by Mary Ellis
‘And if Kim is the killer? You’ve messed up the chain of evidence. Buckley won’t be pleased.’
Kate frowned. ‘Oh, dear, I was hoping to rule her out.’
‘My money’s on Kimmy. That lazy gold-digger is in too big a hurry to get a hold of Robert’s settlement.’ Beth turned on the AC full blast. ‘But at least she’ll get a new plastic cup in prison.’
‘And now that we know Agnes Westin was dating, we have a new lead for the male luncheon guest. We got plenty in a short time.’
‘You’re finally getting the hang of this PI stuff.’
‘Thanks, Beth. Let’s just hope Buckley sees it that way.’
Beth pulled out her phone. ‘I’ll Google the choices for lunch. Of course, I liked the idea of getting a free turkey sandwich made by the Queen Bee.’
‘Remember, nothing in the world is ever free. You taught me that. And with the new Mr and Mrs Westin, I don’t want to lay out all my cards on the table.’
After Kate dropped Beth off at the hotel for her afternoon swim and siesta, she headed to the yacht club. According to Lainey, the Arrivederci’s captain hung out in the office whenever he wasn’t out on a charter. And according to Roger Holcomb’s Facebook page, he was still available today for an afternoon sail, or a sunset cruise along the barrier islands of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Many people would be surprised how much information was available on Facebook, even if you weren’t ‘friends,’ unless you used the maximum privacy settings. But then what would be the point of having a Facebook business page?
Kate lucked out for the second time that day when she found the captain polishing the brass on the Arrivederci Sorrento. ‘Ahoy, there, Captain,’ she called from the dock. ‘May I come aboard? I’m Kate Weller and I work for Lainey Westin.’
A fiftyish man with thick silver hair and darkly suntanned skin peered up. ‘I haven’t heard anybody say that in years. Have you been watching cartoons, young lady?’ Holcomb’s laugh was hearty, his smile genuine.
‘Not for a long time, and that’s a shame,’ Kate grinned back.
‘Climb aboard, matey. If you work for Lainey you have as much right being here as me. Agnes won’t be taking anymore moonlit sails.’ His smile slipped a notch.
Slipping off her hard-soled shoes, Kate stepped barefoot onto the yacht. ‘I’m the private investigator Lainey hired. Would you mind answering a few questions?’
‘Ask anything you want, but I need to keep working. Lainey is paying me to maintain the Arrivederci, assuming it will soon be hers.’ Holcomb added more polish to his cloth.
‘She is a beauty. Does she have a wood hull?’
Holcomb’s hand paused on the railing as he stared at her. ‘Did you just step out of the nineteenth century?’
Kate felt a little foolish. ‘I don’t know much about sailboats. I read on the website she had been made in Europe …’
‘Okay, I get it – medieval castles, moats, flying buttresses, the old gondolas of Venice.’ The wrinkles around his mouth deepened as he laughed. ‘No wood hull. This beauty was made in the Netherlands at one of their exceptional shipyards. How about a beer, matey?’
‘No, thanks. And you shouldn’t drink anything from this boat.’
‘Don’t worry. The police already took anything consumable away to run tests. I brought my own cooler.’ Holcomb popped the top and held out a can.
‘I guess one won’t hurt, thanks.’ Pulling up a plastic chair, Kate took a sip. ‘The Netherlands? Why didn’t Agnes have the ship built by her own company, the one founded by her grandfather? Then she could’ve overseen every detail during construction.’
‘You need to be brought up to speed, now that you’re in the right century.’ Holcomb wiped his hands on a rag. ‘The Cook family builds American luxury yachts, small ocean liners, and racing craft. You know … go-fast boats. Nothing with masts or sails.’
‘I noticed that on their website, but I thought they might have made an exception for Mrs Westin.’
‘Nah, sailing vessels require totally different engineers.’ Holcomb took a gulp of beer. ‘Agnes spotted the Arrivederci Sorrento while honeymooning with Robert in Europe. It had been commissioned by an Italian duke from Sorrento, hence the name. Since her christening in Amsterdam thirty-five years ago and her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean, she’s had a colorful history. Unfortunately the duke and his wife divorced and she was then sold to a French playboy from Nice. He had quite a reputation along the Riviera. The story goes that he lost everything in Monte Carlo at the gaming tables, including the Arrivederci, which had been put up as collateral. His beautiful wife of six years divorced him shortly thereafter. Apparently, she didn’t like living in a peasant’s cottage in the French countryside. When Miss Agnes spotted the Arrivederci for sale in a Monte Carlo marina, she bought her on the spot. Robert tried to talk her out of it. After all, the Clark family didn’t build their reputation on sailboats. But, of course, Robert didn’t want to tell his blushing bride no, and Miss Agnes usually got her way. It didn’t take long for him to fall in love with the ship too.’
‘What a romantic story. Did the newlyweds sail back to Florida?’ Kate asked.
‘It is very romantic. And from what I’ve heard, those two were madly in love at first.’ Holcomb gazed at the horizon, momentarily distracted. ‘But no. Miss Agnes got seasick in rough waters. Since crossing the Atlantic guarantees bad weather at some point, the Westins hired a captain and crew to sail her back while the newlyweds flew home as planned.’
‘During the divorce, Mrs Westin managed to keep the Arrivederci.’ Kate added her own assumption.
‘Yep, no surprise there.’ The captain opened a second beer. ‘Like I said, she’s used to getting her way.’
‘Robert probably missed not being able to take her out for a sail.’ Kate watched his face for a reaction. His expression was a dead giveaway.
‘He sure would have been sad without being able to sail.’ The captain winked.
‘Don’t leave me in suspense. Tell me what you mean.’
‘I guess it can’t do any harm now that she’s gone.’ He took another swig. ‘As much as I liked Miss Agnes, I felt sorry for Robert. He was a nice, all-around guy. So every now and then I took him out for a sail. I also taught him how to captain, so sometimes he took Miss Kim out, but always with a crew. The Arrivederci wasn’t a boat you could single-hand, not even as an experienced captain.’
‘Didn’t Agnes find out?’
‘Nope. It was only when I knew she would be out of town. She still loved to vacation in Europe. Once when she went to Paris for a month, I let Robert and the missus sail down to the Bahamas for five days. I could have lost my job over that one.’ Holcomb wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
‘That must have been when he hid the gun in the galley,’ Kate mused.
‘I don’t know anything about a hidden gun, but Robert was definitely afraid of pirates in the Caribbean. If someone found a gun, that’s probably when he brought it aboard. The crew probably carried their own weapons if they were heading to the Bahamas.’ Holcomb set the beer into a holder. ‘Is there anything else, Katey-Matey? I need to finish up here.’
She smiled at the moniker. ‘One more thing, and please understand I ask this solely for professional reasons. I’m not out to besmirch anyone’s reputation.’
He scratched his head. ‘That’s good to hear. I liked Miss Agnes. She didn’t have many friends, but she was always kind … and generous to me.’
Kate leaned closer. ‘Did Miss Agnes have any … boyfriends, lovers, or whatever women her age call them?’
Holcomb tilted back his head and laughed. ‘Of course she did. She loved men, and why shouldn’t she have male friends? She was single and had a lot to offer.’
‘Was she dating anyone special lately?’ Kate chose her words carefully.
‘Didn’t Miss Lainey tell you?’ Before Kate had a chance to answer, the captain continued. ‘No, of course she didn’t. Miss Lainey wanted to bel
ieve her mother sat around knitting socks for future grandchildren.’ He picked up his bottle of polish and rag and headed for the bow of the ship.
‘His name, Captain?’ Kate called.
‘Oh, yeah. His name is Mark Harris. I don’t know where he lives.’
She waited for more information, but when the captain got lost in polishing brass, Kate walked off the Arrivederci and drove back to her hotel. Mark Harris. The perfect name for an under-the-radar murderer.
After yesterday, Eric didn’t know if his taking Kate to the prison was a good idea or not. But now that Beth had bowed out and insisted he take her place, he had little choice. The last thing he wanted was to make things worse with Kate. So Eric sucked in a breath and knocked on her door promptly at nine o’clock.
‘Good morning,’ he said when she opened the door.
‘Hi, Eric. I’m ready to go. Just let me grab my purse.’
‘At least the rain stopped. Looks like we’ll have a nice day for our trip.’ Eric usually resorted to benign comments about the weather when at a loss for the right thing to say.
‘It won’t be much of a trip. Milton is only an hour away.’
‘Just the same, should we take my car?’
‘No, we’ll take mine. Just in case.’
Just in case my vehicle explodes into bits and pieces? Eric decided not to ask for clarification. ‘Look, Kate, I’m sorry Beth blindsided you into helping me look at properties.’
‘No, I’m the one who should apologize,’ she said once they reached her car. ‘My friends are only trying to help. From now on I plan to act like an adult. Actually, I’m glad Michael is coming to spend the weekend with Beth. As long as you’re not mad she maneuvered you into babysitting, I appreciate your company.’
‘And in return, I’ll try not to make you uncomfortable.’
‘Look, Eric, that’s not the reason I’ve been avoiding you.’
‘Then what is?’
‘Because I don’t want you to end up dead!’ Kate’s words echoed around the small car. ‘Besides, I thought you were starting your new job.’
‘I don’t start until Monday. So in the meantime I can take an old friend to visit her brother!’ His words resonated as loud as hers.
‘Fine!’ she snapped.
‘Fine!’ he repeated. Then they both burst out laughing.
Along the way to Santa Rosa Correctional, she described what they would find and explained the difference between maximum security and medium. Eric sat back and listened, but also watched the rearview mirror for suspicious cars. Since he’d been raised in a tight family, it was hard to fathom not seeing your brother in sixteen years, but he kept his opinion to himself.
‘Will they let me visit Liam with you?’ he asked once they turned into the prison parking lot. ‘I’d love to meet the guy.’
‘No, I’m sorry. You have to be already on the approved visitor list. Anyone not immediate family gets vetted carefully. I can’t bring Liam anything from home either. I can only buy food at their commissary at their prices.’
‘American capitalism at work,’ he said.
‘That’s one way to look at it.’
‘What does your brother look like? I can’t picture him.’
‘Believe it or not, he kinda looks like me. Funny how that sometimes happens with adopted siblings.’ Kate turned off the car and stared at the plain gray building. ‘If you want to drive around Milton for a while, be back in two hours.’
‘Nope. I’ll wait right here.’ Eric pulled a dog-eared paperback from his back pocket.
Kate opened the door and climbed out. Then she stuck her head through the driver’s window. ‘I’m glad you came with me. You’re not half as annoying as Beth.’ Her lips drew into a smile.
‘Good to hear. Now get going. Time’s a-wasting.’
Right now, Eric was happy with even an off-handed compliment like that, just as long as she stopped avoiding him. That made life a lot easier all the way around.
Kate purchased food at the commissary, signed in at the window and, at the appropriate time, she and the other women, children, and a few older men were herded into the fenced courtyard. Liam was sitting at the exact same picnic table as before. She supposed that’s what inmates did – tried to establish familiarity both for themselves and their families.
‘Hi, Liam.’ She sat down on the opposite bench.
Liam glanced around uncomfortably. ‘I don’t know why you’re here,’ he hissed. ‘I tried to get a message to you not to come. You should never come again.’
‘And a good day to you too,’ she said sarcastically.
‘There’s no point, Kate.’
‘Well, I did bring you goodies.’ She set the bag on the table. ‘Now can I stay for ten minutes?’
Liam ignored the sack of food. ‘I told you it’s not safe. I wish it were different, but it’s not. So please … go before someone sees you and reports back.’
‘Reports to whom?’ she demanded.
‘I don’t know who pulls the strings in here,’ he whispered with equal vehemence.
Kate leaned as close as she could. ‘I’ll go as soon as you tell me the truth. Who shot that guard? Was it you?’
‘What difference does it make? I was part of the plot to rob that armored car. Look it up, sister. All conspirators share the guilt if somebody ends up dead.’
‘It makes a difference to me.’ Kate reached for his hand, but he yanked it back.
Liam straightened his spine and looked her in the eye. ‘Since you insist, I shot him. Sorry, but your only living relative is nothing but a cold-blooded killer.’
‘I don’t believe you.’ Kate felt hot tears rush to her eyes.
‘I don’t care what you believe. I confessed. It’s a done deal and I’ll pay my dues until the parole board deems me fit to re-enter society.’ Liam’s features hardened into the face of a stranger. ‘Now get on with your life and forget about me. Stop meddling in the past. It’s not healthy for either of us.’ Abruptly, Liam jumped up. ‘Guard,’ he called, ‘we’re done here. I’m heading your way.’
Kate stood on shaky legs. ‘I know you didn’t kill him. You weren’t even there when that guy died.’
Her brother wheeled back around as all color drained from his face. ‘You’re the one who wasn’t there! I kicked you out of the car ten blocks back.’
‘I was there. You got stopped behind every red light in Pensacola.’
Suddenly the guard tapped Liam’s shoulder. ‘You done or not, Weller?’
‘Sorry, Odell, I changed my mind. Give me ten more minutes with my sister.’
Kate waited until Odell sauntered back to his post before continuing. ‘I ran after your truck and hid behind telephone poles so you wouldn’t see me.’
Liam slumped back down on the bench. ‘You never could mind your own business. Always spying, always eavesdropping. I guess that prepared you for your line of work now,’ he sneered.
‘Yeah, it did. I saw that guard already on the ground when you joined your friends. You didn’t shoot anybody.’
Liam’s haughty attitude melted before her eyes. ‘Please go home, Katie. I can’t protect you in here.’ This time he reached out a hand.
But she ignored the gesture. ‘I don’t want or need your protection. What I want is the truth. Call it my relentless nosiness. Which one of your friends pulled the trigger?’
He shook his head sadly. ‘That’s where you’re wrong – you have no idea who you’re up against. As for the guard … I have no idea who shot him. When I got there, everybody was talking at the same time. I asked what happened, but they kept yelling at me for being late. The job was a done-deal. One of them held up the bag of money. Then someone hit me hard from behind and knocked me out cold. When I came to, the police were everywhere and the gun was in my hand. Paramedics were loading a body bag into the back of an ambulance.’
‘And your pals were gone, along with the money,’ Kate added.
‘Yeah, they were gone all r
ight. I guess they couldn’t carry me and a half-million dollars in cash.’
‘That’s it? Split four ways – five hundred k wouldn’t have amounted to much.’ She imbued her words with plenty of scorn.
‘Maybe that’s why they wanted me out of the picture.’ Liam shrugged. ‘The take should have been much more. Somebody got bad information, but that doesn’t matter now.’
Kate glared at him. ‘It doesn’t matter that only you went to jail?’
He gazed up with his exasperatingly cool eyes. ‘Luck of the draw. Like I said, it makes no difference who pulled the trigger.’
‘What happened to the second guard?’
Another shrug. ‘Rumor has it he ran off when bullets started to fly.’
‘Which one of your friends knocked you out and stuck the gun in your hand?’
‘If I had to guess, I would pick our little ringleader. That guy always did have a screw loose.’
Liam chuckled with such nonchalance that Kate lunged across the table and grabbed him by the shoulders. She shook him so fiercely that the guard started moving in their direction.
‘Settle down!’ Liam thundered. ‘Or they’ll throw you out of here.’
Kate smiled sweetly at Odell and sat down. ‘If you really want me to go away and not come back, you’d better start making sense. Or I’ll keep coming back and kicking up a fuss.’
‘That would be reckless.’
‘My co-worker found out you changed your plea at the last minute and confessed. Why?’
‘If I changed my plea the DA said he would take the death penalty off the table. Think about it. The news media was screaming for justice and I was the only one caught. Anyway, I’ll be eligible for parole in a few years.’
‘But your fellow conspirators had all this time to live their lives, besides one hundred sixty-seven thousand each to spend.’
An angry look flashed in Liam’s eyes. For a moment Kate thought she would be shaken like a ragdoll. ‘You think I don’t know that? They set me up to take the fall. If any of them land in here, they won’t make it to their first parole hearing.’
‘Well, well,’ she murmured. ‘Liam Weller is alive and well, after all. Not that I condone an eye for an eye, but I thought someone had taken possession of your body.’
