Risky Business

supposed to have one in Paris.”
    Paris, she thought. It would suit him. She wondered briefly how the air smelled in Paris. “If you get bored, I’m sure one of the boats could use the extra crew.”
    “I’ve had enough diving for a few days, thanks.” Jonas plopped down on a chaise in front of the shop. It was the best place to keep an eye on her.
    “Miguel.” Liz automatically looked around for Luis. “You’re here early.”
    “I came with Luis. He’s checking out the dive boat—got an early tour.”
    “Yes, I know.” But she wouldn’t trust Miguel to run the shop alone for long. “Why don’t you help him? I’ll take care of the counter.”
    “ Bueno. Oh, there were a couple of guys looking at the fishing boat. Maybe they want to rent.”
    “I’ll take a look. You go ahead.” Walking back, she crouched beside Jonas. “Keep an eye on the shop for me, will you? I’ve got a couple of customers over by the Expatriate. ”
    Jonas adjusted his sunglasses. “What do you pay per hour?”
    Liz narrowed her eyes. “I might cook dinner tonight.”
    With a smile, he got up to go behind the counter. “Take all the time you need.”
    He made her laugh. Liz strolled down the walkway and to the pier, drinking up the morning. She could use a good fishing cruise. The aqua bikes had been ordered, but they still had to be paid for. Besides, she’d like the ride herself. It madeher think of Jonas and his unwanted catch a few weeks before. Liz laughed again as she approached the men beside her boat.
    “Buenos días,” she began. “Mr. Ambuckle.” Beaming a smile, Liz held out a hand. “I didn’t know you were back. Is this one of your quick weekend trips?”
    “That’s right.” His almost bald head gleamed in the sun as he patted her hand. “When the mood strikes me I just gotta move.”
    “Thinking about some big-game fishing this time around?”
    “Funny you should mention it. I was just saying to my associate here that I only go for the big game.”
    “Only the big game.” Scott Trydent turned around and pushed back his straw hat. “That’s right, Clancy.”
    “Now don’t turn around, honey.” Ambuckle’s fingers clamped over hers before she could move. “You’re going to get on the boat, nice and quiet. We have some talking to do, then we might just take a little ride.”
    “How long have you been using my dive shop to smuggle?” Liz saw the gun under Scott’s jacket. She couldn’t signal to Jonas, didn’t dare.
    “For the past couple of years I’ve found your shop’s location unbeatable. You know, they ship that stuff up from Colombia and dump in Miami. The way the heat’s been on the past few years, you take a big chance using the regular routes. It takes longer this way, but I lose less merchandise.”
    “And you’re the organizer,” she murmured. “You’re the man the police want.”
    “I’m a businessman,” he said with a smile. “Let’s get on board, little lady.”
    “The police are watching,” Liz told him as she climbed on deck.
    “The police have Manchez. If he hadn’t tried to pull a double cross, the last shipment would have gone down smooth.”
    “A double cross?”
    “That’s right,” Scott put in as he flanked her. “Pablo decided he could make more free-lancing than by being a company man.”
    “And by reporting on his fellow employee, Mr. Trydent moves up in rank. I work my organization on the incentive program.”
    Scott grinned at Ambuckle. “Can’t beat the system.”
    “You had Jerry Sharpe killed.” Struggling to believe what was happening, Liz stared at the round little man who’d chatted with her and rented her tanks. “You had him shot.”
    “He stole a great deal of money from me.” Ambuckle’s face puckered as he thought of it. “A great deal. I had Manchez dispose of him. The truth is, I’d considered you as a liaison for some time. It seemed simpler, however, just to use your shop. My wife’s very fond of you.”
    “Your wife.” Liz thought of the neat, matronly woman in skirted bathing suits. “She knows you smuggle drugs, and she knows you kill people?”
    “She thinks we have a great stockbroker.” Ambuckle grinned. “I’ve been moving snow for ten years, and my wife wouldn’t know coke from powdered sugar. I like to keep business and family separate. The little woman’s going to be sick when she finds out you had an accident. Now we’re going to take a little ride. And we’re going to talk about the