by Mac Fortner
Chapter 65
Robin knocked on my door at six o’clock, and when I opened the door, she was standing there naked with a grocery sack and a bottle of wine in her hands.
I took her arm and hurried her in.
“What the heck?” I said and started laughing.
“I just thought we needed to talk,” Robin said, “so I dressed for it.”
I took the wine, and the sack and placed them on the table and hugged her.
“You’re crazy,” I said. “Where are your clothes?”
“In the sack,” she said.
“Where did you walk from naked?”
“I took them off in the taxi,” she said.
I knew better than that, but just the thought really turned me on.
Instead of giving her clothes to her, I took mine off.
“Now we can talk,” I said.
“Open the wine,” she said.
“I have some breathing. I’ll pour.”
I poured two glasses of wine and handed her one. I opened her bottle to let it breathe.
“Thank you,” she said and walked out onto the balcony.
I joined her.
“I see why Kailey does this,” she said. “It feels good.”
“You know, it’s still daylight, and the neighbors have an excellent view,” I said.
“Yeah, I know, but we’ll both be gone in a few days, so what the hell,” she said.
“You’re right.”
We took a seat on the chaise. The sun felt good. Robin leaned against my chest.
I thought about the first time we made love. In a fit of wild passion, she pulled my shirt off and threw it out the window. We laughed hard. Thinking about it now made me laugh again.
“What’s so funny?” Robin said.
I told her, and she started to laugh too.
“We have had some fun and some real adventures, haven’t we?” she said.
“That we have. It’s a wonder we’ve survived,” I said.
“Do you mean physically or romantically?” she said.
“Yes,” I said.
“I don’t know about you,” Robin said, “but I’m horny as hell.”
“Me too,” I said, “Shall we go in for a few minutes?”
“What’s wrong with right here?” she said.
“Not a thing.”
Afterward, we lay there panting. It was a very wild two minutes. Making love outside knowing there’s a chance of being discovered and the fact that I only had one arm to maneuver with made the experience that much more exciting. I heard someone applaud, but couldn’t tell where it came from. I waved my good hand in the air.
We laughed again.
“More wine?” I said.
“Might as well,” Robin said.
We went inside, deciding to let the neighborhood calm down a little, and poured more wine.
“Where should we go next to make love?” I said.
“How about Central Park?” Robin said.
“Too dangerous. If we get busted, it won't bode well with the FBI,” I said.
“True,” Robin said.
“I know, the next time we’re in the Arlington estate,” Robin said, “let’s make love in Kailey’s bed. We could sneak up there, and no one would know.”
“How do you think she would react if we were caught?” I said.
“I think she would join in on the fun,” Robin said.
“Way to go,” I said, “Now I’m horny again.”
“Me too.”
The kitchen island took the brunt of our next encounter. We ended up on the floor.
We lay on the kitchen rug for a few minutes.
“If we’re going to keep this up,” I said, “I’m going to need some nourishment.”
“I brought pork chops for the grill, but I think you should put on an apron,” she said.
“Good idea.”
We stood on the balcony, still naked except for my apron, while I grilled and talked about the Arlington files.
“I spoke with Alexis today,” Robin said. “I’m going over there tomorrow morning to go through the records with her. She said there was something there I should see, but she couldn’t explain. Any idea what that is?”
“Maybe,” I said. “But if you don’t mind I would rather you and Alexis discuss it.”
“Okay,” she said. “Would you like to go with me?”
“I’ll see what tomorrow brings,” I said.
“You know, we’ll be in the Arlington estate,” Robin said slyly.
“Oh yeah, I think I will go with you.”
Chapter 66
We arrived at the Arlington estate at seven-thirty the next morning. Chad answered the door.
“Alexis is waiting in the office. Can I bring you two some breakfast? The buffet is still set up,” Chad said.
“I’ll have a coffee please,” Robin said.
“I’ll walk with you to the buffet,” I said to Chad. “We’ll give the girls some time alone.”
We walked to the office and dropped Robin off. I stuck my head in and said, “Hi,” to Alexis. I told Robin her coffee would be there soon.
When we reached the back patio, Kailey was filling her plate.
“Join me please,” she said to us.
“It does smell good,” I said getting a plate.
“How are you feeling today?” she asked.
“Just fine. I start taking off the sling to exercise my arm today.”
“Good. Hope it heals quickly.”
“I think it will,” I said.
Chad just watched us. I knew what he was thinking. I thought I saw him stifle a laugh.
“Are you going to come to the reading of the Will today?” she asked.
“I wasn’t aware it was happening today,” I said.
“Yes, at five o’clock, here. I wish you would come,” she pleaded.
“Well, I don’t think it’s my place, but if you really want me there, I’ll come,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You might as well stay here for the day Cam,” Chad said. “Maybe we can get in a round of golf.”
I pointed to my sling.
“Oh yeah, I forgot,” Chad said.
“I like to golf,” Kailey said, “I never get to play anymore.”
“I wasn’t aware you were a golfer.”
“Used to be. It’s pure freedom out there. Like walking in a manicured forest,” she said smiling and looking past us as if remembering something in the past.
“I’m going to check on Robin and Alexis,” Kailey said, standing.
We stood also.
“Well, aren’t you gentlemen,” she said.
“Kailey, would you mind taking Robin a cup of coffee,” I said.
“She won’t throw it on me, will she?”
“No, she’s fine with you,” I said. “You’ve inspired her.”
When she left, I told Chad what she said about golf didn’t seem right.
“That doesn’t fit in with the childhood she described to me,” I said.
“Nor me,” Chad said. “Maybe she embellished a little, hoping to spend some time with you.”
“Probably so,” I said.
We finished breakfast and joined the girls in the office. Robin was going over Roberts file.
“I know it looks bad,” Kailey said, “but Robert would never do anything like that.”
“Yes, I know,” Alexis said.
“I’ll have to make a copy of all the records,” Robin said. “Maybe someone in here needed the money just enough.”
“None of this answers the question of who shot Cam,” Kailey said.
“Maybe it was just dumb luck,” Chad said. “Wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Could be, but I don’t feel it,” I said. “My apartment is still bugged, and maybe someone else has a receiver. I gave Jack a list of people to check on. Maybe one of them is involved.”
“Could I have that list?” Robin said.
&n
bsp; “Sure, it’s all yours. I’m bowing out,” I said.
“I don’t blame you,” Kailey said.
“I feel that I’ve done my fair share in this case,” I said. “I’ll let the FBI and McNally handle it from here. It’s time for me to go home.”
“I agree,” Robin said.
Chad and I walked to the pool and sat in the lounge chairs.
“That’s bullshit,” Chad said.
“What?”
“You giving up. You’re just trying to get them off your back.”
“I need room to work,” I said.
“What are you going to do?” Chad said.
“First, I’m going to leave. I’ll go to Oklahoma to inform Brian Wessel’s family that his killers are dead. I think they need to hear it. It will also give me a chance to eliminate them from my list.”
“What then?”
“I’ll come back for a little while. Try to keep a low profile. Probably talk to McNally,” I said.
“Who do you suspect?” Chad said.
“Right now. One of Bill’s business partners would be my first choice. Even if the deal they’re working on now isn’t that lucrative, it might be to their advantage in the future to not have him around.”
“Makes sense,” Chad said.
“Can you get me a copy of those files?” I said.
“I’ll do my best. I think Alexis would be glad to turn them over to you.”
“Thanks,” I said.
The girls finished, and Robin told me she needed to go work on the files with her staff.
I walked her to the car.
“I’m going to spend the day with Chad,” I said. “Kailey wants me to be at the reading of the Will tonight.”
“Good. Will you fill me in on it?”
“Sure. Why?” I said.
“I found a few small areas in the records that would make it awful beneficial to Alexis if her father died.”
“Alexis?” I said.
“Yes. I know my staff will see it too. I need to get ahead of it,” she said.
“What about Robert?” I said.
“If it wasn’t for the timing, I’d already have him in cuffs,” she said.
I opened the door for her. “What about our little plan to go upstairs here for a while?” I said.
“Raincheck?” she said.
“Okay, but I was all jacked up for it.”
“You’re always all jacked up for it,” Robin said and kissed me goodbye.
.
Chapter 67
Chad and I went to Per Se for lunch and drinks. Looking around I wondered if I would miss this just a little.
There was quite a lunch crowd today. I found myself a little edgy. I could imagine a sniper somewhere in the crowd. This city was taking a toll on me. I surveyed the crowd. I was surprised to see Chief McNally sitting at a table with NYPD Commissioner Patton.
Chad saw the look on my face.
“Yeah, I saw them when we came in,” he said.
“I guess they have to eat too,” I said.
“Do you need to talk to ‘em?”
“Not right now,” I said. “I’d rather talk to McNally alone.”
Our drinks arrived, and we ordered our lunch, steaks, and potatoes.
The waitress came to our table again and said, “Chief McNally and Commissioner Patton would like for you gentlemen to join them at their table.”
I looked in their direction. McNally waved.
“I guess we don’t really have a choice,” I said to Chad.
“There goes our peaceful lunch,” he said.
We stood, and the waitress took our drinks following us to their table.
“Chief,” I said, extending my hand.
He shook it and introduced Chad and me to the commissioner.
“Have a seat,” Patton said.
“Thank you,” I said, and we sat.
“The commissioner and I were just talking about the Bloodshot case when I looked up and who did I see,” McNally said.
I smiled.
Patton said, “I wanted to personally thank you for the excellent work you did, assisting the NYPD on this case.”
Assisting? I thought.
“You’re welcome Commissioner, although I didn’t have much of a choice considering he was trying to kill my friends and me.”
“Still,” he said, “You were quite a help.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“So,” he said, “Now we need to find out who shot you. Do you have any idea why someone would feel threatened by you?”
“I’m working on a few court cases that might trigger a reaction,” I said.
“Anyone particular?” Patton said.
“Well I reported a death threat from Emanuel Barona to Chief McNally,” I said.
“I followed up on that,” McNally said defensively.
“You don’t think it has anything to do with Bloodshot?” Patton said.
“I doubt it, although, whoever hired him is still out there. They made sure there were no loose ends by having them both killed.”
“So you think someone made sure you would be there to kill Eric Meninx after he killed Bloodshot?” he said.
“Don’t know, but it sure turned out to their advantage,” I said.
“It sounds like maybe that person is still threatened by you. You might know something and not realize it.”
Our food came. I removed my sling so I could cut my steak.
“Need help?” McNally said.
“No,” I said. “It’s therapy.”
Chad and I ate, while the four of us made small talk. They had already finished their meal before we arrived.
When we finished our meal, the commissioner picked up where he left off.
“I wonder if you might allow the Chief here to take a look at those cases you’re working on,” Patton said.
“I doubt it,” I said. “Client confidentiality.”
He stared at me.
“Alright,” he said, “I can understand that, but would you at least review them and let us know if you come up with anything?”
I looked at Chad.
“It’s your call,” I said, “I resigned yesterday.”
“I’ll take a look,” Chad said.
“You resigned?” Patton said.
“Yes, I’m moving back to Key West.”
“I’d prefer you stay here until this is solved,” he said.
“No,” I said bluntly. “If it weren’t for me the Bloodshot case wouldn’t be this far along. If I have to wait around for the NYPD to solve the rest of it, I might be here for the rest of my life.”
McNally gave me a dirty look, and the Commissioner leaned back in his chair.
“That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?” Patton said.
“It’s just the truth,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “If it sounds harsh, then….”
“Listen here you son of a bitch,” McNally said.
“Chief!” Patton said.
They both looked at me.
“I can understand your frustration,” Patton said, “But the NYPD has to work by guidelines. We can’t be the vigilantes that the rest of you can.”
He paused. “That being said, however, we still appreciate your help, and I hope your present lack of cooperation doesn’t come back to bite you in the ass.”
It was my turn to stare at them.
“If you’ll excuse us,” the Commissioner said, “We have other cases to solve.”
We stood as they did and extended our hands. We all shook.
“It was a pleasure meeting you men,” Patton said. “Thanks again for the assistance.”
“You’re welcome Commissioner,” I said.
When they were gone Chad said, “Shit Cam, that was enjoyable.”
I laughed.
“I hope that doesn’t put any pressure on you since you have to stay here and work.”
“I’ll probably lose my license,” Chad said.
“I don’t thin
k you’ll have a problem. Besides you’re a billionaire.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
We ordered two more drinks. “Make ‘em stiff,” I told the waitress.
Chapter 68
At five o’clock I entered William’s office where the Will was about to be read. Alexis and Kailey were seated and talking at the conference table. Chad was at the bar fixing a drink. At the head of the table was Alexander Benton, the family lawyer. A sheriff’s deputy was standing behind Benton.
I kissed Alexis and Kailey on the cheek and joined Chad at the bar.
The mood was sedate. It reminded me of a funeral. I guess in a way it was. It was the final disbandment of Bills belongings.
I fixed a drink.
“This is quite unusual to have a Will reading nowadays, isn’t it?” I said to Chad.
“Yes, but we requested it because of Kailey. We wanted to make sure there was a provision in there for her and her child. They would be entitled to the same portion as Alexis,” he said.
“I see. That’s big of you,” I said.
“We all received copies of the will two days ago. This is just a reading of the final revision.”
Alexander stood and cleared his throat.
“I guess everyone is here if you would like to proceed,” he said.
There was a general agreement.
“Alright, as you know I am the executor of the Will, so I will read the changes made. We must all agree with the changes before the Will is considered closed.”
He put on his glasses, sat down and picked up his copy.
“The sole beneficiaries are Alexis Diane Arlington Kendall and Kailey Marie Arlington. I’ll speak freely now if you don’t mind,” he said.
“That’s fine,” Alexis said.
“Thank you,” he said. “As you know the Will reads that the assets of two billion three hundred million would go to Alexis, his only child. On Alexis’s wishes, the estate would be split equally among her and Kailey. Kailey has set up a trust fund with her being the Grantor and her child being the beneficiary. JP Morgan Chase will be named the trustee.”
He paused and took a drink of water.
“Here’s the unusual part,” he said, “Kailey doesn’t want the estate to be liquidized. She want’s only three hundred million dollars. The houses and business will all go to Alexis.”