“You have someone in mind who might have helped him?” Wesley asked.
Kerry rubbed the back of his neck. “I have a hunch, but without evidence, it won’t do us any good.”
“Dylan thinks Betty Sue is involved. Of course, he might be somewhat prejudiced. What do you think?”
Kerry looked as if he had taken a bite of lemon. “Betty Sue? Wouldn’t be the first time she’s come under suspicion. Someone had to tell Randy that a warrant was out for his arrest, and that could very well have been her. She’s got snitches everywhere, and if she wants something done, she has enough money to see it through.”
“If she’s that much of a threat, I’ll be sure not to underestimate her. I don’t want any more surprises like today. The explosion got my attention,” Wesley said.
“When we received the warrant for Randy’s arrest, we went immediately to his place, but he had already left and our search turned up nothing. He didn’t even bother taking his car. Guess he knew we’d find him faster if he used it.
“Our guys went through his vehicle, but it didn’t turn up anything. I’m guessing Randy borrowed a vehicle from one of his lady friends. Lord knows he had enough of them.” Kerry tugged again on his ear. “After today, I got a personal beef with him. When I do catch him, and I will, I hope he’s stupid enough to try something. I’d like nothing better than to take him out.”
“Hey, don’t go playing cowboy. I want him back in Louisiana to stand trial. Let’s do this by the book.”
“Ah, I’m just blowing off steam. But it sure would feel good.”
“Looks like you have everything under control,” Wesley said, “so I’d better get to the hospital. Where is it?”
“Just a few miles farther down the highway. You’ll see the big sign.”
“I want to be there for Dylan, just in case things take a turn for the worse. Thanks for all your help and for letting us tag along. Sure hope you catch Randy before we leave.”
“When’s that?” Kerry asked.
“We have to report back by Monday.”
“I can’t guarantee it, but if he’s in Gulfport or Biloxi, I’ll eventually find him.”
Wesley climbed into his truck. If the explosion was more than just getting rid of evidence and a warning of what could happen to anyone, he was going to make sure he kept Susan close at hand. He’d also advise Jack to do the same with A. K. This case had too many surprises to suit him.
So before going to the hospital, Wesley drove back to the Pirates’ Reef Hotel to pick up Susan.
Miguel made his way up the stairs to the mezzanine. “How are things going?”
“So far, so good,” Susan said. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Been swamped with hotel duties.”
“My detective friend and his partner arrived today. I’m anxious for you to meet them. Right now, they’re with Kerry in Gulfport, but they’ll be back later.”
“Are you going to attend the last night of the festival?”
Susan nodded.
“Then I’ll see you there.” He turned his attention to the lobby below. “Sorry I haven’t been able to spot Randy for you.”
“That’s not your fault.” Susan lowered her voice. “He’s probably hiding out somewhere. You should know that a warrant has been issued for his arrest.”
“I heard.”
Susan raised an eyebrow. “My, word does travel fast here.”
He laughed but kept his gaze fixed on the first-floor activities. “Seems the new hostess isn’t working out as far as the escort service is concerned. This is the second time Betty Sue has paid her a visit.”
Susan edged closer to Miguel. Betty Sue left no doubt that she was in a foul mood. She had her hands on her hips and was wagging a finger in the hostess’s face. When Betty Sue turned to walk away, she caught sight of Susan staring down at her.
Susan felt as if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Why? She had done nothing wrong and should have nothing to fear from this woman. But something about her gave Susan the creeps.
Betty Sue smiled up at Susan and started up the stairs.
“Oh, no, she’s coming this way,” Susan said to Miguel.
Miguel hustled toward the elevators. “I’m out of here.”
“Coward,” Susan called after him then turned to meet Betty Sue, who strutted over to the kiosk. “Can I help you with something?” Susan asked in a cheery voice.
“Maybe.” Betty Sue flipped through costumes on the front rack. “Not much to choose from now. Looks like you did well.”
“Better than expected.”
Betty Sue turned her full attention on Susan, scrutinizing her from head to toe. “You have the looks and you’re smart, just the type of person I’m looking for to promote my escort service. Any chance I could talk you into coming to work for me? I could make it worth your while.”
That was the last thing Susan had expected to hear. “I’m flattered, but I’m doing quite well with my businesses.”
“I hear you own a trendy boutique and a costume shop. What if I could match your income?”
“Thanks, anyway, but there’s more to life than money.”
“Really? Somehow I must have missed that lesson. By the way, I’m really sorry to hear about your friend, Lorraine. You never know when disaster might strike and take away a loved one.” Before leaving, she fished a card from her purse and placed it on the counter. “If you change your mind, give me a call.”
Susan’s skin crawled at the mention of losing a loved one. Was that Betty Sue’s way of warning her?
After Betty Sue left, A. K. emerged from the back of the kiosk. “Can you believe her? Did she really think you’d chuck everything you worked to establish just to come to work with her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she was just testing me, wanting to see if I could be bought. Even if I didn’t have the boutique, I could never see myself working for her.”
Susan was still staring at the stairs when Wesley appeared.
“I just passed Dylan’s ex on the stairs. What the heck was she doing here?”
“She offered me a job,” Susan said.
Wesley brows bunched into a frown. “Stay away from that woman.”
“I intend to. So, tell me about Gulfport. Was Kerry able to recovery any evidence from Randy’s boat?”
“Yeah, right before it exploded.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you about it later. Right now, we need to get to the hospital.”
Susan looked past Wesley. “Where’s Dylan? Did something happen to him?”
“He’s okay. It’s Chief Powell. He had a heart attack.”
Susan’s jaw dropped. “Oh, no, is he going to be okay?”
“I hope so.”
Wesley’s somber face told her the situation was dire. She called to A. K., who was on the other side of the kiosk. “Take over. I’ll be back shortly.”
“What’s going on?” A. K. asked.
“Dylan’s dad had a heart attack. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”
Wesley eyed A. K. “Call Jack and tell him to stay with you. I don’t want you alone.”
A. K. gave a nervous nod. “I will. I’m closing up shop now. Tell Dylan I’m sorry.”
Wesley and Susan hurried to the parking lot. During the ride to the hospital, Susan held on to Wesley’s arm, glad to have him close, glad that he wasn’t hurt. “I assume the boat was deliberately destroyed. Was Kerry hurt? Did he have a chance to recover any evidence?”
“Kerry never saw it coming. He and another deputy had just exited the boat when it blew. A few seconds earlier, and they would have been killed.”
She pictured the burning boat, fire bellowing, pieces of the craft hurling through the air. “You could have been killed, too?” She squeezed Wesley’s arm. Once again, his job raised its ugly head. That was the one thing that threatened to drive a wedge between them. She didn’t know if she could live with the thought that every d
ay he left for work might be the last time she’d see him. Then again, she didn’t want to face the future without him.
Wesley patted her hand. “You worry too much. The good news is that Kerry found traces of blood and a couple of strands of brown hair.”
“Lorraine had brown hair,” Susan said.
“I know. They’re sending the evidence for DNA testing. In the meanwhile, Kerry will continue to search for Randy. Seems he abandoned his car and is driving someone else’s. That’s how he’s managed to avoided detection. Kerry’s following up on the description of the car, but he needs to work fast. If Randy finds out Kerry retrieved evidence before the boat exploded, he’s likely to flee the state.”
“If the boat was there all this time, why didn’t Randy get rid of it before now?” Susan asked.
“We wondered the same thing. Until a warrant was issued for his arrest, Randy must have thought he’d gotten away with the murder. Because he never entered the Rusty Nail, he had to figure the chances were slim that anyone could identify him. Undoubtedly, he never saw Mr. Jenkins, our witness. When he got word he was wanted, he decided to destroy the boat to eliminate any evidence that Lorraine was ever aboard. Kerry doesn’t think Randy had the smarts to assemble and detonate a bomb. He’s hoping the bomb squad can find something that’ll give them a lead to anyone else who might be involved.”
Susan looked out the window as she listened to Wesley’s account. It hardly seemed possible this beautiful and peaceful setting could harbor such evil.
Stately houses with wide verandas and overhang eves lined the waterfront. Having visited this section of the coast many times during her college days, she knew that a majority of the structures had been rebuilt, some bigger and better after hurricane damage. Scattered among these summer retreats were reminders of previous storms—concrete slabs where once a home stood. Other empty lots showed steps leading to nowhere. What the public couldn’t see were the new cemeteries on back roads, the final resting places for those who had perished. She couldn’t understand why anyone would disregard evacuation orders, knowing what the force of a tidal surge could do.
“There’s the sign,” Susan said. A large blue sign with the letter “H” advised motorists to take the next exit for Bayside General Hospital.
Wesley took a right on Hospital Street, and after traveling a mile inland, they reached the hospital. The three-story structure had ample parking places, most of which were empty, and a red sign pointed the way to the emergency entrance, located on the right side of the building. Wesley pulled into a parking space not far from the front door. The ambulance was parked at the door, its lights still flashing. He and Susan hurried inside and looked for Dylan.
Like the parking lot, most of the vinyl-covered chairs and sofas in the waiting room sat empty. An elderly man with arms folded sat near the receptionist’s desk, his gaze focused on double doors where patients were being treated. Nearby, a young couple huddled together. Dylan, who didn’t see them coming, slouched in a chair on the far side of the room, elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
Wesley placed a hand on his partner’s shoulder. “How is he?”
Dylan looked up with red-rimmed eyes and shrugged. “They’re working on him now. The nurse told me to wait here.” He pushed up from his chair.
Susan gave him a big hug. “I’m sorry.”
“My dad’s always been there for me. I can’t imagine not having him around.”
“Then don’t,” Wesley said. “He gave you a thumbs-up, didn’t he?”
“That’s his way, no matter how bad things are,” Dylan said.
“I think we could all use a cup of coffee,” Susan said, spying the urn and cups. “Do you have a couple of dollars for the donation jar?” she asked Wesley. “I only have credit cards.”
The three were on their second cup when the receptionist called Dylan’s name. “Wait by the double doors. The doctor will be out to talk with you,” she said.
Wesley and Susan stood beside Dylan. “You want us to go with you?” Susan asked.
“No, I’ll be okay.” Dylan crossed the room and waited with arms folded.
The doctor, a short, gray-headed man, emerged and shook hands with Dylan. He kept his voice low, and even though Susan strained to hear what he was saying, she couldn’t make out anything.
Dylan nodded again and again as the doctor spoke.
“When can I see him?” Dylan asked in a voice loud enough for all to hear.
Then the doctor left, and Dylan joined them. “He’s stable. Doctor said he had a mild heart attack. They’re going to keep him a few days and run some more tests. He’s optimistic that Dad will make a full recovery, but should his condition worsen, they’ll transport him to Jackson where he can get specialized care. The nurse will let us know when we can see him. The doctor said to keep our visit short.”
“That’s encouraging news,” Wesley said.
The double doors opened, and a nurse motion to Dylan. “He’s resting comfortably. You can come back now.” She frowned when the three of them responded.
“It’ll do my dad good to know we’re all here for him,” Dylan said. “We won’t stay long.”
The wrinkles faded from her forehead. “We’re going to keep him here overnight and monitor him around the clock. If all goes well, we’ll move him to a private room. What he needs more than anything is to rest. Call the ER and ask for Sadie. I’ll keep you posted and let you know when we’re sending him to the floor.”
Dylan pulled a card from his pocket and scribbled a number on the back. “Here’s my cell number. I’m at the Pirates’ Reef, room two thirty-eight.”
Chief Powell had two IVs and a patchwork of wires beneath his gown that connected to a bedside heart monitor. He screwed his mouth from side to side as he adjusted the oxygen tubes in his nose. Upon seeing them, he forced a smile. “I didn’t know I had a fan club.”
His voice sounded weak.
“How you feeling, Dad?”
“Like someone hit me in the chest with a baseball bat.”
“You sure scared me. The doc says you’re going to be okay, but that you need to rest. The nurse is going to let me know when they move you to a room.”
Chief Powell nodded and looked to Wesley and then Susan.
“If there’s anything we can do, let us know,” Wesley said.
“We’ll be praying for you,” Susan added.
The nurse approached. “Okay, time’s up.”
Dylan squeezed his dad’s arm. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too, son.”
The ride back to the Pirates’ Reef was a quiet one. Susan sure hoped the diagnosis was correct and that Chief Powell would recover. She stared again at some of the remains of past hurricanes and couldn’t help but draw an analogy—Chief Powell was fighting a storm of his own.
It was after five by the time they arrived back at the Pirates’ Reef. The three of them went to A. K.’s room, where they brought her up to date on Chief Powell’s condition.
“I’m so glad he’s going to be okay,” A. K. said. “What about tonight? It’s the last night of the festival. Since none of us can be with Chief Powell in ICU, is everyone planning on attending?”
“Guess so,” Wesley said, “as long as Dylan and I don’t have to come in costume.”
“Well, you have to wear something to get you in the spirit of things,” Susan said. “How about a bandana or maybe a tricorn hat?”
Wesley and Dylan eyed one another. In unison, they both said, “Hats.”
“I think Jack would go for that too,” A. K. said. “He’s burnt out on the Blackbeard costume.”
“I’ll stop by the kiosk and pick up three hats,” Susan said.
“Good, I want to go find Jack and drag him out of the casino. Here, you can take care of the cash box, too. What time do we want to head for the ballroom?”
“Early, say about seven o’clock,” Susan said. “I want Wesley and Dylan to see the battle.”
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p; Dylan grabbed A. K.’s arm. “Hold up. I’ll walk with you. I want to try my hand at the casino. Maybe I’ll get lucky like Wesley.”
Susan and Wesley walked to the mezzanine, where she handed Wesley the cash box while she unlocked the kiosk and fetched three hats. “Not too many of these left,” she said, tucking them under her arm. “Let me lock up again, and we’ll go back to my room.”
She pulled the grate across the kiosk and locked it in place. Wesley put a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. Seeing sadness in his eyes, she stepped closer.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing right now, and I plan on keeping it that way.” He ran his fingers down her arm, bringing her hand to his lips. “If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“Me? I’m going to be just fine. You’re the one who could have been blown up.” Betty Sue’s remark about losing a loved one crossed Susan’s mind again.
“Something about this investigation isn’t right, but I can’t put my finger on it. I’ll be glad when we get away from here. Give me the hats. I can carry them, too.”
They returned to Susan’s room. While she put the cash box into the safe, Wesley crossed the room and gazed out at the Gulf. “It’s strange that so many people are having such a good time and don’t have an inkling of the danger that surrounds them.
“The investigation is in Kerry’s hands now. I wish I knew for certain that he was going to catch that slime ball, and that Randy will pay for what he did to Lorraine. But my dwelling on it won’t do any of us any good. I’m going to try to put it out my mind for tonight. You should do the same. Let’s enjoy the time we have.”
Susan picked up one of the hats and crammed it on his head. “Aye aye, Captain.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her to meet his lips.
A little past seven, A. K. and Jack knocked on Susan’s door. Dylan was with them.
“We’re ready.” Susan opened the door and handed Jack and Dylan the hats. “How’d you do at the casino, Dylan?”
The Corpse Wore Cashmere Page 13
