“That sounds logical. We got the people we think killed Carl.”
“Oh, good. It’s never settled right with me. That didn’t fit.”
“Okay, does Vasquez know where you are?”
“No. I took the rental car that I drove the last time I saw him and returned it. I asked for a minivan, instead.”
“Good thinking.”
“I also moved since I saw Harris. This house is more secluded.”
“Okay. How can you help us find the kids?”
“I have thought of nothing else since I met Rex Jamison. I know that Vasquez is going to call me with their location. I then will be given the papers for Mateo and a plane ticket to some location in Mexico and will fly home with Mateo to Chile.”
“You know what will happen to Tyler?”
“No. That’s what’s worrying me too.”
“So, it will be a last-minute move?”
“He will call with information,” said Javier.
“Rex explained that your uncle had lost a child?”
“Yes, it was a long time ago. I was about ten when it happened. I hadn’t thought about it but now it makes sense. According to a story my mother told about her brother, Vasquez had a maid, and he was in love with her. She became pregnant and they lived in his big house at the winery. She slipped on the stairs and the baby flew out of her arms, fell and died. My mother went to try to help. She came home and told my father at dinner what had happened. Her name was Consuela, I don’t know her last name. She fled the country and rumor has it that she moved to the US. I think that she might be here in Key West because this is where he planned to keep Mateo. But I have no idea where she might be.”
“Okay, thanks for telling me about that.” Sharkey wrote in his notebook then turned again to Javier.
“Is there anyone that you know who might know her last name?”
“There is no way to know without talking to people who are loyal to Ricardo. It would put Tyler in danger if people started talking.”
“I understand. Your identity is safe with me.”
“Thanks.”
“Would she have enough money to buy a house here in Key West?”
“I doubt it…but she is quite beautiful and maybe she has men friends who would keep her. Maybe even Ricardo. I just don’t know. My mother really liked her and thought Ricardo should have married her.”
“You’ve been very helpful. So, the papers will be delivered to Ricardo?”
“Yes. They should be here sometime soon.”
“Thanks for contacting me. We can work together and hopefully find a way to find the children and take down Ricardo.”
“I know that it’s possible that I’ll be charged also, because people will think I drew Susan away from the children.”
“We’ll worry about that when we get them back. First we get them back. Anything that you think of that might help, call me.” Sharkey wrote his personal cell phone number on his card. “I know a really good attorney I’ll refer you to when this is over.”
* * *
Just before lunch time Consuela came to Tyler’s room and opened the door. “Tyler it’s time to stop watching TV and come get ready to go downtown to meet your mom.”
Tyler jumped up and ran to her side.
“Really…mom’s here?”
“You will be taken to her. Mateo’s staying with us for a while longer. Your mother still has things to do.”
“Okay.”
“Here, put on this shirt and you’ll need your hat. I packed you a lunch, in case you get hungry. You’ll be fine.”
“I will be. I’ll be back with Mom.” He gave her a hug. “Thanks for keeping me safe.” She hesitated but hugged him back.
“Vaya con Dios, Tyler. You’re a good boy and you’ll do fine.”
“Thanks.”
Consuela took his backpack and placed it on his back and gave him his lunch. At the back porch stood a tall thin man. He held out his hand and smiled at Tyler.
“We have a few stops to make, then you will be able to see your mother.”
* * *
Cindy Polly sat on a bench in the main foyer of the police station. Her head was down, and she looked sad.
Jenny approached her and sat down on the bench beside her. “Hi, Cindy.”
“Hi.” she said softly. “Is my dad going to jail?”
“He’s been arrested. He will get a lawyer and you can see him until he’s well enough to be taken to the county jail.”
“They said he shot someone. Did he kill them?”
“No. They are in critical condition at the hospital.”
“I had no idea that was going on.”
“Did you see anything the night of the abduction from the motel?”
“I have work to do in the backroom. The only time I come out at night is if someone comes in the office”.
“Did you tell your folks about the police being there?”
“I just said the police were there when I came in to pick up my paycheck. Lots of police. I got my check and left.”
“Okay. Cindy, I’m so sorry about your mother…”
“She didn’t deserve to die.” Tears ran down her face. “Who killed her?”
“She’s in the hospital and we can’t give out her name.”
“I hope she dies.” Cindy’s face and voice sent a chill through Jenny. Gone was the grieving young lady.
“I don’t believe that you mean that,” Jenny said softly. “I know you’re hurting, and you want to lash out at the people who did this. I want you to talk to Detective Sharkey again. Come with me.”
Cindy smiled. “He’s very handsome…I like him.”
Jenny put Cindy in an interview room and called Sharkey.
“There’s something about Cindy Polly that’s very strange. She may have more in common with her parents than we thought. Or, she’s just young and in shock.”
“I’m on my way back. I’ll talk to her.”
“Good.” Jenny laughed nervously.
“Hey, you okay?”
“At the end of our discussion she kind of gave me the creeps.”
“I’ll be in in a few minutes. Let her sit for a while.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
Sharkey met with Cindy Polly in an interview room at the station. He took a deep breath and put on a cheerful face before he walked into the room.
“Hey, Cindy, how are you doing?”
“Not good. My father’s going to jail?” Her face was pinched and her demeanor was very different.
“Yes. He’s been charged with attempted murder.”
“How about the bitch that shot my mother?”
Sharkey noted that her shyness was gone and her demeanor had become very different.
“Were you aware that they robbed and killed a man a few days ago?”
“No.” She looked defiant.
“His body was fished out of the canal caught on some mangrove trees. They also assaulted a man who witnessed them robbing that man. When he got out of the hospital, they ran him and his girlfriend off the road with a stolen car. Those two are still in the hospital. We found the five thousand dollars they stole hidden in your bedroom.”
The last sentence widened her eyes.
“I work nights. I don’t know anything about what they do while I’m sleeping or at work.”
“Okay, that’s all for now. You have any next of kin in the area?”
“I have an aunt in Sarasota. She’s my mother’s twin sister.”
Sharkey kept a straight face. Great, he thought. He took a breath before he said, “You might want to call her. You’ll need to stay here until this is over, but not alone.”
“Okay, I’ll call her. Can I go now?”
“Yes, just don’t leave town.”
“I have to work tonight.” She looked at Sharkey as if it was starting to register that her life had just changed in a big way. “I guess I’m on my own now. I won’t leave.”
“T
ake care,” Sharkey said softly.
“I will…” The resolve in her now-not-timid voice registered hard in Sharkey’s mind.
* * *
Javier returned to his house and was settling in when his cell rang. He recognized the voice on the other end of the call.
“You sound upset. What’s wrong?”
“I just received a notice that Mateo already has a passport. What the hell is going on? Are you trying to fool me? I told you what I would do if you betrayed me.”
“I know nothing of this. It must be Susan. She must have gotten it. She most certainly didn’t tell me. I’m as shocked as you are. I had no idea.”
“Find the passport now. I don’t care where you have to go, or what you have to do. You get it, or you will pay with your life and Tyler’s. You have two days.”
The connection went dead.
Javier was shaking. He made his way to a chair and sunk into it.
“What now?” He picked up the home phone and dialed Harris.
“Harris here.”
“I’m dead…”
“Javier…what’s happened?”
He relayed the conversation.
Harris took a deep breath. “Okay, calm down. Let me check with Alex and I’ll call you back.”
“I have two days…”
* * *
Billy Nash had just finished his workday of selling his shell jewelry and woven palm tree leaves roses to the tourists. He headed back down Duval Street feeling like it had been a good day. He headed down Green Street and back towards what he called home when a car pulled over to the side of the road and a young boy got out. The boy started running towards the next corner and the car turned around and headed the opposite way.
Billy thought this strange because the kid was no more than seven or eight. He followed the boy and found him standing on the corner looking around. People just pushed past him and when he looked back Billy saw his face covered in tears.
Billy walked up behind the boy and asked, “You all right?”
The boy turned in terror. “No.”
He started to run. Billy caught up to him.
“It’s all right. I’m not going to hurt you. Come on, you need to get off this street. In case that car comes back. I’m Billy. What’s your name?”
“Tyler. My mom was supposed to come here and meet me. She didn’t come and I don’t know where to go now.”
Billy put an arm around his shoulder. “It’s okay, Tyler. I know you’re scared. I’ll take care of you. Come to my place. We can talk there.”
Not knowing what else to do, Tyler walked next to Billy.
“I saw you get out of a car and run.”
“The man in the car said my mother was just around that corner. She wasn’t there.” He was shouting now.
“Okay, we’ll find her. I’ll help you.” Tyler looked at Billy and tried to decide if he was okay.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“You hungry?” Billy asked.
“Yeah…she gave me a lunch but…”
“Come on, how about a hamburger, fries and a pop?”
“That sounds really good. I have money in my shoe.”
“My treat. This way. There’s a street vendor set up on the next street.” Billy bought two hamburgers, fries and two pops.
“You got a girlfriend, Billy?” the vendor asked.
“Na, I just had a big day and I’m hungry and thirsty.”
“Well, here you go. Enjoy.”
“Thanks, Pat.”
He returned to Tyler and gave him the burger and fries.
“Thanks, Billy. This is good.”
Billy laughed. “Yeah, being alone on the street can make you really hungry.”
When they had finished eating, Billy asked, “Where are your folks?”
“My mom, I don’t know. My dad’s in Miami. I came here with my mom and baby brother. Mateo is staying at the house I was at.”
“Come on, I’ll show you where there’s a bathroom and where my camp is.”
“You have a camp? I know how to camp. My dad and I go camping all the time.”
“Good, let’s go this way. We need to stay to the streets I know that don’t have a lot of people on them. There are good people here and some not so good. I know which are which. You’re safe with me.”
* * *
Harris called Alex to find out what he thought about checking Susan’s house again.
“We brought a lot of her papers to your house. You know, those shoe boxes?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t bring myself to read her letters.”
“Let’s meet at your house and we’ll look through them first. If we don’t find anything, we can think about another road trip.”
“Okay. I’m going to have Javier join us. It’s his life on the line. I’ll also call Sharkey.”
“I’ll be right over.”
Burt went into the kitchen where Amy was making a key lime pie. He slipped his arms around her.
“Looks good.” He kissed her neck. “I invited Alex over to go through Susan’s boxes of letters.”
She turned in his arms and kissed him. “This will be ready in an hour.”
“You’re always prepared for anything.”
“I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee.”
“Thanks, Sweets.”
Alex arrived a few minutes later, followed by a cab that dropped Javier off.
“How you doin?”
Alex smiled and sat down on the couch. “Good. Pretty much healed up.”
“That’s great. How’s Cynthia?”
“Better than ever. She’s a real trouper.”
The doorbell rang and Harris got it. “Javier, come in.”
“Thanks.”
“Alex, this is Javier.”
“Good to meet you.”
Sharkey was last to arrive. “Thanks for including me,” he said. “Javier, good to see you again.”
“We have our work cut out for us,” started Harris. The five boxes with red ribbons tied around them sat on the coffee table.
“Vasquez told me Susan had already gotten Mateo a passport,” Javier said, “so they rejected my application.”
“All I can think,” said Harris, “is that she thought she would take him to Chile at some point.”
“She never told me that,” said Javier. “I thought she didn’t want to come. She said that Mateo would never leave the country without her. Why didn’t she tell me?”
“It’s complicated, for sure,” Harris said, “and we may never know what she was thinking.”
“Any news on Tyler?” Javier asked.
“Nothing yet,” said Sharkey.
“Javier did connect with Sharkey,” Harris said to Alex, “and he has said he will cooperate with the police any way he can.”
“Good,” Alex said.
Amy appeared with a tray of sandwiches and cokes. “I made a little something to munch on.”
Alex laughed. “Amy, how did you know I didn’t have any breakfast today?”
“I knew Burt didn’t, and food always helps in an emotional situation.”
“Okay, five boxes,” Alex said. “This one is marked Mom.”
He opened the box and found it full of letters with no addresses on them. “That’s strange.” He opened an envelope and saw that the letter was addressed to Daddy.
“What?” He looked at Harris. “They’re to you, but they were never mailed. No address, no name…”
“She must have given them to her mom, and she didn’t address them or send them on. That’s Stephanie for you.”
“Man, you should read them sometime,” Alex said, “but I don’t see anything but personal stuff in here.”
“Here’s a bunch of bills,” Harris said. He grabbed a handful and Alex took some. “She had plenty of these, along with overdue notices.”
They ate sandwiches as they worked.
“This one’s bigger than the others,” Burt said, undoing the white ribbon and remov
ing the lid. A large white envelope under the other envelopes appeared. “It’s marked personal…”
“Open it,” Sharkey said.
Alex carefully cut the end of the envelope open and slid out a manila envelope. “Look here.” He pulled out a passport book for Susan and one for each of the boys.
Javier looked confused.
“One for Mateo, one for Tyler, and one for herself. She was hiding them,” Harris said. “She must not have told anyone about them.”
“She certainly didn’t act like such a thought had crossed her mind,” Javier said defensively.
“Okay,” Alex said, “what now?”
Amy entered the room again. “You find what you were looking for?”
“Susan had the passports for both boys hidden in a large shoe box.”
“That’s a good hiding place.” She smiled. “Let me know when you want pie.”
Harris grinned. “Okay, will do.”
“How long did Vasquez give Javier?” Sharkey asked.
“Two days.”
“That will buy us a little time to plan. I wish we knew where they’re holding the kids. From what you said, he told Javier he’s ready to move quickly.”
“Sounds like it.”
“I want someone on Javier or move him to a safe house.”
“No,” said Javier. “I want to stay with Harris. I want to try to do this, so you know exactly where I am. He will call me with his plan. He may not want us to fly out. It could be too risky. The passport people already know that there was a second request. That may throw up alerts at the airports. If I can get to Vasquez, I can maybe stop this whole thing.”
“Okay, but you can’t go rogue. You’ll need back up. I don’t want any more civilians killed.”
“I especially agree to that part,” Javier said.
“All right. Harris, you keep me in the loop,” said Sharkey.
Amy brought out the pie and coffee then cleared the dishes from lunch.
Eating pie seemed to break the tension.
“Javier, I’ll drive you home and bring you back here. You can use my car if you must go anywhere.”
Javier nodded.
Harris walked Sharkey and Alex to the door.
Key West Gone into the Night Page 18