by Mac Fortner
“What could go wrong?” I said.
Kailey gave me the look.
“I’ve got some news,” Robin said. “Even though I can’t investigate Cam’s case, I did get permission to investigate Tracy and Harold. I’m waiting for a fax, and then I’m going to Forensic Development and get Tracy’s fingerprint report.”
“Good deal,” I said. “Maybe that will answer a lot of questions.”
“It should. We’ll finally find out what this is all about.”
“We’ll know what it’s about,” Chad said. “But we still have to prove Cam innocent, and the best way to do that is to prove someone else guilty.”
“Tracy told me that I was the one who brought her here in the first place,” Kailey said.
“You,” I said. “How does she figure that?”
“I’m not sure, but I think I have an idea what she’s talking about.”
“What is it,” Robin asked.
“I’d rather wait until you have the fingerprints,” Kailey said.
“Okay,” I said, “you guys had better hit the road. I’ll call Dave and set things up. Call me as soon as you hear something.”
Everyone left except Jack and Kailey. We fixed a drink and sat on Jack’s back porch.
“What’s up Kailey?” I said.
She looked at Jack and then me.
“Would it be better if I left you two alone?” Jack said.
I looked at Kailey.
“No,” Kailey said. “Both of you need to hear this.”
We all took a drink and a deep breath.
“I think,” Kailey said, “that Tracy is Annika Gusarov, Andrei’s sister.”
“Bloodshot’s sister?” I said.
“Yes. She told me her brother was her guardian and now he’s dead. She also said I could never turn her in. I think that’s because she knew I hired Bloodshot to kill William.”
Jack looked at Kailey. “Did you?”
Kailey looked at me.
“Yes, she did Jack. She watched William kill her father when she was ten.”
Jack was quiet for a moment. He said, “Good for you Kailey. I don’t think I would have been quite so lenient with him.”
“So,” I said. “This all about revenge because I killed her brother.”
“Yes, I think it is. It’s my fault that you’re in all this trouble.”
I hugged Kailey, “No, it’s Tracy’s fault. Her brother killed a lot of people. He knew his day would come, and so did she. I think it’s just getting two birds with one stone. She wanted to steal those jewels, and she thought she could get me at the same time. The one stone being the Foxhound. She has set me up with the rest of the gems, but we haven’t seen the Foxhound. That’s her target. It’s worth around thirteen million by itself.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re in big trouble,” Kailey said. “And so am I. Robins going to find out who Tracy is today. If she arrests her, she’ll tell Robin that I hired Bloodshot.”
“We’ll cross that bridge if we ever come to it,” I said.
“That means Chad and Alexis will know.”
I wanted to tell her everything would be all right, but I wasn’t sure it would.
“Don’t worry about Chad. He’ll understand,” I said.
“They’ll never find out,” Jack said. “I won’t allow it.”
“Let’s keep our heads here. We don’t want to get into any more trouble until we get out of this,” I said.
We all took another drink at the same time.
“Well, I’m going to call Dave and get this over with before I change my mind,” I said.
I called him, and he was thrilled. “That would be great, Cam. You must be in a pickle with someone.”
“Yeah, I kind of am. You can’t tell a soul I’m stayin’ there,” I said.
“My lips are zipped,” he said.
I was already starting to doubt my decision to go to Dave’s. I don’t think I thought this through.
“When are you and Crazy going fishing?”
“Wednesday,” he said, “Why don’t you come over tomorrow night, and I’ll let Walter get used to you again.”
“Okay. I’ll see you around eight-thirty.”
We hung up.
Kailey said, “Are you sure about this?”
“No, I’m not. But it seemed to be a good idea at the time.”
“Stay here until dark,” Jack said. “Then I’ll take you to Dave’s.”
“I’ll run to the boat and get some clothes and anything else I think you’ll need,” Kailey said.
“Okay, it sounds like a plan. Maybe not a good plan, but a plan.”
“Tootles,” Kailey said as she left.
Chapter 47
Robin was at the boat when the fax came in. It was a warrant for the FBI to investigate the woman known as Tracy Alexander and the man known as Harold Chesterfield and any and all persons related to the investigation.
“That should do it,” she said to herself. The director had found a way to make it possible for her to include Cam in the case as soon as she found a connection.
Robin put the orders in her briefcase and opened the door to her temporary office Cam had given her on the boat.
She called to Chad. He came to the office.
“Would you like to go with me to Forensic Development? I’m going to get the fingerprint report on Tracy?”
“Sure,” he said. “We’ll get some supper while we’re out.”
“Sounds good,” she said.
They got in their rented Mercedes and drove away. Kailey saw them as she was approaching from the other direction. She thought they must be going to get the report. She was glad they were gone so she would have some time to think.
Kailey fixed another Wild Turkey on the rocks, shed her clothing and climbed into the hot tub. She did her best thinking naked.
Robin and Chad entered the Forensic Development building and were greeted by a lady in her early seventies. She had her gray hair pulled back in a tight bun and a stern look on her face.
“May I help you,” she said without smiling.
Robin pulled her jacket back to reveal her badge. “Robin Anderson FBI,” she said. I have a warrant for a file on fingerprints Sheriff Reynolds sent in a day or two ago.”
“So, why don’t you go to Sheriff Reynolds and get them?” she said.
“Because I came here,” Robin said sternly. “Don’t make me confiscate all your files.” Then looking at her nameplate on the desk, “Miss Kindler.”
The receptionist stared at Robin and then Chad for a few seconds and pressed a button.
“Have a seat,” she said. “Someone will be with you shortly.”
They sat for ten minutes. Robin kept watching the clock. She knew from the sign on the door that they closed at five o’clock. It was now ten till.
Robin stood and walked back to the receptionist desk again.
“No one leaves until I get those files,” she said. “I want them in five minutes, or I will call my team to go through all your files while you wait.”
The lady pressed another button, and a younger lady appeared with-in fifteen seconds.
“May I help you,” she said with a smile.
Robin introduced herself all over again and told her what she needed.
“Sure,” she said. “Let’s have a look.”
Robin and Chad followed her to an office filled with file cabinets.
“If it was just a day ago the file would still be in paper form,” she said.
She opened a drawer and pulled a folder.
In the folder was the order from Sheriff Reynolds to run the prints, but that was all.
“I remember now,” the lady said. “He wanted to keep all the copies. I’m afraid we don’t have the results.”
“Do you remember who the prints belonged to?” Robin asked.
“No, I never saw the results.”
“Who did?”
“That would be Robert Stanton, but
he left an hour ago.”
“Could you call him for us? This is very important,” Chad said.
“I can try,” she said, “But why don’t you just get them from Sheriff Reynolds?”
“Conflict of interest,” Robin said.
The lady eyed the two suspiciously, “May I see your warrant please?”
Robin produced it.
“Alright,” she said. “I’ll call him.”
The call was made. Robin could only hear one side, but it didn’t sound good.
When she hung up, she said, “I’m sorry miss, but he doesn’t remember the name on the prints. He said the deputy was here waiting for them and took them as soon as they came up.”
Robin thanked her and left her office. When they passed the receptionist desk, the lady there smiled and said, “Have a nice day.”
Robin wanted to sock her one.
They drove to the Flaming Grill on Southard Street and found a table.
“What do you think Toby will do when we ask for those prints?” Chad said.
“Probably say he doesn’t have them.”
“You have the jurisdiction to confiscate his files now,” Chad said.
“Yes, and I will if I have to. He’s hiding something.”
They ordered two steaks and baked potatoes. They were delivered by a pretty young girl with a deep voice.
“Thank you—Miss?” Chad said.
“Miss will do,” she said and smiled.
“I can’t get used to the people here,” Chad said. “They always catch me off-guard.”
“That’s normal for the tourist,” Robin said. “I went through that myself when I first arrived last year.”
~***~
Kailey was sitting on the lanai making a list of the events that led to Cam’s arrest. There were a lot of loose ends.
She heard Stacy call from the dock.
“Come in,” Kailey said, “I’m on the lanai.”
Stacy found her. “Hi, I saw you come home a while ago and I wanted to talk to you.”
“Well, have a seat,” Kailey said.
Stacy sat.
“Care for a drink?”
“Maybe in a while,” Stacy said.
“I’m just working on a list of events. Trying to figure out what we can do for Cam.”
“Yeah. Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I heard about Cam’s troubles. Is he okay?”
“For now he is. I don’t know how he’ll be if they find him.”
“So,” Stacy said. “I don’t know if this has anything to do with anything, but the other night I was on top of my boat with this guy I know. We were fooling around when I heard this big splash. I kind of looked up and saw someone swimming out there. They swam to this boat, and a couple of minutes later they swam back to the dock and got out. I couldn’t tell who it was, but he was big.”
Kailey thought about that, “Big like Sheriff Reynolds?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Just like that.”
“Thanks, Stacy. You might have just put a big piece of our puzzle in place.”
The door opened to the lanai where the two were sitting.
“Oh!” Chad said. “Sorry ladies, I didn’t know anyone was here.”
“That’s okay,” Kailey said. “Have you met Stacy?”
“I’ve seen her,” he said.
Stacy stood and stuck her hand out, “Nice to meet you Chad,” she said and sat back down.
Robin appeared in the doorway behind Chad.
“You guys comin’ out?” Kailey said.
“Maybe later,” Chad said.
“I’ll leave you girls to it,” Chad said and went back inside.
“He’s hot,” Stacy said.
“Yes, he is,” Robin said. “And married to a billionaire.”
“Shit,” Stacy said.
Robin sat down.
“Any luck with the fingerprints?” Kailey asked reluctantly. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.
“No. It looks like if I want them, I’m going to have to go to Toby to get them.”
Kailey breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she would have a few more days to come up with a plan.
“So Toby has the only copy?” Kailey said.
“It looks that way, and I bet he won’t be too willing to give them to me. I have my ways though,” Robin said.
“Stacy, tell Robin what you told me a while ago.”
Stacy told her about the swimmer she saw a few nights ago.
“Yes, it makes sense that Toby would set Cam up for Tracy if she would pay his debt,” Robin said.
“Just a minute,” Robin said.
She got up and opened the door, “Chad.”
He came to the door.
“Would you please bring us some drinks and join us?”
Chad brought the tray with the drinks on it. All three girls stood and took one from the tray.
“If Cam ever tells me how lucky I am again,” Chad said. “I’ll punch him right in the nose.”
The girls laughed.
“Thank you Chad,” Kailey said. “Have a seat.”
They told him what Stacy had seen.
“It’s worth looking into,” Chad said.
Chapter 48
It was getting dark when Kailey showed up with my clothes and toothbrush and a host of other things she thought I would need for the night.
“Thanks, babe,” I said.
“Would you like a good night fuck before I go?” she asked.
“Yes I would, but I’m afraid we don’t have time. Jacks’ waiting for me and so is Dave. Rain-check?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll come tomorrow night to walk Walter.”
“Perfect.”
We arrived at Dave’s at eight-thirty sharp.
“Cam, my man,” Dave said. “How’s it hangin’?”
“To the left, Dave. How you been?”
“Can’t complain. I’m going away with Crazy Wanda.”
“Yes, I know, Dave. That’s why I’m here.”
“Oh yeah,” he said. “For Walter.”
“Yeah.”
Dave noticed Jack for the first time.
“Hey man,” and shook Jacks hand. “I’m Dave. This is Cam,” he said pointing at me.
“We’ve met,” Jack said.
“Really? I don’t remember you.”
“No. I mean Cam and I have met. I brought him here.”
“Oh, cool. Come on in guys.”
The house was as messy as it could be with the wife only gone for one day.
“Sorry about the mess,” Dave said. “My wife is out of town, so I’m taking my liberties.”
“That’s okay Dave,” I said. “I’ll have a service clean it before you return.”
“Oh, man. That’d be cool.”
“Where’s Walter?” I asked.
“Walter!” Dave yelled. “He doesn’t hear too well.”
An elderly looking Golden retriever limped into the room. His gray muzzle giving his wisdom away. He regarded Jack, and I then glanced at Dave, turned and disappeared back to wherever he had come from.
“He doesn’t say much,” Dave said. “But if he does, you’d better listen.” He laughed.
“That’s a good one, Dave,” Jack said.
I told Jack I would be okay now if he wanted to go.
We stood, and I walked him to the door.
“I think maybe Dave’s a little high,” Jack said.
“You think?” I said sarcastically.
“He didn’t even know me.”
“That makes you lucky.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
From behind us, Dave said, “Jack! Oh man, I didn’t recognize you. Sorry. It must be your beard.”
“I don’t have a beard, Dave,” Jack said.
“Yeah, that’s what I mean.”
“I’ll see you guys later,” Jack said and left.
~***~
“Crane!” Toby screamed.
“Yes sir,�
�� Crane said sounding out of breath as he ran into the office.
“Did that plane set down in Atlanta yet?”
“No. Sir. They said they haven’t seen it on the radar yet.”
“So, we don’t have any idea where Cam flew off to.”
“No sir.”
“Start checking all airports for his plane. Put an APB out on the tail numbers. He had to land somewhere within five hundred miles or even a lot less. He couldn’t hide from the radar that long.”
“Will do sir.”
If he didn’t get Cam, he wouldn’t get his money. Maybe he could blackmail Tracy anyway, and get the money. It wouldn’t hurt to have a backup plan.
Toby pulled the file on Tracy out of his desk drawer and looked it over one more time.
She’s an art thief, a jewel thief, stole a few cars in the process and is suspected in fifteen hits. Annika Gusarov. Her brother was the great— Bloodshot. What a family, he thought.
~***~
Robin finished her drink and excused herself. “I need to go over the files again,” she said. “Then tomorrow I’ll get the fingerprint report, and hopefully this will be over.”
When Robin left, Kailey said, “Stacy, would you help me do something?”
“Anything,” she said.
“I’m going to try to steal those fingerprint files for Cam. It would be best for him if no one else saw them.”
“What do you want me to do?” Stacy asked.
“Let me think a minute,” Kailey said.
~***~
Dave had a bed ready for me in the second bedroom. I had to get Walter off of it. It must be his. I hope he isn’t going to be mad at me for taking his bed. I’ll teach him to sleep on Dave’s bed. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Just as I was lying down. My door opened, and Crazy Wanda came in.
“Cam, how’s it hangin’?” Wanda slurred.
She’s around five-foot tall, with short red hair, that is, except for the purple section down the middle. She might have been a beauty at one time, but too much partying had taken a toll on her. She was dressed in cut-off camouflaged shorts and a shiny red sequined tank-top. Her large breasts were spilling out the sides.
“Hello, Wanda,” I said. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”
“Dave called while ago. He said he was going to have a party tonight.”