Chapter Fifteen
Ava couldn’t move even if she wanted to. Her eyes were locked on the men holding guns on her and Dominic. Her lover rose from between her legs. Without looking at her, Dominic pulled her from the counter to stand behind him. She could see the muscles in his back flexing. His jaw was suddenly tense.
“I don’t know what you two are doing here, with guns pointed at two people in the midst of making love, but I suggest both of you get out,” Dominic said.
His tone was hard. Cold like ice. A shudder ran through her.
“I suggest the both of you get dressed now. This ship is now under the control of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
“I didn’t realize the Coast Guard was teaching their recruits to burst in, guns blazing at a nude woman in her bathroom.”
“I’ve had just about enough of your tone,” the tall blond man holding a gun said.
“My tone should be the least of your concerns,” Dominic said.
The blond Coast Guard official made a move towards Dominic and Ava touched his back.
“Dominic, please. Until we know what’s going on, let’s just do what they say. I have a daughter I’d like to make it back home to.”
He turned to look at her. She could still see the ice in his gaze. Finally he nodded at her. With as much dignity as she could muster, Ava dressed in front of the officials. Her cheeks burned at the indignity she was being forced to suffer.
When she found out who was responsible for this, heads were going to roll. She was going to make sure of that.
When she was properly attired, her gaze turned back to Dominic. He was lazily buttoning the last button on his shirt. His eyes waged a silent war with the blond who’d been so contentious. Ava watched the redheaded Coast Guard. He made a motion for them to exit the bathroom.
Ava took a step forward, but Dominic grabbed her, pushing her behind him. A protest rose in her mouth until it dawned on her that he was simply trying to protect her if there was any danger afoot. She grabbed his hand and held tight as they found themselves being lead to the living room. Neither of the officials said a word, but Ava had a bad feeling.
With fluid grace, Dominic sat down on a love seat. He pulled her down beside him. Ava kept her eyes straight on the men in front of her, but from the corner of her eye, she could see Dominic appraising her.
We’re being held at gunpoint and he’s comfortable enough to ogle me. Typical man.
She cleared her throat. “Since you seem to care nothing about infringing on the privacy of people aboard this ship, perhaps you’d deign to tell us why you’re here. After all, I need something to tell my attorney when I call and inform her of your harassment.”
“Oh you’re going to need a lawyer, but not for harassment. Let’s try murder,” the blond man said.
“What are you talking about?” Dominic asked.
“We got a tip that someone had been killed aboard this little pleasure boat. Turns out our tip was right on the money and you two are at the top of the suspect list.”
“Someone was murdered on this ship? Who?” Ava asked.
“Gina Marron.”
There was a heavy feeling in Ava’s stomach. Her muscles grew rigid. “Gina? Gina’s dead?” she asked, her voice rising in pitch.
“Yes. Her throat was slashed. So far we haven’t found any sign of the weapon used,” the red-headed officer offered.
“I’m sorry to hear that there is a murderer loose among us, but why are you two fingering us for this? We were in bed all night last night,” Dominic said folding his arms.
“For starters we’re well aware of both your reputations.”
Ava’s eyes narrowed. “I’m a legitimate businesswoman and a widow raising a small child. I wouldn’t consider that a reputation that makes me a suspect in a murder.”
“Don’t talk to us like we’re stupid. You’re Joseph Martelli’s widow. No way you’re clean. What did Mrs. Marron do that was worth you slitting her throat?”
“Ava, don’t say another word,” Dominic ordered.
She frowned at the authority in his tone. So going to bed together gave him the right to order her around? She didn’t think so. He must’ve forgotten who he was dealing with.
But as much as she hated it, Dominic was right. When it came to law enforcement you couldn’t trust any of them. With a smile, Ava made a motion as if she were zipping her lips. “Sorry. Nothing else to say without my attorney present.”
The two men exchanged glances and Ava crossed her legs watching them. There was nothing “the law” hated more than a person pulling the attorney card. Both men turned their attention to Dominic.
“And what about you, Sambarino? You pulling the attorney card too?”
“That depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“You telling me why you think I’m a suspect.”
“Are you kidding? A guy like you. A male prostitute. A guy connected to the Cosa Nostra. You’re a prime candidate.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. A muscle moved in his jaw. For some reason, Ava was sure he was a few seconds away from throttling both men. His arms unfolded and he cracked his knuckles. His eyes were growing darker. He was about to go nuclear and get them both shot.
Ava placed her hand on his bicep. Leaning close she whispered, “Calm down. Don’t give them what they want.”
She leaned away and Dominic gazed at her from the corner of his eye, before turning his full attention back to their interrogators.
“For starters, I’m not a prostitute. Secondly the Cosa Nostra crap is laughable and lastly I didn’t even know the victim.”
“If you didn’t know Mrs. Marron, then what are you doing here?”
“I was invited by a friend who was invited by Mrs. Marron and that’s all I have to say.”
“I don’t buy it,” the red-headed officer said.
Dominic shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t care,” he said before putting his arm around Ava.
She looked at him but didn’t say anything. Right now her mind was on something else. Gina. She couldn’t believe her friend was dead. Who would want to kill Gina? It just didn’t make sense. Had she been on this ship for over twenty-four hours with a killer and not even known it? And what about Dominic? He hadn’t been there when she woke up. Could he have been gone longer than she thought? Might he be the one who killed Gina? She didn’t want to believe it. Didn’t want to think that the man she’d allowed into her bed could be a killer or even worse, a killer set out to frame her.
As the two guards huddled together talking, Ava whispered, “Did you do it?” She looked at him waiting for an answer. He turned to face her and his eyes were hard again. Cold. He was angry, but she didn’t care. She had a right to know.
“After everything you still have to ask me that?”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“You know what it means. After making love to you, after spending hours on end with you, do you think I would kill anyone you love or do anything to hurt you?”
“So after spending one magical night with me I’m supposed to believe you have no ulterior motives?”
Before Dominic could respond, the blond guard walked past them and headed towards the bedroom.
“Where’s he going?” Ava asked.
“To check your things. Make sure the murder weapon isn’t hidden anywhere. Although knowing you two, you probably threw it overboard.”
Ava’s fists clinched. Cursing under her breath she turned back to Dominic. He was watching her. His eyes searched her face, roving up and down. Trying to pretend he wasn’t unnerving her, she returned his gaze, waiting for him to speak. His hand caressed her face as his eyes grew soft.
“No. I did not kill your friend. I told you already what I wanted. I can’t have either of those things if you’re behind bars now can I?”
Ava swallowed. “I suppose not.”
“I don’t expect you to have one hundred percent faith in me, Ava. I realize I did deceive you, but regardless of whether you want to admit it out loud or not, there is something between us. Maybe you’re in denial because I’m Joseph’s son. That’s fine. I can wait. I’m not going anywhere.”
His hand dropped from her face and he turned his attention back to the guard still watching them. Ava sighed. She didn’t know what to think, but her antenna was up. Something was very wrong about all of this. How far was the ship out if the Coast Guard had jurisdiction to board? And who’d called in with a supposed tip about a murder? It all smelled of a setup to Ava and she wanted to know who was behind it. And poor Gina. The vivacious, fun-loving redhead was gone. She just couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to.
In a world where many times to be a successful woman, you had to be a ball breaker, Gina had always managed to maintain her femininity and still get things done. It was one of the things Ava had admired about her. She was going to find out what happened to Gina and when she did, whoever was responsible for Gina’s death was going to pay. And that was a promise.
“Martelli’s room is clean.”
Ava turned to see the guard returning to the living room. There was a scowl on his face. She couldn’t resist the chance to needle him a bit.
“Looks like your theory is out the window then. Pity. That just gives me more ammo to sue you with.”
“Don’t think this is over. We’ll be docking in less than thirty minutes and you two are headed to the police station for a more formal interrogation.”
Ava stood up. “I’m not going anywhere but home to my daughter. You have no evidence that I committed a crime and I’m not going to the police station. Got it?”
“You need to sit down.”
Ava rolled her eyes, before turning on her heel and heading down the hallway to the bedroom.
“Come back here now,” one of the guards yelled.
Ava ignored them. She’d had enough. She may have changed her name but she was still a Martelli and she’d had more than enough of the attitudes of the armed men. Ava entered the room and found her clothes strewn everywhere. Footsteps pounded down the hallway behind her, but she ignored them. Opening her suitcase she quickly started stuffing her clothing and toiletries away. Once that was done, she pulled out her cellphone and called the one person she never thought she’d call.
“Angelo, it’s Ava. I’m in trouble.”
“What is it?”
“I’m being held by members of the Coast Guard for suspicion of murder. We’ll be docking in a few minutes. Can you please meet me?”
“Those bastards. Listen, don’t say another word. I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you.”
“I thought I told you to stay put.”
Ava whirled around. It was the redheaded guard. His blue eyes blazed.
“I don’t take orders from you and since you’re not going to shoot me, I suggest you buzz off and leave me be.”
“I ought to—”
“You ought to do your job and find out who killed my friend instead of harassing me because of who I used to be married to.”
Biting her lip in an effort to keep from slapping the man, she packed the rest of her items and went into the bathroom for one final check. She found her hairbrush and took a few moments to brush some of the tangles from her hair. It was a mess. Half curled and half straight. She brushed it straight as best as she could before moving back into the bedroom. The man was still standing there. Ava ignored him, zipping up her suitcase and retrieving her cellphone and purse before making her way back to the living room with her things.
She didn’t bother stopping. Instead Ava rolled her suitcase straight to the front door. Dominic and the other guard were already standing there. Taking a seat, she waited to be told that they were back at port. It came sooner than she expected.
“I just got the call that we’re docking. They want us to escort these two down,” the blond told her counterpart.
“Let’s go then. The sooner we can get these two off our hands the better. Let’s hope MDPD has better luck with them than we did.”
The men motioned with their guns towards the door. Ava grabbed the knob and turned. They didn’t have to tell her twice. She was ready to get away from both of them. Opening the door, Ava grabbed for her luggage, but Dominic was holding it for her. With a shrug she set off down the hallway towards the elevator. She pressed the button and held it. Finally the doors opened and she and Dominic entered the elevator, their “captors” right behind, guns pointed.
They were silent as the elevator took them down to the first floor. As soon as the doors opened, Ava was out. She headed through the ballroom and out the way she’d entered the ship just yesterday. When she made it to the dock, the confusion that greeted her was enough to make her head spin. Police cars were everywhere. There were news vans set up behind barriers. What had she just walked into? Ava started down the ramp when her arm was grabbed.
“Oh no you don’t. You’re heading downtown with us.”
She turned around, but before she could say anything she heard a familiar voice.
“I suggest you unhand her or the Coast Guard is going to be hit with the biggest lawsuit you’ve ever seen and by the time I’m done with you, you will be lucky if you can find work as a garbage man.”
Ava faced forward. “Angelo, how did you get here so fast?”
Her brother-in-law gifted her with a small smile. Next to him stood a white-haired older gentleman. He clutched a briefcase and a sheaf of papers in his hand.
“I don’t know who the hell you are, but I suggest you get out of our way. We have a job to do.”
With a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, Angelo took a step forward and wrenched the blond man’s hand from around Ava’s arm. The guard pointed his gun at Angelo, but he didn’t flinch. Instead he motioned for the man standing behind him. The sheaf of papers passed to his hand and he held them up in front of the guard’s face.
“These are legal documents signed by Judge Ritts. They state that you have no authority to detain or question Ms. Hill and any attempt to do so will result in the right of Ms. Hill to sue you for violating her rights. If you have any further questions, my attorney Hayes Milford will be happy to explain things to you, but Ms. Hill and I are leaving. Come on, Ava.”
Angelo thrust the papers at the guard and grabbed for Ava’s hand. She evaded his touch by turning back to collect her belongings from Dominic. His green eyes watched her. She had no clue what he was thinking, but she could feel the reluctance as he relinquished her things.