by E. E. Borton
Grey took the seat next to Paul and sat in silence for a few minutes while his friend seemed fixated with something outside. He looked out the window, but didn’t see anything remarkable. A moment earlier, he walked away to avoid another confrontation with Abby, but he didn’t expect the conversation he was going to have with Paul.
“She’s never going to wake up, Grey,” said Paul continuing to look out the window.
“We don’t know that for –”
“Shut up, man.”
Grey cocked his head and smiled. “Well, look who’s back.”
“The elephant walks in the room every time the docs do,” said Paul. “They sugarcoat the crap out of everything, but they know. And so do I. She’s never waking up. But even if she manages to open her eyes, she won’t be in there anymore. My Kate’s gone, Grey. And so is my Caleb.”
“I promise I won’t sugarcoat anything,” said Grey. “But I didn’t think she would survive this long. If she’s still trying to fight, then so should you.”
“Look at me,” said Paul, turning to face Grey. “They’re gone; my family is gone. The sooner everyone else accepts that fact, the sooner we can try to piece our lives back together. I’m going to tell Kate’s parents I don’t want them to keep her on life support.”
“Whoa, Paul,” said Grey. “First, you don’t tell in-laws something like that. You talk about it with them. Second, we need to bury Caleb before you start talking about letting Kate go. I just found out he’s being transported home today. We can have the service on Sunday.”
“I need to do something before I can deal with my son’s funeral,” said Paul. “I need to get out of here for a day or two. I just need to go somewhere else.”
“Tell me where you want to go and I’ll take you,” replied Grey. “Anywhere.”
“I want to go on the water,” said Paul. “It’s where I always go to leave the world behind and clear my head. I could use that right now.”
“I don’t think Evan will argue about taking a day trip somewhere. I certainly don’t have a problem with it. I think it’s a great idea, Paul. Abby can handle Caleb’s arrangements while we’re gone. I’ll just use some of my charm when I ask.”
“Thanks, Grey. But I want to go alone. I hope you understand.”
“Yeah, of course,” said Grey.
“Let’s do this,” said Paul. “You and Evan drive me down to the marina at Sugarloaf. I don’t think I ever want to see the villa again. You guys go get the boat and bring it to me. I’ll spend the day on the water and meet you two at that waterfront café Evan seems to enjoy.”
“Yeah, the one where every waitress looks like a Victoria’s Secret model,” said Grey. “I don’t see Evan having a problem meeting there.”
“I think it will do us all some good to get out of here for a day,” said Paul.
“I couldn’t agree with you more, buddy.”
11
Deep Blue
EVAN AND GREY WAITED IN the hotel lobby while Paul finished packing a bag. Kate’s family didn’t resist their son-in-law’s plan to leave the hospital for a day. They were all pleased he seemed to have snapped out of his semi-catatonic state and rejoined the world. Paul even sat and talked with Maggie and Stan for an hour before leaving the waiting room. On his way out, Abby grabbed and hugged him in a tight embrace. In a switching of roles, Paul told her everything was going to be okay.
“I feel a little more comfortable on this road trip,” said Evan. “And not just because you’re going. I’m glad he’s talking again. I was getting worried.”
“I told you he just needed a little time to process,” said Grey. “But I’ll agree it took a little longer than I expected. He’s gonna be fine now.”
“So, what’s the game plan for conversation?” asked Evan. “What are the dos and don’ts this time?”
“Do talk about anything he wants,” replied Grey. “Don’t bring up Gregory Kirsk. I’ll know when to ask those questions. If he brings it up, let me redirect the topic.”
“Did you take a class at the FBI for this?”
“Unfortunately, yes. But it’s a fluid process about gaining trust and knowing how far to push. Once you lose it, it’s hard to win back.”
Paul turned the corner out of the elevator lobby and greeted his friends with a smile. “I’m driving and no arguing. Evan damn near gave me a heart attack on the way up here.”
“Good call,” said Grey, throwing Paul the keys.
The three friends loaded the car and headed back to Sugarloaf Key. Grey never needed to steer the conversation in a different direction. Paul thanked them several times for staying with him and being good friends. He talked about fond memories with Caleb and was even optimistic about Kate’s condition. He said he had a dream that she was going to wake up soon and how he wanted to be the first face she saw. Evan and Grey noticed Paul become excited when they crossed over Seven Mile Bridge that connected Marathon Key with Sugarloaf. Paul could hardly keep his eyes on the road as he panned from side to side, admiring the crystal clear water under a flawless blue sky.
“Now who’s giving who a heart attack?” asked Evan, tensing in his seat.
“Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?” asked Paul.
“I think about that every time we cross this bridge, buddy,” said Grey. “It’s almost like leaving the planet and entering a different world.”
“I remember the first time I brought Kate down here,” said Paul. “We had to save for three years before we could take our first vacation. She didn’t stop smiling until we had to leave a week later. At that moment, I knew someday I’d own a house down here.”
“You’ll find another beautiful road to drive her on soon,” said Evan. “And you’ll be buying her another house when you get there. I know you will.”
“He sounds pretty convincing,” said Grey. “I wouldn’t argue with him.”
“Thinking about that is what keeps me going,” said Paul with a bigger smile. “I already miss being close to her, so you guys are going to have to haul ass to beat me back to Miami.”
“Dude, we are not going to beat that boat,” said Evan. “Even if we didn’t have any stoplights, that thing is just too fast. Did I ever tell you that I love that machine?”
“Every time you climb on board,” said Paul. “I can’t wait to get back on her. Kate and I would plan on going out for an hour and end up spending the night in a cove. She loved our adventures. Neither one of us had a care in the world when we were jumping waves at fifty miles per hour. That woman is fearless.”
“Well, we’re not on the water so keep your eyes on the road,” said Evan as Paul turned to look at him when he spoke.
“At least Kate is fearless,” said Grey.
The trio pulled into the marina and dropped Paul off at the café at the end of the docks. Evan and Grey continued to the villa to recover the boat and bring it to Paul. Grey contacted Chief Tony Hill of the Sugarloaf Police Department a day earlier to gain access to the property. He called him as they left the marina.
“Agent Collins. I take it you’re close.”
“We are. Is this a recorded line?”
“Nope, this is my cell. Let me guess, you want information about Mr. Kirsk.”
“You’re damn near clairvoyant, Chief. What can you tell me?”
“Not much, I’m afraid. We know he’s a piece of shit, but other than that, Sheriff Doyle would be the man to ask. He’s kept us in the dark as well. Sorry, Grey. Wish I could tell you more.”
“Do you have his home address or know where they found his body?”
“That I can give you. I’m a little old fashioned, so I don’t want to email his file to you. Doyle has a high tech chokehold on information. Kirsk was arrested down here a few years ago for theft, so we have our own records on him.”
“Perfect. Any chance I can buy you lunch at the marina in an hour and take a peek at his file?”
“See you in an hour,” said Chief Hill, ending the call.
“What a
re you up to?” asked Evan.
“Getting involved,” said Grey. “Don’t tell Paul we’re meeting the chief.”
A police cruiser blocked the entrance to the villa driveway. The officer verified their IDs and let them pass. They parked beside the house near the steps leading over the dune to the boat dock. Neither man felt compelled to even look at the house as they walked toward the beach.
Evan helped launch the boat and drove the car back to the marina. Grey took his time maneuvering the large craft away from the dock and out of the cove. It was the first time he had ever piloted the machine solo. When he reached open water, he couldn’t resist the urge to push the throttles and lurch the boat skyward as the engines roared to life. A few seconds later, the boat planed out and the coastline flew past him in a green blur. With the water resembling a sheet of glass, he understood why Paul wanted to spend a few hours alone on the water with the other love of his life. He covered the short distance to the marina in ten minutes.
“You punched it, didn’t you?” asked Paul as Grey inched the boat into the slip.
“How could I not?”
“Cut the engines,” said Paul. “Let’s have a drink before I take off. I want to savor this moment.”
“Sounds perfect,” said Grey.
“What a day, huh?” said Evan, bringing three cold beers from the bar to their dockside table. “It’s flat as a pancake out there. There’s no way we’d come close to beating you back.”
“I plan on taking her out a little bit to give you guys some time to catch up,” said Paul. “I’ll have the satellite phone turned on, so call when you’re about thirty minutes from the restaurant. If for some reason you can’t reach me, I’ll make sure I’m there by at least sundown.”
“Take your time, buddy,” said Grey. “I’m sure Evan can find something to look at while we wait.”
They finished their beers and watched as Paul maneuvered the boat away from the marina and out of sight. Fifteen minutes later, Chief Hill joined them at their table. “I need to get out of the office more often. That bartender is not ugly.”
“Glad you could join us,” said Grey. “Are you on the clock?”
“Twenty-four, seven,” replied Chief Hill, “but if you’re offering me a drink, I won’t say no.”
Evan returned to the bar and ordered another round, leaving Chief Hill and Grey alone. “I believe this is what you’re looking for,” said Chief Hill, sliding Grey a folder, pen, and notepad.
“You think of everything,” said Grey, wasting no time and jotting down notes.
“You don’t like Kirsk for this?” asked Chief Hill.
“I’m not saying that,” replied Grey. “But nobody can rule anything out at this point.”
“What does your gut tell you?”
Grey stopped writing and leaned back in his chair. He looked out over the water for a moment before he spoke. “It tells me this isn’t the end; it tells me Kirsk is a man who looks for crimes of opportunity. Everything I see in this file screams a disorganized and impulsive criminal with a history of escalating violence. What it doesn’t show is a man capable of patience and planning.”
“Bingo,” said Chief Hill. “I got the same feeling.”
“So you don’t think he’s our guy?”
“It’s hard to ignore the mountain of evidence here, Grey. DNA, prints, and the missing fingers in his car put him at the crime scene. Add finding his decaying body in a sleazy motel room with a needle hanging out of his arm, and all you’re missing is a red bow tied around his nuts.”
“You think he had a partner?” asked Grey, trying to prove his own theories.
“I may be a cop in a hot, slow town, but I know a setup when I see one,” said Chief. “My gut tells me I’m seeing one. What about you?”
“The exact same feeling, Chief,” said Grey. “Kirsk may have been there, but the level of violence and staging points to something very personal. If we can’t find that connection, then I have to go with my gut that he wasn’t working alone.”
“Let me tell you something, Agent Collins,” said Chief Hill, sitting up straight in his chair. “I like my job down here. I get to have beers at lunch and look at girls in tiny bikinis nine months out of the year. But I’d throw all that shit overboard to get my hands on the evil sonofabitch that murdered that boy. Fuck Sheriff Doyle. He didn’t see them lying in their own blood. We did.”
“I’m liking your style, Chief.”
“What did I miss?” asked Evan, returning with the drinks.
“A reckoning,” said Chief Hill.
Skipping the meal and engaging in conversation as Evan sat listening. Chief Hill and Grey pieced together what little information they had at their disposal. Their theories were unnerving him, but he knew when not to interrupt. He’d have plenty of time to talk to Grey on the trip back to Miami. The men shook hands and left with promises to keep in close touch and share new developments while staying under Sheriff Doyle’s radar.
During the trip back, Grey surprised Evan by covering every detail of the suspicions he shared with Chief Hill. Grey normally wasn’t very forthcoming with case-related topics he thought Evan would have trouble comprehending. Things had changed. Evan felt more like a fellow FBI agent than a childhood friend. He was still unnerved, but didn’t mind his elevated status.
They arrived at the waterside café a few hours later, and Evan wasn’t disappointed with the changes in the staff. The girls he didn’t recognize were just as gorgeous as the few he did. Time flew by as Grey watched him attempt to engage in awkward conversations with every girl on duty. He regained his bearing as the sun was lowering behind the building. He decided to give Paul a few more quiet moments before calling him off the water.
*****
Paul stood on the edge of the dive platform wearing a weighted belt as the sky erupted in blazing colors with giant swaths of red and purple. He had never seen a more beautiful sunset. The smile he held for most of the 160-mile ride west to the edge of the two-mile-deep Florida Canyon grew wider. He was remembering the unforgettable moments he spent with Kate and Caleb out over the deep blue. They were the moments he treasured above all others in his life. He closed his eyes and felt Kate and Caleb’s arms wrap around him as if they were there. “I love you both so very much,” said Paul as he stepped off the platform and into the abyss.
12
Squeeze
FOURTEEN DAYS HAD PASSED SINCE the Coast Guard found Paul’s boat adrift near an oil platform off the coast of Louisiana. They searched for five days, but his body was never recovered. The “Diver Down” flag was raised and gear was missing, which gave officials enough circumstantial evidence to declare it an accidental death. Paul’s empty casket was buried next to Caleb in a Miami cemetery.
Grey’s investigation into the life of Gregory Kirsk was postponed when Paul never showed up to meet him and Evan at the café. They both knew their friend took his life, but never expressed their belief to authorities or Kate’s family. Instead, they created the story that Paul told them he wanted to go diving to clear his head and that he showed no indication he may have been suicidal. The State declaring him dead guaranteed Kate the substantial assets of their estate. If she survived, the 320 million dollars Paul had earned selling his business would bring her net worth to 400 million.
While Grey and Evan attended to the somber duty of helping the family bury Caleb and Paul, Chief Tony Hill continued to dig deeper into the murder case considered closed by Florida law enforcement. As the days passed, he became more convinced Kirsk didn’t act alone and may have been set up by the real killer. He attempted to reach Grey on his cell phone to update him on a recent discovery, but it went straight to voicemail. Grey, Evan, and Kate’s family were in a meeting with Dr. Singer.
“We’ve kept Kate in a chemically-induced coma in order to help her brain heal as much as possible,” said Dr. Singer. “Yesterday we reduced her sedation so we could perform a series of tests to assess the damage. Her EEG shows spor
adic activity, but again, I have to caution you that the results of today’s tests may be disappointing.”
“But there is a chance, correct?” asked Maggie, Kate’s mother.
“Of course, but I believe those chances are less than ten percent,” replied Dr. Singer. “We’re going to stop breathing for her for a brief period so we can find out if she can do it on her own. That may seem like a good sign, but it’s a very basic human brain function. We’ve seen cases where patients have breathed on their own, but never regain consciousness.
“This is the most difficult aspect of my job, but I need to inform you of all your options,” said Dr. Singer, looking at Kate’s parents. “In the event she doesn’t breathe on her own or show any signs of progress, you need to consider taking her off life support and letting nature take its course.”
“Oh, dear God,” exhaled Stan. “We’re not ready to make that decision today. We just buried our grandson and son-in-law.”
“Today?” interjected Abby. “I’ll never be ready and neither should you. If you let her die, then she has no chance, dad. You shouldn’t even be thinking about letting her go.”
“You don’t have to make the decision today,” said Dr. Singer. “Again, I have to inform you of your legal options. I should have a better idea of her condition very soon.”
A nurse entered the conference room and informed Dr. Singer that Kate was ready for the tests. He excused himself, and the family returned to the waiting area where Grey and Evan were anxious to hear the new developments.
“How did it go?” asked Evan, sensing the news wasn’t good.
“They’re bringing her out of the coma so they can test her brain activity,” said Abby. “They also informed us of our legal options if she fails.”
“Legal options?” asked Evan.
“Letting my sister die,” answered Abby, turning to her father.
*****