The South Beach Search. Sharon Hartley

the number of the phone Victoria kept in the cottage. How could she say no? Otherwise Reese could start prying into her life to find out where she lived. Didn’t the government snoop on everyone these days?

      She had no doubt he could learn anything he wanted through federal high-tech computers and gizmos, and there was no telling what he’d come up with.

      She thrust the napkin toward him.

      He accepted it with a long look at her scribbles. When he folded the paper and stuck it in the pocket of his gym shorts, she got the curious sensation that he’d memorized the numbers.

      “I’ll be in touch if I get any news.” With a wave, he disappeared inside the men’s locker room.

      Should she believe him? Would he keep her number private?

      But maybe she shouldn’t worry. Unless he had info about their stolen property, why would he call? And in that case, she wouldn’t mind hearing from him.

      Assuming the news was good.

      On her way to the parking lot, she passed Hector and Lourdes working at the front desk and gave them a weak wave.

      “Hey, Taki,” Lourdes said. “Don’t forget about the staff meeting next week.”

      “Okay.”

      “Any luck with your bowl?” Hector asked.

      “Not yet,” she said and pushed open the door, glad for the rush of fresh air.

      What was it about Reese’s dark, intelligent eyes that seemed so...aware? She shivered, recalling the force of his gaze as he stared directly into hers. It reminded her of the times Guru Navi tried to look deep into her soul. Funny, but it felt as if Reese saw her more clearly than her teacher.

      Too bad Reese hadn’t become a healer like his mother instead of a lawyer. That would be so much better for his...

      She slowed her crisp steps across the well-lit parking lot when she spotted a figure leaning against the Jeep’s driver door. Her pulse kicked up a notch, but she relaxed and resumed her pace when she recognized Benny.

      “Hi, Ben. I’m sorry. Were you waiting for me?”

      When Benny smiled, the wrinkles in his weathered face grew even deeper. “Yes. I have some interesting news.”

      “What’s that?”

      “Remember I promised I’d ask around the spa about your missing bowl?”

      Taki nodded, a rush of excitement making her belly tingle. Reese would of course discount it as a worthless feeling.

      “After your class, I found this stuck in my locker.” Benny produced a white envelope and handed it to her. With odd-size letters cut out from a magazine, “Taki” was pasted to the front.

      “Did you see anyone around your locker?” she asked.

      “I have no idea where it came from.”

      “Have you opened it?”

      “Of course not.”

      She ripped open the envelope and withdrew a photograph.

      “Oh, my God,” she said, staring at a bowl sitting on a sheet of newspaper with a wand propped against the rim.

      Was it hers?

      She peered at the image closely to make certain that the— Yes, there was that tiny crescent-shaped mar on the base. She pressed the photo to her chest and closed her eyes. This was definitely hers.

      Who had sent this? And why to Benny?

      “Are you all right?” he asked.

      Taki opened her eyes, feeling silly about her reaction. “Yes, yes. I’m fine.”

      “What is it?”

      With a sigh, she passed him the photo. Now what?

      “Proof of life,” Benny said. “Although of course the bowl isn’t actually alive, but that’s why they included the paper, to show a date.” Ben held up the image to examine it more closely. “That’s the front page of today’s Miami Herald.”

      “Wait,” she said, grabbing the photo from Ben. “There’s something on the other side.”

      On the back of the photograph, with those same mismatched cutout letters, someone had pasted directions.

      BE AT PUERTO SAGUA TOMORROW AT SIX P.M. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ITEM.

      * * *

      AT FIVE FORTY-FIVE the next night, Taki slid onto a stool at Puerto Sagua and smiled at a waiter behind the broken-tiled counter. Smoke from the grill floated upward, billowing and obscuring the ceiling.

      With a nod, the heavy-set server placed a menu and a plastic glass of water before her and moved on.

      Taki took a slow drink while she surveyed the crowded Cuban restaurant. Maybe twenty-five diners sat at tables or at the long U-shaped counter that cut the room in half. Their noisy chatter and laughter bounced off the tiled walls, making her ears ring.

      No one looked familiar. Not in this life or any other.

      When the wall clock ticked down to six, the frowning waiter approached her again. She’d have to order something or be asked to leave. Black beans and rice seemed safe, but she was too nervous to eat.

      After placing her order, she laid a hand on her queasy stomach. If only Reese had returned her calls. So much for her plan to avoid him, but of course he needed to know about the note.

      Reese was always so confident and self-assured, she had no doubt his presence would bolster her faltering courage. She’d left messages at all his numbers revealing her intention to attend the meeting. She’d even spoken with his secretary. Joanne had been sweet, had promised to contact some agent named Javi and all but begged her not to do anything before she talked to Reese.

      Forget that nonsense. She couldn’t miss the chance to recover her bowl. Benny knew she was here, as did Victoria, plus she had pepper spray tucked in her purse. She’d never used it and wasn’t sure if she could harm anyone with it, but just in case she slipped the small cylinder into her pocket for easy access.

      And so many people crowded this restaurant, she was beginning to feel too warm. She fanned her face with the menu.

      She wouldn’t leave with anyone, and even Reese’s bad guys wouldn’t drag her off from such a public place. What could they possibly want with her?

      More important, why would anybody want her bowl?

CHAPTER FOUR

      REESE HAD NO problem spotting Taki when he entered the raucous atmosphere of Puerto Sagua. Seated at the counter, long blond hair partially braided and secured with a clip, her stillness was an oasis of tranquility in the center of chaos. In a warm, lively restaurant filled with the essence of garlic and onion, she made him think of the cool freshness of a deep forest.

      If he weren’t so damned annoyed with her reckless behavior, he’d be glad to see her.

      “You don’t know me,” Reese murmured as he slid onto the stool next to hers. He threw her a quick look. “Pretend we’re meeting for the first time.”

      When she flashed a grateful, relieved smile, his mood improved. At least she was glad he’d come to her rescue.

      Spotting Javi on the other side of the counter, Reese nodded. She followed his gaze and then looked to him in surprise.

      “Who’s that?” she whispered.

      “FBI.”

      Her eyes widened, and her gaze swung back to Javi.

      “Quit staring at him.”

      When Taki refocused