Bluewater Target: The 15th Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series (Bluewater Thrillers) Read online

  Bluewater Target

  The 15th Novel in the Caribbean Mystery and Adventure Series

  C.L.R. Dougherty

  Copyright © 2018 by C.L.R. Dougherty

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Martinique to Annapolis

  Old Bahama Channel

  Chesapeake Bay

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  Join My Mailing List

  A Note to the Reader

  About the Author

  Also by C.L.R. Dougherty

  1

  "You don't really want to know, Liz," Dani said, sitting across the table from her friend. They were aboard Vengeance, at anchor in Ste. Anne, Martinique. "Trust me."

  "I trust you, but level with me, Dani. We're partners in Vengeance. Besides that, she's my home. Where she goes, I go. Don't pretend not to understand that; you're the same way. Now what's going on here?"

  "Maybe we should just skip it."

  "No, we should not skip it. You've been in a strange mood ever since I got back. What happened while Sandrine and I were shopping?"

  "How was that, anyhow? Find any new clothes?"

  "Stop it, Dani. Don't try to change the subject. I know you too well. What have you been up to? Where'd this notion of sending me off on an extended holiday come from?"

  Dani's face flushed. "Never mind. I guess it was a bad idea."

  "Shooing me away?"

  "The idea of taking a break, I guess."

  "Taking a break?" Liz asked. "You? Or me? You've lost me, now."

  "Both of us," Dani said. "But just forget it."

  "I don't think so. We need to sort this out before we end up with more charter guests. We can't have you in a funk when we're expected to show people a good time. Have I offended you? Is that it? You want a break from me?"

  "From the whole situation, Liz. It's not just you. I — "

  "Oh! Well, that's a relief!" Liz scowled at Dani across the cockpit table. "I'm so relieved to hear it's not just me. After all we've been through, you owe me candor, Dani, at the least. You've been grouchy ever since we wrapped up that last mess with Connie and Paul, but something set you off while I was shopping just now. Talk to me."

  Dani chewed on the inside of her cheek for a few seconds, frowning as she looked down at the table top. "Okay, but be patient with me, please."

  "You're my best friend, Dani. I won't give you a hard time; I'm on your side. What's bothering you?"

  "We've been doing this for several years, now, Liz."

  Liz waited, but Dani was silent. "Doing what, Dani?"

  "This charter business."

  Liz frowned. "Yes. We're doing well at it, too. At least, I think we are. Do you disagree?"

  Dani picked at the skin around her right thumbnail, avoiding Liz's gaze, but Liz didn't say anything. "It's not you, Liz. It's me."

  Liz scoffed. "This is a business, Dani. Not a failing romance. Save the clichés. What are you not telling me?"

  "It's boring, Liz."

  "What's boring?"

  "The charter business."

  "I see. It's not what you expected? I mean, this was your idea to begin with."

  "I know, but... " Dani shook her head. "I knew what it would be like; I crewed on enough charter yachts. It's just…" She sighed and shook her head again.

  "You've thought of something you'd rather do?"

  "Well… maybe so. How about you? Do you ever get tired of running charters?"

  Liz shook her head. "No. I like it a lot. I wouldn't change a thing. Do you want out? Is that it?"

  "Maybe."

  "Do you want me to buy you out? It's no good working at something you hate."

  Dani shook her head. "I want to keep Vengeance, Liz. Just not for running charters."

  Liz held her eye for 30 seconds. Then she nodded. "I see. What would we do?"

  Dani shrugged and looked away.

  "Dani, I love sailing. You know that. And I love Vengeance. Charters? I could take them or leave them. Tell me what's on your mind. Please?"

  "But you wouldn't agree."

  "Try me. You know I don't need to be madly passionate about something to enjoy it. That's our biggest difference. Give me a chance, at least."

  "Remember what Marie said, after we rescued Connie and Paul from that screwball psychiatrist who was trying to kill them?"

  Liz frowned. "Are you trying to change the subject again?"

  "No. No, I'm not. Remember her telling Paul about the Montalbas and SpecCorp?"

  "Yes. SpecCorp organized the Montalbas' escape from federal custody. After that, Clarence got a contract to eliminate the Montalbas."

  "Right," Dani said. "And Marie took care of them. But there's still Delaney."

  "Delaney?"

  "The guy who runs SpecCorp."

  Liz shook her head. "What did I miss?"

  "They have a contract to eliminate Delaney," Dani said. "She and Clarence do."

  "What's that have to… Dani? What are you leading up to?"

  "Marie asked about chartering Vengeance."

  "That would be fun," Liz said. "But why did you mention SpecCorp and Delaney?"

  "She wants us to sail her to the Chesapeake Bay. She'd like to use Vengeance as her base for the Delaney operation. I knew you wouldn't agree. That's why I thought you should go back to Belgium for a holiday."

  "I'd rather sail Vengeance to the Chesapeake with you and Marie. Would she bring any of her people?"

  "We haven't gotten that far. She just brought it up this morning."

  "And did you agree to this?"

  "Not yet, but I want to. You'd be willing to go along?"

  "I'd be willing to consider it. Tell me more, though. What does she expect from us?"

  "We can work all that out, Liz. You're at least willing to talk through it with Marie and me?"

  "I'll listen. Just don't think you can kick me off Vengeance. I'll put up a fight you and Marie would rather not have. Okay?"

  "Okay. Is it all right if I invite her over for dinner this evening?"

  "Sure. I've got some nice mahi-mahi filets. Call her."

  Doom wasn't imminent, but it seemed inevitable. Clayton Delaney stared at the spreadsheet on his computer. Its message was clear.

  His biggest customer was the U.S. government. Governments didn't pay bills on time, forcing Delaney to borrow to pay his troops. He might be a retired three-star general, running a large private military organization, but he still needed short-term financing. The recent loss of funding from O'Toole and Montalba was t
he problem.

  Senator William O'Toole helped Delaney out in the past. O'Toole was once Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. He was also a crook. He owed Delaney favors.

  O'Toole had introduced Delaney to Guillermo Montalba, a drug lord who lived in the shadows. In contrast, Montalba's twin sister lived as a wealthy socialite. She was also O'Toole's fiancée.

  Montalba made large loans to SpecCorp. Then he arranged contracts with businesses which would pay SpecCorp in advance for services SpecCorp never provided. SpecCorp used the receipts from these contracts to pay down the loans from Montalba.

  This had solved Delaney's cashflow problem. It also allowed Montalba to launder the proceeds of his drug dealing. Their system worked until the feds arrested Montalba and his sister.

  By that time, she and O'Toole were no longer engaged. O'Toole was in prison himself, serving time for an unrelated murder.

  Montalba had hired Delaney to rescue him. He and his sister had been en route to a court proceeding when SpecCorp troops ambushed the convoy and set them free.

  Within days of their escape, a rival cartel attacked their yacht in the Caribbean. Fleeing the attack in their helicopter, Montalba and his sister died in a fiery crash.

  Now Delaney was stuck with his cash flow problem again. He needed to find a replacement for Montalba.

  Delaney closed the spreadsheet file and shook his head, listening to the raucous sounds from the party his new lady friend was holding downstairs. One of the wealthy guests might help; it was worth a little socializing.

  2

  "Dani told me you don't have a charter on the books," Marie LaCroix said. She sat in Vengeance's cockpit with Dani and Liz, nibbling at the hors d'oeuvres Liz had set out. "I need a way to slip into and out of the U.S., and somewhere inconspicuous to use for my base. The target lives in Northern Virginia, so a yacht would be good. There are many places on the Chesapeake within easy reach of the target."

  "The target," Liz said. "That's this Delaney?"

  "Yes. But it is better to think of him as the target."

  Liz noticed the look that passed between Dani and Marie. "To de-personalize him?" Liz asked.

  Marie shrugged. "For some people, this is helpful. Already, there is nothing personal about this for me. It is a job. I prefer to call him the target because it affords another layer of security. People cannot overhear a name that is not spoken."

  "It's only a job to you," Liz said, her voice soft as she looked Marie in the eye.

  Marie nodded, her gaze steady. "He has done things that make him a target. That was his choice. Someone must stop him. He is not a good person."

  "I understand that he's a soldier," Liz said. "Phillip knows him from the Army."

  Phillip Davis was a retired military officer who had been a business partner of J.-P. Berger, Dani's father. Clarence Devereau, Marie's boss, was another of J.-P.'s partners.

  "Yes, so I understand," Marie said. "He was a three-star general, but Phillip does not respect him."

  "Him? The target?" Liz asked.

  "Yes."

  "So you've discussed this with Phillip?" Liz saw another quick look pass between Dani and Marie. She caught a flicker of a frown on Marie's face and sensed the other two were keeping something from her.

  "Yes. It is prudent to learn as much as possible about the target, always," Marie said. "You remember when Phillip had those friends of his threaten Delaney? When Delaney's people had stolen Vengeance?"

  "Yes," Liz said. "They neutralized the security force at Delaney's estate and gave Delaney's wife a video. The video showed the interrogation of that guy who boarded Vengeance in Bequia."

  "Right," Dani said. "While we were ashore with our guests. What about it?"

  "Today, Phillip has been talking to those same friends, to get an update on the current security around the target's estate. We are meeting in the morning for him to tell me what he has learned. Perhaps you will join us for this?"

  Dani and Liz exchanged glances, and they both nodded their agreement.

  "Good," Marie said. "We will have the latest news on the target, then."

  "You said Phillip doesn't respect him," Liz said. "Did they serve together?"

  "They were in training together, early in Phillip's career," Marie said. "Airborne School and Ranger School. After that, they did not serve together, but they have many acquaintances in common. Both were career officers."

  "And why does Phillip not respect him?" Liz asked.

  "He has not remained true to the oath that he swore when he was commissioned; by the reckoning of a professional soldier, this man is a criminal."

  "And that's enough justification for a death sentence, in your mind?"

  "Under the circumstances, it is," Marie said. "You know I did not make this decision to kill him, yes?"

  "You will kill him in cold blood because someone else is paying you?"

  "It is what I do, Liz. Not just because I am paid. That is a difference between me and the target. He is a mercenary. I remain true to my oath. These are not things that you just now learned about me."

  "No, you're right. But I've only seen you kill in the heat of battle, when your life or someone else's depended on it."

  "That is an interesting notion, Liz — the heat of battle," Marie said. "You have taken life in certain circumstances. You would say this 'heat of battle' excused what you did?"

  "Yes." Liz frowned. "This is different."

  "How is it different?" Marie asked.

  "You're stalking him; this wouldn't be a 'kill or be killed' situation."

  "That is a matter of perspective, Liz. The distinction fades under scrutiny. Delaney has ordered the deaths of many people. Doubtless, he has killed many by his own hand. In fact, by his orders, he has threatened to kill you and Dani in the past, and Connie and Paul. You agree?"

  "As far as that goes, yes. But to me, that doesn't excuse killing him in cold blood."

  "I understand," Marie said. "I do not agree with you, but I see your point."

  "How can you not agree that it's wrong?"

  "The target and I, we were both professional soldiers. For different countries, but we took similar oaths that bound us to certain norms of behavior. He has crossed many lines; he no longer abides by any rules of engagement but his own. Me, I stay true to my profession; I honor the oath I made.

  "Everywhere he goes, he is on the battlefield. He and I, we see the battlefield as a much broader place than you do. The battle itself, it is not bounded by time. It goes on, always.

  "He has betrayed our profession and kills for mere material gain. To any true soldier, he is a rogue, and a menace."

  "But you kill for material gain. What makes you different?"

  "I have many reasons for what I do. It is my living. It is not something I do to make money, although I expect to be paid for my work, as any professional would. And I believe that you can sense this difference. You have perhaps not thought about it as much as I have, yes?"

  "Yes. Or no, you're right. I haven't considered a lot of the points you raise. It's only in the last few years that I've been exposed to violence and killing."

  Marie nodded. "That is so for most people. They have not had this experience. When people must choose to kill or be killed, they are changed. They either die, or they cross a line that most people think is not to be crossed. Everyone who crosses it is changed, but not in the same way."

  "Are you saying it gets easier to kill?" Liz asked.

  "For some it does. For a man like the target, definitely. For good people, it never becomes easy. We learn to live with what we do, and we do things that must be done. That is all. Enough about this, for now. Perhaps another time we can talk more."

  "Yes, I agree. Thank you, Marie," Liz said.

  "De rien. Dani, you have been silent. Do you have something to add, perhaps?" Marie asked.

  Dani swallowed hard and shook her head. "No, not right now."

  "Shall I serve dinner, ladies?" Liz asked.
/>   "How do you feel about all that?" Dani asked, as she and Liz watched the lights of Marie's dinghy fade in the distance.

  "Conflicted. How about you?"

  "I still want to do it. What do you think?"

  "I'm not sure, Dani. Marie made some points that I'd never considered."

  "But you aren't persuaded? You don't think Delaney deserves to die after everything his people put us through over the last several months?"

  "I wouldn't lose sleep over his death, but that's not the same as believing I should help kill him. I saw some odd emotions flicker across your face when Marie was rationalizing killing him. Care to share your own reactions?"

  "Okay, but can we go back below and finish the Sancerre?"

  "Sure," Liz said, turning to go down the companionway. When they had resumed their seats at the table, she divided the remaining wine between their glasses. "Well?" she asked, handing Dani her glass.

  "She made me think about some things."

  "Indeed," Liz said. "What kind of thoughts did she raise in your mind?"

  "She's much deeper than I ever thought she was, Liz. I had her down as a stone-cold killer. I never considered her motivations or how she felt about killing people."

  "She surprised you, didn't she?"

  "She did, yes. Hearing her talk about how he betrayed his profession made me look at my own attitudes about killing people."

  "And?"

  "I never thought about it in the way she made me look at it."

  "As a cold, abstract act, you mean?"

  "Kind of. You know me, Liz. I've deliberately set out to kill people, but not like she has."