by Jaden Skye
At that moment, Olivia saw Edward approaching. He was walking toward them, wagging his finger and shaking his head, as if it were doomsday and he was giving them all a fierce warning to beware.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Olivia caught up with Wayne in front of the hotel, immediately after Sean and Edward insisted upon leaving with Miranda.
“Okay, let’s walk at the beach,” Wayne said, “and fill each other in.”
Olivia was glad to get away from the noise and crowds that had descended upon the hotel. She and Wayne walked a short distance to the small beach that Raine had last been seen at. Fortunately, the day had grown a little cooler, with odd, turbulent winds sweeping the Keys.
“You go first,” said Wayne as they got to the water’s edge.
“I feel like I’m walking in Raine’s footsteps,” Olivia murmured, uneasily.
“No, you’re walking on solid ground,” Wayne replied immediately. “You’re safe, you’re protected.”
“I couldn’t have done this without your support,” Olivia replied then, realizing how important it was to have a partner while investigating a crime.
“Thank you,” said Wayne. “You’ve been a big support too.”
“How’s it going with Lorna?” Olivia couldn’t help ask, suddenly realizing that Wayne hadn’t mentioned her for the longest while.
“It’s not going at all.” Wayne looked away. “We’ve decided to call it quits.”
Olivia was startled. “I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. It was a hard choice, but it’s better this way,” said Wayne. “There are too many important points on which we do not converge. We never have and never will. At this point, we’re getting in each other’s way.”
Olivia wanted to ask more questions, but also wanted to preserve Wayne’s privacy. He would tell her what he wanted, when he could, she thought.
“That’s rough,” said Olivia. “It’s a loss.”
“Yes, it is,” Wayne responded. “I haven’t been assigned someone new yet. It’ll happen soon. Right now Raine is tops on everyone’s mind.”
“I’m glad she is,” said Olivia.
“So am I,” Wayne agreed. “Now tell me what Miranda had to say.”
“She said Victor went down to Key Largo to break up with Raine,” Olivia spoke quickly. “Victor told her that after they broke up, he and Miranda could really be together.”
“My God,” Wayne scoffed. “I’ve heard that song before. It’s doubtful Victor can be with anyone for long. We’ve checked him out. The guy’s basically a loner who attracts women like flies and gets a kick out of it. Then he gets sick of them and moves on to the next. He works alone with a woodworking business out of his house. His neighbors say they see him walking around alone late at night a lot, whistling strange tunes.”
“Not a reassuring picture,” said Olivia.
“But it’s also great to find out that his intention was to get rid of Raine on the spot,” Wayne added. “Adds fuel to the fire.”
“I’d say his intention was to get rid of her one way or another,” breathed Olivia.
“Exactly,” Wayne agreed. “This goes to motive. Miranda has to testify under oath, you know.”
“She will,” said Olivia. “I turned up the heat and threatened her.”
“Why was that was necessary?” Wayne was surprised.
“At first she tried to act casual about it, as if her relationship with Victor didn’t mean much,” Olivia reported.
“It doesn’t,” Wayne assured Olivia. “Miranda may think it does, but she’s in fantasy land. Anyway, this information helps to round out the picture. I’m going to call it in to the station now.”
“Wait.” For no reason at all, Olivia felt apprehensive. “What’s the rest of the picture? Fill me in first.”
“Okay,” Wayne agreed. “Forensics have assured us that it’s definite that Raine was brutally murdered. There’s no question about that now. At first they thought the blow to the head could have been a result of being tossed around for days in the water. But now they have definite evidence that the blow was personally inflicted.”
“Whew,” said Olivia, fascinated to see things coming together on their own. “Do they think Victor killed her and then drowned her?”
“Looks like it,” said Wayne. “We also found a guest who had a room next to theirs in the hotel. The guest reported that he heard Victor and Raine arguing pretty heatedly late that afternoon. Now you tell me that Miranda said he was coming down here to get rid of her. It’s all adding up.”
Olivia felt an enormous sense of sadness come over her. “It is,” she had to admit. “How about Victor’s being sighted in the casino in Miami? How does that fit in?”
“Yeah, that too,” said Wayne. “My sources tell me Victor picked up something Dupris had left for Raine. She called the casino earlier to tell them to give it to him.”
Olivia shook her head slowly. “That’s a nail in his coffin.”
“That and everything else,” Wayne replied. “Sounds like everything he did was premeditated. He knew about the package. He’s planned out his every move, step by step.”
“Why did he do it? For money?” asked Olivia.
“There’s tons of reasons why someone actually kills,” Wayne murmured.
“Could Victor be working for Dupris?” Olivia suggested.
“There’s no evidence of that, and we’ve checked it out,” Wayne replied quickly. “Dupris was actually located, he’s off partying with someone else.”
Olivia smiled. “Do you think Miranda was involved in Raine’s disappearance?” Olivia asked then.
“I don’t,” Wayne answered. “I think she’s just another lonely woman who got pulled in way over her head.”
Olivia shuddered then thinking of how the same thing had happened to her with Todd.
“What does Sean say about it all?” Olivia couldn’t help asking.
“I don’t know,” said Wayne. “I haven’t spoken much to him yet. He’s surrounded by Raine’s friends. And this pastor, who’s like a father to him.”
“I’m glad he has that at least,” said Raine.
“So am I,” said Wayne. “Listen, I’ve got to call your piece of information in to the station now. You’ve done a wonderful job. We’re proud of you.”
The words were good to hear, but at the same time, hollow. Raine was gone; Olivia hadn’t been able to bring her home.
“I wish it had turned out differently,” Olivia said.
Wayne stopped and gave her a long glance. “So do I,” he said, “so do we all. But at least it looks as though we have the killer. Let me call the station and tell them what you’ve found.”
Wayne picked up his phone then to put in the call. “Wayne here,” he started, “more news on the case.”
Then he stopped speaking abruptly. “Yeah, go ahead, tell me,” Wayne said, listening intently to every word on the other end.
“Okay, that does it,” Wayne said finally. “There’s no question about it then! Sure, I’ll call you back in a few minutes with what we’ve got to add.”
“What was that?” Olivia moved closer to him.
“More hard evidence, finally,” Wayne reported. “They’ve checked the amount of time Raine’s body was in the water. There’s absolutely no question she was definitely killed the night she and Wayne were swimming here.”
“My God,” breathed Olivia.
Wayne looked at her. “It’s Victor. Case closed.”
“Closed?” Olivia could barely believe it.
“Why don’t you go find Sean now and tell him?” Wayne suggested. “I’ll call in information about what Miranda told you and then we can tie things up.”
*
By the time Olivia found Sean with Raine’s friends out on the hotel veranda they’d already heard the latest reports. Sean stood up from his seat to greet Olivia with an outstretched hand.
“You’ve done a great job,” he said, a pleased look on
his face.
“Thank you,” said Olivia, surprised Sean was still standing. A tall man with pepper and salt hair who must have been Sean’s pastor stood up as well as Olivia approached. Miranda, Sloane, and Nessa also sat there, looking forlorn.
“Pleased and proud to meet you, Olivia,” the pastor exclaimed. “Despite her recent fall from grace, Raine was a fine woman, and I do hope we will all remember her that way.”
Sean nodded somberly as the pastor spoke.
“We all can be victims of sin and confusion in this painful, temporary world,” the pastor continued.
Olivia was struck by the pastor’s bearing and, to her surprise, found comfort herself in his strong words.
“Thank you for being here to support Sean,” Olivia responded.
“Of course, of course,” the pastor exclaimed. “Sean has my support eternally. He is a pillar of our community. Sean is the victim of a terrible deed, and we will all stand behind him strongly.”
The pastor then gave Olivia a long glance. “You have helped Sean a great deal and we appreciate you,” he said carefully.
Olivia felt his iron of will. She also felt the strength Sean was taking from him and also from the sympathy of Raine’s friends. Olivia wondered where Edward was and how he was doing. She was also struck that no one had mentioned Raine’s mother or daughter back home.
“How’s the rest of the family doing, Sean?” Olivia asked.
Sean looked at Olivia then with a cool eye. “My true family is right here around me now,” he replied.
Everyone grew still.
“You understand what Sean is saying, I’m sure.” The pastor stepped in for him. “He’s referring to the famous saying: ‘We’re born in one family, but we don’t die in the same family.’ It simply means that you draw those meant to be close to you as you go through your life journey. Raine was given to Sean for a short while. He will not be bereft now that she has departed. His true family has gathered for him here.”
The pastor’s words alarmed Olivia. She wondered if she was included in Sean’s true family now. It was a strange thought. Olivia also wondered momentarily who her true family really was.
In a few moments Wayne joined the group to briskly confirm that law enforcement had enough evidence now to convict Victor. The case was closed.
Sighs of relief rose all around, especially from Raine’s friends. Olivia knew she should feel relieved as well, but a heaviness fell upon her heart like a rock. Something didn’t sit well with her, though she had no idea what in the world it was.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Once back in Miami, the first thing Olivia wanted to do after checking into her hotel was to go speak to Sean. He had told her to come to see him quickly, to pick up the check he had for her. Where would she go then? For a moment Olivia felt unmoored. She’d left the life she’d had behind, and had no idea what was waiting for her now.
Wayne told her not to, to give it some time. Sean needed to unwind. But something was tugging at her. Olivia felt she had to go now. She wanted to be ready to leave Miami right after the funeral. There was a lot she also had to process, as well as everyone else.
“Where will you be going after the funeral?” Wayne had asked.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure,” said Olivia.
“Don’t rush away,” Wayne responded. “Stay down in Miami awhile, why don’t you?”
But Olivia didn’t want to. “I don’t think so,” she said. There was nothing in Miami that held her. The case was over. She needed to keep working and she knew it, but was entirely unsure what that would look like now. Olivia didn’t say that to Wayne, though.
“Do you plan to go home and visit your parents?” Wayne sounded concerned.
“I don’t have plans at the moment,” Olivia replied, “but I do feel I need to speak to Sean and tie things up.”
Wayne nodded. “Why?”
Olivia didn’t know why, but deep down she was not totally at ease with Victor’s guilt. It had all lined up too neatly for her taste.
“There are unanswered questions lingering in my mind,” she then said to Wayne. “I want Sean to fill me in on the answers.”
“Questions about Miranda?” asked Wayne, surprised.
“Miranda and also Sloane,” replied Olivia. “I also still want to know exactly what was in the package Victor picked up at the casino.”
“It was obviously money,” said Wayne. “And how would Sean even know? Law enforcement will have all the details shortly, anyway. You don’t have to go.”
“But I want to,” Olivia objected.
Wayne simply nodded. “If you have to speak to Sean right away, you have to. But remember, the case is closed.”
Open or closed, Olivia knew she wouldn’t feel complete until all the questions in her mind were answered. She needed to feel that she’d done her job thoroughly.
“I heard that Sean’s going to spend some time at a hideaway he and Raine have, before the funeral,” Wayne offered. “Then he’ll return home. Why not wait and see him afterwards?”
That wasn’t even a possibility. Olivia felt even more strongly that she needed to see him now.
“Can you give me the address of the hideaway, please?” she requested.
“Of course,” said Wayne, “and if you’re going, please take this along.” Wayne slipped a little recorder into Olivia’s hand. “It never hurts to have everything said on record. Especially when you appear somewhere uninvited. People don’t like that. They can accuse you of all kinds of things.”
*
A thousand thoughts rushed through Olivia’s mind as she made her way down to the hideaway that Sean was staying at. How could he go there alone without Raine now? Wouldn’t it bring up too many memories? The road leading to Sean’s hideaway was practically empty at this time of day and Olivia was relieved. She realized how deeply exhausted she felt, how hard it would have been now battling traffic. And what had become of Edward? Olivia wondered as she drove down a steep hill toward the edge of a pond.
When Olivia arrived at Sean’s getaway, she parked near the road, got out, and walked carefully down another sloping hill. It suddenly struck her that she probably should have called before she arrived. But Sean had told her to come and pick up her check several times. She was following his instructions. Olivia wondered briefly then if he would be alone. The idea that someone else might be there had never occurred to her. And it was startling.
Olivia walked up to the front door, knocked hard on it, and waited a few moments. No answer. She knocked again. Still no answer. Sean was probably down at the pond, reflecting, or walking or just sitting on the grass.
On the off chance that the door was open, Olivia turned the knob. To her surprise the door opened easily and she walked in.
The getaway was small, but artfully decorated, with antique pieces and lace curtains blowing in the breeze over the open windows. Olivia stood silently, looking around, remembering everything about her friend. This place seemed to be a testimony to her. Raine’s colorful touches and photographs were everywhere. They tugged at Olivia’s heart. .
“You just walked in?” Olivia suddenly heard Sean’s deep voice behind her.
Olivia turned to see him standing there in jeans, his hair messy, as if he’d just returned from the outdoors.
“I tried knocking,” Olivia began to excuse herself.
“No, it’s fine. You’re here.” Sean walked toward her. “You did a good job, Olivia, I told you that already.”
“Yes, thank you,” Olivia remarked as she heard a rustle in the next room. “Is somebody here?” she asked Sean, startled.
Sean immediately bypassed her question. “What did you come here for? To collect your check?”
“Yes, that’s right,” said Olivia, thinking that was the best reply. “You told me to.”
“I told you to collect your check, not come here uninvited to visit. Okay, go out on the patio there, and I’ll prepare it for you,” Sean said, in a strange tone.
“I can wait in here,” Olivia answered.
“No, go out there if you don’t mind,” he ordered.
Put out, Olivia stepped onto the patio, wondering why Sean didn’t want her in the house. It definitely seemed possible that someone was in there with him. Most likely he didn’t want Olivia seeing who it was. Her mind started racing. Was it Sloane? Or possibly Miranda even? Olivia had been bothered by both of them. Sloane had definitely started trying to get too close to Sean the minute Raine disappeared. And Miranda couldn’t be trusted. Olivia recalled Sean mentioning something personal about his family to Miranda, even. It had struck Olivia as odd then, and came back to her vividly now.
Olivia wanted to turn and go back into the house despite Sean’s instructions. There was no reason she should stand out here alone, wait for payment, and then drive away. After all the work she’d put in, if someone was inside with him, Olivia had a right to know who it was. And why.
Olivia walked back into the house and stood tentatively in the main room almost the same moment Sean entered as well.
“I thought I told you to wait outside.” He looked displeased.
“It’s cold out there,” said Olivia.
“No, it isn’t.” Sean’s voice grew harsh. “Why are you here? What do you want of me?”
Olivia knew that he had to be feeling edgy, but she’d never heard him speak this way to her before.
“Is someone here with you?” Olivia repeated, nonplussed. If Sean was hiding something, she had to know what.
“I beg your pardon? Last time I looked, I didn’t hire you to investigate me, did I?” Sean barked.
“I’m not investigating you, I’m just asking a question.” Olivia’s heart started to pound.
“It’s none of your business if someone is here with me or not.” Sean glared at her.
“But you’ve made it my business, Sean,” Olivia responded. “Is Miranda here with you?”
At that, Sean’s hands clenched and his eyes opened wide. “How dare you?” he shouted. “Who the hell do you think you are, anyway? You keep going on like this and I’ll rip up the check.”