“Thank goodness you’re here. The little guy is in the garage,” the woman said anxiously.
They followed the couple to the house with the old man shaking his head the whole time. “People use this street as a short cut, and they drive like they’re on a raceway. A lot of times, wildlife tries to get from the woods on the north to the preserve behind our house. We’ve already had several raccoons and foxes who were killed while trying to cross. I’ve begged the county to lower the speed limit and put up some speed bumps. So far, nada. I guess they want to wait until they have a human casualty to do something about it.”
They went into the garage. A tiny fawn was backed into a corner, bleating, eyes open wide with shock.
“Do you have an old towel we could use?” Doris asked.
The woman nodded, took a towel out of a stack on a shelf, and handed it to her. “This is clean. We keep them out here to dry off the car after we wash it.”
“Thanks. I’m going to cover his head to keep him from getting more nervous while we take him back to the Center.”
“Will you be able to release him when he’s bigger?” the woman asked.
“I think so. At that point he should be ready to mate and start a family of his own. In the meantime, why don’t you come and visit him?” Doris suggested.
The couple nodded eagerly. Jessie gave them directions to the Wildlife Center. Doris gently covered the small fawn’s head with the towel and wrapped it in the blanket. It didn’t resist. Jessie got in the bus and Lilly climbed in next to her. The little girl’s eyes lit up when Doris handed her the fawn. She cradled it with care, and it didn’t move.
“What should we name the baby, Lilly?” Doris asked her on their way back.
“Can we call him Andy?”
“Andy is a great name. How old do you think he is, Doris?” Jessie asked.
“Maybe three weeks, not much more. Remember when we had that little deer a year ago?”
Jessie smiled. “Baby Doe, I remember. We gave her goat’s milk.”
“Yeah, we’ll have to get some. We still have a pretty good supply of baby bottles we can use,” Doris said.
As they drove back on the dirt road, Jessie reminded Doris to watch out for the white vehicle. This time there was no sign of it, and she quickly forgot about it. Margaret stood on the front porch of the house, hands on hips when they pulled in the courtyard.
Well into her eighties, the tough old woman was a true Florida cracker, born and raised in a cabin at the edge of the Everglades where she still lived. Cackling with delight, she loved to describe how she lost a leg to a nasty old gator in the pond near her home. In the end, she managed to get away and she swore the beast died of indigestion shortly after. With her peg leg, her wide-breasted body, and wild white hair flying every which way, she was a sight to behold. For years now, she spent nearly every day at the Center, and despite her somewhat prickly nature, it was obvious Doris had a great deal of affection for her.
“You didn’t speed, did you?” she asked Doris, eyeing her suspiciously.
“Of course not,” Doris assured her, shooting a silent warning at Jessie, who quickly glanced away.
Margaret affectionately patted her dilapidated vehicle. “You have to treat her gently. She’s an ole gal, like me. I don’t ever push her over thirty-five. And that’s why I don’t usually let anyone else drive her.”
Doris nodded in agreement. “I was probably only doing twenty-five.”
The old woman’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know, Doris, seems like you were going awfully fast when you pulled in.”
Jessie decided it was time to change the subject. “Margaret, meet Lilly and our new little house guest, Andy.” She handed the fawn to the old woman.
“Lilly and I are heading to the store to get some goat milk for our little buddy here. Okay?”
When they came back, Jessie heated the milk, filled the baby bottle and gave it to the child. “Here, you can be the first one to feed him.”
Jessie showed her how to hold the bottle while the fawn stood up to nurse.
“The mommy would be standing up while the baby nurses. Very gently you can push and pull the bottle back and forth.”
The little fawn emptied the bottle and Lilly smiled. “He’s going to be okay, even though his mommy is dead, isn’t he, Jessie?”
“Yes, he is. Everybody here at the Center will make sure he grows up healthy, and gets to go back to the wild the way he’s supposed to.”
When they were done, they carried Andy to an empty pen, and he quickly fell asleep. Jessie then took Lilly to meet the other animals. She shrieked in delight at the sight of the raccoons, possums, squirrels and all the colorful birds. She held baby rabbits in her arms, petted goats, and talked softly to a nervous young ferret. A couple of egrets eyed the child carefully from a safe distance, while a curious pig walked up to her and nudged her with its cold snout as she erupted in laughter.
Lilly helped with the feeding and wielded a broom to sweep the cages. Later Doris called them in for lunch. They sat on the porch, ate turkey sandwiches, and drank lemonade. Before Jessie left to take Lilly home, Doris took her aside.
“You’re really getting attached to this little girl, aren’t you?”
Jessie smiled. “How can you tell?”
“It’s hard to miss. Just remember, she will be leaving soon,” Doris warned.
Jessie nodded without answering. Her friend was right. It would be tough to see Lilly move away. Driving back to the foster home, she glanced in the rear-view mirror. The little girl had dozed off, her blond locks falling over her cheeks, rosy from a day spent outdoors, and a sudden sadness gripped Jessie’s heart. As if Lilly had sensed her thoughts, she woke up and their eyes met.
“I love you, Jessie,” the child said.
“And I love you, Lilly,” Jessie whispered back with a warm smile. And she realized no matter what the future held, she would always cherish this moment.
****
Leaning against the kitchen counter, she listened to the buzz of the microwave while it zapped a lasagna TV dinner. A knock on her patio door was barely audible over the sound of the appliance. Jessie peered outside. Nina grinned back at her, brandishing a bottle of wine. “Chateau Pontet Canet 2011,” she exclaimed.
Jessie was duly impressed. “Sounds expensive.”
The woman shrugged. “Only a few bottles left in the wine cellar. This one I saved for you and me, Cara.”
“I don’t think my dinner is worthy of such a fine vintage,” Jessie sighed.
Nina laughed. “On the contrary, it will make it taste like a gourmet dinner.”
“In that case, let me grab a corkscrew and some glasses,” Jessie said.
They sat on the patio. Jessie ate her dinner and they savored glasses of the fine wine while the sun was setting in a flamboyant show of colors. A gentle breeze rustled through the palms in the courtyard. Traffic noise from A1A had dimmed, and they enjoyed the moment.
Nina nodded. “You had a visitor today.”
“Really? Anybody I know?”
Nina smiled. “Very official, nice suit, nice tie. Handsome man, lots of muscle. Drove a big black car. I could like such a man.”
“Did he leave a card or a phone number?”
“No. He said he would try again later.”
“When did he come by?”
“After lunch, maybe two o’clock.”
Jessie frowned. “Odd. I can’t imagine who would come here to see me. Not too many people have this address.”
Nina refilled their glasses. “He came to the house.”
“Did you tell him I live in the cottage?”
Nina gave her a guilty look. “Maybe not a good idea?”
Jessie shrugged it off. “No, don’t worry about it.”
“You’re not mad at me?” Nina asked sheepishly.
“Of course not. It’s no secret I live here.”
After Nina went home, Jessie briefly wondered about the stranger, then d
ecided it wasn’t important.
Chapter Eleven
Seven am on Sunday, the phone rang. “Ms. Milner?”
“Yes,” she answered, her voice still hoarse from sleep.
“This is FBI Special Agent Bruce Williams. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
Jessie frowned. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m parked nearby. We need to talk.”
Jessie hesitated. “Can you tell me what this is about?”
“I would rather have this conversation in person.”
She sighed. “Give me a few minutes. I take it you know where I live?”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
While getting ready, she wondered if her probe into the Russian mob’s involvement in the human slave trade had somehow drawn the FBI’s attention. After all, she had called just about every government agency trying to get information. And so far, she had very limited success.
Special Agent Bruce Williams was right on time. When Jessie opened the door, she had to glance up. Dark skinned and sporting a short afro, the man stood at least six feet five. Jessie decided Nina’s description was quite accurate. He was handsome and dressed impeccably.
He introduced himself once more and produced his badge. Jessie invited him in and offered him a cup of coffee. He politely declined.
“Ms. Milner, I am here about the Thomas case.”
Jessie frowned in surprise. “Dariel Thomas?”
Williams nodded. “I understand you witnessed Mrs. Thomas’s car crash. You also paid a visit to her husband in jail.”
“Correct.”
“Any particular reason?”
“Yes. Dariel Thomas was arrested for stealing a briefcase at the airport. Because of his prior dealings with the law, he refused to talk to them about it. The police were very keen on getting it back, and I attempted to broker some sort of agreement between them.”
“Why was that?” the agent asked.
“So the charges could be dropped and Dariel could be reunited with his little girl.”
The man nodded. “You know the child?”
“Her name is Lilly. I met her the night Mandy Thomas died. She was in the car with her mom. Thankfully, Mandy had her get down on the floor in the back of the car. It saved her life. She’s only five years old.”
“So you rescued the child.”
Jessie nodded. “Lilly lost her mother and now, she’s lost her father as well. Dariel would have done anything to be with her again.”
“What did he tell you about the briefcase?”
“There was money, and according to him, some very valuable diamonds.”
“And what did he do with the briefcase?” Williams asked.
“He tossed it. Said he hid the money inside the house, and the diamonds elsewhere.”
“So he didn’t reveal their location?”
Jessie shook her head. “He wanted all charges dropped in exchange for that information. After my initial visit with him, we had an arrangement. Lilly and I would come to see him at the jail the next day—” She stopped suddenly. “May I ask why the FBI is involved in this?”
“We will get there in a minute. Did you see who was chasing Mandy Thomas?”
“I’m afraid not. The car stopped only briefly when it pulled up next to the wrecked car. I got a quick glimpse of the passenger, but it was very dark. I think he saw me and they took off.”
“Were there two men in the vehicle?”
Jessie shrugged. “Two persons for sure, the driver, of course, and a passenger. There could have been someone else in the back seat. Like I said, it was dark and they left quickly.”
“Do you think you could identify the passenger if you saw him again?”
“I can tell you he had dark hair. Going as far as actually recognizing him? I couldn’t really make out his features. So no, I don’t think so.”
He nodded somberly. “I see.”
Jessie stared at him. “You already knew all this, didn’t you?”
“I had a talk with Detective Boyd.”
“Then why are we going over everything again?” she protested.
“I needed to ask you these questions myself. Find out if Thomas gave you any kind of hint or indication where he stashed the briefcase.”
Jessie shook her head. “As I said, he threw it away. I believe the thugs who had him beaten and killed in jail got their hands on the money.”
“And the diamonds?”
“I don’t think Dariel gave them the location of the diamonds.”
“What makes you think so?” he asked.
“This was his get-out-of-jail card. His only chance to get Lilly back. There’s no way he would have given it up. Now, please tell me why the FBI is so interested in Dariel Thomas.”
“We are investigating certain individuals who may be involved in this theft.”
Jessie was taken aback. “You know who they are?”
“Some of them.”
“Like the man who died at the airport?” she asked.
“I can’t tell you any more right now, Ms. Milner, except this concerns national security. You are a reporter. Am I correct?”
Jessie scoffed. “You already know the answer to that question.”
The man’s face remained impassive. “None of this information can be published at this time. Do you understand?”
“If not now, when can it be published?”
Williams shook his head. “Frankly, I can’t tell you right now. I hope you realize any attempt on your part to compromise our investigation can lead to your arrest. And, yes, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Jessie leaned forward, eyeing him curiously. “These days, when national security is mentioned, it usually involves terrorism. Is this what we’re talking about here?”
“I can’t answer that. You just have to take my word,” he warned.
“I get it. Tell me when the time is right. I want to be the one who breaks this story,” Jessie insisted.
The agent didn’t answer. He got up and handed her his business card. “If you acquire any additional information about Mr. Thomas, or remember anything else, please call me.”
Jessie nodded and he left. After he was gone, she made a cup of coffee, then sat in the kitchen going over their conversation. Although he revealed very little, it was enough to set off her internal antenna. If in fact the diamonds and the money were linked to a group involved in terrorism, it would put a whole new perspective on the heist. In that instance, from the moment Dariel Thomas stole the briefcase, he never had a chance. And neither did Mandy.
****
After calling Lilly’s foster mom to confirm she would be picking up the child before lunch, she made a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She dropped them into a beach bag along with some grapes, beach towels, sun tan lotion and bottles of water. Satisfied she had everything, she changed into a bathing suit, pulled on a T-shirt and shorts, and was searching through her closet to find a suitable hat for Lilly to wear at the beach, when there was a knock on the front door. Nina hardly ever got up before noon, so maybe it was the FBI agent again. With an exasperated sigh, she threw open the door and stood facing a man with deep green eyes and reddish blond hair long enough to rest on his collar. Wearing a Jimmy Buffett T-shirt, cargo shorts and deck shoes, he gave her a crooked grin. “Ms. Milner?”
“That would be me.”
“My name is Liam Donovan. I’m a private investigator. Could I have a few moments of your time?” he inquired.
“I’m in a bit of a rush. What is this about?”
“Dariel Thomas.”
Jessie sighed. “It seems a lot of people are suddenly interested in him.”
“I won’t take long, I promise,” he persisted.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked for an ID. He handed her a business card. She read it, stepped outside and closed the door behind her. She headed for the stone path on the side of the cottage and motioned for him to follow. “Let’s go
around this way. We can talk out here.”
She led him to the table in the courtyard and they took a seat. A couple of robins sauntered in the small grassy area, feasting on insects. Masses of purple bougainvillea blooms hugged the wall flanking the patio.
He glanced around. “You have a nice place here.”
“I like it. Now tell me, what is it we need to talk about?” she said impatiently.
He smiled, revealing a nice set of white teeth. “I’ll get right to the point. There’s this French insurance company by the name of Courtel. Among their clients there is a business that specializes in buying and selling gold and precious stones. Last month there was a diamond heist in Paris… Did you hear about it?”
“Someone mentioned it to me.”
He nodded. “That theft led to a substantial loss for this company. Needless to say, since Courtel is their insurer, they are expected to cover the loss. So, as you can guess, they are rather eager to get back these stolen gems.”
Jessie knew where this was going. “And what does Dariel Thomas have to do with this theft?”
“According to our information, he ended up with the stolen diamonds.”
Jessie made a face. “How do you know they’re the same ones?”
“Good question. Recently, the French police arrested two Algerian nationals with known connections to ISIS. The courier who was transporting the gems identified them as his attackers. With a little friendly persuasion from the gendarmes, one of them admitted travelling to the Netherlands. At that point, he met with the captain of a Dutch freighter, and gave him a briefcase containing diamonds and cash.”
Jessie frowned. “And how did it end up here?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’m getting there. The name of his ship was the Rotterdam and their destination was the Port of Newark in New Jersey.”
“Did anyone question this captain?”
Liam shook his head. “Not yet. The Rotterdam is still on its way back to Europe and so far, the captain has made himself unavailable to authorities. It just so happened the ship docked in Newark the same morning a certain Alton Adler flew in from Florida. He immediately headed for the port. Some of the blanks still have to be filled in by our elusive captain. The fact is, Adler flew back just hours later. And according to my source, this time he carried a black briefcase.”
Diamond Lilly Page 9
