No Place for Vengeance Read online

  NO PLACE FOR VENGEANCE

  (MURDER IN THE KEYS: BOOK #3)

  JADEN SKYE

  About Jaden Skye

  #1 bestselling author Jaden Skye is author of the bestselling romantic suspense series CARIBBEAN MURDER, which includes 16 books (and counting), and which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1), a free download!

  Jaden is also author of the romance series A PERFECT STRANGER.

  Jaden is also author of the new romantic suspense series MURDER IN THE KEYS, which begins with NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1).

  Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love. Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!

  Books by Jaden Skye

  THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES

  DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)

  DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)

  DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)

  DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)

  DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)

  DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)

  DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)

  DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)

  DEATH BY DEVOTION (Book #9)

  DEATH BY BETRAYAL (Book #10)

  DEATH BY REQUEST (Book #11)

  DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT (Book #12)

  DEATH BY SEDUCTION (Book #13)

  DEATH BY TEMPTATION (Book #14)

  DEATH BY INVITATION (Book #15)

  DEATH BY WEDDING (Book #16)

  THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA

  A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)

  MURDER IN THE KEYS

  NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1)

  NO PLACE TO VANISH (Book #2)

  NO PLACE FOR VENGEANCE (Book #3)

  NO PLACE FOR MARRIAGE (Book #4)

  THE KILLING GAME

  INVITATION TO DIE (Book #1)

  INVITATION TO MADNESS (Book #2)

  INVITATION TO AGONY (Book #3)

  Tap here to download Jaden Skye books now!

  Copyright © 2017 by Jaden Skye

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

  Jacket image Copyright De Visu and By I_B, used under license from shuitterstock.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  CHAPTER ONE

  Olivia stood proudly at her graduation ceremony, palms sweating, eager to receive her license as a certified private detective. After six months of intensive training, she could hardly believe she was done, ready to go out into the world. The training had been a whirlwind experience. She’d learned how to shoot, become an expert in self-defense, and learned how to ruthlessly track down a criminal.

  Standing here at the ceremony in Florida, Olivia smiled broadly. The day was sunny, clear, and breezy. Dressed in a crisp linen suit, in her early thirties with her long, blonde hair around her shoulders, Olivia felt on top of the world. Who would have ever thought it would have come to this? Just half a year ago, she’d had a cushy job in publishing in Manhattan and was about to become engaged to Todd. Now she stood here ruggedly, on her own, about to embark on an entirely new phase of her life. This had been totally unplanned and unexpected—and yet it felt completely right.

  Olivia’s mother and twin sister had been horrified when they’d learned what she planned to do. They complained about it constantly, but there was no way they could stop her. Her father, Blake, had been somewhat more accepting. He must have realized that Todd’s sudden murder in Key West, right after their engagement, had been traumatic for Olivia and that was what had prompted her decision.

  “Olivia Wells.” As the head of the program called out her name, she walked up to receive both her certificate and her license to carry. Olivia heard scattered applause in the room as she accepted the papers proudly and walked back to her seat.

  “You’ve all done wonderfully,” he went on, after all the certificates had been handed out. “You are now embarking upon important work, helping to maintain order and justice in a world that has gone awry.”

  Scattered applause rang out again. Olivia bowed her head briefly. She knew one thing for certain: her own personal world had definitely gone awry, and she desperately needed to set it straight once again.

  *

  After the ceremony, Olivia went back to her new apartment in Key West. It was large and airy, on the first floor of a small apartment building in the center of town, and Olivia planned to use half of the apartment to live in, and the other half as the office for her newly formed company: Olivia Wells Private Investigations.

  Her apartment had two separate entrances. One led directly to the office, the other to Olivia’s personal quarters. Although the building was easily accessible to the public, it was also next to a gaggle of trees and ponds. Fortunately, Olivia’s personal quarters overlooked the trees and ponds. It was a unique arrangement and Olivia was grateful for it.

  As soon as she arrived home, Olivia promptly hung the shingle she’d prepared on the front door. Olivia Wells, Private Investigator was boldly engraved on the wooden plank for all the world to see.

  Olivia took a step back and smiled as she looked at it. The shingle lifted her spirits but also made her nervous at the same time. Was she being presumptuous to undertake this alone? She’d find out soon enough, she thought.

  Olivia walked inside to her personal quarters and opened the door to the main sitting room. The wicker sofa she’d just purchased a few days before stood happily against the far wall. Upholstered in a beautiful, colorful pattern, it was also comfortable to sit in. Above the sofa hung photos of Olivia and Todd. They would serve as a reminder of what had happened, she thought, and keep her motivated when she hit rough sailing.

  The rest of the apartment was decorated simply, with plants, a few side chairs, and lightweight tables and lamps. The bedroom had a cheerful yellow, flowered bedspread and pillows, wi
th photos of friends and family on display. It would only be a matter of time, Olivia thought, before the place would really feel like home.

  Olivia sat down on a chair across from the couch and looked up at the photos of her and Todd. It was almost as if he were here with her now, keeping an eye on everything. Since Todd’s death Olivia’s life had been a whirlwind. Not only had she been responsible for solving his murder, but she’d attracted lots of attention in the news. After that, Olivia had returned briefly to Manhattan but couldn’t stay in her apartment or job any longer. Fortunately, a call quickly came to come back down to Florida to work on a new case.

  After Olivia had solved the second case, her name was blasted over the news once again. People began contacting her. Realizing how much she enjoyed the work, Olivia decided to train to do this work thoroughly and professionally. She’d also decided to move down to Key West.

  Olivia stared at the photo of Todd. To her surprise the usual lurch of pain she felt when she looked at it wasn’t there any longer. Both the passage of time and her decision to throw herself completely into a new direction had eased her feelings.

  Olivia got up and walked into the section of the apartment designated as her office. That room was larger and more formal. A big wooden desk stood in the center with chairs across from it. On the walls were photos of sailboats, the ocean, sunsets, and other pictures of Key West.

  Olivia walked over to her desk gingerly, ran her hands across the top of it, and wondered. Would this really work? During the months she’d been in training, she hadn’t been in the public eye. Would anyone actually call and hire her to work on a case? She’d put an announcement about the opening of her business in the papers and online. But no one had contacted her. By now, Olivia had friends and acquaintances in the police department down in Key West, but she hadn’t heard from them, either.

  Olivia sat at her desk, feeling engulfed at the silence. She checked her email and her voicemail: nothing.

  She stared at her desk phone, willing it to ring, willing someone to contact her.

  But all that came was a deep silence. She sat there, staring at it, and could hear her clock tick.

  Would this really work? She only had so much money left, and if it didn’t, she’d have to return home—the last thing she wanted to do.

  Olivia finally stood, needing to get out of the office. She decided to go for a walk on the charming, winding streets of Key West she’d grown to love.

  Anything to take her mind off of her worry for her future.

  *

  The afternoon was balmy with a soft breeze blowing and Olivia walked slowly, stopping at one shop and then another, gazing at their wares. She looked at handmade jewelry, pottery, tie-dyed shirts and scarves and flowing dresses. Olivia enjoyed the naturalness and ease of Key West and easily smiled and chatted with all the different kinds of people who were working in the stores.

  As she walked out of a shop, Olivia suddenly heard her name being called.

  “Is that you, Olivia?” a male voice sounded behind her.

  Olivia turned around. To her complete surprise, there stood Wayne, a detective on the police force. He was dressed in khaki pants and an open, blue shirt, with his sandy hair ruffled as usual. Wayne had worked closely with Olivia when Todd had been killed and helped with her second case as well.

  “Wayne?” Olivia was delighted.

  He smiled broadly.

  “I’ve been wondering how you’ve been doing,” he said. “I heard over the grapevine that you were taking PI training.”

  Olivia smiled. What grapevine was that? She had no idea anyone knew about it.

  “That’s right,” she said cheerfully. “In fact, I’ve just gotten my license.”

  He beamed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Olivia had actually been avoiding Wayne after moving down here. She needed time by herself to recover from Todd’s death. If Todd’s sudden death had taught her anything, it was how important it was to be able to stand on your own.

  Time had passed now, though, and it was fun seeing Wayne again.

  She blushed, not knowing what to say.

  Wayne softened.

  “We have to celebrate,” he said.

  That surprised her. She thought he’d be angry with her. And Olivia felt surprisingly relaxed being with him. She smiled.

  “Let’s grab a cup of coffee, and toast to the occasion.” He grinned boyishly.Actually, the timing couldn’t be more perfect, Olivia thought. Her whole life, she had always said no, had kept her guard up. Maybe now was a time to say yes. To take a chance.

  “I’d love it,” she replied.

  Wayne turned toward the outdoor café at the end of the block. “How’s that?” he asked.

  “Let’s go,” she said.

  As they walked side by side to the corner it felt as though no time had passed since they’d seen each other. The café on the corner was mostly empty at this hour, and Wayne and Olivia got seats outside under the huge palm tree that overhung that spot. Tiny birds flew in and out of the branches as they sat down.

  Wayne ordered two cappuccinos and they looked at each other for a long moment. Olivia enjoyed the light breeze blowing on her face.

  “You look wonderful,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she said. “So do you.”

  “You’ve come a long way since last time I saw you,” Wayne continued. “And now you’re a licensed private investigator, to boot.”

  “If I’m going to do this work, I have to do it right.”

  “Yes, you do,” Wayne agreed. “It definitely can be tricky. But it’s a big commitment. What made you decide to go all the way?”

  “Todd,” said Olivia. “Something like that changes you forever.”

  He fell quiet.

  “It absolutely does,” Wayne agreed.

  “I can’t go back to being the person I was,” she said. “So I decided, if I can’t go back,

  I may as well go forward. There’s not much else I can do now, anyway. This work is holding me in its grip.”

  Wayne nodded thoughtfully. “It’s like that for many of us,” he said softly as waiter brought their cappuccinos.

  Olivia raised the warm, sweet beverage to her mouth and savored it slowly.

  “Where do you live now?” Wayne asked, curiously. “Where exactly did you hang your shingle?”

  Olivia realized how out of touch she’d been. “Right here in Key West, a few blocks away!”

  “Really?” Wayne was startled. “You’ve moved down here for good?”

  “For now,” said Olivia.

  Wayne seemed to take it all in.

  “What kind of cases are you looking for now?” he went on.

  “I’ll take whatever comes along,” said Olivia.

  “Good attitude,” Wayne replied.

  “How are you doing, Wayne?” Olivia asked.

  “Same as usual,” he answered. “Working hard. More and more involved with restorative justice programs, too.”

  Olivia remembered that restorative justice had been a long-term interest of Wayne’s. She wondered who the people he met were, also wanted to meet them.

  “I’d like to tell you more about it someday,” Wayne commented.

  “I’d love to hear about it,” Olivia answered.

  Wayne drank his full cup of cappuccino quickly then and stood to leave. “Unfortunately, I have to run now to an appointment, though. How about making a date for dinner tonight, so we can really get into details?”

  She was about to answer, when suddenly her phone rang.

  “Olivia Wells?” a male voice on the other end boomed harshly.

  “Yes?” asked Olivia.

  “This is Chief of Police Mike Frande from the Key Largo Department,” he continued. “I don’t know if you’ve heard yet about what’s going on here?”

  “No I haven’t,” breathed Olivia.

  Wayne gestured to her that he had to run but would be in touch, and she waved back to him. She felt bad no
t having a chance to finish their conversation, but this call was too important.

  “It’s all over the news,” the chief replied.

  “What is?”

  “We’ve got a missing person case and need all the help we can get. A young woman just disappeared during a tour deep into the Everglades. There’s not a second to waste.”

  Olivia breathed sharply. “The Everglades?”

  “She and her husband were staying at a hotel in Key Largo, celebrating their anniversary. We’re calling you because we’ve heard about your work down here with missing persons. We’d like to hire you. Can you come up right away? We’ll get a room in a hotel in Key Largo for you and discuss other arrangements when you arrive.”

  Olivia was elated to have her first job. Yet also worried for the missing girl.

  “I’ll leave immediately,” replied Olivia, her heart beating fast.

  “Good.” His voice grew more forceful. “We’ll be waiting for you.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Olivia hurried back to her apartment. A case already—she couldn’t believe it. How had this happened so fast?

  She dashed into her bedroom, yanked her suitcase out of the closet, and opened one bureau drawer after another. Then she tossed what she needed into the suitcase. For a moment she stopped, thought about the case, and shuddered. A young woman was missing in the Everglades! How could anyone possibly survive in a place like that for long?

  Olivia grabbed her suitcase and flew outside to her car, which was waiting in the parking lot behind her building. She had to get there immediately.

  The drive up to Key Largo would take about two hours, Olivia thought, as she made her way to Overseas Highway One. The highway, one of the world’s great scenic drives, went from Key West straight up to Key Largo. It was the best way to go. Known as the magic carpet, it ran along Florida’s mainland and crossed endless coral and limestone islets through the various Keys. The highway also crossed many bridges along the way, which connected one gorgeous island with the next.