BlackWolf Legacy

by Sydney Addae

  Jasmine choked. “Did you say our American brothers and sisters? That’s going beyond duty, Wolfie.”

  “Indeed, but it added a certain flavor don’t you think? When I’m outraged over their audacity to question us over Cortes, I have laid the groundwork, yes?”

  “You have indeed. I think you’ve watched more police shows than me.”

  “Sir, in America, a man is innocent until proven guilty,” Suarez said.

  “Yes, but in America, if the police had a video of a person committing a crime and the victim of that crime identified the criminal, the person on the video would be arrested until his date in court.” Silas waved at the hole in the ground. “Am I right in assuming that the person on the video hasn’t been arrested?” He gave the detective a sarcastic look.

  “We are searching for him,” Suarez said.

  Angus scoffed and shook his head. “Right.”

  Detective Marin looked over his shoulder to the police officers. “Take photos of this area and a few land samples for the lab.”

  Silas and the others stepped back as one of the police officers took pictures.

  “This is a good distance from the beach and far from your house,” Detective Marin said looking around. “Several trees fell. Was anyone injured?”

  Silas tilted his head and stared at the man. “We are all standing here.”

  “Not you... there’s...” Marin stooped by a fallen palm which had pinned one of Cortes’ men yesterday. “Take a sample from here.” Suarez walked over to Marin and looked at the ground where his partner pointed. Moments later he stepped away and looked at the other fallen trees.

  “Over here, take a sample from here,” Suarez called and waved the officer over.

  “How did they get the tree off the men, load them on the boat and leave before we got here?” Silas asked Jasmine.

  “Don’t know. Not our problem. They’ve already walked to the house and know how long it takes to get there. For you and Angus it’s fast, but it wasn’t for them,” she said and leaned into him.

  “What else do you want to do today?” he asked her.

  “I’d like to go into Panama for dinner,” she said.

  “Want to go into town for dinner?” Silas asked her. The detectives looked at them.

  “Yeah, that’ll be fun. Maybe get in a little shopping or light entertainment,” Jasmine said.

  “As long as I don’t have to cook any fish that he’s caught.” Shyla rolled her eyes as she pointed at Angus who clutched his chest before pulling her close in a light hug. “Seriously, it’ll be a long time before I eat fish again.

  “Alright, I’ll have a copter come and pick us up, take us over. We’ll grab a car, go to dinner, see the sights,” Silas said ignoring the detectives who searched the area while listening to them.

  “Pick a place in case we need to make reservations,” Silas said to the others.

  “Solstice is a great restaurant that specializes in Italian food, but everything on the menu is good,” Pala said.

  “Last time we were here we didn’t get to visit Solstice. Check them out, it’s an option,” Silas said without looking in Pala’s direction. He would have Solo handle their dinner and transportation arrangements, this conversation was for show.

  “That’s right,” Jasmine said. “I’ll look into it.” She walked in the direction of the jet skis. “I’m headed to the house to shower and change. Are they almost done?”

  Silas looked at the detectives. “How much longer?”

  “We have several questions to ask regarding this explosion and the one this morning,” Detective Marin said, his gaze slid from Silas to Jasmine to Shyla who had followed Jasmine to Angus who crossed his arms and glared at him.

  “Alright. Can’t help you on whatever happened this morning and there’s not a whole lot more to tell you about this,” Silas said. “But I’m not staying here all day to talk to you. The Commissioner has my information and can reach me at my office in the States for additional questions.”

  “I assure you we won’t take more of your time than necessary, Sir and appreciate your cooperation,” Detective Marin said.

  “In that case ask your questions, you get one hour of my time. Can’t believe I reported this and you didn’t even receive that report, aren’t here for that... this is crazy,” Silas muttered.

  Marin waved at Suarez who nodded and continued walking the area. “Again I apologize over the mix up regarding your reporting the damage to your property. Is it possible to see your security camera from yesterday and this morning?” Detective Marin asked as he stepped away and followed Silas to the jet-skis.

  “When we removed them for you the last time, we haven’t been able to get it working right since then,” Silas lied straight-faced.

  Marin’s face fell. “You haven’t used it since then?”

  “No. I’ll have the caretaker have someone come and look at it once we leave. It wasn’t important enough to deal with while we’re here,” Silas said.

  “Your security system, it kept intruders out?” Detective Marin asked with some skepticism.

  “Yes. Yes, it did. And no, I’m not showing it to you or explaining how it works either. I spend a lot of money for my privacy and use things here to make sure that happens,” Silas said in a no-nonsense tone.

  “Understood, Sir.” Marin took a deep breath looked around and stepped closer to Silas and Angus after Jasmine and Shyla rode off in the direction of the house. “We are at a sensitive point in this investigation. A boat exploded this morning. We believe it belonged to Estevan Cortes, the man who hunted the Americans and yes, we know he hunted them in the forests near his home. Which means the crime happened in Columbia. That presents a problem gaining witnesses.” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, without realizing Pala could hear him clearly while working a short distance away.

  “The people who work for Cortes depend on their pay from him to live. They will never admit to the Americans being in his compound. There is no sympathy for the foreigners or drug abusers, that’s what they think of the dead Americans,” Marin admitted.

  “You don’t need any of them to testify that Lynda and the others were there. Jandro, his nephew, the one he tried to kill left my island on a medevac, said he saw Lynda and her friends at his uncle’s compound,” Silas said.

  Marin blinked several times and nodded. “Yes. Yes, he has been very forthcoming. However, given the nature of his uncle’s business associates, the family has asked that we not use him as a witness against Cortes.”

  Silas stared down at Marin until he cleared his throat and looked away.

  “What other questions do you have for me?” Silas asked. That one comment made him lose all respect for the police and this investigation. They weren’t interested in justice or seeking answers, they were dancing to the beat of whichever drummer held the most power and that was something Silas understood very well.

  “We found blood on the ground, near the fallen trees. Did you see anyone? Or hear anyone cry out?” Marin asked.

  “From my house? On the other side of the island? Is that what you’re asking me?” Silas said in a sarcastic tone.

  “Yes, Sir. I have to ask,” Marin said almost apologetically.

  “No.”

  “This morning, did you hear anyone or see anyone?” Marin asked.

  “No.”

  “When you heard the explosion this morning, did you come here to look around?” Marin asked.

  “No. Why would I do that?” Silas sounded confused.

  “The tracking mechanism on Cortes’ boat places it here on the island within 30 minutes of it exploding,” Marin said.

  “He came here, again?” Silas yelled.

  “His boat was here, we can’t say for sure he was on the boat,” Marin said looking over his shoulder toward the officers who had stopped to look at them.

  “I’ll be damned. What’s his fascination with my island? Why does he keep coming here?” Silas looked tow
ard the trees. “There’s a lot of trees, maybe he’s hidden something here and keeps coming back to find it.”

  “The first time we saw him he was with dead bodies on the beach not searching the island. He didn’t even come inland,” Angus reminded him.

  Silas shrugged. “Good point. The next time he was shooting at Lynda and my wife. Maybe he blew this hole in the ground. Do you think he was trying to sink the place?” Silas asked Angus.

  Angus chuckled. “Could be, who knows?”

  Silas glanced at his watch and then at the detective. “Anything else?”

  “What did you think happened when you heard the noise this morning?”

  “It wasn’t as loud or didn’t feel the same as the explosion yesterday, but it woke me up. Other than hearing it, feeling a slight shudder, I pulled my wife close and went back to sleep. I didn’t draw a connection between what happened here and the noise this morning if that’s what you’re asking,” Silas said with the right amount of firmness.

  Marin looked at Angus. “Did you see anything or anyone on the island this morning?”

  “No. Sorry I was in bed and as you know there’s no way to see or hear much that’s going on down here from way up there. We’re just too spread out,” Angus said.

  The detective opened his mouth, turned and looked over his shoulder at the others working and then met Silas’ gaze. “I know you have no reason to believe we are working hard on this case and have little interest in justice for your countrymen. There have been several... several unexplainable situations. Indeed, you were right regarding your assessment with Cortes. There’s been no warrant issued for his arrest and I don’t know if there will be one issued once the American family returns home.” He shrugged. “Sometimes there are things I cannot answer for and simply follow instructions. This I will share with you. Cortes worked within a powerful organization in Columbia and has been a leading figure with them for decades. Since the explosion questions are being asked. His body has not been recovered so we don’t know if he’s dead or alive. Pressure is being put on our office to finish a thorough investigation into the explosion of his boat this morning.” He paused as if trying to decide what and how to say something. “If you have any knowledge or have seen him recently...”

  “Since that day you picked up the dead Americans off my beach?” Silas asked succinctly.

  “Yes, since then. You can let us know.” Marin spoke the official words but his tone and posture screamed: “Don’t tell me anything.”

  “I haven’t seen him and I would tell you if I had. He’s cost me in time away from what I came here to do, spending days with my family.” Silas glanced at his watch.

  “One other thing. Earlier I mentioned Cortes’ people and how they depend on him for their livelihood and the fact they don’t care about the dead Americans,” Marin said, holding Silas’ gaze.

  Silas nodded. “You think they’ll come to the island before we leave and start problems?”

  “No. These are poor people who lack those resources. If Cortes is dead and my gut says he is, then it causes a vacuum in that area. Someone else will step in and take it over. Typically, the first order of business, a test to prove loyalty to the organization is to investigate the suspicious death of the person you’re replacing,” Marin said.

  Silas didn’t blink and continued staring. When the detective didn’t say anything else, Silas spoke. “And? Is there a reason you’re telling me that? It has nothing to do with me.”

  “Standing here, you and I both know that,” Marin said. “But this is the last place Cortes’ boat docked before it exploded. Expect to be thoroughly checked out that’s all I’m saying.”

  Silas pursed his lips. “I’m a wealthy businessman as well, which I’m sure you’ve already verified.”

  Detective Marin nodded.

  “I own this island and traveled here alone with my brother and our wives. But I have installed a superior security system that keeps us safe. At home, I use a variation of this system for various reasons and have a mini army at my disposal. If this guy is so high in the ranks, what was he doing without serious security around him? Check the security videos you took. One would think at that level he would’ve had some serious firepower and an army at his disposal.”

  Marin’s gaze narrowed in consideration. “That’s a good point, one I hadn’t considered.”

  “Here’s another thing. While Jandro was here he swore his uncle was acting out of character. If he hadn’t seen him hunt the Americans or heard the girl scream while being violated and then killed, he claimed he wouldn’t have believed it.” Silas poured it on thick to remind the detective how evil Cortes had been.

  “They should look into that,” Angus said. “Talk to his doctor or someone about his health. Seriously, who uses explosives on trees for no good reason? Something was wrong with him.”

  Silas agreed. “I’d definitely look into that if I were you. There’s patient confidentiality and all that but Jandro was adamant that his uncle didn’t normally behave the irrational way he’d been acting. Supposedly his uncle loved him and his mother and would never hurt them.”

  “Yet he tried to kill him,” Angus said right on time.

  Silas nodded. “Maybe his business associates know something of his health or his actions and...” He shrugged. “If he acted out of control around Jandro, it’s possible that they learned about it and decided to fix the problem.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened,” Angus said.

  “Or maybe he’s on his way home from a night out with a woman,” Silas said and threw up his hands. “At any rate, if his friends or associates come after me or mine we’ll deal with them.”

  Detective Marin nodded slowly and backed up.

  Silas could tell the seeds he and Angus planted regarding Cortes’ mental health were taking root. These guys were in a tough spot and desperate to find answers that would appease everyone. If they could blame all of it on Cortes’ deteriorating health, they’d claim he blew himself up on the boat or had an unfortunate accident because of his mental condition. If the associates decided to come after Silas after learning of Cortes’ brain tumor, then it was their lives to lose.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  LUCIAN AND SOLO MET Silas’ helicopter with two large flower bouquets, one for Jasmine and the other for Shyla. Glad to see both Alphas, Silas and Angus embraced Solo and Lucian before they strode toward the three large SUV’s with tinted windows.

  “Is there something you want to tell me?” Silas asked Lucian as they drove toward town for dinner. This evening was supposed to be a low-key event, he had been clear on that score when he talked to Solo.

  Someone said Lucian looked like a tall, muscular version of the actor Jude Law and Silas could see the similarities if you swapped the accents. Lucian’s dark Spanish heritage flowed through every fiber of his being, including his speech.

  “There’s word that Cortes’ associates are looking at you and we wanted to make sure they understood we won’t tolerate them coming at you for any reason. A small show of force is the only thing they understand so I decided to send a clear message. Back off or deal with me.” Lucian grinned at Silas. “They don’t want to do that, believe me.”

  Surprised by Lucian’s statement, Silas picked up Jasmine’s hand and placed it on his thigh. Lucian had warned Silas to stay off Cortes’ associates’ radar for fear of exposure and now the Alpha had stepped in the ring. “All I want is to give this woman whatever she wants, and I won’t allow anyone to get in the way of that.”

  “Totally understandable, Sir. So rather than you teach a few of them manners I’ll run interference. No need for them to look into your back yard,” Lucian said sitting back in his seat as they drove through town. “How’s your vacation so far?” he asked Jasmine.

  “It’s been great with a few interesting moments,” she said with a slight grin while looking out the window. “It’s so pretty here.”

  “Have you done any
of the tourist things?” Lucian asked.

  “We’ve done them all before with the kids. The Panama Canal, Rain Forest, museum, cathedral... really nice to see once or twice but that’s it,” Jasmine said.

  They pulled into the lot of a large restaurant with a bulky overhang in the front and several people entering the door. The men in the other two cars exited first, looked around and two of them entered the building.

  “Just one moment,” Lucian said.

  “No problem,” Silas said.

  Moments later, Solo, tall, with a slender muscular build, dark eyes and shoulder length hair, opened the door. Silas stepped out first and assisted Jasmine out. Angus followed and assisted Shyla. Lucian stepped out. His dark hair flapped in the cool breeze as he clapped Solo on the back.

  “Have you eaten here?” Lucian asked Solo.

  “Yes, I brought a date here last year. Didn’t work out though,” Solo said grinning.

  Raven and Duke, Lucian’s brother and sister, met them as they entered the building.

  “La Patron and La Patroness, Angus, and Shyla, it’s great to see you again,” Raven said as she hugged Jasmine and then Shyla.

  Duke shook Silas hand and then Angus. “We heard you would be in town and begged to join you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any of you. We’ve all been so busy.”

  Silas greeted the two. “Always good to see you as well. I hear your school system has grown in leaps and bounds. You’re a natural teacher,” he told Raven.

  Her smile lit her face as her cheeks pinked. “We’ve got a long way to go, Sir. Honduras Pack schools are at 90% which as you know is 100% better than when we started with no schools. Now that education is mandatory, we’re getting teachers from all over the world applying for positions and we’re expanding with schools throughout the rest of our territory. Unfortunately, Pack-wide we’re at 48% but working hard to bring that up.”