Cam Derringer Box Set

by Mac Fortner

  “Well, after we got back he hung around here for about a week and then said he had somewhere he had to go. I haven’t seen him since.”

  “So he came back from Vietnam with you?” I said puzzled.

  “Sure.”

  “He didn’t stay there after you left?”

  “No. Are you sure he’s okay?”

  “He’s alright. I think. At least he was a few days ago. I’m just trying to contact him.”

  “Sorry I can’t help you. If you see Robert, will you tell him I miss him?”

  I could tell by his tone that he was worried and that they were more than just friends.

  “I’ll tell him.”

  “Thanks.”

  After we had hung up, I sat on a street bench and contemplated the information. Where had Robert been if he wasn’t in Vietnam?

  I called my office and asked Susan, my assistant, to try to find any activity on a credit card belonging to Robert Kendall. She said she would call me back in a bit.

  The thought went through my head again, “Why would someone want to just wound Chad?”

  I don’t see any gain in that for Robert.

  My next call was to William Arlington. Maybe he’ll tell me why Robert needed the money.

  “Cam. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  That really made me feel bad since I just saw his wife naked in my apartment.

  “I was hoping to get a little information from you.”

  “I’ll try to help. Is this about Chad?”

  “In part.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “Good to hear. What can I help you with?”

  “Robert Kendall came to see you about a month ago. I was curious as to what he wanted the loan for.”

  “Does this have anything to do with Chad?”

  “Maybe. I’m not sure. Just trying to eliminate acquaintances.”

  “He wanted me to invest in a venture down in Florida. I can’t talk about what it was since he’s still working on it. Let me say that it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Nothing illegal, mind you. It just wasn’t for me.”

  “Fair enough,” I said. “Can you tell me what amount Robert needed?”

  “Five million.”

  “That checks out with what we heard.”

  “I guess Alexis has told you about her knowing Robert,” he said.

  “Yes, I knew about that. Now she’s trying to find a way to tell Chad before Robert does.”

  “What a tangled web we weave.”

  “How true.”

  “Keep me updated on all this if you don’t mind,” he said.

  “I will. Thanks for the information.”

  My phone rang just as I hung up.

  “Cam it’s Susan. I have some activity on Robert’s card. Most of it is from the last year is in Florida at the Sunny Lake Nudist Colony.”

  “Really, just where is that?”

  “Near Kissimmee.”

  “That’s where he’s been living?”

  “It sure seems like it. He’s been buying groceries, gas and paying rent. All on credit.”

  “For how long?”

  “About eight months as far as I can tell.”

  “Thanks, Susan.”

  “Anytime Cam.”

  Chapter 23

  I called Robert’s cell phone. He answered on the first ring.

  “Hello.”

  “Robert, it’s Cam.”

  “Oh, Hi Cam,” he said, sounding disappointed.

  “Sorry, were you expecting someone?”

  “Yeah, Chad. I haven’t talked to him since the wedding.”

  I dreaded telling him that his brother was shot. It’s something I should have done immediately.

  “That’s why I was calling you. First of all Chad’s fine.”

  “Something happen to him?” he said, now with concern in his voice.

  “He was shot in the arm, but he’s fine.”

  “SHOT,” he said, now his voice turning to panic. “Did Alexis shoot him?”

  “No, she was with him. Actually, he was shot by an assassin from Russia.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, the FBI has been tracking him. They knew he was here for a hit, but it seems he just wounded him on purpose.”

  “What hospital is he in?”

  “He’s home sleeping it off.”

  “Home? When did this happen?”

  “About noon yesterday.”

  “And you just now called me?”

  “It’s complicated. Can we meet? I’ll fill you in on everything.”

  There was a brief silence on his end.

  “Okay. Where?”

  “How about my place around one?”

  “Fine,” he said, sounding a little mad.

  I gave my address and told him we would have lunch in the restaurant at my apartment.

  I had about an hour to kill so I went to my apartment and got out a good book that I had been reading. It was a–young adult book, but recommended to me by Diane, who found it fascinating. It was mainly located in the Florida Keys. The name is Rum City Bar. I was very engrossed in the book when my cell rang again.

  “Hello.”

  “Mister Derringer?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Jerald Banks, Tom Carrington’s friend.”

  “Oh, yes Jerald. Did you find anything?”

  “It looks as though Tom has packed a suitcase and gone on a trip.”

  “And he didn’t say anything to you about going somewhere?”

  “No, he didn’t. Even though it looks like he went on vacation, I don’t believe he would go without telling me.”

  “So you think something else happened to him?”

  “I don’t know what to think, but I know he didn’t just leave without telling me.”

  “Thanks for calling Jerald. If you hear anything from him will you call me?”

  “Sure. Will you do the same?”

  “I will.”

  He gave me his phone number and we hung-up.

  I thought about Tom and Adrian. Funny how Tom disappeared when I was just about to question him about Adrian.

  Did Tom disappear because he didn’t want to answer any questions or because someone made him disappear? My gut told me it was the latter.

  I was just getting into the kidnapping of a beautiful redhead in my book when my doorbell rang.

  I opened the door.

  Robert came in without saying a word. He walked to the bar, which was openly located in the corner of the living room. He opened a bottle and poured a generous shot of Knob Creek.

  “Help yourself,” I said.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t call me immediately when Chad was shot.”

  “Like I said, it’s complicated.”

  “How so?”

  “Sit, please,” I said pointing to a chair as I sat on the sofa.

  He hesitated and then took the seat.

  “Okay, here’s the deal. Don’t say anything until I’m finished.”

  “Maybe,” he said curtly.

  “Anyway, I didn’t tell you because the FBI considers you a suspect.”

  He stood, “WHAT THE HELL YOU MEAN, A SUSPECT?”

  “Calm down and sit back down,” I said sternly, pointing at the chair.

  He stared at me for a moment and sat back down.

  “It appears, that if Chad dies, you receive five million dollars.”

  “I told you that,” he interrupted.

  “I know you did, but that doesn’t change anything. I talked the FBI into giving me twenty-four hours to prove you are innocent before they question you.”

  “It’s Robin, isn’t it?” he said accusingly.

  “She is the one that gave me twenty-four hours. You’re lucky she is on your side.”

  He calmed down again, slightly.

  I went on. “I retraced your steps for the last eight months and found that you weren’t in Vietnam.”

  He tu
rned red and looked away.

  “I also talked to William Arlington who told me you came to him for five million dollars. While you were with him, you took Alexis out to dinner a few times.”

  “Nothing ever happened between Alexis and me,” he said sharply.

  “I know,” I said. “You’re gay.”

  Robert turned red again and swallowed hard.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “I googled the Sunny Lake Nudist Colony. It’s a gay organization.”

  He just looked stunned.

  “That’s nothing to be ashamed of Robert, but I take it that you haven’t told Chad.”

  “How can I?”

  “I think he would understand.”

  “I don’t think he or mom and dad would. I’ve never let on to them. That’s why I moved to Florida, and the reason I’ve been trying to raise the money is Sunny Lake’s for sale. Two other investors and I want to buy it and develop it into the biggest adult gay and lesbian resort in the world. We’ll have our own grocery store, theaters, medical center and restaurants.”

  “That’s a very ambitious plan.”

  “We’re ambitious people.”

  “Nothing wrong with that, as long as you have your ducks in a row.”

  “We do.”

  “Good. Now for the business at hand. Do you have any idea why someone would want to hurt Chad?”

  “Not a clue. Other than Alexis. She would have her money and still be single.”

  “You’re really stuck on the idea that Alexis is behind all this. Why? What makes you think it was her?”

  “Look at her. Sure Chad is handsome, but she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. The only reason she got married was to get her money.”

  “Maybe, although I don’t think so. Anyone else?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Okay, give it some thought. If you think of anything, call me.”

  “I will.”

  “Alright, let’s go get some food. The fare downstairs is one of the best in town,” I said, getting up from the sofa.

  “Mind if I take a rain check. I don’t feel like eating.”

  “Sure. I understand.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Robert, I think you can tell Chad. He’s a good man, and he loves you.”

  “Yeah, I guess we’ll see.”

  “What are your plans now?” I asked.

  “I’m going to see Chad at his apartment. Then at five, I have an appointment with William Arlington, at his house. He called and said he wanted to talk to me again about the investment.”

  “Maybe he had a change of heart, now that you’re family.”

  “I hope so.”

  I walked him to the door. We shook hands, and I told him, “good luck.”

  ~***~

  Andrei turned off his monitor. “Five o’clock,” he said. “See you then.”

  Chapter 24

  Robert took a taxi to The Barclay. The doorman greeted him and opened the door directing him to the front desk.

  “Please check in at the counter sir.”

  “Thank you,” Robert said.

  He walked to the desk where he was greeted by the concierge; a man in his mid-fifties, seemingly in decent physical condition and dressed very sharply in a three-piece gray suit.

  “May I help you sir?” the concierge asked.

  “Yes. I’m Robert Kendall, and I’m here to see my brother Chadwick,” Robert said.

  “One moment please,” he said and raised the phone.

  Robert took in the lobby and what he could see of the restaurant from where he was standing. He thought Chad had done very well for himself. With a little luck, he’ll be able to do as well someday.

  “You may go up sir. Room eight thirty-five.”

  “Thank you,” Robert said and walked to the elevator.

  Robert tapped the door with his knuckles three times then two times then one time. That was their secret knock from childhood. From the other side Robert heard Chad knock three times, then he opened the door.

  They laughed. “You remembered,” Robert said.

  “Hard to forget a secret code we used until after college, just in case one of us had a girl visitor.”

  Alexis appeared from the kitchen. “He has one now,” she said.

  “Good thing I knocked,” Robert said.

  “I don’t think I’m in any shape for hanky-panky right now, so it would have been safe just to walk in.”

  Alexis hugged Robert and said, “I’m glad you’re here. I need to get away from Chad for a while. He’s so needy. He’s milking that little scratch for all it’s worth.”

  “Yes, I remember he’s like that,” Robert agreed.

  “Hey, you guys know I’m standing right here, and I can hear everything you say.”

  “Robert, will you stay for supper? I’m going to the market now to get some steaks to grill.”

  “I would love to, but I can’t. I have an appointment in a few hours.”

  “Oh, that's a shame. Maybe next time.”

  “Will the two of you excuse me for a moment? Nature calls,” Chad said and left the room.

  When Robert heard the bathroom door close he said, “Alexis, can you stay for a few minutes? I have something to tell Chad, and it concerns you and me.”

  “I haven’t told him about knowing you before,” she said, worry and panic in her eyes.

  “I think it’s time. My appointment is with your father. I believe he’s going to give me a second chance.”

  “Are you going to tell Chad that you’re gay?” Alexis said.

  “Yes, but how did you know?”

  “Women can tell those things, and father told me what you wanted the money for.”

  “Yeah, I’m planning on telling him.”

  “I’ll stay. You’re right its time.”

  “Time for what?” Chad said as he walked back into the room.

  “Let’s all sit and have a drink, and I’ll fill you in on life bro,” Robert said.

  “I’ll get the drinks,” Alexis said.

  She walked to the kitchen while Chad and Robert took a seat on the sofa.

  “How’s the arm?” Robert asked.

  “Burns a little, but all in all, I feel good.”

  “I wish someone would have told me right away. I would have been at the hospital to help Alexis.”

  “We did fine. I was looped, and Cam was there, but thanks, I know you would have been there.”

  “Well, you’re going to want to be looped for this too, so I’ll wait for Alexis,” Robert said.

  Chad just looked at Robert for a minute. Their eyes were stuck on each-others.

  “Robert, did I ever tell you that I backed numerous organizations?”

  “No. I figured you probably gave to charities. You’re a good person.”

  “Yeah, I do that too, but I also give to the LGBT. I have for years, ever since you joined it. I got a call from Skip Collins, remember him?”

  Robert sat still staring at Chad, in disbelief. “Yes, I remember him.”

  “He told me he saw you in a meeting. That was about six years ago. I have known since then. I’ve just been waiting for you to tell me first. And now that you were about to, I thought I would make it easier for you. Did I?”

  Robert was still speechless but found his tongue. A tear came to his eye, and he said, “I’m sorry I haven’t told you. I was ashamed at first, and then later I was just scared.”

  “Well, it’s out now, and we don’t have to worry about it any longer. I still love you and I always will,” Chad said and hugged Robert.

  Alexis came into the room with a tray of drinks. “Looks like I missed something,” she said cautiously.

  “The drinks are for celebration now,” Robert said, “not courage.”

  “Great,” Alexis said. “So you told him about us.”

  Robert and Chad looked at each other. “I’ll take that drink now,” Robert said.

  “Oh
no, you didn’t tell him.”

  “No, just the gay part.”

  “What’s the rest of the story?” Chad said.

  “I came to William Arlington a few months ago, while you were defending Alexis, and offered him an investment opportunity. I didn’t tell Alexis I was your brother. We went out to eat a few times. Very innocent, as you might imagine, I’m not even bi. Then I left again. When I heard the two of you were serious and going to be married, I wanted to tell you. Instead, I called Alexis and told her that I was your brother. We decided to keep it to ourselves until we could find a good way to tell you. Part of my wanting to keep it quiet was because the investment was for the expansion of an adult only gay resort.”

  Chad sat for a minute drinking his bourbon. “So the two of you have been sweating over that too? Do you guys worry about everything?”

  “Kind of,” Alexis said, unconsciously wringing her hands.

  “Yeah, me too,” Robert said.

  “That’s no big deal, but in the future, will you both be upfront with me?”

  “I promise,” Robert said. “I don’t have anything else.”

  “Me either,” Alexis said.

  Chapter 25

  Alexis finished her drink almost instantly. “I still need to go to the market. I’ll be back in about an hour. I wish you could stay Robert, but I know you want to see father.”

  “Thank you for the invite, maybe next time.”

  “You gentlemen enjoy, and I’ll see you later,” she said, kissing Chad and leaving, closing the door behind her.

  “I love that woman,” Chad said.

  “I know you do, but I want you to know that I still don’t trust her one hundred percent.”

  “I know, but you will.”

  ~***~

  Andrei’s phone rang. “Yes?” he said.

  “Andrei, I’ve got a tip for you. Robert is on his way to the Arlington estate at five o’clock.”

  “I know. Will you be there?”

  “No, I have things to do. I’d rather be far away. Your money will be in the box.”

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Andrei said and hung up.

  ~***~

  Robert finished his drink and asked Chad if there was anything he could do for him before he left.