Tonton (A Hunter Kincaid Novel)

Andre showed his badge. “Have you seen him recently?”

“I understand he has developed a taste for the music and women on South Beach.”

“Any particular places?”

“I would think the ones with the most money and the prettiest women.”

Andre slid his business card across to the bartender, “If you see him, call me, day or night.”

The bartender didn’t acknowledge what Andre said, but he slipped the card into his shirt pocket.

When they returned to the car, Hunter yelped when she sat down because the seats were hot from the sun. She rolled her rear from one cheek to the other as Andre started the engine and turned the A/C to high. He grinned at her, “Mine too.”

As he backed out, Hunter said, “So, South Beach now?”

“Sure, we might get lucky.”

Chapter 2

Ocean Drive had the usual slow moving traffic cruising up and down the pavement, but the street wasn’t crowded.

Ariel Baimby saw a gap in traffic and crossed the road, moving in stops and starts between the cars going in opposite directions on the two-way road. “Rihanna! Rihanna!” A college age white man in a red mustang convertible waved and yelled at her, so excited to see a celebrity. He fumbled with something on the dash and suddenly Rihanna’s hit song, “Umbrella” played. He turned it up and pointed at her as the sound blasted from his car.

Ariel danced to the music as she walked, working her hips and shoulders to show off her body as she lip-synched and continued across traffic. She stopped before she was too far away from him and said, “Play the old songs, lover, and buy my new album!” She blew him a kiss and made it through the cars to the sidewalk. Ariel stepped under the shaded awnings of The Cardozo Hotel and walked to the table where Pansy Brown sat drinking a mojito.

Pansy signaled the server for two mojitos as Ariel sat down. Pansy said, “So they still callin’ you Rihanna. Girl you look just like her, the eyes, the hair, the body. You need to work that more.”

“How are things, Pansy? I’ve had troublin’ thoughts about you, girl.”

Pansy said, “Hoo-wee, I’ve been doin’ the work, I tell you.” She put her hand on top of Ariel’s, “Now, can you be doin’ a reading for me? I’m full of vexation and troubles.”

Ariel waited for the server to place the drinks, then took a sip of her mojito and said, “Give me your hands.” Pansy placed her hands, palm down in Ariel’s. Using her thumbs, Ariel rubbed the backs of them, making slow, soft circles on the woman’s dark skin. Ariel kept her eyes closed as she said, “Denson has another woman.”

“I knew it.” Pansy said, the hurt evident in her voice.

Ariel continued, “That woman’s full of badness. She might drive Denson away.” Ariel opened her eyes, “If she does, do you want him to come back to you, or are you through with that Haiti man?” She didn’t tell her friend that Denson was not a good man, involved in petty crimes and other things. That knowledge she kept to herself.

Pansy released Ariel’s hands, wiped her eyes and took a sip from her mojito. “Bring him back to me. I love him, even though he’s no good.”

Ariel said, “He’ll cheat on you again.”

“Can you make him faithful?”

Ariel sighed, looked at her friend and said, “I can try.”

Pansy looked hopeful, “Thank you.” They sipped mojitos and watched people for another fifteen minutes, and then Pansy said, “Time for me to go. I have dishes to do, and washin’ before I start me night shift.” She slipped Ariel a rolled-up tube of twenties into her palm.

Ariel nodded her head at the front doors of the Cardozo, “The hotel’s lucky to have someone good as you.”

“Sure, nobody can change bed sheets or empty trash baskets like Pansy Brown.”

She touched Pansy’s arm. “You are more than a good worker, you are a good person, with a beautiful soul.”

Pansy hugged her, “Be careful. I’ll see you soon.”

Ariel left the Cardozo and strolled down Ocean Drive. She didn’t feel the need to tell Pansy she watched Denson and his new woman yesterday, arguing in loud voices. The woman, a young model type, slapped Denson hard enough to rock his head. Ariel heard the tall Haitian say, “I’ve had enough of you.” He walked away, leaving the still-angry woman yelling at his back. When Denson drove away, the woman began crying. Ariel remembered thinking, Drama Queen.

Today was a beautiful day, and Ariel had new money and youth, so she enjoyed her walk. Five minutes later, she heard the sounds of broken tail lights and saw a Mercedes lurch to a stop and as it was rear-ended right in front of Larios on the Beach, Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s trendy place with the Cuban themed restaurant. The crash was minor; a fender bender at most because no one sped on Ocean Drive, but the two men sitting in the black Mercedes did not look happy.