by Nick James
“Yes, a detective with the police, his name is Darrell Woodley,” Bobby said and studied Luis for a brief moment looking for any sign of recognition. “True to what you mentioned last night, he was asking about Doctor Antonnini, and by extension, Noah Denton.”
“And what did he learn?”
“From us, not an awful lot. In fact, he probably caught a glimpse of just how dysfunctional we really are. Two of the partners are clueless, the third, Bennett Hinz would like to pretend he knows something, but he only plays at being in the office for maybe three hours a day.”
“Which leaves you.”
“Yeah, me. I couldn’t help but remember your warning last night about always staying alert. I was more than a little surprised he knew anything about Antonnini.”
“You mean this detective?”
“Yes. The worrisome thing is they found him, Antonnini, in Key West. He has a condo or something down there. I guess he was out on the beach, at least that was where his body was found. He’d been shot twice in the head and it appears he may have been tortured before being killed.”
“How unfortunate,” Luis said and gave a little shrug.
“You’re telling me. The thing I’m worried about is, did he say anything about me to whoever was working him over?”
“And what would he say?” Luis looked at him with a straight face although Bobby was convinced he knew a lot more than he was letting on.
“I don’t really know, other than I was filling in for Noah Denton at the firm and may have met Antonnini once in Denton’s room.”
“If that’s the case I would assume you really have nothing to worry about.”
“Well, yeah, I mean that is the case, but what if it’s not? What if Antonnini made up all sorts of stuff just to save his own worthless ass and, you know, didn’t give a damn about what happens to me or anyone else?”
“If that’s the case then, yes, you probably have a lot to worry about. Mr. Montcreff took his relationship with Mr. Denton very seriously.”
“So, you’re telling me I might be in trouble.”
“Oh, I don’t think so, as long as you didn’t do anything. If you didn’t tell this man to kill Noah Denton, you have nothing to fear.”
“And if I did?”
“If you did?” Luis said not sounding at all surprised. “Maybe hope you die in bed.”
“Huh?”
“Go out and find two gorgeous married women. Then while you have them in bed, you call their husbands and tell them you’re making mad, passionate love to their wives.”
“Huh?”
“The husbands will show up so enraged, they’ll shoot you, saving you a lot of pain and discomfort.” As Luis laughed, Bobby looked in the rearview mirror and caught the smile on the face of the bodyguard driver.
“Not exactly the advice I was looking for.”
“I’m sorry, forgive me. If you fear this doctor somehow implicated you, maybe in an effort to save his own skin, I suppose you might mention it to Mr. Montcreff. Of course the risk is that he never mentioned you and now, by bringing the matter up, you have implicated yourself.”
“So I lose either way.”
“As I said before it’s best to remain vigilant.”
“But with someone like Montcreff, how long would that be?”
“How long? Well, forever.”
Chapter Twenty-five
He stood at the window looking up and down the street, but never saw anything suspicious. About a half-hour later, Emily pulled up across from his building, parked, then stepped out of her car carrying a paper bag. A moment later, the buzzer on the intercom rang.
“Hi, it’s me.”
He buzzed her in without responding, then hurried back to the window to check the street. There didn’t appear to be any activity. He was still watching the street when she knocked on the door. He checked the peephole just to make sure she was alone before he unlocked the door.
“Hello, sorry I’m late. Got hung up at the wine store,” she said handing him the bag. He took it in his arms and felt the chill from the bottles. The moisture gathering on the glass had already begun to bleed through the brown paper bag as he locked and chained the door.
“How ‘bout a kiss, it’s been a long day,” she said pressing herself against him, wedging the chilled bottles between them. After they kissed she drew back, nipples erect. “Oh, God, party hats,” she laughed looking down at her chest.
“They look great to me. Come on out to the kitchen, I’ll open one of these and I’ve got a little munchy prepared before dinner.”
He had a cheese platter set up on the kitchen counter. He placed a bottle of wine in the refrigerator then opened the other and filled their glasses. “To a quiet evening,” he said raising his glass in a toast.
They each inhaled a cracker, Bobby layering close to an inch-thick spread, Emily being more demure in her application. “So, tell me about your day,” Bobby said, then reached for another cracker, taking more cheese than the cracker could support.
“Well, let me get this out on the table right now. I went to see Greg Lindgren in the hospital, late this morning. That was after I filed the restraining order.”
“A restraining order?”
“Yeah. I told him I’m not going to press charges,” she said stuffing a cracker in her mouth and slowly chewing and giving Bobby ample time to object. “I think he needs help and a burglary charge isn’t going to help.”
Bobby saw the logic. The restraining order would remain private between the two of them, but officially establish the history. He guessed she substantially increased the blackmail amount and just tightened the noose around the idiot. The restraining order would act as an insurance policy against any unfortunate circumstance occurring in the future. It was a smart move. “How did he feel about that?”
“First off, I don’t really care. I want him to seek counseling, and frankly, I told him you’re my main man and you promised to shoot him next time he dropped by unannounced.”
Bobby chuckled at that last part, thinking she probably did say that, right after she raised his payments. “Guy’s a real piece of work.”
“I’m just glad you were there. He was going to steal my computer and…” she suddenly stopped herself from saying anything else and crammed a couple of crackers into her mouth.
“Your computer? Why would he do that?”
“Mmm-mmm,” she said, buying some time with the mouthful of crackers. “He’s a business guy, and he probably figured that was the easiest way to give me an awfully big headache. Hey, enough about my boring life. What’s new with you?”
He told her about the new office, but didn’t mention the ultimatum he’d delivered to the partners to get it. He skipped over bringing flowers to Cori Denton. He didn’t tell her about the late night visit from Luis and his body guard. Then he said, “So this morning I get called into a meeting with the three partners. I walk into the meeting with a mouthful of chocolate chip cookies and there’s a fourth guy in the office.”
“Who?”
“A homicide detective.”
“Homicide? What on earth for?”
“You know that Noah Denton died?”
“Yeah, let me guess. All sorts of victims are starting to come forward and there’s a class action lawsuit,” she said, only half joking.
“No, turns out there was a question about some medical procedure or something. There’s this guy, I actually met him, briefly. The cops wanted to talk to him, he’s a doctor, Antonnini is the guy’s name,” he said, then watched her for a reaction.
“James Antonnini?” she said with a stunned look on her face.
“Yeah, that’s the guy. Apparently he was the surgeon who worked on Denton’s hip. You know him?”
“No, I never heard of him before. Well, I mean until they mentioned his name on the news. You said the police are going to talk to him?”
“Well, that’s just the thing They wanted to talk to him, but they can’t now.”
“Really?
What? Did he get a bunch of lawyers who…?”
“No, he’s in Key West.”
“At his condo?” she said before she could catch herself.
“Yeah, his condo is down there. They found him on the beach, dead.”
“Dead?” she said, and the color seemed to drain from her face.
“Yeah, apparently tortured and then shot. Shot twice as a matter of fact, two bullets in the head.”
“He was tortured?”
“That’s what he said, the detective.”
“But who? Why?”
“That’s what they didn’t know. That’s why the cop was in our office this morning, just trying to find something out, find anything out, actually?”
“Tortured?”
“Yeah, that’s what I just said.”
“And they think he killed Denton?”
“He didn’t really say that. As a matter of fact, he didn’t say anything like that. I’m thinking they maybe just wanted to talk to him about the surgery and resulting complications. Denton had a couple of falls, hit his head once.”
“And he was shot?”
“Like I said, twice.”
“God, I always felt it was such a safe area,” she said, then seemed to drift off, maybe remembering.
“So you’ve been there.”
“What? No, never been. Just read about it and always wanted to go. I think I’ll be giving that little dream a pass after this?” she said.
“Well, anyway, that was my day. You okay? You look like you’re off somewhere else all of a sudden.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
They chatted through dinner, or rather Bobby kept up the conversation for the two of them. Emily was, more or less, moving food around her plate, barely halfway through her first glass of wine, giving just one word answers. “Something on your mind? You’ve gone awfully quiet.”
“I don’t know, it just seems so sad, so unnecessary.”
“What does.”
“The death.”
“Well, he lived a full life. Was highly regarded in his profession. I’m not sure he was the happiest of individuals, maybe proving money can’t buy happiness or some other bullshit.”
“His marriage certainly wasn’t the greatest,” she said and looked over at Bobby.
“You’re telling me. His wife would rather play bridge then see him in the hospital.”
“I don’t think he really wanted her at the hospital, Bobby. I mean he was either in surgery or checking patients.”
“What? I’m talking about Noah Denton.”
“Denton, that creep. They ought to give a medal to anyone involved in his death.”
“Who were you…Antonnini? Was that who you were talking about?”
“Well, yeah, it’s just so sad. Someone shoots him on the beach. Probably looking at the moon, he liked to do that.” Then she added, “I bet” in an effort to cover herself.
“Like I said, the detective didn’t give us any real information, other than the guy was murdered. I haven’t heard anything on the news.”
“They’ll probably have it on tomorrow. Hey, I’m thinking of going up to the cabin tomorrow, just to get out of town. Want to come with?”
“Tomorrow?” Bobby thought no, then immediately reconsidered thinking a couple of days laying low out of town might be just the thing.
“If you’re busy I get it, no pressure,” she said.
“Actually, the more I think about it the more I like the idea. I’d have to tie up a few loose ends at the office, but I could meet you up there, later in the day.”
“You would, really?”
“Yeah, it might be just the thing. You still have all those wolves up there?”
“Not unless they’ve returned recently. The last few times I’ve been up there I didn’t see or hear them. I think they moved on.”
Bobby thought that might be a good thing. “So, you’ll still spend the night here, then head up in the morning?”
“Yeah, is that okay?”
“It’s great. You finished?”
“Yeah, sorry. I guess I didn’t do much damage to your nice dinner.”
“Not a problem, just want you to be happy.”
“Oh, that’s sweet. You know, you’re just a real nice guy, Bobby.”
“Well, there you go, Emily, that proves it.”
“Proves what?”
“You can fool some of the people some of the time.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
He called Morris Montcreff just before ten. Based on the crunching sound, he’d interrupted his breakfast, again.
“This is becoming a bad habit,” Montcreff growled with a full mouth.
“Sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to keep you abreast of the Denton situation.”
“Situation?”
Bobby went on to tell him about Detective’s Woodley’s visit and Antonnini’s murder down in Key West. Montcreff didn’t seem to be surprised.
“Once they’re finished monkeying around with all their tests, they’ll find out that he murdered Noah. I think the bastard was just a little too clever by half, not that it did him any good.”
“The detective said it appeared Antonnini had been tortured.”
“Or maybe someone just wanted the truth. You lose someone who’s been loyal for all those years, you don’t take it lightly. You don’t just walk the hell away.”
“Certainly not, sir. There’s been no…”
“You look for answers, Custer, wherever in hell that may happen to lead,” Montcreff half shouted.
“Absolutely,” Bobby said, then moved to change the subject. “Still no word on funeral arrangements for Mr. Denton. I stopped by to bring some flowers to his wife and…”
“I’m sure she was celebrating.”
“And she said they’re still doing tests, or workups something like that,” Bobby lied. “Soon as I learn anything, I’ll pass it on.”
“See that you do. Anything else before I get back to the breakfast that seems to be cooling before my very eyes?”
“Only that I’ll be out of town for a day or so.”
“Where to? Just in case we need to connect.”
“Bit up in the air, at the moment, family funeral.”
“Driving or flying?”
“I’ll be driving,” he said then wished he hadn’t.
“Safe journey,” Montcreff said, sounding like he meant just the opposite before he hung up.
He phoned Luis Morales next.
“Yes, Bobby, what can I do for you?”
“Just touching base, Luis. I’m going to be out of town for a day, maybe two. You’ll be able to reach me on my cell if you need anything.”
“I appreciate the call.”
“Things are okay with Camila and Valentina?”
“Always improving. I’ll be sure to pass on your concerns and best wishes.”
“Thank you. I spoke with Montcreff this morning.”
“Oh?”
“He still seemed rather upset with Mr. Denton’s passing. Basically said he wanted to find out the truth about his death. I’m thinking he may have been involved down in Key West.”
“I would guess that would be entirely possible,” Luis said but didn’t offer anything more.
“I’m just hoping he doesn’t blame me in some way”
“Blame you, now why would he do that?” he said sounding like he already knew the answer.
“I don’t really know, except that I met that Antonnini guy once, asked him a couple of questions about Denton’s prognosis. Wondered if there was anything else I could do to help.”
“Then it sounds to me like you have nothing to worry about. Enjoy your trip Bobby. I have to take this other call. Let me know when you return,” he said, then hung up.
He phoned Cori Denton next and ended up leaving a message. He waited until Bennett left for his lunch and sauna, then hurried out of the office and home. An hour later he was dressed in casual clothes, with a packed suitcase in the back
of the Mercedes, driving north.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It was close to six before he pulled off Highway 61 and onto the county road. Fifteen minutes later, he was slowly snaking his way through the woods toward the parking area at Emily’s cabin. Funny, he thought. The last time he was here it had been a full moon and he had Angie, her brother, and Nate Anderson in the car. He’d have to get some time to himself and check out the gravesite.
It was a good fifteen degrees cooler than down in St. Paul. Once he stepped out of the Mercedes, the first thing he did after he stretched was to pull a sweatshirt out of the backseat. He locked the car, then carried his suitcase up to the front door and knocked.
“I was beginning to wonder if you changed your mind,” Emily said after she kissed him. She took hold of his suitcase and rolled it to the side of the entryway.
“Just a crazy morning. One thing led to another and suddenly I was about three hours behind schedule. Eventually I just threw up my hands and left.”
“I’m really glad to see you. You want to grab a shower or anything? Dinner’s warming in the oven. No rush, we can eat anytime.”
“You know, after almost four hours behind the wheel, a shower sounds great.”
“I’ll let you drag your suitcase upstairs. I left towels out for you on the bed. I’ll have a glass of wine waiting when you come back down.”
He set his suitcase on the chair next to the antique dresser. The dresser was walnut, with pulls on the drawers carved like leaves, and a white marble top. Two glove boxes were attached to the marble. He undressed, moved his head to the left and right, cracking his neck, then stepped into the steaming shower. He was in there for a good fifteen minutes, fogging up the bathroom, just letting the hot water run over his shoulders and down his back. Eventually he turned the shower off, squeegeed the moisture off the glass wall, then stepped out and toweled himself off.
He stared at himself in the mirror for a long moment, looking at the reflection of his eyes, wondering about events down in Key West. Did Montcreff really need him or was his fury over Noah Denton’s death enough to take Bobby out permanently? He hung his towel on the rack, then strolled into the bedroom.
