Shipwrecked-Chapter 14

The castaways and the rescuers alike all sat on the lanai of Margarita's estate drinking (what else?) margaritas. Perry, sitting on a wicker couch, had his arms wrapped protectively around Della, who had her head nestled against his shoulder. Paul, Ethan, Tragg and Burger sat comfortably in chairs while Margarita sat on the opposite end of the couch from Perry and Della.

The servants brought in appetizers and dinner fare. Once they had all helped themselves and declined dessert, Margarita voiced the question on everyone's mind.

"So how did this all come about?"

Perry started by telling them how Jack had invited them on the boat, described the storm and the wreck, and told of awakening on the island. Della, content to let him give his account first, then filled in the gaps, including his dislocated shoulder and fever. She did not tell them about her having to undress him or the measures she took to keep him warm. Perry took his cue from her, skipping over the more intimate details of their ordeal and instead bragging about her skill and resourcefulness. When he described his discovery of the heroin in Della's cabin, the others could feel the tension radiating from him. Paul's fists clenched as he listened, and Tragg's scowl was so severe Della feared the lines on his brow would never be smooth again. Burger's eyes hardened in only the way a prosecutor could, and his mouth puckered in distaste. Only Ethan reacted without physical remonstration. Finally, Perry brought the account to a close with the revelation of Jack, not only alive and kicking, but in cahoots with the pirates.

"And you know the rest," he said, then fell quiet.

The missing details of his and Della's living—and, more to the point, sleeping—arrangements were not lost on their friends.

The silence swelled for a moment as the group of friends processed the story. Tragg was the first to break it. Clearing his throat, he commented, "Once Drake told me you were overdue, Della, I started on my quest."

Perry smirked. "I notice my tardiness didn't matter one way or another, Tragg."

The older detective grinned sheepishly. "Defense attorneys—even bright ones—are a dime a dozen, Counselor. But as you are so fond of saying, there is only one Della Street." She turned scarlet as all eyes fell on her. Tragg, taking mercy on her, chuckled softly, then continued, "I went through all the usual official channels. But after getting stonewalled by the Mexican police, I called the Coast Guard. Then Hamilton came on and contacted Mr. Remarto."

Perry looked at Tragg in surprise. "And he actually helped you? I thought he was still upset with me over his son's death."

Tragg's scowl was back. "Well, when he found out Della was with you, he was more than happy to help. Seems everyone is quite fond of the lady and will do anything to help her. I'd hang on to her if I were you, Mason." That last statement was cloaked in an implied threat.

Perry tried hard to control his temper. Reminding himself that the lieutenant was showing his affection for them the only way he knew how, he forced a smile even as he tightened his grip on the lady in question.

His voice was light enough as he said, "Don't you worry about that. I have no intention of ever letting her out of my sight."

Della snorted. "You are so ridiculous!" Then she angled herself more comfortably and leaned in for a nice, soft, lingering kiss. "I'll have you know I am still a very independent female."

For a moment the pair forgot they had an audience in the room. Their eyes, always expressive, were doing all the talking. Slowly a teasing grin appeared on Perry's face as the dimples Della loved formed. She drew in her breath and blushed.

"Maybe not for long," Margarita commented from her end of the couch. It broke the spell.

Paul choked on his drink, prompting Ethan to slap him squarely on the back. That only seemed to make it worse. Still, it served to break the tension in the room.

Tragg picked up his narrative again. "Evidently Jack Danvers is very well known to the Mexican government and police. He's been suspected of smuggling drugs back and forth between here and L.A. for several years, but there was never enough evidence to warrant a search. From what I understand, he would take raw heroin from here to a refining operation up there and back again after it had been processed and readied for sale."

Hamilton Burger chimed in, "And I called my contact in the BNDD and they shut down the facility yesterday."

Della looked at Perry, "Did you have any idea?"

Perry frowned, bothered by her question. "Of course not! How could you think I would knowingly put you—"

She put her hand to his face. "Perry, I wasn't accusing you. You know that."

He pressed his lips to her palm. "Sorry, Sweetheart. It's just that— I liked Jack. We had some good times together back in law school. For a time, he made life a little less . . . And I suppose it's hard learning someone you once trusted is a criminal." He lowered his eyes from her face, hoping to conceal the rest of his thoughts. It still grieved him that Jack had made such poor choices, but it infuriated him that his former friend had deliberately done everything in his power to drive a wedge between Della and himself.

Paul was studying his friend silently. Better than almost anyone else in the room, he could read the lawyer's thoughts well enough. Something had happened between Jack Danvers and Perry, something personal, and his pal wasn't ready to confide it to anyone. His heart went out to him.

Paul cleared his throat. "Okay, my turn." Everyone focused on him. Better. "When I figured Tragg wasn't going to get anywhere with the authorities, I decided to find you on my own. This guy," he jerked a thumb at the lanky Texan, "Ethan Taylor, is a buddy from my Navy days. He's a freelancer now. Still one of the best pilots I know, and shockingly stupid enough to throw caution to the wind without a thought to his own survival."

"Hey!" Ethan protested, "Y'all are gonna give the ladies the wrong impression!"

Paul grinned at him, then continued. "Anyway, once I called in the marker he owed me for . . . well, that's another story . . . and I told him the mission, he was all in."

Ethan chuckled. "Y'all got that right. When Paul says there's adventure to be had, I'm happier than a hog in a mud puddle." He winked at Perry and Della. "An' I gotta say, Miss Della, it's a sure pleasure to finally meet ya. Ol' Wanderlust Paul here was always tellin' me about this gorgeous lady he had his eye on . . ."

Paul coughed loudly, but everyone else roared with laughter.

"Paul?" Della asked, her lips curving up at the corners, "Just what have you been saying?"

He flushed, but met her eyes. "I'm a trained detective, Della. I get paid to note the details. You are gorgeous, and you know it."

Perry nodded. "I agree. And Paul? Thanks for not perjuring yourself."

That produced another round of laughter. It was sometimes difficult for Margarita to follow everything that was being said, but she could tell this group of men and Miss Street were very close. And, she knew, Paul's friend Ethan was only hanging onto his heart by a stern effort of will.

The private detective steered the conversation back to safer territory. "When the storm rolled in, Margarita was kind enough to give us shelter."

Margarita smiled at her friends. "You know I would go to the ends of the earth for all of you. When Paul told me of your plight, I called in a few favors of my own. My contacts informed me that the pirates were going to Isla Clarion. Although I could not be sure, I had a suspicion this Jack, if he survived the storm, would be there. More importantly, I hoped you, Señor Perry, and you, señorita, found shelter there."

One of the servants entered at that moment. "Pardon, Señora. General Alvarez es aquí."

"Thank you, José. Show him in, por favor." Turning to the group, she smiled. "Now maybe we will learn the rest of the tale, no?"

When the Mexican general entered, he shook hands all around, declined the offer of a drink and seated himself, looking around the group.

"Señor Mason, Señorita Street, let me say I am most grateful you are both safe after your ordeal. I must apologize for not getting to the isla sooner so as to avoid your being terrorized by those evil men."

Perry smiled at the man. "De nada, General." He shot a quick look at Della, leaned to put his mouth close to her ear, "You weren't the only bilingual on that island."

The general inclined his head. "I came here to let you know what has happened. Thanks to all of you, one of the major drug-smuggling rings has been broken. Jack Danvers, along with the head of the ring and the four other men with him, are in custody." He paused to nod at Hamilton Burger. "Jurisdictions will be worked out between our governments. As for the rest of the ring? It is but a matter of time."

He now gave Perry a curious look. "Señor Mason, my government would be very grateful if you could tell us what happened to the drugs."

Della looked at the general with a dazzling smile. "I believe I can help you there, General."

The general returned her smile. "You, Señorita? I am intrigued."

At Della's giggle, Perry nuzzled her hair, placing a soft kiss there. "I think you're going to like this, General."

Della smiled. "Do you have a piece of paper?" The man arched his eyebrows and gave her a quizzical look, but reached in his pocket for a pen and paper.

Della leaned forward, explaining as she began to write, "If you start at the bottom step of the cliff, walk five feet straight ahead, turn left, walk twenty-one feet, turn right, walk four feet, turn left, walk eighteen feet, turn right, walk one foot, turn left, walk twenty-six feet . . . You will be at the base of the south cliff face. There you should see a small hook from the sail embedded in the sandstone. If you dig into the beach directly beneath it, you will find your drugs."

The general looked up from his notes. "And how did you arrive at this elaborate 'map?'"

Della shrugged her shoulders. "In the secretarial pool we used to have a motto: Keep it Simple. So I used something I know by heart and aren't likely to forget. Perry's birthday, my birthday and Paul's birthday."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, then they all burst into laughter.

When it was quiet again, Perry turned to the general. "Did Jack Danvers talk? Did you learn what happened to him between the time we turned in that first night and when we wrecked?"

"Y'all probably couldn't shut the fella's yap up," Ethan supplied. "Folks like him like to explain themselves."

Perry's blue eyes darkened to the color of a moonless sky. "Jack was blessed with a silver tongue. Somewhere along the line, it also became forked."

The general looked to Margarita for a translation, but none seemed forthcoming. He shrugged again, then answered the original question to the best of his knowledge.

"Danvers was actually on the opposite side of the island preparing to meet his compadres when the storm struck. He was thrown over the side, but he was picked up by his men. The boat then drifted around the island until it wrecked, stranding you."

Perry looked at him curiously. "So why didn't they follow the sailboat then?"

The general continued. "Injuries to Danvers. The boat they were in was not equipped to withstand the storm. They almost floundered on the way back to shore. They figured to either come back and find the boat or cut their losses."

Perry sighed. "Well, I thank all of you for your efforts. Della and I can only say that all of you are true friends."

The general said his goodbyes.

Tragg stretched and made a big pretense at a yawn. "I will leave the rehash to the young folk. As a working man, I have to grab some shut-eye."

Della moved from her place beside Perry to embrace him. Burger, Paul and Ethan stayed only a few minutes longer before they said their goodnights, as well. The entire group were going to enjoy Margarita's hospitality a bit longer.

Perry's arm, back around Della's waist, turned her to face him. He smiled sweetly down at her, then said quietly, "I want to speak with Margarita for a few minutes. You go to bed."

She kissed him, then caressed his cheek. "Don't wait too long, Chief. You need some rest." Then she moved away from him and headed in the direction of their bedroom, knowing he would join her.

Waiting until he heard the door close, he turned to Margarita, who was quietly searching his face.

"My dear friend, I need your help."

She smiled at him. "Of course, mi amigo."