The South Beach Search

Benny slowly rotated his arm and grinned. “Look at that. You’re a miracle worker, Taki.”

“No, you did the work,” she told him, pleased by his improvement.

She taught her most serious students in private sessions, the way yoga was meant to be learned, but she always found good energy with the friendly spa members. She enjoyed teaching here, and hoped she wouldn’t have to move again too soon.

To think she’d actually been thinking maybe she could stay in Miami. She should have known better. Getting attached always led to suffering.

For everyone, but especially for her.

After three sun salutations to warm up, she settled into half lotus and surveyed the room on the lookout for curious aerobic or step class students who ventured into her class. They tended to overdo the poses, sometimes harming themselves. Once a personal trainer had almost blown out a knee. She’d warned him to be careful, but he wouldn’t listen, and had to wear an elastic brace for a month.

Nobody new tonight, though, except— Recognition sent a startled thrill into her belly. Balancing on his buttocks, his arms wrapped around his knees, Reese sat in the back row, staring at her.

She inhaled deeply to calm herself, surprised by her reaction. She’d been teaching yoga since she was eighteen years old, and never had such a disturbing response to a new student.

But the sight of his bare arms and legs created a long, slow pull on her center.

“Assume a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes and allow your attention to focus on your breath, inhaling and exhaling through your nostrils,” Taki instructed, relieved her voice didn’t waver. Yeah, that would inspire confidence in my students.

“You’ve been in your head all day at work,” she said. “Now it’s time to come into your body.”

A class opening she frequently used, but a bad choice of words for tonight, she decided, trying to block the image of Reese’s well-toned arms and shoulders. She regained her concentration by filling her lungs with oxygen and exhaling with a controlled, even release.

She remained aware of Reese’s total attention as she led the class through warm-ups, sun salutes and the various poses she’d selected for tonight’s practice. Long used to students watching her, she couldn’t fathom why his intense scrutiny made her aware of herself as never before. The energy in the class felt sharper tonight, cutting through her distraction with a laserlike quality.

Only Reese’s presence explained the difference.

Why hadn’t she realized he might come to class? She’d encouraged him to try yoga, believing the practice would be therapeutic for him.

“And when you’re ready, you can come out of deep relaxation,” Taki said softly, alerting her students that class time had expired. Sitting with her back against a mirrored wall, she watched Reese, who still lay in corpse position. She hoped he’d been able to relax. Buddha knew the man needed it the way he was always rushing around.

Taki sighed at her ridiculous oath. When had she picked up that saying? Buddha certainly knew no such thing. In her never-ending search for a quiet mind, she’d managed to confuse the different philosophies she’d studied. Now with everything muddled inside her head, she’d never find the path to enlightenment and happiness.

If only her bowl hadn’t been stolen.

But she was probably putting too much faith in that remedy. Hadn’t Navi told her there was never one sure answer?

With her hands steepled in prayer position, she nodded and smiled at her students as they streamed from the yoga studio, and waited for her last student to leave. Reese.

He sat up, appearing more than a little dazed. But new students frequently reacted to their first savasana and deep relaxation the same way. Most people, definitely including Reese, were so stressed by a fast-paced life that their nervous systems remained in a constant state of agitation, which inevitably led down a path to one of the deadly modern diseases.

He’d recover in a few minutes. Tonight was likely the first time he’d managed to truly relax in years.

“How did you like the class?” she asked when his gaze sharpened and focused on her.

He rotated his neck left and right. “Wow. I haven’t been able to do that in a long time. What’d you do to me?”

“Nothing. You did it for yourself.”

“Listen,” Reese said, rising and stepping beside her. “I need your cell number in case something comes up on the bowl.”

“I don’t own a cell phone.” Taki rose and slipped on her sandals.

“Seriously?”

“Refusing to be at the mercy of a machine isn’t against the law.” She eased a loose gray sweatshirt over her camisole, feeling a slight chill now that she’d stopped moving.

“Then give me your home number. You do have a landline, right?”

Without replying, Taki removed her digital player from the spa’s sound system and stuffed it and other personal possessions into her class bag. She didn’t want to give him any phone number. She had good reasons to keep it private. Plus, it would be hard to avoid Reese if he could just call whenever he wanted.

But what if, like he suggested, he needed to speak to her about the bowl? Well, if she gave him her number, he had to respect her privacy and promise not to share it. She needed to make that clear.

When she faced him, his thick eyebrows were drawn together in puzzlement. No doubt he was used to women throwing their numbers at him without being asked.

“Will you miss another meeting if we go upstairs for a cup of herb tea?” she asked. “Before I give you my number, I need to explain something to you.”

He hesitated. “I don’t have a meeting, but...”

“But you have work to do,” she finished for him. Of course. She should have known that he’d feel compelled to use every second of the day to work. Even at night. So Mr. Workaholic could just wait to learn her phone number until he had a spare second.

He took a quick glance at his watch and sighed. “I guess I can make time.”

* * *

“THE PAWNSHOP DIDN’T have your bowl,” Reese told Taki as he relaxed onto a comfortable cushion. Until tonight, he’d never enjoyed this cozy nook of the spa where casual futon-style couches faced a picture window on the Atlantic Ocean. Five miles offshore, the lights of huge freighters glowed on the horizon.

At the service bar, she examined various boxes of tea, selected one and poured steaming water over tea bags in two white foam cups. Always in a hurry to get somewhere else, on occasion he’d grabbed a cup of coffee at this free beverage station, but never knew they provided herb tea. No doubt Taki’s doing.

“Lourdes promised she’d order biodegradable cups,” Taki said, frowning at the tea. “I’ll have to remind her again.”

“All Jacques’s Hock had was a silver chalice from Hialeah Race Track,” Reese said. “Sorry.”

She nodded. “I no longer believe my bowl is at a pawnshop. Honey?”

“What?” he asked, startled.

“Do you want honey in your tea?” She turned to him, eyebrows raised. “Or would you rather add another sweetener yourself?”

They stared at each other across the tiny area, and Reese wondered at the uneasiness in her eyes. In the soft lighting, their startling blue color appeared subdued, but her fair skin glowed. What was she worried about?

“Please,” he said. “And thank you.”

“In fact,” she said, while dribbling the thick liquid into the cups, “I’m not at all certain that your bad guys even took my bowl.”

When Reese accepted the tea from Taki, his hand brushed her slender fingers. She lowered her eyes at the contact.

“Why is that?” he asked, enjoying the connection between them. Hell, for some demented reason he enjoyed himself whenever he spent time with Taki.

“It’s a feeling I have,” she said. She parted her lips as if to say more, then pressed them firmly together.

Wishing he knew what she was about to say, he said, “Do you always rely so heavily on your feelings?”

She leaned back on the sofa. “What are you relying on to believe that Romero’s people took your briefcase?”

“Clear, logical assumptions supported by indisputable facts.”

“Well, my feelings may not be logical, but they’re usually right. Are your assumptions always correct?”

“Not always,” he said, smiling at her perceptive question. “Okay. Then what happened to your bowl?”

She stared into the white cup. “I don’t know yet.”

“Well, I do. Believe me, Taki, I’m trying like hell to get my briefcase back. If I do, I’ll locate your bowl.”

“Thank you,” she said.

But Reese could tell she didn’t believe he would find her lost artifact. He looked forward to witnessing her pleasure if he did. He took a hesitant taste and found the brew sweet and refreshing.

“What kind of tea is this?”

“Rosemary. It improves the memory, so it’ll help you with your work later.”

He stared into the amber liquid and shook his head at her constant attempts to help everyone. Then he grinned at her.

“Maybe you drink too much of this stuff and that’s why you think you remember me.”

“It doesn’t work that way.”

“Do I still seem familiar to you?”

“I don’t know.” Using her fingers as a comb, she absently swept her hand through her long blond hair. He wondered if the strands felt as soft as they looked.

“Sometimes I tend to get a little carried away,” she continued, throwing him a quick glance. “Perhaps we did meet previously, and I just don’t remember.”

“That’s much more likely than our introduction occurring in another life,” he said. Good to know she occasionally came back to earth.

“But where?” she asked. She took another sip of tea, watching him over the rim of the cup.

“In court maybe?” He raised his eyebrows, hoping she’d treat his next question as a joke. “Have you ever been up on federal charges?”

“Heavens, no. Is federal prosecuting the only legal work you’ve ever done?”

“Yes. I became an assistant U.S. attorney right out of law school.”

“So you don’t take private clients?”

“Never.”

“Why is that?”

Wondering where she was going with this conversation and why, Reese watched Taki nibble on her lower lip. She obviously wanted some information but didn’t want to ask directly.

“If you need a lawyer, Taki, I can recommend several.”

Her eyes widened. “I can’t imagine what would ever cause me to hire a lawyer,” she said with an emphatic shake of her head.

Her response told him a lot. “I guess you don’t like lawyers.”

He watched her suck air deep into her lungs, and then slowly release the breath.

“What if someone sues you?” he asked when she didn’t reply.

“Why would anyone sue me?” Taki balanced the tea as she tucked her bare feet beneath her on the couch.

“What about that blot on your soul? That might cause a lawsuit.”

“Maybe you don’t need my tea.” She grinned and shook her head. “You never forget a thing, do you?”

Not about you, he thought, imagining a thousand ways a woman as beautiful as Taki could place her soul in jeopardy.

“Lourdes says you want to run for political office,” Taki said.

“Who knows?” He shrugged, caught off guard by her comment. His future political career must be the subject of widespread speculation if even Taki had heard about it.

“So that’s why you’re a prosecutor, to get a reputation?”

“I became a prosecutor because I want to put criminals like Romero in jail where they belong. I hate it when people break laws and get away with it. Justice has always been important to me.” Reese paused. Where had that disclosure come from? Something about Taki required honesty.

“Or perhaps I secretly wanted to irritate my father,” he continued. “Dad believes that public service is for suckers and the way to practice law is behind a desk.”

“So your father is a lawyer, too?” she asked.

“Everyone in my family is.”

“Everyone?” Her face fell, as if his entire family had been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

“Well, almost everyone. My mother is a doctor.”

“Oh. Do you have any brothers or sisters?” she asked. He thought her voice sounded wistful.

“Two brothers and a sister...all attorneys working for my dad.”

“Are you from Miami?” she asked.

“Born and raised. How about you?”

“I’m an only child.”

“So why all the questions, Taki?” he asked, needing to get moving. “I thought you wanted to explain something to me.”

She nodded. “I was trying to get a better sense of who you are. I’m a very private person and have good reasons for not giving my phone number to just anyone.”

“I’m not just anyone. I’m a United States attorney, one of the good guys.”

“Are you really?” she asked softly.

“I put bad guys in jail,” he said, wondering about good reasons for not giving up a number. And why didn’t she have a cell?

She nodded, looking away. “The thing is, you remind me of someone who isn’t very nice at all.”

Startled, he asked, “How so?”

She met his gaze again. “Always barking orders, always in a hurry.”

That’s how she sees me? He groaned inwardly, knowing there was some truth in that description. “That’s how I get things done in my job.”

“If I give you my phone number, do you promise you won’t give it to anyone else?”

“If you don’t want me to, I promise I won’t.”

She didn’t immediately respond. Instead she chewed on her lower lip again. Feeling uncomfortably like a teenager asking a date to the prom, he waited.

* * *

TAKI GRABBED A pen and a napkin from the service bar and jotted down 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 on her plate, which contained a mammoth serving of black beans—she couldn’t have touched a bite—Reese asked, “You really received a photograph of your bowl with a note instructing you to come here?”

“Not exactly. Someone left the photo with Benny, one of my regular students.” With a graceful movement, she tucked a strand of hair behind her shoulder.

Reese made a mental note to question Benny. He knew all about Benny. The old man practically lived at SoBe Spa, or anyway, he was there every time Reese worked out. So what was his involvement with Taki and her magic bowl?

“Why him and not you?” Reese asked.

The waiter arrived before she could reply.

“Cafecito to go,” Reese requested. The potent Cuban coffee was like mainlining caffeine, but he still had hours of work to do tonight.

“I asked people around the spa if they knew anything about the bowl,” she said when the waiter moved away. “Benny did, too. I guess he asked the right person.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. Do you have the photo?”

She reached for her purse.

“Wait. I’ll look at it later.”

Reese surveyed the room, searching for a familiar face. His initial response to Taki’s message had been that someone was playing a joke on her, but Puerto Sagua just happened to be Izzo’s favorite place for breakfast, and nobody in law enforcement believed in coincidences.

“Whoever sent the note has my bowl and maybe you can recover your briefcase, too,” she said, her voice low and urgent.

Reese stared at Taki’s animated face. Why did he find this nutcase so compelling? She certainly had guts. More courage than sense, apparently.

“You shouldn’t have come here alone, Taki. It was a foolish thing to do.”

“But you didn’t return my calls. I had no choice.”

Reese shook his head at her stubbornness. Why was this damned bowl so important? Something else had to be going on. He’d find out what tonight.

“I was in trial all day,” he said. “I didn’t get your messages until five-thirty.”

“Well, I didn’t want to miss the chance of getting my bowl back. Now quit talking to me or nothing will happen.” She smiled sweetly and extended her hand to dismiss him.

Reese grasped her fingers and squeezed. When she released her grip, he picked up his coffee, dropped a bill on the counter and moved to an empty table where he could keep an eye on her.

He pried open the lid of the foam take-out cup, shaking his head as he remembered Taki’s disapproval of the nonbiodegradable material. The woman wanted to save the world.

Steam floated up to his face, bringing with it an aroma of coffee.

Letting the brew cool a bit, he waited before taking the first sip and continued to observe the crowded room. He noted Javi did the same, but the agent blended in with the casually dressed clientele a lot better than Reese did in his tailored suit.

He probably stuck out as obviously as Taki.

What the hell was he doing here? He had too much work for these kinds of games. When he’d received Taki’s messages, he’d been torn between outrage and worry. Unable to let her face unknown danger alone, he’d called Javi and asked him to meet them at Puerto Sagua.

Outside the winter light faded to darkness, but no one approached her, although more than one male customer openly ogled her ethereal blond beauty.