The Edge of Murder (A Hank Reed Mystery, Book 3)

by Fred Lichtenberg

“What—”

  “We’re twins, Hank. I thought you knew that.”

  My eyes shot back and forth, hoping to distinguish one from the other, but the closer they approached, I knew I was in trouble.

  “Identical?”

  “I’m Amanda from yesterday.” She smiled nervously.

  Elizabeth appeared equally nervous. “Hello, Hank.” She gazed over at me, smiled wearily.

  “Hi,” I said quickly.

  “How’s Nick?”

  Definitely Elizabeth. I had no idea how Nick was doing, but said, “I know he’ll be happy to see you.”

  Elizabeth pressed her lips. “I hope he’ll still be interested, considering all that’s happened.”

  I’m sure he will.

  I smiled. “I don’t doubt it.” I turned back to Amanda, who had accumulated dark circles under her eyes overnight. “You need coffee?”

  “Please.” She touched my hand. “And thanks for doing this. Just being here.”

  “That’s what I was hired to do. To find Elizabeth.”

  “You know what I mean.” She hung onto my hand a little longer, her eyes pleading for this craziness to end.

  I nodded. “Let’s get some coffee.”

  We drove in silence. Occasionally, I’d glance in the rearview mirror. Elizabeth stared out the window, wringing her hands, and I could only imagine where her thoughts lay.

  Amanda knew the hospital’s location and told me a Holy Donuts joint was a block away.

  She pointed, and I pulled up to the drive-thru and ordered coffees and donuts.

  “The hospital is on the next block,” Amanda said. “Plenty of parking around back.”

  After grabbing our breakfast, I drove to the hospital and parked a few aisles from the entrance. I took a sip of coffee and bit into a sugar stick.

  I heard a sigh in the back seat and looked at the rearview mirror. “Ready?”

  Elizabeth nodded. She hadn’t touched her Boston cream, which I would make sure wouldn’t go to waste.

  I had called Doctor Powers, and he was pleased Elizabeth would join us. But he also told me to be prepared. Nick was still pretty much out of it.

  I took one last gulp, polished off the donut, and said, “Let’s go.”

  I turned to Amanda. “I’d ask you to join us, but I think Nick would get confused seeing both of you together.”

  She smiled. “Understood. I’ll be here.”

  I got out of the car, looked around, then stuck my head in. “Call me if you need to.” I left out the danger word, but I knew she understood and nodded.

  Once inside, I checked the hospital directory. Doctor Powers had his own office on the third floor. After a quick knock, Powers opened the door and smiled.

  “Hank?”

  I nodded and introduced him to Elizabeth.

  “So happy you’re here, Elizabeth. I know Nick will be happy to see you.”

  I wondered whether Nick was capable of seeing anyone, but I kept that to myself.

  “Come in.”

  We followed Powers inside to a standard-size room with a walnut desk, a black leather chair, and a bookcase filled with medical volumes. Framed family pictures clustered on the wall. He pointed to two leather chairs near a large window.

  “Please.”

  Powers had a look of stoic resignation, which didn’t put me at ease. I figured we were in store for a difficult visit, especially for Elizabeth. He looked at me. “Like I mentioned on the phone, Nick’s mother gave me permission to discuss his condition and to answer your questions. Unfortunately, I’m afraid there doesn’t seem to be much improvement since he was admitted. I’m hoping that will change once he sees you, Elizabeth.” His glance shifted to her.

  She smiled sadly. “I hope…”

  Powers rubbed his hands and stood. “I’ll take you to Nick.”

  Twenty-Two

  Amanda needed a second cup of java. She also had to stretch her legs and exited the car. She waited at the light until a dozen cars flew by, then ran across the street and entered the donut shop.

  After getting her coffee, she found a small table in the corner and took a much-needed sip. She thought about the dangerous situation she was in—they were in, knowing Terry would stop at nothing to haul Elizabeth back to New York.

  As Amanda took another sip and gazed out the window, her mind started playing games, returning to those dark days, years ago in New York. It was why she’d left for a new life. Now, after all these years, those visions reappeared, and it frightened her. Actually, it made her angry, very angry. Damn you, Elizabeth!

  Amanda’s contempt for Billy, her soon-to-be ex-husband, was just as strong. She hated him for what he did to their marriage, and the more she thought about him, the more she got worked up.

  She blinked hard to expel the demons and swore to herself.

  Settle down, Amanda. She thought of Hank Reed. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy and she wondered if he was married.

  Stop fantasizing.

  Amanda took a long breath. As her eyes returned from the window, she sat staring at the man with the nasty dragon tattoo. She turned quickly toward the door, but it was too late to bolt.

  “Hey there, sister-in-law.”

  She tried to leap out of her seat, but Terry grabbed her wrist, pushing her down. He smelled of sweat and whiskey.

  She glared. “What do you want? And how did you find me?”

  “Is that any way to treat family? Sit for a while. I’m not going to hurt you.” He looked around. “Especially not here.” A sinister chuckle.

  “Answer my question. How did you find me? And when was the last time you took a shower?” She scowled.

  Terry glared back. “I know where the doc lives. Let’s leave it at that.”

  Amanda stiffened. That meant Terry had followed Hank this morning to their motel. She swallowed hard.

  Amanda pulled free from his sweaty hands and put on her best angry face. But looking at the scary dragon on his arm, she knew what he was capable of.

  “Then what do you want? I already told you everything.”

  Terry had his own cup of coffee. He took a long gulp, then grimaced. “Damn, this shit is boiling.”

  She cracked a smile, then regretted it.

  He wagged a finger at her. “You haven’t told me everything. Who’s that guy in the doc’s apartment? The smart-ass with the big mouth?”

  She shrugged. “What guy?”

  He looked at his cup. “This coffee is scalding, Amanda. I could toss it in your pretty face. Look, I’m getting tired of this shit and Fort Lauderdale. I got a business to run, and your sister’s carwash business is suffering because she ain’t there.” He leaned forward, inches from her face, assaulting her nostrils. “Don’t fuck with me. I know she’s at the hospital with the guy. What the hell are they doing there?”

  Amanda wanted to tell jerk face that the car washing business in January in upstate New York is never busy. But she knew he was referring to the ‘wash.’ She also knew he would gladly toss the contents of his coffee cup in her face, laugh, and casually walk away.

  “So?” He shifted his cup to his other hand.

  “He’s a private investigator, okay?”

  Terry pulled back. “Say again.”

  She hesitated, formed her words carefully. “Nick Ross hired him when Elizabeth disappeared. That’s pretty much it.”

  Terry took a slow sip and placed the coffee on the table. “Why is he still here? She’s not missing anymore. The doc should have paid up by now.” He leaned in. “So, where’s Ross?”

  Careful, Amanda. “He fell in his apartment, tripped over a rug, broke an ankle. They’re visiting him.”

  “Really? I don’t recall a rug in his place.”

  She froze. Shit.

  “One more chance. Or.” He stared down at his coffee cup again. “We will have a problem.” He turned around to check his surroundings.

  Amanda grabbed his cup, and when he turned back to her, she tossed the hot liq
uid in his face.

  He screamed.

  She ran.

  “Nick!” Elizabeth ran over to him, her arms extended. He was sitting on the side of his bed, looking pale and out of it. She sat beside him and held him tight.

  At first, he didn’t respond. But then he blinked. She called his name again and said, “It’s me, Elizabeth.”

  He blinked into her smile. “Elizabeth?” His voice was weak.

  “It’s really me, Nick.”

  Her arms wrapped around him, and he held her back. Not tight, more resting.

  “I missed you. I know it was only one night, but I haven’t stopped thinking of you.”

  Powers had placed Nick on an antidepressant to help him lose the fog in his head. It appeared to have worked.

  Nick caressed her hair. “I was so worried. It was all my fault for leaving you.”

  She pressed a finger to his lips. “It wasn’t you, I swear. We need you to get better, and…” She didn’t know how to continue. She only knew she was getting him out of the hospital and away from Terry. She looked over at Hank. “Hank will help us.”

  I had placed my phone on mute when I entered the hospital, but felt a vibration in my hand. I told Powers I needed to take the call, and he nodded. Walking out of the room and down the hall, I said, “Amanda?”

  “He’s after me!”

  “Who?”

  “At the donut shop, I threw hot coffee in Terry’s face.”

  “Whoa, back up. Where are you now?”

  “In the hospital.”

  “Not Emergency, I hope. That would be the first place he’d run to.”

  “No, no. The waiting room. I’m scared.” She kept rattling on about her encounter, her breathing labored.

  “Stay put. I’m on my way.”

  “That bitch is gonna pay!” Terry stood inside the Holy Donut’s men’s room, splashing cold water in his eyes.

  Sammy, his loyal henchman, stood by the door.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Kill her! My eyes, I wanna rip them out of my head. Hand me some paper towels.”

  After a few minutes, Terry opened his eyes as wide as possible. “Damn, they’re burning like hell.”

  “We gotta go to the emergency room. It’s down the block.”

  “I know where it is!”

  I raced to the waiting room. Amanda had slid in between two people, her eyes watching the door.

  I waved, and she charged over to me. “Get me out of here.”

  “We have to wait for Elizabeth. She’s still with Nick.”

  She held my arm tight. “I did a stupid thing, splashing coffee in his face. He said he’d do the same to me if I didn’t answer his questions. I overreacted.”

  I thought about JR’s suggestion. Have him come after you. “Okay, grab an Uber and go straight to Elizabeth’s motel. We’ll catch up soon.”

  “Hank, Terry must have followed you this morning to her motel. That’s how he knew we were here.”

  “Christ. Okay, go back to the motel, get your car, and find another place to stay. I suspect Terry will be here a while.”

  Amanda nodded nervously. As we skirted the emergency entrance, I said, “I’ll wait until you’re safely out of here.”

  She nodded again, then contacted an Uber.

  “A driver should be here in less than five minutes. A white Camry.” She shoved her hand in mine like a child and kissed my cheek.

  I waited until the driver left the hospital grounds, then walked back to Nick’s car. I noticed a black F-150 parked next to his car. I liked it less when I noticed a guy in the driver’s seat, his arm extended out the window. No tattoo.

  I walked over to the truck and met the guy’s face.

  “You lost?” I said, with a smirk.

  “Shit!” The guy stretched to the glove compartment, but I elbowed his head and he screamed.

  “Not smart.”

  “You bastard! You could’ve broken my neck. Wait ‘til Terry finds out.”

  “What, that I hurt his little man? He’s got more important things on his mind. I think you boys better go back to your car washing business and get rid of your records before the feds raid the place.”

  He turned his head and grimaced. “You know…?”

  “I do now, and Terry won’t be happy when he finds out you told me.” I grinned.

  “I didn’t tell you shit.” He got in my face. “And don’t think Terry’s going anywhere without his wife.”

  “He’s gotta know by now she’s not interested in being married to him. With his looks, he could get any woman.”

  “Funny.” Sammy looked in his rearview mirror. “Where the hell is he?”

  “Getting coffee stains out of his eyes. You might have to drive for a while.”

  “Who the fuck are you anyway? You ain’t the shrink Elizabeth’s been sleeping with.”

  I ignored his question. “You got a name, sport?”

  “You tell me yours first.” A crooked smile showed a missing incisor.

  “I guess Terry doesn’t pay for dental care.”

  His tongue slipped through the missing area. “Fuck you.”

  “You know, you have a very limited vocabulary.”

  “F—…wiseass.” He grabbed the door handle. I was waiting, hoping he’d step out of the truck. But he held back.

  “The name’s Hank. What’s yours?”

  He hesitated. “Sammy.”

  “Okay, Sammy, we’re friends now. Let me give you some friendly advice. If you and your friend don’t leave Fort Lauderdale soon, you’ll be locked up.”

  “For what, a broken taillight?” He laughed guardedly.

  I walked to the back of the truck, took out my Glock, and with the handle, smashed the left taillight.

  “You shit!” He jumped out and paused when he noticed my Glock.

  “Shit!”

  I smiled. Sammy and I were toe-to-toe. He was younger, but a little on the light side. He looked at the ground where plastic from the taillight accumulated. “What’d you do that for?”

  I looked him up and down. He wore ragged jeans and a T-shirt that looked like they hadn’t been washed in days. He wore flip-flops, and his ankles were filthy. I almost felt sorry for him.

  I pointed at his chest. “You might have connections in your town, but here, you’re just another turd passing through. You’re in my territory, friend. Like I said, move on.”

  “You a cop?”

  “You’re getting warm.”

  “What the hell does that mean? If you ain’t a cop, then what do you do?”

  “Undertaker. And I need business. You wanna be a customer?”

  Sammy scratched his head. “You’re crazy, you know that?” He looked at the broken taillight. “Terry’s gonna be pissed.”

  I broke into his space. “I have a sale on today. Two for the price of one. Same coffin.” I winked.

  “Crazy.”

  “Your boss knows where to find me. Tell him I’ll be waiting. And one more thing? If you plan on doing something stupid with whatever’s in your glove compartment, there are CCTV cameras all over the place.” I pointed to one on the hospital wall. “Just reminding you.”

  I left him scratching his head. Hopefully not head lice.

  I hopped into Nick’s car, started the engine, and adjusted the rearview mirror. I noticed a guy stepping outside the hospital, a patch over his right eye. I powered the driver’s side window and waited until he approached.

  Through his good eye he gazed at Sammy, who hadn’t moved.

  “Sammy’s got some advice for you.”

  Terry jerked his head toward me and glared through his good eye.

  “And don’t forget to change your eye patch twice a day.”

  I watched Terry and Sammy leave the hospital parking lot before calling Elizabeth. From the looks of things, they had more pressing things on their minds than following us.

  While waiting, I reviewed my encounter with Sammy. By now, he’
d be shooting his mouth off about our friendly exchange. That, I was sure, would rile Terry further, and he’d come after me personally. That was my intent anyway. It wasn’t likely Terry and company were leaving Fort Lauderdale anytime soon. Nor would I. Not until this Elizabeth business was finally resolved. The problem: would it end peacefully?

  Elizabeth appeared and jumped into the front seat—a good sign.

  “Thanks for bringing me here to see Nick.” She sighed. “He’s getting better already.” Big smile.

  Elizabeth was obviously upbeat. During our visit, while Elizabeth and Nick were sitting together, Doctor Powers had told me he observed Nick making some progress from his breakdown and would like Elizabeth to return as soon as possible. I assured him she would.

  I returned her smile, happy for them, but we still had to deal with the husband. Not wanting to spoil her moment, I left Terry out of the conversation.

  “I think I’ll return tomorrow if that’s okay, Hank.”

  “Of course,” I promised, though wondered: didn’t Elizabeth realize there were other pressing matters going on in her world?

  “Maybe he can be discharged in a few days,” she went on.

  “Doctor Powers told you this?” I asked, wrinkling my brow.

  She buckled her seat belt, then turned to me. “I’m hoping.”

  Right. And maybe Terry will disappear.

  Again, not wanting to spoil her mood, I said, “Great.”

  I pulled out of the parking lot with no destination in mind. I hoped by now, Amanda had found a new motel, which was fine, because I needed to talk to Elizabeth alone. “How about we go for a ride, get out of here for a few hours?”

  “Just the two of us?”

  “Why not? Give Amanda a call and tell her we’ll meet up with her later.”

  “Okay.”

  They spoke a few minutes, Elizabeth doing most of the talking, going on about her visit with Nick. By the sound of the conversation, it appeared to be mostly one way. Finally, she said, “I will. See you later.”

  She turned to me. “Amanda wasn’t in a talkative mood.”

  “Probably just busy.”

  “I think she likes you, Hank.”