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brother,” Jackie said.
    John appeared in no hurry to dig up his past, whether it was his youth in Wisconsin, or as the boater on E-dock. He called out to his sister. “Wait up, I’ll take you.”
    Beth put her hand out in his direction. “I have my rental car. Stay with your friends. I’m going to sleep in tomorrow, so I’ll call you around noon.” She walked away toward the gate at the end of the ramp.
    Mitch approached the group. At the last instant, he veered off to the table with the drinks.
    “How’s the plastic surgery business?” Rob asked. “Did you fix up any famous people lately? Looks like Rafe might be in need of some help.”
    “Nah, he’s good. No broken bones. He’ll be fine in a few days. Besides, I don’t do famous people.” Mitch started for the open chair next to John.
    “Hey, handsome, sit over here.” Jackie tapped the open chair between Marin and her. “Mitch, this is Marin—she looks single.” She raised her eyebrows.
    “She’s with billionaire boy.” Rob rubbed it in and glanced over at John.
    “Maybe John’s sister?” Jackie glanced toward the end of the ramp. “What’s her name––Beth? She’s cute. Is she single?”
    “She has a partner,” John said. “She and Julienne have been together since law school,” John added. “They have a great life together.”
    Rob looked confused for a second, then his eyes opened wide as the revelation took shape in his subconscious. “She’s open about it?”
    “Yeah,” John said.
    “Good for them. No one should hide their feelings,” Rob added.
    Jackie patted the empty chair again. “Mitch, get over here, boy. I want to talk to you about a facelift.”
    “You don’t need a facelift. You’re perfect just as you are.”
    “I’ll bet you have an excellent bedside manner,” Jackie said in a sultry tone.
    “Rob, save me from your wife,” Mitch pleaded.
    “You’re on your own, brother.”
    “Jackie,” Marin said, “you must know a friend of mine at the Sheriff’s Department.”
    “I know a couple of department heads and a few of the investigators. Who is he?” Jackie asked.
    “Cameron West.”
    Jackie studied Marin’s face. “How do you know Cam?”
    “I’m a consultant for the Department, and she’s my liaison.” Marin sipped her drink.
    Jackie’s face lit up at Mitch. “Cameron West––she’d be perfect for you.” She grinned. “She carries a gun.”
    “I don’t do blind dates,” Mitch said, before the chance got away.
    “Marin, set him up with her,” Jackie suggested. “They’d make a great couple.”
    “Hey, I’m right here,” Mitch announced.
    Jackie leaned into Mitch’s ear. “Doll, I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to my new best friend, Marin.” She waved her hand to dismiss his comment and mouthed the words to Marin, “Make it happen.”
    At that instant, Marin knew she was going to love it on the dock.
    Rob rose to his feet and started a chant that caught on quickly. “Billionaire in the bay. Billionaire in the bay.” Dan came out of his boat and joined in.
    John’s face had a look of dread. Before he could protest, his hulking frame was hoisted into the air and flung into the dark, cold Pacific Ocean that was the back bay.
    A sober John climbed the swim ladder after the shock of his immersion. While he was still dripping wet, he plopped himself into the canvas chair next to Marin. “I hope it’s not becoming an annual tradition.”
    Dan tossed John a towel and glanced over at Marin. “I told you we always have a good time on E-dock.”

Chapter 9
     
     
Blue Water Marina, Newport Beach
     
    Except for the well-lit building on the knoll, darkness had enveloped the small marina. Michael slipped on his leather gloves and strolled up to the clubhouse’s main entrance. As an afterthought, he turned the knob––it was unlocked. Strange . He stepped into the bright lobby with its blue marble floors. Is the security guard somewhere inside? A sign indicated the way