by John Holt
“New York,” Russell answered simply. “At least he was until two days ago. I imagine he is still there.”
“New York?” Kendall repeated. “But I understood that he was going to Chicago, on business. So what happened? Why did he change his mind?”
“I have no idea why he changed his mind,” Russell replied. “Maybe he had intended going to New York all the time. Maybe Chicago was a simple ruse, a deception for some reason. Perhaps he had no intention of going there.”
Kendall looked at Russell. A ruse, a deception for some reason? Perhaps Russell’s reply was the real ruse. Perhaps that was intended to deceive. “A deception,” Kendall repeated. “But why should he want to deceive anyone?”
“I don’t know why. Maybe he didn’t want his business competitors to know what he was up to,” Russell replied. “I don’t know. I don’t understand big business. All I know is that I was instructed to book two tickets, one ticket for Chicago and one for New York. The two flights were only twenty minutes or so apart. I checked in on the New York flight under the name of Lathom, he checked in on the Chicago flight. Once inside the departure lounge we switched tickets. I went to Chicago. He went to New York.”
Kendall nodded. So that’s how it was done, simple. “Whereabouts in New York is he?
Russell shook his head. “I don’t know I’m sorry,” he replied.
Kendall rubbed his chin. This made very little sense. Why switch planes? And where did the kidnapping take place? And where was Simmonds now? He was no nearer to the answer to that puzzle.
“So that was the last time that you had any contact with Simmonds, at the airport that night when you switched?”
Russell shook his head. “I had a call from him the following day, telling me to get back to Miami to pick up a package,” he replied. “He was to contact me again a few days later, with further instructions.”
Kendall was puzzled. Simmonds makes a telephone call, with instructions to Russell. More than that, he tells Russell that he will call again a few days later. This doesn’t make any sense. Simmonds is being held against his will, held captive waiting for a ransom pay off. Yet he can still make a call, and still give instructions.
“Where was he?” Kendall asked. “When he contacted you?”
Russell looked puzzled. “Where was he,” he repeated. “Well he was in New York I imagine. That’s where he went on the plane. I told you that.”
Kendall shook his head. “It was a telephone call, yes?” Russell nodded. “He could have called from anywhere is that correct?”
Russell still looked puzzled, but nodded. “I suppose so,” he replied. “But I’m sure that he was in New York.”
“All right, so he was in New York,” Kendall replied. “But you don’t know where.”
“No,” Russell replied. He remained silent for a few moments, once again glancing at the door, and then back to the window. Then he suddenly looked up. “But he has stayed at the Lexington in the past.”
“The Lexington?” Kendall repeated. “On 48th and Lexington?” Russell said nothing, and simply nodded. Kendall frowned, and shook his head. Simmonds has been kidnapped, so there’s no way he’d be at the Lexington. “So what about the package? Did you pick it up?” he asked. Russell nodded. “Where from? Was it from Simmonds?”
Russell shook his head. “Now how could it come from Simmonds,” he replied. “He was in New York remember? I was told to go along to the main post office in Palm Beach, and pick it up there.”
“Palm Beach,” Kendall repeated becoming more and more puzzled. “Of course you don’t know what was in it I suppose?” Russell shook his head. “And did Simmonds contact you again a few days later?” Russell nodded. “What happened to the package?”
“What do you mean what happened to the package? I delivered it, that’s what,” Russell replied. “I was told to deliver it, and I did.”
“Okay so you delivered it,” said Kendall. “Who did you deliver it to, and where?”
“I don’t know who it was to, there was no name, just an address,” replied Russell. “I took it to a swell pad out on East Shore Drive. I just left it there with the housekeeper.”
“East Shore Drive?” Kendall repeated. “Where is that?”
“It’s in Largo,” Russell replied simply. “Key Largo, do you know it?”
The Key Largo.
“Do you know what was in the package?” Kendall asked. Russell shook his head. It was just as Kendall had suspected. He didn’t know what the package contained, and he didn’t know who it was for.
Kendall was beginning to wonder if Russell actually knew anything that was worth knowing. “Okay Russell, why are you telling me all of this?” All of what, he murmured. All that he had told so far was that Simmonds never went to Chicago, and that he went to New York instead. Whereabouts in New York wasn’t known. It could be the Lexington Hotel, although that was unlikely in the circumstances. New York is a big city. He could have gone anywhere, and there’s no guarantee that he is still there anyway. That’s a big help.
Russell started to rub his hands together. He took a deep breath, and looked around the room, and then he looked at Kendall. “Mr. Kendall, why do you want to find him? Is he in any trouble?” He paused and started to nervously tap the desk again. “You know, trouble?”
Kendall knew, and shook his head. “I’m not at liberty to answer that,” he said. “Why do you ask? Do you think he could be in some kind of trouble?”
Russell shook his head. “Now, Mr. Kendall, I never said anything like that did I,” he said. His hands were beginning to shake once again, and he was sweating.
“All right Russell, take it easy,” he said. “So we agree, he’s not in any kind of trouble, all right?”
Russell said nothing. He took two or three deep breaths. The shaking eased.
“There that’s better isn’t it” said Kendall. He paused for a few moments watching Russell carefully. “Now come on Russell,” he continued. “Exactly why are you telling me all of this?”
Russell took another deep breath. He stood up and returned to the window. He looked out once again. Shook his head, and then walked back to his seat. “Mr. Kendall,” he said. “I had thought, or hoped I should say. I had hoped that it might help you to find him.”
It was a nice idea, Kendall thought, but did it really help? And did it really answer his question? Somehow he didn’t think so. “Getting back to the two men you saw, at the airport,” Kendall continued. “Do you know anything about them?”
Russell shook his head, “No I’m sorry Mr. Kendall. I know nothing about them. Apart from that night at the airport, and earlier today, as far as I know I have never seen them before.”
Kendall was not surprised. In fact it was no more than he expected. “Could you describe them?” he asked. Russell shook his head. “But you would recognize them if you saw them again, wouldn’t you?”
Russell shook his head once again. “Maybe,” he said quite simply. “Maybe not.”
If Kendall had been a betting man, he would have considered the “Maybe not” to be an absolute certainty. If you had asked the question Why? Kendall would not have been able to give a valid answer, but he did not believe a word of it. Call it intuition. Call it a hunch. Call it whatever you liked. Russell knew who they were, that was certain, but for some reason he wasn’t prepared to say so. Once again someone was trying to mislead him. It was working. He made a few more notes on to his notepad, and then stood up. “One last question,” Kendall said. “How long have you actually worked for Mr. Simmonds?”
Russell started to rub his head. “It’s about five, or six years, I guess,” he replied. “Nearer six.”
“Well thank you Mr. Russell,” Kendall said, helping Russell up, and escorting him to the door. “You have been a great help to me, but please do not let me delay you any further. Just in case I should need you again, where can I reach you?”
“Oh, I’m in Fort Lauderdale,” Russell replied. “885–7644 is the n
umber.” He then turned and walked out into the corridor. He suddenly stopped and turned around, but Kendall had already gone, the office door closed behind him.
Kendall looked down at the papers on the ground. It was getting late. I’ll do it tomorrow.
* * *
Chapter Six
Kendall Makes Enquiries
It was just after nine thirty when Kendall arrived at his office. As he entered the lobby he could just see Joe’s head above the reception counter. Behind him was the blue haze from the security camera monitor screens. Kendall slowly walked across the marbled floor, his shoes clattering noisily. “Joe,” Kendall called out as he approached the reception counter.
Joe looked up at the sound. “Hi Mr. Kendall, how are you today?”
“I’m fine,” replied Kendall. “I wonder if you can help me.”
“Certainly, Mr. Kendall,” Joe replied. “What can I do for you?”
“Joe I had a visit sometime yesterday,” Kendall replied. “Do you know anything about it?”
“Sure do, Mr. Kendall,” Joe replied. “There were two men came about, what time was it? Let me see,” he punched a few keys on the keyboard. The computer screen flashed a few times.
“There it is,” he said triumphantly. “I logged it in. It was a little after four o’clock.” Just after I had gone out, Kendall murmured. Joe checked the screen. “Four oh three, it was two police officers from the 42nd Precinct, detectives,” he continued. He turned away from the screen and looked at Kendall. “They said that they had an appointment with you. I took them up, and let them in.”
“Police officers,” repeated Kendall. “Detectives?”
“That’s right Mr. Kendall. Detectives,” replied Joe. “At least that’s what they said they were.” He paused and shook his head. “Come to think of it though, they didn’t look much like detectives to me. One of them looked a bit like a wrestler. You know what I mean?”
Kendall frowned. He knew what a wrestler looked like, but he had no idea how a detective was supposed to look. “The 42nd Precinct,” he repeated. “You did say the 42nd?” As far as Kendall was aware there was no 42nd Precinct. “You saw their badges I suppose?”
Joe shook his head. “I’m sorry Mr. Kendall I never thought to ask.”
“Could you describe them, do you think?” Kendall asked.
Joe shook his head once again. “I’m really sorry Mr. Kendall, but I never really took that much notice.” He paused for a few moments. “One of them was about your height. The other was shorter, heavy built. A bit younger than you I think.” Kendall glared. It was getting to the stage that there were more people younger than him, than there were people older. “Dark suits. I can’t think of anything else I’m afraid.”
“Would you recognize them again if you saw them?” Kendall asked. He was not overly hopeful about the answer.
“I don’t think so,” Joe replied. “There’s nothing wrong I hope.”
Kendall thought of the shambles that was his office. Papers everywhere, desk drawers lying on the floor, shelving pulled down. It would take hours to put it all back. Assuming nothing was missing. “Oh no Joe, there’s nothing wrong.” He held up his arm and gave a wave. “Thanks, I’ll be seeing you.”
“Bye Mr. Kendall,” Joe said. “I’ll certainly ask for their badges next time.”
Kendall turned and headed towards the entrance. As he reached the door he stopped. He turned around and quickly walked back to the reception counter. “Joe,” he said as he approached. “What about the CCTV cameras?”
Joe nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “They would have picked up our visitors, just a moment.” He turned towards his monitor screens. Selecting the camera located at the main entrance, he pressed a few buttons, and replayed the tape. Fast forwarding for a few moments he found the section that he required. “Here we are, Mr. Kendall,” he said. “There they are now, just coming forward towards the door.”
Kendall watched the screen for a few seconds. “Pause it there, Joe,” he instructed. Joe pressed a button, and the picture froze. Kendall bent forward for a closer look at the two men. Although the image was slightly out of focus, he could see that it was the same two men that he had seen the day before, the same two men that Russell had been so worried about. But who were they? And what had they wanted?
* * *
Kendall left the building and headed towards the parking area. As he turned the corner he could see the gardener cutting the hedges. Kendall walked over. “Morning, Trevor,” he called out as he drew near. Trevor stopped what he was doing and looked up. “Lovely day,” Kendall continued.
“Morning Mr. Kendall,” Trevor replied. “It certainly is a beautiful day. Especially after all of that rain yesterday.”
Kendall shrugged his shoulders, and made a face. He did not want to think about yesterday’s rain. It was far too painful. “It’s looking good,” he said as he pointed towards the hedge. Trevor looked over to where Kendall had indicated. He smiled, and then looked back towards Kendall. “What do you call that?” Kendall asked.
Trevor looked at the hedge. “The hedge you mean?” he replied. “Oh that’s Griselinia littoralis. It’s a lovely plant isn’t it? Evergreen you know.”
“Grease,” Kendall stuttered. “Greasa,” he tried once again, and stumbled. He was sorry that he had asked. He took a deep breath, and cleared his throat, ready to try once again. “Grizzle litterail.” He shook his head.
“Gris el in ia,” Trevor repeated slowly. “Lit tor a lis.”
“Yes,” said Kendall quite simply. “It really is very nice.” Trevor started to laugh. “All right, Trevor, that’ll do,” he said. “By the way were you working here yesterday?” he asked. “In the afternoon I mean, before all of that rain started, at about four?”
“Yes I was Mr. Kendall,” Trevor replied. “I was working over there, by the car park. I was trimming the Firethorn, the Pyracantha Coccinea.”
“The Pyro?” Kendall shrugged, and smiled once again. Skip it, he was not going down that road again. What was that old saying, once bitten, twice shy. “You didn’t notice anything strange, or unusual, did you?” he asked. “Anything out of the ordinary?”
“Strange,” Trevor repeated, slowly shaking his head. “No I don’t think so, not exactly strange. There was just that car parked wrongly. It was right across the pathway.” He pointed to his left, indicating where the car had been parked. “It shouldn’t have been there. It was right in the way. For a while it was blocking Mr. Henry’s car.” He looked at Kendall. “You know Mr. Henry don’t you? He’s from the firm of accountants near your office.”
Kendall knew who Mr. Henry was, although right there and then he was not that interested. He was more concerned with the car. “Go on,” he said. “You were saying about the car.”
“That’s right,” Trevor continued. “The signs are clear enough, you can’t miss them. You are supposed to park in the marked bays only, and nowhere else. That’s correct isn’t it?” He looked at Kendall. Kendall smiled and nodded. That was certainly correct. “I was going to go over and have a word with them, but they got out of the car, and walked up to the offices before I could get them.”
“Could you describe them?” asked Kendall.
“Well I only saw them for a short while, you understand,” Trevor replied. “One was quite stocky. Looked like one of those boxers or a wrestler, you know the type. You see them on the sports channels.” He paused for a few more moments. “All looks rigged to me though, those wrestling matches,” he said. “Certainly doesn’t look genuine, it’s all showmanship and obviously staged. You can tell, you just know.”
“You were saying,” Kendall coaxed gently, “About the men that you saw.”
“So I was,” Trevor nodded. “Well like I said. The first one was stocky, big shoulders.” He paused and thought for a moment. “Short hair, blonde I think. Light anyway,” he continued, nodding once again. “Twenty-six, or seven I would guess.”
Kendall nodded
. “What about the other one?” he asked. “Can you remember anything about him?”
“Well now, let me see,” Trevor replied. “He was definitely older, forty-five I would say. About your age, I think. Slimmer build though.” He paused and looked at Kendall. “Definitely slimmer.”
Kendall stood up straighter, and tried to pull his stomach in.
“About your height I would think, much fitter looking though.”
Kendall glared. Slimmer build, much fitter, indeed, that was just not possible.
“That’s about it I’m afraid, I can’t think of anything else,” Trevor continued. “I hope that’s been helpful.”
Kendall wasn’t exactly sure how helpful it was, but at least it was something. “What about the car?” he asked. “Do you remember anything about it?”
“I’m not good at cars Mr. Kendall,” Trevor replied. “Ask me about plants, and I’ll go on all day.”
Kendall did not doubt it for a moment. “The car,” he repeated firmly. “Can you tell me anything about the car?”
Trevor thought for a few moments, and then he started to tap his forehead, as he concentrated hard. After a little while he looked at Kendall and smiled. “It was dark grey, I think. Or perhaps it was light blue.”
* * *
When Kendall arrived back at his office later that afternoon, Mollie was waiting. She had spent much of the day at Police headquarters checking through endless records. As Kendall entered the room she was standing by his desk staring at the papers strewn all around. She was shaking, and there were tears in her eyes. Kendall slowly walked up to her, and put his arms around her. “Don’t worry about all of this,” he said, stretching his hand out. He smiled. “I’ll clear that up in no time, you’ll see.” She said nothing. “Besides the filing practice will be good for me.” She looked at him and a smile started to form in the corner of her mouth. “That’s better,” he said. “Worse things happen at sea. And I can’t even swim.” The smile on her face broadened. “Now,” he continued “Let’s have some coffee, shall we?” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “And some of those …”