Lake Effect

by K C Gillis

  “I’m going to be a fly on the wall.”

  18

  Chief Foster sat at the desk in his office. Copper Lake’s so-called police station was nothing more than a closed-off section of the local municipal building. The town was small, as was the tax base, so a real police station was out of the question. If it weren’t for the marina, there likely wouldn’t be much of a town, let alone a police station. His police force of five would probably just be him.

  Even his department of five wasn’t really five. Two of the men were part-time. The two full-time deputies alternated patrols with administration. During the summer, he had a police boat on the lake pretty much every day. In the off-season, the town was deadly boring. Police activity was mostly drunk drivers and the occasional domestic incident.

  The chief’s mind drifted. Everything seemed to be spinning out of control. There were so many things happening at once, he wasn’t sure how to wrestle control back. If he were objective, he’d have to conclude that his troubles were all of his own making. But he wasn’t objective.

  On one front, his gambling debt put him in a dangerous spot with a casino family. The chief had few options to deal with his debt. He was working the only one that could keep him safe. Compounding things, he had agreed to help someone keep that test site quiet. It was a move to keep his job in the short term, but it could also lead to a more lucrative private security job in the future. But in the span of two days, threats on both fronts materialized. He needed to deal with them head-on.

  The chief called Punch Malone, telling him to meet him in the parking lot of the local drugstore. Copper Lake didn’t rate one of the big three drug chains, but the local one had served the town for as long as the chief could remember. Its best feature for the chief was a disproportionately large parking lot. He could meet with someone and not stand out. Besides, he needed to pick up some beer, and the only liquor store was next door.

  The chief didn’t have to wait long for Malone to show up. He wasn’t the most reliable person in town. Far from it. But he owed the chief. Malone had been busted so many times, he could get sent to jail for years if he got convicted again. That was if the chief charged him for everything he had caught Malone doing. For the moment, he’d been letting Malone off the hook. And he’d continue to do so as long as Malone cooperated with what the chief needed to get done.

  Malone pulled into the lot and parked his 2008 Corolla in front of the liquor store. He no doubt was going to stock up for the Fourth after his meeting with the chief. He got out of his car and looked around, making sure no one was watching him. Then he came over to the chief’s Explorer and got into the passenger seat.

  “What’s up, Chief?” Malone said.

  “What do you think, genius?”

  “Maybe congratulations for the work I did. I mean, I pulled off the first two accidents pretty good, right?”

  “Pulled off and pulled off pretty good are not the same thing.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Fuck, Punch, don’t you remember what we discussed? What was the goal for the runaway boat?”

  “To crash into the dock?”

  “More specifically?”

  Punch Malone looked confused, his face contorting as if trying to remember something that must have been important. “I guess I’m not sure. I thought I was supposed to point the boat at the docks, give it some good throttle, and get the hell off.”

  “Let me refresh your memory. You were supposed to get closer before bailing out to make sure you went right at the center dock. Second, the boat should have been at full throttle to do maximum damage. The boat was at half throttle and almost missed the dock completely. It was simple. How the hell could you screw it up?”

  “I guess I was nervous. Look, I made a crash happen, and there was a boat damaged, right?”

  “Only one. And the dock was fine.”

  Malone looked down. “I did what I could.”

  The chief didn’t relent. “And the next one. How did you miss the last line anchoring the dock to the lake bottom? If you had undone or cut that one, they’d probably still be trying to bring it back. Mike would have been in deep shit.”

  Malone turned to face the chief. “Look, I thought I heard someone coming. I had to book or get caught. I’m sure you didn’t want that to happen?”

  “No, that wouldn’t be good, mostly for you.” The chief gave Malone a look meant to remind him the chief was the only thing between him and hard jail time.

  “Look, I tried my best.”

  “Well, lucky for you, you’ll have more chances to improve.”

  “Seriously? I thought we were done.”

  “No, you dipshit. I told you, we have at least four accidents to pull off, including the last one on Friday night.”

  “What? But that’s the night of the celebration for the Fourth.”

  “Yes. That’s the whole point. Big night, lots of people.”

  “But I have plans.”

  “Not until we’re done. And if you do things right, we will be done. If you don’t, things will go bad for us both.” This truth mildly sobered the chief. “Do you remember what we talked about with the forklift?”

  Malone sat slumped in his seat, head bowed forward. “Yes. I made sure I’ll be able to access one. I can do what we planned. I’ll need ten or fifteen minutes, so I might need help to make sure I’m not seen.”

  The chief thought about that. With everything going on at the marina, he should be able to help. “OK. Around four p.m., I’ll ask Mike to pull his workers together so I can give them a briefing on the investigation of the boat crash. I can drag it out a bit for you. Will that work?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Now the big one. I hope you remember what we talked about for the Fourth?”

  “I do. I just didn’t think we’d really do it. You know, in case someone gets hurt.”

  “No one should be close enough to get hurt. Can you pull it off?”

  “I think so. You said you’d get me what I need?”

  “Yes. Leave your car at home and unlocked tomorrow morning. What you need will be in your trunk before noon. Got it?”

  “I got it. And then we’re done with this? You and I will be square?”

  The chief had no idea if this would really be over. The truth about working with criminals was that things never really ended. “Yeah, we’ll be square. Now go.”

  After Punch left the Explorer, the chief got out and headed toward the liquor store. As he did, he recognized a car parked right beside Punch Malone’s, pointing toward the street. Inside the car was Nicky Carlucci.

  19

  Jordan sipped a margarita. The afternoon had warmed up nicely, and she felt like taking a break from her usual gin and tonic to have a more refreshing drink. Rachel had texted her that she was getting close and would be there before 4:30. Kasey had helped Jordan get Rachel on the guest list for the week, so she’d be able to come right in.

  Jordan checked the time: 4:20. Rachel would arrive at any minute. A group of marina staff heading in different directions captured Jordan’s attention. She had seen a group meeting with the chief on the docks, probably about the boat crash. Whatever they were meeting about, it had finished. Mike was in front of the group, heading to the main building, with Derek right behind him.

  Trailing the group was the chief. Coming up the walkway, he didn’t take his eyes off Jordan. He turned his head to the left, locking eyes with her until it was impractical to continue to do so. He looked like he was trying to discern something, perhaps trying to assess the answer to an unspoken question. Jordan could think of nothing to say, opting for a smile that felt weak and forced.

  Jordan’s phone ringing caused her to jump. It was Rachel.

  “Hey, Jordan, I’m here in the parking lot. I assume I head to the walkway I see between the buildings?”

  “Hey, sis. Yep. I’ll meet you there.”

  Jordan popped out of her chair and went up the walkway, maybe fifty fe
et behind the chief. As he was about to pass into the parking lot, Rachel walked by him toward Jordan. “Hey, Jordan,” she called, waving her arm in the air.

  “Hi, Rachel,” Jordan called back.

  Jordan noticed the chief stop and turn around. She tried to ignore him as she hurried up to Rachel, but it was impossible. His face was clearly visible, and he was taking in the sight of the two sisters.

  Rachel opened her arms and gave Jordan a big hug as they reached each other. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed my little sister.”

  “I’ve missed you too, sis. It’s been too long.”

  “How about we grab a drink? Whatever you want. I’ll have the virgin version.”

  “Margaritas it is,” Jordan said, putting her right arm around her sister and guiding her down the walkway. As Jordan turned, she saw the chief still watching her. She hoped Rachel’s arrival would give some credibility to her story.

  Kasey came over when she saw that Jordan’s sister had arrived. “You must be Jordan’s sister. I’m Kasey.”

  “I’m Rachel, nice to meet you.”

  “You know, I think I’ve spent more time with Jordan these last two days than I’ve spent with my boyfriend.”

  Rachel gave Jordan one of those “I’m not surprised” looks. “I see you still like to drink.”

  “I’ve worked hard to master the skill,” Jordan said with a smile. “It would be a shame not to keep in shape.”

  “We’ll have a fresh round of margaritas,” Rachel said to Kasey. “Make mine a virgin.”

  “Really? Are you sure you two are related?”

  “Oh, we are.” Rachel looked at Jordan, who shrugged her shoulders. Rachel spoke softly so no one beyond the trio would hear. “It isn’t widely known yet, but I’m pregnant. My first.”

  “Wow, congratulations. That explains the drink choice. I’ll be right back.”

  “Someday you’ll have to settle down,” Rachel said to Jordan. “Maybe get pregnant.”

  “I’m missing a key piece of the puzzle for that one. Something about a man.”

  “Just say the word. I know a lot of eligible rich guys who’d love to meet you.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t like money that much.”

  “You know, you had a pretty good man.”

  “That’s over, Rachel. Has been for a long time.”

  “I know you think it is. But answer me this. What person do you spend the most time with?”

  “Not fair. You know that’s Travis. He owns the bar I like. And he feeds me for free.”

  “Sure. But you spend a lot of time with him. And who did you ask to come up here that wasn’t family? Travis again. And who looks after your computer and devices to make sure you don’t lose important information? Still Travis.”

  “What’s your point?”

  “I think there’s more there than you realize. I bet it wouldn’t take much to give your relationship another try.”

  “I don’t like do-overs. We had our chance.”

  “Well, I think you’re making a mistake not trying again. It’s hard to find a man who’ll do anything for you. When you do, you should hold on to him as long as you can.”

  Jordan saw Kasey coming with their drinks. “Look. Our drinks are here. Perfect timing.”

  Kasey put the drinks on the table. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks, Kasey. Take my card and move Jordan’s tab over. I need to treat my little sister.”

  “Rachel, no,” Jordan said. “That’s not necessary. I’m not poor, I just don’t have any money.”

  “Shut it. I’m older than you, so you have to do what I say. Take my card, Kasey.”

  “Who am I to argue? But you’re actually helping the marina, since they put me on their tab.”

  Rachel smiled at her younger sister. “That wasn’t very smart of them.”

  Jordan and Rachel clinked glasses and took the first of many sips.

  The sound of yelling from somewhere near the parking lot caught Jordan off guard. She quickly set down her glass, spilling some of her drink. Several people at the bar also stopped eating and drinking, looking for the source of the sound. “What the hell is that?” Jordan said to no one in particular.

  “I don’t know,” Rachel said.

  “It sounds like trouble. Somewhere near the parking lot. I’m going to check it out.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  Kasey looked to the other bartender. “Cover the bar. I’m going to see what’s going on.”

  The three ladies ran up the walkway, Jordan in the lead, Rachel and Kasey trailing. Jordan couldn’t make out much of what was being yelled, but the message changed in the ten seconds from when the yelling started. It began with some version of “stop that.” It then became “watch out” and “get out of the way.”

  Before the trio reached the parking lot, they heard what could only have been a collision. The initial sound was a loud pop or bang, followed by a louder crashing and glass breaking. Jordan clearly heard someone yell, “Get that thing turned off.”

  As they reached the top of the walkway that opened to the parking lot, Jordan could see a flurry of activity to the left and on the opposite side of the lot, an area configured for boat storage, with a long row of boat racks stacked four high. It was mostly empty, only about a quarter of the racks occupied. Probably boaters who didn’t plan on using their boats.

  There had most definitely been some sort of collision, but at first, Jordan didn’t know what she was looking at. As she and her companions walked closer to the center of activity, she slowly started to make out what was in front of her. The thing that didn’t belong was a forklift. A big one. Nothing like she had ever seen before. The forklift’s top mast had to be at least twenty-five feet high. The wheels alone looked to be three feet in diameter, maybe more. It was more like the front of a big rig than any forklift she had ever seen.

  What she couldn’t see were the forks. This was partly because the forklift was pointing away from her. But it was mostly because the forks were buried into at least two boats on the storage racks.

  Several of the marina staff were either already at the crash site or were racing there.

  One man climbed into the forklift operator’s seat. A moment later, the scene quieted as the sound of the large forklift engine ceased. The man in the seat continued working on something, probably setting whatever parking or emergency brake the big machine had. Another worker was putting wooden blocks on both sides of the rear wheels. They were taking no chances that the forklift would move again.

  Mike and Derek sprinted by Jordan and ran to the front of the forklift, examining where the forks had ruptured the stored boats. Mike’s hands went to his head in apparent disbelief. Kasey ran up and stood beside him but said nothing.

  Jordan surveyed the scene as she came closer, wary of getting in the way. Rachel was by her right side, also moving cautiously. “Did that forklift just ram into those boats over there?” Rachel said.

  “Looks like it,” Jordan said.

  Everyone’s attention was on the scene of the accident. But something caught Jordan’s eye far off to her right, toward the large maintenance building. Someone was inside the building, tucked in tight to the wall by the large bay door entrance. The person was peeking around the edge of the opening, toward the crashed forklift. As Jordan turned her head to the right to get a better look, the figure saw her looking at him and backed into the depths of the building. He was out of sight in seconds. She thought the man was wearing something dark, not one of the outfits the marina staff wore.

  Jordan started to walk toward the maintenance building when she saw Alice coming toward her. She may have been going to the scene of the accident, but she was staring right at Jordan.

  “What happened here?” Alice said.

  Jordan’s face showed the surprise she felt at Alice asking her of all people. “Near as I can tell, that huge forklift rammed into the storage bays over there,” Jordan said, pointing to th
e accident site.

  “Goddammit. What the hell’s going on here? It’s one accident after another. Did you see how it happened?”

  “Nope. By the time I got up here, it was over.”

  “Well, you sure seem to be a magnet for trouble. Does this happen everywhere you go?”

  The barb somehow didn’t surprise Jordan. That didn’t mean she’d just take it. “Not everywhere. But I’m working on it.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Alice stormed off toward her husband, not waiting for Jordan to continue the conversation.

  “What was that all about?” Rachel said.

  “I don’t think she likes me. Let’s just say there’re some interesting dynamics at East Bay Marina. For the record, that woman is the wife of the marina owner. She’s not very nice.”

  With Alice walking away, Jordan’s thoughts turned to the maintenance building. If whoever she saw was responsible for the accident, he’d be long gone by now.

  20

  Jordan and Rachel loitered in the parking lot while the forklift accident was being sorted out. The staff had put up some barriers to block the sight of the accident from marina guests, giving them space to work without worrying about the distractions of people coming and going. The chief was back, along with one of his deputies. Mike, Derek, and an additional marina worker were overseeing the extraction of the forklift from the two boats that were impaled.

  Alice seemed to be very involved in the discussions and activities, moving back and forth between Mike and the chief. Jordan couldn’t imagine her being very helpful, but as the owner’s wife, she must have felt she had every right to be involved.

  Watching other people work was a boring proposition, and Jordan’s attention wandered around the grounds. Based on the number of cars in the lot, there were still plenty of guests around, though there was a slow exodus as boaters called an end to their day. With what had to be more than a hundred cars in the lot, Jordan thought there would be more onlookers. Instead, there were only a few groups of two or three people watching.