Page 45 of Under the Radar
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Their armored van pulled into the flow of traffic and headed toward the cruise piers. Mo clutched the bag full of tropical seashells they’d collected and kissed Mac’s cheek. She snuggled into him and laid her head against his chest. “You made my year today. I’ll never forget it. Thank you.”
“I thought it would hit the sweet spot seeing as we’ve relaxed on a beach only once. It was a nice break from the tourists and crowded ship. One of these days, I want to spend a week or two with just you somewhere warm and sunny.”
The van stopped at a familiar red light where colorful boutiques lined the street. There it was—that one window with the purse display. They’d driven by it several times, and it caught Mo’s eye again. “Hey, guys. See that white purse in the window? I’d love to get it for my mom’s birthday. Would one of you mind going in for me? We have a little time before the ship leaves port.”
Mac caught Hugh’s eyes in the rearview mirror and lifted a brow.
Hugh nodded. “There hasn’t been a hint of anything all day. Even Sylvia’s been quiet. I don’t see why not. I’ll defer to you, mon.”
Mo interrupted. “Who’s Sylvia?”
Mac squeezed her hand. “Our security drone. Pull over here and let us out. Circle the block a few times, Hugh?”
Hugh glanced at his watch. “Got it. Remember, Felix is off duty now. Stay in the store until you see me out front.” He pulled over and put it in park. The locks clicked open.
“We won’t be long.” Mac stepped out, taking a long look to assess the street and traffic before offering Mo a hand. As soon as he shut the door, Hugh pulled back into the flow of cars. Mac placed a hand at the small of her back. “If you notice the slightest thing or person out of place, let me know.” His eyes darted everywhere but on her as his free hand nonchalantly repositioned his holster.
“Of course. I won’t be long.” Mo made a beeline for the boutique. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked, but one of them could’ve gone in and bought the purse for her like she’d requested.
She headed straight for the window display while Mac wandered the rows turning over price tags but mostly keeping an eye on the door and her whereabouts.
The front door jingled as three young women entered the shop in a flurry of conversation and laughter. A minute later, a smiling couple crossed the stone threshold. They immediately began looking at bathing suits.
Mo lifted the drool-worthy purse from the window display. Covered entirely in freshwater pearls with impeccable craftsmanship, it looked like something her mom would love. On the way to the cash register, she stopped to admire a blue sequined bikini on the rack. It was her size. Maybe? She found the price tag. Insane. Absolutely not.
She strolled past a woman flipping through a rack. The woman had the strangest tattoos on her index and pinkie fingers. They were odd, mythical-looking drawings. I wonder if it’s painful to have fingers needled? She’d seen tattoos like that recently. On the ship? Mo clutched the pearl purse to her chest and wound her way to the short checkout line.
Her heart staggered when she remembered. The drunk who bumped into her near the South Beach Diner. He had similar tattoos on his fingers.
Mo nudged Mac’s arm and motioned him closer. He cocked his head. “There’s a woman over there with the same tats I saw on the guy who bumped into me in South Beach.” She gave him her best fake smile.
Mac removed the purse from her grasp and nudged her toward the counter with the cash register while whispering in her ear, “See that hallway on your left? Walk straight back as if you’re going to use the restroom. There’s a rear exit. I’m right behind you.”
Mo’s heart galloped as she nonchalantly floated past the salesclerk and down the hall. Mac’s hand pressed against her back urging her to pick up the pace. He reached around her and shoved open the fire exit, whooshing a sigh of relief when an alarm didn’t sound. They ran down a short flight of steps, landing in the alley behind the store.
Mac glanced left, then right. “Can you run in those things?”
Mo looked at her feet. Flip flops. “Yes.” She hadn’t done it since she was in college and late for class, but she could run in them.
He slung her purse around his neck and grabbed her hand. “Let’s move. We want to be out of the line of sight before anyone opens this back door.”
They dashed north a block and turned left into an alley. Mac tugged her left as they cut through a yard, and ran across the street, behind a house, and into a paved easement which ran along the canal. There were shouts behind them, and dogs started barking as they ran.
Mac touched his Bluetooth. “We’re on the move. Two blocks north along the canal, and we’ve got company on foot.”
“Shit. I’m parked in front of the boutique, mon. Keep moving. I’ll catch up as soon as the light changes. You’re fifteen blocks away from a yellow scooter at Nimby’s garage. It’s around back. Keys are under the seat. And if you need to, I’ve got an open account at Sand and Sky Rentals directly across from where your ship docked this trip. It’s an easy water mile straight to the cruise pier. Just say it’s for Hugh.”
Mo glanced behind them and willed her feet to move faster as the shouting drew closer.
Mac boosted her over a stone retaining wall. “We can get ourselves to the scooter quicker than Hugh can get to us. I’m going to let go of your hand, Mo. We need to flat-out run.”
Mo nodded. She kept up with him stride for stride, except when he helped her over the fence surrounding Nimby’s property. What the hell? She’d never climbed an eight-foot chain link fence in her life. One of her flip flops broke as she sailed down the far side of the barricade, and she kicked them both off. A yellow scooter was tucked behind a fantail palm.
Mac raised the scooter to life with a turn of the key and revved the engine. “Hop on.” Mo took a step back and froze. She’d never ridden one of these things.
Mac grabbed her hand, pulled her close, and spoke in staccato commands. “Get on behind me. Put your feet here,” he said, pointing to the narrow deck. “Arms around my waist, and keep your hips glued to mine. It’s simple. I’ll handle the rest. Now!”