by Mac Fortner
Before I knew it, we were naked and making love in the hammock under the evening sun. It felt good. We had to keep our balance and at the same time make sure everything went where it was supposed to go. We finished and lay there locked together.
“I have a new favorite place on our yacht,” she whispered.
“Yeah, me too. But it could be a little dangerous.”
We both looked around to see if anyone had seen us. Stacy was standing at the foot of the hammock smiling.
“That was cool,” Stacy said.
I looked for something to cover up with. Our clothes were too far away, so I pulled Kailey over me.
Kailey started laughing. “Chivalry,” she said.
“What are you doing here, Stacy?” I said a little embarrassed.
“Just watching,” she said and laughed.
Now I’ll be self-conscious every time I pass her boat.
“Wanna join us?” Kailey said.
“I’d love too.”
“Okay girls,” I said. “Maybe some other time.”
“Ahh, party pooper,” Stacy said, and the two girls laughed.
“What’s up?” I said to Stacy.
“Well, nothing now, but a minute ago, you were,” and they laughed again.
I just gave them the look.
“Okay,” Stacy said. “I wanted to tell you something I noticed yesterday when that lady came to your boat.”
“What was that?” I said.
“When she arrived the bag she was carrying seemed to be empty. When she left, I watched her again, and I noticed the bag looked kind of bulky. I didn’t think much of it at the time but a while ago I got to thinking how someone put a bomb on your last boat and, well, you know,” she said shrugging her shoulders. “Did you give her something to put in that bag?”
“No, I didn’t. So you think she filled her bag or emptied something out before we got here?” I said.
“One or the other I’d say.”
I looked around. For what, I didn’t know. I would have noticed if anything was lying out in the open. I wondered if maybe she hid something on the boat.
“How long do you think she was here before we arrived,” I asked Stacy.
“Maybe five minutes, maybe ten.”
“We better start searching the boat,” Kailey said and rolled off the top of me and out of the hammock, exposing me again.
“Thanks,” I said. Trying to cover myself.
“It’s too late for that Cam,” Stacy said. “I’ve seen it all.”
Kailey tossed my clothes to me, and Stacy turned her back. I dressed, and the three of us began to search the boat.
I checked all the obvious places first that I thought Tracy could get to in the short time she had to hide anything. I found nothing. Stacy didn’t have any better luck than I did.
“I didn’t see anything that wasn’t already here,” Kailey said.
“I noticed one thing,” I said. “My backup gun is missing.”
Chapter 7
Monday had been a long day for Diane. She had one more patient to see, Jason Fields, this poor guy has been coming to her for two years now, and she can’t find a thing wrong with him other than he loves to take the blame for everything that happens in Key West.
I can make it through one more hour, Diane told herself.
Diane's secretary knocked on her door and opened it. “Mister Fields is here,” she said.
“Send him in,” Diane said returning his file to the cabinet.
Jason Fields entered the room sporting a wide grin.
“Hello Diane,” he said.
“Hello, Jason. How are you today?”
Jason’s grin faded, and he lowered his head.
“Not so good,” he said. “I have to make a confession.”
“Really? Why don’t you start from the beginning? Tell me everything.”
Jason smiled. It was going to be a great hour. He loved Diane. She was the only person on the island that would talk to him at all, that is except for Vicki, but she didn’t have any choice. She’s been chained to the wall in his back bedroom for two months now.
He wanted to tell Diane about her, but she might believe him. That wouldn’t do. Then he wouldn’t get to come see her every week.
The three other girls before Vicki had all stopped talking to me. I had to dispose of them one at a time. But Vicki was a real talker. I think she really likes me.
Jason took a seat on the sofa across from Diane's chair. He snuck a peek up her dress as did so.
Diane noticed and closed her legs a little tighter.
“Well,” he said. “I robbed the cruise ship of all its jewels.”
Diane just stared at him and didn’t speak.
“I built this submarine, ya know,” he continued, “and I drove it out to the ship and tied it to the back. Then I climbed up a rope and grabbed the jewels and dove back into the water. I got back on the sub and came to the shore where I burned it up.”
Diane thought he knew a lot about the robbery and how it took place, but of course, he didn’t do it. How did he know about the submarine being burned at the shoreline? He also didn’t have the physical ability to climb the rope. He was around five-foot-eight and two hundred pounds.
“Jason,” Diane said thoughtfully. “How did you know the sub was burned? I know you’re not the one who did this.”
Jason squirmed in his seat. “I was walking my dog, and I spotted the sub and called the police,” he said softly as if a little kid caught in a lie.
“Why do you think you have to tell lies every time we meet?”
Jason stood and walked around the room. Diane turned slowly in her chair. She didn’t feel comfortable with him out of her view.
“I just want to talk to you, Diane,” he said gathering up all his courage. “I love you.”
Diane stood and faced him. “No, you don’t Jason. You don’t even know me.”
“But I do, Diane. We’ve been meeting for two years now. We love each other.”
“No Jason, we don’t. You just think you love me because I’m trying to help you. I’ve been going over all of our sessions and have come to the conclusion that we shouldn’t meet any longer. I don’t think I can help you. You seem to function fine in the real world, but when you come to my office, you fabricate stories.”
“That’s not true,” he said bowing his head. “I do love you. You can’t just quit seeing me. I need your help.” There were tears in his eyes.
“I’m sorry Jason, but this is our last meeting,” Diane said and laid her notepad down on the desk. “I’ll be glad to refer you to someone else that might be able to help you. Doctor Lawson is more advanced in False Crime Confession cases than I am. He’s been working with the Monroe Sheriff’s Department. I think he might be able to help you.”
Jason walked to the desk, picked up Diane’s notepad and slammed it to the floor. “You’ll never leave me, Diane,” he growled. “We were meant to be together.”
Diane stepped back placing the desk between her and Jason.
“I’ll see you next week,” he said and stormed out the door.
Chapter 8
Tracy stepped from the hotel lobby and handed the valet her card.
“I’ll have your car right here, Miss Marley,” he said looking at her ticket. He ran off in the direction of the parking garage.
It was another smoldering hot day. She could already feel a trickle of sweat dripping down her neck. Why would anyone want to live in this God forsaken city?
She watched as her rental rolled to a stop in front of her. She handed the valet a twenty as he held the door for her to enter the vehicle.
“Have a good day, Miss Marley,” he said and closed the door.
She drove to the east side of the city following her Garmin’s directions. Turning into a more secluded neighborhood, it didn’t take her long to find what she was looking for. She pulled into the driveway of a small but neatly kept bungalow on the right. The house was yellow a
nd trimmed in blue. Not her taste at all.
Tracy knocked on the door. It was abruptly answered by a balding man in his mid-sixties. He was wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt and flag speedos.
Tracy held back a gag. This was not sexy.
“Mister Russel?” she questioned meekly.
“Yeah, come on in. You must be Tracy,” he said as he turned and walked away from the door.
Tracy entered the small living room which was brightly lit by a series of recessed lights in the ceiling, bordering the walls.
The light revealed too much of Mister Russel.
He flopped down on the couch and patted the seat next to him. Tracy took a seat in a dirty recliner across the room.
He smirked, “I don’t bite.”
“I’m fine over here,” she said.
“You bring the jewels?”
“Some of them,” Tracy said.
“Show me.”
Tracy opened her bag and pulled out a pair of white gloves and put them on. She then reached into the bag and produced a necklace. It was beautiful. Diamonds and rubies sparkled in the bright light.
“These are the Achilles Diamonds,” she said and held it to her neck.
“Never heard of ‘em,” Russel said.
Tracy smiled, “They were named for the weak spot they leave for those who lust after them.”
“Let me have a look,” he said rising and walking to her.
She held them up for him to take. As he reached for them, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of her chair and against him.
He placed his hand on her crotch and held her tight.
“You better not be fucking trying to rip me off,” he barked in her ear. “I can tell fake when I see it.”
She pushed him away with all her strength, which was almost equal to his.
“You do that again, and I’ll kill you,” she spat.
He laughed and grabbed his own crotch and shook it.
She threw the necklace to him and sat back down.
“Check it out mother fucker, and let's get this over with.”
Russel went to a table and picked up his jeweler's loupe. He held the diamonds slightly above his vision and placed the loupe a half inch from his eye. He turned the necklace and moved from diamond to diamond and then did the same with the rubies.
When he finished, he carefully handed the necklace back to Tracy.
“Exquisite,” he said.
Tracy pulled a large stone from her bag. This one she handed to Russel more carefully.
He inspected this one as he had done the last. A broad smile came over his face.
“Fantastic,” he said.
“That one looks good to you?” Tracy said.
“The most intense jewel I have ever seen.”
“Are you sure?” Tracy wanted to make sure she had the real stone.
“Little lady, I know jewels. I’ve been fencing them for twenty-five years. This is the cream of the crop.”
Tracy stood, and Russel handed her the stone. She carefully placed it back in her bag with the necklace.
“That’s the Foxhound Stone?” Russel said. “It’s worth more than the rest of these gems alone. One of the largest cut diamonds in the world.”
“Yes,” Tracy said.
She then pulled a gun from her purse and shot Russel in the forehead. He looked confused for an instant and then fell flat on his back.
Tracy returned Cam’s gun to her bag, pulled out the necklace and placed it under Russel's body. She then pulled a business card from her pocket and placed it on the end table next to the phone. She dialed the number on the card and let it ring.
“Cam Derringer,” he answered.
Tracy waited a few seconds and hung up.
She then pulled open the drawers and continued to ransack the house.
Once satisfied that it looked as though the intruder didn’t find what he was looking for, she opened the front door and left, removing her gloves only when she reached her car.
Chapter 9
Diane came to the boat for supper at six-thirty. She looked tired.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked.
“Please do,” she sighed.
I poured her a glass of Shiraz and made Kailey and myself each a Wild Turkey on the rocks.
We all sat in silence for a moment while we tasted our vices.
“What’s troubling you?” I asked Diane.
“It shows, huh.”
“A little.”
She told us about her encounter with Jason a few hours ago.
“Do you want me to have a talk with him?”
“No,” Diane said. “I’m not supposed to talk to anyone about my patients.”
“Okay then,” I said, “I’ll just keep an eye on him discreetly.”
Diane didn’t protest.
I told Diane about our day from the visit to the cruise ship to Stacy watching us in the hammock.
This got a laugh from Diane. That’s what I was going for.
“The two of you should be a little more discreet,” she said. “What if it would have been me who walked in on you? I would have been scarred for life.”
She’s right. No one wants to accidentally see their father having sex.
I checked the grill. The chicken was ready. We ate and made small talk about vacations we would like to take, and cars we wished we owned. Diane and I made a pact, years ago, not to talk business while eating at home. This was our away time. Kailey respects the same.
“I tell you what,” Kailey said. “Each of you can choose a car, and I’ll order it for you. My treat. Then when you get tired of driving around, I’ll take you on a vacation of your choice.”
“We couldn’t accept,” Diane said, “but that’s very generous.”
“Bullshit,” I said. “You’re on.”
“Cool,” Kailey said. “I’ve wanted to spend some of that money.”
“You mean buying me this yacht doesn’t count?” I said.
“I bought it for you so I would be comfortable while I was here,” she said.
I laughed, “I love you,” I said.
You could hear a pin drop. Both girls looked at me in silence, their mouths slightly agape.
Finally, Kailey spoke. With a sly smile, she said, “I told you-you would someday.”
It was my turn to be silent.
Chapter 10
Around nine-o'clock, Diane said she was worn out from a hard day and went home.
Kailey and I spent a lovely, but awkward night, naked on the fantail drinking and looking at the stars.
“Ha-ha,” Kailey whispered.
“Ha-ha, what?”
“Ha-ha, you love me.”
“I’ve always loved you, in my own way,” I said.
“Yeah, but now you love me in my way.”
“I was caught up in the moment,” I said defending my slip.
“Still counts.”
“Well, you promised me a car. Weren’t you caught up in the moment also?”
“Nope, I meant it too.”
“Too?”
“Yep. Admit it, Cam. You’re crazy about me.”
I took another drink of my Wild Turkey. Kailey slid down the chaise lounge and put her head in my lap. A minute later, I was sure I did love her.
~***~
The next morning I woke late. The sun was up, and it was already eighty-four degrees. Kailey’s spot in the bed next to me was empty. I dressed in my running shorts and shirt and walked down the dock toward the road.
“Hey sexy,” I heard from Stacy’s boat.
Stacy and Barbie were sitting at their table eating breakfast.
“Good morning girls,” I said sheepishly.
“Heard you were up swinging all night,” Barbie said. They both giggled.
I just shook my head and gave them the look. It was going to take a while to get over my encounter in the hammock.
“Saw Kailey leave an hour ago,” Barbie said. “Nice to be young.”<
br />
“Really,” I said. “You’re going to play the age card on me now.”
They giggled again.
I knew they were just ribbing me, but it made think about how old I am compared to Kailey.
The traffic was heavy this morning, as usual. I ran a block and then jogged in place at the corner until the light changed. I kept repeating this routine until I turned onto Roosevelt Drive. I finally reached the ocean wall in front of the larger resorts. I had plenty of room to run now on the wide paved path. I ran past the Best Western, the airport, and the Hyatt. When I reached Smathers Beach, I stopped and took a seat on an empty bench.
I drank too much last night, and I miss my donuts. Kailey made me give them up when she saw the doctor’s report. Borderline diabetic. I was also still thinking how I told Kailey that I loved her.
I wish I was thirty-five again, or that Kailey was fifty. I tried to picture how Kailey would look at fifty, but her beautiful face wouldn’t change in my mind.
While I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself, someone sat down beside me. I looked at him. It was the man I knew as Sam Alexander.
“Good morning Cam,” he said.
“Sam.”
“Hot one, ‘ey,” he said.
I turned and looked toward the beach again.
“Sorry I had to leave so abruptly. My wife called and said she was in trouble. She told me she was at the Gas Monkey Bar and Grill, and that she had been robbed and dumped there on the street. Of course, she wasn’t there when I arrived.”
“Is that so,” I said.
“I guess you haven’t seen her,” he said.
“No,” I lied.
“May I hire you again?”
“Stop by my boat around two, and we’ll draw up the papers,” I said still looking at the beach.
“Alright,” he said and stood. “See you at two.”
I couldn’t care less about finding Tracy for him, but I did want to find her for me. The more information I got from him, the more unproblematic my job might be. Then I could check him out at the same time.
I took a swig of water from my bottle. When I lowered it, I saw Tracy next to a palm tree watching me. I turned my head toward Sam to see if he had seen her, but he was gone.