Falafel Jones - Max Fried 02 - Payback's a Beach by Falafel Jones Read Free Book Online Page A

Fisher’s ladies kept his slip rental fees up to date.”
    “You couldn’t declare him undesirable?”
    “You kidding? If we had a morals clause in our contract, we’d have no members. At least the other guys only chase the single women. We have plenty of content ladies here.”
    “Any idea why Fisher left when he did?”
    “No, but I’m glad. I thought he’d never leave.”
    “Who’s the guy who invested with him?”
    “Bucky Vanderbilt.”
    “Bucky?”
    “Yeah, one thing I learned here. The richer the member, the goofier the nickname.”
    “Do you know how I can reach him?”
    “He’s one of those boating snowbirds. If he’s not in Florida by now, he’s probably due in the next day or so.”
    “What’s the name of his boat?”
    “Not a boat, a ship and a big one at that. He calls it the DeepSea Doodle . Hey, do you know if the Coronado has any job openings? These New York winters are killing me.”
    I told him no and we went back and forth a bit on the topic. Finally, he let me hang up after I promised I’d inform him of any local yacht club jobs.
    Mariel said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were on the phone.”
    I said, “It’s OK. It didn’t make any difference,”
    She asked what I found out and I told her.
    “So where is the DeepSea Doodle now?”
    “Let’s see.” I navigated to the web page I used to track the Amante and typed in DeepSea Doodle”. Douglas was right. The ship made it to Florida and now occupied a berth at the Coronado Yacht Club. In fact, several ships currently at the Coronado previously docked at the East End. I reviewed the ships departure dates and they all left within a few days of each other but the DeepSea Doodle dates caught my attention.
    Mariel must have sensed my surprise. She leaned in to view the computer screen. “What is it?”
    “The DeepSea Doodle left Long Island one day after the Amante but it arrived in Florida the night Drew Fisher died.”
    “That may not mean anything. You said Douglas told you several snowbirds come down by boat around now.”
    “Yeah, but I don’t see any of them arriving that night except for the DeepSea Doodle .”
    We stared at each other in silence until it hit me. “You know how I listen to the marine bands on my ham radio?”
    “Yes?”
    “Well, while my radio is scanning, I pick up the county bridge tenders on the North Causeway drawbridge.”
    “So?”
    “So, to get to the yacht club, you need to travel south under the drawbridge. The bridge opens every hour, twenty past the hour, and twenty to the hour assuming somebody radios and asks for an opening. I’ve heard the bridge tender ask people to spell the names of their boats. There must be a log somewhere showing who passed under the bridge that night.”
    “Where can you get that?”
    “Ed’s been going nuts trying to find a way to clear Brenda but he’s not getting too far. This sounds like something a lawyer can handle.” I reached for the phone. “I’ll call him.”
    “And what will you do?”
    “I’m going to visit Bucky at the yacht club.”
    “And do what? Ask him if he killed Drew Fisher?”
    “Yeah, not too smart. I got carried away, but I do think I ought to at least visit the club, see if anybody knows anything that might help.”
    “I’ll go with you.”
    “I don’t think so.”
    Mariel gave me a look of pity and then smiled. “Max, you know I love you but look at us, to whom do you think the sailors would rather talk?”
    She was right. Not only was she good looking, she had personality and smarts. “OK, you gave me an idea. I’ll have Ed phone ahead and tell them you’re a prospective member, a rich widow.”
    “Max, don’t talk like that.” She paused. “Just tell Ed to say wealthy and single. Give me a minute to do my hair and makeup.”
    I nodded assent.
    While Mariel got ready, I phoned.
    We finished about the same time. Mariel’s long black hair hung loose down her back and her shoulder-less sundress not only