Run, River, Run

by C. F. Francis

  “What are you doing with that?” she asked, indicating the box he was holding.

  “I’ll get to it in a minute.” Rick herded them back into the living room.

  Kevin put his arm around River and walked with her to the sofa. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off of her and she didn’t fight him. Was it surrender or trust? The later, he hoped. She was strong, independent, caring…and she was becoming all too important to him.

  “I still need to get back to North Carolina. He was my friend. I need to be there,” River insisted, her voice trembling. Her posture shifted a split second later. “And I damn well want to know who the hell killed him.”

  “We’ll get you back there when it’s time. And you have my word if the locals don’t figure it out, we will,” Kevin said, as he looked to his two friends for confirmation. He wasn’t surprised when they both nodded in agreement. Brotherhood. It would always be there.

  “I don’t want anyone else involved.” River’s voice was firm. “There are too many dead and injured in my wake.” Her tone held both sadness and determination.

  “You’re not a fool.” Kevin held up his hands to ward off the volley she was preparing to shoot his way. He welcomed the burst of anger. He preferred it to her sadness.

  “We know how to handle ourselves and you need us, but we need to work together to get to the bottom of this. Hear us out,” Kevin implored.

  This wasn’t the best time to confront her with their discoveries or anything else, for that matter. She’d just lost someone close to her but based on what Rick had told him on the phone, things were changing—and changing fast.

  She crossed her arms and began to rub them as if to warm herself. She was still borderline shocky. He grabbed the throw from the back of the couch and draped it over her shoulders. The sideway glance she threw at him told him she was getting her feet back under her—metaphorically speaking.

  “What is it you want to tell me?”

  “Eric Kane. Do you recognize the name?”

  “He’s the man who sold me the semi-precious stones I used in the mask. Why?”

  “He’s also the man who was killed here yesterday,” Rick said. “You didn’t recognize him.”

  “We never met, and I know you checked his website. If there’s a picture of him on it, I didn’t see it. We always communicated via email.”

  “How did you I.D. him?” Kevin asked Rick.

  “We sent his photo to the Tampa PD. They ran it through their face recognition software.”

  “I assume they identified him?”

  “It got us started,” Rick confirmed. “We were able to dig up the rest.”

  “What’s this got to do with Dan?” River scooted toward the edge of the couch.

  “Nothing,” Rick answered, “which is my point. It looks like what’s been happening here has something to do with those gems you bought from Kane.”

  “I don’t get it.” The fingers of her hands were knitted together. The thumb of her right hand pressed circles into the palm of her left.

  “Eric Kane had a legitimate business—the one you contacted to purchase the stones, but he was involved with a nasty organization known for stealing and fencing stolen gems.” Rick carefully removed the mask from the box.

  “The stones I purchased from him were valuable?”

  “You said he wanted the aquamarine back. He didn’t ask for any other stone?”

  “No, he didn’t,” she confirmed. River stared at the mask as if she’d never seen it before. “He told me he’d sent the wrong stone—that the one I received was promised to another buyer. Aquamarines aren’t precious stones. Why would anyone murder someone over it?”

  “The FBI hooked me up with a member of Jeweler’s Security Alliance. He’s guessing your stone isn’t an aquamarine,” Rick told her. “Based on what I described, he believes it could be a blue diamond.”

  River digested the information while she rubbed her burning eyes. The tears she’d shed hadn’t helped. Her head hurt almost as much as her heart.

  “The shit going on here has nothing to do with Dan’s death? The bastard wanted the stone?”

  “That’s our assumption at the moment. If the fence, Kane, had a buyer for the stone and mistakenly sent it to you, he would have been desperate to get it back. His name has popped up in connection with several investigations of SATG enterprises. They’re ruthless and extremely dangerous. People don’t live to make a second mistake.”

  “SATGs?” Kevin asked.

  “South American Theft Groups,” Rick explained. “You don’t want to screw up if you’re doing business with them. The outcome is never good.”

  “Which explains the loss of hands,” Kevin stated. He’d remained at her side, which gave her some comfort and strength. She didn’t understand it, nor would she admit it, but she was glad he was there.

  “I suspect it was a warning to others. Yes. The loss of his hands and, therefore, fingerprints, didn’t cost us much time. We had the results back in hours. SATG members would know that. They are cold-blooded, but sophisticated and organized.”

  “How the hell did he get away with running a gem business?” River jumped at the sound of Steve’s voice. She’d forgotten he was there. He had moved from his earlier perch on the couch and was now settled in the corner of her small kitchen.

  “He’d been picked up for questioning a couple of times, but never charged with any crime. Technically, he was clean. The legitimate business was a good front for his fencing work.”

  “Which explains why he wanted the stone back, but what about the guy who killed him? Why take a shot at us?” Kevin asked.

  “Unless we find him, we may never know. He might have been trying to frighten us away and force River to be on her own. On her own, she, along with the diamond, would be easy targets.”

  River couldn’t sit still anymore. Invisible spiders crawled over her skin. “You know what’s stupid?” She rose to her feet and began pacing the room. “All the guy had to do is tell me he’d sent me a valuable stone instead of an aquamarine. I’d have sent it back in a heartbeat. He doesn’t appear to have been very smart.”

  “He was probably afraid if he told you about the diamond, it would have sent up red flags for you. They’re rare and not part of his catalog. His initial attempt to get the stone back by exchanging it failed,” Rick explained. “By coming after you and the stone, he was showing his intent to right the mistake. Besides, being on the move was better than being a sitting duck. When he failed to get the diamond, the SATG group brought someone in to finish the job.”

  “Why did Kane go after me on the beach? I didn’t have the stones on me.”

  “You said you’d suspected someone had been in your condo. It could be he’d already searched your place and didn’t find the stone. He was probably getting desperate and took a chance you kept them with you,” Kevin suggested.

  “I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did,” Steve commented.

  “I’ll need the stone, River.” Rick handed her the mask he’d placed on the dining room table.

  Damn. She’d just finished it. Now she’d have to find a replacement for the stone. It was the least of her worries right now, though.

  “I’ll take care of it as soon as we’re done here. Who’s going to tell me what happened to Dan.” She did her damndest to let her anger show over her grief. She’d finish grieving Dan in private.

  “We found him this morning.” Steve pushed away from the countertop.

  “We?” The air left her lungs in a rush. “Who’s ‘we’?” she asked him.

  “Troy and Colt. They went up there to look into your stalker.”

  “After I asked you to stay out of it?” She was having no trouble keeping the fire within her lit.

  “Hear him out.” Kevin walked over to stand in front of her. “You can tear into me later. I take responsibility for giving the nod to continue the investigation.”

  She glared at him knowing it wouldn’t do any good
to argue the point. Taking a seat at the dining room table, she braced herself. His friends had found Dan. They were there now. She could use their help to find his killer.

  “Go ahead,” she said to Steve, taking a deep breath. Still, she wasn’t able to stop her lips from trembling when she asked, “He was dead when they found him?”

  “Yes,” Steve confirmed. “Troy and Colt flew up there early this morning. They went to check your cabin out. The rear door was open. Dan was on the floor. No sign of a struggle. There was nothing they could do for him. I’m sorry.”

  How long had he laid there? Did he ever regain consciousness? Did he know he was alone when he died? River swallowed hard. “What else? How was he killed?”

  Steve looked at Kevin.

  “You don’t need his permission to talk to me. I’m the one asking the questions.”

  “He was struck on the head from behind. Troy said there was a piece of firewood next to the body,” Steve continued. “He suspects it was the murder weapon. This was either a crime of opportunity or someone wanted it to look that way.”

  Her firewood. She’d supplied the murder weapon. She flinched when she imagined the crack of the wood against her friend’s skull. Her hands knotted, twisting the hem of her shirt until her fingers hurt. More death at a place she loved. Maybe her aunt was right. Maybe the place was jinxed.

  River didn’t pull away when Kevin reached for one of her hands and began to massage her aching fingers. “It’s not your fault. Don’t do this to yourself.”

  “Don’t even think about it,” she snapped, remembering his high-handed way of dealing with her last upset. “I don’t want another shot.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting it. I won’t give you anything you don’t ask for. Okay?”

  River nodded, straightening her back. “Anything else?” she asked them.

  “At this point, not much,” Rick joined the conversation. He’d taken the seat across from her when she was at the dining room table. He’d remained there. “Troy and Colt have been dealing with the local authorities since they arrived. Answering questions, for the most part. Do we have your permission for them to stay at the cabin after it’s cleared and to do some snooping?”

  “If it will help find Dan’s killer, then yes. They can have anything they need.” She wanted that more than anything on the planet. “Does anyone know if my aunt has been notified?”

  “The local authorities didn’t say,” Rick told her.

  “I’d best go call her before they do.” River stood, sliding her hand from Kevin’s. She immediately missed his warmth. “Do you need me for anything else?”

  “When the guys report back in, we may have some questions you can help with, but we’re okay for now. Kevin and Steve will be here, if you think of anything to add.”

  “Oh! The stone,” she said, returning for the mask. “Give me a minute.” She’d need to add getting a replacement gem to her list of things to do. The task was small in comparison to the rest of the thoughts spinning around her.

  River retreated to her workroom where she didn’t waste any time removing the blue gem from the mask. She was glad to be rid of it. With any luck her recent problems would follow the stone.

  “I’m going to assume you’re right and this isn’t an aquamarine,” she said, returning to the living room and dropping the stone into Rick’s palm.

  “How did they find her?” Kevin asked. “You agreed she took the right precautions. She wasn’t easy to find.” He’d taken up space next to River again. This push/pull of wishing he’d keep his distance and wanting him close was making her head spin.

  “She did everything right when she left North Carolina,” Rick agreed. He pulled out a small plastic bag from his back pocket, depositing the stone into it. “But it couldn’t hold up against a professional organization. The SATGs are sophisticated and deadly. She’s lucky you were nearby when they showed up,” he said to Kevin.

  The comment wasn’t caustic. She didn’t take it as a rebuke of her attempts to push Kevin and his friends away, but a sincere regard for River’s safety. She wasn’t used to this kind of support—this level of concern.

  21

  Kevin locked the door behind Rick and set the alarm. Rick had arranged for a local gemologist to examine the stone prior to handing it over to the FBI. He was anxious to be rid of the case. STAGs were considered organized crime and the case would fall under the Federal RICO statute. The small Sanibel Police Department wasn’t equipped to deal with an organization of that size.

  “What are you going to do about her?” Steve asked.

  “That’s an open-ended question. You want to be more specific?” Kevin headed toward the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water from it, wishing she stocked something stronger.

  “She’s hurting.”

  “You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t want to go in there?” he asked, gesturing toward the hall. “You saw what happened when I pushed her too hard. I don’t want us kicked out again.” He slammed the bottle down against the counter.

  “You got in here this morning.”

  “I’m flat out of Pina Colada French toast.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind,” he muttered. “I’ll give her some privacy while she talks to her aunt then I’ll check on her.”

  “I’m surprised her Aunt didn’t call her first.”

  “Could be the authorities had trouble connecting with the next of kin.” Kevin took a slug of water. “Amy’s not Dan’s family. She wouldn’t be first on their list.” River, on the other hand, owned the property where Dan had been killed. Her name would be at the top of the list of calls.

  “How come they reached out to Rick instead of River directly?” Kevin wasn’t involved in too many investigations, but the act seemed odd.

  “My guess?” Steve’s eyes narrowed—a bit of anger seeping through. “Rick had already been in touch with them, and they didn’t want to be the ones to break the news to her, so they passed that nasty job onto Rick—which you wound up doing. I suspect she won’t have to wait long before she hears from them.”

  Kevin wished she didn’t have to make the call to her aunt. River was already strung so tight she could snap at any minute. The conversation was going to be tortuous for both of them.

  “Why haven’t the police contacted River?” Kevin wondered. “I would think it would be one of their first calls. He was killed at her place.”

  “They’ll be talking to her. Like you said, he was killed at her cabin, but Rick managed to put them off until we could break the news. They were happy to leave that job to one of us.”

  How many hours over the years had River spent with the police going over events that affected her life? He couldn’t imagine it got any easier.

  “Are you going to be okay with her?” Steve asked, pocketing his phone. “I can ask if Josie, Shayne or Cat can come over if she’d prefer their company to yours.”

  Kevin’s attention had been lingering on River, listening for any sign of distress. He returned his focus to Steve.

  “You know,” Steve said, “she’s not much different from the women in our group. Each one of them has an independent streak a mile wide and they’d all been loners until they met up with us. They also share some form of trauma. They’ll be here for her if she wants the support.”

  “I know they would,” Kevin said. “But for now, let me try to reach her. If I can’t handle it, I’ll call for back-up,” he said, clasping Steve on the shoulder. “Do you know anything other than what you shared with River?”

  “Troy and Colt did a quick search of the place before the cops arrived. They’ll give it a thorough going over when the scene is released. If the sheriff missed anything, they’ll find it.”

  “Wasn’t Gib supposed to go with Troy?”

  “Gib was being Gib—doing his best to get under Troy’s skin. Colt’s better suited for the task. Gib’s covering their business while charming the ladies.”

  “I bet he is
,” Kevin muttered. He’d best not be charming this one.

  “Did they find anything of interest at the cabin when they arrived?”

  “Nothing.”

  Kevin lowered his voice. “No sign someone was planning on leaving another calling card?”

  “None. That wouldn’t make much sense since River isn’t there.”

  “Unless Dan’s death was a brutal message. It’s got to be tearing her apart. She’s blaming herself. You heard her. What if that was the point? That’s more than harassment. It’s emotional torture.” Kevin fisted his hands. They were supposed to be used for healing, but he could easily kill the bastard who was tormenting River.

  “How would this mysterious person know Dan was going to be there?” Steve argued. “Give Colt and Troy some time. While the cops are processing the scene, the guys are out asking questions. Talking to neighbors—if you can call people who live miles away neighbors. They also have a meeting with the lead detective on River’s case this afternoon. Hopefully, we’ll have additional information by this evening.”

  “Call me when you know something,” Kevin said, following Steve to the door.

  “I’ll stop by later to restock you guys. I think Rick will be with me. If that’s a problem for her, one of us can bow out.”

  “She’s stronger than she looks,” Kevin said. He pictured her on the beach when she fought off her attacker. He was convinced her reticence had more to do with their safety than a real dislike of people. “I’ll talk to her and warn you off if she objects.”

  Kevin stood outside her room. It was quiet. Either her aunt was doing all the talking or their conversation was over. He tapped on the door.

  “Come in,” she said. Her voice sounded a bit husky and shaky. She’d been crying. Upon opening the door, her eyes confirmed it. Those sparkling blue eyes were red and brimming with tears. She wiped them away as he entered then she pulled back her shoulders, transforming into the self-reliant, independent woman. All the contradicting features fit. Vulnerable yet strong. He was so fucked..