by Mac Fortner
Robin hugged Kailey and just held her. Kailey’s stored tears began to flow. They rocked back and forth. Now both girls no longer were fighting back the tears. They were flowing down their cheeks unchecked, robbing them of the ability to speak.
I stood at the entrance and watched the two women I loved, hold each other and cry. I could barely hold back my own tears knowing this was partially my fault. I turned and went back to the table. I knew better than to get in the middle of two women soothing one another over me.
“Kailey,” Robin finally said when she could speak again, “I know what’s going through your mind. You’re wondering if that bitch is going to try to get my guy. And you wonder if Cam still loves me.”
Kailey sniffed and nodded her head.
Robin continued; “I still love Cam, there’s no doubt about that. I want to be honest with you. I don’t know if he loves me or not. In the large scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter. I will probably never see him again after I leave here. I’m not here to steal him away, and I don’t think I could if I tried. I see the way he looks at you. It’s the way he used to look at me, but not anymore. I came to admire you in New York City, and I do now even more. I want to be your friend, not your competition. We’re going to have to work closely together to get Cam out of this mess. From what I’ve seen so far it isn’t going to be easy.”
“Thank you, Robin. For being honest, that is,” Kailey said. “I think I just needed a good cry.”
“Yes, I think we both did. Shall we eat?”
I saw the girls returning to the table. They were holding hands. I swallowed the lump in my throat that had been growing.
We enjoyed our meal and had a few drinks. No mention was made to the near unraveling of the evening.
Chapter 34
Harold Chesterfield dialed Tracy’s number. He needed to get to the bottom of this situation.
“Harold,” Tracy answered coldly.
“We need to meet.”
“We’re finished talking.”
“No, we’re not, Tracy.”
“What could we possibly have to say to each other?”
“For starters, you could say you’re sorry, and you would like to give me my jewels back.”
“But I’m not and I won’t.”
“We’ve had a long and prosperous relationship. Do you think I don’t keep records of some of our dealings?” he said calmly.
Tracy was silent.
“If I were to be implicated in any wrongdoings, I wouldn’t go down alone, besides,” Harold said, “you wouldn’t blame the murder on me. You want Cam Derringer to have that honor.”
“What do you know about Cam?”
“He came to see me after you left the other day. He was following you.”
“I thought so.”
“So you led him here to me?”
“Don’t worry about it; he’ll be in prison before long.”
“I don’t give a shit where he’ll be,” he said, gritting his teeth, “I want my jewels back now!”
Tracy paused; “I don’t have them. I planted them on Cam’s boat, and someone else stole them.”
“Are you fucking shitting me?”
“No, but I know who took them, I’ll have them back shortly.”
“You had better, or you’ll be one sorry little girl,” he retorted.
~***~
When we left the restaurant, Diane announced that she was ready to return to her house. The trauma of being kidnapped was over for her.
I wasn’t sure that it was, but I knew she needed her space.
Jack said he would stay with her for the first night to help her ease back into her life.
I was glad, for a change that Jack was there.
I shook Jacks hand and hugged Diane.
“I love you,” I said to her.
She rolled her eyes toward Kailey, and then raised one eyebrow. I got the message. She was right; I needed to tell Kailey I love her in Robin's presence. I nodded to Diane.
“Where to,” Chad said.
“Let’s walk Duval and listen to some music,” Kailey said.
“Sounds good to me,” I said.
We said goodbye to Diane and Jack.
I placed my arm around Kailey’s waist and led her down the street. Chad and Robin followed. I was nervous and could feel the tension in Kailey’s body.
I leaned down and kissed her. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she replied.
Kailey stopped walking and turned around. She hugged Robin again, then turned back, took my hand and continued walking.
I felt a little relief, but I didn’t want to hurt Robin either.
I thought about the first time I met Kailey. She was in my apartment when I returned from Chad's wedding, at Kailey's house. She wanted me and would do anything to have me. The trouble started when she took off her clothes, and Robin walked in.
Kailey offered Robin a glass of wine, which she took. I couldn’t think of anything to say to get out of the trouble I could see brewing, but Kailey handled it expertly by confessing to Robin that she broke in and was trying to seduce me.
Robin told her to put her clothes back on and leave, which she did. Kailey kissed Robin on the lips on her way out.
I thought then that Kailey was more than she pretended to be, and she is. She comes off as an airhead, but in fact, she’s a strong and very intelligent woman who knows how to get what she wants.
The girl is half my size, but I always feel safe when she’s around.
Robin, on the other hand, saved my life. She solved the murder of my wife and stopped a planned attack on a thousand Marines at Quantico.
I’ve always considered myself independent, and a man’s man, but the truth is, the women I surround myself with are my strongest attributes.
Chapter 35
The next morning Robin left early to go to the Sheriff’s Office. She wanted all the information they had on the young man who accused me of selling him drugs. She was working in an authorized FBI capacity.
“Good morning Sheriff Reynolds,” she said flashing her FBI badge. “I’m Assistant Director Anderson, from LA,” she said.
“This must be important if you came all the way from LA,” Toby said in an exaggerated southern drawl.
He recognized her as one of the women on Cam’s boat yesterday. Yesterday she was dressed in a low-cut, short dress, and now she had on black slacks, white blouse, and a black blazer.
“How may I help you?” he said.
“We’re working on the Cam Derringer case. I want all the files you have on him,” she said.
“No.”
“What do you mean, No,” she said.
“I don’t want to turn that case over to the FBI. I’ve done all the ground-work, and now you want to come in here and claim the prize. No,” he repeated.
“I don’t want to claim the Prize,” she said. “I’m just here to review the case.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
“No.”
“Sheriff, it’s starting to sound like you have something to hide.”
Toby thought for a moment. Maybe I’m coming on too strong. I sure don’t want her to investigate me.
“No. Nothing to hide, just protecting my case.”
Robin opened her briefcase, pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Toby.
He took it and read.
“This says you’re authorized to take over the case,” he said surprised as if he didn’t believe her.
“Yes, I am. But I don’t want to take it over I just want to work with you. I will take it over if I have to.”
Toby shrugged his shoulders and sighed, “Welcome aboard Miss Anderson.”
“Thank you,” she said, “Now those records.”
The sheriff called in his sergeant and asked her to make a copy of all the files they had on Cam Derringer.
“Yes, sir,” she said and left.
“Coffe
e?” Toby said.
“No thanks,” Robin said. “I’ll be back in an hour for those records.”
As Robin was leaving the Sheriff’s Station, she held the door for a lady who was dressed in short-shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops.
“Thank you,” the lady said in a slight Russian accent.
Robin could tell the woman had been working hard to eliminate the accent.
“Sheriff,” Sargent Tai said standing at the door. “Tracy Alexander is here to see you.”
“Thank you. Send her in, and let me have those files as soon as you get them copied.”
She nodded her head and let Tracy into the office.
“Miss Alexander. What can I do for you today?”
“I want to report a robbery,” she said closing the door behind her.
“Really? What was stolen?”
“My jewels,” she said sitting down.
“Your jewelry?”
“No. My jewels.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Well,” she said. “I fastened the jewels, which were stolen from the cruise ship to the anchor line of Cam Derringer's boat. Then last night I watched you swim out and steal them. I want them back.”
Toby turned white and leaned back in his chair.
He tried to talk, but nothing came out.
“Well?” she said.
“I–I don’t know what you’re––”
“Come on Sheriff. You know.”
“No–”
“You’re going to return those to me, or I’ll make sure you rot in prison.”
“I don’t have them,” he managed to get out.
“Yes, you do. You haven’t had time to fence them. Plus I killed the best fence in town already.”
“You––”
“Yep,” she said. “Do you want to be next?”
Deputy Crane opened the office door. “Need anything?” he said. “I’m going to get a donut.” He noticed Tracy sitting opposite. “Hi, Tracy.”
“Hello, Deputy,” she said coldly.
“We’ll have a couple of glasses of water before you leave,” Toby said.
“Sure. Coming right up,” he said and left.
“I don’t want you choking to death before I get my jewels.”
“But––”
“What were you going to do with them anyway?”
“I need––”
The door opened. “Here ya go,” Crane said handing them both a glass.
“Thank you,” Tracy said.
Crane nodded his head and smiled at her.
Tracy shifted her gaze away.
When they were alone again, Tracy said, “Go on.”
“I need the money.”
“Me too.”
“I owe a gambling debt. They’ll kill me.”
“Shit,” Tracy said. “You’re in a bad fix. I’ll kill you if I don’t get them and they’ll kill you if you give them to me.”
A tear rolled down Toby’s face.
“How much do you owe them?”
“Forty-five-thousand,” he said.
Tracy thought for a moment.
“Not a problem,” she said. “I’ll give you sixty-thousand if you return the jewels to the boat.”
“You will?”
“After they are returned, I want you to go there with a search warrant and find them. Then arrest Cam for murder and for the jewel theft. The key to Danny Russell’s house is in a trophy on top the bookcase.”
“I can’t do that to Cam. Besides you told me you killed that fence.”
“You’ll do it or die. Cam’s gun is tied to the murder of Danny Russell, Aaron Kingston, and Jason Fields. You found cocaine on his boat and arrested him for dealing in the same. What the fuck does it take to get a conviction around here?”
“The FBI has taken over the case as of today,” he said.
Tracy sat back and drank her water.
“The FBI?”
“Yeah. The agent just left here a few minutes ago.”
“Then you better work fast.”
Tracy left the office. Toby used his handkerchief to place her glass in an evidence bag.
Chapter 36
Kailey and I slept late. We had a great lovemaking session around five a.m. and then fell back to sleep.
When we made our appearance in the kitchen Chad was preparing bacon, eggs, and pancakes.
“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Kailey said.
“Just something to get the old engine running on this beautiful Saturday morning,” he said and kissed Kailey on the cheek.
“Where’s Robin?” I asked.
“She went to the Sheriff’s Station about an hour ago. She wants to get started on your case.”
“Yeah, I’ve got a few things to check on this morning myself,” I said.
“Need any help?” Kailey said.
“No, not right now.”
“Soups on,” Chad said and started dishing out breakfast.
We dug in. My appetite had been worked up early.
“I’m going to see Thomas Bates this morning,” Chad said. “I called his office. He can see me at ten. It’ll be good to have someone familiar with the area working with me.”
He was talking about my attorney here in Key West. I never use myself to do my legal work.
“Good. I appreciate you doing this for me,” I said.
“I’ll send you a bill.”
My cell phone rang.
“Cam here,” I answered.
“Great. I’ll be by there today,” I said.
I hung up and continued eating. Kailey and Chad were watching me, waiting for an explanation but not wanting to ask.
I looked up at them. “Oh, that,” I said. “My plane is here.”
Kailey let go a “Whoohoo!”
“Are you excited?” Chad asked me.
“Very. I’ve wanted to get back in the saddle ever since I lost mine. Thank you, Kailey, for pushing me.”
“Not a problem as long as I get to fly with you.”
“Not a problem,” I said. “I’ll even let you in the mile high club.”
“What’s the mile high club?” she said.
I looked at Chad. We laughed.
“Oh, I think I know,” Kailey said. “Okay,” and giggled.
We finished eating. I announced I was going to the airport. I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Can I go?” Kailey asked.
“Most definitely.”
“We’ll take her up today.”
Kailey whooped again and ran out of the room.
“Oh, to be young,” Chad said.
“Ain’t it the truth.”
~***~
Robin returned to the Sheriff’s Office to pick up the file. When she entered his station the folder was laying on the table. Toby wasn’t there.
“Sheriff Reynolds told me to tell you to take the file. He would go over it with you later,” Deputy Crane said.
“Alright,” Robin said. “It doesn’t seem to be very thick.”
“That’s all we have.”
“This includes the ballistics on the murder weapon, the file on Bret Condors, the drugs, and everything you have on the jewel heist?”
“No, that includes everything we have on Bret Condors and the drugs found on Cam's body and boat.”
“What about the rest?”
“You don’t have any authorization for the rest. Cam hasn’t been charged with any of the other crimes. That is, unless you know something we don’t.”
Robin stared at the deputy for a few seconds, “I’ll be back,” she said.
“We’ll be here.”
~***~
“Wow,” Kailey said. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yes, it is,” I said. “New paint and interior. It’s a 1982 421C but it looks brand new, and I got a hell of a deal. It's almost identical to the one I had.”
I took an hour going over the plane with the salesman who was very knowledgeable about the workings and structure of
the Cessna. Kailey was right by our sides through the whole tour asking questions.
“Are you ready to take her up?” he asked me.
“Let's do it,” I said.
We took our seats, me in the pilot seat, the salesman next to me, and Kailey in one of the rear passenger seats, of which there were four.
The engines came to life. We went through the checklist and taxied out to the end of the runway.
“KC 958, you’re clear for takeoff,” came the voice over the radio.
“Roger that,” I said and inched the thrust control levers forward.
We were pushed back in our seats as the powerful engines propelled us down the runway.
I eased back on the yoke, and we were in the air.
Another “Whoohoo,” from Kailey and we were flying.
Chapter 37
When we landed, I had a missed call from Robin. I called her back.
“I heard you were flying today,” she said.
“I’m in heaven.”
“Good for you, but I’ve been through hell.”
“What’s up?”
“The Sheriff's Department isn’t thrilled that I’m on the case. They’re only giving the minimal amount of evidence that they can.”
“Go see Chief Leland at the Police Department on North Roosevelt Boulevard. He seems like a fair man. I think he can help. I don’t know what Toby’s problem is. He hasn’t been here very long. Maybe he’s just trying to protect his job.”
“At your expense.”
“Yeah, I don't like that part,” I agreed.
“I’m already heading to the police station. I’ll see you back at the boat for supper.”
“Okay, we’ll do steaks tonight.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I didn’t realize what I said until it was too late. I looked behind me. Kailey was talking to the salesman. Thank God, I don't think she heard me.
I rented hangar space and had the 421C stored.
“Where are we going to go first?” Kailey asked.
“I guess I’ll take you back to the boat, and then I’m going to find Tracy again.”
“No, I mean in the airplane.”