Page 13 of Wild Idol
I tried to get in touch with the celebrities that Logan had mentioned were present, but I didn’t get through to any of them. I wasn’t expecting a return call, either.
If anyone knew anything, they sure as hell weren’t going to talk about it.
We wrapped up the day and headed back to Diver Down to grab something to eat. We took a seat at the bar and chatted with Teagan. The teal-eyed beauty was always a sight for sore eyes. Her bubbly smile and cheery attitude were infectious.
We stuffed our faces, starting with lobster bisque. I ordered the center cut filet, medium rare, and Jack went with the blackened mahi-mahi.
Harlan sat at the bar, sipping a long neck. His month of free drinks had expired, and he was back on his own nickel.
After dinner, I went back to the boat and did as much research as possible about Solomon and his cult. Apparently, he was investigated for sexual misconduct charges in another state before he had fled the country. He was also under investigation for embezzlement.
I talked to Isabella, and she had been able to dig up quite a bit of information about the scumbag. The more I learned, the more I wanted to help Strathmore get his daughter back.
“Apparently, they’re running a new-age wellness clinic in Xaqualta,“ Isabella said. “Just off the coast of San Montego.”
“Wellness clinic?” I said, full of disbelief.
“You know, one of those places where you can go and trip on ayahuasca or some other substance to heal your inner child.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“It’s a retreat in the jungle. Part spa, part psychic healing. Are you interested in taking a psychedelic journey?”
I laughed. “I had one on our last adventure. I think I’m good for a little while.”
“You should make reservations. Go down there and see what it’s all about. Probably your best bet for infiltrating the cult. Or you could just storm the island and take the girl back.”
“I’d like to avoid kidnapping if at all possible,” I teased.
“Probably for the best.”
I thanked her for the information, then caught JD up to speed.
“When we get a minute, we should probably go down there and talk to Ivy. See if we can convince her to come home. Hopefully, she’s still got the idol.”
“Hard to say. A guy like Solomon might sell something like that on the black market. I’m sure it would command a hefty price. Then again, he seems like a typical narcissist. Perhaps he’s after eternal life himself. Not that I buy into that kind of thing.”
“There are mysteries of the Universe we do not yet understand,” JD said with a mischievous grin.
I knew a little about the mysteries of the Universe. We had certainly bumped into a thing or two that defied logic. Having had a near-death experience myself, I knew there was more to the Universe than met the eye.
It was around 11:30 PM when the sheriff called. Calls that late were never good.
8
The acrid stench filled the air, and a cloud of black smoke hovered. The fire department put the finishing touches on the blaze. The exotic sports car had been burned to a crisp. Now it was a blackened, charred shell of its former self. The rubber had melted into the asphalt.
The car had swerved off the road and hit a light pole, crumpling the front end.
Embers drifted on the breeze, and soggy ash and soot drained down the gutters.
Patrol cars and emergency vehicles cluttered the area. Red and blue lights flickered. A crowd of curious onlookers gathered on the sidewalks. Whispers of gossip drifted about.
JD found a place to park. We hopped out and approached the chaos.
The sheriff looked on with a grim face.
“What happened?”
