When they reached the car, Diego turned around and waved at the phalanx of bodyguards who had come to watch them leave.
“I feel like we just visited the Hispanic version of the Godfather,” Brett said. “I have a revision on an old theory here. Maybe, oddly enough, I think someone made him an offer that he could refuse, but someone in his circle of power decided to accept it.” He shook his head. “We’re still back to why?”
He thought about the meeting they’d just had. And he thought back to the night Barillo had come to his house. He looked at Diego and said, “I know. I know what they’re doing. Or trying to do.” He paused. “At least I think I do. I think I know how it began, and why. But what I don’t know is who’s behind it, or what power he wielded that let him take control over Barillo’s men, or how he managed to blackmail, threaten or bribe so many people. Now we just need to figure out who he is.”
*
Lara knew she needed to tell Meg about the paint, and the person who’d been watching her in the shower, but with so many people still at Sea Life, half of them needing her for one thing or another, finding a free and at least semiprivate moment was turning out to be impossible.
When she emerged from the shower, she was immediately approached by a reporter from a national news show. No sooner had she finished the interview than Sonia approached her, full of enthusiasm for a new line of clothing to benefit Just Say Thanks. As frustrated as she was by being unable to talk to Meg, Lara had to admit it was a great idea, and she was thrilled that Sonia had thought of it.
Meg was never far away, of course, and Lara wondered if her friend knew she needed to talk to her.
She probably did. Since they’d been kids, they’d had that bond.
But as the day wore on, the opportunity still eluded her. She began to wonder if she should just tell everyone to move aside, she needed to talk to the FBI. But she realized that whoever had taken the paint had undoubtedly disposed of it where it would never be found by now, so time wasn’t of the essence. She might as well focus on her job making sure everything ran smoothly and the veterans had the wonderful time they deserved.
And today had been as wonderful, thanks to everyone at Sea Life who had worked so hard to make sure every detail was taken care of. She wanted to see it through to the end, say goodbye to the veterans and applaud for them as they left.
She was near the gift shop exit when Sonia came over and gave her a huge hug. “You’ve just changed my world. I can’t wait to start designing my new line. And,” she added, beaming, “to date one of the soldiers I met.”
Lara smiled. “There’s nothing like a man in uniform,” she teased.
“Forget the uniform. There’s nothing like a man in almost nothing,” Sonia said. She frowned suddenly. “I almost forgot, I’m supposed to tell you that Adrianna needs you at the back right lagoon. I just ran into what’s-his-name from Education.”
“Myles Dawson, the intern? Or Dr. Amory?”
“The young one, Myles,” Sonia said.
“What’s going on, do you know?” Lara asked.
Sonia shrugged. “They had all the dolphins in the back lagoon for the last show. I was there, and it was fabulous. Cocoa was the star. Adrianna gave people things to throw in the water at the same time, and then she told Cocoa which one to get. She never missed! But now Cocoa doesn’t want to go back to her own lagoon. Myles said Dr. Amory is down there now, too, but Cocoa is ignoring both of them.”
“I’m on my way,” Lara said.
She glanced over at Meg, who was talking with Ely Taggerly. She pointed to the far lagoon, and Meg nodded.
Lara headed directly for the far right lagoon, but when she paused along the way and glanced about fifty feet back, she saw that the last of their guests were hovering by the gift shop and exit. Grady was smiling as he shook hands with Mason Martinez. Everyone looked happy.
She rounded the bend that led to the platforms at the back.
“Lara!”
She heard the speaker’s anxiety and turned.
The ghost of Miguel Gomez was keeping pace with her, reaching out as if he could stop her, but of course he couldn’t.
She stopped walking and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been watching, just like you asked me to. That man—the teacher—he followed you before. He went into the locker room, but then he came back out right away and threw something in the lagoon.”
Lara paused. “Myles?” she asked. “Young guy about my age?”
Miguel nodded.
She realized that if Myles had stalked her into the locker room—afraid she might have found the paint—this was a trick, and she had Miguel to thank for saving her. She turned to thank him, but he was gone.