Ariel stepped to her and said, “Agent Kincaid, your man went into the kitchen. He will go on through the building and cross over to Collins. If you hurry you can find him.”
Hunter said, “I know you?”
She handed Hunter a business card, smiled and said, “Ariel Baimby, at your service.”
The card read: ARIEL BAIMBY – Psychic & Spiritualist - Palms Read, Past Lives Explored, Talk to Departed Loved Ones. – Reasonable Rates. Her address and phone number were across the bottom of the card.
Hunter said, “How about waiting here until I get back. We need to talk.”
“I’ll hold a table outside.”
Hunter slipped the business card in her pocket and trotted through Larios, out the back, across the alley-like street and onto Collins. She thought she saw him once, going south, but by the time she reached the corner he was gone. She stood on the sidewalk, looked for another minute, and then returned to Larios on the Beach.
Ariel sat at a table with Andre. Marc Dessaline and Ringo Bazin occupied a table nearest the street and sat so they could view the Agents…and Ariel.
Hunter shrugged at Andre and pulled out a chair to sit facing Ariel. Before she could say anything, Ariel spoke. “You must be careful. I told Andre before you arrived. There’s darkness near you.”
Hunter said, “I don’t speak psychic. Maybe you better spell it out, and while you’re at it, tell me how you knew I was after the guy in the sunglasses.”
“May I touch your hands? The connection is stronger that way, and my reading is more accurate.”
“I’m not paying you.”
“Of course not.” Hunter put her hands on the table and Ariel touched her fingertips to Hunter’s knuckles and closed her eyes. She frowned and said in a soft voice, “Oh my.” Hunter looked at Andre and rolled her eyes. He showed a faint grin. Ariel removed her hands and looked at Hunter. Her eyes were luminous. “You have a troubled spirit.”
“So do lots of people in law enforcement.”
Ariel looked at her, “They are not like you, not like this. Not your friend Andre here, or the other two.”
Hunter’s eyes narrowed a fraction, “What other two?”
“They are not together. One is worried about something. The other, he is troubled, but in a different way than yours.”
Hunter felt her scalp prickle. She felt suspicious and unnerved at the same time. “Keep going,” she said.
Andre noticed that the two Haitian men, Dessaline and Bazin, had stopped talking to each other and now watched them.
Ariel said to Hunter, “There is a darkness on the path you take, and if you are not careful, it will devour you.” She took a deep breath, “Your actions may bring your friends into it, too. Be careful what you do, Agent Kincaid.”
Hunter wiped her clammy palms on her pants. “Thanks for the free reading, but that’s not helping me find the people I need. They killed a lot of people.”
Ariel said, “I know. Drowned people, sharks, all of it.”
“If you’re so good, tell me where the man in the sunglasses went.”
Ariel said, “He will soon, very soon, be on a boat, leaving here. You will not find him, but he will return and bring more trouble.”
Hunter removed her hand and said, “If you do a Vulcan mind-meld with him in the future and find out his itinerary, call me. I’d like to meet him at the dock.” She gave Ariel her business card. “Use the cell number.”
Andre said, “You ready?”
Hunter rose, “You bet.”
Ariel watched them go, and then she rose and walked to the two Haitian men. “Would you gentlemen care for a reading?”
Dessaline pulled out a chair, “Have a seat.”
Ringo watched the two Agents drive away, before turning his attention to Ariel. He placed his large hand on top of hers.