“Can my aunt stay?” Lisa asked.
“She certainly can, young lady.”
After reviewing his earlier notes from Abigail, he said, “Danny, do you know what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore?”
“Something bad, but I don’t know what.”
Lisa piped in, “They went home in a small boat and didn’t tell us.” Her chin was low and her eyes were tearing. After Abigail placed her arm around her, she became calm.
Dryer thanked the children. He said to Abigail, “When we return, each of you will be questioned by the FBI.”
When the interview was over, Dryer decided to have Steven tell his family the bad news.
Officer Dryer smiled, while glancing at Danny. “You’re going home with us on our Coast Guard cutter.”
The boy grinned. “Can I visit the wheelhouse?”
After nodding, he said, “Sure, let’s go.” When they stepped onto the cutter they went directly to the helm. Once they arrived, he said, “Danny, this is Captain Larkin.”
With a wide grin, the boy said, “Hi.”
“Is this your first visit to a wheelhouse?”
“No. For several hours, we were at the yacht’s helm, and I helped at the wheel, too.”
The captain chuckled. “So, you’re experienced; I could use an extra crew member.” While motioning for him to come closer, he said, “If you want to help out, you’ll need to come place both hands on the wheel.” After Danny complied, the captain stood behind the boy.
When the men heard voices, they turned to see Lisa and Abigail standing near the hatch. Danny glanced over his shoulder, saw Lisa and snickered. Soon, Abigail came closer and touched his arm. “We’re going to the lower level -- are you okay?” After he nodded, she said, “Come find us when you’re finished, agreed?”
With a cheerful voice, Danny said, “Yes, but I like it here.”
When she and the girl turned to leave, Dryer said, “Would you like me to escort you two ladies?”
“That’d be nice, thank you.”
While leading them to the main deck, he put his hand behind Lisa’s head. “What do you think of our vessel, little lady?”
“It’s nice,” she said, sweetly.
“Do you have a place for us to rest?” Abigail asked. “Is it possible to have some privacy?”
“Sure. The lounge is small, but you won’t be disturbed.”
Shortly, they reached their destination. Although the lounge was small, it had a certain charm. There was a sofa and end tables with lamps. To the right, there was a chair with a magazine holder nearby. The decorative round rug and throw pillows on the couch brightened the cabin. Abigail took in a deep breath and reached for a magazine. Once seated, Lisa came and sat next to her and leaned in closer.
Dryer decided to talk to his men. “Before I leave, is everything satisfactory?”
“Yes. Thank you, this is perfect.”
After he was gone, Lisa glanced up. “Is Matt in trouble?”
“Why? Are you worried about him?”
“Yes, he isn’t with us. He is on the yacht.”
“I know, Honey. But, don’t worry, he is a big boy -- he can take care of himself. He’ll be just fine.” But, her thoughts were similar to Lisa’s. She, too, worried about him getting caught up in a murder investigation, even though her gut said he didn’t murder anyone.
Before speaking to his men, Dryer reviewed the paperwork from the interrogations. It seemed that Captain Forelli was the one person each man thought capable of murder. Yet, the timeline indicated he arrived after the bodies were discovered.
When the last member of his team arrived, he asked, “What’s your opinion of Robert or Brent? Do any of you see them as suspects?”
“No. Not of murder.”
“Do you think Matt or Jack could be the killer?”
Smith said, “I think Matt’s the ringleader, and Jack’s his close friend, while Brent and Robert are followers. As far as Forelli goes, he works with them, but there’s no closeness.”
“Thank you, Smith,” he said and then turned to address his team. “Each of you did a great job taking notes, even you, Smith. But, as of now, the investigation is over, and the FBI has taken over the case. Because of our team, however, the woman and children are safe. So, thank you. You may end your day and go home.”
After they were gone, Dryer went into his office. His cabin had a desk, a phone, a chair and a lamp, and little else. While working on his report, he included all the facts and details. So far, there was no direct evidence linking anyone to the murders. If Forelli was ruled out, it was possible for someone else to have come, murdered the couple and fled, unless the murderer was still hiding.
As the Coast Guard cutter pulled up to its designated slot, Dryer noticed three FBI special agents standing in wait. Special Agent Ned Parker came on board the Coast Guard cutter with his tan face and white forehead. The man was five feet, eight inches, and weighed around a hundred and seventy pounds.
After Dryer greeted him and had a proper introduction, Dryer asked, “Do you play golf?”
“Yes. Why? It’s my favorite pastime since my family moved up north.”
“Do you have a handicap?
“Yes, but nothing to brag about,” said Parker. “Enough about me, we’re told two dead bodies are on the yacht.”
“That’s right, the owners, Larry and Sandra Kilgore. Both were shot and killed.”
“Have any suspects?”
“Yes. Three men need further investigation. Two are on the yacht.”
“Do you have names and phone numbers?”
“Yes. The men on the yacht are Matthew Willingham and Jack Oliver.”
“What makes them suspects?”
“Matt’s the ringleader of three men, and Jack is a close friend. Captain Anthony Forelli fled after he heard us hailing them -- making him also a suspect. In addition, Miss Wilson indicated that Matt and his cronies were searching for some valuable object. Also, we discovered that four of the men work for the same company, with the exception of Jack Oliver, who is a business owner.”
“What company do the men work for?”
“Let’s see.” Dryer opened his folder. “It’s in here,” he said. “Yes, it’s the T.D. Corporation.” He handed a copy of the report to the special agent. “This is for your records.”
“Good. That’s helpful, it’ll save time.” While thumbing through it, he pivoted when he saw Special Agent Mitch Vorty. After greeting him, he introduced Dryer.
Parker said, “Vorty, you’ll be questioning the woman and children on this vessel while I’ll be on the yacht.”
Turning to Dryer, he said, “Thanks again, your men were quite helpful. Can you do something else for me? Will you introduce Special Agent Vorty to Miss Wilson?”
“Consider it done.” The men shook hands, and Parker was on his way.
While walking toward the lounge, they saw the yacht pulling into the FBI slot. Dryer said, “That didn’t take long.” When they reached the lounge, he opened the hatch and saw Abigail and Lisa asleep. He said, “I’ll go get the boy.”
Instantly, Lisa and Abigail opened their eyes and became aware of their surroundings. Once they seemed alert, Dryer introduced them and said, “Special Agent Vorty needs to talk to you alone. Can I take Lisa with me?”
She nodded.
Dryer turned and said, “Young lady, want some hot chocolate?”
“Sure.” When the girl came closer, he reached for her hand.
“Miss Wilson, once again, my name’s Special Agent Vorty. I’m with the FBI. I need to get an official statement from you.”
She glanced at him. “First, I prefer being called Abigail, and second, I need a drink and to use the ladies’ room, is that all right?”
“I understand.” He stood, while she left the cabin. While alone, Vorty opened the report Dryer gave him. Abigail returned with a bottle of water. She handed one to him.
He remained standing until she was seated and thanked her. “Can I get the correct spelling of your full name?”
She reached for her purse, thumbed through her wallet, pulled out a card and handed it to him.
After examining it, he placed it in his pocket.
“Please tell me everything you can remember and let me decide what’s important and what’s not, understand?”
She nodded and leaned forward. Her elbows rested on her knees with her fingers intertwined. She recounted the events, starting with running into the Kilgores at the restaurant and ending with being on the Coast Guard cutter. Vorty stopped her a few times to review his notes. Once the interview was completed, she stood, looked out the porthole and sat again with both hands on the seat as she stretched.
“Who murdered them?” he asked.
After crossing her legs and looking down, she said, “I told Officer Dryer. I don’t know.”
“Miss Wilson, I’m here to help you remember. Each time you repeat your story, you’ll recall more details. So, please, don’t get annoyed with the same questions by different investigators. It’s done intentionally, and it’s difficult, we know that, but we need to ask.”
“I see. Maybe Jack did it, but I don’t have evidence, I don’t like or trust the man, that’s all. Or, it could be Captain Forelli; he was very secretive.”
“Abigail. Did you murder them?”
Instantly, her cheeks flushed, and she turned away while tears fell.
“I need an answer. Did you kill them, Miss Wilson?”
Tearfully, she glanced at him. She slowly said, “I do feel responsible. They would be alive, if it wasn’t for us.”
“What do you mean?”
“They planned on staying ashore, until we ran into them. But, because they were kind enough to ask us to stay overnight at sea, they’re dead. If I had said no, they would still be alive right now.”
“Did you murder the Kilgores, Miss Wilson?”
Slowly, she shook her head. “But, I feel indirectly responsible.” Once she sat straight, she became more focused. She stared into his eyes. “No. I did not kill them. They were family friends.”
Special Agent Vorty reached over and patted her hand. “We’ll find their killer, okay?”
She nodded. “I hope so, will you notify us?”
“Yes. I’ll phone you. That’s a promise.” They sat in silence for some time. Then, he said, “That’s all for now. Can you please arrange for the lad to come?”
“Yes. Of course.” When she stood, so did he. She smiled and touched his arm as she passed him to fetch Danny.
Special Agents Parker and Morris quickly gained access to the yacht. Morris tapped his fingernails on his teeth while Parker grimaced at his gross nervous habit. After entering the main level, Parker thanked the Coast Guard officers and asked them to return to the cutter.
While interviewing Matt and the others, he asked, “Have any of you been to the crime scene?”
Matt stepped forward. “Yes. I found their bodies.”
Parker instructed Morris to interview Jack, Robert and Brent separately. He turned to Matt. “Where’s a good place for privacy?”
“Maybe the library. Come, I’ll show you.” Once they arrived, Parker leaned his backside on the desk.
“Please be seated, Mr. Willingham.”
“Call me Matt.”
“Matt. Why is it you and your men were on this yacht?”
“Captain Forelli asked us. He said it was a new yacht, and he wanted help.”
“Miss Wilson said you and your men were searching for something, what might that be?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Oh. You mean some mysterious object?”
“Yes.”
As he sat, Matt’s shoulders slumped and his chin lowered. “There were rumors that the Kilgores smuggled some valuable object, and it was hidden on the yacht. We were curious, so we decided to search.”
“Did you find it?”
“No. It must have been just a rumor.”
“Why didn’t you report the murders immediately?”
“I wanted to find the killer. I didn’t want to be accused.”
“But, was it you?”
“I’m no killer! I don’t believe in, or own, guns…they’re too dangerous.”
“It was you who found them dead, right?”
“Yes. That’s true. The only person capable of murder is Captain Forelli, but he came after I found their bodies.”
“Are you sure Forelli arrived later?”
“Yes. Robert and Brent went directly to the wheelhouse, he wasn’t there.”
“Tell me the relationship between you and the captain?”
“We worked for the same firm.”
“What’s your relationship with Jack Oliver?”
“We’re childhood friends. I asked him to join me. I wanted him to be on the water on a beautiful yacht. But, look how that turned out.”
“Did the Kilgores invite you to board their vessel?”
“No. I told you, Forelli did.”
“Who do you think is the killer?”
“None of us had a motive. We didn’t even know they were going to be on the yacht.”
“You had motive. The valuable object is the motive.”
“We didn’t know what it was and still don’t. So, why would we kill for some unknown object? In addition, Forelli said they were staying ashore. And, he neglected to inform us of the plan change. But, he had to know; Mr. Kilgore must have given him the course chart. We were shocked to see a woman and kids, let alone two dead people.”
“Where did you find their bodies?”
“On the lower level, in the master suite, do you want me to show you?”
“Yes.” Parker and Matt headed for the ladder. Once on the lower level, they walked toward the master suite. Parker was literally breathing down his neck. Matt started to open the hatch, but hesitated and left it partially open.
“Is something wrong?”
“I can’t go in there. It’s too creepy.” He backed up into the passageway.
“Stay there,” Parker said, as he proceeded. When he saw the bodies, he was taken aback. He took his camera and photographed the crime scene from all angles. “Where are the damn crime-scene investigators when you need them?” he muttered. “Has anyone touched the bodies?” he asked Matt.
“No, absolutely not. Even when Abigail and I were in here, we didn’t enter much past the hatch, and the men wouldn’t come near here.”
“Thank you, Matt; please return to the others, I’ll be up shortly.” Parker pulled out a small pad and wrote, “Future investigation is needed: Matt seemed to feel too guilty to return to the crime scene. Also, speak with Forelli and the owners of T.D. Corporation.”
Once Abigail and the children were told by the FBI agent that they were free to go, they headed for the gate. She was concerned about Matt and his men, but, at that moment, she was too exhausted to care.