The Black Feather

by Olivia Claire High

  “Did the man look all right? I mean, as far as you could tell, he wasn’t hurt was he?”

  “There are all kinds of ways of being hurt, lady. Some just showed themselves more than others. But he looked okay as far as I could tell. Maybe a little tired, but not bad otherwise.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  “Aren’t you going to ask me about the girl?”

  “No. She’s nothing to me. I don’t know her, and I don’t want to know her.”

  He lifted bushy brows.

  “You sound pretty sure. How do you know if that won’t change someday?”

  “It won’t if I have anything to say about it. I appreciate your help, but I don’t have any money to pay you. I should have thought about that. I’ll bring you something later. Where can I find you?”

  His hand tightened on the bag.

  “I don’t want your money.”

  “Then why did you agree to meet with me?”

  “Because I know the kind of things the Montanes do to people who cross them.”

  Suzanne couldn’t stop herself from raising her own eyebrows.

  “You know the Montanes?”

  “Yeah, and they know me.”

  She caught the unmistakable sound of bitterness in his voice and watched the almost savage way Dewey rammed his stick against the bare ground.

  “What did you mean by the kind of things they do to people?”

  He shook his head.

  “Forget it.”

  “Tell me. Please.”

  He surprised her by thrusting his face so close to her that Suzanne could smell nicotine on his breath. She stumbled back bumping her hip against the side of the cart.

  “You don’t want to know. Ever.”

  He turned around and walked away, leaving Suzanne’s insides shuddering at the implication of his harsh words.

  Eleven

  Suzanne sat on the sofa between Liam and Nesta, as Thad paced in front of them. His long legs carried him from one end of the small living room and back again in rapid spurts of restless tension. He finally stopped directly in front of her and crossed his arms over his chest. Anger rolled off him in undulating waves. Suzanne stared down at her hands clasped in her lap, unable to face his fierce scowl.

  She felt like a little girl at school, preparing herself to receive a scolding from the principal. She knew she deserved it, but wished she could be anyplace else at the moment.

  “Did I, or did I not tell you, no more going off on your own?”

  She lifted her head and gave Thad the benefit of her full attention.

  “Yes you did, but I . . .”

  “No buts, Suzanne. What you did was very dangerous.”

  “You did take an awful risk, honey,” Nesta agreed.

  “I already told you; Dewey insisted I meet him on my own. I’m fine, so why are you all so upset?”

  “You didn’t know what was going to happen when you left here,” Thad insisted.

  “I’m sorry I worried everyone. But instead of bawling me out, you might try to remember that I did get some valuable information. It could help us find my father.”

  Thad jammed his hands in his pockets.

  “How valuable it is remains to be seen. Do you have any idea how many people by the name of Martinez there probably are in San Pedro?”

  “No, but we can get out the phonebook and start making calls.”

  “What if they have an unlisted number? I don’t suppose that entered your mind?”

  Suzanne shot to her feet, fueled with her own anger now.

  “What entered my mind was I finally had a clue to my father’s whereabouts; and if you’d stop criticizing me long enough, you’d know it’s more than we had this morning.”

  She looked at Liam and Nesta.

  “I wanted to do something to help without involving anyone else.”

  “If that’s true, then why did you drag Heather into your little scheme?” Thad taunted.

  Suzanne did her best to mask her surprise.

  “How did you find out about that?”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

  “Okay, have it your way. I called her earlier to let her know where I was, and she offered to do anything she could to help me.”

  “Why do you find it so necessary to apprise her of your every move?”

  “I told you, she’s a worrywart. Friends take care of friends.”

  “What about your friends here? Do you even give a damn about our feelings?” he said, taking his hands out of his pockets to point at himself and then to Liam and Nesta.

  “Of course I do. That’s why I’m trying to fix things the best way I know how.”

  “You can’t fix stupidity,” Thad growled.

  Nesta started to protest the insult, but Liam squeezed her hand and stood up, pulling her with him.

  “I think it’d be a good idea if we went into the kitchen, my love. Let’s give the kids some privacy.”

  Suzanne waited until they left. The room had gone as quiet as a tomb.

  “I know you’re angry, and you think I did a dumb thing. I’m sorry that I can’t be what you want, or follow your carefully laid out plans for me. But if it makes you feel any better to call me stupid, then be my guest. You aren’t the first person to do so, and you probably won’t be the last.”

  Thad ran a hand around the back of his neck.

  “I meant your father when I made that crack about stupidity. Do you have any idea what it does to me when I don’t know whether or not you’re safe? It nearly tore me apart when I realized you’d gone off on your own again.”

  She stared at him, rendered speechless by his unexpected confession. Was there anything more surprising than a strong man admitting that he could be weak? That something could break inside him, and you were the one responsible? Suzanne sensed Thad wanted to keep his feelings bottled up because he didn’t want to confess to needing anyone. But she knew that sometimes emotions filled a person so full they couldn’t be contained, no matter how tightly you tried to screw on the lid.

  “I do care about your feelings, Thad. I don’t try to worry you on purpose. I really did feel awful when I left here without telling you, but I had to do what I thought was right for my dad. If I had told you and let you make the decision for me, it would be a lot easier to face you now, because then I could blame you if things go wrong.”

  Suzanne went to him and put her arms around his waist, burying her face against his chest. He resisted her for a moment, before gathering her to him and resting a cheek on top of her head. They stood there quietly drawing comfort from each other. Their anger was gone now, faded away as the energy that fed it evolved into another emotion.

  She’d been prepared for anger, not this new, raw emotion from Thad. She’d wondered if his feelings for her were more than just physical; and now, she had her answer.

  “I think I may be falling in love with you,” she whispered, and felt a shudder go through him.

  “And I think I may be falling in love with you right back.” He moved away a little, so he could look at her. “I’m sorry I came down on you so hard.”

  “I deserved it. I need to learn to be a better team player.”

  “It would help. Have you always been so sneaky?”

  “No. It’s a recently required skill.”

  Thad let out a low groan.

  “God help me.”

  “I suppose you’ll have to think of a way to get even.”

  He fingered a lock of her hair and gave it a hard yank.

  “How’s that for a start?”

  “Ouch! That wasn’t what I had in mind, but I hope it made you feel better.”

  “Not even half close, but it’ll have to do for now.”

  Thad may be falling in love with her, but apparently that didn’t take away the fact that he was still smarting from her latest deception. He called her sneaky. The word left a bad taste in her mouth. Had she inherited one of her father’s less than admirable traits?

>   Suzanne didn’t like the idea of that. But sometimes you have to embrace their habits, in order to capture the bad guys. She didn’t like the idea of thinking of her father as being one of the bad guys. But so far he wasn’t exactly behaving like someone who should be wearing a white hat, either.

  Wendell Conway wiped beads of sweat off his brow with the back of a hand. A very shaky hand he noticed. No surprise there. He’d been living on his nerves for weeks, and the stress was taking its toll, robbing him of a little more stamina each day. His eyes shifted to Muriel, lying curled up, asleep. His expression softened.

  She looked as exhausted as he felt. Who could blame her – the way they’d been forced to hopscotch all over the state, trying to steer clear of her vindictive father? They had to be so cautious, watching every move they made because Caesar Montane was not a forgiving man, not even to his own daughter.

  Daughters. Lovely gifts to be cherished. Wendell thought about Suzanne. He hadn’t missed the hurt in her voice during their brief conversation. He couldn’t blame her, knowing he was largely responsible for that pain. Was he any better than Caesar – the way he deliberately used his own daughter as bait, when he sent her to their old house looking for the green bag?

  He’d lied when he said the phones were there. But the ruse became necessary to shift some of the focus away from him. God knows he hadn’t wanted to set Suzanne up, and he’d prayed they wouldn’t hurt her. He’d been desperate. He had to be so careful who he could trust. Too many people were waiting in line to betray him. He swore the Montanes must have eyes and ears everywhere, not to mention arms that reached out like deadly tentacles ready to squeeze the life out of him.

  Wendell closed his eyes wishing he could forget how Suzanne said she’d been shot. Guilt pressed heavily against his chest. He’d unleashed an evil force when he ran out on Caesar; and the man wouldn’t stop until he had the evidence Wendell carried, along with the daughter he considered a traitor.

  Opening his eyes, he reached for the glass of water from the nightstand, wishing instead for a generous serving of hard liquor. He gulped down a few swallows of the cool water in an effort to bring some much needed moisture into his dry mouth. A cough cleared his throat; and he returned the glass, noting that his hand shook worse than before.

  Yes, he’d put his daughter in harm’s way, and God forgive him, he was about to do it again. Wendell fingered the phone in his hand, stared at it for another moment, and made his call before he could change his mind.

  Relief filled him at the sound of Suzanne’s voice

  “Hi, honey. I had a feeling you’d be at Nesta’s. I’m glad you answered the phone. Can you talk?”

  “Yes. I’m upstairs on my own. I can’t believe you’d have the nerve to be calling here after what you did to the colonel and Nanadoo. It’s bad enough you’re using me, but I’ll never forgive you for taking advantage of them,” she scolded, grinding the words out with the force of her anger.

  “I needed a place to stay. We were only there for one night and used some bedding and towels. I hardly think that, and a couple of meals, is enough to make you act as though I’ve taken advantage of them.”

  “How can you be so nonchalant about the fact that you put them in danger by coming here? Not to mention the dirty trick you pulled when you drugged them.”

  “Drugged them? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Stop trying to weasel your way out of this. They were both slumped over their teacups when I got here, thanks to your little tea party.”

  “Oh lord. Suzanne, listen to me. I did not drug Liam and Nesta. I don’t know how you think I would do such a thing.”

  “It’s not too difficult. Are you going to continue lying when I saw the cups on the table and had to call a doctor to make sure they were going to recover okay?”

  “We were about to have tea with them, but Muriel and I went upstairs when the bottled water guy knocked on the door.”

  “What is it with the water-bottled guys around here?” she mumbled.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Never mind. Just tell me what you know.”

  “I decided it would be better if we left the house using the back stairs. I didn’t want anyone to see us there. Liam and Nesta were perfectly fine when I walked out of the kitchen. I swear to you I didn’t put anything in their tea.”

  “Well someone did.”

  “You might try checking up on that water guy. I could see he was pretty big when I looked through the window. Nesta didn’t recognize him. I heard her ask where their regular deliveryman was. This man said he was a substitute. Obviously he came to do more than deliver water.”

  “Why didn’t she or Liam tell me that when I questioned them? Neither of them mentioned anything about some man delivering water.”

  “Well, they are old, honey. Maybe they suffered a bit of shock from being drugged. Or maybe the drug not only put them to sleep, but it might have wiped out part of their memory.”

  “That would be a handy alibi for you, wouldn’t it?”

  “I don’t blame you for being upset with me, sweetheart.”

  “I’ve gone way beyond upset; and don’t call me sweetheart, because I’m not feeling very sweet at the moment. Thanks to you, you’ve got me chasing after green bags, putting Liam and Nesta in danger, and being forced to arrange secret meetings with shady characters.”

  Wendell shifted restlessly on his chair.

  “What’s this about shady characters?”

  “Dewey. Ring a bell?”

  “Oh Dewey, yes. I took a chance by leaving his number in the bathroom as a little test. I knew you’d figure out what to do if you were the one to find it. You’ve always been my smart little Suzie.”

  “Cut the flattery,” she snapped. “Dewey warned me about the Montanes. It sounded personal. Why?”

  “It’s a long, ugly story that I don’t want to go into right now. But my phones will do him good.”

  “This whole hornets’ nest you’ve stirred up is ugly. How is it that Dewey just happens to be working here on the island right when you needed his help?”

  “I asked him to go there and check things out. I knew he had a boat, which would get him there and also be a way for me to get away without anyone else knowing.”

  “Covering your rear end, as usual, I see. Okay, you couldn’t give Dewey the phones because you left them at our old house. I get that, but what about the green bag? Did you know it turned up empty? I’m surprised you’re still running around loose. I assumed whoever found the phones you put in there either turned them over to the police, or the Montanes.”

  Wendell grabbed the glass for a hasty drink, wishing more than ever it was something stronger.

  “I, um, didn’t put the phones in the bag.”

  “What! Well that just tears it. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t hang up on you.”

  “Now, now, Suzie. Take it easy. I told you I was pretty sure people would be watching your house knowing you’re my daughter. I had a feeling they would chase after you every time you went anywhere. I needed the diversion.”

  She squeezed the receiver and swallowed down the hurt his confession caused.

  “You used me as a lure to get them off your back? That’s pretty darn low even for you, Dad,”

  “I didn’t want to do it, and it makes me sick that I was forced to use you like that.”

  “Well, you’re not the only one who felt sick. I ended up having to dodge bullets again.”

  Wendell nearly dropped his phone.

  “Oh God! I had no idea that would happen. I wouldn’t have sent you there if I did. I assumed they’d follow you and nothing else. I’m so sorry.”

  “Sorry is an empty word coming from you. I’m sure you won’t hesitate to use me again to protect your girlfriend.”

  “You have a right to feel the way you do, but there are things you don’t understand about all of this.”

  “I don’t want to hear any more
of your sob story. If you really do have those phones, turn them over to the police. Or did you lie about that, too?”

  “They exist; and there’s enough stuff on them to put the Montanes away for the rest of their lives.”

  “Then stop procrastinating and mail the phones to Mom and me like you originally planned. We’ll get them to the proper authorities, so we can bring this madness to an end once and for all.”

  “I can’t mail one to your mother because I think the man she’s with could be a Montane plant.”

  Suzanne sank down onto the bed suddenly feeling very weak. “Oh no. Do you think he’ll hurt her?”

  “Not as long as I don’t mail her the phone.”

  “Then mail both phones to me, and I’ll take them to the police myself.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, either.”

  “Why not?” she demanded. “Are you saying you don’t trust me after all I’ve done for you?”

  “On the contrary, you’re one of the few people I do trust. But I’m not so sure about that bodyguard of yours. What do you know about him?”

  “Thad? He’s been helping me.”

  “Is that so? Who hired him?”

  Suzanne hesitated.

  “I don’t know. I’ve asked, but he won’t tell me.”

  “And that doesn’t bother you? Funny how he just happened to show up right around the time I started my running.”

  “Hold on. Are you implying he could be a plant like the guy who’s with Mom?”

  “Or a rogue trying to get the money for himself. The Montanes will pay plenty to get my phones. The lure of big money tends to make a person ambitious; and sometimes, the wrong kind of ambition can be dangerous. They’re all liars, honey, no matter what label they use to make people think otherwise. They’re grand manipulators twisting everything to benefit themselves, and they’re very good at it.”

  “Not Thad – no way,” Suzanne said, shaking her head.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. Why would he bother to save me in the jungle when those men shot at us?”

  “He saved you?”

  “Yes he did,” she replied with some indignation, feeling the need to defend Thad.