Special Agent Wingate nodded. “He’s right. The Bahamian authorities can handle this.”
“No. She’ll be down there. I have to go.” Bennie crossed the aisle to the Miami gate, and Grady caught up.
“Bennie, you really want to do this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I just do.” Bennie headed for the ticket counter at the gate, and Grady matched her, stride for stride.
“Then I’m going with you, too.”
“I’d rather go alone.”
“Look, I know we have to talk, and we will, but it’s not safe for you to go down there.”
“I’ll be fine.” Bennie reached the counter, which was staffed by an airlines employee. “My name’s Bennie Rosato. I’m booked on this flight and I want to go.”
“It’s already boarded,” the employee said, frowning.
“Come on, you see the situation. I have to get on that plane. It hasn’t left yet.”
“Hmph. May I see your ID?”
“I don’t have any.”
“I can’t board you without ID. TSA regs.”
Bennie turned to Officer Stern, who had walked up beside her. “Vouch for me, will you? I have to get on this flight.”
Officer Stern addressed the employee. “This is a police emergency. She’s Bennie Rosato, and she’s ticketed on this flight. We’d appreciate your full cooperation.”
“That’s not the way we usually do it, but I suppose so.”
Grady touched her arm. “What about in Miami? And Nassau? They won’t let you into the Bahamas without a passport. You’ll have to go through immigration.”
Bennie turned to Special Agent Wingate. “Can’t you help me with that? Call down to Miami and Bahamian immigration? Tell them I’ll be there tonight?”
“I can call down to our people in Miami, but I can’t promise they’ll work with you, in the islands. I’ll try my best, though.”
“Try, please. I have to go.” Bennie headed for the jetway door, but Grady stopped her, his hand on her arm.
“You’re sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll need money.” Grady opened his wallet and handed her his Amex card and all his cash. “It’s six hundred and change. If they give you a problem with the card, call me.”
“Thanks.” Bennie avoided his eye and took off, hurrying down the jetway. Grady never would have believed that she would have three grand of drug money in her purse.
She never would have believed it herself.
Chapter One Hundred and Eight
Alice was nude in the leather seat, enjoying the afterglow. The mile-high sex had been terrific, and Knox was stepping into his pants, standing up in the moving jet. She tugged him into the chair opposite hers, and his pants were still unzipped, so she slipped her fingers inside his boxers, finding him with knowing fingers.
Knox chuckled. “I’m only human.”
“Relax.” Alice kept her fingers moving. “How long have you lived in Nassau?”
“All my life.”
“When we land, will you spend the night with me, at my hotel?”
“Uh, well, I can’t.” Knox’s smile faded, and Alice read his expression.
“Married? So what? All I need is information, and help. There’s money in it for you, lots of money. A thousand dollars.”
Knox scoffed. “I don’t believe you.”
Alice bent over, went into her bag, withdrew a bundle, and plopped it onto his lap. “Look, I have a bag full of dough.”
“Truly?” Knox’s eyes lit up and he held up money, looking at it this way and that. “Is this a thousand dollars?”
“Yes, and there’s more where that came from, but I need information. BSB is the largest bank in the Bahamas, right?”
“There are many banks in the Bahamas. There’s Scotiabank, First Ca rib be an, Royal-”
“But BSB is big?”
“Yes.”
“So that means lots of people work there.”
“BSB is a major employer in Nassau, yes.”
“I need to find somebody who works for them. Do you know anybody who does?”
Knox thought a minute. “No.”
“You sure?”
“No one.” Knox looked past her, to the curtain. “I should go forward. Willa might be wondering about me.”
“Okay.”
“I get to keep the money?”
“Sure, and hurry back.” Alice leaned over to give him a deep kiss and a final stroke, then withdrew her hand. “Can you get my clothes?”
“Sure.”
“Got a cigarette up there?”
“There’s no smoking on the flight.” Knox smiled crookedly. “You can bum one of mine.” He dressed quickly and left the cabin.
Alice poured herself another champagne, deep in thought. She’d be in the Bahamas in half an hour. The jet flew direct. A car would be waiting for her. She’d stay at a hotel near the bank, to be there when it opened. She had a great head start, and even if Bennie followed her, she’d never catch her.
Knox came back with her things, and she gave him a quick kiss, then went into the bathroom. The jet had a shower so she jumped in, shampooed her hair, dried off, and changed into the gray T-shirt and baggy shorts they’d bought her, with slip-on Keds.
She had already formulated her new plan. She’d set it in motion, as soon as they touched down.
Chapter One Hundred and Nine
Bennie shifted in her seat, her clothes still wet enough to raise eyebrows, especially in first class, where Alice had booked her ticket. She looked out of the window, and from the blackness came an image of Grady, his expression concerned as he handed her all his cash. Then she flashed on him making love to Alice, and felt a deep pang. Her emotions were coming back.
She got up from the seat, excused herself, and went forward, ducking inside the bathroom. She closed the door behind her, stuck her hand in her purse, and pulled out the Ziploc bag. She unzipped it, pleased to find the pills still dry. She popped one, bent over the tiny sink, and drank some water, then straightened up. Soon she wouldn’t feel the pain in her hands or feet, or anywhere else.
On the way out, she avoided the mirror.
