by Mac Fortner
“What do I do now?” Kailey said. “I don’t know what to do.”
“We’ll stay here with you for a while Kailey,” Alexis said. “Until you’re ready for bed.”
“But this isn’t my house anymore. When Bill dies, I get my inheritance, and you get the house. When do I have to be out,” she said, in a slight panic and a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
Chad said, “You don’t have to be out Kailey. You and your baby are welcome to stay as long as you like. I even think the courts might award you the house.”
“I can’t take your house,” she said, ‘I don’t need a house this big.”
“For now, you stay right here. We’ll figure out all the details in a few weeks,” Alexis said.
“Okay, thanks,” Kailey said, lowering her head a little.
We stood in silence for a moment. Kailey looked as though she wanted to say something.
“Would the four of you like to spend the night here,” Kailey said.
We all looked at each other. No one spoke.
“I guess we could,” I finally said. “I don’t have any pressing plans. How about you Robin.”
“I’m afraid I can’t. I have to go to the office at eight tonight. We’re still working on the Brady-James case,” she said.
Oh no, I thought. I’ve committed myself to stay here without Robin.
“I can stay,” Chad said.
“Me too,” Alexis said.
That was a relief.
“Well, you guys sure don’t need me then,” I said. “I’ll take Robin home.”
“Please, please stay,” Kailey said, “We’ll have supper and drinks and talk about Bill and the future.”
I knew that Kailey couldn’t have drinks in her condition. I haven’t seen her with one since she announced she was pregnant. I admired her for that.
“Robin, can you get away later?” I said.
“Sorry, not tonight. You stay and help out here. I’m fine. I’ll have the limo take me to the office and see you in the morning for breakfast,” Robin said.
“Great,” Kailey said, “We’ll have breakfast set up on the patio when you get here.”
“Sounds good to me,” Robin said.
Robin hugged Kailey, Chad, and Alexis before I walked her to the limo.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I wouldn’t have committed if I knew you had to leave.”
“Don’t worry about it Cam,” she said, “She buried her husband today. I think the shock is starting to set in. She needs friends around her.”
“Okay,” I said. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said and got in the limo.
Chapter 56
The evening went smoothly. Kailey kept her hands to herself, other than a few hip bumps while I was helping her in the kitchen.
Around nine-thirty we all retired to our bedrooms. I had an elegant suite on the second floor three doors down from the master, where Kailey was sleeping.
She provided me with a toothbrush, and there were towels for the shower.
I showered and slipped into a very soft, comfy bed. Then I slipped into a very sound sleep.
The wine woke me around two .a.m., to use the bathroom. When I turned over, I rolled right onto naked Kailey.
“Hi,” she said.
I tried to roll off her, but she held tight. I couldn’t get away. She had her legs wrapped around me.
“Kailey, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I think I’m about to have an orgasm,” she said, lightly grinding her hips on me.
Before I could get her legs lose, she did. She arched her back and cried and humped more. Then she fell limp and released me.
Her breathing was heavy. I waited for her to calm down.
“How long have you been in here?” I said.
“Ever since you went to sleep. You sleep soundly,” she said, breathing heavy.
“I was tired.”
“I pulled the sheets back and fooled around for a while, and you didn’t even wake up,” she said giggling.
“Well, I’m awake now, and I think you should go.”
“Please don’t make me go. I just want to lay beside you,” she pleaded in her schoolgirl accent.
“If you stay here, I won’t be able to go to sleep.”
“Better yet,” she whispered, “We could fuck all night, and no one would ever know.”
“Kailey, you buried your husband today. You should be mourning,” I said sternly.
“I told you, he was an evil man. He killed people. I didn’t love him. Hell, I didn’t even like him.”
“But you are carrying his baby,” I said a little more softly.
“I can’t help that,” she said, “But maybe that’s my reward for putting up with him. Now I’ll have half his money, not just the five million he was going to leave me.”
She was really starting to make me wonder if she could have had anything to do with his death.
She looked at me for a moment.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, “and no, I didn’t have anything to do with him getting killed.”
“I don’t think that,” I lied.
“If you don’t, you’re not a very good detective. I’m the only one who gained from his death.”
“Well, that’s so,” I said, “but to tell you the truth, I think it was an accident. I believe he was supposed to get wounded like the rest and he stepped forward at the wrong minute.”
“Then it was my fault. He was stepping toward me,” she said.
“Did you know that Bloodshot’s sight was on Alexis first?” I said.
“No,” she said wide-eyed and sat up. “You mean Bloodshot was going to shoot Alexis.”
“It sure looked that way,” I said. “Then his sights were on you.”
She thought for a moment.
“If this was a game, then they were the last two. Everyone else had been shot,” she said, “But why was it on me again?”
“That I don’t know.”
“He already shot me once.”
“I know,” I said, “everyone but Robin. I figure she didn’t get shot because of being the FBI.”
“What if she was the final target? What if someone wanted her dead,” Kailey said.
“Why?”
“Maybe she arrested someone or killed someone’s friend or kin.”
I had to think about that. What if she was the target? She sure has made some enemies. If so, whoever hired bloodshot was still out there, and he could hire someone else.
That’s when I realized that sometime during our conversation, Kailey had put her hand around me under the cover, and I had responded.
I looked down there. She giggled and released me.
“Just something to think about,” she said getting out of bed.
I didn’t know if she meant the hit being on Robin or the erection she had created under the cover.
“I sure have some good conversations with you while we’re naked,” she said.
“Yes, you do seem to open up,” I said.
“Toodles,” she said and left the room naked.
I guessed that was the way she arrived.
Chapter 57
We were sitting on the patio when Robin arrived at seven-thirty the next morning. She was dressed in her FBI clothes.
“Good morning sweetie,” I said.
“Good morning everyone,” she said, “How did you sleep?”
“I slept great,” Kailey said and smiled at me.
Don’t start that this early, Kailey.
“So did I,” I said. “How about you?”
“Well, the three hours I got was great,” Robin said.
“Three hours. You didn’t have to come here. You should have gotten some sleep,” I said.
“Don’t have time. I have to get back to work,” she said.
The food was delivered to the tables, and the smell was making us all hungry.
“I would rather come here and not miss this breakfast than sl
eep,” she said.
“I know what you mean,” Alexis said, “I’ve been eating these meals since I was ten years old.”
“I’ll miss them too,” Kailey said.
“Why is that?” Chad said, “Are you going somewhere?”
“I think so,” Kailey said. “I don’t belong here. This is your house, and you deserve it. I have plenty of money to live somewhere else.”
“You’re not going anywhere until after you have the baby,” Alexis said. “Then we’ll see what’s best for you. Okay?”
Kailey just nodded her head slightly, in a thoughtful manner.
“Did you solve any problems last night?” I said to Robin.
“Maybe,” she said, “I think we’ve eliminated Brady as the one who hired Bloodshot.”
“Brady?” I said.
“Yes, you were right. It was James who was killed first. Brady didn’t have a million to spend on a hit. You said Eric told you he was offered a million to kill Bloodshot.”
“Yeah, that’s right. That’s what he said,” I said.
“Well, according to his bank account, he didn’t have more than six hundred thousand,” Robin said.
“If he didn’t have another account somewhere, that would surely eliminate him,” I said.
“We also found a witness, for fifty dollars, who said he saw a hooker with a pizza go into Brady’s apartment. McNally says they sometimes pose as pizza deliveries to keep the heat off them,” Robin said.
“How did the guy know she was a hooker?” I said.
“Long blonde hair, short skirt, tall boots and too much make-up,” Robin said. “He said he thought he had seen her around. Anyway, she left carrying some pictures.”
“Coincidence?” I said.
“Maybe.”
“Does that leave you with no suspects?” I said.
“Right now, we don’t have any. We're going to keep an eye out for the pictures.”
“Cam and I think it’s possible that you might be the next target,” Kailey said.
Robin looked at me inquisitively.
“I don’t think that Robin,” I said. “We were just talking different scenarios last night.”
“When was that?” Alexis said.
“In the kitchen,” Kailey said, “I guess we were both hungry and found each other getting something to eat.”
Thank god. I had expected her to say, “In bed.”
“Why would that be a scenario?” Robin said.
“It was just that everyone else had been shot. We thought maybe you might have made some enemies in the Fed business.”
Robin thought. We were all quiet.
“Maybe,” she said, “but I don’t think so.”
“You know,” Kailey said, “Whoever hired him is still out there.”
“Yes, I realize that,” Robin said a little short.
Kailey looked down.
“I’m sorry,” Robin said, “I’m just too tired to talk about Bloodshot.” Here he’s dead, and we’re still trying to find out who hired him.”
“Can I say one more thing,” Kailey said.
“Sure,” Robin said. “Every bit helps.”
“Did you look at any of Bill’s business partners? Maybe one of them would benefit from his death,” Kailey said.
“Do you have access to his office and books?” Robin said.
“No, but Alexis does,” Kailey said.
“Not so fast,” Alexis said. “Without a warrant, I would like to go over them first. I’ll let you know if anything looks suspicious.”
“Sure,” Robin said. “But if I need a warrant, I can get one.”
“You won’t need one,” Alexis said. “Some things aren’t relevant, and it might be in our best interest to keep them private.”
“Okay,” Robin said. “Will you have time to go over them this afternoon?”
“Not a problem,” Alexis said.
“Chad,” I said, “How do you think the Patriots are going to do this year?”
“Good job changing the subject,” he said. “They’ll win the Super bowl.”
I rode with Robin back to town. She dropped me off at my condo.
“Can you get away tonight?” I said.
“I hope so, but if I do, I’m just going to take a long bath and get in bed.”
“I don’t blame you,” I said. “Maybe we’ll have some time tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” she said and kissed me. “I’ll try to call you later.”
“Bye,” I said and got out.
She drove away. I could tell she had a lot on her mind and we were kind of winding down our relationship. After all, in another week, we wouldn’t see each other for quite a while. If ever.
Chapter 58
Alexis spent the afternoon going over her father’s books, which he kept in his office. She had the key to the file cabinets and his desk since she often kept the books for him and regularly made entries.
Kailey stuck her head in the office door, “Can I help you in any way,” she asked Alexis.
“I don’t think so, Kailey. I know the books pretty well. It shouldn’t take me long. Thanks, though,” Alexis said.
“Okay. I don’t know much about business, but if you need something ring me and I’ll get it,” Kailey said and closed the door as she left.
“Thank again,” Alexis said to an empty room.
Two hours into the inspection and Alexis found something, although it wasn’t what she was looking for. The books showed that she had withdrawn ten million dollars from the trust fund last June to November. That was impossible, but that’s what she had been on trial for. This didn’t show up in the trial. No wonder her father thought she was guilty. There must be a second set of books somewhere.
She thought of where he could be hiding them. She went to the bookshelf and slid a trim piece to the left. The case released and slid open.
She walked into the secret room and checked the locked file cabinet in there.
She found them. The second set of books. At least two of them, but they were the ones that showed she had not embezzled the money.
Someone had managed to change the books and make her look guilty. Father must have produced the second set for the trial so it wouldn’t show up. Even if he thought I was guilty, he didn’t want me prosecuted.
She replaced the books in the cabinet and left the secret room. She started going over the books again.
There was nothing more to find in the books. Next, she began going through the files.
There were a few deals he had going which would definitely be beneficial to his partners if he were dead. But his associates were multi-millionaires and these advantages would only be from one to five million dollars. Not worth killing him for. Then she saw one that caused the blood to drain from her face.
She locked the books back in the file cabinet and left the room. She needed to talk to Chad.
Alexis met Chad at the door when he came home from work that afternoon. He could tell by the look on her face that something was bothering her.
He kissed her and said, “How was your day?”
“Not so good,” she said. “I went over the books and the files.”
“Yes, I know. What did you find?” Chad said cautiously.
“First, I found a second set of books hidden away. I expected as much, but I didn’t expect to find what I saw there. One set showed that I did embezzle ten million dollars. Of course, that’s not true, but someone made it look that way.”
“The books we had for the trial didn’t show any such thing,” Chad said.
“I know. I think father sent you the second set. The implication wasn’t in them.”
“Well, that’s over now. No need to worry,” Chad said.
“Yes, but someone tried to set me up,” Alexis said. “We send our books to Dillard and Shanks every quarter to have them inspected and revised. I think someone there modified them.”
“Why would they do that?”
“I think someone there ac
tually embezzled the money. If father was on to them, maybe they had him killed.”
“It’s certainly worth looking into,” Chad said.
Alexis went to the bar and fixed them both a potent cocktail.
She handed Chad his and drank hers half way down.
Chad watched her and decided he had better do the same. Something else was about to come.
“That’s not all,” she said.
“I didn’t think so.”
“When I went over the business files I found a few cases where people would benefit in father’s death, but none worth killing him over. These men didn’t need the money,” she said.
“And?” Chad said.
“I found the file showing the business meeting with father and Robert.”
“Oh,” Chad said. “What was in it?”
Alexis finished her drink. Chad did the same.
“Father didn’t want to be involved in the gay resort deal. He cited “Moral reasons.” He did, however, believe in Robert and gave him the five million dollars he asked for. The terms of the loan were strict but fair. Father stated that, since Robert was going to be family, if father died, the loan would be forgiven. He wanted Robert to make the best of his life, and if this is what he wanted, he would have it.”
Chad listened to the details of the loan and the repayment. It was strict and would be very hard to repay if anything went wrong. One bad move on Roberts part and he would lose everything.
“So you think Robert would have your father killed?” Chad said in disbelief.
“No, I don’t think so, because I know him,” Alexis said. “He’s a good man, and he would never do that, but if these records get into the hands of the Feds, it would be a different story.”
Chad thought again for a moment.
“Could we destroy the contract?” he said.
“No, we’ve already had it recorded. We’re not the only ones with a copy.”
“I need to talk to Robert,” Chad said.
Chapter 59
I called Robin at six o’clock to see if she made it home okay. She answered on the second ring.
“Hey, Robin. Just checking on you,” I said. “Are you home safely?”
“Yeah, about fifteen minutes ago. I was just running a bath,” she said.