“I see what you mean.” Lexi emitted an audible sigh of despair…and a calculated one. “I’ll just have to handle it as best as I can. Getting to the truth is more important than any inconvenience that might come my way.” The results pleased her. Just as they had planned it last night, a distraction to remove attention from Gable so he and Robert could work without being bothered. And the resulting publicity would provide an added shove to compel J.D. Prescott to make a personal appearance since he was the one who sent Lexi to the island to dig into the disappearance. It would also push him to come up with a plausible explanation about what happened to Winthrop if for no other reason than to mislead the new direction of the investigation. But perhaps he had already done that which would explain his statement that he planned to make an announcement at the party reenactment.
She glanced at her watch. Time to go. Things were beginning to come together and she was anxious to get back so she could report her success to Gable. Hopefully he had been able to discover something useful with his research into Prescott’s background. Retracing her steps, she drove to the mainland dock where she returned her rental car and was ferried to the island.
Gable met her at the island dock. “I’d pull you into my arms and ravish your mouth, but I’m sure we’re being watched, if not by Brian then certainly by Hank or Dolly. I’ll save that little treat for later.”
A sly grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I look forward to it.” She shot him a questioning look. “Why Hank or Dolly?”
“I’ll fill you in on that later. First, tell me how everything went at the sheriff’s lab?”
“Perfect. They accepted the identification and I gave Bud the story about my psychic visions, but only what we discussed. I believe he took me seriously rather than merely humoring me in order to accommodate you.”
“Bud Lansing is sharp and very astute. He knows what he’s doing and doesn’t suffer fools lightly.”
“Then why didn’t you ever confide any of the truth to him rather than allow it to unfold with him in the dark about what’s happening?”
“Uncle Robert and I agreed that no one would know what was going on other than the two of us. It wasn’t until you were thrown into my path and started digging into things that someone else became involved.”
“Kind of an unavoidable interference?”
Gable eyed her for a moment. “Yes…at first. But sharing information with you has proven to be a good decision…in more ways than one. I don’t know if Uncle Robert is quite convinced yet,” his teasing grin appeared, “but he will be.”
“Bud said I’d probably be bombarded with media attention as soon as what I had provided the lab becomes known which, I’m guessing from his demeanor, will probably be any minute now.”
“The news is already out. There have been phone calls for you.” Gable drove the electric cart into the garage and plugged it in to recharge.
“How do you want me to proceed? Hold them off or schedule a news conference of sorts?”
“Neither. You’ll issue an official statement. I don’t want any reporters on the island, but we have to give them something so Prescott will know the official story as well as whatever Brian is telling him. I want Prescott pushed into making hasty decisions. I don’t want to leave him any choice other than to keep his word and show up here the day before the party. We’ll make it clear to him that if he isn’t here on the island, there won’t be any party.”
They entered the house and proceeded directly toward Gable’s office. Half way down the hall Lexi suddenly stopped walking. A sharp jolt of anxiety shot through her body. A hard lump churned in the pit of her stomach. She felt the stare boring into the back of her head. Slowly turning to look behind her, apprehension became reality when she found herself on the receiving end of Brian’s cold stare.
She tried to calm her trepidation as she whispered one word. “Gable.”
Brian’s expression lingered only a second before being replaced with a more benign one, but it was enough of a glimpse for her to confirm the cause of the sudden shiver of fear.
Gable moved next to Lexi, his close proximity providing an immediate sense of calm and comfort. His voice projected a neutral tone that did not give away any thoughts that might have been going through his mind at that moment. “Is there a problem of some sort, Brian?”
Chapter Ten
“No, not really, Mr. Talbot.” Brian leveled a penetrating look at Lexi, then returned his attention to Gable. “I need to know how you want me to handle all the phone calls for Miss Caldwell. There have been several calls from various news organizations.” He tilted his head to one side and shot a questioning look at Gable, one tinged with a hint of accusation. “Is there some sort of new information that I need to be aware of? Something going on?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact there is a new development as of a few hours ago. Lexi was filling me in on the details. She just returned from aiding the sheriff’s lab by providing a key piece of information that allowed them to identify the second skeleton. The lab had positively identified Evelyn Hollingsworth as one of the skeletons and eliminated any possibility of the other skeleton being Winthrop Hollingsworth. Lexi was able to positively confirm that the unidentified skeleton was the third missing person, an employee of Hollingsworth named Jack Stinson. I’m sure the media is most anxious to know what information she provided the sheriff and how she came to have it.”
“I see.” Brian shot another quick glance in Lexi’s direction. “So, how do you want me to handle the phone calls? Will Miss Caldwell be talking to them or do I shine them on?”
Gable scrunched up the corner of his mouth for a couple of seconds as if considering Brian’s question. “Tell them Miss Caldwell will have a written statement first thing in the morning. She will email it to the deputy in charge of the investigation. It will be the only statement she’ll be making. No one will be permitted on the island without my specific permission—no one.” He paused a moment, then added. “Except the sheriff’s deputies, of course.”
“Yes, sir.” Brian retreated toward the security office.
Lexi sucked in a calming breath as she grabbed Gable’s hand and laced their fingers together. She needed the warmth and security of his touch. “You didn’t see his initial expression—”
“Sh. Not here.”
They continued on to the safety of Gable’s office without saying anything else. As soon as they were behind the locked door, he pulled her into his arms and held her body tightly against his.
Lexi wrapped her arms around his waist. “You should have seen that look in his eyes. I knew he was behind me even before I turned around. I felt his presence…his menacing presence. He was staring as if trying to force information out of my head. But it was the cold look in his eyes…” She couldn’t stop the shudder that rippled through her body. “It disappeared when I turned around, but not quick enough to keep me from seeing it. If I hadn’t been suspicious of Brian before, this certainly would have done it.”
Gable threaded his fingers through her hair as he cradled her head against his shoulder and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “I’m so sorry you had to become involved in this, at least the part that has put you in the path of danger. But I’m so glad you’ve become involved in my life. It won’t be much longer now. If all goes according to plan, it will be over soon. We’re on the countdown to the final few days.”
“About that plan…I don’t want to push you or intrude where you don’t want me, but there’s obviously a lot more going on than you’ve told me about. Things like the purpose of your uncle being here, why it was necessary for everyone to think he was dead, and what kind of equipment he’s setting up in the mansion.”
Gable emitted a sigh of resignation as he slowly shook his head. “You’ve got me in an awkward position here. I want to tell you, but Uncle Robert and I have a long-standing agreement about the total secrecy of all this. I’ve already pushed the boundaries of our agreement by admitting my identit
y to you before consulting with him first. I’m not sure—”
She placed her fingertips against his lips. “It’s okay. I understand.” Those were her words, but not her feelings. She wanted to understand and certainly respected his integrity in keeping his word to his uncle, but she also wanted to know what was going through his mind. She was no longer an outsider looking in. She was involved and quite possibly in danger.
And what if the mess wasn’t over in a couple of days? Or worse yet, what if it didn’t end as Gable anticipated? Winthrop Hollingsworth had already proven himself a dangerous and elusive adversary with the money to do and buy whatever he needed whether material goods or people like Brian Cookson. If Gable’s plan went awry, his life would most certainly be in danger. She refused to consider the amount of danger she would be in as well. However, she could neither ignore nor dismiss the nervous jitter that continued to push at her. Was her emotional attachment to Gable clouding her logic? Or was it her psychic energy trying to warn her of something? She didn’t know.
She pulled back just enough to be able to look up at his face. “What about you? How did your day go?”
The grin spread across his face saying how pleased he was with himself. “All in all, I’d say it went pretty well. I have a good handle on how Hollingsworth got millions of dollars into the name of J.D. Prescott. And in tracking that down, I’ve found another link from my little island here to Hollingsworth. What I don’t know is if it also goes to Prescott.”
“I don’t understand.” She wrinkled her brow into a half frown and half question. “After all, Hollingsworth is Prescott and Prescott is Hollingsworth. They’re the same man, so wouldn’t a link to one be a link to both?”
“Only if the person he’s associating with knows both his true identity and his new identity. All of Brian’s dealings have been with Prescott. It’s very possible that he doesn’t know who J.D. Prescott really is. And, conversely, it’s possible that anyone who has been working for Winthrop Hollingsworth dating back over thirty years wouldn’t be aware of his current alter ego.”
She gave him a playful little slap on the rear end. “Stop teasing me and talking in riddles. What did you find out?”
He placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Using the information you provided about Prescott, I was able to trace back from Prescott’s current circumstance until his life intersected with Hollingsworth a year prior to Winthrop’s disappearance. I don’t have tangible proof yet, at least not anything that would stand up in court, but I think I know how he handled getting millions of dollars out of the Hollingsworth Empire and into the name of Prescott without raising any red flags. And also who helped him by playing a pivotal role in the transaction.”
It was as if someone had switched on the light in her head. The realization popped into her mind as clearly as if she had carefully thought it out and arrived at a logical conclusion. “Hank and Dolly. Nothing else makes any sense. They worked for Winthrop, they were on the island the night of the disappearances and they have been here ever since then. They would have been the perfect conduit to Prescott before he manipulated the circumstances that resulted in you hiring Brian and giving Prescott yet another set of eyes and ears to keep him informed about what you were doing and whether there was any danger of the skeletons being uncovered.”
“Right you are. From what I’ve discovered, it appears that Winthrop funneled millions of dollars from the Hollingsworth Empire to a charitable organization with an account in a Swiss bank. Then the charitable organization closed its doors leaving the money in the Swiss account available to whomever had initially set it up which would, of course, have been Winthrop Hollingsworth using his already-procured new identity of J.D. Prescott. Since the Hollingsworth business enterprises did not take the charitable contribution as a tax deduction, it slipped by everyone. All of this was done a year prior to the disappearances, shortly after Winthrop’s father died and he inherited everything. Apparently Winthrop’s scheme to do away with his wife was a long time in the planning stage and not a last minute hasty decision or an emotionally impulsive one. It was cold, calculated and well thought out.”
“How do Hank and Dolly fit into that?”
“Hank was the person listed as the financial officer for the bogus charity. The money passed through his hands on its way to Switzerland. Hank and Dolly knew he was still alive. I have no idea what kind of story Winthrop must have given him to keep him quiet after the disappearances. But, as I said, do they know his actual whereabouts and his identity as J.D. Prescott or do they think he’s only Winthrop Hollingsworth still in hiding after all these years? There’s still unanswered questions about Hank and Dolly. Did they understand what they were involved with at that time? Do they know now? Or are they merely dupes in Hollingsworth’s elaborate scheme and cover up? Only Hank and Dolly can answer that one.”
“I saw Dolly’s face when she arrived on the scene and spotted the skeletons. She was genuinely shocked…and very frightened. That, put together with what you dug up, tells me she didn’t know anything about the bodies being buried on the island. Maybe not even about the murders. Winthrop might have convinced them that Evelyn and Jack ran off together.”
“That’s a very real possibility, but doesn’t negate the fact that they knew Winthrop was still alive and did not come forth with the information.”
“Would it be ethical…uh, I mean…as the owner of all you survey, wouldn’t you have the right to inspect their cottage?”
He slowly nodded his head. “The same thought occurred to me.” A slight frown wrinkled across his brow. “On one hand it would make me feel like I was snooping into their personal life and I don’t like that. But, on the other hand, you’re right. I do own the cottage and have the right to inspect it for…well, for structural damage from the storm, to see if any repairs are needed. That’s reaching, but I know I’m within my legal rights. It’s the ethical concerns that bother me.”
Stepping back from him, she made eye contact. She put as much determination into her voice as she could muster, clearly demonstrating her depth of feeling in the matter. “Your father was murdered and the man responsible has escaped any responsibility or repercussions for thirty years while continuing to live a life of luxury. You’ve uncovered some information that points to Hank and Dolly being involved. I think that gives you every right to pursue whatever legal avenue you find without worrying about whether it’s ethical. Was it ethical for your father to be murdered for no reason other than supplying Hollingsworth with a scapegoat so he could murder his wife?”
She paused as she turned over a thought in her mind. Her words came out as a whisper, but clearly discernible. “And as far as I’m concerned, whatever illegal avenue you find is equally justified.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t want to compromise anything that the prosecution can use to put Winthrop Hollingsworth behind bars. I want everything to be legal and not hand his defense team anything to work with.” A hard look flashed across his face. “I don’t want that bastard to walk away free and clear a second time because he can afford to buy the best attorneys available.”
“I’m sorry. I certainly don’t want to do anything that will cause a legal problem.”
A soft chuckle escaped his throat. “That’s all right. I have to admit entertaining the same notion for a moment. In fact, it’s an option that probably shouldn’t be totally dismissed.”
“So…what’s the next step?”
“Let’s compose that press release you’re going to email in the morning, then we’ll have dinner. And after that, I think the hot tub might be a viable option to work out the kinks and stress of the day. And after that…”
A sly grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. “That’s the best part.”
****
Deputy Bud Lansing held up his hand to quiet the reporters gathered for the press conference. “Alexandra Caldwell has issued a formal statement concerning her participation in the identification of Jack Stinson
as the second skeleton uncovered on Skull Island and has asked me to read it. She has informed me that this will be her only statement in this matter and she will not be granting any interviews. I am also informed by Gable Talbot, owner of Skull Island, that no one will be permitted on the island without his specific permission and any attempt to illicitly gain access to the island will be treated as trespassing and will be met with criminal prosecution. And I want to add that there will not be a question and answer session following my reading of Miss Caldwell’s statement.”
Bud met the unhappy grumblings of the reporters with a stern expression that said he would not tolerate any disagreement or argument. He read Lexi’s statement, a succinct explanation of her assignment to gather research information for J.D. Prescott for a new book and using the photograph of Jack Stinson to achieve a match with the skull. There was no further information in her statement and true to his word, Bud refused to answer any questions.
He returned to his office, slammed the door in a fit of anger, then reached for his phone. A moment later he had Gable on the line. “What the hell’s going on over there? I just read this very abbreviated statement from Lexi about the identification and your edict that you’d prosecute anyone trying to get on the island. I don’t know what conclusions the press has drawn from all this, but I’m not buying any of it as one big coincidence. Now that I’ve done your bidding, don’t you think it’s about time you gave me some real answers about what’s going on?”
“Well…” Even though Gable had expected this from Bud eventually, he hadn’t been prepared for it quite so soon. “You’re a little ahead of me.” A nervous chuckle traveled the phone line. “I kind of thought we would probably end up having this conversation after J.D. Prescott arrived.”
Bud’s shock traveled the phone line back to Gable. “Prescott’s coming here? Why?”
“Because I invited him. Well, actually I insisted that he pay us a visit. I imagine you’ve heard about the reenactment of the costume party from thirty years ago.”
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