Chapter 19
Paula slipped on a short black cocktail dress and looked at herself in the mirror. Harry looked at her admiringly from the doorway but with a bit of concern showing on his face. She smiled at him as she dug into her purse looking for her lipstick and eyeliner. She carefully applied them, and when she was satisfied with her appearance, turned to him expectantly.
“Wow! You look great,” Harry said. “Be careful with those thugs. They don’t have much respect for women.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be Brad Thornton’s date, so they should leave me alone.”
“Don’t let him go to the bathroom. One of them might try to lure you away.”
“If he has to go, I’ll go too. That way I won’t be standing around alone.”
“I’ll be watching you, but if I have to intervene, it will blow our cover.”
“Don’t worry. I know how to handle men.”
Harry nodded knowingly. A few minutes later, Paula left the room and walked to the hotel lobby. She looked at the bar but decided first to check out access to the beach. She walked out onto the terrace overlooking the beach and was dazzled by the incredible sunset. The hot sun looked like it was just about to dip into the Pacific Ocean. She halfway expected to hear an incredible sizzle as the molten sun sank into the sea, but there was only silence.
When the sun disappeared and night claimed the sky, Paula went into the bar looking for her date. Brad Thornton was already there, nursing a drink. Paula walked up briskly and sat beside him. Morales’ thugs were at the bar, too, but giving Thornton plenty of space. Earlier in the day, Paula had made a point to run into him and strike up a conversation. They’d talked for some time and agreed to meet later for dinner.
“Oh, hi,” Brad said as Paula walked up.
“Hello. Sorry I’m late. I was watching that gorgeous sunset out on the terrace.”
“Oh, really? I guess I missed it.”
“Well, I’m sure it will be just as nice tomorrow night. Perhaps we can watch it together.”
Thornton’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, absolutely. Can I get you a drink?”
“Gin and tonic, please,” Paula said.
Thornton snapped his fingers, and the bartender looked at him. “Gin and tonic for the lady,” he advised. The bartender nodded and continued what he was doing.
“So, how long will you be staying in San Antonio del Mar?” Paula asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve got some business down here I’ve got to straighten out before I go back. How about you?”
“Oh, me? I’m just here for the weekend—needed a break from studying.”
“Law, isn’t it?” Thornton said.
“Right. My final year, thank God.”
“Well, that’s a good profession. You can do about anything with a law degree.”
The bartender leaned over and set a drink down next to Paula. She picked it up and held the glass out to Thornton. He picked up a glass and said, “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” Paula said, taking a drink.
One of Morales’ men looked over at Paula disapprovingly. She met his gaze and smiled at him. He turned away.
“Are you hungry?” Thornton asked.
“Not yet. Why don’t we take a stroll on the beach?” Paula suggested.
Thornton frowned. “The beach?”
“Yeah. Let’s kick off our shoes and take a stroll along the water. It’s beautiful out, and we’ll be all alone.”
Thornton shrugged. “Well, okay. I’m not really dressed for the beach.”
“Oh, don’t worry. We’ll just take off our shoes, and you can roll up your pants. Plus, it’s dark out there. We can—“
“Oh, right,” Thornton said. “That’s a great idea.”
They finished their drinks and slipped out the back door to the terrace. Paula suggested Thornton take off his shoes and leave them there so he could find them later. He nodded and pulled them off awkwardly. Then Paula took his arm and they walked down the steps to the beach.
Halfway to the water, Paula glanced back and saw one of Morales’ men come out the back door onto the terrace. He watched them a moment and then decided to follow them.
“Brad,” Paula said.
“Yeah?”
“Listen carefully and don’t say anything. Morales’ goons are watching us.”
Brad’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her in surprise. “I know you’re not down here because you want to be. Your wife sent us down to rescue you.”
“Rescue me? Why?”
“Because your life’s in danger. Morales is going to kill you.”
“Who told you that?”
“Think about it. Your money laundering days are over. You are of no use to the Burilo cartel anymore. Your being alive is a major risk to them. It’s only a matter of time before they kill you.” Paula glanced at the man watching them twenty yards down the beach. “Kiss me.”
“Huh?”
“Kiss me, or your friend watching us will get suspicious.”
Brad gave the man an annoyed look and then grabbed Paula’s neck and pulled her to him. They kissed passionately for a long minute. The man turned around and walked slowly back toward the hotel.
Paula broke away. “Stan Turner is out there with an extraction team just beyond the breakers. They’re in a raft to take you out to a seaplane. It’s your only chance. If you stay here, you’re a dead man.”
Brad looked nervously out to sea. “He’s out there right now?” he asked skeptically. “Why would he want to help me?”
“Your wife begged him to rescue you. They’ve already tried to kill him, so he’s got to help the FBI take down the Cartel to save his own skin. The prosecutors need your testimony to take down Carlos Morales. They’ll be lenient with you and Melissa if you cooperate.”
“Okay, what do I have to do?”
“Kiss me again.”
Brad looked back toward the hotel. The man was still watching them. They kissed once more, longer and harder.
“Take off your clothes. You can’t swim in your clothes.”
“What?”
“Take them off now. We’re running out of time. Give me the key to your room. You won’t be needing it.”
They kissed again and started removing their clothing, one piece at a time. The man watching them smiled and started walking up the stairway to the hotel. He stopped on the terrace and looked back again. They were waist deep in the water, falling all over each other.
“Okay, Brad. Just swim past the waves, and Stan should be there.”
“Are you sure?” he said fearfully.
“Yes. Go.”
“Alright. Thanks, Paula. Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. Just get going.”
Brad started swimming out to sea. Paula watched him until he disappeared into the darkness. Suddenly, she felt hands wrap around her waist and squeeze her breasts.
“Hey, watch that!” she said as Harry pulled her to him.
“Where were you? I didn’t see you.”
“I’ve been watching your little performance. You should be on Broadway.”
“Oh, yeah. Actually, I wasn’t acting. Brad’s quite a hunk. I kind of enjoyed kissing him.”
“Well, I’m not worried. He’s got a date with a federal judge. He’ll be in Club Fed for a long time.”
“Come on. We better make our escape while we got the chance.”
Harry and Paula noisily left the water, stopping from time to time to kiss and fondle each other like lovers do. When they reached the shore, they ran back through the cover of the sand dunes to their room. Hastily, they got dressed and made their escape in the rental car they’d procured at San Diego’s Lindbergh Field.
When Morales’ man saw them running away, he went into the bar and told his comrades what had happened. They talked it over for a while and decided to go check the room to be sure Thornton was still there.
In the room, Pau
la had left a tape running she’d made of Harry and her having sex. Harry didn’t make much noise when they made love, so Paula didn’t think Morales men would realize it wasn’t Thornton in the room. When they got to the door to Thornton’s room, they heard Paula moaning and her frequent gasps of sexual bliss. They listened for a moment and then went back to the bar with smiles on their faces.
Harry and Paula drove all night until they reached Tijuana and crossed the border. They didn’t want to be in Mexico when Carlos Morales discovered Brad Thornton had disappeared right under their noses. They breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the Airport Holiday Inn where they had reservations for the night. After they checked in and got settled in their room, Harry poured them a drink and sat next to Paula on the bed.
“I wonder if Stan was out there with the boat?” Paula asked.
“I’m sure he must have been. I didn’t hear Thornton screaming or anything.”
“I doubt you could have heard him over the pounding surf.”
“Oh, God. What if they find Thornton dead on the beach tomorrow?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s fine,” Harry assured her.
“Oh, God. I hope you’re right.”
Harry put his free hand around Paula and squeezed her. She looked at him and sighed. “What if something happened to Stan?” Paula suddenly blurted out. “What if they both die?”
Harry shook his head and then got up and poured them another drink. “I can see the only way you’re going to sleep tonight is if I get you drunk.”
Paula laughed and took the glass. “You’re right about that,” she agreed. “Just keep ‘em coming.”