Watson Manor My Journey Home (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 4)
Page 20
As they approached the forth resort, they exchanged victory smiles. "It looks like the Beach Front Hotel has guests," Jenny said as Charlie parked the Jeep just beyond the new wrought iron gates. The sign there was tastefully done, 'Private Property, No Trespassing or Solicitation'. The entrance was lined with gravel and they couldn't slip through the electric gate to gain access for a better look. The gravel entrance curved away from the wrought iron gate and they couldn't see the hotel.
"It doesn't look like there is a fence running behind these trees. I'll look for a way in down the road, Jenny, and I'll call you when I spot the Land Rover."
"Charlie, I know we've worked together in situations like this before, but I'm thinking, I wasn't willing to be left behind in the past either."
"As glad as I am that you're back, Jenny, and I mean, who you were is who you are, I'd kinda' hoped that stubborn side might have softened."
"My best feature, mister. Get over it and let's go."
Thirty feet down from the gate they found a way through the trees and there wasn't a fence. The hotel was impressively remodeled and in view from their position. Charlie handed Jenny the keys to the Jeep. "This is a great lookout point. I'll check for a way into the garage, if you see anything call me. If I'm not back in fifteen minutes, call Cordona and get out of here, Jenny."
"We'll call Cordona together, Charlie, but I'll be your lookout from here."
Charlie gave her a quick kiss and then crossed the twenty-five feet of gravel to the garage doors on the backside of the hotel. Two double sized, windowless rollup doors were on the backside and he moved to the left side looking for a walk through door. He wanted to avoid the more open right side, but there was no access to the garage and he circled back past the roll up garage doors. He glanced down the right side and saw a three foot windowed door on that side of the garage. Hugging the wall he moved toward it and glanced inside. It was dark inside of the garage and what little sunlight remained showed a partition running between the double roll up doors. He found the door was locked, but there wasn't a deadbolt on it so he removed a credit card from his wallet to free the latch.
Charlie was poised to run if an alarm sounded as he pushed the door in. When nothing happened he listened for a moment. Hearing nothing, he moved into the garage for a look on the other side of the partition. He confirmed it was the Land Rover and turned back to leave when the overhead lights came on. Standing in the doorway leading into the house, Brittney stood holding a pistol.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised that we meet again, Mr. Watson. Henry was pretty anal and has security cameras looking around the hotel, well my new home, and they let me know you were dropping by."
"You are looking quite well for someone who was brutally slaughtered, Brittney."
"Why don't you slide your phone over to me? I noticed a lack of the cavalry outside, running solo like at the gas station, Mr. Watson?"
"You certainly set Don Richards up well to take the fall; you were my only hope to free him."
"For the record, I'd never have starred his daughter in a movie, but as you've surmised, he was convinced I would have, and he played his role. The phone now, Mr. Watson."
He pulled his phone from his belt and slid it across the floor, half way between them. "Credit for trying; now back the hell up so I can reach it." He stepped back slowly as she entered the garage from the hotel entrance doorway to retrieve the phone. Never taking her eyes off of him she stooped down to retrieve the phone.
"You could have offered me a share of the take, you know," Charlie said.
Brittney started to laugh when the rock in Jenny's hand smashed into the side of her head, dazing her long enough for Charlie to grab the gun still in her hand.
"Wait in the car?" Jenny asked him.
"You'll never let me forget that, will you?"
"Charlie, I'll never bring it up again unless you forget we're a team."
"Ok, partner, deal. I'll keep this gun on Brittney and in her words, you my dear, can call the cavalry."
*****
Charlie, Don and I, wanted to stop at Police Headquarter to thank Commissioner of Police, Ben Cordona the following morning before heading home. I know Don wanted a close up look through cell bars at the woman that had caused him and his family so much suffering. Hey, you take advantage of photo ops when they present themselves. I was even looking forward to hanging a printed copy on our office wall at home. Charlie had stuffed our carry-on bag full of real estate fliers talking about Watson Manor II. I'd seen enough of Belize to be easily persuaded to look again at that idea, and certainly to return here for the better reason.
We were all in Ben Cordona's office when he put the icing on the cake. "The lap top computer has sealed Brittney Scott's fate and we have access to all of the funds she maintained, and those transferred to Walter Price, who by the way was the source of your tainted beer, Mr. Richards. Usually we confiscate property of convicted felons in Belize, but the Beach Front Hotel seems to be clouded with a delinquent tax lien and as she has not been officially convicted yet, it sits in a gray area. Mr. Richards, they have put you and your family through hell and I too feel badly adding to that holding you here. I'd like you to understand the laws here in Belize. Ownership transfers to the satisfied payment of that delinquent tax lien."
I will regret for the rest of my life not capturing Don's face as he asked, "What is that lien amount?"
"Two hundred, fifty."
"Thousand?"
"Dollars, Mr. Richards. Two hundred and fifty dollars, maybe some change."
We decided on a later flight and drove back for a better look at Don Richards new vacation home in Belize.
Standing on the rear second story deck of that converted hotel, looking beyond a short white sandy beach in a calm blue-green ocean, small islands were visible. I identified with one of those islands, that was me only a month ago before my journey home, to Charlie, to Madison and the warmth I'd found in Watson Manor and all those that share it with us.
I thought about the years I'd lost, the unfairness that a drunk driver stole those years from me, but that drunk driver also took the mistakes I'd made, moments of inflicted hurt I couldn't take back and times when I could have, but didn't, do enough. The good with the bad and maybe, that 'clean slate' took with it regrets that I wouldn't have been able to completely bury. The feelings of standing beside Charlie exchanging vows, the birth of my daughter Madison they are gone also, but the love I have for them and our photo albums fill in those wonderful moments. And most of all, looking back will never be as fulfilling as being in the moment, being home in my heart and excited about moving forward.
Don was at the other end of the deck on my phone talking to Sandy and Linda. He was standing tall again; actually he seemed to be floating above the deck as he was changing the destination of Sandy's twenty-first birthday from St. Marten to their new Beach Front mini mansion. He didn't worry about his job with the owner of his company facing murder charges.
Charlie beside me, pulled me into a lingering kiss and then said, "If I go down there and touch that warm water, you may never get me back home, Jenny."
"Anywhere I can touch the people I love, is home, Charlie."
"Works for me."
The end of novel four in,
The Watson Manor Mystery Series.
Thank you for reading book four in the Watson Manor Mystery Series. I sincerely hope it has been a journey you enjoyed through what could have been called 'The Adventures of Charlie and Jenny #4'.
Its tough getting the ball rolling and if you did enjoy my story, I'd be very grateful for a few words in an Amazon or Goodreads review.
I also welcome and encourage your input and feedback through my web site, www.roncraigbooks.com
Ronald S. Craig.
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