Cam Derringer Box Set

by Mac Fortner

  What am I going to do about her? I have enough drama in my life right now without this sideshow. But she is a sweetheart.

  Chapter 37

  Diane walked into Kelly’s and saw Jack waiting at a table close to the open patio doors. He waved at her and stood.

  She went to his table.

  “Hey, girl,” he said and kissed her on the cheek.

  They sat and turned in their drink order.

  “What’s new in your world today,” he asked.

  “Found a man lying in my front yard.”

  “Really? Was he drunk?”

  “No, he was just a bad bicycle rider. I helped him up, and he asked me out to supper tonight.”

  “Fast mover. What did you say?”

  “I told him I was having supper with a friend,” she answered.

  “A friend. I thought you were in love with me.”

  “I am, but you know Cam said I can’t date you,” she teased.

  “I’m gonna have a talk with him.”

  “It won’t do any good.”

  “So, are you going to see this guy again?”

  “Tonight. We’re meeting at Better Than Sex.”

  “That’s an awful romantic place for a first date,” he said.

  “Yeah, I know. He asked about a dessert place, and that’s the first one that came to mind.”

  “I’m going with you,” Jack said.

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll be okay. The place is well lit, and the streets are crowded. If I yell, someone will rescue me.”

  “I don’t like it. But I can’t stop you. What’s he like?”

  “He’s funny. About Six-foot-three, short blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slight Russian accent. His name is Demyan Minsky. Is that a good enough description?”

  “Russian huh? Watch out for him. They can be mean.”

  “Quit worrying about me,” Diane said.

  The waitress came with their drinks, and they ordered their meal.

  “I talked to Cam today,” Diane said.

  “What’s new in the big apple?”

  “That’s what I asked and wished I hadn’t.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Diane relayed the whole story to Jack.

  “Oh shit. Do you think I should go help him?”

  “No, I guess not, but I do wish you were there. You two make a good team.”

  “I’m going to call him tonight,” Jack said.

  “Good. I think he needs to talk to someone. You know what else he told me?”

  “After that, I haven’t the slightest.”

  “He’s going to move back here after they catch the guy. He said he would rather be a P.I.”

  “Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Jack said.

  Their food came, and they busied themselves eating.

  From a hidden vantage point outside the restaurant, Andrei watched as they ate.

  After their meal, Jack ordered each of them a Pina Colada.

  “Umm, these are great,” Diane said.

  “Yeah, if you don’t get a brain freeze.”

  “The trick is to hold it in your mouth for a little bit. That will warm it up,” Diane said. “Cam taught me that.”

  Jack tried it. “Ooh, it didn’t work. My head,” he said, holding his head.

  “Yeah, I could never get that to work either,” Diane said.

  “Now you tell me.”

  At five-thirty they were finished and ready to leave. The waitress brought the bill, and Jack reached for it.

  “I’ve got this one,” Diane said.

  “No, let me get it,” Jack said.

  “No, remember I do the books for you and Cam. I know how much money you have.”

  “I have plenty stashed I don’t tell you about.”

  “Even so, I called you for the date,” Diane said.

  “I hope we get married someday,” Jack said. “I would be the luckiest man in the world.”

  “You’ll never get married Jack. You have commitment issues.”

  “There you go being a shrink again.”

  “I am a shrink. That’s what I do.”

  They left the restaurant, and Jack walked Diane to her car.

  “Thanks for supper,” he said.

  “You’re welcome. Next time you can buy. We’ll go somewhere more expensive.”

  “You’re on,” Jack said.

  He bent over and kissed Diane on the lips. She kissed back.

  “That’s a first,” she said.

  “I hope not a last,” Jack said.

  Diane got in her car. Jack said, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think taking a date to my date would go over to good.”

  “Be careful and call me when you get home.”

  “Really? I finally get Cam off my back, and now I have you.”

  “Yep.”

  “Goodbye,” she said and drove away.

  One of these days I’m going to convince her and Cam, that I’m the right man for her.

  Diane thought about their kiss. It felt right to her. All this time she thought Jack was just teasing with her, but now the kiss. This was going to take some thought. She had to be careful. They were too good of friends to rush into anything. We don’t want to end up enemies.

  Diane stopped by her house and freshened up. Better Than Sex was with-in walking distance from her house, so she decided to take advantage of the good weather. The streets were crowded with tourists, something you eventually get used to if you live here. As she reached for the door to go inside a hand beat her to it, and pulled it open.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Turning to the gentleman, she saw it was Demyan. They laughed.

  “That is good timing,” he said.

  They were shown to a cozy table with a white tablecloth and a candle. He pulled her chair out, and she sat.

  “This place is charming,” he said.

  “Wait until you taste the food.”

  They made their choices for dessert and ordered a bottle of wine.

  “So Diane, what do you do here in Key West?”

  “I’m a psychiatrist. I have a practice here,” she said.

  “Impressive,” he said. “Smart and beautiful.”

  “You don’t have to keep flattering me. I already said yes to this date.”

  “I can’t help it. You pull the best out of me.”

  “So, what do you do in New York?” Diane asked.

  “I’m an attorney,” he said.

  “My father is an attorney there also,” she said.

  “Really? What is his name?”

  “Cam Derringer,” she said.

  “Cam is your father?” he said, acting surprised.

  “Do you know him?”

  “Yes, I’ve worked with him on a few cases. He’s with the Kendall group.”

  “That’s right,” Diane said. “What a small world.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I guess you’ve heard about the trouble they’re having with the assassin. He’s shot three people and almost hit Cam.”

  “Yes. He’s a very dangerous man,” Andrei said.

  “It sounds like it.”

  “They call him Bloodshot. He is Russian, like me. I hope they catch him before he kills someone.”

  “Me too. I have faith in Cam.”

  “Diane, are you dating anyone?”

  “Not seriously. I go out with a friend once in a while. He was dad’s partner here. They’re still good friends, and Cam doesn’t want me to date him. He has a checkered past with the women.”

  “What is his name? Maybe Cam has mentioned him.”

  “Jack Steller, a really nice guy and a good friend.”

  “Maybe one day Cam will come to his senses and allow you to date him,” Andrei said.

  “Maybe, but we’ve been through so much together, I don’t know if dating would be a good idea.”

  “The better for me if you
don’t. Maybe the next time I come to Key West we can have a real date,” Andrei said.

  “Call me, and we’ll see,” Diane said.

  They’re dessert came. It was delicious. They washed it down with the wine. A good combination.

  “I’m sad that I have to leave tomorrow, but my short stay here couldn’t have been better. I was blessed to have dessert with the prettiest girl in all of the keys,” he said. “And now people think I have friends too.”

  Diane laughed, “You do have a friend here,” she said.

  “Thank you so much.”

  They left the restaurant and talked a while on the sidewalk.

  “May I walk you home,” Demyan asked.

  “Sure,” Diane said. “It’s not very far, and we shouldn’t waste such a beautiful night.”

  They walked and talked. Demyan took her hand and held it. When they got to her house, he turned to her and said, “Thank you for the lovely night. I hope I see you again soon.”

  “You were a perfect gentleman. If you come back to Key West, be sure to call me,” Diane said.

  “I will,” he said. “Tell Cam I was a gentleman when you talk to him.”

  “I will. I’ll be talking to him tomorrow.”

  They stared at each other for a few seconds, then Demyan leaned down and kissed her. His kiss was very tender and passionate at the same time.

  “Goodnight,” he said.

  “Goodnight,” Diane whispered.

  Chapter 38

  I opened my computer and googled–Ontario serial shootings.

  I went back eight years and scanned the pages. I finally found it seven years back. A Mister Nathaniel Barton was arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison where he died shortly afterward.

  A second man was accused by Mister Barton but wasn’t arrested. His alibi’s checked out. His name was Eric Meninx.

  So, it seemed that Eric Meninx hired Bloodshot to do the shooting for him, allowing him to establish an alibi, I thought.

  Next, I googled Eric Meninx. His picture popped up on the society page. My blood ran cold. Staring back at me was the same man I had encountered at the coffee shop this morning.

  Could they be playing the game again? I looked up a more detailed summary of the shootings. It seems Barton spilled his guts after he was found guilty. He said the rules of the game were that no one could be killed. If someone was, the game was over, and the killer would lose. If someone missed a shot and the other one found the target and shot him, the game was over and the second shooter would win if their scores were the same at the time.

  Oh shit. That means since Bloodshot missed me, Eric can find me and shoot me and maybe win if he has shot as many as Bloodshot.

  I need to locate the money person. Someone wants us shot for some reason. These guys wouldn’t just come here and choose us. Someone called for them.

  I had enough time to shower and marinade the steaks. I chose a wine from the cooler, popped the cork and let it breathe. While I was waiting, I fixed a Wild Turkey and sat on the balcony.

  My phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and smiled, it was Jack.

  “Hey ya, Jack. What’s up?”

  “Hi, Cam. Thought I would call and see how the other half is living.”

  “Never a dull moment.”

  “That’s what I hear. I had supper with Diane today. She told me about your troubles. Good and bad.”

  “You must be referring to Kailey and Bloodshot,” I said.

  “Yeah, too bad that something bad has to happen every time something good happens.”

  “I know. It just isn’t fair.”

  “The reason I called was to see if you wanted me to come to New York and give you a hand.”

  “No. I’m afraid if you come here you’ll just be another target.”

  “Well, is there anything I can do from here?”

  I thought for a moment. “Maybe,” I said. “Could you try to find some information on Eric Meninx from Ontario? I just saw him here. I think he’s following me. He was involved in a game with Bloodshot, seven years ago. I believe that they're playing the same game now.”

  I’ll check it out and get back to you,” Jack said.

  “Thanks. Now, what is this about taking Diane out to eat?”

  “Actually, she called me and paid for the meal, so technically she took me out.”

  “How is she?”

  “As beautiful as ever.”

  “Yeah, I bet she is.”

  “She even had another date for dessert with some guy that fell off his bicycle in her front yard. Demyan Minsky, a Russian.” Jack said.

  “And you let her go?”

  “I tried to stop her, but you know Diane.”

  “I’ll call her and check on her,” I said.

  “No need to. I’ve got that covered. She promised she would call me when she got home. It should be any time now.”

  “Okay, let me know if I need to come home and off anyone,” I said.

  “I will, I have his description and name,” Jack said.

  “Good. We might need it.”

  “Do you have a pen and paper handy?” I asked.

  “Yeah. What do ya have?”

  “I want to give you these names. They’re related to the case.”

  “Go,” Jack said.

  “Chad Kendall, you know him. His brother Robert, Alexis Arlington Kendall, Chads new wife. Kailey and William Arlington.”

  “Yeah, your girlfriend and her husband,” Jack said.

  “Funny,” I said. “Anyway, there is also an Eric Meninx, the one I told you about, and Nathaniel Barton. He was in the game with Eric. Adrian Boykov, I’m sure it is an alias. He’s the one we think is Bloodshot. Then there was another man shot by a different shooter. I now think the shooter might be Eric Meninx. The man shot was James Osborn. Then, Brady Osborn, his brother was killed by what we believe was a copycat killer. That’s all for now.”

  “Really, that’s all? I’ll look up all the names. If anything pops up, I’ll call you right away.”

  “Thanks again,” I said. “Keep an eye on Diane.”

  “I’ll be happy to,” Jack said.

  “Yeah, well, I’ll talk to ya later.”

  “Bye.”

  My phone rang again as soon as I hung up.

  “Hello.”

  “Cam, McNally. I’ve got something for you. I figure you’re in this as far as anyone.”

  “You had better be relaying it all to Robin also. I got an ass chewing because you didn’t tell her about the second Osborn shooting.”

  “Oops, it must have slipped through the cracks. Sorry.”

  “What do you have?” I asked.

  “A young girl just came into my office and said she was raped last week. The man was a Russian. He took her ID and said if she ever told anyone he would kill her and her family. It happened at the Hilton downtown. He said his name was Demyan Minsky. I checked the hotel, and there was no one registered in that name. But here’s the kicker, he dropped a calling card in her purse. Want to guess what it said?”

  “Bloodshot,” I said in shock, running Demyan Minsky’s name through my mind.

  “Right.”

  “Check the Hilton again. This time ask about Adrian Boykov.”

  “The guy from the Tom Carrington murder?” McNally said.

  “Yeah, one in the same.”

  “Okay, thanks,” he said.

  Silence

  “Cam, you alright?”

  “Did you say, Demyan Minsky?”

  “Yeah. You know him?”

  “He’s in Key West with my daughter,” I choked out.

  Chapter 39

  I called Diane.

  “Hello Cam,” she said.

  I was never so happy to hear her voice.

  “Diane, are you alright?”

  “Sure. Why shouldn’t I be?”

  “Did you have a date with Demyan Minsky?”

  “Boy, Jack didn’t waste any time, did he?”

  �
�Never mind that. Describe him to me.”

  “He says you know each other. He told me to tell you, Hi.”

  “Describe him.”

  “Why?”

  “Please.”

  “Okay. Six foot three or four, short blond hair, beautiful blue eyes and...

  “Lock your doors,” I said.

  “What, why?”

  “It’s him. Demyan is Bloodshot,” I tried to say calmly.

  “He can’t be. He’s in New York.”

  “Lock your doors.”

  “Okay, okay, I’m locking my doors,” Diane said, walking to the front door and then the rear.

  “Demyan Minsky is an alias he used here when he raped a girl. She just came forward today. He left a calling card in her purse.”

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “He came after you to get to me.”

  A chill ran through Diane.

  “He was a perfect gentleman with me. He left about fifteen minutes ago.”

  “When we hang up, call the sheriff and tell him the whole story. I’m going to call Jack to come and stay with you.”

  “Do you really think I’m in any danger?” Diane said.

  “I don’t know, but I’m not taking any chances. I’ll call you back after I talk to Jack. Now, call the sheriff.”

  “Okay, bye,” she said.

  “I love you. Bye.”

  I called Jack. He answered on the first ring.

  “Diane hasn’t called yet. I’ll call you when she does,” he answered.

  “I’ve already talked to her. She might be in big trouble,” I said.

  “What’s wrong?” Jack said, worry in his voice.

  “It’s Demyan Minsky. He’s Bloodshot.”

  “What. Did he harm her?” he said.

  “No. He’s gone now, but he might come back.”

  Jack picked up his gun and stuck it in his waistband. “I’m on my way there,” he said opening the door.

  “Thanks. Stay with her until this is over.”

  “I will. Don’t worry about...

  I heard Jack yell and then the phone hit the floor.

  “Jack, Jack.” No answer. “Jack.”

  I could hear the phone being picked up and dropped again.

  “Jack,” I tried once more.

  “I’m here Cam. I’ve been shot in the arm,” he said, a short distance from the phone.