Troubles in Paradise (Paradise #3)(41)

Rosie got back together with Russ after LeeAnn died; she was vulnerable—and she was free.

The journals mention Irene, the wife at home in Iowa City, a woman Rosie saw as a rival. Was Russ planning on leaving Irene and moving down to the islands permanently? It’s anyone’s guess. Starting in 2015, there are mentions of Russ’s business dealings—the villa and land in Little Cinnamon, the business trips to Anegada, to Grand Cayman. There’s mention of Russ wanting to get out of his business dealings and Todd Croft not allowing it; Todd Croft showed up at La Tapa to threaten Rosie.

He killed them, Huck thinks. They were headed to Anegada on New Year’s Day and Todd Croft blew them up.

What did Irene say? That the charges might not stick; Croft might be released.

The journals have to go to the FBI. Huck has Colette Vasco’s number programmed into his phone. He should call her; she needs to see these.

But…maybe not yet.

Huck believes in honesty. In this situation, does that mean that he should tell Irene he has these journals and that he’s planning on handing them over to the FBI? Should he ask Irene if she wants to see them? Or, out of regard for her emotional well-being, should he spare her? Should he give the journals to Vasco and when Irene finds out say he didn’t read them and didn’t think she should read them either? Is this reasonable? This sounds reasonable, but it’s not honest. Is it better? Will it save Irene’s heart from breaking again?

Irene is adjusting to their new circumstances better than Huck expected. She’s now sleeping in Maia’s room. They have developed a routine. Irene worries about money, he knows, but guess what—so does everyone else in the world.



Irene’s attorney in Iowa City calls and leaves a message while they’re out on a charter. Her mother-in-law’s estate is through probate and Milly Steele has left behind “assets,” though in the message, the attorney doesn’t say what kind.

“Do you think it’s money?” Irene asks Huck. “Do you think it’s a lot of money? Do you think Russ used Milly’s account as a place to hide cash? Do you think Milly knew what Russ was doing? Was she in on it?”

Most of these questions sound rhetorical, so Huck just answers the first. “Assets could mean money,” Huck says. “Or it could mean a pile of crocheted afghans and used bingo cards.”

“You’re making an old-lady joke,” Irene says. “By definition, assets are worth something. Maybe Milly owned real estate I don’t know about?” Her voice is hopeful, then, sounding defeated, she says, “I’m actually hoping that Russ hid money with his ninety-seven-year-old mother and that now it will be mine and somehow the FBI won’t find out.”

“And you won’t tell them?”

“I’m not sure,” Irene says. She fiddles with the end of her chestnut braid, worrying the band that keeps it together, which is something Huck has noticed her doing a lot recently. This gives Huck hope that Irene Steele is just a regular gal after all and not some kind of superhuman who elegantly copes with whatever life throws at her. “I hate to say it, but I might be tempted to keep it.” She honks out a laugh. “But you’re right. It’s probably afghans. Or her cane. Or a fifty-percent-off coupon for an order of wings at the Wig and Pen.”



Two days later, Huck sees the Jeep with the tinted windows parked outside the minimart in front of Rhumb Lines just as someone is climbing into the front seat. The “someone” appears to be a white female, small in stature. Huck chuckles. Probably just some local concerned about the sun. Although…if it were a local, he would have seen the Jeep before. Maybe she just bought it. It’s not impossible.

Irene gets hold of her Iowa City attorney, Ed Sorley. The assets are a collection of blue-chip stocks that Milly has apparently had for decades; converted to cash, they will net Irene one hundred and seventeen thousand dollars.

Irene is jubilant. “The assets are clean!” she says. “They were investments Russ’s father made years and years ago that Milly never touched.”

“And she left it all to you?” Huck says. “You’re rich!”

“It’s breathing room,” Irene says. “I’m going to split it four ways—me, Cash, Baker, and Maia.”

“Maia?”

“For her education.”

“AC…”

“Just let me do it, please,” Irene says. “She’s Russ’s daughter, Milly’s granddaughter. I’m not arguing with you about it.”

“Okay,” Huck says. “Should we celebrate? Maia is with Ayers tonight, so it’s just the two of us.”

“Shambles?” Irene says.

Huck chuckles. Shambles is Irene’s new obsession. It’s a brightly painted local bar at mile marker two on the Centerline Road that overlooks the Paradise Lumberyard and a mechanic’s car-strewn lot. The place puts the loca in local, which is maybe what Irene likes about it, along with the drinks. The first time they went, the bartender, Nathan, made Irene a rum punch that she claimed was “magic” (or maybe just strong). The food is better than it needs to be; it’s downright delicious.

Huck and Irene grab two bar stools, then order a couple of rum punches and pulled pork sandwiches with fries and slaw. They chat with the mechanic and his wife and a couple visiting from Toronto. Nathan slips Irene a second rum punch and, Huck suspects, maybe even a third, because by the time they’re ready to leave, Irene has talked the couple from Toronto into booking a fishing charter.