The Kate Nash Series Boxed Set

by Keene, Susan

Nathan asked. “Don’t you think if there was something wrong on the boat the kids would try to alert someone? It doesn’t sound as if they were worried or upset.”

  I stopped to grab us all a cold beer. “It’s the one thing that doesn’t make sense. So, a few weeks later parts of a burnt schooner showed up about a day or two’s sail from the lagoon. No one saw the boat go down or found any bodies. And nobody reported seeing any of the family after they left the whale watching lagoon. Where were they during that time?”

  Ryan leaned forward to take a sip of beer. “You forgot one happening at the boat rental. A Latino man strolled into the building and when he saw us, he turned tail and headed away from there as fast as he could go. I know Saylor saw him because our eyes met when we both turned from the man back to the table. He didn’t seem to think it was strange and we didn’t bring it up.”

  I looked at Ryan, “I don’t remember it. Maybe someone came to visit and when they realized the manager was busy, he moved on.”

  “Could be,” Ryan said, “and I can only go on the feeling I had at the time. Something seemed off.”

  Amy folded her arms and hugged her shoulders. “This is giving me the willies. Maybe it was the man following us.”

  I looked at her. “Wait until you hear the rest of it. There was a couple who befriended us at the whale watching camp. I can’t put my finger on what was wrong with them but they appeared to want to stay close, Jerry and Anna Donnelson. Later, while we were at the camp, we met a panganero who knew a whaler who found a child on a raft near where he docked his boat.

  “An old lady who lived in the town nursed the child back to health. No one knew about the girl but the man who found her, the man who took her to the old lady, and the woman’s niece. The girl was Ivy Tucker.”

  Amy adjusted her body. “Some story, what happened to the family?”

  “The girl didn’t say anything about the accident to the woman, Maria or her neice, Bonita, for seven years. The girl became stronger over the years and finally said the captain killed everyone on board with a knife, including his own wife. He took a lifeboat and was prepared to jump in it when he saw Ivy.

  “His boat began to drift away. Before he left he told Ivy she would die anyway because he set the vessel on fire. Ivy found a child’s float, climbed on. I already told you the rest.

  “The more I think about the exact words Maria used, Ivy ran down the stairs when she saw the man with the knife. She saw massive amounts of blood, and assumed her family had been slaughtered.

  “In other words, we don’t know if they were dead or not. A twelve year old girl heard screams from below where her family slept. She saw a man with a knife and a lot of blood when she started below deck. Was the entire family dead or were they not?”

  “What do you think it means?” Nathan asked.

  “I believe there was something on board to make it worth the man’s while to steal and run away. It could have been drugs, money, jewels, gold, or something equally valuable we haven’t thought of.

  “I’ll bet when they remodeled the boat they built in places to store treasure. Whoever masterminded this tragedy forced the boat and the captain on the Tuckers. They were pawns.

  “The Tuckers either found the stash or refused to play along so he killed them. His name is Michael Mannes and he’s the one who has been after us. He didn’t have time to kill the girl that night on the ship and she was well taken care of and protected for years. Somehow he found out she had survived and didn’t want her to tell her story to anyone. There is no statute of limitation on murder. It’s my only guess as to what triggered him to go after Ivy.” I couldn’t hold back my tears. “An entire family slaughtered like animals for drugs or money.”

  Amy unfolded her legs and put her feet on the floor. “It makes sense, but we don’t know the entire story and no one is around who could tell it to us. If the girl didn’t go all the way down below, she didn’t actually know if they were dead or not. A stab wound or two can bleed profusely.”

  Nathan said, “I vote for drugs. What else could it be considering the place and the circumstances?”

  Our brains were mush, our bodies stiff, and the puppies begged for attention. We took a break and went outside with them. No one had much to say. We strolled around the yard and tossed balls to the dogs who would have eagerly brought them back a hundred times without tiring. We gravitated to the patio and sat.

  Ryan spoke first. “I know we’ve read about the horrible deeds of the drug cartels but to know first hand it might have actually happened, it’s unsettling to say the least. I’m not sure what we can do other than investigate each one of the people we think were involved and see they are made to pay for what they did.”

  “Do you think it will bring our stalker out again to try to stop us?” Amy asked.

  Nathan took her hand. “We’ll be prepared this time. After we thoroughly investigate these people and find out their backgrounds we’ll have the advantage of being able to identify them.”

  Ryan moved his chair closer to mine and put his arm on my shoulder. “I don’t think we’ll have to return to Mexico. Reginald Saylor’s in California. Michael Mannes will come to the States as soon as he finds out we didn’t stop our investigation. There’s no reason to tell anyone about the old lady who took care of Ivy or the man who found her. He died several years ago. Mannes will be charged with Ivy’s death, but no one will know what he did to her family unless he tells them.”

  I jumped up out of my chair. “Wait, I have proof. I have the drawings of the events on the boat. Ivy drew pictures of the man with the devil’s face. Her drawings of whales and her ocean scenes are of art gallery quality. She was a talented child.”

  I passed my phone around. It didn’t take long to realize I needed to have the pictures printed in a larger size. A lot of detail didn’t show on a cell camera.

  Amy broke the silence. “It’s after eleven. My brain is fried and I need to get away from this. Let’s not start our inquiry until tomorrow.”

  Ryan looked at me and smiled. “We have something important to do tomorrow. There’s no rush now. Let’s start on Friday.”

  “Friday it is.” Nathan answered. They gathered their dog and belongings, we said our goodbyes and they headed home.

  CHAPTER 17

  R yan and I sat in the living room, drank a glass of wine, and tried to relax. Neither of us wanted to attack the subject of Ivy Tucker. Ryan raised his glass and proposed a toast. “Here's to tomorrow.”

  “Oh, my. I don't want to say I forgot, because I didn't. I want to keep this private yet I feel horrible not telling Amy. Do you think it’ll drive a wedge between her and me?”

  “I would have told her and Nathan, but since I've been trying to get you to marry me for four years, I decided to do it your way.”

  I moved over next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. “That's why I love you. You allow me to make my own decisions, but that doesn't always mean I'm right.”

  He laughed and kissed me. “We had better get some sleep. Nine comes early when you go to bed late.” He hugged me. “Is that the only reason you love me?”

  “No, I love that you get up early and take Chili out for her morning run.”

  Chili heard her name and went to the patio door. We laughed and went outside with her.

  Ryan was right, the morning came much sooner than I thought it should. The alarm went off and I pressed the snooze button.

  “Come on sleepyhead,” he said. “Other people are before and after us. We don't want to hold up the line.”

  I stretched and rolled over on top of him. He gently pushed me off. “That's such a good idea, but we don't have time.”

  It’s not that I’d changed my mind. I wanted to get married yet I’d made no preparations. I hastily rifled through my closet and settled on a baby blue sundress, royal blue spike heels, pearl earrings and necklace and a cream colored summer blazer.

  The closer we were to the court house the more my guilt blosso
med. I didn’t have a valid reason for my decision. I wasn’t much of a friend after all we’d been through. I hoped Amy would forgive me.

  Marriages took place on the second floor. We dropped by the week before to apply for our marriage license. I stopped outside the door and told myself this didn't and wouldn't change my relationship with Ryan. I loved him and our life as it was.

  Ryan put his hand on the door plate to push it open and I laid my hand on top of his. I must have had a deer in the headlights look because he leaned down and kissed me gently on the forehead and whispered I love you into my ear.

  We went inside where Nathan and Amy stood with smiles so big they distracted from every other facial feature.

  I ran to Amy. “I'm so glad you're here.”

  She hugged me. “I wouldn't have missed it for the world.”

  I glanced up to Ryan who winked at me. He knew me so well.

  Ryan handed Nathan my wedding ring and I reached into my jacket pocket and handed him a ring box. “You bought me a ring?” Ryan asked. He couldn't hide his surprise.

  I reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you.”

  The ceremony took less than ten minutes. The other couples in the room clapped and congratulated us.

  We all four walked into the foyer and Ryan said, “Where would you like to eat, Mrs. Meade?”

  “Is seafood okay with everyone.” I hugged Amy again. “I'm so glad you’re here.”

  “Why wouldn't I be? You're the sister I never had.”

  Dinner at Sosho Seafood was indescribably delicious. We said goodbye in the restaurant parking lot. The weather mirrored the day, beautiful. My new husband and I walked to the Arch and strolled around the grounds. Ryan took both of my hands in his. “I bought you a present for this auspicious occasion.”

  “You are my gift,” I answered. “If I sat down and put all of my thinking power toward targeting in on one item I want, but don't have, I couldn't do it. I honestly have everything I want.”

  “You might be a teeny bit upset when you get home.”

  “Ryan, what did you do?”

  “You'll see when we get there.”

  Even though I couldn't think of anything I wanted or needed, I couldn't hide my excitement. The kid in me came out and I asked a million questions to try to guess what he bought.

  I saw it when the garage door opened. My 1962 refurbished BMW had been moved over one spot and was replaced with a snow white Land Rover, Range Rover.” I jumped out of the truck. “This is mine?”

  He reached in his pocket and handed me a set of keys. “I know you love your car, but I know you are much more protected in this. The Beemer will last longer because you will no longer be four-wheeling in it.”

  I ran over and hugged him. “Want to go for a ride?”

  “Sure.”

  We ran into the house, took Chili out to the bathroom, grabbed her lead and headed back to the garage. I had to use the running board to step up. I didn't care. The car had everything. I looked in the backseat. “What's that?”

  Ryan had the vehicle fitted with a doggy harness and seat belt for Chili so she would be safe if we stopped quickly. “And what’s that on the other side?”

  He grinned showing his perfectly straight white teeth and the dimple in his chin. “I had a second doggy car guard put in just in case Digger wants to go for a ride too.

  “Let’s try it out.”

  I swear , Chili smiled.

  Amy and Nathan said they would be at our house by eleven the next morning to help us study the life of the Tuckers more thoroughly. Our goal―find everyone involved in the killings and bring them to justice.

  Mason’s grocery store, in University City, delivered right to the door. We used their service several times before the Tucker case. When we opened the investigation once again, we would have to button up our outings and hunker down. I didn’t want anyone to be hungry.

  I heard a noise in one of the bedrooms. I held Chili in my arms and tiptoed toward the sound. There stood Jacob, the tech guy, two of his computer men, telephones, land lines, a private server, and five or six pieces of equipment I couldn't name. “What are you guys up to now?”

  Ryan peeked over a stack of boxes. “I’ve watched you work. You like the bigger cases rather than catching a kid who learned to short-change. When Jacob is finished in here, we’ll have a link to CODIS, the FBI database, a server, a tracing line, GPS tracking on the cars we drive, and the ability to put a tracker on any vehicle we want, and two of the newest computers available with all available software in your profession. It can do everything but tuck you in at night.”

  Chili wiggled to be put on the floor so she could greet Jacob. “Are some of the items you mentioned out of the perimeters of a private citizen?”

  Jacob looked up. “Congratulations on your wedding, Mrs. Meade. Don’t worry about the legality of the setup. I took care of it.”

  “Whoa, Jacob. I’m Kate and always will be. Professionally I’ll be using my own name. But thanks for the good wishes. We are very happy. Now back to this computer network. Would it be in my best interest not to have any of the details?”

  Jacob grinned at me. “It would be best, Kate.”

  Ryan stood twisting his wedding ring around and around on his finger. “Did I get the wrong size,” I asked.

  “No.” He backed me out of the room until we had privacy. “This is something I've wanted for years. I waited a long time for the right woman. I didn't know you would buy me a wedding band. I’ve never worn a ring before. It might take me awhile to get used to it.”

  “Have you looked at the inside?'

  “No, I haven't taken it off since you put it on me. I know you are going to make fun of me, but if I take it off, will you put it on me again?”

  I kissed him. “You’re so romantic. I’ve read stories about couples who won't take their rings off for fear of breaking the bond. You and I said a vow. I don't think we’ll break it.”

  Ryan slipped the band from his finger and held it near his eyes. He read, grow old with me, love, Kate. It's perfect, as are you,” he said in a whisper.

  He handed me the ring, I slipped it on his finger and raised his hand to my lips. The moment evaporated when Jacob called. “Hey, Ryan, got a minute?”

  I dropped his hand. We reluctantly went our separate ways.

  The food arrived a few hours later. Ryan came into the kitchen before I put any of it in the pantry. Boxes covered every counter and the table.”Are you hungry?” he asked.

  I laughed and opened my arms to encompass all the food. “No are you?”

  He began to open the containers and separate their contents. He put like items together, noodles, spaghetti, and other dry goods in one pile, sauces in another, refrigerated foods in still another.

  Amy and Nathan arrived before we had all the food put away. Amy surveyed the mountain of groceries. “What’s all of this? Did you go shopping when you were hungry? That’s a no no.”

  “I took Masons up on their order-on-line-and-we’ll-deliver option. When everything in the store rolls by in print and all you have to do is check a little square, it’s difficult not to overbuy.”

  Nathan began to toss items to Ryan who stood inside the pantry. They were having fun. I took time to greet Digger. Chili, at eight pounds, outweighed him. All of his hair made him look like the bigger of the two.

  Ryan wanted to show our friends and partners the new room. They both let out audible gasps.

  I hadn’t seen it since they’d finished it. They had added a comfy couch with desk tops with the capability so swing over in front of it much like the tray tables in a hospital, only fancy.

  Two fire engine red occasional chairs, large enough for a person to sleep in, had the same feature. There were two screens near the ceiling to view when someone occupied one of the chairs or the couch. On the wall behind the couch hung a huge screen I guessed to be at least six feet wide. The other two were four feet wide.

  Nathan scanned the
room. “Goodness, Ryan, what can we do with this?”

  Ryan said, A better question, is what can’t we do with it? No more calling Roger to use his equipment, no more waiting for an answer from the FBI. We can do it all right here. We also have a private server. I’d say we’re ready to slay dragons.”

  Nathan sat in one of the chairs, Amy and I followed suit and sat on the royal blue couch. Amy had questions also. “What keeps someone from scrambling, eavesdropping, or hacking our server?”

  “Jacob installed some sort of field around the room and everything goes through a satellite we own. I understand it seems like something out of the twenty-fifth century and I don’t pretend to understand all the technology. I trust Jacob. He has been with me since his high school days. I sent him to Stanford to learn computer science. The dean said he could have taught the class.

  “A friend of ours from Northwestern worked for MI-6. He let Jacob shadow him for two summers.

  “The last thing is, I pay him what I think he’s worth. Since he’s irreplaceable to me, he makes enough to do what he wants when he wants. He’s almost thirty now and happy as a lark.”

  I looked up to listen. I knew Jacob’s loyalty to Ryan. “Let’s see if this equipment works.” I looked toward Ryan. “Can you run a background check on Reginald Saylor?”

  “Sure, but first I want to show you something. Gather around.” We surrounded his desk.

  He took a small black notebook from a hidden drawer. “This is the manual. Since we are all new at this, the book is simple. And there is a list like this for every function. Go to B, Background check. 1-a, task complete. Feed information into 1b. copy and paste new information into machine 3. Wait for results. They will come out of the chute on 12. Got it? It’s simple. The machines are numbered 1-14. The results will appear at the chute on 12. If it is going to pop up anywhere else the computer will let you know. It’s as easy as A-B-C,1-2-3.

  “Amy you go first. We’ll get sodas and snacks so we aren’t watching over your shoulder. Are you still a Pepsi girl?”

  She sat at the desk and looked at everything. Tentatively, she opened the book and began the check. We left her to it.