Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen (24 page)

             
A short time later, the yacht pulled next to the pier and docked. As they were disembarking, Lukas stopped Hannah.

             
“Please, if you find out anything, let me know first. I am prepared to move on this on a moment’s notice.” He glanced over at Gran and Hym, then back to the sleuth. “It would be in your family’s best interest to do so.”

             
His last words echoing through her mind, Hannah summed up a mock smile and agreed. Then, with Gran and Hym, she made her way up the pier. She called Ducky for a pick up. He suggested they wait at a local pastry and coffee shop, a place called Nevin’s. He explained he would be a few minutes as he was on another shuttle run for the moment.

After finding a table, Gran made a call to Papa Jay and said she would explain everything when they got back to the hospital. Hanging up, she said,
“Grumpus is edgy. Nothing’s happened, but he mentioned those pearl handles of his again. I just agreed to go to the range when we get back.” She rolled her eyes. “What can you do?”

The conversation turned to Lukas
’ story when a familiar voice called out.

             
“Hello there.”

             
Everyone smiled as Vera and Marquette approached. The latter held Critic on a leash. Though he attempted to run to Hannah, Marquette ordered him back in broken English laced with her heavy French accent. He obeyed with some reluctance once she picked up the pace of their approach. Reaching the table, he jumped on Hannah. He gave all the licks he could manage before the ladies and Hannah made a combined effort to halt the love.               After all was settled, the women joined the group. 

             
“Dad and I have been trying to get you all morning. He had to go to an interview, but we wanted to tell you we did a search last night of the galley. There was nothing there but food. Nothing that looked suspicious.”

             
Marquette tapped on the tabletop. “I too did help. And Louis and Vera did a look at everything there. Pots. Pans. Dishes. Cabinets. All complete. I am not sure what it was we were to find, but find it we did not.”

             
Hannah rolled her tongue. “We’re missing something still.” She issues a quick recap of the day’s events as Marquette and Vera listened. The conversation veered off course when Critic issued an “I wuv you” howl long enough to draw everyone’s attention. It was just enough of a distraction for him to reach over and steal Hym’s cinnamon sugar doughnut, which he consumed in one quick gulp. Marquette scolded him. 

             
“Un si mauvais chien, vous êtes,” she declared. “Such a bad doggy you are.”

Her harsh words caused him to
lie down and cover his face with a paw, much to the amusement of all.

Returning to
the conversation, Vera questioned Hannah.

             
“You say this man’s story fits the events, but you do not see it playing out this way? Why?”

             
“I think I can answer that,” Gran suggested. “Sometimes, dear, there is such a thing as knowing too much. Mr. Grimm knows too much.”

             
Vera produced a confused look.

             
“He knew about the attack. He knows about Gresham police and is familiar with some of the officers who appear corrupt. He knows Papa Jay is with Janine,” Hannah confirmed.

Hym reached toward his
plate, but remembering it was empty, he looked down at Critic and shook his head. “He seemed adamant about finding the case, though.” He scratched his chin. “I don’t know, Hannah. Maybe he is what he says he is. Cate found nothing to suggest otherwise.”

“
I know and that’s what bothers me. He has a perfect cover story that rings true, but there’s no real way to check it out in full. Seems too good to be true.”

“
There is one way to find out,” Gran said. She reached over and squeezed her granddaughter’s forearm.

Again, Hannah gave her tell-tell sign of contemplation.

“Yeah, that is what I am fixing to do. I know you want to go, Gran, but you won’t be able to live with Papa Jay if you do. You need to go back to the hospital.”

Although
her face showed disappointment, Gran agreed.

Hannah turned to Hym.
“If I’m watched, I need to get there without anyone knowing. That means getting there fast and getting out fast.”

Hym twisted his face into a frown.
“Ditching me already.”

Hannah gave him a kiss.
“You’re just too slow for me at the moment, Watson. So here’s what we are going to do.”

With that, Hannah explained her plan.

Chapter 19

When Ducky showed up, Hannah introduced him to Vera, Marquette, and Critic. After stating his admiration for her father, Vera assured him that she would arrange a meeting between the two. He thanked her and asked if it were possible
to up that meeting to get a picture of Critic and his ‘pawtograph’.

“
I’m not going to lie. It’s for me,” he said.

Vera agreed. Marquette and she made their goodbyes and headed down the pier to the waiting transport boat to the Dahlia. Everyone else headed back to the shuttle. Once inside, Ducky also thanked Hannah for the introduction and asked if there were
anything he could do to return the favor.

“
There is one thing.”

Hannah did not care to lie, though she used the tactic when she felt it warranted. She needed the use of Ducky
’s key access to the staff elevator once again. The cover story she produced was simple. The journalist was still hounding her and that she and Hym wanted to get out without being spotted. Ducky produced it without question. Taking it, she looked to Hym and Gran with a knowing grin.

Once back at the hotel, Gran requested Ducky take her to
the hospital to meet up with Papa Jay. This was per her granddaughter’s orders. Though he did not try to escape the request, Hannah noted that he was not enthusiastic about it.

After the shuttle pulled away, Hannah and Hym made their way inside. She made enough of a commotion to insure that people saw them heading up. She even commented in a loud voice how tired she was and how she just wanted to get to her bed and take a nap.

After making it to Hannah’s room, she changed her clothes, putting on jeans and a black tee shirt. She donned the ball cap Hym brought along and tucked her hair under it as much as possible. Within ten minutes, she was ready to leave again. Before leaving, she spun around for Hym.

             
“Well?”

             
“I’m sorry, miss, but I was looking for the most beautiful woman in the world. She was standing here a minute ago, but then she just vanished right before me when she put on a ball cap.”

             
Hannah put her hands on her hips. “I’m just trying to blend in enough to sneak past.”

             
“Well, if you had black frame glasses you might be able to pull it off. As is, every guy will want you. You look too good just to blend in.” Hym held up his cell. “Contact me every half hour.”

Hannah smiled. She placed her arms on the sides of the wheelchair, leaned over, and gave him a kiss.
“I’ll call every chance I get. It won’t be long. I just need to get in and get out. You have the address, and I’ve set the phones up so you can track me.” She kissed him again before she stood back up. She produced her most serious face and pointed. “Stay in that chair. No fudging. You’ve had enough time on the crutches.”

“
Hmm, I’ll need more motivation than that.”

Leaning in close, Hannah put her cheek up next to his. Then she whispered,
“If you’re good, I’ll bring you back a present.”

A mischievous grin mounted Hym
’s face. “You, gift wrapped would be nice. Fun to open.”

“
Careful what you wish for, sir. You just might get it.” She gave him a wink and a devious smile as she picked up her phone and threw him a kiss.  

Stepping into the hallway, Hannah made sure no one was
out and about. She made it to the staff elevator and chose to take it down to the basement level. Guessing correctly, she was able to exit into the parking deck and bypass everyone.  The only time she came in contact with another person was in the parking deck. She passed a couple making their way to their car, but she noted that neither paid her any attention. Finding the stairs up, she exited on the street at the rear of the hotel. She hailed a taxi, gave the address, and was soon on her way.

The day was still
a beautiful day, and the sleuth was glad for it. Though she was curious about Lukas’ intent, her mind remained on Hym.
Gift-wrapped
, she thought, and wondered how long this relationship would hold out on that front. Thoughts on the subject entertained her until the driver turned into a parking lot.

She paid the driver and headed into the area marked office. Once inside, a clerk greeted her. Rather than ask to see the unit number written in Elias
’ hand on the back, Hannah inquired about the facility.

“
We have various levels of secure units. Refrigerated and non,” the woman stated.

“
I’d like to look around. My company is considering renting several units for the long term and I’m to get an estimate and check the level of security myself.”

“
Would you like a tour?”

“
I’d rather walk the grounds myself. When I come back, I’ll discuss with you what I found. If I am satisfied, I’ll recommend this facility. If not, we’ll discuss what I missed, if anything.”

The woman gave a look of uncertainty. Hannah moved to seal the deal.

“The estimate is for ten units. Largest capacity. Five year contract. Bonded funds.”

The woman nodded. She produced a printed map of the grounds.

“It’s a large facility. You might want to take one of the carts. They’re to the left, outside.”

Hannah agreed.
“I shan’t be long,” she added.

As suggested, Hannah took a cart. From the map, she saw that Elias
’ unit was in the third long building in the center of the thousand-unit complex. To keep up the appearance, she rolled down each aisle between buildings. She noted that there were security cameras catty-cornered on opposite buildings. They moved a certain degree for a certain time. Stopping and studying them, Hannah recalled seeing the monitors while in the office. While she talked to the clerk, she noticed that each camera changed angles every twenty seconds. They switched corner to corner. The map indicated four, two story buildings. There were ten monitors that she could see. This meant that from start to finish, a cycle of three minutes and twenty seconds would pass. If there were more, she did not calculate them. Also, each camera’s movement began when it came into play.
Poor timing
, she thought, adding,
too easy to bypass
. It occurred to her that Elias chose the location more for the name than the security features. She also did not ever recall seeing another storage facility in or around Gresham. 

W
ith the camera watching, she stopped moving, Hannah checked the time as she stepped into the building marked ‘C’. She found that there was a camera angled at her. Its lack of movement suggested that it synchronized with the exterior ones.  She glanced over at the numbers on the units, then to the map. She determined that Elias’ unit would be up the hall about half way on her present side. Before exiting back out, she also noticed that each had a simple key lock system. Boom, she said grinning. She stepped back out. Checking the time, she lifted the phone up and pretended to make a call. She pointed to the buildings, paced and gestured. When the camera again stopped moving, she bolted inside and down the hall. Having anticipated her need to get in, and having no key to do so, she produced a makeshift lock pick set made from paper clips. Making it to Elias’ unit, she set her phone on the ground so she could monitor the time. She went to work on the lock, recalling the lessons learned from Gran. The elder Starvling’s words echoed through her memory.

“
Now, dear, I’m only teaching you this so you know how burglars do it.”

Papa Jay gave his usual humph before protesting that she was,
“Going to

work
for the FBI, not the CIA. Sides, they probably issue her those things.”

“
Never hurts to know, you old Grumpus. Anyway, dear, to start, take a paper clip and bend it…”

The words played out aloud in the present.
“Into a tension wire. It goes in first. Turn like a key. Apply pressure. Lift pins with pick.”

Hannah bit her lip through a grin. Though she mastered the skill years earlier, it still gave her a thrill. Every time she felt the click of a pin falling into
place, it gave her a rush and a grand sense of accomplishment. The lock clicked open and she cracked the door. A rush of cool air escaped, causing her to gasp. Checking the time, she pulled the door so that it almost closed, but not quite. She picked up the phone, and again pretended to be checking the facility for the camera. This time, she did so from inside. She stepped to another unit, tapped at a lock, tried a door, and shook her head in satisfaction. She made a broad smile as the camera started on its swiveled path and then back into place.

The sleuth again went to the Elias
’ unit. Opening the door, she found a light switch. There inside, as expected, was the case. She opened it and saw an airtight container. Feeling around the bag, she found a hidden folder with a zipper. She felt inside and pulled out what looked like a crystalline stone.

Rolling it between her fingers, something did not feel right
to Hannah. Too light, she considered, but I’m no expert. She glanced at the time before again eyeing the rock. Thinking it over, she realized she was handling it as if it were fragile and precious. It’s a diamond, not glass. She pulled it up close to look it over. Then she sniffed it, popped it into her mouth, and rolled it around. Her eyes widened and she shook her head in disbelief. “I’ll be shenagled,” she said, half aloud and imitating Papa Jay.

Glancing down at the time, she closed the case and grabbed it up. It was heavy as Ducky described. She shut the door and made her way back to
the exit. Stepping out, she stopped dead in her tracks. Samori stood before her, waiting.

For what seemed an eternity
to Hannah, neither said a word. Her eyes locked with his as she tried to assess the situation. She glanced toward both ends of the building aisles. She measured the weight of the case. It was considerable and there was no way she could outrun the large man who stood before her. Running’s out if I keep the case. The cameras came to mind, but they offered little. The clerk might not be watching. What could she do? He could act and be gone before police got here. She let her head bend so that she eyed Samori under her brow. No way am I talking my way out of this. To her mind, there was only one option. With all the force she could muster, she hurled the case at Samori.

Time slowed down in Hannah
’s mind as the case sailed toward the man. The sudden action caught him off guard and he staggered back. It was the reaction Hannah counted on. She moved forward as the case struck his midsection, further throwing him off balance. He scrambled to get hold of it as she got within striking distance. She dropped to the ground and swept her leg around, catching him in the calves. The maneuver sent him falling back against the cart and to the ground. Hannah moved to her feet and grabbed the case from the ground. When Samori pushed himself up on his arms, she brought it around and slammed him across the jaw knocking him to one side. She turned, and with case in hand, ran as hard as she could toward the front area of the buildings.

Hannah was in full escape mode. Her heart pumped and her feet pounded the ground. Halfway to the
corner, she heard two things. The first was Samori yelling something that sound like no. The second was a pop. The ground in front of her kicked up dirt and she stopped. She followed her instincts, hit the ground, and rolled onto her rear. Pushing herself up against the wall of the building, she held the case in front of her body. Her attention turned down toward Samori. She saw him wrestling with a large man, who pushed him back.  The man swung his hand around and struck Samori with the butt of the gun. He fell to the ground on his hands and knees. The large man kicked him in the ribs, sending him over to his side. He then pointed the gun at his head. From her vantage point, Hannah winced, expecting horror to unfold before her. Then she caught sight of three more individuals and heard a familiar voice. 

“
That’s enough,” Madeline said as she stepped up from behind. Flanking her was a smaller man in his twenties and a bearded, older man in his late 60s. Hannah made the immediate connection of the three men to those who made the attempt of Elias at the hospital.

Madeline looked at
Samori and barked out. “Get him up.” Both the large man and the smaller, younger one followed orders and man jerked Samori to his feet. Madeline started for Hannah. In turn, Hannah, back to the wall, slid her body up the side until she was erect. She clutched the case to her chest. Madeline stopped just in front of her as the two men pushed Samori next to her. The older man stood to the rear, brandishing a weapon in one hand.

Madeline
’s eyes glowed with what Hannah assumed was delight. She put her hands on her hips and in a smug voice said, “Well, we come together yet again.” She gestured to Hannah. “Put it on the ground.”

Hannah complied with caution, keeping her eyes on the woman. Madeline moved over and pulled the case back a bit. She opened it. Studying it, she removed the large, sealed container first. She felt around the inside. A frown rolled across her face.
Opening the container, she dumps a large amount of mushrooms on the ground and began picking through them. She tossed each piece to the side with little care.