The Gravedigger

by Kacie Clement

  Willie Mae smiled. It was time to make her move. Jumping up, she grabbed the gun out of Chester’s pants and shot him dead center in the chest.

  Willie Mae watched as Chester fell dead to the floor.

  At 7 am, Kamira, Terrance, Jack, Vittoria DeLuca, and Frank Gallucci gathered in the department’s conference room. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, Vittoria looked at the group gathered around the table.

  “The men are here, and they are enjoying a breakfast buffet at the Bellow sisters’ estate awaiting my orders. Shall we begin? Ms. Beachum, do you have the list of the known members of the State Line Mob and their addresses?”

  Suzie looked over at Jack nervously while she handed Ms. DeLuca the list.

  Jack quietly stated, “Arnie Bailey is preparing to have your men bring the members to his cabin. I hope we know what we are doing here. Arnie has been feeding those alligators Willie Mae’s gumbo, talking to them like they are his children.”

  Kamira pacing the room, replied, “Somebody knows where Willie Mae is, and if it takes a gator to get it out of them, so be it.”

  Kamira heard her phone ring. She looked at her phone, not recognizing the number.

  “Kamira Jackson.”

  “Kamira, girl, it’s me, Willie Mae.”

  “Auntie, where are you?”

  Everyone in the room froze. Kamira quickly put her phone on speaker.

  “I’m not sure where I am. In the basement of Chester’s house, I think. Kamira, Alyce Ann is here with me. But sweetie, she is dead. Come get us now.”

  Kamira, looking at her phone, jotted down the number, giving it to Suzie. “Find the location on this phone, now.”

  Kamira was speaking again into the phone, “Chester, who? Are you safe right now?”

  Willie Mae became quiet.

  “Auntie, are you there?”

  “Yes, I am here, Kamira. At the moment, I am safe. I had to shoot Chester, though. He gave me no choice. Are you coming?”

  Suzie handed Kamira the address to the location of the phone.

  “We know where you are, Auntie. Sit tight, and I will be there shortly.”

  “Okay, I am going to search the house while I wait for you.”

  Jack screamed, “Willie Mae Gordon, you will do no such thing.”

  Kamira handed Jack her phone, saying, “Keep her on the phone till you hear me arrive there.”

  Kamira ran to her office. Frank kept up right behind her. Reloading her Glock, she strapped her ankle holster on, placing her small handgun inside. Opening her office drawer, she removed the sizable bowie knife and strapped it onto her thigh. Frank looked at Kamira and smiled mischievously.

  “Giovanni and I will follow you and Terrance. You never know what you might walk into.”

  Frank followed Kamira out of her office, going to the front of the department. Terrance was standing there with two rifles.

  “Ready, love?” Terrance asked.

  Kamira looked into the conference room at Jack. He gave her a thumbs-up, and the four walked out of the department.

  Willie Mae tiptoed up the stairway, stopping midway to see if she could hear anything.

  “I hear nothing, Jack. I don’t think anyone else is here—no need to worry now, Jack. I have Chester’s gun. I have to go now.” She disconnected the call.

  Jack ran from the conference room screaming, “Call Terrance. Willie Mae has a gun! She hung up on me.”

  Jack raced to his truck, turning on the lights and sirens. He sped towards Chester’s.

  Holding the gun in front of her, Willie Mae started up the stairs again.

  Reaching the top of the stairs, she peeked around the door frame. No one else was here. Willie Mae rushed to the sink, drinking two large glasses of water.

  Walking through the house, she saw papers scattered all over the dining room table. Sorting through them, she found the State Line Mob membership roster at the bottom of the pile. She made two copies on the copy machine in the corner of the dining room. Tucking one copy in her purse, she put the second copy in her pocket.

  Willie Mae looked out the window to see if Kamira had arrived yet. Not seeing her, she sat down at the table and dialed the Governor’s office on Chester’s phone.

  “Governor, this is Willie Mae. The State Line Mob kidnapped me. Kamira is on her way to pick me up now.” She listened for a moment. “I believe Chester broke my nose, but I am fine otherwise. I am sorry, sir, I had to shoot Chester. But I have splendid news. I have the State Line Mob membership roster, and I am bringing all these papers with me when Kamira gets here to pick me up.”

  Willie Mae listened again silently, her anger rising. “Now listen here, Governor. I have done a fine job taking care of myself through this turmoil, and I will continue to do so until Kamira arrives. Now listen, I want you in my office tomorrow at 10 am. I want increased funding for the Shadowbank Police Department and a special unit to clean up the State Line Mob. Now I have to go. I hear sirens. Kamira must be here.”

  Willie Mae finished packing the papers in a box she found on the floor, putting the membership roster on the pile’s top. Picking up the box, she placed the gun on the top of the lid and walked out the front door as Kamira pulled up to the house.

  Kamira raced out of the car and up to Willie Mae, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw the gun.

  Carefully removing a bag from her pocket, Kamira took the gun and placed it in the bag, handing it to Terrance.

  Kamira grimaced when she looked at Willie Mae’s battered face.

  “What do you have there, Auntie?”

  “Open the lid.” Willie Mae replied.

  Kamira looked inside and smiled at Willie Mae.

  They all stopped when they heard Jack’s truck plowing into the drive. They watched as he ran and tripped his way to the front of the house.

  Kamira smiled and said, “Look what auntie found.” Kamira handed the papers to Jack.

  “Is this the State Line Mob membership roster?”

  Willie Mae grinned, “You didn’t bring any ice with you, Jack, did you? My nose hurts. Oh, and Jack, you better call your friend Todd. Alyce Ann Buchanan is dead in the basement, and that devil Chester is too. I had to shoot him, Jack. It was him or me.”

  Jack, puzzled, asked, “But how did you get his gun?”

  Willie Mae grimaced as she smiled. “I played possum. Where’s Vittoria?”

  Kamira took Willie Mae’s arm, helping her down the front stairs and to her car.

  “I am sure Vittoria will be at the hospital when we get there. We have to get your nose checked out.”

  Willie Mae sat back deep in the passenger seat of the car. She was tired, and her nose hurt.

  After the doctors reset Willie Mae’s nose and gave her something for the pain, Kamira turned to Vittoria.

  “Do not leave her side till I get back. I have to go explain all this to Billie.”

  Kamira strode out of the room.

  Willie Mae grinned at Vittoria DeLuca. “Grab me my purse, will you?”

  Vittoria moved to the counter to get Willie Mae’s purse, walking back to the bed and handing it to her.

  Willie Mae opened her purse and took out the folder of papers, handing them to Vittoria.

  “Now tomorrow, I am going to give the governor a copy of this, but I don’t trust that he can get the job done. My family has to be safe, Vittoria.”

  Vittoria scanned through the papers. “I see.”

  Vittoria took Willie Mae’s hands into hers and looked deeply into her eyes. “Your family is safe, my friend. You have my word.”

  Chapter 11

  Kamira arrived at the Bellow sisters’ estate the following day. Finding Willie Mae, the Bellow sisters, and Vittoria DeLuca having coffee, she took a seat at the table and poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “Auntie, you need to listen to me. You are taking the day off today. I spoke to the Governor, and he has agreed to meet with you in a few days at your office.”

  Willie Mae smiled ge
ntly, “That, my dear, I can do. I have a vicious headache.”

  Looking around the room, Willie Mae held her hand out to Hattie. “Hattie, could you help me to my bed and bring some of those healing powders out of my cupboard?”

  Both Hattie and Hannah stood, each taking one of Willie Mae’s arms to lead her to her bedroom.

  Alone in the dining room, Kamira looked directly at Vittoria DeLuca.

  “Vittoria, one day, you and I are going to have a chat about boundaries. Today is not that day. I need to ask a favor of you.”

  Vittoria smiled slyly at Kamira. “Of course, Detective. What would you like me to do?”

  “Quit Vittoria, and this isn’t a game. I need to go to Minnesota this afternoon to solve this case I am working on, and I wondered if you and your men could stay until I return. I want to make sure Willie Mae has protection. By the way, where are your men?”

  Vittoria laughed. “Of course, I can stay with Willie Mae. It will give us time for a delightful visit, and I can talk to her about taking a vacation through Europe with me. My men? Well, they have set up operations in the former State Line headquarters. I understand they have found a new location.”

  “State Line headquarters? Why? Won’t they be leaving with you?”

  Vittoria set her coffee cup gently down on the table. Looking at Kamira with a steely stare, she said, “No, a portion of my men will remain. I made a promise to Willie Mae, and I intend to keep it.”

  Kamira shook her head. “Do I want to know what that promise is?”

  Victoria stood and walked out of the room, leaving Kamira to wonder what that promise was.

  Denver Colorado–Finding Randall Lewis

  Kamira and Terrance boarded the plane and found their seats. As the airplane lifted into the air, Terrance looked at Kamira.

  “How did it go with Willie Mae this morning?”

  Kamira’s eyes saddened. “You know I honor our family above all else. There is nothing greater than that. Our family is powerful. We have survived much since I arrived in Shadowbank. We both have worked in the FBI and now in Shadowbank. Which I believed to be a quiet little coastal community. So tell me, Terrance, how is it we’re taking down the State Line Mob and becoming allies with the biggest crime family in New York? I, love, am having a hard time wrapping my head around that one.”

  Terrance chuckled. “Vittoria and Willie Mae have developed quite the friendship. Jack and Frank, well, I heard they are planning another fishing trip in Alaska. Try not to overthink it. Love, things will fall into place, just as they should.”

  Terrance saw Kamira frown. “Don’t worry, love. Jack will watch over Willie Mae.”

  Kamira’s shoulders tensed. “About that. I had an interesting conversation with Vittoria DeLuca today. I asked her to stay until we got back home. I wanted to make sure my auntie is safe. I overstepped my boundaries as an officer.”

  Terrance, his mouth agape, said, “You did what? Look, Kamira, we have our hands full with the State Line Mob at the moment. When George finds out what happened, there is no telling what he will do next. I think he has a few guards on the payroll.”

  Kamira sadly looked at Terrance, “I think we have a bigger problem. Vittoria has made some promises to Willie Mae. She didn’t say what it was, but she said her men had moved into the State Line headquarters. I have a bad feeling about this.”

  Terrance took Kamira’s hand in his. “I don’t want you worrying about this, love. We’re talking Mississippi, and the DeLuca family is busy on the east coast. I don’t think they are going to move into Shadowbank.”

  Kamira’s eyes took on a new depth, saying, “I am worried. I think Willie Mae gave Vittoria a copy of the official membership roster of the State Line Mob.”

  “Are you sure about this, Kamira?”

  “No, not positive. But the ramifications of this could be disastrous for Jack, Terrance.”

  Terrance nodded. “Jack can take care of himself. Hell, he had old Arnie Bailey ready to feed those State Line boys to the alligators to find Willie Mae. Trust Jack to do the right thing, Kamira. Besides, how would Willie Mae have made a copy of that list?”

  Closing her eyes, Kamira sat back in her seat. “You’re right. I was there within thirty minutes of her calling, letting me know where she was. I’m just tired, is all. It’s been an awful week, and maybe my mind is just going places it shouldn’t be.”

  “Now, let’s just concentrate on the case in front of us. I am betting Pastor Charles Chestfield is now living as Randall Lewis. How do you want to handle this?” Terrance asked.

  Grinning, Kamira replied, “I say we relax for tonight and tomorrow morning, we lease two rental cars. You stake out the place of employment, and I will stake out the Lewis home. If all goes right, we should be home for dinner tomorrow night. Then it’s honeymoon heaven.”

  Early the following morning, Kamira and Terrance, standing outside their rental cars, kissed.

  Terrance said, “Wait for my call before going up to the Lewis house, love.”

  Kamira smiled, “Don’t take too long. You know I loathe stakeouts.”

  Kamira drove to the address in Denver for the Lewis residence and parked mid-block. Looking at the home, she wondered how does an accountant afford such a lavish home?

  Terrance arrived at the Dunkirk Accounting office and walked inside, holding a briefcase to the front counter.

  Speaking to the middle-aged woman behind the counter, he said, “Good morning, I have an appointment with Randall Lewis.”

  The woman’s face became confused. “I’m sorry, sir, Mr. Lewis no longer works here. When did you make the appointment?”

  Terrance, frowning, asked, “When did Mr. Lewis’s employment end?”

  The woman replied, “Sir, I cannot tell you that.”

  Terrance, pulling his badge out of his belt, said, “Ma’am, perhaps you can direct me to the manager then to answer my questions.”

  The woman, seeing the badge, nodded and replied, “Have a seat. I will see what I can do.”

  A few minutes later, Mr. Dunkirk, owner of the accounting firm, came out of an office and walked up to Terrance.

  “Officer, if you will follow me.”

  Once in the office, Mr. Dunkirk showed Terrance a seat across from his desk.

  “What did you say your name was, officer? Chief Stanley did not tell me you were coming today.”

  “Terrance James, special investigator with the Shadowbank, Mississippi Police Department.”

  “Mississippi?” A stunned Mr. Dunkirk asked. “What in the world do you have to do with the investigation into Lewis’s embezzlement scheme?”

  Terrance, surprised, replied, “Embezzlement scheme?”

  Mr. Dunkirk, getting nervous, said, “Yes, Lewis has been shaving money out of this business on the side for over ten years. Tell me, Investigator James, why are you looking for Randall Lewis?”

  Terrance pulled out his phone, pulling up the picture he had saved of Charles Chestfield.

  “Mr. Dunkirk, is this Randall Lewis?”

  Confused, Mr. Dunkirk replied, “He’s older now, bald and heavier. But yes, I would say that is Randall Lewis when he was younger unless it’s a relative? Perhaps you should explain why you are in my office, James.”

  Hearing a knock at the door, Terrance turned to see Chief Stanley entering the office.

  “Morning, Chief Stanley,” Terrance said.

  “Good morning, Investigator James, Mr. Dunkirk.”

  Looking at Terrance, Chief Stanley continued, “So is Lewis, your man?”

  Terrance smiled, “I believe he is. Mr. Dunkirk here has identified the photo.”

  Looking back at Mr. Dunkirk, Terrance asked, “When did you let Chestfield go from your employment?”

  Mr. Dunkirk, stunned, looked at Terrance and the chief. “Last evening, who is Chestfield.”

  Terrance stood, looking directly at the chief.

  “I have an officer watching his residence, and we need to go before
Chestfield disappears again.”

  Both officers started for the door while hearing Mr. Dunkirk in the background asking, “Who is Chestfield?”

  Jumping in the chief’s car, Terrance pulled out his cell phone and called Kamira.

  “Kamira, we have identified Chestfield as Randall Lewis. It seems he is under investigation with the Denver police for embezzlement. Any movement around the house?”

  Kamira replied, “Yes, where are you? A woman and two teenage boys are packing suitcases into an SUV.”

  Kamira could hear Chief Stanley calling for backup.

  “Terrance, they are all coming out of the house now and getting into the SUV. I’m going to block them in. Get here as soon as you can.”

  “Kamira, wait,” Terrance said into a dead phone. Kamira had disconnected the call.

  Terrance glanced at Chief Stanley, who looked panicked.

  Terrance grinned. “Don’t worry, Chief. My wife is a former FBI and Special Forces.

  Starting the rented sedan, Kamira quickly moved the sedan to block the driveway of the Lewis home. Getting out of the car, she unfastened the strap on her holster.

  “Mr. Lewis?” Kamira asked when she saw the man look at her.

  Randall Lewis, agitated, looked at her and said, “Who are you? Move your damn car, can’t you see we are leaving?”

  Kamira smiled slyly.

  “Charles Chestfield, you’re under arrest for the murders of Daniel Billings and your wife, Faye Chestfield.”

  The woman came around the car frightened and said, “Randall, who is Charles Chestfield?”

  Charles panicked. Pulling the gun out of his pocket, he pointed it directly at Kamira’s chest.

  “How did you find me?” Charles asked.

  Kamira balanced her weight between both her feet, slightly raising her left rear heel.

  The woman, scared, screamed, “Randall, where did you get the gun? What is going on? The boys are in the car. What are you doing?”

  Charles, turning, shouted, “Get in the car, Cora.”

  Kamira took that moment to move. Jumping up towards Charles, Kamira, now airborne, struck Charles with the heel of her right foot.

  As Charles fell to the ground, Kamira lowered her leg, regaining her balance. Knocking the handgun from his hand, she flipped him over onto his stomach in one smooth movement. Pulling out her handcuffs from her back pocket, Kamira handcuffed Charles Chestfield. She next secured the gun he had been holding.