A Case of Deceit Read online

  Within minutes of landing, the helicopter takes off again. We see a shadow of someone walking toward our little huddle of humanity. I smile at the thought of who is joining us. It's good to have friends. Especially friends like the one who got off the helicopter.

  Even with the moonlight casting interesting shadows on his face, I can still see his impish smile. He sprints the last few feet, takes me in his arms, and swings me around. Our combined laughter bounces off the moonlight as he sets me down.

  “Dee it's great to see you. Wish it was under better circumstances, but still damn good to see you.”

  “I wish it was under better circumstances too,” I hit his shoulder with my fist. I know he doesn’t even feel it, as he is six foot of hard muscle. I turn to face the others to make introductions when I spot Fedora's face.

  Oh, crap.

  I ignore the long hard look Fedora gives me. I shouldn’t be bothered by it, but I am. I choose to ignore it as I make introductions.

  “Everyone, this is Eric Sage. He's one of my best friends and he's here to help us.”

  “I hear you have a bit of trouble here,” Eric says as he shakes hands all around.

  "Dee has trouble, so that makes it our trouble too handsome," Mama says as she winks at Eric. "I guess she'll tell us what it's all about now that you're here."

  That's my cue to tell everyone what has been going on. The smuggling, the killings, and the beating of Billy.

  “I explained to Eric what's going on when I called him earlier,” I say as we head back to the house.

  “That's all good, Dee,” Fedora says. “What is your friend going to do that we can't?”

  I didn’t like the emphasis he put on the word 'friend', but I answer him anyway.

  “Eric is with the FBI. We've been friends for years. When I came up with my plan I knew I needed to call and run it by him first,” I explain.

  “So here I am. Helping Dee get out of a sticky situation, as usual,” Eric jokes before explaining further. “This particular smuggling ring has been on our radar for a few years. We just haven't been able to get close enough to shut them down. My superiors thought this might be the opportunity we've needed,” Eric had his FBI serious face on. I let him talk.

  My memories take me back to when Eric and I first met several years ago. I was newly out of college and wondering what I was going to do with myself. Nine to five jobs just weren't for me. I knew I wanted something to do with the law but being a police officer didn't appeal to me. I was a bit lost when Eric found me that particular night.

  I was at a bar with a couple of other girlfriends. Eric was there with some of his friends celebrating that they were brand spanking new FBI agents. The guys hooked up with us girls and we made it a night. Eric and I hit it off right from the beginning. We talked for most of the night. We've been good friends ever since.

  He was the first one I told when I set up my private investigation business. I can always count on Eric. Not to mention he's a bit crazy. He's half Native American Indian and half Irish. He has the Irish charm and the Native American sense of humor. Like I said, he's crazy. I love him like a brother.

  “Hey, Chicka. You said you needed our help. With what?” Mama's voice rumbles through the crowd and breaks my train of memories.

  “I have a plan,” I tell them. “I want to catch who killed Tony. I am almost certain the same one who killed Tony also killed Nick Johnson five years ago. Nick was part of the smuggling ring until he decided to go straight. He wrote a book about his experiences. I think he was killed because of that book.”

  “Billy was hurt indirectly because of the smugglers even though it was under Angela’s orders,” I explain further who Billy is to catch everyone up to date.

  “So who are we going after, Dee? Angela or the one who killed my father?” Cynthia asks.

  “Both,” I answer. There is silence as all eyes are on me.

  “They are linked. The link is the smuggling. Angela wants the Wenner place to keep the smuggling active and make lots of money. The one who I believe killed Tony is also connected to the smuggling ring, I’m positive he's the 'fix it' man. The man who gets rid of people who are in the smugglers way.”

  “So,” Xenos looks at me, “You want to tell us who this fix it man is?”

  “Detective Wilfred Ward of the Ashville police department,” I state.

  “What?” Cynthia gasps. “He was the one I talked to about dad's suicide. He also wanted to come over and talk to me earlier today.”

  “I think he wants to kill you, Cynthia,” I tell her bluntly. “You would have been devastated at Tony's suicide and committed your own suicide. With Ward's help of course.”

  “You got proof, Dee?” Fedora asks me. I notice he still has that closed look on his face.

  “No, I don't. At least not yet,” I tell him. “I know I'm right though.”

  “What's your plan, Chicka?” Mama wants to know.

  “I want construction to begin on the Wenner place. I want it to look like Cynthia is going through with her father's wishes and building that hotel and spa.”

  “What's that going to do, Dee?” Cynthia asks.

  “That is going to make the smugglers man come to us. It's going to make Angela furious. It's going to bring a shit load of trouble down on our heads,” I tell them. It will too. I want my friends to know the truth. If anyone wants out, I will understand.

  I look around at the small sea of faces. Eric's is still good-humored, but I see his eyes are taking everything in. Cynthia looks worried. Xenos is frowning and Mama is shaking her head. Fedora, I notice is looking thoughtful.

  “I still don't see how we can help you, Chicka,” Mama says.

  “I noticed when I visited the club that there was construction going on a street down from you. I bet those construction workers come to the club for lunch or after work to let off some steam.”

  “Sure they do. We serve some fine eats,” Mama says with a proud smile.

  “I also bet you and Xenos know a lot of these guys,” I say.

  “True enough,” Xenos says as he looks at me with Tee still in his arms. “I grew up with a lot of 'em. They mostly are guys from the old neighborhood. Rowdy bunch sometimes, but good enough men.”

  “Do you think you could talk these friends into letting you borrow that big equipment? Just for the weekend? Do you also think these same friends would want to run the equipment? They will need to know the risks. For them, it should be minimal. It's the start of the weekend. The city shouldn't notice the missing equipment until Monday. I hope to have it back by then. They are for show only,” I ask Xenos. His smile is evident. That makes me feel a little easier.

  Mama lets loose her big as life laugh. “Oh, Chicka, I love how you think! You betcha we could probably find some equipment to, um, borrow for the weekend.”

  After they have a good laugh, I explain more in detail, what my plan is. We will make it look like work is starting on the Wenner estate. I'm positive that the smugglers are still using the estate. It's going to throw a wrench in their plans if we have people all over the place. They won't be happy. There is no guarantee that the smugglers will hear of the building started in time for my plan to work, so, I have a foolproof way of getting him out here.

  We set up a trap for Ward. As for Angela, I think her temper alone will make her send Sid after us. Once we have Sid, it won't be long before he spills the beans on Angela. He will do anything to save his own ass. One plan should help us catch one cold-blooded murderer and a gang of crooks, with a psychopath thrown in for good measure. In addition, we put a chink in the smuggler ring.

  A few more questions from my friends about my plan are asked and I answer them as best I can. Then I let Eric explain why he's here. Not only as a friend and back up for me, he is also here as an official FBI agent to make any arrests as we cannot trust the Ashville police force in this. Not until we know if Ward has anyone else on the force working for the smugglers.

  Eric is still joking
and talking with the others when I walk away from them. I need a few minutes of quiet night air to settle my nerves. I know this plan will work. It has to. I flex my sore hands and take a few deep breaths of the night air. I hear a step behind me and wait. I know who it is.

  “What is Eric to you?” Fedora asks.

  I turn to him. His face is mostly in the shadows. The moonlight seems to have caught in his gray eyes as they shimmer and glow.

  “He's a good friend. That's all,” I tell him the truth. “We were never and will never be lovers.” I'm not sure why I need him to know this. But, I do.

  I stand still and my heart speeds up as Fedora's hand lifts and I feel him cup my cheek.

  “Good,” he says, “Because one day, we will be.”

  I lift my face to him and watch him lower his head toward me. His lips brush mine softly.

  “We will be lovers one day soon, Dee. So don't get yourself killed,” he whispers.

  Chapter Twenty

  Well, damn. Fedora sure knows how to leave me speechless. Not many can do that. I watch as he walks away from me. I don't plan to get myself killed. I don't plan to get anyone killed.

  Just when Fedora rejoins the others, I see Cynthia detach herself from the bunch around Eric and head my way. She looks worried. Guess I can't blame her. I'm worried too.

  “Dee, you sure this plan will work?” Cynthia asks me. Sure? Well, no, I’m not, but I’m not going to tell her that.

  “It will work, Cynthia. If you are having second thoughts on this, I don't blame you. We can do this without you. I will understand if you want to bow out,” I tell her. I would understand too. I sure wouldn't think less of her. Not everyone is suited for this line of work.

  “I'll be close to you every second. I won't let anything happen to you. If Ward shows up like I think he will, I will make sure you are with Eric, Fedora or me at all times,” I promise her. “If he wants a meeting, I will be the one who meets with him, not you.”

  “I know you will protect me. I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about you,” Cynthia assures me. Just like her good nature to worry about me instead of herself.

  “I can take care of myself,” I tell her as I put my arm around her and steer her back to the others. Time to get things moving.

  As we walk up to my group of friends, I feel a bit like Robin Hood must have felt when he saw his group of merry men. We are a diverse group there is no doubt. A millionaire businessman, an FBI agent, an artist, a son and mother duo and one animal loving private investigator with her sidekick motorcycle-riding dog, Tee. Yeah, we are a strange group, but we are friends and I can't think of anyone else I would want by side or watching my back.

  “Ok everyone. Time to get this shindig started,” I tell the group. They fall silent and face me.

  “Xenos and Mama, I need you to see about the big equipment and the guys to run it. I want everyone to meet me at the Wenner place in...,” I look at my wrist. Damn it, I really need to replace my watch. I grab Fedoras arm and look at his watch. It was 2 am. “Meet me there at eight o'clock. I know it's going to be a long stretch without sleep, so catch some when you can.”

  “We'll be dere, with the men and equipment,” Xenos promises as he hands me Tee and walks to his truck.

  Mama looks over at me and gives me a smile. “No problem, Chicka. I'll bring my famous beef stifado! I cooked some yesterday and it will be even better today. We got to eat, right?”

  “I would love to taste some,” I tell mama; just thinking about this Greek type of stew makes me realize I haven't eaten in a long time.

  “See you later!” Mama calls as she follows her son to the truck.

  After watching the mother and son duo drive off, I turn to the others. It's late and nothing much we can do right now but get some sleep.

  “Not sure how the sleeping arrangements will be. This house only has two small bedrooms. The beds aren't really big enough to share,” I say to Cynthia and Eric.

  “No problem. You ladies, take the bedrooms and we men will take the couch and floor in the living room,” Eric says.

  I catch the look on Fedora's face and almost laugh at the look he gives Eric. I doubt Fedora has ever slept on someone's old couch or heaven forbid, the floor.

  “Since I was here first, I get the couch,” Fedora gives Eric an insincere smile. My thoughts are better left unsaid, but it should be an interesting night for these two.

  “You boys work it out. I need a nap and I'm sure Cynthia can do with one too. I only want to sleep for a couple of hours. Then I want to get up and scout out the Wenner place,” I tell them as I motion for Cynthia to follow me into the house.

  “Good idea, Dee,” I hear Eric say behind me. “We wouldn't want to surprise any smugglers if they are around.”

  Those are my thought too. I want to get there before Xenos, just for that reason. I show Cynthia what room she will be using and head for my own room with Tee close on my heels.

  “Get some rest guys. Play nice,” I tell them sweetly as I close my bedroom door. Once it's closed, my smile fades and my shoulders drop. I feel the exhaustion of the last few grueling days settle over me. My doubts start to creep in. I drop on the bed face down, groan and roll over. Tee gives my cheek a lick, but I can't even find the energy to give him a pet. I am bone tired and worried.

  Just before the darkness of much-needed sleep pulls me under, I give a short prayer to whatever gods are lurking around at two in the morning.

  “Let this hair-brained scheme work,” I mutter.

  ***********************************************************************

  What time is it? I try to sit up and my body is not responding. Ah, crap, I hurt. I feel like hell. Probably don't look much better. I glance out the small window and notice a slight gray in the sky. Dawn is not too far away.

  My inner clock tells me I've been asleep longer than the two hours I allotted myself. I yearn for a hot shower. Instead, I open the bedroom door and walk to the kitchen for much-needed coffee. The living room is empty.

  My ears pick up quiet conversation coming from the kitchen. Then I hear Fedora's laugh. As I get closer, I hear the deep tones of Eric's voice. As I enter the kitchen, the conversation stops and they both look at me. Each man wears his own 'we are talking about you' smile. I don't care what they are talking about. I just want coffee.

  “Good morning, Dee. You look like something even the cat wouldn't drag home,” Eric laughs at his little joke as I zoom in on the coffee pot. I ignore him. I pour myself the much-needed java then turn around and lean against the counter. I close my eyes as the hot coffee starts to do its magic and wake me up. With my eyes still closed I say, “I just wanted to sleep for a couple of hours. Looks like you two have been up for a while, why didn't you wake me?”

  “If you could see yourself this morning, you wouldn't ask,” Fedora states.

  “You obviously needed the sleep, Dee,” Eric joined in. “We have plenty of time to get to the Wenner place and see if anyone is around. It's only four forty-five.”

  Just then, Cynthia wanders in. She looks like her usual well-put together self. Not a hair out of place, not a wrinkle in her pants or blouse. I always am secretly envious of women like her. Even in a crisis, she looks like she just stepped out of the salon. Me, I tend to look rumpled and worn most times. I yawn.

  “Good morning everyone,” Cynthia says. “I do hope everything turns out alright. I must admit, I'm a bit worried and a lot nervous.”

  “Nothing to worry about,” I tell her. “We won't leave you alone for a second.”

  “Oh, I know you will do your best, Dee. I am not worried about that. I'm worried more about the unknown factors I think,” she frowns and takes a coffee cup from the cupboard.

  As she pours herself a cup of coffee, she explains, “No one knows what Angela will do. She's not well. I think we all know Detective Ward will show up. If what you say of him is true, Dee, he wants to get to me. But Angela, well, she's the wild card right now.”
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br />   “Angela will show up too. I guarantee it, if not her, her paid henchmen will.”

  I tell her about what happened at Angela's office. How she has always hated me. How she wanted me to find the deed, how she set Sid after me. All of it. It still gives me a shiver when I see her face with such hatred directed at me. Cynthia is right, Angela is sick.

  Fedora gives his chair up and motions for Cynthia to sit. She smiles and accepts the chair, “She is much worse off than I thought. Carrying such hatred for so many years is not normal. Please be careful, Dee. She's liable to do anything.”

  I shrug my shoulders and take another sip of coffee. I'm less worried about Angela than I am about Ward. Now that is one scary man. Cold blooded. I think he enjoys his role as executioner for the smugglers. I yawn again. When this is all over, I'm going to sleep for a week.

  I set my cup down and head for the bathroom. I need that shower. “Be ready to head out guys. I'm going to take a quick shower, and then we hit the road. I want to be there in plenty of time before Xenos shows up.”

  “Then what, Dee?” Fedora asks his favorite question as he follows me to the living room. “Do we just wait and hope these guys show up? You must have something in mind.”

  I turn around. I almost walk right into him. I didn't realize he was quite so close. I take a deep breath and his smell surrounds me. I always did like his cologne.

  “Yeah, I got something in mind,” I tell Fedora as I take a step back. Now is not the time for cologne smelling. I turn and continue my short walk to the bathroom.

  “You going to share with the rest of class?” he asks.

  “In time.”

  I start to close the door then pull it open again, smile my sweetest smile and tell him, “You're not going to like it.”

  Closing the door one last time, I lean against it. Hell, no he is not going to like it. I want this case closed. I want Ward, Angela and Sid arrested for murder and attempted murder. I want justice for Tony, Nick, and Billy. I want it so bad that I'm willing to use myself as bait to make it happen. I just hope to hell wanting all of this doesn’t get me killed.