Key West Gone into the Night by Elizabeth Hilleren (universal ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“She wants to talk to you in person. I said I didn’t know when you’d be back but I’d give you the message.”

“What the hell could she want?”

“You might want to find out what she should do now, Burt. She’s alone now that Carl is dead.”

“I’ll call her tomorrow morning…ah…I’ll call her tonight. I’ll go see her tomorrow.”

“All I want is a night alone with you, my love.” Amy pushed back her chair and hugged him around the neck. “I’ll clear away the dishes and I’m all yours.”

“Is that a cake under that silver cover?”

“Sure is.  You want it in the bedroom?”

Harris laughed. “Sounds good.”

“Meet you in there.”

“Oh, yeah…”

Burt had no sooner headed off to the bedroom than the doorbell rang.

“Now what?” Amy beat him to the door. On the step stood Stephanie.

“Stephanie,” Amy said.

“I need to see Burt, now.”

Harris pulled the door open wide. “Come on in, Stephie.”

“That’s Stephanie to you.” She looked indignantly at him.

“Have a seat,” Harris said, pointing to the chair close to the couch. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m here because Carl is dead. Killed like Susan. Now I don’t have anyone.”

Harris let out a long breath. “Look Stephie, I don’t know what to say. Carl was a fool. These people don’t negotiate.”

“Well, at least he brought them out into the open. That’s more than the police have done.”

Amy felt Harris’ arm tighten under her hand.

“Would you like some coffee, Stephanie?” she asked calmly.

“Yes.”

“I’ll get it and you two can talk.”

“This is a delicate case.  The most important part is getting the children back safely.  Got it?”

“Days have gone by and no one is doing anything. You understand that?”

“Things are happening. You just don’t see them because you don’t know where to look. If you have something of value to contribute to the process the police would welcome your contribution. People who are too close to the situation tend to approach emotionally rather than logically. When you’re dealing with serious people that approach gets people killed. Carl is a case in point. The police are doing their work. Let them do it.”

“Fine. Sit on your ass and do nothing. I’ll do something.” She stood and started for the door.

“Hold it right there,” he demanded, grabbing a hold of her arm. Stephanie pulled her arm free and started crying hysterically, her fists pounding on his chest. He took ahold of her hands and pulled her close, holding her to him. He tried to calm her, whispering into her hair, “Stephie, everything is going to be all right…easy, easy…” She finally relaxed and he walked her over to the chair and she sat down.

Amy gave her a Kleenex and a glass of ice water. “Drink, Stephanie…”

She gulped the water down with one hand and wiped her eyes and nose with the tissue. Finally, she took a deep breath. “Damn, I thought that was going to be vodka.”

Amy took her hand and Harris took the other.

“Hey, it’s okay. I wish I could do that. It’s hard, the hardest time I can remember…you’re not alone. We’re here for you.”

“I’ve never lied to you about anything,” Harris continued. “That’s not me. I don’t know how to help you see that. I guess I never did. That being said, there’s nothing to be done at this time. We need information that’s just not available to us at this time. The police are digging through everything they can find, trying to find the kids.”

Stephanie had regained her composure. “I understand. I’m sorry…I need to go.”

“We’re here for you, Stephanie,” Amy said.

“You can talk to us anytime and I’ll keep you in the loop.  Although at the moment, I’m only on the fringe of the loop. They tell me after the fact. But it’s something,” Harris said.

“I should go. Thanks.”

“Anytime,” Harris said.

Amy closed the door behind Stephanie.

“She isn’t all right. She was too composed at the end,” Amy said.

“Yeah. Why do I have the feeling she’s about to do something stupid?”

“Because you know her?” Amy said. “In the morning you can talk to her again.”

“Yeah…”

*    *    *

Sharkey sat down at his desk rubbing his neck. He glanced at his watch and realized that it was getting on towards seven. Sharkey saw that an email had come in from Rex on his cell phone.

Sharkey, if you have time, could you stop by the house. If that’s not convenient please let me know.

Damn, Sharkey thought. He called Camie and told her he was hung up at work and not to wait dinner but save him dessert.

He called Rex next and said he would be there in a few minutes.

He gathered up his things and closed his computer, locked the door, and headed for his car. The stars were out already, and the warm streets were filled with tourists.  Rex met him at the door and asked him to come to his office.

“Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner.”

“I understand.  You must be very busy right now with bodies appearing everywhere.  Well, I’ve got an interesting problem to discuss with you.”

Sharkey sat down in the chair that Javier had taken earlier. “What’s up?”

“What we say here must be kept between the two of us. You’ll understand when I explain.”

Sharkey smiled at his friend. “Hey, it’s me.”

“I know, my friend, but this goes beyond our friendship.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“This morning a young man named Javier sat in the chair where you’re sitting now.”

Sharkey looked surprised. “You have my attention. Continue.”

“He was here with Harris. They came together because Harris was called by Javier, who then picked him up and took him to where Javier is hiding. Harris believes Javier did not kill Susan. He is, however, being used