by Lynn Ambers
“Yeah sure, people do it all the time, so did you keep in contact? Spain you say?” I said.
“Yeah, Spain or it could have been Argentina, I am not totally sure. I think he said he was in the hotel business. I had never heard of his chain of hotels. I just saw him that one time. We had a great time that afternoon?”
“Did he give you a card or something with a contact number?” I asked.
“He might of, but that was four or five years ago, and I don’t really keep stuff like that around you know. I am sorry, I wish I could remember more but I just don’t.”
“No, I appreciate the info. I don’t want to bother you any longer. Thank you for your time,” I said and got up to leave.
“Yeah, you sure I can’t contract you for some pesticides. They work well.,” he said.
“Thanks Mr. Dalefort but we have our pests pretty much under control the organic way, but if a season gets bad, I’ll call ya. Thank you for talking with me,” I said.
“Your welcome. You know your way out.”
“Yes, take care. Good luck on your golf game.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
I sat down on one of the recliners on the side of the house outside under the trees. I had a glass of pinot noir in one hand and nothing in the other. I looked out at the farm under the 4 o’clock sky. The green of the plants and the repetition of the rows were so pleasant. The nitrogen was really doing its job to make everything look beautiful and green.
I had not only wanted an organic farm to grow and sell produce, I was also strategic in how I wanted everything to look. John was so mad at me that I wanted to take extra time to have everything easily placed but also aesthetically pleasing at the same time. I asked that the gardens, the greenhouses, and sheds were placed well.
We had to consider the light source and shades created by the border of trees and mangroves all around the property. Each section of the farm had to be consciously placed for optimum growth and optimum savings in resources.
The crew had gone home for the evening and Mathew was coming over to share some wine. I made a plate of olives, goat cheese, crackers, veg, and some dip. I also put out a truffle pizza that Mathew loved. It was delicious, I had to admit for a frozen pizza. I turned on some music that swirled through the night to make it a relaxing evening.
Just as I was sipping from my wine glass Mathew’s jeep drove up the driveway. I waved. I took the cork out of the top of the bottle and poured him a glass of pinot.
Mathew slowly opened the jeep door. He had a defeated look on his face that perked up when he saw the glass of wine. I walked over to him to hand him the glass.
“Oh, you are the best,” he said. “I need this right now, thank you. What a day I have had dealing with the FEDS. Thankfully, they are going to pay for the damages to the station.”
“That is a bonus,” I said.
“Yeah,” Mathew said.
“Let’s go over and sit down and relax,” I said,
“I could use getting off my feet.”
“Yeah, sounds great after this doozy of a day,” he said. We walked back over to the patio by the house. This was the perfect area for the times where you just needed to sit back and look up at the sky and make the world stop for just a moment. We sat down on the loungers and just looked up at the sky in silence.
“Let me know when you are ready to hear my revelation. I can always wait too if the day has been rough,” I said.
“Just let me get a little more wine in me and allow the relaxation to take over. Then I’ll be like putty,” he said.
We just sat peacefully together for a few minutes listening to the small green parrots in the distant palm trees. They were originally from Puerto Rico, but it was not far to fly here from the island. The birds have reproduced over the years and made the Keys and Miami their home. They are beautiful birds but they don’t have the most beautiful sound.
Other small birds chirped at each other before dark, and we listened to their softer chirps as well. Occasionally, a random dove would make it’s sound like what you might think an owl sounds like but it in Florida 99% of the time it is a dove.
“It is so nice here,” Mathew said. “I really love the Keys. This November weather is finally giving us a break from the summer heat. I could fall asleep.”
“It really is beautiful here. I am so thankful for what I have and to be able to live here and thrive,” I said.
“Yeah, me too, is that pizza I spy,” he said.
“Yes, it is truffle, mushroom, and cheese,” I said.
“Oh my god, I am so hungry,” Mathew said and dove for the pizza hands first,” he took two pieces and started chomping down. “Okay I am ready for what you’ve got, tell me,” he said with a small smile on his face.
“Don’t be mad, but I made a visit to Caleb down in Puerto Rico,” I said.
“I told you not to do that and put yourself in danger,” he said,” I am not sure I want to hear this right now.”
“I know and I am sorry, but I just went to let him know how everything was doing. Valerie was a friend of Caleb and he is literally like her only family. Caleb and Valerie had been in a romantic relationship at one time.”
“Did you tell me this romantic information before. What did he say when you talked to him?” Mathew said.
“Nothing?” I said, “the place was boarded up.”
“The place was closed down?” Mathew said.
“My guess was maybe the hotel was closed having to do with hurricane season,” I said.
“Yeah okay, so you never talked to him?” Mathew said.
“No, but I did manage to see a photograph in his office, one of Mr. Dalefort and him in front of Mr. Dalefort’s yacht.”
“Really, so they know each other,” Mathew said.
“Mr. Dalefort said no, but I think he was not telling the truth. I also found these files from a place called Responder Labs. I looked up the lab and found that they did testing at the labs. I searched Dalefort and Responder labs on the web and found something. I found that there was a lawsuit against Mr. Dalefort about a little girl who helped her family’s farm and was dying of cancer.
They suspected the pesticides from Mr. Dalefort’s was connected to the cancer. Another one of their workers had died of the same cancer yet he had lived to be 75 which is young for this day in age,” I said.
“This is crazy, how did you find out about this?” Mathew said.
“I’ll tell you in a minute but there is more. Responder Labs was where the test for the cancer and link information was sent to, and miraculously the result was inconclusive for the connection between the cancer and Dalefort’s pesticide,” I said.
“Okay, so I don’t get it.” Mathew said.
“I am wondering if somehow Mr. Dalefort didn’t talk with Caleb and do some sort of exchange to alter the lab results,” I said.
“That is a big accusation, do you have any proof?” he said.
“I don’t but there are files in that office, maybe there is proof there,” I said.
“Wait I thought you said that the place was boarded?” he said.
“It was but there might have been a loose panel that allowed a way into the office.”
“As a police officer of the law I think that sounds like breaking and entering.”
“No, the window was mostly open, and I was concerned there was a cat inside stuck or could have been a person. I heard sounds and no one else was around,” I said.
“Oh, okay Ms. Good Samaritan. Please stop doing these investigations on your own. If you have a hunch or lead, please let me know so we can go after it and keep you safe from harm,” Mathew raised his voice to me.
“But we need to get David out. I know which is why I am here to tell you that he will be getting out tomorrow,” Mathew said.
“Wait what, yes,” I said.
“We connected the syringe and the handwriting on the suicide note to the guys from the jail that were killed.”
“Oh my god Ma
thew, that is so good.” I gave him a hug.
“Yes, it is great, but there is a bigger fish out there who told those guys to kill Valerie. We have to find him or her,” he said, “but please let the police do it. We will look for this Caleb. I need all the information you have on him. We are also looking for the source of that nitrate and nitrite combination. The sodium nitrate is something that is used on both organic and non-organic farms.”
“Yes, I knew some of that. Maybe Dalefort’s farm had some connection. I will tell you everything I know; oh, I am so relieved about David.”
“Me too, I am sorry I doubted your instincts, but as a cop you have to follow the evidence, because instinct sadly does not hold up in court.”
“I know, that is why I back off and let you do your job,” I said smiling at Matt and raising a glass for a small cheers.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Sophie and I were in the waiting room at the police station holding hands and so thankful this day had finally come. The door buzzer went off and David was let out into the lobby of the police station. Sophie and I ran up to David to give him a hug.
I stepped back to give Sophie and David space. David grabbed onto Sophie and kissed her for a few moments.
“Oh, I missed you SOOO much babe.” he said.
“Me too hon, I missed you so much.” Sophie said. They just stood for a moment looking into each other’s eyes and holding on to each other like they may lose one another even though their life was beginning again.
I remembered those looks with John and felt jealous and sad. I shook off the feeling and got back to the moment. I was happy Sophie and David were back to together again.
“Thank you, Felicity, for finding the evidence to set me free. I probably would have taken the hit if you hadn’t kept digging,” David said,
“I did nothing really. Mathew was the one who found the evidence on that boat. He for sure is the one to thank. I knew you would never have done something like this.”
“Well, I did thank Mathew, but he said you helped. I really appreciate it,” David said,
“Your welcome, I am just glad you can go home and hint, hint come back to work as soon as you take some time off to recuperate,” I said.
“I have had plenty of time to relax, I am ready for work, but right now I could use a nice cold beer.”
“Let’s go drinks are on me!” I said. Sophie and David cheered and we all smiled as we exited the police station.
Chapter Fifty
It was going to be a big day at the market, so I needed a little mental clarity. One of my favorite ways to clear my mind was to go kayaking along the shore in Florida Bay. I would take my kayak out and be on the calm water. Living on the north side of Ocean Highway had its perks because the Florida Bay water was calmer more often than on the Straits of the Caribbean side.
There were sea grape bushes behind my house and then a lot of mangroves. For my property to have water access, John and I built a walkway from the start of the mangrove to the closest open water canal. This way we could just launch the kayaks off from there.
We built a small storage place so we could just leave the kayaks on the dock. If you have ever tried to drag a kayak any distance, you will know it is not the easiest thing to do. After working on a farm six days a week, I needed to get some physical breaks somewhere.
I walked the whole way of the walkway to the edge of the dock. I went to the storage racks and unlocked and unlaced the heavy-duty wire from the kayak. If someone really wanted to take the kayaks, they could.
Locking them with something was better than just leaving them to be easily taken. It was very unlikely anyone would come down this small canal anyway. The entrance literally looked nonexistent from the open waters beyond the canal.
We had a small sign wit a symbol hidden in the mangroves out by the open water to let us know where to turn in the mangroves to get back to the dock. It would take a miracle for someone to wander here on their own.
We would’ve had to tell people about the canal for anyone to know it existed. My ex and I never told anyone about the symbol. Only my ex and I knew what it was there.
Even Mathew does not know exactly where the entrance of the canal is from the open waters. He does however know the canal exists and has gone kayaking with me. He still would not be able to find the entrance if he tried. It is buried in a couple miles of mangroves. It all looks the same.
I placed the kayak in the water. It was a little past first light. I could see the little crabs scurry about looking for morning food. The water was so clear I could see the other world that exists beneath the surface. Little fish and surface water bugs darted when I got onto my sea kayak.
I had a one-piece navy bathing suit with a white strip across the chest. I did not care if I got any salt water on me. I wore little waterproof booties just in case I needed to walk in the water and the area had too much sea grass.
I love the smell of the ocean, the bay, and all salt water in between. The birds were waking up. The sounds of them calling to each other were bouncing about the mangroves as I paddled my way out of the mangroves into the open waters of the bay.
It was noticeably quiet near the shore. I looked around and saw the sun inching up from the east. The orange and pink sky with clouds was religiously beautiful. There were no boats close by, but I could see a couple of fishing boats in the distance. It was so quiet I could hear the water rolling off my paddle as I brought it out of the water to get ready for the next push forward.
I headed northeast along the shore paddling in peace. I spotted the large humps of a manatee and her baby. I could see their nostrils and whiskers occasionally coming up for air. I paddled closer to shore to get a picture. I went around a mangrove bend and heard some scarping noises on sand.
I looked in the little enclosed area and noticed Blake Dalefort dragging medium size boxes on the shore. He looked up and I said,
“Blake is that you?” He froze. I started to feel a little uncomfortable. He acted as if he didn’t hear or see me. I paddled closer.
“Blake, hi it’s me Felicity,” I said, he moved slightly and looked annoyed.
“Oh yeah, Felicity how are you doing,” Blake said, “I feel like I keep running into you lately,” he said loud enough for me to hear but sort of in a strange whisper.” If I didn’t know any better, I might think you were following me,” he said with a laugh.
“What are you doing out here?” I said
“Oh, um well I was just doing some fishing and I caught so many mahi and snapper. I got a lobster or two when I shouldn’t, you know and well I am just trying to sneak it onto my truck before any wildlife people come or the coast guard. You know. You won’t tell will you. I don’t do it that often.”
“Blake, I can’t imagine with all your family money that you are slighting the sea on the regular basis. I will let it slide this time.”
“Thanks Felicity I really appreciate it. How’s the kayaking this morning. It is a perfect morning for being out on the water.”
“Yeah, it is. I came over to see the momma and the baby manatees, pointing over to the area where their back could be seen,” I said.
“Oh nice, I did see them earlier. We have to look out for them, so we don’t harm them,” he said.
“Yes, I get worried sometimes on the kayak they are going to tip me over by mistake,” I said awkwardly as it was very weird to have found Blake here at this time. What were the odds?
“I’ve never heard of that happening, but yeah even in a kayak you have to be careful,” he said. He started pulling boxes which were not coolers further away. He was pulling so hard he fell backward, and the box fell forward, and a couple of large zip lock bags fell out.
Blake looked at me and looked at the bags. The color drained from his face. The bags were stuffed with small pills. Hundreds of small pills. I looked at him.
“Ah Blake those don’t look like fish,” I said.
“Felicity, I know what this looks like. I’m
sure you have already drawn a conclusion,” he said.
“Um well, I don’t know what are doing smuggling drugs or something,” I said. He laughed.
“I am just doing a friend a favor. I, uh, it is a long story. You won’t tell anyone will you. They are just like heart medicine and other medications that some of the low-income people in Miami need.
Puerto Rico is one of the largest producers of prescription medicines. They throw away batches when they don’t come out right in size and other various reasons. My friend found a way to not waste them. His usual guy bailed, and he asked me if I would just get them to a pick-up location so these guys can pick them up and bring them to Miami.”
“Blake, I really don’t know what to say. I mean. That is great that your helping low-income families. God knows the drug industry is a mess. This is just not something I want to be involved with. I am just going to leave now and pretend I never saw you,” I said.
“I think that will be a wise decision, because if you tell anyone, things could get very bad for you,” he said.
“What? Are you threatening me?” I said.
“Let me put it to you this way, I am not in control of all this. I am just a person doing a guy a favor. If the guy who is in control gets wind of this, there is no limit to what this guy will do. Felicity, I am simply protecting you. Don’t mention this to anyone,” he said.
At that point I just stared at him and pushed off the bottom through the shallow water. I thought I was not sure what I was going to do with this information, but for sure I was not going to let this go. I was going to tell someone.
I didn’t say a word to him. I didn’t look at him but saw that he was continuing to pull the boxes towards the road. I saw tracks on the boxes that looked very much the same hardware of those that were on the bottom of his boat when I was diving for seaweed.
I got the feeling that as nice as Blake has been, I think he is hiding the truth. It was up to me to figure out how I was going to get to that truth. I looked around looking for markers or anything somewhat special to let me know how to find this place again.