While staring at her, Jack said, “Does she know?”
“Of course, Danny found it.”
After placing her weight on one foot, she yelled, “You must think I’m invisible!”
While ignoring her, he turned to Matt. “It’s real, all right.”
“That’s great,” Matt said, with a huge smile.
“Where did the boy find it?”
“The library, in plain view.”
After belly laughing, Jack said, “That couple sure had a sense of humor.”
“At first, I thought it was fake, them leaving it out like that.”
“Do you know what this means?” Jack said, glancing over his right and left shoulders. “We’re rich!”
“What is it worth?”
“Half mil.,” he said, “More, with an intriguing history.”
“How can we find out?”
“We need a computer.”
As Matt altered his position to face her, he asked, “Seen a computer around?”
After responding by shaking her head, she turned to the children. “Have either of you seen a computer?” They looked at each other and said no.
Jack came closer. “No matter what the history, the egg isn’t worth the ten million the Top Dogs are offering. At best, it might be valued at a million.” After pausing, he said, “Now that we have this, isn’t it enough? Can we leave?”
“You can, if you want,” Matt said, glancing at him and then at Abigail. “But, I’m going to clear my name and figure out who murdered the Kilgores.”
“How do you expect to find the killer?” Jack glared at him.
After standing erect, Matt paused while touching his chin. “I don’t know, but it’s something I have to do.”
“Okay, once again, we’ll do it your way,” Jack said.
It’s the first time she witnessed the depth of their friendship.
No wonder Matt doesn’t consider him a murderer -- they’re best friends.
Matt faced Abigail. “You’re close to going home, young lady, be happy. We’ll concentrate on finding your friends’ killer and then leave. So, can you tell us anything you might remember before their deaths?”
“We already went through this.”
“Enlighten me, again. We may have missed something.”
“Like I said, the children and I were at the wheel. We wanted a break. When we looked for the Kilgores, we couldn’t find them. Around that time, I heard a boat coming or leaving, but didn’t see anything. I thought it might be the new captain. As we continued looking for Larry and Sandra, we heard your voices saying you were looking for something. Neither voice was Larry’s, so I feared the worst, and we hid. You know the rest. The next time I saw them, they were dead.” She cringed. Abigail stepped closer. “Is Forelli capable of murder?”
“Yes. But, they were already dead when he arrived.”
Abigail looked at Jack. “You had time.”
“When?”
“While Matt was questioning us, you could have done it. Do you have a gun?”
It surprised her when he started laughing. Within a minute, he looked at her with an intolerable expression. “Smell my hands and shirt. Can you smell gunpowder?”
“It might be washed away, by now.”
“I guess you don’t know much about gunpowder. You can’t get rid of it that quick, especially on clothes.”
“Do you own a gun?” she asked, again.
“Yes. It’s in my store -- never been removed from there. Furthermore, I’ve never found reason to use it until right now!” He stared her down. When he moved closer, she backed away.
“Okay. Stop this!” Matt screamed. “Right now, both of you. This is ridiculous!” Matt grabbed his friend’s shoulder and glared at Abigail. “He didn’t even want to come; he is doing me a favor. Besides, he didn’t know the Kilgores, so he had no motive. As far as I’m concerned, the only person capable of murder is Forelli, and he is ruled out. So, the only other explanation is the killer is hiding, or came and left.”
“Did you check Forelli for gunpowder?” Jack asked. “What if he came, murdered, left and then returned?”
“You’re making me dizzy with all the coming and going. But, let’s go question him, anyway.” He turned to Abigail. “Stay with the children. Hopefully, this whole thing will be over soon.”
As Jack and Matt approached the helm, the radio was blaring. The moment Forelli spotted them coming, his body jerked. “What’s going on?”
“We need to talk. When did you arrive?”
“Why are you questioning me? What are you two trying to pull?” His face reddened. “What kind of crap is this, anyway? You know I came after you.”
“The reason we’re asking is we need to find out who murdered the Kilgores. So, we need to smell your hands and shirt for gunpowder.”
“Forget it. I don’t need to prove myself to either of you.”
“Not even to clear yourself as a suspect?” Jack said, gruffly.
“My only task is to man this vessel. So, that’s my only concern. You four are the thieves, remember?”
“True. But, you and Luke are as cozy as bedbugs. If he wanted them dead, wouldn’t he ask you?”
“He didn’t ask; I didn’t do it, so you’re grabbing at straws here.”
“Look, Forelli. We know Luke and his men, and wouldn’t put it past them.”
Forelli’s eyes flickered. “Why don’t you question Robert and Brent? Now, let’s see, could ten million dollars be motive enough?”
“It’s not worth my effort to respond.” Matt turned to Jack. “We’re not getting anywhere.”
After Jack jabbed him, he said, in a low tone, “He’s hiding something.”
“You think?”
After reaching the main salon, Matt leaned back while sitting. “If Forelli didn’t do it, what are some other possibilities? Who might want them dead?”
“Since we didn’t know them personally, it’s hard to know. It could be a bad business deal, a love triangle or some old enemy. Anything’s possible.”
Leaning back, Matt ran his fingers through his hair. “What if the Kilgores cheated some drug lord? That could result in murder.”
“We can speculate all day, and it wouldn’t help. Let’s talk to Robert and Brent. They might know something.”
“Perhaps one of them found a computer.”
“Good thinking.”
On their way, Matt thought about the Fabergé egg and its benefits. Jack could retire from his jewelry business and get a condo on a golf course. Who knows, he might find some young thing to have babies with. He grinned at the thought. At the moment, he was weary of his merry-go-round lifestyle.
Starting over is appealing. But, the last thing I want is to have my past chasing me, he decided. But, to turn myself in and ask God for forgiveness makes me laugh. With a few hundred thousand in the bank, I can regroup and find a legitimate job. Without thinking, he started humming “Money Can’t Buy Me Love.”
When he reached the engine room, Abigail and the children were in the passageway. She sat in a chair, and the children were on the floor.
“Hi kids,” he said, smiling.
The children returned his smile, but Abigail kept her head and eyes low. After turning away from them, he walked into the engine room. “Hey, have either of you seen a computer?”
“No. Why?” Robert asked.
“Does it matter why?” he said. “Have either of you seen one?”
Brent came closer, and shook his head.
Soon Robert came and stood next to Matt. “It looks like we’re finally finished in here. What’s up?”
“We’re thinking about abandoning the search and going home, boys.”
“Okay with me,” Brent responded.
While leaning on the hatch, Matt said, “Before we leave, I want to figure out who murdered the Kilgores. I don’t want any of us to be a suspect.”
The two men were silent while looking at each other, as if the thought had never entered their mind.
“I need to ask you both some questions about the murders,” Matt said.
Instantly, Robert stood erect and slammed his fist. “Don’t even think about it. My God, how long have we known each other? Our friendship is built on trust. Do you really think we murdered those people?”
“Robert. You’re taking this too personally. We have already questioned each other and Forelli. Besides, once the authorities get ahold of us, we will be questioned. So, let’s figure out what we plan on saying. What do you know? Can you tell me anything? What are your thoughts?”
“Besides Forelli, I have no idea,” Brent said.
Robert turned to Matt. “How about you? Isn’t the person finding the body the prime suspect?”
After pausing for a moment, he said, “Do you think I did it? Any of you, do you think that?”
The expression on Robert’s face softened. He shook his head and said, “Of course not. But, how does it feel? Being questioned by a friend?”
“I get it,” Matt said. “But, do any of you have any tangible evidence that points to Forelli?”
Robert sat on his heels, “No, but who else?”
“I agree. He’s the only one of us capable, unless the killer is hiding someplace.” Matt scowled. “Let’s stop everything and poke around.”
“It’s unlikely the person is hiding,” Brent said. “We would have found him by now. The yacht isn’t that big.”
“Let’s look around, anyway.” He walked down the passageway with Matt. Jack said, “Robert’s right about one thing. The last one to see a person alive or to find a dead body is suspect. So, it might be the woman.”
“Forget it, Jack. She didn’t do it.”
He pivoted. “How do you know that?”
“The same way I know you didn’t,” he said, while glaring.
After Jack finished staring at Matt, he calmed down and said, “Any other ideas?”
Robert spoke up, “Luke or one of the Top Dogs could have sent the killer to do the deed in their shore boat and returned. So, the killer might be on their vessel, making us waste time searching.”
“Okay.” Jack said. “We know the Kilgores smuggled for them, and there was bad blood between them. But, why would they risk being out at sea next to us. One would think they would remove themselves from the murder scene.”
“That’s true. If Luke and the hit man were the only two involved, that would explain why they are still nearby.”
Matt scratched his head. “Forelli may not even know about Luke hiring someone to kill them. I’m getting a headache thinking about it.”
“I’ll check the shore boat to see if I can find any blood,” Jack said. Robert responded, “I’ll search the outer decks.”
Steven’s shoulders slumped as they headed to his parents’ to check messages. Carry touched his arm. “Are you okay?”
“No. Not really. I’m very discouraged right now.”
“Have you called Larry Kilgore?”
“No. I don’t have the number. I’ll call Mr. Jester. He must have it on file.” After reaching into his pocket, he took out the man’s business card and handed it to her. “Would you call?”
After she picked up his cellphone from the ashtray, she dialed his number. There was no answer, so she left a message. As they continued driving, he felt mentally fatigued. To soothe himself, he pushed the CD button and let classical piano music fill the car. When he glanced at Carry, she was in her own little world.
The ordeal is starting to take its toll.
After she glanced his way, she said, “Talk to me, Steven.”
“Right now, I feel numb,” he said. “My next move is to call the police or someone, if we don’t find out something soon. The only feasible explanation is they must be at sea.”
While he stared ahead, he said, “Those children need to know about their parents. My God, if she doesn’t come out of her coma, those kids are orphans.”
“I’m sure she’ll pull through, she has to.” Carry lightly touched his arm. “Many people are praying for her. It’s possible she’ll wake up at any moment.”
When they reached his parents’ home, he parked and gave her a smile. “Wouldn’t it be a great if Abigail left a message?”
“Your parents must be beside themselves with worry.”
“Actually, they don’t even know I’m having trouble finding Abigail and the children. They have too much on their plate with David’s death and Alisa’s coma.”
After getting out of the car, he opened the side gate, and they walked to the back door. He reached into a pot and grabbed a hideaway key box, took out the key and unlocked the kitchen door; they entered.
“Hungry?”
“Remember? I just ate.”
“Sorry, I’m not thinking.” He grabbed two Oreo cookies and popped one into his mouth. “Mom buys them just for me, so I might as well eat them, right?” After a few minutes, he turned and walked into the living room to check the messages. There were calls of concern from the pastor, his aunt, and a few neighbors, but none from Abigail.
“Great! Now what?”
In frustration, after jotting down the other messages, he angrily deleted them. “Well, that didn’t help us.”
“You must not forget, your sister’s cellphone is in her car, she might not have access to a phone. However, in case she does, I still want to check messages at my place and go back to her house.”
“That’s okay with me. But, right now, I need to regroup. I’m exhausted. Today has been a series of disappointments.”
He sat on the floor and laid back using his arms as a pillow. Carry decided to relax in the easy chair with her feet up. Within minutes, she noticed he was out like a log.
After twenty minutes, he awoke. While stretching, he said, “Sorry. I guess I fell asleep.” He sat up, and got up to go to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face, when what he really needed was a long, hot shower.
After returning to the living room, Carry stood holding a photo of his and her family together. “It brings back old memories,” she said. Grinning, she returned the photo to the table.
“Are you ready to hit the road?” Steven asked.
“Sure.”
Carefully, he placed the key back into the hideaway box, and they headed for the car.
With a smile, Carry said, “Do you remember that stream a few miles from our house?”
“Sure do, why?”
“Looking at that photo reminded me of an adventure Stan and I had as small children. We wanted to get wet in the stream. But, first, we stopped by Old Farley’s Market to buy some balloons to use as floaters.”
Steven nodded. He opened the car door for her, and then walked around to the driver’s side. After sitting, he quickly lowered the windows and turned on the air. Soon, he pulled away.