by Mac Fortner
“Right there in New York.”
“Is Wessel’s wife still here? I might want to talk to her.”
“No, she died a year before he did. It was just him and his ten-year-old daughter. She was sent to live with some relatives in Oklahoma.”
“Anything else?”
“Not yet, but I’ll keep looking,” Jack said.
“Thanks. How is Diane?”
“Busy being a good nurse. Being hurt does have its perks.”
“Keep your hands off her.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll behave.”
“That doesn’t sound like a promise to keep your hands to yourself.”
“Here she comes with my lunch, gotta go. I’ll call you if I get anything else. Bye.”
The phone went dead. I wasn’t really worried. I trust Diane, but Jack on the other hand...
Now, what do I do about Bill? He said he didn’t know Brady Osborn. Did he kill him? Maybe he had him killed. I could see him doing that. Is he behind Bloodshot? No, surely he wouldn’t have his own wife shot. Would he?
Next Robin called me. “Any news yet?” she asked.
I decided to keep Bill and Brady’s relationship to myself for right now.
“No. I talked to Jack, but no sign of Bloodshot.”
“Nothing at the airports or bus stations either, but I really didn’t expect to find him there anyway.”
“You never know. He thinks we believe he is still in Key West and that I’m on my way there.”
“Yeah, maybe. He’s pretty clever.”
“Keep me informed,” I said.
“Yeah, me too. I’ll talk to you later.”
I knew there was no way we would find Bloodshot, but on the other hand, Eric Meninx doesn’t know I know about him. If he’s following me, I might be able to find him. I would like to know what his role in this whole scheme is. If I can locate and follow him, he might lead me to Bloodshot. He has to be the reason that Eric is here. I decided to make myself visible.
I went to Chad's office and told him I wasn’t going to be able to make lunch with him and Alexis today.
“Sorry to hear that Cam. Something come up?” Chad said.
“I just want to walk a little, so I can think. There has to be something connecting all the shootings. This is more than just a game.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. I was thinking the same thing. I’ll give your regards to Alexis.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you this afternoon,” I said and left.
I walked down Broadway to Seventy-second Street and toward Central Park. As I passed the Dakota, I thought I saw someone duck into the hotel. I looked again and saw no one. I was being paranoid. I guess I expected to find Eric right away.
I entered Central Park and walked a path for five minutes. At the next turn was a bench. I took a seat. If someone were following me, they would turn the corner not seeing me until it was too late.
I removed my paperback novel from my inside jacket pocket and continued to read Rum City Bar. Sunny Ray was in trouble again, and only Wanta Mea could save him.
As I read, I kept my peripheral vision trained on the turn. After a few minutes, I was caught up in the book again and forgot to focus on my mission. I noticed a man walk by quickly. I looked up and recognized him as Eric Meninx. I don’t think he even saw me.
I waited a moment and followed him. I could tell he was a man on a mission of his own. He was walking fast and kept looking in all directions, trying to find me, no doubt. I stayed close enough to not lose him, but also far enough to not be spotted by him.
He stopped, and I stopped. I waited anxiously for him to turn around and come back. I would have nowhere to hide other than in the bushes. If he saw me there, my cover would be blown for sure.
I waited. He started walking again. This time he was in no hurry. The path turned again. When I made the turn, he was standing in the center of the walk looking right at me.
“Hello Cam,” he said.
“Eric,” I said.
“We need to talk.”
Chapter 44
We stood for a moment and didn’t speak.
He was much larger than I first thought. I think I could take him if it came to that, but not if he knew some kind of secret agent defense.
“Well,” I said, “are you here to kill me or just set me up for Bloodshot?”
“Neither. Actually, I’m here to kill Bloodshot.”
I didn’t know if I believed that or not. Why would he be telling me that?
“And, you thought the best way to kill Bloodshot was to follow me?”
“In a way, yes. I was waiting for the right time to speak with you. Without an audience, you know,” he whispered and smiled.
“Okay, speak.”
“I received a message from, who knows who,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, “offering me one million dollars to kill Bloodshot, and maybe join the game a little.”
“And you don’t know who the offer came from?”
“No, although I have my suspicions, and the rest of you should too if you were any good.”
“Well, you know, everyone isn’t as smart as you,” I said sarcastically.
“Yes, I know. Anyway, there was a time when I didn’t need another million dollars, but now…,” he trailed off and shrugged his shoulders again. “Bloodshot is actually kind of a friend of mine, so I’m not sure I’ll accept the mission.”
“As well you shouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to kill a friend. So, why are you telling me all this? Is your conscious heavy?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so,” I stated.
“I know what this is all about and I don’t want to see anyone murdered,” he said.
“I thought this was just a game between you and Bloodshot.”
“Last time it was. This time, it’s a hit, and I don’t want to be any part of it. I don’t want my name associated with it in any way. Because of the last game in Ontario though, I will be.”
“Why don’t you just tell me who’s getting hit and where to find Bloodshot, so you won’t have to worry about the publicity.”
“No.”
“That’s it–No?”
“Yes.”
“Make up your mind, yes or no?”
“It’s complicated. I don’t know who the target is. I’ll receive a phone call and instructions when it’s time.” he said. “Someone is using Bloodshot, and they are planning to kill him after his work is finished.”
“His work. You mean wounding innocent people?”
“Whoever hired him wants someone dead. This game is a perfect cover. Believe me, when I say, someone will die,” Eric said.
“Someone already has,” I said. “Brady Osborn.”
“Yes, I know. I regret that. My instructions were to draw blood from James, his brother.”
“That was you?”
“Yes.”
“Eric, this is all very confusing. Are you going to help me or not?”
“I already have a little. The rest is up to you. You need to figure out who has something to gain. My research shows a lot of suspects.”
“Yeah, I’ve thought of that. It has to be someone with a million to spend on covering up the hit,” I said.
“Be careful. You could become collateral damage,” he said.
“What makes you think I won’t turn you in?” I said.
“Because you need help. Without it, one of your friends might die.”
With that Eric turned and walked away. I could run him down and try to get more information or call the police while I hold him down, but I had a feeling that it wouldn’t do any good. No one else heard the conversation. It would be his word against mine, and he was right–one of my friends might die.
I slowly walked back to the office. My mind was reeling trying to find the clue Eric had given me. I couldn’t, but I would. I hoped it was before someone was killed.
Two blocks before I reached the office a Porsche pulled to the curb and
honked. It was Kailey. I stepped toward the car and bent down as the window lowered.
“Hello, Kailey.”
“Hi ya, Cam. Want a ride?”
“I’m almost there now. Where were you five blocks ago?”
“Fifteen blocks back,” she said and laughed.
She hit a button, and the door opened. I decided to get in and see what was up.
She punched the accelerator, and the Porsche came alive.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I want to talk to you about something.”
“Fire away,” I said.
“In a minute.”
She turned left on thirty-second and took a right on twelfth. She pulled over to the curb and shut off the engine. We were on a secluded side street.
She turned to face me.
“I love you,” she said.
“Kailey, you can’t love me, you’re married.”
“I know. I just wanted to get that out of the way. That’s not what I came to tell you.”
“Proceed then.”
“I overheard Bill and Alexis talking about Bloodshot this morning. I think they know who he is and might have something to do with him being here.”
“Why would you tell me that? They’re your family.”
“I know. You see, I don’t really believe what I just said. That’s why I told you. If I could figure it out, someone else might too. I want you to prove that they’re innocent.”
“So, you think if I probe into their lives and try to prove they’re guilty, I might end up showing that they aren’t.”
“Yeah, something like that,” she said.
“What did you hear them say?”
“Bill said that Alexis was protecting Bloodshot and Alexis said that Bill killed that Brady Osborn guy.”
“Did he?”
“I think so, but that doesn’t have anything to do with this. It was for another reason.”
I thought for a moment. This girl was certifiably crazy. I don’t know when she’s being innocently blunt or when she’s manifesting a story.
“Did he also have James Osborn shot?” I said.
“Don’t know.”
Before I could say anything else, she leaned over and locked her lips on mine. I managed to pull away.
“That was just in case I never got another chance at you,” she said matter-of-factly. She had passion in her eyes.
What could I say? I said nothing.
“Do you think Bill would have had you shot? You know there was a chance you could have been killed.”
“I know. That’s why I don’t think he would have had anything to do with it.”
She looked down and frowned. “But I don’t know if Alexis would care if I were killed or not.”
“I don’t think she would want you hurt. She knows you’re making her father happy.”
“Yeah, but I’m also taking some of her money. I bet she doesn’t like that.”
“She has plenty of money. I don’t think she’s trying to kill you just to have more.”
“No, I don't believe so either. I don’t know what the reason would be to have Bloodshot shoot people. I’m just saying that if I were gone, it wouldn’t be such a loss.”
“I think you’re wrong about that. She speaks very highly of you. She loves you as a friend,” I reassured.
“I hope so. I don’t want either one of them to be the one.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll look into it,” I said.
“Thank you, Cam,” she said and kissed me again.
I found myself wishing neither one of us were in a relationship, but we are. And she’s even married, but damn she’s hot.
She drove me back to the office and pulled to the curb.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said as I opened the door.
“Thanks.”
I got out and stood on the sidewalk waiting for her to pull away.
She stared at me for a moment, smiled sensually, then said, “I’ll see you tonight. Toodles,” and sped away.
I had forgotten I would see her tonight at her house with Chad and Alexis.
Chapter 45
Instead of returning to the office, I hailed a taxi and went to the precinct to see McNally.
The building was crowded. I stood in line to talk to the officer in charge at the front desk.
I watched as police escorted a mélange of detainees through the room to various cubicles where they were cuffed to their chairs while the officers poured themselves coffee and bullshitted with one another as the prisoners waited to be booked or released.
My line wasn’t moving. Everyone seemed to have to argue with the officer, who was unyielding. He turned away a black mother and her baby who wanted to see her brother who was arrested for attempted robbery. She pulled a brick from the babies blanket, which held only a brick, no baby, and threw it at the officer. He was too slow. The brick struck him in the forehead, and he fell to the floor. Three officers immediately restrained the woman, one pulling what he thought was a baby from her to protect it.
“Motha fucka,” she yelled, “you le ma brotha go.”
She kicked free from the two officers who were holding her and ran through the room and down a corridor. The room emptied of police as they all chased after her.
One man, dressed in an expensive suit, who was cuffed to a chair, took the opportunity to pick it up and walk out of the building. I met him at the door and held it open for him while handing him my card.
“Just in case you don’t make it,” I said.
“Thank you,” he said, “I’ll be in contact.”
Finally, the room started filling with police again. They were laughing and cracking jokes about the lady. Then one of them noticed the officer still lying on the floor with blood coming from his forehead.
“Call 911,” he yelled.
“That’s us,” another said.
“An ambulance,” the first said.
At that moment the injured officer sat up straight and looked around, “Is she gone?” he said.
“What the fuck. You ain’t even hurt,” the attending officer said.
“Could have been if that crazy bitch wouldn’t have left.”
They all laughed again and went back to their business.
The officer, who lost his prisoner and his chair, ran around the room in search of his man. As he passed me, I said, “He went that way,” pointing out the door.
The officer flew out the door and was gone.
McNally appeared from an office at the end of the room. He saw me standing in line and motioned for me to come to him.
“What you doing standing in the line of shame?” he said, chewing on the cigar sticking out the side of his mouth.
“I wanted to see you,” I said.
“Just call me, and I’ll meet you next time.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling like a scolded school boy.
We took a seat in his office. He offered me a shot of Brandy. I accepted.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he said.
“I wondered if you had any leads on the Osborn case yet,” I said, trying not to be too inquisitive.
“Not much. Why you wanna know?”
“Thought it might have something to do with Bloodshot, even if it was a copycat shooting.”
“You’re quite involved in this case for just being a lawyer.”
“My friends are in danger. Not to mention myself, and I used to be a P.I. in Key West. I guess I just can’t get it out of my system.”
McNally looked at me for a moment, took a swig from his brandy glass and said, “What do you know that you’re not telling me?”
“Nothing concrete. I don’t want to start any rumors. If I put anything together, though, you’ll be the first to know.”
He stared at me again. I stared back. He poured us both another shot.
“Okay,” he said. “James was wounded in the arm with a Black Ops Tactical sniper rifle, .22 caliber. Probably a 4x3
2 scope. They're easy to come by.”
“Doesn’t sound like Bloodshot,” I said.
“No, but it was a first class marksman.”
I thought about Eric Meninx.
He went on, “Brady was killed with a Winchester .243. It’s a deer hunting rifle.”
“You can even tell the brand of the rifle?” I said, knowing there had to be more to it.
“Yeah, we found it a block away,” he said and waited for my reaction.
I acted cool. Didn’t want to look too excited.
“You mean you have the gun and didn’t even tell us,” I said, my voice cracking and getting louder. I could feel my face turning red. This was me being cool.
He smiled. “Okay, Cam, what do you know?”
I closed my mouth and tried to look clueless. It must have worked.
“Did you get any fingerprints?” I said.
“Nope.”
I thought for a moment while we both drank.
“So,” I said, “Brady was a hit.”
“Looks that way,” he said.
“Do you think someone shot James so Brady would be exposed?”
“We thought of that.”
“If someone knew that Brady was being hunted, they could have shot James so Brady would show himself,” I said.
“That’s what I think, or if someone wanted Brady dead, they could have shot James so someone else could find Brady and kill him.”
“A lot of if’s,” I said.
“Yep. Can you connect the dots for us?”
I thought about Bill killing Brady. If he wanted Brady dead but couldn’t find him, then maybe someone else gave him a little help.
“No, I got nothing yet,” I said.
McNally stood. I was being dismissed.
I said, “I’d like to talk to James Osborn.”
“We already have,” he said.
“It wouldn’t hurt to have a second opinion,” I said.
He stared at me, moving his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other.
“Okay, knock yourself out.” He wrote down James address and handed it to me. “Be careful. He’s a little seedy.”
I stood and downed my last swallow. “Thanks for the drink. If I figure this out, I’ll call you.”
“Make sure you do,” he said.
I nodded and left. Now my head was swimming. I didn’t know if it was the Brandy or all the speculation.