Chapter 9 #2
Victor leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling.
“We have her family’s address, but she’s not there.
When Estelle went missing, I thought Dominique might know where she was, so I had the private investigator put her under surveillance.
He watched her house in France for several weeks and didn’t see either of them.
Before he left the country, he checked with her family and friends.
Not one of them had seen Estelle or knew where Dominique had moved to. ”
Most suspicious that both women were missing. “And you believe them?”
Victor shook his head. “But wherever she’d gone, they weren’t talking, and the PI said he doubted anyone would get the truth from them. If you’d like, I can have Ugo hunt down the last information I had for her.”
“We’d appreciate that,” Abby said. “Did Estelle hire someone to replace Dominique?”
“No. Life is much more casual in Oregon than it was in France, and Estelle didn’t feel like she required someone to help with her personal needs.” Victor let out a long sigh. “I’m getting tired of all these questions. Are you about finished?”
Abby lifted a finger. “I have one more thing. We need to get the crown certificate and bill of sale from your safety deposit box. To do this, the bank will require an in-person visit, and we hope to escort you there.”
Victor shot forward in his chair. “You know I don’t ever leave this place and can’t go with you.”
“You can’t because you have agoraphobia, or you just prefer to stay here?” Burke asked.
“Not agoraphobia.” Victor placed his hands on the table, but they were trembling.
“I fell into a deep depression after Estelle went missing and couldn’t face the world.
Thankfully, a wonderful counselor came here, and I found my way out of it.
But our past social life rang hollow to me, and I didn’t see any point in resuming it.
By then, I’d developed a network of delivery people and other professionals who would come to me. So why leave?”
“You’ve never needed a medical test?” Burke asked.
“I’ve never had any serious medical issues, and for the basics, so many things are portable these days.”
Burke could see losing interest in society, but he would still have gone outside. Not important to their real issue here. “Would it be helpful if we made the trip in a private boat and not on the ferry? It would be much faster.”
“I guess.” He carefully intertwined his fingers as he stared at them. “When would you want me to go?”
“If Burke is willing to take us in his boat,” Abby said. “Ideally as soon as we finish this conversation.”
Victor pulled back as if someone had slapped him. “I… I will do my best, but you must promise if I demand to return to the house you will bring me back.”
“I promise, “Abby said and gave Burke a pointed look.
“Yeah, sure, we can do that,” Burke said, but he wouldn’t promise anything—couldn’t promise Victor anything. Not until they ruled him out as a suspect in the theft of a multimillion-dollar crown.
Abby wouldn’t let any time pass before going to the bank. She didn’t want to give Victor a chance to chicken out, but she needed to have a quick talk with Gabe before they departed.
She smiled at Victor. “Go ahead with Burke. I’ll meet you at the door.”
“Okay… I…” His words fell off, and he came to his feet, but he couldn’t have been more hesitant.
“You can do this,” Burke said enthusiastically.
Victor didn’t catch the excitement. A deep scowl drew down his face as he trudged out of the room, putting his weight fully on his cane and exaggerating his limp.
Abby turned to Gabe. “I have another exciting job for you.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Already sounds like grunt work, but lay it on me.”
She told him about Estelle’s journals. “Someone has to guard them to keep them away from Victor and his associates.”
“So babysit journals? All this tactical brilliance up here”—he tapped his forehead—“and you want me to babysit journals?”
Just the reaction she’d expected from him. “It might not seem like it, but it’s an important job.”
“Something you tell rookies when you hand them cleaning supplies after a drunk has hurled in your backseat.” He laughed. “But fine—I’ll do it on one condition.”
She cocked her head. “Which is?”
“You keep me looped in on everything else going on. No blackouts.”
“Not a very big ask. I was going to do that anyway.” She grinned. “This is just like Survivor. We’re stuck on an island, and you’re my ally. I need you.”
“Difference is, backstabbing is encouraged on Survivor. Contestants often turn on their allies. You know I don’t operate that way.”
“Right back at you.” She shared a fist bump with him. “Sam has the journals. Just keep them in your sight at all times.”
“Don’t worry so much. Sitting around doing nothing is my specialty.” He relaxed back in his chair and cupped his hands behind his head.
She laughed, though it wasn’t true. Gabe was one of the most active members of their team. “It would help if you read the journals while you’re waiting. See if Estelle knew anything about the crown back in the day.”
“Bonus. Reading a woman’s internal thoughts she didn’t mean to share with anyone.” His sarcastic response trailed her out of the room, but she could count on him to do the job. In every event, but especially now when the stakes were so high for keeping their business alive.
The front door stood wide open, a cool breeze blowing in. She’d hoped Burke would have coaxed Victor outside, but he was frozen in the doorway, one hand glued to the frame. Outside, Burke rubbed a hand over his face as if he’d lost all patience.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Victor says he can’t leave.” Burke’s words came out in a sharp cadence.
His irritation didn’t surprise her, but she wouldn’t let Victor remain unmoving. It was either time to push the issue or scrap the idea of going into town.
She pressed past him and reached for his free hand. “Come on. It’ll be okay. We’re both with you, and we’ll support you all the way.”
At her gentle tug, he crossed the threshold. He took a good look around, his eyes widened, and his mouth formed an O of surprise. His steps faltered.
“You’re doing great. Keep going.” She didn’t let him stop, but tugged him along with her as she backed toward the steps. She took comfort in the sound of his cane thumping with every shift of his feet and marking their progress.
Burke followed closely behind. Perhaps too closely, as if he intended to trap Victor between them. She only hoped he didn’t reach out and touch him, or the squeamish old man could bolt and run back inside.
At the steps, she let go of his hand and started to turn.
He slowly pivoted to look around. A deer caught in the headlights look took over his expression, but finally, he shook his head. “You’re right. This place really is in disrepair. And the landscape. What have I done?”
Abby feared she was losing him. The overgrown weeds, leaves needing raking, and moss consuming every shady spot presented such a big problem that he’d finally recognized the state of his property. Recognized, but didn’t have the wherewithal to do anything about it, overwhelming him.
She gave him her best wattage smile. “Don’t worry about this now. There’s nothing wrong that can’t be fixed. Let’s focus on getting down to the boat where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.”
The corners of his mouth actually tipped up in the hint of a smile. “It is a beautiful day. The sunshine on my face and the cool breeze blowing fresh air feels wonderful. It’s been so long.” His voice broke, the last words strangled from his throat.
She took his hand again and used her most cheerful voice. “Ready to go?”
Without waiting for him to respond, she started down the steps, signaling for Burke to fall into place behind them.
Thankfully, he’d remained silent and let her do her thing.
Victor followed her, pausing to ensure his cane found purchase on each worn rock.
His timid movement continued at first, but then he picked up speed until they reached the bottom.
“Just listen to those waves lapping against the shore.” Bewildered, he shook his head. “Why have I been so afraid to come out here? Makes no sense.”
Abby didn’t want to get into such a discussion now. She was certain if she got him onto the boat, they would make it to the mainland. How he would react when he had to encounter other people, sounds, traffic of a bigger town, she didn’t know, but they would face that problem when and if it arose.
“Our boat is ready for us.” She pulled him forward. “Be careful on the dock. It can be slippery.”
Burke continued at their rear, and the three of them reached his borrowed boat. He slipped past them and boarded.
“Our friend is a little unsteady on his feet,” Abby said as pleasantly as she could muster to make Victor relax. “Could you help him into the boat?”
“Sure thing.” Burke jumped into action and soon had Victor settled in the middle seat, his cane resting beside him and a lifejacket over his shoulders.
He tapped the bench seat next to him. “Sit by me, please.”
“Of course.” She took a lifejacket from Burke, cushioned it around her neck and sat in the empty place at Victor’s side.
Burke quickly untied the boat and revved the motor to get them away from the dock. Victor gasped, and Abby held her breath, waiting for him to insist they return to dry land. But he remained silent, clutching her hand as he looked around.
She had to give the man credit. He was overcoming his unease.
Maybe it was the glorious skies—the clearest of blue with fluffy white clouds floating past—and the smooth water.
As they motored toward the mainland, a cool breeze danced across the boat, and an occasional spray of water misted her face.
The only other thing to make this perfect was if the bay was empty.
Several colorful speedboats, two large sightseeing or charter fishing boats, and a pontoon boat dotted the water.
She had no idea if Burke was an experienced boater and could maneuver easily around these vessels, but she doubted his friend would’ve given him the boat if he didn’t have solid skills.
He did look odd sitting behind the wheel in his tailored suit, white button-down shirt, and dress shoes.
Seemed like something in his past had caused him to dress so formally.
Was it a uniform he was hiding behind? She had to admit to being utterly intrigued by the mystery he presented, not to mention how fine he looked in a tailored suit.
She jerked her gaze back to the harbor before he caught her watching him. Anchored vessels bobbed like obstacles in bumper cars, and Burke brought the boat through the traffic without any harm.
The motor revved on one of the larger fishing boats.
The bigger boat shot into action, the bow pointed straight toward them.
Odd. All the other boats were either anchored or heading to or from the island.
This boat was running parallel to the mainland, most likely headed to a preferred fishing area.
The large engine gunned, and the front of the boat rose from the water.
What were they up to? She sat up and glanced at Burke. He cupped his hand over his eyes and swiveled in the other boat’s direction, then pushed the throttle forward.
The engine roared. The boat kicked ahead. She grabbed on to the seat.
“What’s going on?” Victor cried out, his gaze shooting in all directions.
She didn’t answer. How could she? This poor man was terrified just to be on the water. She wasn’t about to tell him the larger vessel’s pilot seemed ready and willing to ram into them. At the very least, capsizing their boat—most likely ending their lives.