Piratessa

By H. Schussman

Wealthy and lonely millionaire, Jim Blair is dazzled by Lesley’s sexy sweet smile... he coaxes her onto his yacht for a weekend getaway to explore the coast of Costa Rica.

They disappear.

Don Cummings, PI extraordinaire, takes the case. He teams up with a Costa Rican bodyguard, Craig Lundvall. Don is methodical. Craig is paranoid. It will take both to stop the series of disappearances that follow.

A black widow story set in the high-stakes world of yachting and billionaire playboys, PIRATESSA is a detective story of intrigue and lust. It is also a subtle love story, as Craig must choose between the voices in his head and the voice of the woman he loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: H. Schussman
• Release date: Sep 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215586440

H. Schussman

Heidi Schussman Gilbert was born in a small Northern California coastal town to a police officer and a mother who gave up med school to raise a family. She was raised to think on her feet and view adventure as way of life. She starting shooting when she was five years old, and continues to practice her marksmanship. Schussman began working when she was eleven years old, starting her first business when she was thirteen selling flower arrangements at a flea market. Now Schussman's favorite past-time is traveling with her husband of thirty-five years. Travel for H. Schussman is usually a cultural immersion, actually living with families in Spanish speaking countries or in Italy and Portugal. When in the tropics, they SCUBA dive every chance they get. The rest of Schussman's time is divided between gardening, exercise, and of course writing. She carefully researches weaponry and police/military intervention. Schussman believes research is a critical component of writing conspiracy theory. All good conspiracies are based on solid facts… that is what makes them believable. H. Schussman has published five conspiracy novels. COUNTERPART is a complex Russian conspiracy. This is the introduction of the popular characters, Sean and Sport. These two captured the hearts of readers, so EL TIBURON brings them back by request. EL TIBURON is a conspiracy set in Central America, mostly Guatemala. A group of teens on a mission trip to Colombia find themselves in THE CROSSFIRE OF REVENGE. Then Schussman gives us SAVE THE GIRLS as the backstory on the beloved character, Sean McGee, as he rescues girls from human trafficking and prostitution. Her most recent book in this crime series, PIRATESSA, is a black-widow story set amongst the billionaire playboys in the yachting community of Costa Rica. H. Schussman interviewed and wrote the biography for a rocket engineer legend, Clay Boyce—BRINGING APOLLO HOME. His life leading up to being a chief engineer on the Apollo Program and beyond are written in a fast-paced story-telling style. Last year Schussman turned her hand to writing a romantic comedy with a criminal element, of course. THE TATTERED BOOK answers the question; What would happen if the main character in a book fell in love with the reader? She claims this was the most difficult book to write to date, however she is now writing the sequel; THE SECOND TATTERED BOOK. H. Schussman also writes two blogs: A Dashing Bold A...

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PIRATESSA

Published and Written by H. Schussman at Smashwords

Third Edition 5/22/2017

Copyright 2011 H. Schussman

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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CHAPTER PROLOGUE

The ocean shimmered around the Costa Rican marina. Papagayo was packed with yacht owners and marina groupies hoping for a free cruise.

Jim Blair, a retired middle-aged attorney, was seated at a cafe table. He watched his lunch date's face. His look turned lustful as he put a hand on Lesley's bare knee. She was young and gorgeous, and classier than most. He was having a hard time believing she was actually with him, but he wasn't willing to question it. She was pretty and clearly interested in him… that was enough for now.

Jim was a loner and always had been. Other than a nephew and a couple of sailing buddies in Carmel, he was cut off from the world, but being rich and decent looking with a yacht drew women in like moths to a flame. The problem was he was a serious and reserved guy, so it never took long for the girls to become bored with him. Or vice versa.

A bartender stopped to take their order. Lesley asked for a glass of white wine. Before the guy walked away, he cast a cynical eye between the two.

Around thirty, Lesley was slim, muscular, and a good twenty-five years younger than Jim. Her lips curved up at the corners as she turned to him. Lesley suddenly looked shy at his intense stare. Her shoulders rounded forward protectively. What?

Nothing, I just think you're gorgeous, he said as he caressed her knee.

She glanced down, shaking her head. I think you're blind. Her straight, silky brown hair slid forward, blocking her face from his view… but she didn't pull her knee away.

"So, I’m thinking of taking the yacht, Desire, south. Could you get time off work to go with me?"

Lesley looked up with a comically hopeful look on her face. I'd love to go. The art gallery is closing for a week, so I’m off.

Jim leaned back as he felt masculine pride wash through his blood. Starting when?

I’m not sure. I’ll text my boss and ask. She rapidly typed into her smart phone and slipped it in her pocket. So, where’re we going?

Let’s just head down to the end of the Nicoya Peninsula. We can anchor in the little bay at Montezuma. Jim laughed when she clapped her hands excitedly. She was the center of masculine attention from nearby tables, yet she didn't appear to notice.

He knew she loved yachting. They'd met here, at Marina Papagayo. She spent most of her free time down at the docks with all of the other boating junkies. Her dark tan, slender shape and amber eyes made her the center of attention wherever she went, but she didn’t seem to notice. Now she stayed close to him, which surprised Jim. The twenty-five-year difference in age didn’t bother Lesley. Though he didn’t care how old she was, he didn't like the idea of being labeled a cradle robber either.

Lesley stood and pointed to the bathroom. Excuse me.

As she walked away, Jim pulled out his cell and texted his buddy, Steve; Going away for the weekend with a hot little babe. Jim smiled as he read the reply; Send photos!

His thumbs flew as he typed; Lesley's camera-shy. Here's one I managed to get. It's not a great shot, but you'll get the idea. He attached a photo of Lesley wearing khaki shorts and a bikini top. She was wiping down his yacht with a towel. The name, Desire, was visible on the hull.

Steve's reply popped up, Be careful. They had a couple go missing down there.

Jim grunted and rolled his eyes.

When Lesley cut back through the bar, she had eyes only for him. The shop will close on Monday for a week. Is that too soon? she asked as she sat down.

That’ll work.

Her expression suddenly became serious. She laid her hand on his arm. I don't want anyone to know I'm going with you, okay?

Jim raised a brow. I guess so. Why?

I don't want people talking about me—calling me a gold digger, she said as she looked pleadingly into his eyes.

Jim nodded, but decided to not mention what he’d just texted Steve. That wouldn’t matter.

CHAPTER ONE

Three weeks later a car chugged up a steep jungle road in Montezuma, Costa Rica. It pulled into the gravel driveway cut through the jungle, ending in front of a bungalow style house.

Monkeys and birds chattered loudly as Craig Lundvall watched from a mango tree. He squatted on a branch like some sort of primitive man with his greyish-blonde dreadlocks hanging down his darkly tanned back.

He recognized them. Elders from town. What could they possibly want with me?

They went to the front door and knocked. They were men he respected, but the voices in his head told him not to trust them. Craig tried to shut out the constant internal dialogue and think. Shut up, he whispered fiercely.

Edgar and Paulo looked around nervously. The jungle was quiet at this intrusion.

Craig didn't move from his perch. He looked a little crazy as he blinked hard a couple of times. He shook his head abruptly. Shut up! he repeated.

When no one answered the front door, the men circled around the yard. They were walking cautiously, looking around the perimeter. They'd heard about Craig, that he was an American Marine with mental issues. People said he was crazy like a fox. Others said he’s just crazy. They also said he had friends in the CIA.

Edgar called out, Craig? He jumped in surprise when Craig swung down from the tree, landing on the soft grass directly in front of him... without a sound.

Craig held out his hand politely, as though he'd just stepped into a business office. Edgar recovered and shook Craig's hand.

What can I do for you? Craig asked.

Edgar struggled to hide his nervousness as he answered, We haven’t formally met. I’m Edgar, this is Paulo.

Mucho gusto. Craig waved a hand towards the patio furniture.

Once seated, Craig leaned back in his chair and waited. His bare torso glistened with sweat from the oppressive humidity.

Edgar cleared his throat. Did you hear about the missing couple out of Papagayo—three weeks ago?

Craig shook his head.

The man's American friend hired a detective to find him, Edgar continued.

Craig didn't respond. He looked from one man to the other with his startlingly blue eyes. He couldn't fathom why they were there. Paulo worked for Cabo Blanco, the national park west of Montezuma. Craig had seen him there when wandering through the park. Edgar was basically the mayor. They both played soccer.

Edgar kept his eyes on Craig as he encouraged his companion, Tell him, Paulo.

Paulo's eyes darted nervously at Craig before he looked away. Well, there's a big boat, not a pleasure yacht, hanging around Cabo Blanco. There's a couple of guys usually on the deck. They go north and come back every few days. I think I’ve seen a woman on deck, but I didn’t have my binoculars up in time.... Paulo trailed off at Craig's stare.

Craig lifted both palms up. I don't understand why you're here. What does this have to do with me? He turned his attention on Edgar.

Edgar cleared his throat again, wishing he was elsewhere. We could use some advice.

Advice?... from me? Craig asked incredulously.

Both men looked at each other, hoping the other would speak first. Edgar, cringing under Craig's piercing stare, answered, Well, you're a bodyguard, and uh, you're more experienced with military and police work—Montezuma isn't exactly a hot-bed of criminal activity.

Some stoner may occasionally steal a backpack or purse to get some cash, but we don't have people disappearing in fancy yachts, Paulo added.

Edgar took over, You have friends who are in the CIA, so you could ask them what to do.

Tell the Fuerza Policia, or the DIS, Craig suggested. The DIS being the Costa Rican version of the CIA.

Monkeys began chattering overhead. Clouds pressed down with a potential downpour.

We have. We just want a different viewpoint. A different angle. Edgar asked, What do you think is going on?

Craig shrugged. Maybe they're still cruising—having a wonderful, romantic time.

Edgar looked frustrated at Craig's lack of cooperation. Okay. What else?

With no emotion, Craig answered, "Kidnapped, murdered... or