In the Blink of An Eye

by Jerry Baggett

  Margie rushed back, waving Hunt’s notes. “You won’t believe this. Attorneys for the Davis family trust have been paying storage fees on Clara Brooks’ stored possessions all those years since Clara Brooks died. Access to the storage unit was denied until very recently. Attorneys for the Davis family trust recently presented evidence proving the heir to the Brooks trust is sitting with us. Samantha, you’re the only person legally allowed to enter the locked storage unit.”

  Everyone looked at Samantha. “I know nothing of this,” she said. “Why in hell didn’t Grant say something about it?”

  Dick cringed. She would never trust him if she found out he had known about her inheritance without telling her. He shouldn’t have promised Hunt.

  Hunt said, “Stand up, Samantha. We all want to see what a recently minted millionaire looks like.”

  Samantha blushed. She covered her face with nervous hands. “How do you know all this, and why didn’t Grant tell me these things himself?”

  “Grant has been busy trying to prove his innocence. He wanted solid proof before facing you,” Hunt said. “I have to take responsibility for the haphazard way everything came out. I hope you’ll forgive me, Samantha. He needs access to what’s inside that box.”

  Dick pulled her to her feet and wrapped an arm around her waist. She looked up. “What are we going to do?”

  “We’re going to keep you alive. After that, everything will work its way out.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Now we have a better idea of why someone’s trying to kill this beautiful girl. Let’s go see if we can help Grant find the magic box.”

  Chapter 28

  Dick eased himself out of bed at seven a.m., adjusted the thermostat, and ran through his regular thirty-minute exercise routine.

  Both had awakened earlier, long before daylight. He suspected his restlessness had awakened her. Their teasing and touching led to the discovery of exciting new sensations and emotional highs he had never reached before. Afterwards they had talked quietly for an hour before falling asleep again in each other’s arms.

  He had been concerned about Sam’s emotional fragility after two violent attempts on her life. The loss of her cottage had nearly destroyed her self-confidence. The never imagined details of her heritage had been a thrilling surprise that changed everything. Her insecurity disappeared. She regained her positive attitude. She was back; that strong willed, fascinating woman he had met after ejecting from his damaged aircraft. He had fallen for her immediately and still couldn’t get enough of her companionship.

  Another damn meeting with Hunt and the sheriff. More statements given. Hunt was emphatic. “Dick, she’s your responsibility now. If you can’t assume the responsibility, Samantha will have to spend some of that new-found wealth and hire a personal body guard.”

  Dick bristled. “Damn it, Hunt! Don’t insinuate there’s anything less than my total commitment to Sam. She knows that and so should you by now.”

  “Don’t get your hackles up. I’m only pointing out the obvious. We cannot assume responsibility for the personal safety of every individual needing our help. I feel terrible enough about Maria Estrada.”

  Hunt switched his attention to Samantha. “I’m sorry about the loss of your cottage. Attempting to leave the area would be futile. These people have the means to locate you wherever you run. I suggest you prepare for the worst and stand your ground. Turn your abode into a fortress. Put cameras in every critical area. Install motion sensors inside every room. Oh yes; arm yourself.”

  He faced Dick again. “You should be able to provide training to Samantha for handgun safety purposes. After all, you were a combat marine.”

  Dick nodded. “That won’t be a problem. I have no illusions about our adversaries. They’re stone-cold deadly.”

  Samantha said, “I’ve decided to go with the law firm my aunt used for so many years. The firm assigned John Becket to handle my affairs. He has suggested we meet with Grant Davis, in their office, before I assume control of this newly discovered trust. Becket feels a meeting with Davis and his trust attorney would also be helpful.”

  “Dutifully noted, Samantha. We know Grant’s eager to meet you at that storage unit. A meeting with the trust attorneys would probably be required at some point. However, we have Grant tucked away safely until we solve the problem of his missing informant.”

  Dick caught a whiff of her perfume as she attempted to rise. “I’m very proud of Samantha. She’s standing tall in the face of these attempts on her life, and she’s more than a little concerned about Grant.”

  Hunt smiled. “We’ll look after him for you, Samantha.”

  Dick had stayed awake for hours, thinking about security around Sam’s cottage before it burned. There was a lot to be done while she was away from her job. Her week of vacation would be over long before the threats on her life ended. He dressed casually, transferred his wallet to clean, tan shorts, and a Tommy Bahama shirt. He wanted to check out the grounds around the two rental properties on each side of where Samantha’s smaller cottage stood. He didn’t like leaving her alone, even for the short time he would be gone. We will never allow ourselves to become victims through our own carelessness.

  He returned to where Sam was dressing. She too had dressed with the beach weather in mind. She leaned against her pillow, with her eyes closed, her journal opened across her breasts.

  Dick realized she was dozing and smiled inwardly. “I hope you’re not writing a tell-all about our love life, to be discovered by our children.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “We need to check out the two rental properties. I can’t leave you here alone. Will you put that aside and come with me for the tour?”

  She opened one eye. “My kingdom and I are all yours, kind sir.”

  “Watch out for sand spurs,” she said. “They’re everywhere in between the houses.”

  He gave her hand an extra tug as they neared the top of the hill. “Looks like a gaggle of people leaving the large two-story rental. Aren’t they rented weekly from Saturday through Thursday, with Friday being a cleanup day?”

  “Mid-summer is normally that way. Off season, it’s sometimes longer, they’re often rented for as much as three months at a time.”

  He said, “Let’s go over and talk to one of those people leaving for the shuttle boat. It never hurts to know your neighbors.

  “Good morning, I’m Dick and this is Sam. How did you like your visit to our little island community?”

  “We love Catalina Island. I’m Tina and this is my cousin, Caroline. Nice meeting you two. Our family organizes a reunion here every third year.” She placed her bags in the golf cart. “We love this place so much we book ahead. We’re already booked again for our next get-together. This old home has six bedrooms. It’s one of the few places large enough for our big family.”

  Sam said, “We’re happy to hear that. Do you know if the house is rented immediately after you leave?”

  “I don’t know. My parents will be here until Friday morning. Everybody else has to get back to work, or have other obligations. I really do hate to leave.”

  “Thank you for your time, Tina. Have a safe trip home. We may have an opportunity to meet your parents before they leave,” Samantha said.

  Dick looked back at the large home. We only have to rent part of this place until the trouble’s over.

  He turned toward the other house. It was smaller, built into the hillside. “What do you know about the owners of these properties?”

  “Very little,” she said. “The two-story was built shortly after I moved into the cottage. The owners are from Phoenix. I understand it was an investment rental. They have only been here one time since the home was finished. It’s considered an upscale rental and stays occupied most of the time.” She had a puzzled look on her face. “I don’t understand your concern with these houses, Dick.”

  He hesitated, then answered. “We need a place to hide out, a place we can turn into a fortress. We know they’re coming. Carele
ss oversight is often the pathway to failure against a determined enemy, sweetheart. We can’t afford to fail.”

  Chapter 29

  A dark shadow fell across her already dark mood. She had not been able to reach Marino. Their only contact through burner phones purchased for just such an occasion. His had been discontinued, meaning he was in deep cover. She was not a paranoid person. Her position in the middle between Marino and the local man at the top of the food chain was not without peril. She made up her mind. It was time to cash in her chips. A wise man once told her; Any man who hesitates in time of peril is a man who has already lost.

  She knew first hand, the two men talked frequently. They’d included her in their conference calls for years. But they had deliberately avoided meeting face to face. Neither would be able to recognize the other on the street.

  The nurse knew she was the only person in the organization who could positively identify both men. That was a serious concern for her. She also knew she would be the first domino to fall when the time came for separating links in the chain. She had access to the firm’s bank accounts in Alabama, Mexico and the Bahamas. She kept accurate records for the accountant. Her shell company, Mar’ Di Gras’ Jewelry, LLC, a limited liability company, laundered money for the firm. The LLC dealt in cheap imported jewelry for sale over the internet. She also held a long-term lease on the ranch. Her trucks hauled hay for the ranch’s cattle, and brought in bulk shipments of drugs to the ranch, their main distribution point. She was confident ranch manager, Oscar Fortas, would keep things running for weeks, as he had always done while she was out of the country buying inexpensive jewelry for the LLC.

  She had always stuffed the cash into a drop chute in the walk-in safe at the ranch. Only she had the combination, and the people in Mexico wanted it that way. Cash was bundled monthly for pickup. Who knows what’s next as far as the cash is concerned? Only a fool would go after their money.

  She had squirreled away millions in her personal Bahamas account for the inevitable coup de grâce. After a sleepless night she made the decision of her life. She would tie up all loose ends, live today and fight tomorrow, if it came to that. There was only one problem, a huge one, the doctor. She hadn’t worked it out yet.

  She knew there was a half-world out there. A world of fake papers, borders to cross, officials to deal with, and agents to pay off. To become completely invisible, one had to blend into crowds, mingle with people out in the open. And, most of all, display absolute confidence when dealing with monetary matters like bankers, brokers and tax authorities. She had mastered the craft in her more than thirty years of international travel and negotiations with that half-world, where one bad deal can kill you. She had dealt with both worlds. Now, she wanted to live and enjoy her hard-earned retirement.

  Surviving through the end game meant she had to think radically, act conservatively, yet, make some bold moves. The writing is on the wall, it’s time to bet the pot.

  The ranch, the key to their whole operation, had only her name on the lease. She and the ranch were the primary connection to their massive enterprise. How could she have been so stupid. She decided not to return. An ounce of caution right now could mean a pound of survival chances. Go to the safety deposit box immediately and disappear. The ranch would likely be their last safe haven for the American partners. They would fight over the treasure there. She felt she knew a lot about human nature.

  She called her only ally, the one person she thought would be with her. Their youthful love affair had been deep and fulfilling. The highly secretive relationship continued on through today, and rewarding for both, without the recklessness of rampaging hormones clouding their judgement. She had made them both wealthy.

  Her plans had long ago been made in anticipation of this day. She would make one phone call and strange things would begin to happen. Get out of the country first, she told herself, and light the fuse.

  Chapter 30

  Marino knew Hans too well. “I’m not ready to turn her into fish food, Hans.” He gets a special pleasure out of using and then abusing the life out of young women.

  He put a fresh cigar in his mouth. “Don’t under estimate our adversaries. The heat’s on high, and it’s going to stay that way for a while. We either leave the country or go someplace far enough away that they won’t be looking for us. That would be the farm. It’s practically all the way across country. However, we can’t contaminate our welcome by showing up there with a half dead woman. I want her alive when we get where we’re going. The distance makes the trip more difficult, but, not impossible.”

  Hans said, “That’s a shame, boss. You’ve always said there are plenty of buildings on the farm. We could set one up for our purposes. We wouldn’t even have to go near the big house.”

  “I’m thinking about that, Hans. There may be one place near there where we can set up a temporary base of operations until things cool down. I know that area like the back of my hand. Thirty years ago, I hunted wild turkey and deer on the McGowin property. It hasn’t changed much because it’s in an old-line family trust. I tried hard to buy the farm site, even went to a lot of trouble to prevent anyone else taking it over. We only have a long-term lease on the pasture and farm buildings, not in my name of course, but under our control.”

  Marino pulled out a paper map. “There are several hundred acres of timber land just north of the farm, part of the trust, but controlled by some kind of timber growing operation. Right in the middle of that pine forest there’s an abandoned settlement with several old homes built around the time of the war between the states. The family trust pays to keep these original family home sites in near original condition, for some reason. I can’t imagine much has changed after so many years of expensive upkeep. People in that area and family called it the ‘old plantation’.”

  Marino stood up to drop his wet cigar in the trash. “Hans, we’re going to take a little trip across country, to the farm. Plan on driving ten hours each day. My money says things don’t change that much where we’re going.”

  Hans looked at the half-filled ash tray. “Boss, you been smoking again. You shouldn’t do that after all that trouble you had.”

  “We’ve had a good run, old friend. I’ve a bad feeling about all this.” Marino threw his hand up to stop an interruption. “Prepare everything for a four a.m. departure. We need to get going before daylight tomorrow morning. I want you here a few minutes ahead of time. We have GPS on that vehicle, don’t we?”

  At three forty-five, Marino looked at his watch. He should be here by now. He moved to a window. A black hearse sat in the moon-lit driveway with the engine running.

  “Open up. I’d like a look at sleeping beauty,” Marino said. He waited while Hans slid the casket back and opened the lid. “She really is a beauty. Too bad it has to end this way. Is she going to survive the trip with the lid down tight?”

  “Hell, boss, there’s a whole bunch of airholes under the skirt of that thing. She’s drugged out, but alive. We been moving them in this rig for twenty years, some dead, some alive. The best idea you ever had for taking the trash out.”

  “This is different. I want her to survive the trip. We have to feed her and keep her hydrated. If she behaves, she’ll be up front most of the trip.”

  “We been driving for three days, ain’t we getting close? I need a pee break and some coffee. How about you?” Hans said.

  Marino looked at the GPS. “There should be a convenience store and gas station, about a mile ahead. Top off the gas and park out of sight, somewhere in back. Keep the motor running for the air conditioning. She’s been good, sleeping like a baby mostly. We’ve made it this far without problems, better put her to sleep and back in the casket before we stop this time. We’re both going to be inside for a while. If she starts waking up, the game’s over. Be very careful with potency, Hans. Another heavy injection could take her out.”

  He stared at Hans. “She’s been lying about everything, but we don’t want her dying before we�
�re ready for that. Understand?”

  Marino pulled the old paper map out again. “We need to stock up on supplies. If this place works out, we may be there for a while. I made a couple of calls last night. Our people on the farm said the place where we’re going is without electricity or running water. Only the buildings are maintained. A crew goes in to keep them in fairly good condition around May of each year. They usually spend thirty to sixty days making repairs and cleaning up under brush. They’ve come and gone for this year. We should have the place to ourselves for months.” He used a yellow marker to highlight a dirt service road around the farm and tossed the map on the dash.

  “Damnit,” Marino said. “There’s a chain across the road leading through the pine forest. We’re going to need a chainsaw to clear our way around the end.”

  “Nah! This bus has a tool box in with the spare tire,” Hans said. “There’s a hacksaw with the other stuff.” He attacked the lock. “This lock’s hardened steel. I’ll try the chain.”

  Minutes later, he said, “Yeah, galvanized iron. It cuts like butter.” Hans straightened up and stared at Marino. “Maybe we ought to go back for a good meal before we get stuck out here in the woods. We can’t cook without a stove.”

  “I heard you. Don’t sweat it yet. We may not stay long enough to miss a meal. Big men like you are always hungry.” Marino sat there and thought for a while. “You know we can’t be seen driving around in a hearse while we’re here. We’re going to look things over first, and check out the furnishings in some of those houses. After that, we’ll decide if it’s going to serve our purposes. If it looks OK, we’ll pick up a rental vehicle and everything else we’ll need for an extended visit.” He glanced at Hans. “Our young lady can do the chores while we’re here. She may be staying behind after that.”