Orders placed, their conversation continued.
“Why was the FBI called so soon?” Troy asked.
Captain Rand spotted an ally and sat up straight. “Hell of a question, Stubbs. What does the FBI have to do with this case, Sin?”
“Like you, Captain, I’m a public servant and I do what I’m told. If you don’t like it, take it up with the proper authorities. And by the way, my name is Agent O’Malley.”
“Proper authorities, hah! And who would they be, Agent O’Malley?”
“They would be me, Captain,” a baritone voice answered.
Everyone at the table turned to see the big man standing behind their table.
Sin noticed the newcomer was not dressed for the heat or casual atmosphere of South Beach. He was wearing tan khaki pants, a white, open-collared shirt, and a blue blazer.
Rand stood up and stuck out his hand to greet their guest. “Mayor Sanchez, what brings you here?”
The mayor didn’t answer, but shook Rand’s hand as a courtesy. He walked over to where Sin was sitting, stuck out his hand, and smiled. “Agent O’Malley, it’s a pleasure to meet you in person. Since no one else has,” he glanced at Rand, “allow me to introduce myself. I’m Miami Beach Mayor, Raul Sanchez.”
Raul Sanchez, Sin thought. Why does that name ring a bell?
Sin stood and shook his hand. “Sinclair O’Malley,” she said, “it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Mayor Sanchez grinned. “The feeling is mutual. I, for one,” his eyes shifted toward Rand and back, “am glad to have you in charge of this case.”
“Someone want to fill me in on what’s going on, because I’m a little lost?” Rand sounded more angry than confused.
“Captain Rand, I made some calls after the body was found this morning and luckily for us, the Bureau was able to send one of their best agents.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Rand responded. “Begging your pardon, Mayor, but that still doesn’t answer my question. Why is she here? Why is the FBI involved?”
“What month is it, Captain?”
“September, why?”
“What happens at the end of September, and the beginning of October?”
Rand picked up his glass—stalling for time—but when he went to take a sip, he found it empty. His attention turned immediately to the waitress walking by. “Hey, sweetheart, fill my glass, will ya?”
“You seem to be preoccupied with more important things, so I will refresh your memory,” the mayor said. “It’s the beginning of tourist season. I can’t risk having an unsolved, high-profile murder investigation going on during our peak season. So to answer your question, I called and asked for the FBI’s help in solving this crime. Furthermore, I specifically asked for Special Agent O’Malley. If you took the time to check, you would find that her record is exemplary and her results speak for themselves.”
Jinny was back with Rand’s drink. She went to place it on the table, but Rand swung his arms in frustration, causing her to spill some on both the table and his sleeve.
“I’m so sorry,” she squealed.
“So much for your tip,” Rand grumbled, swiping a napkin off her tray to dry his arm.
He then turned his attention to Raul Sanchez. “We have a great department. Top-notch agents and staff. We don’t need the feds coming in and stealing our thunder.”
“You do have a great group of agents and staff,” the mayor agreed, “but we’re short staffed and as of tomorrow, you’ll be down one more agent.” He nodded in Troy’s direction. “You will be too thin to run this case effectively, and my decision is for Agent O’Malley to take the reins. The Miami-Dade office of the FDLE will provide the support the agent requests. Is that understood?”
Rand threw his napkin on the table and stood up. “This is bullshit,” he mumbled.
Jinny came back with the bill and placed it in front of him.
“Give it to her,” he grumbled, “she’s in charge.”
Mayor Sanchez sat down and waited quietly until he was sure Rand was in his car and pulling away. “Excuse the Captain,” he said. “We have had our differences, but he is a good cop. He’s just a little hotheaded.”
“I’ve worked with worse,” Sin said. “Why don’t you tell me exactly who you called to get me on this case?”
The mayor ignored the question, pulled a card out of his pocket, and handed it to Sin. “My cell number is written on the back. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”
Sin went to take the card, but he didn’t let go. “I’m counting on you to catch this killer.”
“I will do my best,” Sin said.
Releasing the card, he smiled wide. “That’s all I can ask for.”
5
When lunch was over, Sin arranged to meet Quincy back at the M.E.’s office.
“We need to talk, Sin,” Troy said, walking her to her bike.
“I don’t have much to say right now,” she replied. Straddling the bike, she reached into her saddlebag, pulled out a rubber band, and tied her hair back. “I have a body to look at and I need to check in at the Bureau’s Miami office. I promised Frank I’d play nice, so I’m going to try to play by the book.”
Troy stuck his hands in his pockets and nodded. “Are you staying on that old houseboat on Collins?”
“Yeah, it’s low maintenance and it’s free.”
“Dinner?”
“Pick me up at seven.”
Troy leaned over and kissed Sin hard on the lips.
Sin winked and gave him a sultry grin. “Don’t be late.” She flipped the kickstart arm open, jumped up, and came down with all her weight on the lever, starting her Harley. A quick twist of her wrist and she was a block away in a matter of seconds.
Sin stopped off at the houseboat, took a fast shower, changed her clothes, and headed off to meet Quincy.
At the ME’s she asked to see the body, and took her time inspecting the autopsy. Her comments were professional and concise.
“You seem to know your way around a morgue,”
