Page 2 of Wild Oblivion

He nodded.

I thanked him, then moved near the remains and asked Brenda, “Got an ID on this guy?”

“No wallet in his pocket.”

The victim’s watch was still on his wrist. At a casual glance, it was a nice watch—a Rolex Oyster Chronograph. This wasn’t a robbery.

“Found this,” Brenda said as she pulled a key card from his front right pocket.

I snapped on a pair of nitrile gloves, and she handed it to me. After examining the card, I said, "This is to the Seven Seas.”

It was a luxury resort on the island.

"No cell phone," Brenda said.

A perplexed look twisted on my face for an instant. It was unusual in this day and age, unless someone was up to nefarious activities. Everybody had a phone.

There was something off about the whole thing.

I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo of the dead guy’s face. I sent it to Isabella at Cobra Company. She was the queen of intel and could find out just about anything about anyone. As the head of a clandestine agency, she didn't always have to play by the rules.

Daniels put a BOLO out on the assailant.

JD and I were about to leave the scene as Paris Delaney and her news crew arrived.

"Deputy Wild, what can you tell us?" the ambitious blonde asked as she closed in with her camera crew.

I gave a brief overview and asked for witnesses to contact the department.

I figured we’d head over to the Seven Seas and see if we could drum up any information. We hopped into the 1979 light blue metallic Porsche 911 SC and zipped across town to the posh resort.

2

Classic rock pumped through speakers, and wind swirled through the open windows. The sun beamed bright, sparkling the metallic paint on the classic car. The six-cylinder purred, and the smell of leather and oil wafted.

Jack pulled into the parking lot and drove under the carport to the valet.

The Seven Seas was an oasis—luxurious suites, spacious cabanas, a crystal pool with a bar, and plenty of eye candy. Amenities included a private man-made beach, a spa, fine dining, and a trendy bar.

The valet rushed to grab Jack’s door.

JD hopped out, slid a few bills into the kid’s pocket, and told him to keep the car up front. We wouldn’t be long.

The lobby bustled with activity as we stepped inside. Tourists came and went. Forks clinked against plates in the restaurant, the sound spilling into the lobby.

We cut in line at the front desk. I flashed my badge to the pretty clerk and smiled.

She smiled back. She had a nice smile.

“Can you tell me what room this belongs to?” I asked, brandishing the key card.

The cute brunette hesitated for a moment. “I can’t give out guest information.”

“I took this off a dead guy. I don’t think he’s going to mind.”

Her eyes bulged.

I handed her the card, and she slipped it into the reader. The information flashed on her screen a moment later. Her tawny eyes surveyed the details. “Ah, yes. Mr. Weiss checked into the Coconut Cabana two months ago with another gentleman.” She closed her eyes and thought. “Klaus. I think that’s his name.”