Living in the Islands

By Russell Clark

Living in the Islands on a sailboat turns steamy when Brad agrees to transport stolen treasure and its beautiful owner becomes his first mate.
In St. Martin, a burgeoning business is created against an idyllic backdrop of white sand beaches, aquamarine waters, and majestic palms. When an armed robber threatens the success of the business launch, the gorgeous entrepreneur risks her life as bait to stop him.
Ben Carlisle is back and romance is alive when he joins his friends living in St. Martin. Island life prevails where basking in the Caribbean sun on the island's inviting beaches is a requirement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Islandtude Tropical Adventures
• Release date: Nov 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662920288

Book preview

ONE

IT WAS 8:00 p.m. in the Maho area of Sint Maarten. Two motorcycles in the steady flow of vehicles passed the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and the site of the closed down Cheri’s Café, before parking two storefronts away from the jewelry store. Not many pedestrians were milling around as most diners in the nearby restaurants were seated during the last hour. An expected uptick in shoppers would begin as diners completed their meals, resuming their browsing in the stores open until 10:00 p.m. Only a few vehicles were making their way to the small parking garage entrance across the street.

Inside the jewelry store, the manager and two of his long-time clerks were on duty. The lone shopper was Michele, the girlfriend of Gregorio Harrington, the most powerful man in Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin.

Good evening, how might I help you? We have many beautiful pieces just for you, and if you’re looking for something special for the man in your life, may I direct you over here?

He pointed to a long display counter.

As a matter of fact, I am looking for a man’s watch. My special friend’s birthday is still over a month away, but I want to get some ideas. I want to look, but don’t think I’ll be buying anything tonight.

The manager stepped closer to Michele, grinning broadly.

Well then, let me show you what we have. Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and the ever-popular Rolex line. I’m sure there is something here your man will love. No pressure, we never hurry our customers. But when you see that perfect watch, I’ll give you my very best price. I invite you to shop elsewhere, compare, and you’ll be back. And when you do, your watch will be here ready for you.

Meanwhile, outside the jewelry store, the two young motorcycle riders dismounted, removed their helmets, and placed them on their bikes. The two conferred, then looked at the sparse flow of tourists window shopping, with a few ducking in the stores along the way. They watched the policeman, who had been standing on the street corner, cross the street and disappear inside the parking garage while making his rounds.

One rider, a sixteen-year-old already in a man’s body at 6’ 2" and 195 pounds, turned toward the jewelry store, an empty backpack strapped to his body. His brother, two years his senior, stood an inch shorter but ten pounds heavier. Placing the tan Panama hat on his head, he followed his younger brother as they casually walked toward the jewelry store.

As Michele leaned over the display counter to get a better look at the watches presented by the manager, the door chime sounded as the younger brother opened the door slightly and peered inside. Presenting himself as a young shopper and catching the manager’s attention, the manager glanced up before continuing to press forward with his sales presentation to Michele. The two clerks turned their attention to the young man, smiling their greeting. He walked inside and moved toward the two middle-aged ladies as his brother remained just outside the closing door.

How may we help you? We have some beautiful pieces for you to look at. Are you shopping for yourself, or is there a lucky young lady you’d like to impress?

Yeah, I’m here for myself.

He took a step closer to the women, but remained in the center of the room, well away from the display counters.

The manager paused in his presentation to Michele, looking up at the young man, who did not sound like a typical nervous young shopper. It was then that the face mask appeared and quickly slid in place. A small gun materialized.

I don’t got much time. Nobody needs to get hurt. All you gotta do is load everything in this display case in the backpack. He moved two steps closer and shoved the backpack into the face of the nearer clerk.

Now, while she loading up for me, you two step out from behind the counter and join this beautiful lady. And you, Shopping Lady, you like that watch you holding, you keep it. It’s a gift from me.

The clerk not scraping jewelry into the backpack stepped from behind the counter to stand beside Michele. The manager, instead of moving as ordered, hesitated, standing his ground.

You, get out here now. You wanting to die right here, right now. Get your sorry ass over here before I pull this trigger.

The manager slowly began moving toward the end of the counter as his associate emptied the case of expensive necklaces and rings into the backpack. The door remained closed, the older brother standing just outside, inhibiting any would-be shoppers by blocking the door.

The manager finally worked his way to the other side of the counter. Standing rigidly beside Michele, his face became a glaring challenge to the young robber.

You haven’t gone too far yet, young man. If you put your gun down and allow my associate to empty the backpack, you can simply be on your way. If you don’t, you won’t get away. You’ll be arrested and will spend a long time in jail. I don’t think you want that.

You right. I don’t want that. Lady, now hand me my backpack. I’ll be leaving now.

The associate held the backpack out in front of her, not knowing what to do. The young robber snatched it away and buckled it on his back.

You don’t want to make that mistake. I’m asking you again to leave the jewelry here.

Mister Manager, you seem like you got too much energy. You wanting to be a hero. I tell you get out here, and you stand like you can’t walk. You be talking pretending like you trying to help me. Well, it’s my turn to help you. If you think you can’t walk out here when told, I’ll make it real. This will give you something to think about. And, you won’t have to decide if you should follow me out that door.

He pointed his gun at the manager and two shots sounded in rapid succession, piercing the feet of the manager, who yelled out in pain as he fell to the floor. The young robber removed his mask as he pushed out the door. His brother, who had moved back to his bike still sporting the fedora, removed it in favor of his helmet. The two brothers motored out of sight at high speed, with no intervention by police and before anyone reacted to the sound of gun shots.

Wanting to get help, Michele rushed out of the store toward the parking garage where she saw a security officer. She flagged him down, frantically relayed what had just happened, then ran after the policeman back into the store. The manager lay semi-conscious with one of the associates hovering over him. Michele knelt down by the fallen manager, comforting him until the ambulance arrived and rushed him to the hospital.

I’ll need to record your statements, began the officer to Michele and the two clerks. The store was closed, the two associates awaiting their turns to be interviewed, as Michele was led to a back room for questioning.

Can you identify the man who robbed the store?

No, I was shopping for a watch when he entered the store. I glanced up when he came in but really didn’t pay any attention to him, thinking he was just another customer. When it was apparent to me that he was there to rob the store, he had already put on a mask.

Can you give me a general description?

Tall, probably over six feet. Not fat, not thin. He was wearing jeans, a dark t-shirt and a backpack. The jewelry he stole was in the backpack.

Was anyone with him?

I don’t know. Probably. As it was going down, there was a man outside the door. He never came in, so I didn’t really get a look at him.

Can you describe him, what he was wearing, anything about him that you saw?

Michele thought, but could not remember anything about the second man, as she had only seen him from behind but she did see his hat.

No, nothing, she lied, choosing to omit telling of the hat. After fifteen minutes of questioning, Michele was released to go home. She walked to her car and called Gregorio.

You’re not going to believe what just happened, she exclaimed when Gregorio answered. I was just part of a robbery. I mean, I was in the jewelry store in Maho when the place was robbed. It was awful, the robber pulled a gun, the store manager was shot, and the robber got away with stealing a bunch of jewelry.

Are you okay?

Yes, just shook up. It all happened so fast. I was fine when it was happening, but I’m shaking now that it’s over. I’ve never seen anybody get shot before.

I’ll come get you.

No, I’m fine. I’ll be okay. I’m back at my car and I’m getting back to normal.

Come on over, I’ll be waiting on you.

TWO

LEROY BROWN WAS back in St. Martin. Leroy, with the assistance of Gregorio, was able to leave undetected from Orient Beach six months earlier, with $25 million of diamonds in his possession aboard the sailboat Eclipse. Leroy loved his time in St. Martin, and especially his brief brush with clothes freedom on the St. Martin beach. He escaped the island when he swam naked from clothing optional Orient Beach to the waiting boat anchored in the protected bay. From Orient, he travelled a circuitous route, to the Dominican Republic, then Curacao, before a stop in the Bahamas. He purchased a small home under a fictitious name in the Bahamas on Crooked Island. He stowed the diamonds there, comfortable that the diamonds and any connection of them to him could not be discovered. Separated from the diamonds, he no longer concealed his whereabouts and was happily back in St. Martin.

Although he returned wanting to spend his days on Orient Beach in French St. Martin, he liked the idea of purchasing a home on the Dutch side of the island. It was his opinion that the Dutch side offered more stability and better tax treatment of potential gains than that of the French side. He considered the purchase of a villa for its privacy and security, but was eager to return and have a base on the island while continuing his search. He came upon the Royal Palm. Liking the location convenient to activities and restaurants, and that he would have no maintenance requirements as an owner, he was excited about making a purchase there. The positive feedback he received from Gregorio after asking his advice iced the deal. He purchased a two-bedroom, two-bath corner unit on the fourth floor.

Leroy’s ability to return to St. Maarten to make it his island home was heightened by the actions of his father almost two decades earlier. His father was one of five participants who successfully pulled off the world’s largest diamond heist in Antwerp, Belgium. The diamonds were never recovered by the authorities, and following the death of his father, Leroy came into possession of his father’s portion of the haul.

The mastermind of the heist was content with a pro-rata share of the confiscated diamonds. He disappeared with his stolen wealth, never to be heard from again, and presumably was living out his life in secrecy but in great luxury.

The other four participants of the heist maintained ongoing, although sporadic, contact with each other. When Leroy took possession of the $25 million of diamonds his father had held on to, the names and contact information of the other three were found along with the diamonds. The information was old, but Leroy was eventually able to establish contact with each of the other three robbers.

To finance living out his life in St. Martin, Leroy was ready to sell his diamonds. He notified the others in the heist who had maintained contact with his father. They had unloaded much of their original haul, but among the three, still possessed approximately $30 million of diamonds. Leroy had discussions with each, and they were all ready to offload their remaining diamonds. As Leroy had the largest amount of diamonds, and was also the youngest of the group by twenty years, he was chosen as the one to be the main operative in finding and coordinating with a buyer for the diamonds worth a total of $55 million.

Leroy called Gregorio.

Gregorio, I’m back in St. Maarten, and thanks to your recommendation, I’ve bought a small place at the Royal Palm. I could use your help.

Certainly, what do you need?

As the two men talked, Leroy explained his desire to find a buyer for the $55 million of diamonds. Gregorio promised to look into the possibility of a potential buyer among his wealthy contacts, and to keep Leroy updated in his search. Gregorio was encouraging that he could likely find a buyer.

Leroy was a high roller and was down to under $2 million in net worth outside of his diamonds. Selling the diamonds would allow Leroy to enjoy spending as he had become accustomed without working or relying on investing wisely. He trusted Gregorio, and would patiently wait to hear from him, hopefully with an identified eager buyer. Gregorio had prepared him that the diamonds would likely trade at a 20% discount. He would be very happy with $20 million for his portion of the sale proceeds.

After ending his call with Gregorio, Leroy made another call.

Hey there, Sylvie. This is Leroy Brown. How you doing today?

Well, hello Leroy. I’m doing well. What a great surprise to hear from you.

It’s great to talk to you again. I’ve bought a little place here at the Royal Palm. Thanks to you and your warm welcome when we met about six months ago, I really liked St. Maarten and decided to move here. I’m sitting at my place right now looking out over the beach.

That’s great. We’ll have to get together sometime.

We sure will, I’d love that. Even though I’m here at the Royal Palm, I’m planning to spend a lot of my days on Orient Beach. I’m guessing that’s still your hangout?

Yes, a day on Orient Beach is a very good day.

That’s for sure. And how is our favorite boat captain?

Brad is great, thanks for asking. We’re still spending a lot of time together. I’m here again at La Playa. I would like to buy something on the island but haven’t done it yet. I’m still trying to find the perfect place. Brad was feeling restless, so he went out on his sailboat. He’s sailing the Bahamas with Nassau as his base. Time on the sea is great therapy for him.

Well, other than enjoying talking with you, let me tell you why I called. You remember helping me before?

Six months earlier, Sylvie arranged for Leroy’s diamonds to be brought into St. Martin. The diamonds were delivered to Brad’s sailboat, and shortly thereafter, Sylvie and Leroy swam from the shore of Orient Bay where Leroy boarded the boat. Leroy, with his diamonds, sailed away from St. Martin with help from Brad and Sylvie. He successfully stowed the diamonds in Crooked Island before his whereabouts were once again known. He resumed his very visible life and, without possession of the diamonds, was not a target as before his escape from St. Martin.

I most definitely do. Is there something else I can help you with?

I’m hoping so. It’s too early to know for sure, but I’m hoping to sell the package you had delivered to me. I’ve called Gregorio as I am looking for a buyer. He thinks he’ll be able to help me. If he does, I might need your services again with a delivery to the new buyer. I don’t know for sure, I don’t have any idea where a buyer might be found, but I’m letting you know in case it turns out I could use your help.

That would be exciting. I’m happy to help. My friends who made the earlier delivery for you are scheduled to be on island in a couple of weeks. I’ll let them know there might be a new project. They expressed interest in participating if another project came up. If it turns out you could use them, they have a lot of flexibility with their schedules.

That’s great. I’ll be back in touch, hopefully soon. You have a great night and give my best to Brad when you talk to him.

There was nothing further for Leroy to do except wait. He would pass time on Orient Beach while he waited to hear good news from Gregorio.

THREE

BEN’S MONEY MANAGEMENT firm, Wealth Management International, was approaching the six months anniversary of its opening. His company was experiencing very profitable growth due to the skillful talents of Ben, his trading assistant Tom, and his support staff. Ben was working more hours than when he worked for the insurance company, but was enjoying the work more as well as making more money. It made his decision to start his own investment company a very wise move.

Lauren surprised Ben after her graduation from law school. In addition to signing up for the South Carolina Bar Exam in July, she had also enrolled to sit for the Florida Bar. It was four consecutive days of test-taking, but she was now a member of both the Florida and South Carolina Bars. Lauren spent several weeks in Miami during her final preparation for the exams. After passing both Bars, she found an apartment in Miami and was soon hired by a large, prestigious Miami law firm.

Lauren was enjoying living and working in Miami. She worked long hours as a new law associate in the firm, while Ben worked even longer hours to maintain the success of his start-up venture. With limited free time, the two spent it almost exclusively with each other. They were both thriving upon each other’s support despite the minimal time they spent together. They made it a point to spend every Friday night together signifying that the work week was officially over. A late dinner on date night helped them solidify their commitment to their work and to each other.

On Friday night, Ben waited for Lauren to finish her workday as they planned to meet for dinner. He had made reservations for seven-thirty at their favorite taco restaurant. Once seated, they began to unwind from the long work week.

Lauren, in a few weeks it will be the six-month anniversary of my company. I’m thinking of taking a trip to combine work with pleasure. I’d like to go back to St. Martin to see some of my clients, but I also want to take a break and just have some fun. Do you think your firm would let you take vacation for a week or two?

I think so. I have a target of billable hours set for me as a new associate. I’m well ahead of target since being hired, and now that the hectic year-end demands are over, I think they’ll be fine with me taking a break. I’ll need to check emails while away and may have a little work pop up, but I should be for the most part able to enjoy some vacation time.

All right, let’s do it. I’m desperate to get away. I can justify the trip by calling on clients, and Tom can handle everything here while I’m gone. I’d also like to look at possibly buying a place there.

Where do you think we should stay?

We’ve stayed at Lubrique, I’ve been at the Royal Palm, and you’ve stayed at La Playa. I’d like to stay somewhere new. This is a new beginning for us. It would be fun to stay somewhere new for both of us.

I love Orient Beach. After dinner, let’s check out the places on Orient and pick one. Lauren paused, then continued. Hopefully the internet service will be good because we’ll both need that for work. How was the internet at the Royal Palm? I know you stayed there, but you haven’t been there with me. If we don’t feel good about the internet on Orient, I would be okay staying at the Royal Palm if the internet there is reliable.

The internet there was fine. Staying at the Royal Palm would be okay, I suppose, if we don’t decide on something at Orient. I know you love Orient Beach, and I do too. It would be nice to wake up and be on that beach, but it was also nice in Simpson Bay being so close to lots of restaurants and its night life. Wherever we stay will be fine, but I’d prefer something new to us, eliminating Lubrique, and with all that happened around La Playa, I think it would be better to have a fresh start away from there, too.

All right, we have a little time to figure it out. I’ll check at work first thing on Monday and see what the reaction is to me being away. I like the idea of proposing two weeks, where I agree to work remotely for part of the time. I know we’ll both be working some, so with work taking up some of the time, one week doesn’t seem like enough time away.

Lauren, anything to make you happy, Ben grinned. I’ll selflessly defer to your wishes. If you can swing it at work, let’s plan for two weeks. We’ll decide on where to stay before the weekend is up, and as soon as you get work clearance on Monday, we’ll make a reservation.

FOUR

MICHELE ARRIVED AT Gregorio’s house where he had been anxiously waiting for her. After her alarming phone call about the armed robbery at the jewelry store, he was worried about her well-being.

Oh, Gregorio, it was awful. Quick, but awful. She fell into him and welcomed his comforting hug.

That’s the third robbery in the Maho area in the last two weeks. It’s a shame. This is such a safe place, and now this is creating a taint on the whole island.

Michele pulled out of the hug with Gregorio still holding onto her arms and looking her tenderly in the eye. You look like you’ve made a nice recovery. Are you all right?

Yes, I’m fine. Now I’m feeling more mad than anything else.

I’m sorry. Do you know the jeweler? I’ll place a couple of calls and see how he’s doing.

I don’t know him, but I think he’ll be okay. He was shot twice, one bullet in each foot. The gunman was so cocky. I sure hope he’s caught soon.

There has already been an increase in security set up in the area. I’ll see what I can do to get more people on the job there. We need to get this stopped.

Gregorio, there’s more, and it really makes me mad.

What’s that?

I didn’t say anything when I was interviewed at the scene. One of the clerks may have mentioned it, though, or anybody walking by. The lookout for the creep robbing the jewelry store was wearing a hat.

Okay, but what do you think is significant about that?

If that gets reported, it will be the same as the first two robberies. One of the thugs was wearing a hat. And not just that, the hat is similar to the hat you wear a lot.

Do you think someone will confuse me for the robber? Make an ID saying it was me? You know how absurd that would be? Why would I, of all people on the island, need to resort to robbing jewelry stores? Nobody will believe it.

You’re right. I’m sure that won’t happen, but that’s not my concern. You’re always wearing a hat. Even people who don’t know you, recognize you because of your hat and want to have their picture taken with you. You’re the Hatman. You’re respected for what you’ve achieved, and with your fame, children want to look like you. They want to wear a hat like your hat. It was mentioned in the reporting of the first two robberies that one of the robbers was wearing a hat. If it’s reported again, it will not only be seen as something to look out for to prevent a possible crime, but the hat could become associated as a symbol of a common thief. Your wearing your hat could be tainted and seen as a negative. Why? Because one of the blasted robbers was wearing a hat just like yours!

I’m not sure a robber wearing a hat like mine is going to reflect negatively on me.

"It won’t reflect negatively on you. But when people see you and want to have their picture made with you, they’ll also be thinking about robbers and dangerous criminals wearing that hat. They’re not going to want to come up and be seen with you wearing a symbol of these awful robberies. People will keep their distance more, just at a time when you were beginning to be seen as strong and