by Nick Vellis
“Look, I still have a little money left from the settlement with the county,” I argued. “Business hasn’t slacked off one bit since the Hunt business. My arm doesn’t even hurt when it rains. It’ll be OK Charlie. I know it will. It just feels right.”
“I’ll help you any way I can. We’ll find you a good tax advisor, management advice, but Mac it’s… oh hell, good luck Mac,” he said as he jumped up and gave me a hug. “If your gut tells you it’s the right thing, who am I to stand in your way? I’m proud of what you’ve made of yourself Mac. Your business, cleaning up your life, I’m proud of you.”
“That means a lot to me Charlie. You’ve help me out of some tough scrapes. I’m grateful and your opinion is important to me.”
There was a knock at the door and we traded a glance. The closing wasn’t for another thirty minutes.
“Come in,” Charlie said.
The door opened and there stood Cary Hunt dressed casually in a long sleeve shirt and slacks. His complexion was decidedly darker than the pasty jailhouse one he had the last time saw him.
Charlie stood then looked at me, but I sat in stunned silence wondering what was happening.
“Mind if I come in?” Cary asked.
“Certainly, come in,” Charlie said. “How can we help you?”
“It’s more about how I can help you,” Cary replied. “Mind if I sit down?”
Charlie indicated an empty chair and Cary sat across the table from Charlie and me.
“If you’re here to initiate legal action, I have to warn you…”
“Hold on there, counselor, that’s not why I’m here,” Cary said. “I’ve come to settle accounts.”
That sounded a little ominous. The gunfight in my office left Ashton fighting for her life. She’d have stood trial and my testimony would have put her behind bars if she’d lived.
“Look Mr. Hunt, I’m sorry about how things turned out, really I am, but I told both your father and sister the chips would fall...”
Cary cut me off, holding up a manicured hand. “Hold on Mr. Everett,” he said. “You did the right thing. He lowered his head and fell silent for a moment then raising it again said, “You said you’d follow the evidence and you did. The outcome was tragic, but it’s over.”
“You said you wanted to settle accounts,” Charlie interjected. “If you’re not here to complain, what can we do for you?”
“It’s like I said,” Cary replied. “It’s what I want to do for you.”
Charlie and I exchange a confused glance.
“I understand you’re purchasing some property and have some renovations to do,” Cary began.
“How did you know about that?” I marveled.
“I follow real estate transactions and I try to stay informed. I know this cook over at the Embassy Suites. He knows about everything. Mr. Everett, I still owe you your fee, but you haven’t submitted an invoice and it has been more than a year.”
“It didn’t seem right to send you a bill when your father and sister were killed.”
“You promised to get me out of jail Everett and you did,” Cary said. “I owe you for that. It’s their fault things turned out the way they did.”
“That’s pretty generous considering,” I said.
“What are you proposing?” Charlie asked. Charlie was never one to pass up a deal without hearing the details.
Cary opened leather folio, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to Charlie. “That’s a blank certified check. Use it any way you like, perhaps at you closing,” Cary said. His smile and his piercing green eyes reminded me of Ashton.
“I own Hunt Construction now and we will do your renovations,” he added. “I’ll fund the job personally.”
Charlie spoke first. “This is very generous, thank…”
I cut him off. “No, it’s too much,” I said. “I could have put your sister in prison for life, but instead I got her and your father killed.”
“My father’s situation is complicated, but Ashton got herself killed,” Cary said. “She plotted to kill her father and all those others. She would have killed me too when she’d had a chance. Her gambling debts were astronomical. I never knew...” he lowered his head again. When he looked up, he continued, “I thought I knew my twin sister, but I couldn’t have been more wrong about her. I never realized how much she resented dad and me or that there was so much evil in her. I feel betrayed and worry if I have the same corrupt soul. Remember, she was my twin.”
I remembered all right, looking at him, all I saw were Ashton’s light green eyes staring back at me. I also remembered seeing the life draining out of those eyes on my office floor.
“You were hired to do a job,” Cary continued. “You did a damn good job and I can pay you whatever I damn well want too. Shut up and take the check.”
“But you don’t know how much you’re taking on,” I said. “It’s a big commitment.”
“Doesn’t matter, I can afford it. I’m Martin Hunt’s sole heir. Ask your lawyer. I can write it off.”
I looked at Charlie, who shrugged back at me.
“Contracts?” Charlie asked.
“We’ll use an open ended contract,” Cary replied, “and no strings.”
“I have no objection to that,” Charlie said. He sat back in his chair still trying to find a down side.
“Well, I guess we have a deal,” I said. I stood and shook Cary’s hand across the table. “Thank you, Mr. Hunt. I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s me who should be thanking you,” Cary said. “If I’m ever in a jam again, I’ll be calling on you.”
“I’ll be there if you need me,” I replied. “I have a couple questions for you. Do you mind?” I said.
“I guess,” Cary responded, “shoot.”
“It’s about the general,” I said. “I found some articles online about his investigation in Viet Nam. They left me wondering what really happened. Some of the things he said that last night have bothered me. Did he tell you about his time in Viet Nam?”
“A little,” he responded.
“From the things he said that night, I’m convinced he killed your wife. What I’m wondering though, is had he done it before?”
“You mean did he kill those women in Viet Nam? What he said, when he talked about it, was that life was cheap over there. The whole country was at war and life was cheap. He called it a special kind of hell that changed him. He needed to see value in life or he would have gone crazy. He started reading the Bible over there.”
“Yes, but do you think...”
“Do I think my father murdered twenty bar girls in Viet Nam? He told me he wanted justice for those women despite what was around him. He said they were all prostitutes, but it didn’t matter, every life had value. No Mr. Everett, Wan Tran killed those women.”
“He mentioned that thing about the value of life that night,” I responded. “What do you think changed?”
“My wife was a mercenary gold digger, a blackmailer, an out of control gambler, and I was blind to it. Eventually she would have destroyed our family. I think he saw what she had become and lashed out to protect me. The saddest thing is he betrayed his principles to do it. Killing my father was the kindest thing you could have done for him, Mr. Everett.”
Finally, this last part made a little sense.
“Thanks, Mr. Hunt,” I said.
There was a knock at the door and a frail woman in a shift and wearing glasses hanging from a chain around her neck stuck her head in. “Hi, is this the Everett closing?”
“Yes, ma’am, come in,” Charlie said. “I’m Charles Ross, representing Mr. Everett.”
“Oh we’ll need some more pens. I thought the seller wouldn’t be appearing today. Are there any other changes?”
“That’s OK. I was just leaving,” Cary said.
Charlie handed me the check and I stared at it.
“Good luck Mr. Everett and thanks for everything,” Cary said. “Call this number when you’re ready for tho
se renovations,” he said as he handed me a business card.
He shook my hand again and then he was gone.
Charlie looked at me and said, “Remember that objection I had earlier to this deal? I withdraw it.”
“Shall we get started?” the closing agent asked. “My name is Madge and I’ll be doing your closing today,” she said as she took a seat and opened a six-inch thick folder. “Mr. Everett the seller has stipulated a power of attorney can be used for the entire transaction. Do you have a check for the down payment with you today?”
I hesitated. The certified check was burning my fingers. I held my future in my hand. “There will be one small change ma’am. I’ll be paying the full amount with a certified check. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
Author’s Note
Dear reader: I hope you enjoyed Death in Her Eyes. I had great fun writing and producing it for you. I hope you will tell your friends about it and look for more of my writing.
Word of mouth is critical for any author’s success. It would be immensely helpful if you would post a review for this book, even if it is only a sentence or two and publish it on Amazon. To post a review, please go to the book’s page at Amazon. Scroll down to the reviews section, leave your honest impressions (good or bad), and give this book as many stars as you think it deserves.
Thank you very much. I hope you will look for additional Mac Everett Mysteries and other stories coming in the near future.
Thank you,
Nick Vellis
Dedication
For my family, friends, and all who serve the United States of America.
Acknowledgements
A forgiving group of family, friends, and professionals has encouraged and assisted in the writing of Death in Her Eyes. Thank you to my wife Kate, daughter Alexis, Editor; Carol Israel and cover designer Valdas Miskinis at thebookcoversdesigner.com. I thank you all. I am in your debt.
About the Author
Nick Vellis retired after thirty years in law enforcement. Mr. Vellis enjoys time with his family and writing mysteries, thrillers, and detective stories. Learn more at: http://www.amazon.com/Nick-Vellis/e/B00HP4J4II
