Chapter 38
"So where is it?" I asked.
"Just hold your damn horses,” Henrik replied. “I'm thinking."
I shared an anxious look with Jack.
Henrik looked like he was working out a complex mathematical problem. "I got it," he said with a smile. "I buried it in the backyard."
"At the retirement home?"
His face twisted. "No. The backyard of my home."
"Great,” Jack said. “We'll go dig it up.”
"There may be one slight problem," Henrik cautioned. "I don't own the place anymore."
We both stared at him.
"When did you sell it?" I asked.
"A few years back, when Giselle insisted I get full-time care. This is all her fault. I didn't need assistance. I was doing just fine."
"You’re sure that's where it is.”
His brow remained wrinkled. "Yes. Do I need to repeat myself?"
"What's the address of your old home?”
“876 Willow Bend Way.”
"You're sure about that?" I said.
"I lived there for damn near 40 years. I should know my own address.”
I shared a look with Jack.
It was late, but time was of the essence. We gathered our things, called for a ride share, then helped Henrik out to the parking lot.
By the time we got there, a black Lincoln Navigator had pulled in. The SUV drove around by the dock, and we climbed inside. We slid into the cushy leather seats, and Clarence zipped us over to Willow Bend.
He took one look at us in the rearview and changed the station from rap to yacht rock.
We pulled to the curb in the upscale neighborhood in front of the two-story French colonial with dove-gray siding, Arctic white trim, square columns, and a large veranda. A white picket fence surrounded the yard, and tall palm trees swayed in the breeze. A colorful flower garden looked well-tended.
We climbed out of the SUV and stood in front of the home, surveying the grounds. There weren't any lights on. It was a little after 11:00 PM, and I figured everyone was asleep.
The Navigator drove off.
"What's the game plan?" JD asked.
"We’re going to knock on the door and tell them we need to dig a hole in the backyard.”
"A gas leak,” JD suggested. "Fiber-optic cables. Sewer line.”
"That's great, but we’re not with the gas company, the phone company, or public works."
"Preliminary investigation.” He paused. "We could always tell them we suspect there's a dead body buried back there by the previous tenant.”
I gave him a look.
Jack shrugged. "What?"
"This ain't my house," Henrik said.
We both looked at him with confused faces.
"This is 876 Willow Bend Way,” I said.
"It might be 876 Willow Bend, but that ain’t my house,” he said, pointing a craggy finger.
The house looked like a new build. "You said you sold it three years ago?"
"Yes.”
"So they tore down the house and rebuilt?" Jack said. "The crystal is still probably buried in the ground in the backyard."
I took a deep breath. "Let's go see what they have to say."
We pushed through the gate and strolled the walkway up to the veranda. I rang the video doorbell and waited.
An annoyed voice crackled through the speaker a moment later. “Do you know what time it is?”
“Coconut County,” I said, flashing my badge to the lens. “Sorry to disturb you at this hour.” I shared a look with Jack before proceeding. “We’re investigating a cold case and need to take a look around your backyard.”
“Cold case?”
“We believe perpetrators may have concealed evidence on the property.”
“Evidence?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If it’s a cold case, can this wait until the morning?”
“No, sir. Time is of the essence. We believe there is a connection to a recent kidnapping.”
Jack muttered, “Just tell him there’s a body buried in his backyard and we need to dig it up.”
“What!?”
“We can come back with a warrant,” I said, bluffing. “But we’re losing valuable time, and a young girl’s life is at stake.”
“How long is this going to take? I’ve got an early flight out in the morning.”
“We just need to take a look around, then determine the next steps,” I said, trying to minimize the inconvenience.
He sighed. “Sure. Go ahead. The gate’s unlocked. I’ll meet you around back.
We escorted Henrik around the house and up the driveway to the back gate and stepped onto the patio. Henrik looked around, taking in the scenery. "This has changed a lot."
"Where did you bury it?" I asked.
"I need to get my bearings.” He looked around, trying to find some natural landmarks, but everything had changed.
The patio was made of nice stonework. A fire pit offered a centerpiece for social gatherings.
A propane grill stood ready to barbecue burgers, and a covered bar offered the perfect place to serve drinks.
The pool was perfect for lounging in the sun on a float pad.
It gave off resort vibes, designed for leisure.
James, the homeowner, stepped onto the patio through the back door. He’d put on a T-shirt and shorts, but was in his bare feet. James was mid-40s with short curly dark hair, a chubby face, and a portly figure. He stood about 6’2” and was an imposing guy. "Want to tell me what this is all about?"
"Like I said," I replied. "Cold case that may be connected to a current kidnapping."
His brow wrinkled with confusion. "I still don't see what that has to do with my property." James surveyed JD and me, then Henrik, trying to piece it all together. He pointed at the old man as Henrik counted off steps from the fence to the edge of the house. "Who is Einstein over here?"
The bushy white hair made a direct comparison obvious. James didn't know how spot on his reference was.
"He's involved in the investigation. The former homeowner." I changed the subject. "How long have you been in the house?”
"About a year now. We bought it from a guy who did a teardown and rebuild.”
Henrik rejoined us. "By my calculations, it's in the living room," he said, pointing.
My brow lifted. "You sure?”
"My calculations are never wrong."
"What exactly are you looking for?" James asked.
"It's a long, complicated story," I said. Then I asked Henrik again, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"I'm positive,” he said without a trace of doubt. "This I know.”
I grimaced, shared a look with Jack, then addressed James. "This is going to sound outrageous, but hear me out."