“One more night but I’ll see now if I can extend it a few more days. How long do you think you need?” As he asked, Derek wondered if the more appropriate question would have been “how much longer do you think your husband has left?”
“I’m not sure,” Michelle said. “A few more days should be fine. I don’t know. I do know that we can’t stay here forever.”
“If you give me your cell number, I will text you updates.”
“Fine,” she said. “But know that I only check my messages early in the morning and only for a minute. Two at the most.”
“Understood.”
Derek wrote down Michelle’s cell number on the back of his hand and assured her that Ken O’Connell would be told that she and Stanley had checked out early in the morning and that he was unable to track them.
“Thank you,” Michelle said, her eyes offering all the gratitude that Derek needed. “I can give you cash for the room if you’d like.”
“No thanks. Give me two minutes to see how long I can extend my room reservation,” he said as he turned away towards the front desk. “And, Michelle?”
“Yes?”
“I know that neither you or your husband are proud of the role you played with Alexander Black, but I also feel that you don’t deserve Ken O’Connell’s revenge or Alexander’s. Take care of your husband, and remember to take care of yourself as well.”
Before Michelle could respond, Derek had moved away.
She stood and watched him speaking to the man at the front desk. A minute later, Derek turned, held up four fingers and mouthed, “Four nights. God bless.”
The clerk then waved to Michelle who waved back. Derek mouthed the words, “You’re all checked out.”
“Thank you,” Michelle silently said to Derek, then turned towards the elevator. “Thank you, Derek Cole.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“If I knew where they were going, I would have followed them. They must have left very early in the morning. I was up at five, and they were already gone.”
The lies were effortless for Derek. It was not because he was familiar with being untruthful, but this ability to be overly creative with the truth came from his own experience. Though he knew nothing about Michelle and Stanley Mix, he saw a familiar pain in her eyes. Pain that needed to be helped.
“Did you get a look at Stanley?” Ken asked during his and Derek’s call.
“I did. He doesn’t look well at all. I don’t think he has much time left,” Derek answered.
“They may have checked into a nearby hospital. Spend the day checking out any hospitals in the area and don’t neglect to call on some Canadian ones as well. I believe you are just a boat ride away from Canada.”
“Yes sir,” Derek said as he pulled his car into drive and headed south, away from Canada. “Any important discoveries since yesterday?
“My resources are telling me that Lucietta may have been murdered in his office yesterday afternoon. Nothing confirmed yet. Police are keeping things quiet now. Too many connected murders. They probably don’t want the public to know what the hell is going on.”
“If Lucietta is gone, that leaves Straus and Mix as the only remaining doctors on Alexander’s list.”
“As well as my family. Do not forget that we are on that list, Cole.”
It was the way Ken said it that stirred something in Derek. Almost a request guised as an order.
“Don’t forget that we are on that list”
“I haven’t forgotten. And honestly, I don’t think my services are best used chasing down dying doctors. I should either track down Black or be by you and your son’s side.”
“I have other resources for protection. You know that,” Ken’s voice was sounding irritated. “Alexander is unique, but even unique criminals get caught sooner or later. Until he is caught, your focus should be on finding Stanley Mix. I hope that is clear.”
“It is clear,” Derek said.
“Good. My resources have also provided me with a possible lead to Straus’s whereabouts. They are following up today. I hope to have Straus in my sights by the time we chat this evening. I expect you will have Mix locked down as well. Once we have all the players, we go public with the whole story. Maybe that will bring Alexander out of hiding as well.”
“Probably a good plan,” Derek said. “So where do your resources think Straus is?”
“Straus is no longer your concern. My information sounds rock solid, meaning that the only missing player is Stanley Mix. Find him and keep him under watch, Cole. The second you locate him, contact me.”
The tone in Ken O’Connell’s voice was unmistakable. He wanted Derek to find Stanley Mix and to leave everything else to his “resources.” But Derek had questions.
“Have you spoken to Thomas lately?” he asked, knowing that the question may anger Ken.
“If you are wondering if Thomas is safe, he is. If you are wondering anything else, I think you need to remind yourself of your objective.”
“I am charged with his safety as well,” Derek said. “I just have some concern I have after speaking with him yesterday.”
“And that concern is?” Ken asked, not caring to hide his impatience with Derek.
“He told me that it was raining out, but when I checked the radar on my phone, there weren’t any storms in the area. You confirmed it as well when I asked about the rain.”
“It’s a big lake, Cole. Not sure if you’ve ever spent time on any of the Great Lakes but an isolated rain storm is not at all uncommon.”
“I know that. But ...”
“Listen, Cole,” Ken said. “I need to follow up on other pressing matters. I appreciate your concern for my son, but he is well protected and is exactly where he should be. Call me the second you pick up Mix’s trail.”
Without any more words spoken, Ken ended the call. Derek sat in his car awhile, his iPhone still pressed to his ear. He let his mind wander.
“Exactly where he should be?” he thought. “Why wouldn’t Ken show even the slightest concern that his son may not be where he expects him to be?