Page 99 of The Perfect Stranger

“When did he leave?”

“A few… few days ago.” The Mariner was struggling, the blood loss making him weak.

“Was Gabriel with him?”

“Yes. He was badly hurt. They took a doctor on board also. And some young women.”

“Why is the wharf deserted?”

“I don’t know details. I heard some stuff. There was trouble, bad trouble. So they closed down the drug warehouse and relocated. Each and every one of those men who worked here worked for Luis Santos. He cleared it out to keep his name clear, you know what I mean? In case people come looking. The rest of us caught wind of it and decided it was best not be around in case said people did come a looking.”

“Where on the international sea border do they go?”

“No one knows except them. There are any number of islands he could be hiding behind. The law doesn’t exist to a man like that.”

Luis and Gabriel Santos had found themselves their own Bermuda Triangle.

Weeks of cruising through the North and South Pacific oceans as well as the Caribbean Sea had resulted in nothing but wasted time. Nothing that would even hint at them being in the area. His yacht, Los Santa Maria, was nowhere to be seen. My guide, Jose, navigated the islands and scoured the moorings and wharfs, asking the locals if they had been graced by their presence.

Nothing.

My frustration had peaked.

My guilt over deceiving Nina was taking its toll.

It seemed that at every turn, Luis Santos could simply vanish.

I had wasted time. So much time.

Now I was faced with the brutal reality.

I had wasted over two years seeking retribution. I had compromised my beliefs. My moral judgments were beyond questionable, and I had lost everything I had worked for in my former life just to see Santos take his last breath.

“Where to now?” Jose asked, joining me on the bow of the boat. It was a stunning day. The sun was sparkling off the water like we were floating on millions of diamonds. The breeze was warm and refreshing. And all I could think about was Nina.

It would have been the perfect setting if she was there.

I missed her.

I craved her.

I couldn’t erase her beautiful face from my mind.

“Boss?” Jose prompted.

In that defining moment I knew.

“I need to go home.”

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