“Yep. I found the traces. Ron is sure it’s his ex–brother-in-law, Sam Westerfield. I guess the guy blames him for the accident that killed Ron’s wife.”
“Sam Westerfield? My dad can’t stand him. He was the one who implicated Makua in the robbery. He is on the board at the museum and insisted my father had to know more than he was telling. Even when the police exonerated him, Westerfield kept pointing fingers. My father won’t be happy to hear he’s here.”
“Sounds like no one much likes him.”
“Could this guy be behind Tony’s death too?”
Bane didn’t answer for a moment. “I wouldn’t think so, but I have to admit I never even considered it. Ron says Westerfield wants to find the galleon, and the ship is worth millions. That’s massive stakes. If you add revenge into the mix, it’s a killer motive. I’ll say something to Ron.” Bane stood and began to climb the ladder to the ship. “You want to come aboard?”
“Sure, why not?” She followed him onto the deck. Hina had been sleeping in her arms, but she raised her head and looked around.
A crew member with red hair stood in the doorway. He backed away when he saw the cat. Hina stalked toward him with her tail in the air. “Uh, I’ve got work to do.” He vanished through the doorway.
“I’d guess Logan is scared of cats too, just like Ajax,” Bane said. “Come here, boy,” he said in a coaxing voice. “You can stay in my quarters.”
Leia stifled a giggle. No wonder that dog was the most spoiled animal on the face of the earth. Purring, Hina reached out her paw and touched Bane on the arm as if he were calling for her. Ajax’s claws clicked on the deck as he raced to slobber over his owner. Hina hissed. She let out a yowl that would have raised Neptune from the deep. She arched her back, her tail lashing in the air, then with a last yowl, leaped onto Ajax’s back. The dog yelped and dashed for Bane’s legs.
He soothed him. “It’s okay. The bad cat won’t hurt you.” He was grinning, and his gaze met Leia’s. “Those two are like oil and water. What’s wrong with this picture? The dog should be terrorizing the cat, not the other way around.”
He was like a kid with that dog. Whenever he had children, he would be a great dad. Her smile faded. She watched while Bane fed Ajax, then they got back in the boat with Hina and headed to shore. They were both quiet. Leia wondered what Bane was thinking about as he stared out over the dark waters. She always got the impression that Bane was holding something of himself back. There was an invisible wall around him. He wanted to be the one to take care of everyone else, but it somehow made him aloof. She’d always wondered if he thought he wasn’t allowed to show any weaknesses.
Nothing more was said between them as they docked and walked to Candace’s house. The lights spilled out of the big plantation house. The driveway was empty, but Leia assumed Candace’s car was in the garage. As they approached the door, she could hear music drifting out the open window. Candace was a huge fan of Paul McCartney and played his songs all the time. Through the open curtains, she could see Candace in a nightgown. Her eyes closed, she was dancing in the middle of the floor. Swaying and weaving with the music, she seemed to be talking to herself.
“You think she’s okay?” Leia whispered.
“You’d better go in alone. She’s ready for bed,” Bane said. “I’ll wait in the car. She wouldn’t want anyone but a woman to see her like that.”
She respected the way he kept his eyes averted from the spectacle of Candace in the flimsy nightgown. Leia pressed the buzzer and waited. No response. She tried the handle and found the door unlocked. “Hello? Candace, it’s Leia.” There was still no answer, so she stepped inside and went down the hallway.
Candace was still lost in her music and dance. Leia’s gaze went to the coffee table where two glasses and a bottle of scotch sat. Even from here, she could smell the reek of the alcohol. She grimaced and stepped across Candace’s discarded slippers and clothing on the floor. She touched Candace’s arm. “Candace, are you all right?”
Candace looked back at her with glassy eyes. “Leia,” she slurred. “Come dance with me.”
“You need a smoothie to counteract the effects of that alcohol,” Leia said, guiding the other woman to a nearby chair. “Wait here.” She went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She dumped ice, a banana, and some fresh pineapple into the blender and turned it on. What was Candace thinking to be drinking while she was pregnant? Leia pressed her lips together as she poured the smoothie into a glass. Carrying it into the living room, she found Candace curled up on the sofa with her eyes closed. “Here, Candace, drink this.” She lifted her friend and held the glass to her lips. Candace barely opened her eyes, but she managed to sip the smoothie.