Belle chasse, p.30
Belle Chasse, page 30
“What! “ he fell back into his desk chair.
“You are under arrest under the provisions of Revised Statutes 14:28, Inciting a Felony. “
“Inciting a what? That’s ridiculous. “
Mellor said, “Bert Chickman told us that you gave him five thousand dollars to obtain certain geographical coordinates from Debra Kenney. “
This was awful. This was not meant to be.
“Yes. But. . . . “ He was losing his voice.
“But what, Mr. Noble? “ Mellor asked.
“He wasn’t supposed to kill her!”
TWENTY
Cooter Brown’s had 15 wide screen televisions so sports fans wouldn’t miss a single outstanding play.
Kenney spent a few hours watching a repeat performance of a Giants – Cowboys game and downing three Cokes. Then he decided to stay for dinner since the place was well known for its seafood. He had seafood gumbo with a side of red beans and rice. Switched to coffee.
Did his best to avoid thinking about Debra and Bert Chickman.
Couldn’t.
Decision about Debra. What he didn’t know, he didn’t know. He wouldn’t wallow in conjecture. Debra was the love of his life, and it would take time to deal with that.
He drove back to the Belle Chasse after six and found her deserted. Glenn let himself in, checked for notes on his desk and didn’t find much of importance except that Dennis Ogilvy had a signed contract of sale for the monstrous 83-foot Moonen motor yacht. Dennis hadn’t even mentioned it to him back at the marina. Other events had prevailed.
At eight-thirty, he heard a key in the lock, and then Natalie came back to the salon.
“You didn’t let me know what was going on, “ she accused.
“Sorry, Nat. “
“I heard Bert was arrested. “
“True, but I don’t know where that stands just yet. “
She sat down in the chair next to the couch.
He gave her a capsule version of events in the Caribbean.
“Without your help, Nat, we’d never have figured it out. I appreciate it so much. “
“I saw the newspaper article and thought it must be related. Thank God you’re all right. “
“Hanging in. How about Kenneth? “
She smiled. “He got the job. “
“I’m happy for Kenneth. Happy for you. I am especially happy for me. “
Someone banging on the front door.
“I’ll go look, “ Natalie said.
She came back with Connie, who was still dressed in this morning’s jeans and polo shirt, and who looked at Glenn’s Coke.
“I need a beer. Don’t let a glass get in the way. “
Natalie got her a bottle of Corona from the refrigerator and they all sat, Connie next to Glenn on the couch. She took a long swig from the bottle.
“You look worn out, “ Glenn told her.
“It’s a good worn out. I finally got to do my job. I feel good about that. “
“Tell us, “ Natalie said.
“First, “ she said, “we arrested Roger Noble. “
“Noble? What for? “
“He paid Bert Chickman five thousand dollars to get the coordinates for him. Under Louisiana law, Noble may get a couple years in prison for inciting a felony. “
“I’ll be damned. “
“Bert wasn’t really Bert once we got him in the interrogation room with an assistant district attorney. He sort of collapsed. He forgot about yelling for a lawyer and told us how everything was Noble’s fault. “
“Oh, that sounds right, “ Natalie said.
“Bert got carried away, Bert told us. Debra had asked for his help in finding cash, and he told her he could connect her with a couple hundred thousand dollars if she’d only play a little bondage game with him. She was pretty desperate he said, and she agreed, but after he tied her up, he started snooping around to see if he could find some sex toys. What he found was the pictures of the sub in her nightstand. She immediately changed her mind and told him to untie her. That made him a little angry. “
“A little angry, “ Kenney said. “Get him out of jail, and I’ll show him angry. “
“Easy, Glenn. Maybe you don’t want to hear this? “
“I want to hear it. “
“He wore white coveralls and cheap gloves as part of the game which is probably why we couldn’t find trace evidence. Once he found the photographs and then the sat phone in her nightstand, he decided he needed the rest of the information. He used a foot long piece of galvanized pipe that had been painted black. It’s now in the river and we’ll never find it. “
“The son of a bitch, “ Glenn said. “He brought the pipe with him. “
“The ADA will point that out for premeditation. He’s been charged with first degree murder. “ Connie drank from her bottle.
“Execution is too good for him, “ Natalie said.
Kenney thought the same thing. The rage he had been suppressing wanted to burst forth, but not in front of Connie and Natalie. The long process involved in the criminal justice system was going to wear him down. If he was convicted and sentenced to death, it could be ten or fifteen years before the sentence was carried out.
“He figured out he could take over the operation with everything he got out of her. He told us forty million dollars would go long way. He said he was going to buy some Moonen yacht you had. “
“That might have raised an eyebrow or two. I guess Bert wasn’t as bright as I thought he was.”
Connie stood and finished the Corona.
Glenn stood alongside her.
“Connie, thank you for everything. Sorry I interfered from time to time. “
She rose up on her toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“We actually work pretty well together, “ she said.
“Once we got to know each other. “
Back up on her toes and she quickly kissed him on the mouth which surprised him.
“I’ve wanted to do that. Now, I’m going home and sleep for about forty hours. Natalie, never take a few days in the Caribbean with this guy. “
Natalie said, “I’ll remember. “
Before she reached the door to the office, Connie turned back. She started to say something, then looked at Natalie, then decided to go ahead.
“Glenn, I know you’re in mourning. I understand that. When you need a friend, don’t call your other women, call me. “
She turned and left. He heard the glass door close.
Glenn looked at Natalie.
“I’m sure you have advice for me. “
“I do, “ she said. “Don’t wait too long. “
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About the Author
William H. Lovejoy is the bestselling author of over two dozen technothriller, political thriller, and mystery novels. He and his wife reside in Colorado.
William H. Lovejoy, Belle Chasse
