Decker's Dilemma

by Jack Ambraw

  Five minutes later, Rusty began fidgeting with his watch. “He is late. Sorry about this. He is on Filipino time.” He nervously shuffled his feet. “I want to stick with you guys, but if I am not home soon, Weny will be suspicious.”

  Decker and Hack understood completely. They said their goodbyes as Rusty caught the next jeepney headed towards base. A couple minutes later the sailors spotted Baby motoring towards them. They climbed in the trike and rode the remaining six blocks to a spot near Fortuno’s house.

  Baby cut the engine and edged it towards the side of the street. He turned to the sailors. “Half block more,” he said. “His house is at the top of the hill. Black metal fence around it. Easy to spot.” Baby pointed with his lips towards the opposite direction. “I wait in the café. Walk there and I will be waiting.”

  They agreed to the plan and Decker handed Baby a wad of pesos. The sailors walked up the hill the last few feet to the edge of a manicured lawn. An imposing structure built into the hillside, Fortuno’s house jutted over the side of the cliff, giving an illusion from below that it was suspended in air. From street level the house was equally appealing. A short but wide driveway led to a covered parking area big enough for four cars. They both noticed the Rolls Royce, Mercedes coupe, and a large Land Cruiser 4 X 4.

  The sailors walked along a stone path that led to the main entrance. Two white columns framed the entrance, and a large mahogany door that was at least twelve feet tall loomed in front of them. Decker and Hack exchanged glances.

  “This is your idea,” Hack said. “Go ahead and knock.”

  Decker hesitantly extended his hand and knocked timidly three times. They listened. No sound coming from within. Decker knocked louder and this time they heard footsteps walking through the house. Decker leaned into Hack and whispered, “It’s a woman.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Sounds like feminine footsteps in heels.”

  The door opened and Decker was indeed correct. A tall, beautiful Filipina greeted them with the door slightly ajar, her left hand resting on her cocked hip. She eyed them suspiciously from head to toe. “What do you want?”

  Her firm demeanor got Decker and Hack’s attention, but what they focused on mostly was her beauty. Young, probably early 20s, Decker guessed, with soft but finely-toned features. He thick brown hair fell a few inches below her shoulders. She wore a loose-fitting yellow top and extremely short white cotton shorts that accentuated her olive skin. She has to be six feet tall, Decker thought to himself, trying to compare her with his six-foot-two frame.

  “We’re here to see Mr. Fortuno,” Decker said softly. “I believe he’s expecting us. Please tell him that Decker and Hack are here to see him. Friends of Rusty.”

  The woman inspected them a second time, wary of the presence of American sailors. She glanced behind her, then turned to face the sailors. “Very well. Wait here. I’ll see if he’s free.” She closed the door and they heard the distinctive click of a lock.

  “Sounds like we struck out,” Hack said. “I bet she’s going to leave us standing here.”

  “I think you could be right,” Decker agreed, looking up at the sky as thunder boomed in the distance. “And it’s going to rain. Let’s give it five minutes and get out of here. I suddenly have a bad feeling about this place and I don’t want to get caught up here in a storm.”

  Hack marked the time with his watch. “I hope Rusty’s message got to him. Who do you think the girl is?”

  “Could be his maid,” Decker said.

  “She didn’t look like a maid. Not dressed like that.”

  “Could be his girlfriend.”

  “A girlfriend that young?”

  “Happens all the time, especially with old men who have money. It’s the life of the rich. Young women don’t mind. They get to spend money on anything they want. The old man gets what he wants before he dies and, in the end, the young woman gets the money. That’s what makes the world go round. Trickle down economics.”

  “I don’t think that’s what it’s called. But whatever it is, I hope I never get that like.”

  “Like what? A rich old man or a young man marrying an old woman with money?”

  “Neither one.”

  “Well, I think you’re safe on both accounts.”

  Another minute passed and Decker and Hack were about to walk away when they again heard the foot falls of high heels walking across hardwood floors. The door opened and the woman, who this time introduced herself as Olivia, invited them inside and told them to follow her.

  They passed through a long entryway that opened to a large family room with slick mahogany floors and large windows facing the city below and Subic Bay beyond. Hack glanced at Decker with a better-behave-yourself look as both of them eyed Olivia’s perfectly formed derriere while she walked ahead of them. She led them across the family room to a screen door that opened to an expansive deck hanging over the hillside.

  Hack was the first to take a tentative step on the wood flooring. “An engineering marvel. I just hope it holds our weight,” he whispered to Decker.

  Decker didn’t have time to reply. His eyes met Mr. Fortuno’s glare. The old man, sitting at a table under an umbrella in the far corner of the deck, took off his black-framed reading glasses and sized up the two sailors. He wore a long-sleeve white cotton shirt, untucked and unbuttoned to mid-chest, tan slacks, and dark brown Mephisto boat shoes. His white hair, thin across the top, curled along the back of his shirt collar. A stack of papers and a glass of bourbon sat in front of him. He didn’t bother to stand.

  Olivia announced their entrance and went over to the man, kissed his forehead, and asked him if he wanted anything. Mr. Fortuno smiled at the young woman and put an arm around her hips. “Hindi bale na lang, anak,” he said with a faint smile. “We’ll be fine. I’ll have Jimmy get our guests something to drink.”

  With a gold Rolex dangling from his wrist, Mr. Fortuno dropped his left arm from Olivia’s hips and patted her on the butt as she walked away.

  Olivia pouted. “Okay, Daddy. I’ll be inside if you need anything. I’m going to call Abbey.”

  “Oops, not a girlfriend,” Hack whispered to Decker with a bemused smile.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  1335, Saturday, February 8

  Olivia spun in her heels and sashayed into the house. Mr. Fortuno cleared his throat, drawing the sailors’ attention. “Welcome to my home, gentlemen. Would you like a drink? Perhaps a beer would be nice.” He peered over Decker’s shoulder at a servant standing a few paces behind the two sailors. “Jimmy, dalawa Heinekens for our guests, please.”

  Decker and Hack hadn’t noticed Jimmy, who had obviously followed them through the house and out onto the deck. Jimmy bowed slightly. “Yes, sir.”

  Mr. Fortuno stretched his back in the chair and waved Decker and Hack forward. “Sit down please. Don’t be shy. Any friends of Rusty are welcome here.”

  Decker was relieved at how friendly Mr. Fortuno appeared to be. Expecting a rude, mob boss type, Mr. Fortuno seemed a pleasant old man, pleasant in the grandfatherly sort of way.

  They spent the next few minutes answering Mr. Fortuno’s questions: where they were stationed, how long they had been in the navy, where they were from in the States.

  Mr. Fortuno gestured towards his house. “You met Olivia. She lived in California for several years. I wanted her to have a top notch education. She attended high school at Harvard-Westlake in Los Angeles and went to college at Stanford.”

  “Impressive,” Decker said. “I’m not familiar with the high school, but, of course, I’m well aware of Stanford’s reputation.”

  Mr. Fortuno grabbed his bourbon glass and put his elbows on the table. “In truth, it disappointed me. I wanted her to go to what you Americans call the east coast for college. She was stuck on staying in California, though, and I couldn’t change her
mind. Her younger sister is at Stanford now. Two more years until she graduates. Olivia spent the last few months in Hawaii visiting friends and then arrived back home three months ago. I’m afraid they’re both infatuated with life in the U.S. I doubt if Abbey will ever move back with me. Younger siblings are like that, I suppose.”

  Jimmy returned with two Heinekens and frosty mugs for Decker and Hack. He refilled Mr. Fortuno’s glass of bourbon and refreshed his ice.

  “Are you fellows hungry?” Mr. Fortuno asked.

  “No, sir,” Decker said, eliciting a look of disappointment from Hack.

  To Jimmy, Mr. Fortuno said, “That will be all for now. If we need anything, I’ll ring.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jimmy said and retreated to the house, nodding at the two sailors as he departed.

  The three men sat on the deck not speaking for the next few minutes. Decker and Hack gazed at the city of Olongapo and Subic Bay below from a vantage point they had not experienced before. The streets were clearly defined, weaving like a maze through the houses and buildings. The naval base’s few buildings and large, green open spaces were in sharp contrast to the crowded city. The tops of cranes and ships at the piers were barely noticeable. The water of Subic Bay appeared various shades of blue and turquoise, and clearer and more pristine than it appeared up close. Grande Island, the small island at the mouth of the bay, appeared like a speck on the map spread out below them. Storm clouds gathered over the bay, creating a dark contrast with the water.

  Mr. Fortuno broke the silence. “I moved here for the view about twenty years ago. We used to live northwest of the city in the country. The older I got, the more I wanted to find a place where I could relax and enjoy the scenery.”

  Hack held his stare on the city below. “It’s beautiful up here. I had no idea Olongapo was so big.”

  Mr. Fortuno nodded. “Two hundred thousand people crammed into such a small area. That’s why I like living in the hills. Gets me away from the crowds and noise of the city.”

  Mr. Fortuno glanced over at Decker and Hack who still looked mesmerized by the view. “But you two didn’t come visit me for the view. You are friends of Rusty. He was a good employee for me. Someone I could trust to do the job. He told me you wanted to ask me something.”

  Hack looked at Decker, raising his eyebrows to urge Decker to do the talking.

  Decker took a drink of beer and cleared his throat. “Did you hear about the sailor who died on the USS Harvey a few weeks ago?”

  “Yes, I saw that in the paper several days ago. As I understand it, the poor guy fell overboard. Must be terrible for his family. When you guys have kids, you will understand that.”

  “Probably so,” Decker said. “But it shook us up pretty badly the way it was. I’d known him for about a year.”

  Mr. Fortuno sat back in his chair and took a sip of bourbon. “I’ve been around a long time, gentlemen. I’ve seen and heard many things. Something tells me you have more to say about this young man’s death.”

  “Alright, I’ll put our cards on the table,” said Decker. “I don’t buy that it was an accident or suicide. I knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t just fall off the ship. And he wasn’t suicidal.”

  Mr. Fortuno sat his glass on the table and folded his arms. “Interesting news, but what’s this got to do with me? I have no connections with the navy anymore and certainly no connections with their investigators.”

  “Kippen’s death hit close to home,” Decker said. “We both worked with him in the same department. What concerns us is, if it was murder, who did it and why? And it’s because of the ‘why’ that we’re here.”

  Mr. Fortuno peered over his reading glasses, looking impatient with the conversation. “Sorry, fellows. I still don’t follow you. I told you, I have no dealings with the navy and I’m beginning to not like your insinuations.” For the first time Decker and Hack got a glimpse of another side of Mr. Fortuno. Nice, friendly exterior, but underneath, not far underneath, was the forceful personality of a mob moss.

  Hack spoke up. “We’re not saying you had anything to do with it. That’s the furthest thing from our minds.”

  “Glad to hear that,” said Mr. Fortuno. “Now get to your point. It’s going to rain soon.”

  Decker stood and leaned against the deck railing. “We think…I think…Kippen may have discovered something on the ship. Some missing parts, maybe thousands of dollars worth of material. I was talking with Rusty about it a few days ago and he told me of…well, he told me how sometimes navy supplies go missing and end up out in town.”

  “On the black market you mean,” said Mr. Fortuno. “It’s okay to say those words. Many people thought—probably still think—that I was involved in the black market during my career. But contrary to what people say, I ran a legitimate business. I had dealings with the navy—like everyone does who operates a business in Olongapo—but I never ran anything but a legal business.”

  “We weren’t suggesting anything otherwise, Mr. Fortuno,” Decker said. “Rusty never said you were in the black market” he added, lying to protect his friend. “But he said you might know the lay of the land. Who’s operating the black market in town. We want to find Kippen’s killer and we’re also beginning to get worried about ourselves if the operation is continuing on the Harvey.”

  “Rusty is correct,” said Mr. Fortuno. “I do know many people in town, but I’m retired now. I’m afraid I can’t help you with this one, gentlemen. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another appointment.”

  Jimmy appeared again on the deck. Decker and Hack stood, thanked Mr. Fortuno for his time, and followed Jimmy indoors. Olivia greeted them once inside and told Jimmy she would show them out.

  She moved between Decker and Hack and took each by the arm, leading them to the door. “How did the meeting go,” she asked.

  “Went fine, thanks,” Hack said. “Your father is a nice man.”

  “He is,” she said. “A lot of people say otherwise, but he’s kind and gentle.” Before opening the door, she squeezed each of their arms. “Let me give you some advice. Don’t come back. He doesn’t like people bothering him, especially American sailors. I’m surprised he was willing to see you today. He must think a lot of this Rusty I heard him talk about.” She let go of their arms and opened the door.

  Decker gave Olivia his best smile. “We would never think of bothering your father again. I hope we weren’t a bother for you?”

  Olivia’s face softened. “You were no bother. Where are you guys stationed?”

  “The USS Harvey,” Hack replied.

  Olivia lowered her head and giggled.

  “Did I say something funny?” asked Hack, looking at Decker.

  Olivia took hold of Hack’s arm. “No, it’s not you. I know someone on the Harvey. Ensign Malata.”

  “I think you’ve got the wrong ship,” Decker said, confused. “I don’t know any Ensign Malata.”

  “That’s not his real name,” Olivia said. “It’s Ensign Limpert. Malata is Tagalog for ‘limp.’ I know it’s not a nice thing to do, but it’s what Emily and I call him. Not to his face, of course. It’s just sort of a joke between us.”

  “How do you know him?” asked Decker. “And who’s Emily?”

  “She’s been my best friend since grade school. Her dad used to work for my father years ago. We grew up together. She works at the supply depot on base now. I guess she met Malata there. I’ve met him a couple times when he’d be over at her house.”

  Hack turned to Decker. “I guess he does get off base once in a while.”

  “Emily says he visits now and then,” Olivia said. “He actually can be funny and a big flirt, even if his wife is along.”

  “Are we talking about the same guy?” asked Decker.

  “Short and skinny with clothes that hang off him like their two sizes too big? Malaki wife about five times his s
ize?”

  “Yep, that’s him,” said Decker.

  “I don’t think he has many navy friends,” Olivia added. “Emily’s nice to invite him over.” She nervously glanced behind her. “Now you really must go.”

  Decker extended his hand. “By the way, I’m Decker. Elliott Decker.”

  “And I’m late for an appointment,” she said, shutting the door.

  Decker and Hack stood on the porch for a few minutes contemplating their recent conversation with Mr. Fortuno. Decker raised his arms above his head. “I’m in love!”

  “I love you, too,” said Hack.

  “I wasn’t talking about you, jackass.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Decker pointed his eyes towards the Fortuno house. “Did you see that ass in those shorts?”

  “I happened to notice.”

  “And those legs?”

  “I noticed that as well.”

  “I’m in love.”

  “You said that already.”

  Decker shot Hack a giddy smile. “Did I?” He surveyed the threatening skies as thunder boomed overhead. “Unfortunately, besides the fact that Mr. Fortuno has at least one very attractive daughter and that she knows Ensign Limpert, we didn’t learn anything.”

  “Maybe not,” said Hack. “But at least we tried.”

  “I thought he’d at least give us something to go on,” said Decker. “But I agree with the lovely Olivia. I’m surprised he even saw us at all.”

  “Do you believe him when he said he’s no longer in the black market?” asked Hack.

  “I have my doubts,” Decker said, waving his hand at the house. “Rusty said this is his retirement home. I was expecting a small place with a white picket fence.”

  They stepped off the porch headed for their rendezvous with Baby at the corner café. They felt the rain as soon as they hit the street. Big drops at first, with a cool breeze and a crackle of lightening.