Chapter 36
Back at the Avventura, I spent the next few hours searching the Internet, going down rabbit holes, trying to connect the dots.
That's when I came across several news articles, and it all started to make sense. I double checked with court records, and the full picture emerged.
I shouted to JD, "I think I figured it out.”
The TV in the salon was tuned to a financial news network. The anchor said, “With me now is Frank Macy, CEO of Valterion Capital Partners. Thanks for joining us today.”
“Pleasure to be here,” Frank replied.
“Valterion's stock is up 37% in the last six months. You’ve aggressively acquired biotech startups and tech companies. You’re diversified into aerospace, real estate, agriculture, and the list goes on.”
“We believe the best way to position ourselves moving forward is to have a strong footprint in key areas. It’s hard to predict what the future will look like, but we know there will always be a demand for technology, communications, defense, food, land, etc.”
JD hurried into the salon, eager to hear my discovery. We both felt like we'd been running around in circles on this.
"I've been doing some digging," I said. “Wes and Cameron were both witnesses for the prosecution in the case against Darrell York.”
That hung there for a moment.
"That's not all. So were Ian, Landon, and Holden.”
"And you think Darrell York is targeting them out of revenge?"
"It's the best theory we've got so far,” I said. “York is six feet tall with a muscular build. He matches the description. He's got motive, means, and opportunity. He was released from prison just days before these murders began.”
"What's the connection to Dr. Miriam Renick?”
I shrugged. “I don't know. I haven't figured that part out yet. As far as I can tell, she was not a witness or a juror in that case.”
"So you think Darrell gave Wesley the drugs he OD’d on?” Jack said, doubtful.
I frowned at him. "What if Darrell went to Tad? Paid him to overdose Wesley."
"That's kind of a stretch, don't you think?”
"You're killing my excitement for this," I said with a frown, then I added, "Maybe Wesley didn't get the drugs from Tad. Maybe he got them from a new supplier.”
JD said, "Well, let's go knock on doors and rattle cages.”
Sometimes it was the only way to get a case rolling. You just had to stir things up, one way or the other.
We grabbed an umbrella, left the boat, and hustled down the dock to the Porsche. We climbed in and headed across the island to Sandpiper Point. It was an upscale marina full of tech types, crypto millionaires, business magnates, and Darrell York.
Like a fish out of water, he was hobnobbing with high society.
His Internet funding campaign had turned him into a millionaire.
I'm not sure how much of that he had left after buying a 42-foot sailboat and paying for slip fees at the marina.
But for now, Darrell York was living the good life aboard the Freebird.
I banged on the stern and shouted, “Coconut County.”
The Freebird was a thing of beauty. With a navy hull, white trim, and teal deck work, it was elegant yet capable. A hydraulic swim platform, dual helms, and open cockpit with a Bimini hard top and integrated solar panels, the ‘Bird was ready to take on the seas.
A few moments later, Darrell opened the hatch and poked his head out. His brow furrowed with annoyance. “What the hell do you want?”
“Just need to talk,” I said, displaying my badge.
“I got nothing to talk to you about.”
Darrell knew the drill all too well, and he knew to keep his mouth shut.
"Thought you might like to know Wesley Oliver and Cameron Talbot are dead," I said.
Darrell's eyes narrowed with curiosity. He hesitated a moment and said, "Well, sucks for them."
"Not a big fan of those guys, are you?"
He huffed. "Why should I be? They took 15 years of my life. Added an untold amount of stress. That kind of stress will send you to an early grave," Darrell said.
"You still mad at them?"
Darrell forced a smile. “I've tried to let go of all that.
But those bastards got up on that stand and lied.
Every last one of them. For a man in my position, I think forgiveness is key.
It's the only way to move on. You hang on to something like that for too long, and it will eat you up inside.
I wasted enough of my life in that cell.
I don't need to waste any more time thinking about those assholes.
I don't wish nothing bad upon nobody, but I suspect they'll get what's coming to them eventually.”
"You don't have the slightest urge to take revenge?" I said, egging him on.
Darrell stared at me for a moment. "Like I said, I don't think about them much. Prison was an eye-opening experience. Made me look at the world in a whole new way."
"Did you find God in prison?" I asked in a sardonic voice.
Darrell laughed. "You could say that I found a certain kind of spirituality.
One that transcends the physical realm. I don't believe in violence.
It's not my place to dispense justice." He smiled.
"I'm just here to embrace the moment, maximize my presence in the Universe, and leave a positive impression.
I believe what we do here, however insignificant, leaves a cosmic imprint.
Maybe it's just a scratch on the wall, or a scuff on the tile, but it's something.
The building blocks of history. You see, I've come to realize we’re all hurtling through space on a rock at a million miles an hour.
No brakes, no seatbelt, and nobody behind the wheel.
We are all part of the same existence—this unique moment in time—this crazy train.
Good or bad, it is what it is, and we must embrace the experience. "
I couldn't really disagree with anything Darrell said. But coming from him, it sounded like unicorn farts and fairy dust. "Seems like everything turned out okay for you. You made over $1 million. You got a nice boat. You got a fresh start."
Darrell smiled again. "I got a book deal and a movie deal, too. Seems everybody wants to hear my story. Hell, that pretty blonde is coming out this evening to do a story. You know, they got a big movie star attached to play me. Go figure."
"You want to tell me where you were at 2:00 AM last night?"
"Well, I was right here on this boat, knee-deep in the most heavenly slice of pie," he said with a lecherous grin.
"Can anyone verify that?"
Darrell called back into the salon. "Lexi, can you come here and tell these gentlemen where I was last night?"
A moment later, a gorgeous brunette with Arctic blue eyes poked her head through the hatch and surveyed us. "He was here with me."
I recognized her right away.
"You work at Forbidden Fruit, don't you?"
She smiled. "Guilty as charged."
"Were you working last night?”
"Until I met Darrell.” She shared a lustful glance with him. “It was lust at first sight. We’ve been together ever since.” She gave him a kiss. "Darrell's gonna be famous."
"I'm already famous," Darrell said with a grin, then kissed her back.
“What time did you leave the club?” I asked.
“Around midnight, I suppose,” Darrell said. “But Lexi’s a time machine,” he said, gazing into her hypnotic eyes. “She can make a man lose all track of the outside world.”
Lexi beamed with pride. She knew exactly what kind of effect she had on men. As a convicted killer, Darrell had a mystique that was catnip for certain women. Danger and power were strong aphrodisiacs. Alpha male, apex predator energy.
"You in possession of a firearm, Darrell?" I asked.
He broke from her enchantment and glanced at me. “As a wrongly convicted felon, that would be against the law."
"We're gonna need to board your boat and take a look around. Routine compliance inspection.”
Darrell's grin faded. He knew the law, and he knew we had the right to do it. "Well, if that’s what you gotta do, let’s get it over with. I’ve got important things to do." He said to Lexi. "How about you clean up the cabin for our guests?”
She got the hint and disappeared below deck as we climbed into the cockpit.
Darrell moved out of the companionway, and by the time we descended into the galley, Lexi had hidden whatever Darrell wanted her to hide—probably drugs or other paraphernalia. Perhaps, a weapon.
The boat was sleek and stylish. Every option had been ticked.
Black stainless steel appliances with an induction stove in the port side galley, convection microwave, and a fridge.
A dining area with a settee to starboard, and a luxurious salon with slim windows, plush seating, and hand-stitched leather upholstery.
Gloss walnut panels and brushed aluminum accents.
"I think it is bullshit, if you ask me," Darrell said. "I can't carry a gun to protect myself when there are all kinds of crazies out there. Hell, Mr. Sweet vowed to kill me. I think I ought to be able to protect myself, don't you?”
"I will need to see your paperwork, life preservers, flares,” I said. “You know the drill."
Darrell moved to a drawer to get the documents.
JD and I took the opportunity to look around the boat. Anything in the line of sight was fair game. I noticed a few suspicious things right away.