Suffer (6 page)

10

GREY TURNED ON HIS CELLPHONE as soon as the plane touched down. He was back in Miami after being home in Atlanta for two days. It beeped, notifying him of several messages in his queue. He checked the first message from Evan while disembarking the plane. He quickened his pace when it ended.

Driving well over the speed limit, he arrived back at the hospital in less than thirty minutes. Evan, Paul, and Kate’s family were assembled in the waiting room when Grey turned the corner. “Are they here?”

“Any minute,” replied Evan.

“What did they tell you?”

“They just said they found their primary suspect and would give us the details when they get here. You didn’t get a call from them?”

“No, I didn’t,” said Grey. “But I had a feeling they’d keep me in the dark as much as possible.”

All talking stopped when the investigators entered the waiting area. “We’ve got some very good news,” said Carol as Kate’s family jumped to their feet. “We got him.”

“Oh, thank God,” said Maggie, clenching onto her husband’s arm.

“His name is, or was, Gregory Kirsk,” said Joel. “We lifted his prints at the scene as well as his DNA from objects in the house. Everything was a match.”

“He ‘was’ Gregory Kirsk?” asked Grey.

“Dead when we caught up with him,” said Carol. “The medical examiner’s preliminary report suggests a heroin overdose. The needle hanging out of his arm when we found him helped our assessment.”

“He was a junkie?”

“He was more than a junkie,” said Carol. “He had a long history of violent crimes, including attempted murder, sexual assault, and armed robbery, to name a few. This guy had a bad temper, but he was also smart. He beat the murder and assault charges by getting to the sole witness. Without her, the case was thrown out.”

“Where did you find him?” asked Grey.

“We can’t go into details until all the evidence is collected,” said Carol. “But I can assure you he’s our guy.”

“Why do you say that?”

Carol pulled Grey away from Kate’s parents to explain. “He had their fingers with him,” she whispered. “There was also a huge amount of blood found on his clothes and in his vehicle. We also recovered what we believe are the murder weapons.”

“What’s the connection to Paul?” asked Grey.

“We don’t know yet. But we’ll find it.”

“Can you take me to where you found him?”

“No,” said Carol. “That’s not a good idea.”

“No?” asked Grey. “Look, I know you’ve been holding back information from me and I get it. But if he did it and he’s now dead, what’s the harm in letting me try to figure out the connection?”

“Sheriff Doyle will be holding a press conference in two hours to let everyone in the Keys know it’s safe to walk the streets again,” said Carol. “He’s going to do everything he can to put this one to bed as fast as possible. He’s not going to let an FBI agent keep knocking on doors, asking questions.”

“He targeted them,” said Grey. “This wasn’t a random act of violence from a drug addict looking to steal valuables. There are still a lot of unanswered questions here.”

“And you won’t be the one finding the answers, Agent Collins,” said Carol, becoming irritated. “We will. We’ve done our jobs so far and found the guy who did this to your friends. Cut us a little slack and let us finish. As soon as we have those answers, so will you.”

“Sure,” said Grey. “You’ll keep me in the loop, right?”

“I’m sorry we couldn’t announce our every move to you,” said Carol. “The fact we even talked to you at all put our jobs in jeopardy. You’re just going to have to be satisfied we’re taking this case seriously.”

Carol walked back to where Joel was talking to Abby and her parents. Evan joined Grey in the hallway. “You don’t look very happy that they caught the fucker.”

“I just want to make sure they caught the right fucker,” said Grey. “The very little they told me doesn’t even begin to explain why this happened. It’s obvious they still don’t want me to be the guy to figure it out.”

“Well, at least Paul and Kate are safe now,” said Evan. “They are safe, right? I mean, it doesn’t matter why he wanted to hurt them as long as he can’t anymore.”

“What if Kirsk was just a trigger man?” asked Grey. “The guy who orchestrated all of this could find another. So my answer is, I don’t know for sure that they’re safe.”

“Is that really the case, or are you just pissed off you weren’t the one who caught him?” asked Evan.

“What?”

“We’ve all had a shitty week and need something, anything, that could be considered good news. And this is good news. But you look like someone just pissed on your shoes.”

“They seem to be satisfied the killer is dead so they can put this behind them and look forward to tourist season,” said Grey. “It’s not that simple, and I’m not trying to be an asshole here, buddy.”

“Okay,” said Evan. “So what needs to happen before you’ll be satisfied?”

“Well, the first thing I need to do is turn his life upside down and get into his head.”

“Into Paul’s?” asked Evan. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”

“No,” replied Grey, “I meant Kirsk. I need to see where he lived and where he died. I need to find that connection and the reason why he wanted to see Paul destroyed. When that happens, I’ll be satisfied.”

Grey and Evan fell silent when Abby approached. She was trembling and tears filled her eyes. She wasn’t crying because she was relieved they caught the murderer; she was crying because she was angry.

“What’s wrong?” asked Evan.

“This is all wrong,” said Abby. “He didn’t pay for what he did to them. He died high on heroin and feeling no pain at all. I wanted the punishment to more than fit the crime, but now he won’t feel a thing. And yes, that pisses me off.”

“I’m sorry, Abby,” said Grey as Evan turned to take a phone call. “I wanted to see him pay, too.”

“I don’t even know why I’m talking to you,” said Abby. “Even after I begged you to get involved, you just packed your bags, went home, and left us here. You know, for a second there I thought you had a backbone.”

“We’re going down this road again?” asked Grey. “There are over 1,000 children under the age of sixteen who are murdered in this country every year. I have a dozen Calebs on my desk who need me just as much as he did. But the difference is, I can do something for them. My hands were tied here, Abby. One of these days you may grow up and figure that out. Until then, go ahead and stay pissed at me.”

“Grow up?” said Abby. “Are you kidding me?”

“I’m gonna go check on Paul,” said Grey, trying to avoid an argument. “Is that okay with you?”

“I think that would be a very good idea,” said Abby as Evan rejoined them.

“You two at it again?” asked Evan as Grey walked away. “Never mind. I don’t wanna know, but I did just get off the phone with the coroner. He’s releasing Caleb’s body for burial. We can have the service as early as Sunday.”

“I don’t know how to feel about that,” said Abby.

“I know what you mean,” said Evan. “It’s never a good thing to bury a child, but I want to see him put to rest.”

“All of this is beyond a nightmare, Evan. Why did he do this to them?”

“That’s what Grey wants to know as well.”

“Oh, please, Evan. I know he’s your boy, but he’s admitted there’s nothing he can do.”

“Abby, you know I love you, but I can’t wait until you’re eating your words.”

Grey took the seat next to Paul and sat in silence for a few minutes while his friend seemed fixated with something outside. He looked out the window, but didn’t see anything remarkable. A moment earlier, he walked away to avoid another confrontation with Abby, but he didn’t expect the conversation he was going to have with Paul.

“She’s never going to wake up, Grey,” said Paul continuing to look out the window.

“We don’t know that for –”

“Shut up, man.”

Grey cocked his head and smiled. “Well, look who’s back.”

“The elephant walks in the room every time the docs do,” said Paul. “They sugarcoat the crap out of everything, but they know. And so do I. She’s never waking up. But even if she manages to open her eyes, she won’t be in there anymore. My Kate’s gone, Grey. And so is my Caleb.”

“I promise I won’t sugarcoat anything,” said Grey. “But I didn’t think she would survive this long. If she’s still trying to fight, then so should you.”

“Look at me,” said Paul, turning to face Grey. “They’re gone; my family is gone. The sooner everyone else accepts that fact, the sooner we can try to piece our lives back together. I’m going to tell Kate’s parents I don’t want them to keep her on life support.”

“Whoa, Paul,” said Grey. “First, you don’t tell in-laws something like that. You talk about it with them. Second, we need to bury Caleb before you start talking about letting Kate go. I just found out he’s being transported home today. We can have the service on Sunday.”

“I need to do something before I can deal with my son’s funeral,” said Paul. “I need to get out of here for a day or two. I just need to go somewhere else.”

“Tell me where you want to go and I’ll take you,” replied Grey. “Anywhere.”

“I want to go on the water,” said Paul. “It’s where I always go to leave the world behind and clear my head. I could use that right now.”

“I don’t think Evan will argue about taking a day trip somewhere. I certainly don’t have a problem with it. I think it’s a great idea, Paul. Abby can handle Caleb’s arrangements while we’re gone. I’ll just use some of my charm when I ask.”

“Thanks, Grey. But I want to go alone. I hope you understand.”

“Yeah, of course,” said Grey.

“Let’s do this,” said Paul. “You and Evan drive me down to the marina at Sugarloaf. I don’t think I ever want to see the villa again. You guys go get the boat and bring it to me. I’ll spend the day on the water and meet you two at that waterfront café Evan seems to enjoy.”

“Yeah, the one where every waitress looks like a Victoria’s Secret model,” said Grey. “I don’t see Evan having a problem meeting there.”

“I think it will do us all some good to get out of here for a day,” said Paul.

“I couldn’t agree with you more, buddy.”

11

EVAN AND GREY WAITED IN the hotel lobby while Paul finished packing a bag. Kate’s family didn’t resist their son-in-law’s plan to leave the hospital for a day. They were all pleased he seemed to have snapped out of his semi-catatonic state and rejoined the world. Paul even sat and talked with Maggie and Stan for an hour before leaving the waiting room. On his way out, Abby grabbed and hugged him in a tight embrace. In a switching of roles, Paul told her everything was going to be okay.

“I feel a little more comfortable on this road trip,” said Evan. “And not just because you’re going. I’m glad he’s talking again. I was getting worried.”

“I told you he just needed a little time to process,” said Grey. “But I’ll agree it took a little longer than I expected. He’s gonna be fine now.”

“So, what’s the game plan for conversation?” asked Evan. “What are the dos and don’ts this time?”

“Do talk about anything he wants,” replied Grey. “Don’t bring up Gregory Kirsk. I’ll know when to ask those questions. If he brings it up, let me redirect the topic.”

“Did you take a class at the FBI for this?”

“Unfortunately, yes. But it’s a fluid process about gaining trust and knowing how far to push. Once you lose it, it’s hard to win back.”

Paul turned the corner out of the elevator lobby and greeted his friends with a smile. “I’m driving and no arguing. Evan damn near gave me a heart attack on the way up here.”

“Good call,” said Grey, throwing Paul the keys.

The three friends loaded the car and headed back to Sugarloaf Key. Grey never needed to steer the conversation in a different direction. Paul thanked them several times for staying with him and being good friends. He talked about fond memories with Caleb and was even optimistic about Kate’s condition. He said he had a dream that she was going to wake up soon and how he wanted to be the first face she saw. Evan and Grey noticed Paul become excited when they crossed over Seven Mile Bridge that connected Marathon Key with Sugarloaf. Paul could hardly keep his eyes on the road as he panned from side to side, admiring the crystal clear water under a flawless blue sky.

“Now who’s giving who a heart attack?” asked Evan, tensing in his seat.

“Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?” asked Paul.

“I think about that every time we cross this bridge, buddy,” said Grey. “It’s almost like leaving the planet and entering a different world.”

“I remember the first time I brought Kate down here,” said Paul. “We had to save for three years before we could take our first vacation. She didn’t stop smiling until we had to leave a week later. At that moment, I knew someday I’d own a house down here.”

“You’ll find another beautiful road to drive her on soon,” said Evan. “And you’ll be buying her another house when you get there. I know you will.”

“He sounds pretty convincing,” said Grey. “I wouldn’t argue with him.”

“Thinking about that is what keeps me going,” said Paul with a bigger smile. “I already miss being close to her, so you guys are going to have to haul ass to beat me back to Miami.”

“Dude, we are not going to beat that boat,” said Evan. “Even if we didn’t have any stoplights, that thing is just too fast. Did I ever tell you that I love that machine?”

“Every time you climb on board,” said Paul. “I can’t wait to get back on her. Kate and I would plan on going out for an hour and end up spending the night in a cove. She loved our adventures. Neither one of us had a care in the world when we were jumping waves at fifty miles per hour. That woman is fearless.”

“Well, we’re not on the water so keep your eyes on the road,” said Evan as Paul turned to look at him when he spoke.

“At least Kate is fearless,” said Grey.

The trio pulled into the marina and dropped Paul off at the café at the end of the docks. Evan and Grey continued to the villa to recover the boat and bring it to Paul. Grey contacted Chief Tony Hill of the Sugarloaf Police Department a day earlier to gain access to the property. He called him as they left the marina.

“
Agent Collins. I take it you’re close
.”

“We are. Is this a recorded line?”

“
Nope, this is my cell. Let me guess, you want information about Mr. Kirsk
.”

“You’re damn near clairvoyant, Chief. What can you tell me?”

“
Not much, I’m afraid. We know he’s a piece of shit, but other than that, Sheriff Doyle would be the man to ask. He’s kept us in the dark as well. Sorry, Grey. Wish I could tell you more.
”

“Do you have his home address or know where they found his body?”

“
That I can give you. I’m a little old fashioned, so I don’t want to email his file to you. Doyle has a high tech chokehold on information. Kirsk was arrested down here a few years ago for theft, so we have our own records on him
.”

“Perfect. Any chance I can buy you lunch at the marina in an hour and take a peek at his file?”

“
See you in an hour
,” said Chief Hill, ending the call.

“What are you up to?” asked Evan.

“Getting involved,” said Grey. “Don’t tell Paul we’re meeting the chief.”

A police cruiser blocked the entrance to the villa driveway. The officer verified their IDs and let them pass. They parked beside the house near the steps leading over the dune to the boat dock. Neither man felt compelled to even look at the house as they walked toward the beach.

Evan helped launch the boat and drove the car back to the marina. Grey took his time maneuvering the large craft away from the dock and out of the cove. It was the first time he had ever piloted the machine solo. When he reached open water, he couldn’t resist the urge to push the throttles and lurch the boat skyward as the engines roared to life. A few seconds later, the boat planed out and the coastline flew past him in a green blur. With the water resembling a sheet of glass, he understood why Paul wanted to spend a few hours alone on the water with the other love of his life. He covered the short distance to the marina in ten minutes.

“You punched it, didn’t you?” asked Paul as Grey inched the boat into the slip.

“How could I not?”

“Cut the engines,” said Paul. “Let’s have a drink before I take off. I want to savor this moment.”

“Sounds perfect,” said Grey.

“What a day, huh?” said Evan, bringing three cold beers from the bar to their dockside table. “It’s flat as a pancake out there. There’s no way we’d come close to beating you back.”

“I plan on taking her out a little bit to give you guys some time to catch up,” said Paul. “I’ll have the satellite phone turned on, so call when you’re about thirty minutes from the restaurant. If for some reason you can’t reach me, I’ll make sure I’m there by at least sundown.”

“Take your time, buddy,” said Grey. “I’m sure Evan can find something to look at while we wait.”

They finished their beers and watched as Paul maneuvered the boat away from the marina and out of sight. Fifteen minutes later, Chief Hill joined them at their table. “I need to get out of the office more often. That bartender is not ugly.”

“Glad you could join us,” said Grey. “Are you on the clock?”

“Twenty-four, seven,” replied Chief Hill, “but if you’re offering me a drink, I won’t say no.”

Evan returned to the bar and ordered another round, leaving Chief Hill and Grey alone. “I believe this is what you’re looking for,” said Chief Hill, sliding Grey a folder, pen, and notepad.

“You think of everything,” said Grey, wasting no time and jotting down notes.

“You don’t like Kirsk for this?” asked Chief Hill.

“I’m not saying that,” replied Grey. “But nobody can rule anything out at this point.”

“What does your gut tell you?”

Grey stopped writing and leaned back in his chair. He looked out over the water for a moment before he spoke. “It tells me this isn’t the end; it tells me Kirsk is a man who looks for crimes of opportunity. Everything I see in this file screams a disorganized and impulsive criminal with a history of escalating violence. What it doesn’t show is a man capable of patience and planning.”

“Bingo,” said Chief Hill. “I got the same feeling.”

“So you don’t think he’s our guy?”

“It’s hard to ignore the mountain of evidence here, Grey. DNA, prints, and the missing fingers in his car put him at the crime scene. Add finding his decaying body in a sleazy motel room with a needle hanging out of his arm, and all you’re missing is a red bow tied around his nuts.”

“You think he had a partner?” asked Grey, trying to prove his own theories.

“I may be a cop in a hot, slow town, but I know a setup when I see one,” said Chief. “My gut tells me I’m seeing one. What about you?”

“The exact same feeling, Chief,” said Grey. “Kirsk may have been there, but the level of violence and staging points to something very personal. If we can’t find that connection, then I have to go with my gut that he wasn’t working alone.”

“Let me tell you something, Agent Collins,” said Chief Hill, sitting up straight in his chair. “I like my job down here. I get to have beers at lunch and look at girls in tiny bikinis nine months out of the year. But I’d throw all that shit overboard to get my hands on the evil sonofabitch that murdered that boy. Fuck Sheriff Doyle. He didn’t see them lying in their own blood. We did.”

“I’m liking your style, Chief.”

“What did I miss?” asked Evan, returning with the drinks.

“A reckoning,” said Chief Hill.

Skipping the meal and engaging in conversation as Evan sat listening. Chief Hill and Grey pieced together what little information they had at their disposal. Their theories were unnerving him, but he knew when not to interrupt. He’d have plenty of time to talk to Grey on the trip back to Miami. The men shook hands and left with promises to keep in close touch and share new developments while staying under Sheriff Doyle’s radar.

During the trip back, Grey surprised Evan by covering every detail of the suspicions he shared with Chief Hill. Grey normally wasn’t very forthcoming with case-related topics he thought Evan would have trouble comprehending. Things had changed. Evan felt more like a fellow FBI agent than a childhood friend. He was still unnerved, but didn’t mind his elevated status.

They arrived at the waterside café a few hours later, and Evan wasn’t disappointed with the changes in the staff. The girls he didn’t recognize were just as gorgeous as the few he did. Time flew by as Grey watched him attempt to engage in awkward conversations with every girl on duty. He regained his bearing as the sun was lowering behind the building. He decided to give Paul a few more quiet moments before calling him off the water.

*****

Paul stood on the edge of the dive platform wearing a weighted belt as the sky erupted in blazing colors with giant swaths of red and purple. He had never seen a more beautiful sunset. The smile he held for most of the 160-mile ride west to the edge of the two-mile-deep Florida Canyon grew wider. He was remembering the unforgettable moments he spent with Kate and Caleb out over the deep blue. They were the moments he treasured above all others in his life. He closed his eyes and felt Kate and Caleb’s arms wrap around him as if they were there. “I love you both so very much,” said Paul as he stepped off the platform and into the abyss.