by Conn, Claudy
“I didn’t know a lamp could be that multifunctional,” Annie laughed, when they spoke shortly after he came to. “But I’m glad it was.”
Annie dropped everything, leaving Terence, Erika, and Max to fend for themselves to be with Marissa and the kids after the incident.
The incident, David couldn’t bring himself to describe what happened any other way. Using the word enabled him to keep the reality of how close he came to dying a safe distance away from his psyche. He was grateful for his loss of memory and didn’t want to do anything to restore it.
Glaringly absent from his hospital room was Marissa’s father. He was livid that his protocols had not been followed.
David heard through the grapevine that Josh Howard, the partner who set up the disastrous operation, was almost fired. He should have been, instead, he came out smelling like a rose and would soon take the reins from Marissa.
David didn’t fare as well. Larry fired him while he was still in a coma. The relationship they shared made no difference. He messed up and Larry wasn’t going to give him the chance to do it again.
Since that day, he and Larry were cordial to one another, but their easy relationship had been permanently damaged. David always thought there would be one more trip to Hawaii to make things right.
He was grateful Marissa hadn’t been sucked into staying at the firm. They worked and sacrificed too much to backslide now. David loved living in Tahoe. The only thing missing was his wife. Marissa stayed in San Diego to oversee the transfer of power to that douchebag, Josh Howard. Now that the firm planned on buying out her interest, he could see a light at the end of the tunnel. The separation was especially hard on the kids. None of them imagined it would go on this long. He looked forward to the day when Marissa signed it all away and their family life could begin again.
His phone buzzed on the passenger seat. He picked it up. It was Marissa. “Hi, babe.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
David ran shaky fingers through his hair. “Mostly. Why?”
“You sound upset.”
His wife was far too perceptive for his own good. “I got a little choked up talking about your dad with the coroner. I’m going to miss him.”
Marissa didn’t answer right away.
“Daddy moved on, babe,” she said, trying to reassure him. “Looking back, I doubt he was ever angry. I truly believe he fired you so our kids wouldn’t grow up fatherless. He wanted to keep you safe.”
David scrubbed his face. He wanted to believe Marissa’s theory, but it didn’t explain the cold reception he received ever since.
Rehashing the past and reducing himself to a blubbering pile of mush wasn’t on the day’s agenda, so he changed the subject. “Did you find anything on Warden and Callie or Grady’s parents?”
“Grady’s parents look clean. You’re much better at this than I am, so you’ll probably want to look over my work later. Maybe you’ll catch something I didn’t.” She paused a moment, trying to shift gears. “Not much on the Johnsons either. Warden and Callie don’t appear to be related. I couldn’t find anything about Warden’s parents or where they live, but I think there might be an older brother. I found a newspaper article about them when they were little tikes. They came in first and second place in a local spelling bee. The older kid’s name is Oliver.”
“That’s okay. Text me any addresses you have and I’ll pass the information on to Agent Tam.”
“I’d do just about anything for you, but that isn’t one of them. No current address is available for either of them. Do you think they’re homeless?”
David rested his head on the back of the car’s bucket seat. Warden and Callie were definitely on the island. Warden worked at Lena’s. He would double-check with her, but it was usually difficult to hide living on the streets. “So the Johnsons are flying under the radar. That alone sends up red flags. I’ll call Agent Tam anyway. I can’t imagine Callie and Warden aren’t related somehow. The DEA has a few more resources than we do.”
“I hope she can figure it out. I want this wrapped up.”
“We all do,” David agreed. “If Lena is around, could you ask her if there was any indication Warden was homeless?”
“I’m way ahead of you, my dear. Warden’s clothes were always clean, and although he stunk after Brittany put him through his paces, he never started out that way. Lena does not believe he was living on the streets.”
David scratched his head. This was getting more and more curious. “Did Warden ever mention his brother?”
“No. The only thing he told Lena was that he lived nearby, with his parents.”
He looked up at the rental’s roof and tried to decide their next move. They were running out of options. “Try digging deeper into the family. There are only so many ways you can have a home without leaving a paper trail. Odds are they are staying with a friend or relative.”
“On it, boss.”
David chuckled. “Only when it suits you.”
“And don’t you forget it.” With that, Marissa made a few kissy noises and disconnected.
19
“THANKS FOR THE insight, but we already have Warden and Callie Johnson in custody,” Agent Tam arrogantly informed David. “We aren’t totally inept. We know how to work a case.”
The lady DEA agent didn’t sound pleased to hear all his valuable information. David wavered between apologizing for wasting her time or sending home a zinger. He opted for the zinger. “What about Warden’s brother? Do you have him in custody, too?”
David could almost feel Agent Tam’s eyes narrowing. “What brother?”
“Marissa found him. Hang on a second. She texted me his name.” David fumbled around with his phone, found Marissa’s text, and toggled back to Agent Tam. “His name is Oliver.”
“We have no information on anyone with that name. You might as well give me everything you have. We would have discovered it, eventually, but I want you and your family out of my hair, once and for all.”
Her voice was harsh and firm, but David did not give her the satisfaction of being cowed. “My sentiments exactly. Unfortunately, that’s all I have.” A grin smirked at the corner of his lips and David pushed harder. “Can I expect you to be just as forthcoming with the information you discover?”
“Expect whatever you like, Mr. Crandall. Just don’t hold your breath.”
The phone went dead.
David pumped a satisfied fist. His day wasn’t complete until he pissed off someone of authority. He turned the key in the ignition and headed off in the direction of the DEA office, hoping to talk his way behind the two-way mirror and observe Callie and Warden as they were being questioned.
• • •
AGENT TAM LEANED over the interrogation table inside the cold gray room. “Let me get this straight. Erika Turner was the one who told you about Grady Barlow’s backyard and encouraged you to plant your marijuana there?”
David stared through the glass. His face grew hard and his fists clenched. If what the boy said was true, his little sister-in-law was in for a world of hurt.
Warden didn’t flinch under Agent Tam’s scrutiny. “She told me that she didn’t think he’d been in his mother’s garden since she passed away. Erika said there could be millions of illegal plants growing back there and no one would ever find them.”
David let his anger dissipate and concentrated on the kid’s wild story. It didn’t add up. Erika met Warden weeks after the plants were in the ground. Even if Erika made a statement similar to what Warden was saying, he was taking it out of context to shift responsibility.
“Tell me again when you first met Erika Turner?” Tam pushed.
The savvy DEA agent caught the discrepancy.
“The first day I began working at the B&B. Erika helps with the housekeeping there.”
“Which was when?” Tam eased back into her seat. “I feel the need to remind you that your response will be verified by both Lena Javier and Brittany Sutherland.”
Agent Tam began questioning Warden about his brother, but David didn’t need to hear anything else. She had her man. It was only a matter of time until he caved.
He moved to the cubicle down the hall to see how Callie was holding up.
David arrived just in time to hear the young woman being told that the first one who gives up their accomplices was the one who got the deal.
Callie’s hazel eyes were wide as saucers. They darted back and forth with indecision. A moment later, she blurted out, “It was all Oliver and Warden’s idea. They made me sleep with Grady. Oliver thought he’d be able to keep a better eye on his plants if I stayed close. Ollie knew Grady’s dad had a grow card. Ollie tried to be nice, he asked Mr. Barlow if he would grow him a plant or two. Mr. Barlow wouldn’t do it. He told Ollie to take a hike.” If possible, her eyes grew wider. “Ollie is not someone to mess around with. He got mad, and when Ollie gets mad, I get out of town.”
Commander Barone sat across from the young woman. Agent Tam’s boss was a large man. His eyes blazed with intimidation. Callie didn’t stand a chance.
“How did Oliver Johnson know Mr. Barlow?” Barone demanded.
“Johnson?” Callie repeated, confused. “He hasn’t used that name for a while. He goes by Oliver Beal. Oliver Johnson has a pretty long rap sheet. He couldn’t get a job, so he changed it. Ollie brokers boat deals. He helped sell Mr. Barlow’s last boat and found him the one that exploded. Before the accident, he and Ollie spent quite a bit of time together. That’s how Ollie found out about his medicinal marijuana card.”
Barone glanced at the guard standing stoically in the corner of the interrogation room. The guard nodded and stepped outside.
“What is your relationship with Oliver and Warden Johnson?” Barone demanded.
Callie’s head jerked up.
The look on her face when she realized the DEA didn’t have as much information as she thought was priceless. David backed out of the room. Grady was in the clear, and Brittany and Erika wouldn’t see the inside of a courtroom unless it was to testify against these two lamebrains. His job was done.
Agent Tam met him in the corridor. “Leaving so soon, Mr. Crandall?” she asked with mock sincerity.
“I gather you’re off to pick up big brother.”
“You gather correctly. Callie is married to the elder Johnson boy. I suppose she could recant her statement, but I don’t believe she will. She has too much to lose.” A frown crossed her brow. “One thing still bothers me. That lawyer who first came in with Brittany and Grady,” she paused, trying to form a question without actually asking it. “At the time, Mr. Kaplinger’s credentials checked out, but when I tried to discover more about him, it was like he never existed.”
It took all of David’s self-control to maintain a straight face. Lena’s crazy fable would be just the ticket to send Agent Tam over the edge. Deadpan and serious, David said, “That’s because he came in with the dolphins and left with the Winter Solstice.”
The furrow on her brow grew deeper. Before Tam had a chance to question him further, David turned on his heel and headed for the exit.
• • •
LENA STARED AT the photograph of Oliver Beal and gasped, “The resemblance is uncanny. He looks almost exactly like Warden. All that’s missing are his little round specs.” She tapped the pic and glanced up at Agent Tam. “So this guy was the cab driver who dropped off and picked up Mr. Kaplinger?”
“That’s what the company’s records indicate. When the boat brokering biz is slow, Oliver moonlights as a cab driver.”
“I can see why I thought he was Warden.” Lena shuttered. “His eyes are much harder, though. This boy gives me the willies.”
Tam could relate. The same thought crossed her mind. “Oliver has been able to elude capture so far, but we’re closing in. I fully expect to have him in custody before too long.”
Terence had gathered most of the clan to hear her final report, but the young girl, Erika, along with David Crandall and his wife, were absent. Detective Dave already had the inside scoop so he and Marissa missing the action didn’t surprise her, but Ayako wondered about the wayward teen.
Erika’s story intrigued Tam, and she hoped to see her again. The girl wasn’t any of her concern, so she clapped Grady on the back and reached into the breast pocket of her regulation DEA suit. She withdrew an envelope. “We’ve been after this trio of con artists for a long time. The kid you know as Warden isn’t nearly as young as he appears. I suspect he was up to no good working at the B&B, and with Oliver involved, you can bet I’ll be looking deeper into the deaths of Larry Wright and Grady’s parents.”
The family drew in a collective breath, and Agent Tam raced to explain. “Mr. Wright’s death has officially been ruled natural. David Crandall already spoke with the coroner, and I doubt his findings will change. I simply don’t want to leave any stone unturned where Warden Johnson and Oliver Beal are concerned.” She turned to Lena. “I suggest your guests do an inventory of their belongings. It might be a good idea for them to freeze their credit for a while. I can’t think of a better place to steal someone’s identity than right out of their own wallet or purse.”
Lena’s anguished expression turned more distressed. “I saw free help and let a criminal into my home and business. I didn’t think twice about it. Larry swore he wasn’t acquainted with the boy. I can’t believe I was that stupid.”
Agent Tam couldn’t believe it either, but chose to be generous. “He’s a professional. Warden knows how to set people at ease. Brittany worked side by side with him on a daily basis and didn’t suspect a thing. She doesn’t seem very trusting, but he easily pulled the wool over her eyes.”
“He was a crappy gardener,” Brittany countered. “I caught that right off.”
Ayako ignored the girl’s outburst. “If they hadn’t tried to run a con on Grady, we might not have caught up with them. Warden is smart and devious. His downfall was his brother and his greedy sister-in-law. For the last three years, Warden stuck to what he was familiar with, but as Miss Sutherland can attest, he sucked at landscaping. Callie pegged Grady as an easy mark. She saw a distraught kid with a big backyard and thought they had it made in the shade. I’m sure it never crossed her mind that Grady would dump her for the girl across the street. Don’t let Callie’s innocent act fool you. She’s had a few run-ins with the local PD.” Tam focused a stern look directly at Grady. “Before I give you this, I feel the need to reprimand you.”
Grady reared back. “Why are you looking at me like that? What did I do?”
“Tapped That,” she stated flatly. “It’s rude, crude, and more than just a little insulting.”
Grady’s cheeks glowed with remorse.
With that settled, she extended her arm and handed him the envelope. “There was a ten-thousand dollar reward for Warden Johnson’s capture. The check is made out to you, Mr. Barlow.”
“You’re kidding!” Grady grinned from ear to ear. “I was just trying to save my own neck.”
Ayako Tam smiled tenderly. “We rarely send victims of a crime to prison. We checked you out, of course, but it was evident early on that you were innocent.” She scratched her nose remorsefully and admitted, “My boss told me to move off you. He sees things where the rest of us don’t and I respect his judgment. He was also instrumental in disbanding the investigation on Brittany and Erika.” She faced Terence Javier. “On that note, I have been instructed to express the DEA’s appreciation to you, Mr. Javier. Without the cameras you installed, we might not have captured Warden and Callie Johnson.” She glanced at Grady. “Perhaps Mr. Barlow would consider splitting the reward with you.”
Terence waved off the offer. “Thank you, but we didn’t find anything useful with those cameras. One shot of Warden walki
ng by the house doesn’t prove anything. Besides, the kid is family. He doesn’t owe me a thing.”
Grady stared at the check. He grabbed Annie’s hand. “I know you don’t want to franchise Jamoka Jack, so I want to buy the business from you.” He pressed the check in her palm.
Annie looked at Terence, holding their infant son.
Terence’s eyes smiled brightly and his head dipped a slight nod.
A huge smile radiated across her face. Annie turned back to the lovable kid from across the street. “One coffee cart is not worth ten thousand dollars.”
Grady grinned sheepishly. “It will be when I come up with the cash to get the franchise off the ground.”
She shoved the check back into her former employee’s hand. “How about a loan to get you started.”
The kid’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Take it, Grady,” Terence said warmly. He wrapped an arm protectively around his wife as she lovingly rubbed her tummy. “Annie and I are going to be far too busy to mess around selling coffee down at the pier.”
Grady was too stunned to speak, let alone catch the announcement the Javiers covertly made. Brittany and Lena were much more perceptive and rushed to congratulate the parents-to-be.
Agent Tam tapped Grady on the shoulder and pulled his attention back to her. “That concludes our business. I’m glad everything worked out.” She waved a warning finger under his nose. “You’ve been given a great opportunity. Don’t mess it up.”
On impulse, Grady pulled the DEA agent into his arms and embraced her warmly. “I’ll do my best, Agent Tam. Thank you for all your help.”
She pulled away from the boy’s exuberant hug and eased the door shut behind her.
A second later, Grady flung it open and was back on her heels. “Agent Tam!” he shouted. “Do you really think those three had something to do with my parents and Larry Wright’s deaths?”
She didn’t, but there was enough evidence to reopen their files to make sure nothing was missed. Oliver was the more hardened criminal of the three. He had means, motive, and opportunity. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do, but she didn’t want to give the kid false hope. “Honestly, no. The Coast Guard did a thorough investigation into your parents’ accident. I doubt anything will come of it, but considering this new information, it would be a travesty not to take another look. Callie and Warden know more about your parents than I’m comfortable with.” Seeing fresh pain gather in the boy’s eyes broke her heart. Grady still needed his mom. “It’s every man for themselves right now, and they are both trying to get a better deal. Callie and Warden can shift blame all they want, but we’ll eventually sort everything out. If they are responsible, I promise they won’t get away with it.”
