Framed

by C. P. Smith

  “Highway patrol identified the victim as Ian Drum of Pensacola,” the perky newscaster informed the viewing audience.

  “Did the SEALs kill him?” Trigger asked.

  “That doesn’t make any sense,” White answered. “They needed him to exonerate Kingston.”

  Both men considered the ramifications of Drum’s death and grinned. However, before they could voice their thoughts, the newscaster dropped another bombshell.

  “Two years ago, former SEAL and war hero Kade Kingston was charged and then convicted of the 2013 death of his friend Stan Sutton. Today, acting State’s Attorney Derrick Chapel filed for an acquittal for the former SEAL after new evidence was brought to light exonerating him. The SA told us exclusively, here at FOX10, that the investigation into Sutton’s death would be reopened.”

  A shot of SA Chapel speaking with reporters filled the screen as White and his cousin looked on in disbelief.

  “A miscarriage of justice has been righted today and a war hero has been set free. The State’s Attorney’s Office offers its sincerest apology for the incarceration of Mr. Kingston. We intend to reopen the investigation into Mr. Sutton’s death in order to bring closure to the victim’s family. . .”

  White’s cell began ringing as the SA droned on about justice. He pulled it from his pocket and answered without even looking. He didn’t have to, he knew who would be on the other end.

  “White,” he barked into the phone.

  “Drum’s dead and Kingston is free,” Williams replied.

  “I’ve heard.”

  “We’re in the clear, now. Drum was the only link back to us.”

  “Not clear,” White bit out.

  Williams didn’t respond immediately, White could hear his breath leaving his lungs as he prepared for his reply.

  “Tell me,” he finally gritted between his teeth.

  “The SEALs interfered with my abduction. The dog trainer got away, but not before getting a look at my face,” he explained. “You and I both know if she fingers me, it will be traced back to you.”

  “Then disappear,” Williams hissed.

  “I could, but then I’d always have that hanging over my head. You, I can control. I have too much evidence on you. She’s a loose end. I cut loose ends off at the knees.”

  “Then get it done,” was all Williams said before the line went dead.

  White turned to his cousin and raised his arm. “Finish the stitches; we’ve got work to do.

  “Anything you need, I’m ready,” Trigger answered.

  “I need you. I hope your truck is comfortable,” White grunted as the needle tugged his skin closed. “You need to stake out the grandfather’s home. I doubt Kingston will let her out of his sight after today. It’s what I would do if I gave a shit about a woman. I want to know who comes and goes and what kind of schedule they keep.”

  “So we’re hunting for the woman now?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And when we have her?”

  “She’ll get a crash course on the size of gators in the Glades.”

  ***

  The sun was setting low in the sky, bathing his grandfather’s house in a warm muted glow when we arrived. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a beachfront property. Miniature palm trees flanked each side of the gravel drive like tiny guards and a privacy fence protected the whole thing from prying eyes. The house stood on stilts to protect it against rising water. It was painted a soft yellow with green shutters, which had weathered tastefully over time. It was a typical Florida beach property with its wraparound deck that faced the ocean, but something about it harkened back to a simpler time. As far as I could see, it hadn’t been changed since the day it was built. It had been respectfully maintained over the years, but not updated, which only added to its personality. I loved it the moment I laid eyes on it.

  I could hear seagulls in the distance, arguing over food as the surf kicked up. The air around us was warm and filled with sand as a sea breeze blew inland, depositing a layer of salt on our skin.

  Climbing the stairs to the first floor, we were met at the top by his brother Kyle. The two embraced and held, neither ready to let go after two years of hell. My throat closed watching their reunion and tears threatened. When they pulled apart, Kyle moved to me and wrapped me in his embrace, whispering, “You got him out just in time.” I choked on a cry when I realized he was telling me their grandfather was near death.

  They had all lost so much the past two years. Kyle the support of his brother, Pops the comfort of Kade, and Kade, well, he had lost it all. I prayed that at the end of his life, their grandfather was at least aware enough to know that Kade was finally free.

  We entered into a beach-themed living room, complete with fishing net hanging on the wall. The furniture was a sky blue chintz with seashells. It was old, yet well maintained, but sparse in the large space.

  I tried to stay in the living room so Kade could have time with his grandfather, but he wouldn’t let go of my hand. When I looked up at him, he was staring intently at the door to his grandfather’s room, and I could see the little boy he’d once been. Scared and alone, until his grandfather took him in.

  Kyle opened the door and led us into a spacious bedroom, also decorated in a beach theme, which faced the ocean. There were large picture windows that allowed plenty of light into the room and a fantastic view of the Gulf Ocean. His fragile grandfather lay quietly in a hospital bed, positioned so he could look out and gaze at the murky waters of the Gulf. Kade paused abruptly when he took in his grandfather’s appearance. After two years fighting cancer, the once jovial man was a shell of his former self. I knew from my own experience how unrecognizable a loved one becomes by the end, so this had to be doubly hard for Kade not having watched the slow decline.

  Releasing my hand, he moved to the edge of the bed and leaned down, whispering into his grandfather’s ear. His grandfather’s eyes were closed when we’d entered, but, upon hearing Kade voice, his eyelids twitched and opened infinitesimally.

  “I’m out Pops,” Kade told him, struggling over his words. “I’m here. You can,” Kade started, then swallowed hard and continued, “you can rest now.”

  Kyle pulled a chair over to the bed for Kade to sit and he did, never letting go of his grandfather’s hand. I watched for a moment as Kade bowed his head, resting it on Pops’ hand. Kyle turned to leave, his own eyes red with emotion, so I followed him out of the room and closed the door.

  “Hospice just left before you got here. They said he has a day, maybe less. As much as I don’t want to lose him, there’s relief knowing that his suffering will come to an end,” Kyle said as we moved into the kitchen.

  I understood exactly what he meant. When you love someone that much, as much as I loved my mother, you’re willing to let them go so they won’t hurt anymore.

  “When Kade called this afternoon saying he was out, I told Pops he was on his way and he instantly relaxed. The strain on his face seemed to melt away at the news Kade was free.”

  “Oh, Kyle—”

  “—Thank you, Harley,” he cut in, struggling with his words. “It seems like such small words for what you did, but thank you all the same. We were going to lose him either way, but knowing that he gets to hear Kade’s voice, feel his hand gripping his before he dies . . . I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  I knew men didn’t like to be seen as weak, but I didn’t care. I moved to Kyle and wrapped him into a hug that only a woman could give. He relaxed into my embrace, and I felt the tension he’d been carrying flow from his body as he buried his face in my shoulder and hung on.

  It must have been two hours before Kade finally came out of the bedroom. I was outside on the deck watching the stars twinkle over the ocean when he came up behind me and rested his head on my shoulder, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “I had a dream about us on the beach once,” he whispered in my ear. “You asked me to kiss you.”

  “Did I? And? Did you grant my wi
sh?”

  “Yeah, I did. Then I woke up and you were standing at my bedside, so I grabbed you and kissed you again.”

  “Is that what you were dreaming when I came to visit you?”

  “That and a whole lot more.”

  Turning in his arms, I searched his face to see how he was holding up. He had dark circles and a weariness about him. His hair was too long and he needed to shave about a week ago, but he seemed to be at peace.

  “Are you okay?”

  “No, but I’ll get there. Pops squeezed my hand while I spoke, so I know he could hear me, could feel me with him.”

  “I’m so sorry, Kade.”

  “I know, Harley. I am, too. He wasn’t a big man, but he was a vibrant man, full of life. It kills me to see him like this.”

  I had no words to offer that would ease his pain. There is nothing you can say to someone who is losing a loved one that will help. All you can do is be there for them while they work through the loss. So that’s what I did; I held on tight while Kade processed.

  Kade and Kyle stayed at their grandfather’s bedside for the next two days. He seemed to have recovered a bit, knowing Kade was finally home. They reminisced about their childhood and he seemed to hear them, squeezing their hands now and again to communicate. As night drew to the witching hour on the second day, his breathing slowed and a rattle was audible.

  We knew he wouldn’t last the night.

  At four o’clock in the morning, I felt the bed shift and I opened my eyes. Kade had sent me to bed while he and Kyle kept vigil. I would have stayed if he needed me, but something told me that the three Kingston men wanted to be alone for what was coming. So I gave them space.

  Kade was silent, motionless, as an old alarm clock on the bedside table ticked off the seconds. His head hung down and he’d rested both hands at the back of his neck. I reached out my hand and grasped one of his; he curled his fingers around mine, holding on tight. After a moment of just being, I threw the covers back and scooted over, drawing Kade down onto the bed. He came willingly, without saying a word, pulling me into his body, and wrapping me up tight. I laid my head on his chest and said nothing; I was leaving it up to him when he said the words I knew were coming. The first time you say them is like an icepick straight through your heart, so I wasn’t going to force them.

  “He’s gone,” he finally murmured, and my heart broke for them all.

  The thing about death is, it makes you feel empty almost immediately. Of course, there are moments when you can’t take a breath from the overwhelming sadness, but mostly you felt empty.

  I’d been where he was now and knew he needed to feel alive. He needed affirmation of life to help ease his pain. So I wrapped my body around his and gave him what he needed. It wasn’t the same white-hot burn which had engulfed us the past few nights; it was a slower, torturous climb that reinforced that life goes on. So when he thrust into me one final time, spilling himself into my warm depths, we came together as one and reaffirmed that even in death, there is still life, just like in life there will always be death.

  Birth, life, and death coexist in balance and everyone has a choice on how to navigate them. If you’re lucky, sometimes during the living you get to experience euphoria so blinding it takes your breath away, and sometimes, during the living you lie to rest those who are your world, darkening that blinding light. How you choose to do the living during your short magical ride called life is your choice. I, for one, choose to live my life loving. So that’s what I did in the early morning light. I loved Kade the best I could, until he finally fell asleep.

  Thirteen

  Two days later . . .

  Amidst the rolling waves of the Gulf Ocean, Kade and Kyle stood in the shallows. Their grandfather hadn’t wanted a funeral. He just wanted his boys and the ocean he loved. With my hand shielding my eyes from the bright morning sun, I watched Kade and Kyle grab a handful of his ashes and throw them out to sea.

  Since the news had broken of Kade’s release, his grandfather’s quiet, beachfront property had become inundated with the media trying to catch a sound bite for the evening news. The fence that bordered the yard kept their prying eyes from seeing in, but it didn’t stop them from throwing out questions. Prez and Mickey D, even my dad and Bette, stood guard as Kade and his brother said their final farewells.

  I watched with a heavy heart as the wind took Pops’ ashes to the four corners all while remembering my own mother’s funeral. I felt empty and alone as I always did when I thought about never seeing her again.

  Kade wrapped his arm around Kyle’s neck when they finished releasing Pops to the wind. Kyle turned then, embracing his older brother for a moment before turning to head back to the house. They trudged through the water, making their way up the beach. When they reached me, Kyle stopped and drew me into an embrace before heading towards the stairs. With desolate eyes, Kade wrapped me in his arms, his chin resting on my head as I rubbed his back.

  “Time for payback,” Kade rumbled low, and I couldn’t have agreed more. Those who had stolen the last two years of his life, time he could have spent with his grandfather, needed to pay.

  Ignoring the reporters shouting for an interview, we climbed the steps of his grandfather’s home and went inside. An hour later, Derrick Chapel showed up at the beach house, and we all sat quietly as he discussed Kade’s case.

  “Before we start, I want to make it clear that some of the information I’m about to share with you I shouldn’t be releasing. The case against you has been dropped, and legally, I don’t have to speak with you. However, my momma didn’t raise a man who followed all the rules. She said sometimes you had to bend them to do what was right, and I agree. You deserve to know why you were framed and by whom, so I intend to keep you abreast of the investigation to the best of my ability.”

  Kade nodded, then waited for Derrick to continue.

  “We did some digging into Ian Drum and found large deposits of cash made monthly, starting one week before Stan Sutton was killed. One of his neighbors reported seeing a suspicious looking man at his house the night before he died. They said he was big and wore an eye patch.”

  “That sounds like my pirate,” I confirmed.

  “I don’t suppose this neighbor caught a license tag?” Kade asked.

  “No, they did not. That would be too easy in a case that’s been a clusterfuck from the beginning, wouldn’t it?”

  “What about Consolidated? Can you pull their employee records?” Prez asked.

  Chapel shook his head. “Not without a court order, and we have nothing to indicate Williams is involved.

  “A man that rich is gonna cover his tracks. You won’t find anything legally to connect the dots,” my dad threw in.

  “What if we were to—”

  “Harley, could you give me a minute with SA Chapel?” Kade asked unexpectedly.

  I locked eyes with my dad, and he jerked his head in a non-verbal “Get lost.” Not wanting to cause a scene on the day of his grandfather’s funeral, I acquiesced with extreme frustration.

  “Um, sure,” I answered.

  “Maybe you and Bette could make coffee?”

  Bette and I turned and looked at each other. She bugged out her eyes, then stood, pulling me from the couch.

  “Come on, Harley Davidson,” she mumbled as she hauled me from the room.

  Pops’ beach house was a single story home. The kitchen was at the front of the house away from the Florida room where they were having their meeting with SA Chapel. It was obvious that Kade didn’t want me to hear what he was going to say to Derrick, and that chapped me a bit. As I left the room, I looked back at Kade, but he wasn’t watching me. He’d leaned forward, prepared to get down to whatever he considered the real reason for the meeting.

  “Typical men,” Bette grumbled as we headed towards the kitchen. “They think women can’t handle the gory details. Please tell me you aren’t gonna let him get away with that?”

  “What do you expect me to do?”


  “Harley, your life is on the line as well, isn’t it? You should march in there and demand to be included,” she argued as she slammed cupboard doors. “Where’s the coffee?”

  Pops hadn’t decorated his home since the 1970s. His kitchen was done in harvest gold with gold countertops and matching gold appliances. He had a canister set made out of seashells that held his coffee and sugar, so I grabbed the largest and pushed it towards Bette.

  “Kade’s been through a lot, Bette.” I tried to explain.

  “And you haven’t? Was it or was it not you who almost got snatched off the street?”

  “He just lost his grandfather. I don’t want to make waves.”

  Bette’s brow pulled together and her mouth twisted as if something tasted sour.

  “What the fuck happened to Harley Davidson?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped.

  “Since when do you listen to a God—”

  “Don’t,” I interrupted.

  “Harley,” Bette replied with a sigh. “You deserve to be included, that’s all I’m saying.”

  I pulled the lid off the canister and moved to the coffee pot. Bette walked up beside me and grabbed the pot, filling it with water. As I scooped out the coffee in quick jabs, Bette stilled my hand after a minute.

  “That’s enough for an Army.”

  Looking at the filter, I sighed; I’d filled it to the rim. Grabbing the filter, I dumped the grounds back in and started over.

  “This is new for both of us. He’s got out of prison, hoping to put this behind him, only to have someone try to kidnap me. I’m cutting him some slack.”

  “Cut him some slack when he leaves the toilet seat up. Don’t let him walk all over you when it’s important.”

  “We’re adjusting to each other. I’d be a shrew if I complained after he just lost his grandfather.”

  “You’ll be a doormat if you don’t put your foot down, that’s what you’ll be,” Bette mumbled. I knew she spoke the truth. I shouldn’t allow Kade or my father to keep me out of the loop, but what could I do? I didn’t want to rock the boat the day he said his final good-bye to his grandfather.