-40-

Stella had split from the couple in hopes the Kook went for her. It worked for a bit until she ended up at the house alone with distant sounds of sirens.

"JJ Maybank we have a warrant for your arrest." Someone knocks on the door making her regret her plan.

"Okay breath..." Stella reminded herself before opening the door, "Hi officer." She plasters on her best smile.

"Where's JJ."

"Not here."

"Shoupe." The officer calls for him.

"Where are they Stella?" Shoupe sighs, clearly fed up with the group.

"Don't know." She shrugs. "Haven't seen them in days."

"Well I know that's not true because Ruthie's asked to press charges against you for wrecking their truck."

"Shock." Stella clicks her tongue.

"And for punching her." The other officer adds, as he pulls out cuffs.

"You know JJ's under arrest for murder."

"Murder? JJ? For who?"

"Hollis Robinson."

"Well Shoupe, what happened the last time one of my friends got framed for murder?" She asks as the other officer drags her to the car.

"Yeah well. We have a warrant. And I can't defend you this time." He nods to the cuffs..

"I know."

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

"All right, guys, we gotta boost a boat that can make it to Morocco." JJ explains, "Take your pick. We got a lot to choose from."

"What about that one?" Sarah asks.

"It's a flat hull. It's not gonna make it across the ocean. Also, they break down all the time."

"Hey, that's Rafe's new boat. It's nice." Kiara says.

"I'd be with you on that one." John B agrees, "but the reality is it's not going to make it across the ocean either. It's not big enough. Groff would nab the crown before we were halfway to Morocco."

"What about this baby right here?"

"You know that's like a £2 million boat." Pope tells JJ.

"It's pretty."

"Big engine."

"I think that's the one."

"You know, we could all go to jail for taking a boat like that."

"Pope, you're gonna go to jail for things you already did." Celos says.

"Nothing to worry about. We're just gonna borrow it." JJ says, jumping onto it, "Now do we bother trying to contact Stella?"

"Yes!" The girls exclaim.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

"Come on." An officer who Stella didn't recognise unlocked her cell-

"What?"

"You've been bailed."

"What?"

"You're free to go." The officer says slowly.

"By who?" She asks, following them, "Who would- oh.... hi."

"Hi. Hey. Listen, we don't have much time." Rafe grabs her arms, "So you can thank me later or whatever but we gotta go now."

"Okay? But I'm not thanking you."

"Of course you're not."

"Where are we going?"

"Hurry up." He takes her hand and ushers her towards the docks. 

"Isn't that Barry's boat?" Stella asks.

"Yeah... yeah we traded."

"Why?"

"You'll see in a bit, now get on."

"Wait, wait." She stops just in front of it, Rafe turns to her with an annoyed look.

"Ettie we don't have time."

"Im not getting on until you explain."

Rafe bites down on her lip, letting out a huff, "Okay. Okay, basically Groff killed Hollis and he took off with my money. "

"And he framed JJ for it. That son of a bitch." Stella mutters. 

"Yeah blame the pogues. Whatever. It works every time... anyway unless I catch up with Groff now, that money is long gone. And I know where he is."

"How?"

"You'll see. Im gonna track him down, and im gonna... im gonna get it all back, and... and before I took off, I wanted to- well I didn't realise I'd have to bail you out first and now we don't have as much time but... I wanted to say something."

"Do you know where they are?" Stella asks, not paying attention to what he was saying. 

"Who?"

"JJ and the others. Shoupe was looking for them last night, and knowing them they're probably... Rafe, we gotta go find them. So say what you want to say on that boat."

"Oh so now you're in a rush?" 

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

"Hey!" Rafe yells out, walking down the beach towards the group. 

"What the hell?" Shoupe mutters as they all look a the two of them.

"Im just here to save everyone's asses, okay?"

Stella rolls her eyes.

"Shoupe, I gotta talk to you. You're missing a part of this picture."

"Hey. Hey, stay back! Stay back!"

"Jesus christ!" Rafe holds up his arms, "What are you gonna do, shoot me?"

Stella lets out a chuckle, directing Shoupe's attention to her, "I thought you were arrested?"

"Bailed." She nods at Rafe.

"You're looking for Chandler Groff, yeah?" Rafe asks Shoupe.

"Maybe."

"Groff was scamming with Hollis this entire time, all right? If you ask me, it was probably Groff that killed her, not..." Rafe gestures to JJ.

"JJ." Stella fills in the gap, "What did I tell you Shoupe? They always get the blame."

"Did you already think that? Yeah, Groff probably killed Genrette too. And that body... the body in the dunes? You got that on Groff? Listen, you can bring these lowlifes in for some vandalism, disturbing the peace bullshit or you can get the big fish. These guys know where Groff is."

Shoupe turns to the Pogues, "Yeah? Where is he?"

"Out of your jurisdiction, Shoupe."

"Try out the country."

"We were on our way to go get him then you showed up."

"In that?" Shoupe points to the sinking Sheriff's boat.

"No." Rafe shakes his head, "in that." He points to Barry's tuna boat. "They know where he is, and I can get them there, all right, but they can't do shit if they're all locked up."

"Is that why you bailed  her out? Jeez I thought you had standards Stella?"

"Shoupe." Stella gasps.

"I tell you what here's what we're gonna do. You come with me, tell us where Groff is, and I guarantee it, we'll go easy on you. Hell, your charges may disappear. Quid pro quo, you ever heard of that?"

"Yup." Stella mutters.

"Just like you did when I was framed for murder I didn't commit?" John B asks.

"Think about it. Hollis, dead. Genrette, dead. Downtown's trashed.You're on the chopping block."

JJ makes eye contact with Stella and winks.

"Okay, I hear what they are saying about you. You're gonna lose your job. it' s game over man. Unless you bring the killer to justice all by your lonesome. So what's it gonna be? I mean some bullshit charges on these low-rent Pogues who didn't do shit?"

"He's got a point." Cleo pipes up.

"Or you solve the crime of the century. And you save your job."

"You know, you're sounding a lot like your old man."

"Don't get him excited." Stella pats Rafe's chest.

"That's not a compliment." Shoupe corrects. "Now I' m getting concreted by another friggin' Cameron here?"

"When we get back and you got Groff locked up, I'll tell you what happened last summer on the runway. When you found me out there on the tarmac? The real deal, right? I know you wanna know."

"You wanna know what I want to know? I wanna know about another little runway incident from a while back. How about that? "

Rafe steps back, taking a moment, "All I'm saying is that all this would look really good for an elected official in the hot seat. You know? Get it all wrapped up in one package."

"How about this?" John B walks up to them, "We find Groff, call you. He's all yours."

"Come on Shoupe... "

"I eat shit either way. All right. Yeah, you're welcome. Go on . Get out of here." He looks at Rafe, "If you hurt her Rafe. "

Rafe holds his hands up defensively , "Not worried about my feelings I guess?" He asks before turning to catch up with the others. 

"Arrested?" JJ cocks an eyebrows at Stella as they get on the boat.

"Fucking Ruthie." Stella sighs.

"And what? Crazy kook bailed you out?"

"Be grateful. Otherwise I'd have missed this." She gestures to the surroundings.

"What about Rafe?" Pope asks, "We know what he did to the cross. And now we want to go after the crown with him? That makes zero sense."

"It doesn't take Pope to figure that part out." Cleo says.

"Sarah, he's your family, how do we deal with Rafe?"

"I don't know. I really have no idea." She looks over at Stella.

"All right, well it seems like we're stuck on this boat with him. So we gotta talk to him?"

"Talk to Rafe?" JJ asks.

"Well, you're definitely not talking to him."

"Oh i'm not dong it, right. Okay what did i do now?"

"Look it just might be easier if we handle it okay" Kiara tells him. "You might trigger him, and that's like the last thing we need."

"Just send Stella in. That's the easiest option." JJ motions. "The only thing that she will trigger is his-"

"JJ!" Stella warns. "Just stay sat there, and drink your drink."

"Hey." John B knocks before walking in. "Just wanna talk."

"All right, let's talk."

"We're on a long trek, so let's just..."

"All right, just so you know..." Rafe pulls out a gun.

"Rafe?! Seriously." Stella exhales as she and the others walk in.

"It's a peacemaker, all right? You guys be cool, I'll be cool."

"So now you want peace?" Pope asks.

"I just saved all your asses, how about a thank you?" Rafe asks. "You know, no good deed goes unpunished. It'll be just like in Barbados..., right Ettie?"

"What? Am I gonna have to listen to your victim story again?"

Rafe shoots her a look, "Okay, here's the situation, all right? I don't want any part of your little fairy tale treasure hunt bullshit. Im just looking for Groff. I get you to North Africa, you get me to Groff. Deal?" He looks at John B.

"We want the same thing."

JJ clears his throat, "Hey Rafe." As he turns around JJ punches him across the face, and he smack to the ground.

"Oh shit."

"JJ What the fuck!"

"Oh that felt good. Whoo!"

"Kind wish that happened in Barbados ." Stella mutters.

"Im out." Kiara holds her hand up, as Sarah grabs Stella, leaving the boys alone.