not exaggerating. The only family who had less than us would’ve been the McCains. I went off to California on a scholarship with no money, nothing but a dream, and a big fucking chip on my shoulder. I thought I was too good for this place. Too good for the great legends this place was built on, or the good people who’ve lived here for centuries. I had no intention of coming back until I had Trinity. She made me realize there’s more to life than making millions and proving to people that I wasn’t some dirt-poor, barefoot kid from backward Florida.” Monty shook his head, laughing. “Somehow, I managed not to screw up her life too bad, but she’ll never understand what it’s like to wonder if you’re going to have breakfast the next morning.”

“Trinity’s a good person. I wish she’d stop trying to prove to this town she’s cut out for its way of life.”

Monty chuckled. “That’s a combination of her desire to be liked for who she is, not what she represents, and her need to be seen as a capable human. The former, well, she has friends, and that’s all she needs. Anyone else can go screw themselves—a lesson she could learn from Audra,” Monty said. “The latter will only happen if she stops being so flashy and showing off just because she can.”

“That’s what I told her.”

Monty leaned forward. “Telling my child anything like that is like asking you to ignore your instincts.” He tapped his knuckles on the table. “I have a feeling you’re going to be really good for my kid. Don’t mess it up.” With that, Monty disappeared inside, leaving Keaton alone with his thoughts. They comprised only a few.

Monty wasn’t exactly who he’d thought he was—and that was a pleasant surprise.

His feelings for Trinity ran way too deep. A thought that didn’t shock him but totally petrified him on all sorts of levels, but he wasn’t going to spend any time contemplating them.

But it was the final thought that he was going to do something about, and that was to learn more about the Legend of the Flying Victoria . Not that he believed any of that crap, because he didn’t.

But he wanted to learn more about Ralph and his family. They might have missed something, and it was time to find out.