Blood Orchid

49

The following morning, Holly sent two officers to Sarasota in an unmarked car to bring back Marina’s car. “Just put it in the garage,” she said, giving them the address of Grant’s house, “but bring the keys back to me.”

Harry Crisp called just before lunch. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Harry,” Holly said warily.

“I’ve got some more stuff on your Russian, Bronsky, from the organized crime division of the Justice Department.”

“Oh?” Harry was going to supply information?

“He was part of the New York Russian mob, centered in Brighton Beach, in Brooklyn; nothing big, just an enforcer, and our information is, a particularly cold and cruel one, in an organization noted for its cruelty.”

Holly was immediately suspicious. “Wait a minute, Harry: He was ex-KGB, and he’s just an enforcer? That doesn’t sound right to me.”

“It’s what my people found out, Holly. I’m sorry if it doesn’t mesh with your preconceived notions about the guy.”

“Does he have any connection to the Pellegrinos, apart from his association with Trini Rodriguez?”

“Nothing we can nail down.”

“Then he’s a dead end.”

“A nice turn of phrase, in his present circumstances, but yes, his identity leads us nowhere.”

“How about some information that leads ussomewhere, Harry?”

“That’s all I’ve got, I’m afraid. I thought you’d like to know.”

“Forgive me if I seem ungrateful, Harry, but it seems like a bone for the dog. What have you found out on the Pellegrinos?”

“We’re still working on that, Holly, don’t worry.”

Yeah, sure, Holly thought. “Any news on the search for Trini?”

“He’s gone to ground, not visiting any of his usual hangouts.”

“Including the bar Tricky’s?”

“We’re looking everywhere, Holly, don’t worry.”

“Somehow, I have the idea that if Trini wanted to kill you, instead of me, you’d be looking a lot harder.”

“We have to leave that sort of pursuit to the locals and the state boys; we don’t have enough personnel to run dragnets. It’s always been that way; our people are investigators; they don’t set up roadblocks or search for hideouts.”

“Yeah, and in the meantime, Trini’s going to keep trying to kill me and Marina because he thinks one of us has the notebook. Can you get something in the papers saying thatyou’ve got the notebook? Maybe that would take the heat off Marina and me.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Well, thanks for the information on the Russian, Harry. Goodbye.” She hung up, pissed off.

Her officers showed up around three with Marina’s car keys, and Holly worked until six, then went home. The guard outside the house showed himself when she arrived.

“Hi,” she said. “Everything okay?”

“Very quiet,” the young man replied. “Two of your officers showed up around mid-afternoon with a car; they put it in the garage.”

“Right. I’ve got the keys in my pocket.” She went inside. “Hello?” she called. “Anybody home?” No answer. She checked the garage to see if Grant’s car was there, and it wasn’t. Neither was Marina’s.

She ran upstairs to check the guest room, but it was empty; Marina’s things were gone. She ran back to the front of the house and grabbed her officer. “The car that was brought here this afternoon is gone. When did it leave?”

“I didn’t know it had,” the officer said.

“Did you leave the front of the house at any time?”

“Sure, I check the perimeter every twenty minutes or so. It could have left when I was on the beach side of the house.”

Holly looked up to see Grant turning into the driveway, and she ran over to his car.

“Hi,” he said getting out and handing her a box of wine bottles. “I picked up a few things to drink.”

“Marina’s gone,” she said.

“How?”

“I had her car brought back from Sarasota. I kept the keys, but she must have had another set.”

“She’s obviously headed for home,” Grant said. “Call the state police and have them pick her up on the interstate. Tell them she’s a material witness.”

Holly shook her head. “Problem is, she’s not a witness to anything; she didn’t see Trini shoot anybody.”

“In that case you couldn’t have stopped her anyway.”

Grant parked, and they went into the house. Holly picked up the phone and dialed Marina’s cellphone.

“Hello?”

“Marina, it’s Holly.”

“I’m sorry, Holly; I know you’re angry with me.”

“I’m not angry, I’m worried about you.”

“I don’t feel in any danger,” Marina said. “They’re looking for Trini everywhere; he won’t come near me.”

“That may not be true. Don’t go home, Marina. Can you stay with a friend?”

“I’m going to my house,” Marina said. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I’m going to cook myself some dinner and watch TV, and tomorrow I’m going to work.”

“I’m going to call the Lauderdale police and ask them to put a guard on your house.”

“I think it’s a waste of time,” Marina said, “but I can’t stop you. I have to hang up now, Holly; I’m at the grocery.”

“Listen, Marina, the FBI is going to get something in the papers stating that they now have the notebook. Once Trini knows that, he won’t be interested in you anymore. Wait until that happens before going home.”

“No, I’m going home. I’m tired of this.”

Holly had a thought. “Marina, have you scheduled the funeral yet?”

“The day after tomorrow at tenA.M., at Santa Maria.”

“Be careful,” Holly said.

“I will. I stopped and bought a gun.”

“Marina, you’re more likely to get shot with your own gun than protect yourself.”

“It makes me feel better. Goodbye, Holly.” She hung up.

Holly called the Lauderdale police and got the duty captain on the line.

“What can I do for you, Chief Barker?” the man asked.

“I’ve been protecting a woman that Trini Rodriguez has been trying to kill; he shot her mother and aunt in Sarasota.”

“I’m aware of that crime; every car we’ve got is looking for Rodriguez.”

“The woman’s name is Marina Santos.” Holly gave him Marina’s address. “Do you think you could put a man on her for a few days, until Rodriguez is picked up?”

“I think I can do that,” the captain said.

“She’s burying her mother and aunt at Santa Maria, the day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll put somebody on her at least until after the funeral.”

“Thank you very much, Captain. If I can ever do anything for your department, please let me know.” She hung up.

“Feel better?” Grant asked.

“Not yet. Give me Harry’s home number again.” She dialed it.

“Hello?”

“Harry, I think I know how we might catch Trini Rodriguez.”

“How.”

She told him.