Blood Orchid (Holly Barker 3)

“That’s what it’s called now. I just played golf out there with the new owner, Ed Shine.”

“Oh, yeah. We ran a check on him, came up with no arrests, no convictions. He’s clean.”

“I’m glad to hear it because he’s a nice guy.”

“He’s a lucky guy, is what he is. Clearly, whoever was behind this meant to take him out as well as Jimenez and Steinberg.”

“I guess you’re checking on the other bidders.”

“We are.”

“Will you let me know what you find out?”

“Holly, this is a federal investigation now. I can’t share information with you.”

“Harry, after all we’ve meant to each other?”

“Holly, I consider you my friend, but I just can’t do it.”

“Remember where Blood Orchid is located, Harry? It’s on my turf. You’re going to need me before this is over, so you’d better keep me sweet.”

“Holly, Holly,” Crisp said, “how could you be any sweeter?” Then he hung up.

“Shit,” Holly said.

6

Holly arrived at work the following morning to find all the phones dead.

“They’re working on it,” Hurd Wallace told her. “We’ve been down for about half an hour, and they were here in about two minutes; I didn’t even have to call them, they were already in the neighborhood.”

“That’s good service,” Holly said. She worked on personnel efficiency reports for a while, deciding how her small budget increase could be distributed in pay raises. It was tough, and she hated doing it. Then she saw a light flash on her phone. She picked it up, got a dial tone, and called Harry Crisp at the FBI office in Miami.

“Good morning, Holly,” Harry said cheerfully.

“Morning, Harry. I have a little more for you on Blood Orchid Estates.”

“Shoot.”

“I confirmed that he paid sixty million for the place.”

“Did you find out why?”

“He says it will be a hobby for his old age. He can live there, run it, and maybe even make a buck.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Harry, were there any other bids besides Ed’s and the two dead guys’ actually received?”

“Two, both inadequate.”

“Wouldn’t those two companies be a good place to look, since they were obviously trying to buy the property on the cheap?”

“We’ve already run that down,” Harry said.

“And you found out what?”

“They’re both South American, one registered in Brazil, one in Bolivia.”