Tonton (A Hunter Kincaid Novel)

She pointed at the driver, “From her.”

The driver said, “I didn’t say anything.”

Ariel said, “I did not need for you to speak.”

Dessaline said, “Very good, Ariel Baimby. And yes, Ringo will meet us.”

“Where Pansy is being held. And what of Denson? He is with you?”

“He works for me.”

“For you, and the Miami detectives, too? How interesting.”

Dessaline said, “Lying will not help you.”

“Detectives Jesse Coda and Detective Jason Hale. They are with Miami Homicide.”

The driver said, “If Denson is working for the police, we are in trouble.”

Dessaline said, “We have Denson with us. There is no trouble. Drive to the marina.”

The woman accelerated into traffic, tight-lipped and angry. She worked her way east, staying off the main roads, and arrived at the Miami Marina thirty-five minutes later. Denson and another man met the van, and Denson opened the side door.

Marc said, “Get out.”

Ariel stepped down onto the pavement as the female exited the driver’s door and circled the front to stand near the others. Denson nodded at her, “Rosalie.”

Marc exited behind Ariel and said, “Where is the Bertram?”

Denson pointed, “There. Bazin is on board.”

Ariel clenched her fists and stepped close to Denson, “Where is Pansy?”

Denson said, “On the ship.”

Marc said, “Stop talking. Get her on board.”

Ariel stepped by Denson and started toward the Bertram just as seven young men and women stepped ahead of her. Two of them stopped, turned, and stared at Ariel. A second later, the other five did the same thing.

Ariel smiled at them and started to trot to the group when Denson grabbed her arm. “We have to go,” he said, trying to act natural.

Ariel slipped her arm out of his and smiled at him, “Denson, go wait on the ship, I want to visit with my fans.” She turned to the group of young people and said, “You handsome people going to wait so Rihanna can say hello?”

She smiled at them and trotted into the group, then walked with them down the rows of ships.

Marc said, “Get her.”

Denson and the other man started after her, but one of the young men, the large, muscular one, said, “Rihanna’s with us, we’ll take care of her and bring her back, no worries, brah.”

A growing crowd of young people began to gather around Ariel, who played up the Rihanna act for all she was worth. She asked, “Are all of you going on a boat?”

One of the young women said, “On two.” She pointed at two others in the group, a woman and man, “They each have one. We’re going out on Biscayne Bay. You should join us.”

The tall, muscular young man, who the others called Terry, said, “I’m going too, but I’m on a jet ski.” He grinned at Ariel, “It can hold two, if you’re interested.” Ariel smiled and said, “Sounds like a great idea.”

Denson was in a quandary. Marc started toward the group, but stopped when he saw two young police officers step near Ariel, who hugged their necks and posed for photos.

She glanced at Marc and Denson, then said to the officers, “You should go with us.”