“I thought y’all were staying with the van,” I said.
“Well, we were going to,” Scarlet said. “But that got real boring. And then Rosemarie climbed in the back to get the rest of our stuff out and the van started sinking a little more.”
“How much more?” I asked.
“Just about all of it,” Rosemarie said. “But I got your purse and your bag, and then I shoved anything else I saw into your purse before we started going down. It was a real close call too. Now I know how Rose and Jack felt on the Titanic.”
“I’m sure it was similar,” I said. “We’ve got to follow that car and get help for Vince.”
“I was wondering why they put him in the trunk,” Rosemarie said. “It seemed awfully fishy.”
I ran over to Vince’s red SUV and checked under the wheel well on the driver’s side for the magnetic metal box. I found it, and it took a couple of tries before I was able to slide the box open and dump the keys into my hand.
I looked down at my clothes and over at Rosemarie and Scarlet and figured if Vince got out of this alive we were going to owe him a new car.
“Let’s go,” I said. “Where are the bags?”
“That’s why Scarlet was up in a tree,” Rosemarie said. “She put them up there for safekeeping in case the alligators got them.”
“Of course she did,” I said. “We need them. The key to the storage unit is in there, and that’s where they’re taking Vince.”
“I figured you might need that,” Rosemarie said, “so I stuck it someplace safe.” She stuck her hand down her shirt and dug around in her bra for what seemed an eternity before coming up with the key.
“Wow,” Scarlet said. “I’m amazed she found it at all. It’s like its own solar system in there.”
“Rosemarie,” I said. “If you weren’t covered in whatever you’re covered in, I would kiss you.”
“Maybe you should look at yourself in the mirror,” she said. “’Cause your lips aren’t getting near me.”
I took off my leather jacket and left it on the ground and got in behind the wheel. Once we were all strapped in and the heater was on full blast, I carefully maneuvered my way out of the bayou and headed back toward town.
“I need to use someone’s phone,” I said. “Mine is toast.”
Rosemarie handed me her phone, and then I started to panic because I wasn’t sure I had anyone’s phone numbers memorized. That was the point of having a cell phone. So you wouldn’t have to remember all the numbers.
“You got that crazy look on your face like the kamikaze pilots during the war,” Scarlet said. “Are you about to drive us off a bridge?”
“No,” I said. “I just realized I don’t have anyone’s numbers memorized.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” Rosemarie said. “As your partner, I took it upon myself to have any numbers that might be pertinent over the course of an investigation. I’ve got everybody in there.”
“Rosemarie, you are amazing,” I said.
“What the hell am I?” Scarlet asked. “Chopped liver?”
“You’re amazing too,” I said. “Even though you’re going to have to throw that Madonna wig in the trash.”
“Eh, I never much liked her anyway. Except in Evita. But I’ve found Eva Perón isn’t a good wig for me. Makes my head look too tiny.”
I found Nick’s number in the directory and dialed, keeping my fingers crossed he’d answer.
“Hey, stranger,” he said.
“You know a couple of retired cops named Jimmy and Bruce? They were out of the Savannah office. They were on the de Salva task force.”
“I don’t know them personally,” Nick said. “Heard of them, but not much else. I think they both did their thirty and got out.”
“I just saw them whack Vince on the back of the head with a gun and toss him in their trunk.”
“Are you serious, or are you trying to butter me up for some bad news?” he asked.
I growled and blew out a breath of frustration. “I’m serious. Why would that butter you up?”
“I figure you’d hit me with something that sounds terrible, and then give me some news that not quite as terrible as that so it doesn’t sound so bad.”
It was kind of a genius idea, and I put it in my back pocket for a more appropriate time, but for now, I needed him to not think I was that devious.
“I’m serious,” I said again. “They were working for Valentina de Salva, and they were on the take. I guess my dad had figured it out and was slowly compiling evidence against all the cops or other higher-ups involved and Jimmy and Bruce found out.”
“Tell me where you are,” Nick said. “Are you safe?”
“I’m warmer with the heater on,” I said cryptically. “But we’re following behind the car that has Vince in the trunk.”
“We?” he asked. I could hear the strain in his voice.
“Me, Rosemarie, and Scarlet,” I said.
“Of course it’d be them,” he said. “Do you know where they’re going? And what do you mean you’re warmer with the heater on? Did you lose your clothes somewhere?”
“I’m fine,” I said. “Just in need of a shower. They’re headed toward Whiskey Bayou. My dad kept all of the de Salva files in a storage unit. I’ve got the key.”
“Of course you do,” he said. “I’ll call the sheriff in Whiskey Bayou and hope he doesn’t hang up on me. I’m on my way, but I’m about thirty minutes out. Give Savage a call and see if he can get anyone from the FBI. Do whatever you can to get a crowd. Call the news if you have to. These guys are cops. And they’re dangerous.”
“Right,” I said. “Savage. News. Crowd. Don’t die. I’m on it.”
“Love you,” he said and hung up.
“You call that FBI hunk of yours,” Scarlet said. “I’ve got a friend at the
