by Mac Fortner
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
I turned the page. On the second page was more about the robbery. The third page had another picture. This one was of Aaron Kingston.
He was being promoted to Registrar of The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Bermingham, England.
“Isn’t that where the jewels on the cruise ship were on loan from?” I said.
“Yep,” Jack said. “And Aaron was front and center in the display room, posing as one of the tourists.”
“It looks to me as if maybe they stole their own jewels.”
“That’s just what I was thinking,” Jack said.
“So, they’re all working together.”
“Yeah, I think they were going to collect the insurance money on them too and double their take.”
“So, who do you think killed Aaron?”
“My guess is Harold, or whoever he is, and Tracy, or whoever she is.”
“A bigger insurance cut for the other two, plus they still have the jewels,” I said.
“Wrong,” Jack said. “They gave up the jewels to frame you.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. How much was found on my boat?”
“As far as I could find out from Robin, about five million dollars’ worth.”
“So they gave up a quarter of the cache just to frame me.”
Jack just shrugged his shoulders.
“What do we do now?” I said.
“We’re not finished,” Jack said. “Turn the page.”
I flipped to the next page. It was just a written note Jack made.
Toby Reynolds owes Martin Filbekie $45,000.
“Filbekie?” I said. “How in the hell does an intelligent man end up owing the mob forty-five thousand dollars?”
“Word on the street is, he loves the horses.”
“I would think he would hate the horses.”
“I’m sure he does now,” Jack said.
I sat back in my chair and tried to process all this new info.
“Maybe Toby knows more about Tracy than he’s letting on,” I said.
“I think so.”
“Maybe I should have a talk with him.”
“You can’t. You’re a wanted man, but I can.”
“I don’t want to drag you into his sights. He’s already got a bead on me.”
“I think you need to get on that new airplane and leave town until we can get this all straightened out,” Jack said.
“Where could I go that I wouldn’t be traced by radar? They'll be looking at me to do just that.”
“You have any friends that can fly?”
“A few,” I said.
“Why don’t you be a nice guy and loan your plane to one of them.”
I thought for a minute. “That could work. It would give me a few days anyway.”
“Robin called me just before you arrived. She’s going to see Toby again. She wants the rest of the records on this case.”
“I don’t like that. It might not be safe to push him too hard,” I said.
“She’s taking Chad with her. Probably good to have a lawyer along.”
“I guess it couldn’t hurt.”
I pulled out my cell phone and called Jim Rollins, an old friend, and aviator.
“Jim, how are you?” I said.
“Couldn’t be better. How about you?”
“I’m in a little bit of a tight spot. Thought you might like to take a vacation on me.”
Chapter 44
Robin and Chad arrived at the Sheriff Station at noon. Sheriff Reynolds wasn’t there. She was informed by Deputy Fisher, that if she wanted to talk to him, she would have to return in a few hours.
“Don’t need to talk to him,” she said. “I just need the rest of the records on the Cam Derringer case and everything you have on the jewelry theft.”
“Sorry, ma’am. I can’t do that. He said you might come by and want them, but I shouldn’t give them to you.”
“I have a direct order from the FBI to confiscate all records,” she stated.
“That order has been repealed, ma’am,” He said.
“Repealed?” Robin shouted.
“Yes, ma’am. As ordered from your office.”
Robin dialed her cell phone.
“Robin Anderson to talk to Director Lenley,” she said.
After a short pause, a man’s voice came on the line.
“Robin, it’s Bixby, Lenley’s not available right now.”
“Has he rescinded an order for me to handle the jewelry case here in Key West?”
“I’m afraid so. Sorry, I was supposed to call you an hour ago, and I got tied up.”
“Why, what’s the problem?”
“We’re just checking into a few allegations. The sheriff there told us that you were, let’s say intimate, with the main suspect, Cam Derringer.”
Robin was quiet for a moment.
“You all know about Cam and me. He’s being framed, and I’m going to prove it, but I can’t without all the files. I believe the sheriff himself is behind it.”
“It’s touchy Robin. What if you’re wrong about the sheriff? A guilty man might walk because of a technicality.”
“Will you talk to Lenley for me? Just tell him what I said. He knows I’m a good judge of character.”
“I’ll try Robin, but meantime, you’re off the case,” Bixby said. “Sorry, but you need to return to LA.”
After a slight pause, Robin said, “I’d like to take some vacation.”
“How much do you need?”
“Two weeks,” Robin said.
“I’ll get back to ya’ on that, but stay away from the sheriff.”
“Okay.”
“That was just a friendly warning, Robin. Not an order.”
“Got ya’.”
Robin hung up. “I’ll be back for those files,” she told the deputy.
“Ma’am,” the deputy said, “for what it’s worth, I’ve known Cam for a long time, and I know he wouldn’t do this, but it doesn’t look good for him.”
“Has the sheriff had any visitors lately? Maybe a well-built blonde in her late thirty’s.”
“You mean Tracy Alexander?” he said.
“Yes, I do.”
The deputy looked around the room. He whispered, “He sent her fingerprints out for an ID yesterday. They came back, but he didn’t show them to anyone.”
“Where would he send them to be checked?”
“There’s a lab that does that for the Police and us on Roosevelt Dr. it’s called Forensic Developments.”
“Thanks, Fisher,” she said.
“You didn’t get that from me,” he said.
“Get what?” Robin said, and they left.
~***~
Kailey drove to the DoubleTree Resort to find Tracy. She parked in the lot and waited. Tracy pulled in within ten minutes. Kailey waited until the valet took Tracy’s car and then followed her into the building.
Just as Tracy was closing the elevator door, Kailey stepped in. Tracy’s eyes widened when she saw her.
“What the fuck do you want?” Tracy said.
“I want to talk to you,” Kailey said and showed Tracy the gun she had in her pocket.
“Even though I would love to shoot you, don’t make me,” Kailey said keeping her hand in her pocket.
Tracy looked into Kailey’s eyes. She didn’t like what she saw there.
“We’ll talk in your room,” Kailey said.
The elevator stopped on the fourth floor, and they exited to the right.
Tracy opened the door and walked into the room. She hit a switch on the wall, and the room lit up.
Kailey closed the door behind her and pulled the gun from her pocket.
“Who are you?” Kailey said.
Tracy laughed, “Are we still playing that game?”
“It’s not a game,” Kailey said. “You could die.”
“You wouldn’t shoot me.”
“I’ve killed before. People I did
n’t really care about one way or the other. You I actually hate. I wouldn’t mind killing you.”
“You wouldn’t know who I am then.”
“It wouldn’t matter anymore.”
“I did a little research on you,” Tracy said. “I was shocked to find out who you really were. Then I checked some notes on my laptop. It was really you. I couldn’t believe it.”
“Who do you think I am?”
“You’re the one who brought me here in the first place,” Tracy said and laughed again.
Kailey looked at Tracy silently for a few seconds.
“I don’t think so,” Kailey said.
“You’ll find out in good time,” Tracy said. “I don’t want to tell you now. I want to savor it. But one thing you should know. You’ll never be able to turn me in.”
“You may not have time to savor it,” Kailey said. “And I probably wouldn’t turn you in anyway.”
“You’re a tough woman,” Tracy said. “Just like me. And you’re a killer. I get that. You’re here to protect your man, like me, but who will protect you? Do you have a guardian? Have you ever had one? I have, but he’s dead now. My brother was my guardian.”
“Who’s your brother?” Kailey asked.
“You’ll find out–someday.”
“I don’t know about all of that,” Kailey said. “But what I do know is you’re close to death.”
“If I died right now, Cam would still go to prison for the rest of his life. He’s robbed a cruise liner and murdered four people in the process.”
Kailey switched the gun to her left hand and stepped closer to Tracy. She raised the gun slightly. Tracy glanced at it. That’s when Kailey swung her right fist and smashed Tracy in the left temple. She went down and was out cold.
Kailey searched the room for a clue as to who Tracy might be and came up empty. She walked back to Tracy and pointed the gun at her head. “Your time is almost up,” Kailey said, put her gun back in her pocket and left the room.
Chapter 45
The next morning, Sheriff Reynolds was sitting at his desk when Deputy Crane came bursting into the office.
“Derringer’s plane just took off,” he said.
“Took off?” Toby said.
“Yeah, the men were watching the airport for Derringer. They never saw him. The next thing they knew his plane was rolling down the runway.”
“What a bunch of fuck-ups.”
“We have him on radar,” Crane said.
“Where is he headed?”
“North.”
“Well, that’s a lot of help. Did he file a flight plan?”
“Yes—Atlanta.”
Toby picked up his phone. “Get me Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Security.”
Toby gave them the information and the plane tail number. “He could be dangerous,” he said.
A half an hour later Jim Rollins sat the 421C down on the runway at Marsh Harbour Airport, Bahamas.
He parked the plane in a pre-rented hanger, and his luggage was transferred to a waiting island hopper.
His wife and two children climbed in with him, and they were flown to the Grand Bahama International Airport. From there they were taken to Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort for a week of pampering.
~***~
Jack said I could stay at his house as long I needed to. I did need somewhere to stay, but I also need to be able to talk to Sheriff Reynolds and most of all Tracy Alexander.
I called Kailey to let her know where I was and what we found out.
“Hey baby,” I said.
“Hey yourself. Where are you?”
“I’m at Jacks. It looks like I’m not going to be able to come home for a while. I sent my plane to the Bahamas with a flight plan to Atlanta. That should keep them searching for me for a while.”
“I talked to Tracy yesterday,” she said.
“Really? What did she have to say?”
“She said she just wanted to see you in prison for the rest of your life. Something about her brother.
“Her brother? Who’s her brother?”
“She wouldn’t say. But I think it might have something to do with me.”
“I can’t wrap my head around this. Where did you leave her?”
“On the floor of her hotel. She ran into my fist.”
“Purely by accident, I take it.”
“Of course.”
“Will she call the police on you?”
“I doubt it. She has too much to hide,” Kailey said.
“Will you bring me some clothes and money?”
“I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Love you,” I said and hung up.
Robin and Chad drove to the City Hall to talk to Chief Leland. They were hoping to find out who Tracy was from her fingerprints.
“Robin, Chad, have a seat,” Leland said pointing to the chairs in his office.
“Chief I was wondering if you could do us a favor,” Robin said.
“Not if it has anything to do with the case,” he said.
“Why not?”
“I got a call from the Sheriff’s Department. It seems you’re off the case now and the files are locked to you.”
“Are you going to let that son of a bitch get away with this?”
“Nothing I can do,” Leland said.
“Excuse me Chief,” Chad said. “But I’m counsel for Cam Derringer. I have a right to all the files you have on him.”
“He hasn’t been arrested for anything yet other than selling drugs. You have all the files on that.”
“So is he wanted for anything else right now?”
“Questioning.”
“That’s it?”
“What about Tracy Alexander? Is she wanted for anything?” Chad asked.
“Not at the moment.”
“All we want is the—” Robin started.
Chad put his hand on Robin’s knee. She stopped talking.
“Thank you Chief,” Chad said and stood. Robin did the same.
They left the office and went to their car.
“What’s up Chad? You gave up too easy,” Robin said.
“He’s not going to help us. We have to find a way to see those prints report on our own.”
“What’s the chance I can just catch them off guard with my FBI badge?”
“Too dangerous. You can’t jeopardize your career.”
Robin’s phone rang.
“Hi Cam,” she said. “Have you gotten into any more trouble since I saw you a while ago?”
“Probably. I’ve got something for you though.”
“Give it.”
I told her about what Jack found on Tracy and Harold and Aaron.
“But you can’t tell if the woman is Tracy?” Robin asked.
“No, but it is,” I said. “I’m sure of it.”
“Thanks, I’m working on something too. I’ll let you know how it comes out.”
“Bye,” I said. “Love you.”
We hung up.
“Give me a minute,” Robin told Chad. “I’ll make a call.”
“Robin Anderson for Director Lenley,” Robin said hoping this time she would get him.
The phone was answered right away.
“Robin, what’s going on down there?” Lenley said.
“It seems they don’t like the FBI in their country. My friend, Cam Derringer, is being set up by a woman who goes by Tracy Alexander and possibly the Sheriff, Toby Reynolds.”
“You have any proof of that?”
“Not yet, but I’m close. Since you have blocked me from helping Cam, I’d like to investigate Tracy Alexander and Harold Chesterfield, alias Thomas Bishop. He was arrested in connection with an art theft at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, Westminster, in Central London. No proof, but there was a woman accomplice that resembled Tracy.”
“Go with it, Robin. I’ll fax you the papers,” Lenley said.
“Thank you, Director. That’s the best news I’ve had all week.�
��
“You’re welcome. I trust your judgment.”
“One more thing. The sheriff here owes a mobster forty-five thousand dollars. He’s the one who keeps finding the evidence on Cam's boat. I think he’s being paid by Tracy.”
“Do what you have to do, but be careful. Let me know if you need help.”
“Thanks.”
“One more thing from me too,” Lenley said. “No vacation!”
“Roger that.”
Chapter 46
Diane and Kailey both arrived at Jack’s house at the same time. Robin showed up five minutes later.
“We’re gonna have to have some different arrangements,” I said. “If the two of you keep showing up here, it won’t take the authorities long to figure out that I’m here also.”
“We have to get you out of here, Cam,” Chad said. “If they catch you, I can’t save you this time.”
“I agree,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about where to go. I believe I have the answer.”
“Where might that be?”
“I have a friend. He’s a little eccentric, but safe.”
“Oh no, Cam,” Kailey said. “You don’t mean Dave, do you?”
“Yep. Can you think of anywhere safer?”
“No, but——”
“No, me either, and believe me I’ve tried. He might just drive me crazy.”
“What about his wife,” Kailey said.
“He told me last week she was going to see her mother in Utah. She’ll be gone for three weeks. He was pretty jazzed about it because he and Crazy Wanda could go on another fishing trip.”
Diane cocked her head at me.
“So he’ll be gone most of the time,” I said.
“She’ll kill him if she catches him with her again,” Diane said.
“Maybe, but he still needs someone to look after Walter.”
“Who’s Walter?” Chad asked.
“His golden retriever.”
“What if one of the neighbors sees you walking Walter every day? They might recognize you and turn you in,” Diane said.
“That will be one of you guys job. You can come get Walter and bring me what I need. I can disguise myself enough to go out when I need to. His house is pretty secluded.”
“Well,” Diane said. “I guess it’s better than here.”