by B R Snow
The main branch of the public library system was located in Georgetown, and like most other places on Grand Cayman, it wasn’t far from the water. At the moment, I was sitting by myself at the head table in a small multi-purpose room filled with rows of chairs that would seat about a hundred. There were only a handful of people waiting for the presentation to start, and I was pretty sure the room’s capacity wouldn’t be tested. My stomach rumbled, but before I could focus on possible dinner options my phone chirped, and I checked the number and answered on the second ring.
“Hey, did you hear anything yet?” I said, keeping my voice low more from learned childhood library behavior than any concern about eavesdroppers.
“You’re not going to believe it,” Detective Renfro said, barely able to contain his excitement.
“They were there,” I said, feeling both proud and surprised by the news.
“They certainly were,” he said. “And right in plain sight.”
“Wow,” I said. “Are they on their way back?”
“They are,” Detective Renfro said. “Apparently, they left hours ago. But the idiots forgot to let me know. I’m glad I finally got tired of waiting for an update and gave them a call.”
“This could change how we handle things tonight,” I said, glancing around the room.
“You haven’t done the check presentation yet, have you?”
“No, it’s going to be a few minutes before we get started.”
“I’m on my way,” he said. “But just play it like we talked about. I doubt if he’ll try anything in the library, but don’t do anything crazy. At least, not until I get there.”
“Have a little faith, Detective,” I said, ending the call.
I sat quietly, my mind racing from what I’d just learned. But before I could begin processing the information, Wendell Anderson, the head librarian, or whatever title the person who ran the place went by, strolled up and sat down next to me.
“The Commissioner just called and is on his way over,” he said. “Again, I can’t thank you enough. A mobile book van for children who can’t make it to one of our branch libraries is a wonderful idea.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m happy to do it,” I said, deflecting.
Actually, it had been Chef Claire’s idea. We’d been trying to come up with a good way to use the money I was about to donate when she suggested kids and books. Josie had then floated the idea of a van stocked with children’s books, and it just sort of took off from there.
“How long has the Commissioner been working with the library?” I said.
“Quite a while,” Wendell said. “He’s big on education, especially reading. He never misses an event like this.”
“Yes, I have noticed several library stories and photos in the paper,” I said.
“The Commissioner is fond of seeing his picture in the paper, isn’t he?” he said, laughing. “What’s that old saying, any publicity is good publicity?”
“I guess we’re gonna find out,” I whispered.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I said, glancing at the entrance where the Commissioner was coming through the door trailed by an entourage of four uniformed cops. “There he is.”
“I’ll be right back,” Wendell said, heading off to greet him.
They soon returned to the table, and I stood and shook hands with the Commissioner who was studying my expression closely.
“You’re full of surprises, Ms. Chandler,” he said, gesturing for me to sit back down. He sat down next to me with Jerome on his other side. “What happened?” he said, chuckling. “Were you worried that your original donation wasn’t big enough to get you off my radar?”
“Not at all,” I said, shaking my head. “I just wanted to do something nice for the kids.”
“Of course,” he said, staring off into the distance. “I’m glad you were able to fit today’s presentation into your schedule. You’ve obviously been very busy lately. You know, going out on boats, taking in some of the local sights, dodging assault charges.”
He gave me his best crocodile smile and maintained eye contact. Despite the tingle from the hairs on the back of my neck, I forced myself to hang tough. I returned the smile and shrugged.
“Well, since Ramon isn’t pressing charges, I guess I don’t have to worry about that, right?”
“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” he said. “You know, Ms. Chandler, most of the people who spend winter down here are happy to just kick back and relax. You seem to be the exception.”
“Well, my friends are fond of saying that I am uniquely weird,” I said, shrugging. “I’m sure your impression of me has something to do with that.”
Wendell approached the podium that was next to the table. The Commissioner and I both sat back and focused on the head librarian.
“Perhaps we can continue this discussion after the presentation,” the Commissioner whispered.
“Why not?” I whispered back. “Since you’re the one who seems to be calling all the shots, how can I say no?”
The Commissioner flinched then rotated his head until I heard a soft pop. I glanced down and couldn’t miss the fact that he was clenching and unclenching his hands under the table.
“Did I say something to upset you, Commissioner?” I whispered with a grin.
“Don’t push it.”
We both sat back and listened as Wendell handled introductions, explained what my donation would be used for, then waited until the polite applause from the crowd of about two dozen died down. He spent a few minutes reviewing several other programs and services the library offered, then finished to another round of applause. The three of us posed for pictures holding another large cardboard check, then Wendell wandered off to mingle.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment,” the Commissioner said to me. “I need to have a quick word with my staff. I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” I said. “I’m going to wander through the stacks. You’ll find me in the mystery section.”
“I would have thought you’d be more interested in exploring the self-help books,” he said, then headed for his entourage. “Perhaps one that focuses on the importance of minding your own business.”
“Yeah, I really need to start working on that,” I said as I watched him walk away.
I strolled off toward the stacks feeling much less confident than I’d been earlier today chatting with Rooster and Detective Renfro around the pool. At the time, my plan had been to gently poke the bear to see if I could get the Commissioner to tip his hand, but given the news I’d gotten during my recent phone call, the situation had changed. And if Detective Renfro had heard the latest news, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Commissioner was also in the loop. I doubted if he would try to harm me in a public place, but I was convinced that, to him, I was an annoying gnat that needed to be swatted. As I slowly made my way down the empty aisles surrounded by high shelves of books on both sides, I was suddenly feeling very isolated and vulnerable.
I stopped in front of one of the stacks overflowing with mysteries and scanned the titles. Noticing several I wasn’t familiar with, I made a mental note to fill out an application for a library card before I left.
Then I felt his presence standing directly behind me.
“Do you like to read mysteries, Commissioner?” I said, not even bothering to turn around.
“No, I’m more of a history buff,” he said. “You know, biographies, war, colonial insurrections, stuff like that.”
I turned around and tried to read his expression, but got nothing. Given his years as a cop, I wasn’t surprised.
“I have to say that I’m perplexed, Ms. Chandler.”
“Oh, I hate when that happens,” I said, leaning against one of the stacks. “What’s bothering you, Commissioner?”
“You, of course,” he said, shrugging. “Not to mention the ever-present and increasingly annoying, Detective Renfro.”
“But he always speaks so highly of you, C
ommissioner,” I deadpanned.
“I really don’t like you,” he said as a simple statement of fact. “Way too much money with way too much time on your hands.”
“Harsh,” I said, shrugging.
“Oh, don’t worry,” he said, laughing. “We’ll get to harsh soon enough.”
“Can we chat until then?” I said. “I still have some questions I’d love to get answered before you start doing your thing.”
The Commissioner glanced around to make sure we were alone then nodded.
“Sure, why not?” he said, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind waiting until it gets dark before I drag you out of here. Knock yourself out.”
“Let me guess, you’ve got the folks from your entourage guarding all the exits?” I said.
“I do always like to keep a police presence around to help me deal with public nuisances,” he said, beaming at me.
“Sure, sure,” I said. “But I doubt if you’ll be putting me in a police car. That would raise too many questions when I didn’t show up at the station, right?”
“You’ve already seen the police station,” he said. “I thought you might enjoy visiting someplace different.”
“If I wanted to see Ramon’s place, I would have agreed to go with him the other day.”
“Very good,” he said, nodding. “Your reputation is well-deserved. Yes, I’m afraid Ramon insisted that I let him drive today.”
“How’s his head?” I said. “He took a nasty tumble.”
“The condition of his head is irrelevant,” the Commissioner said.
“Because as soon as he deals with me, you’ll be dealing with him, right?”
“I thought we’d just kill two birds with one stone,” he said. “Ramon’s place is such a tinderbox. It really wouldn’t take much for it to go up in flames.”
“You’re pretty chatty today, Commissioner,” I said, staring at him. “One might even say cocky. How can you be sure I don’t have people watching out for me?”
“You came alone, and none of your friends have shown up,” he said, shrugging. “And I’m afraid Detective Renfro never made it inside the library.”
“Are you sure somebody didn’t slip in through the back door?”
The Commissioner stared at me, gave it some thought, then laughed.
“Nice try, Ms. Chandler.”
“Yeah, that probably wasn’t my best effort,” I said. “So, what’s the deal, Commissioner? Did you set all this up just to protect your job, or are you more interested in maintaining control of the local drug business?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, shaking his head.
“I was going to say both, but that might have come across as a bit presumptuous.”
“Presumptuous,” he said, laughing. “Suddenly, you turn modest? I would have thought you’d be calling your instincts prescient.”
“No, I’ll leave that to the dog,” I said, shaking my head.
He gave me a puzzled frown but said nothing.
“I gotta hand it to you,” I said. “Having Ramon blow that yacht up then figuring out a way to pin it on William was a stroke of genius.”
“Again, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“And the cops on the patrol boat who supposedly found the debris you’re using to convict William just happen to be members of your personal staff, right?”
“You do have quite an imagination.”
“So, you’re gonna go down swinging, huh?” I said, nodding. “Okay, fair enough. But I do think it’s a pity the Premier won’t be able to survive a second scandal involving his son.”
“Yes, it’s quite tragic. William has made some bad choices. And he does seem to be cut from the same cloth as his father,” the Commissioner said.
“I’ve never met the Premier,” I said. “But William seems nice enough. And from what I’ve seen, he has good taste in women.”
The Commissioner gave me his best death stare but let my remark pass without comment.
“You think Gerald is going to be easier to deal with than the Premier?”
“I won’t have any problem keeping Gerald in line,” he said. “I have a thick file on some of his more creative activities.”
“Good one, Commissioner. Straight out of the J. Edgar school of how to maintain power,” I said, then laughed. “I just hope you look better in a dress than he did.”
“Nobody manages to keep their job running the FBI for fifty years without knowing a few things about human behavior. Or about their weaknesses,” he said. “And like I said, I’m a big fan of historical biographies. As soon as we take care of William and his father is sent packing, I’ll start worrying about Gerald.”
“You sound confident.”
“The evidence against William is airtight.”
“It certainly seems to be,” I said. “Well played there, Commissioner. But I do have to wonder why you didn’t pay Ramon what you owed him. From what I’ve seen, you don’t want him talking. That seems to be a loose end you don’t need.”
“Not if he goes up in flames tonight with his new girlfriend,” he whispered.
“Fair point,” I said. “And Ramon doesn’t seem to be the sort of person you could trust to keep his mouth shut.”
“When he drinks, he tends to babble. And he drinks all the time.”
“I noticed,” I said. “And he also tends to tell lies. That was the one big mistake he made.”
“I’m not following you,” he said, his eyes narrowed. “What mistake was that?”
“It’s not important,” I said, shaking my head. “Since Ramon and I will be human candles at some point tonight, it really shouldn’t matter.” Then I focused on one of the bookshelves nearby. “Unless, of course, some of the people I’ve shared my side of the story with start talking.”
“You’re going to have to do better than that, Ms. Chandler,” the Commissioner said with a grin. “Ramon doesn’t know anything.”
“You mean apart from knowing that you and Jensen were working together to take the Premier out by framing his kid.”
The Commissioner laughed a long time, and it reverberated through the empty library.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“It certainly wouldn’t be the first time,” I said, shrugging.
“It would be pretty hard for me to work together with somebody who’s already dead,” he said.
“Yeah, I’m gonna go with impossible,” I said, scanning the titles on the shelf I was focused on.
“There you go. Now, is there anything else you’d like to discuss? I wouldn’t mind getting out of here. I have a dinner meeting.”
“That’s not an invitation to join you, right?”
“Sadly, no,” he said, giving me a smug look I so wanted to knock off his face.
I grabbed a book from the shelf and flipped through the pages.
“This is one of my favorites,” I said. “You ever read Raymond Chandler?”
“No, I can’t say that I have,” the Commissioner said, checking his watch.
“That’s too bad,” I said, staring at the book. “I love his stuff. This one is called The Long Goodbye. A lot of people don’t agree with me, but I think it’s one of his best.”
“I deal with enough mystery on the job,” he said, shrugging. “The last thing I want to do is go home and read about it at night.”
“Yeah, I get that. But Chandler’s books are much more than just mystery stories. He was really good at exposing society’s seedy underbelly. His books also deal with the lengths people are willing to go in order to preserve the illusion of integrity and maintain their reputation. Especially the rich and powerful who love posing as pillars of virtue, yet are inherently corrupt.” I stared at him. “But I understand why you wouldn’t want to read it. In your case, that would be like preaching to the choir.”
I tossed the book to him, and he fumbled it before finally managing to snatch it out
of the air.
“You’d like the plot of The Long Goodbye,” I said, staring directly into his eyes. “It’s about a guy who fakes his own death.”
The Commissioner’s eye grew wide, and he started to take a step toward me. Then stopped himself and took a couple of deep breaths.
“I think it’s time we got going.”
“Sure, you probably want to meet Jensen’s plane at the airport,” I said.
“What?”
“Oh, you haven’t heard,” I said. “I was sure you would have by now. Maybe Detective Renfro’s guys are able to keep a secret. Still, I would have thought somebody might have called and given you a heads up.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Jack and Jill Jensen were picked up by the authorities at their island in Sri Lanka,” I said. “And they’re currently on their way back to Grand Cayman. I can’t wait to hear what they have to say for themselves.”
“You’re bluffing.”
But since he was reaching for his holster, I quickly decided he wasn’t sure. And he wasn’t taking any chances. As he fumbled with the snap on his holster, I took off and did my best lumber down the aisle between the two stacks that towered above me. At the end of the row, I made a right, then a quick left, then another right and ducked down behind a collection of spare tables and chairs. I fought to get air into my lungs as quietly as I could and focused on my breathing. I heard soft footsteps slowly making their way toward me, and I hunched down close to the floor on my hands and knees.
“Ms. Chandler?” the Commissioner called out in a sing-song voice. “Oh, Ms. Chandler? Let’s say we make this easy on both of us. I have my people guarding all the exits, and there’s no way you’re going to get-”
Then I heard a loud thump, punctuated with a guttural grunt, followed by the unmistakable thud of a body falling to the floor. I heard muffled voices, then what sounded like something being dragged across the floor. But I decided my curiosity would have to wait. Still hunkered close to the floor on all fours, I grimaced from the onset of a leg cramp and continued to focus on my breathing.
“Suzy?”
I relaxed and exhaled loudly when I heard Rooster’s voice.