Catherine's Cross (43 page)

“Miss Ellington, your eyes are turning green.”

Captain Barrett was able to get an endorsement for a private investigator from Detective Alvarez with the Belize City Police Department. A semiretired Belize City Detective, Richard Price, was highly recommended. Alvarez explained that Price had been the Chief of Detectives for fifteen years, and still assisted the police on special operations. Price was knowledgeable of all the districts of Belize, and possessed strong political connections.

When Jenks contacted Price, she explained the details of her sister's death and how they had tracked Frank Hiller to Belize. She found the detective to be patient and reserved in their conversations, and very thorough with the questions he asked her.

When Jenks had secured his services, he told her, “Miss Ellington, I will start with the cays since Mr. Hiller is a diver, but if I were attempting to hide, I would probably choose a rural location to sit comfortably until I felt enough time had passed by. Belize has thousands of acres of jungle and forest land with sparse settlement, except in the cities and the cays.” He stopped speaking for a moment. “It is good that Belize has an extradition agreement in homicide cases with the United States—and we always do our best to cooperate. Of course, we cannot be sure that he is still here.”

“Mr. Price, how could he get a Belizean passport?”

“I will investigate this—a very good forgery possibly.” She remembered that was exactly what Seth had said.

She thanked him for his help and he asked for patience. He told her he would be in touch when he had an update.

Before Christmas, Seth received his grades from the Charleston Law School.

When the transcript arrived, he insisted that Jenks look first. Carefully, she opened the envelope and studied the grades.

“Well?”

She hugged him. “One strong B that was almost an A—all the rest are solid A's. I'm so proud of you.”

He picked her up and twirled her in his arms. Holding her tightly, he kissed her on the face.

“See—I told you you'd do great.”

They kissed each other fervently, and he led her into his bedroom.

“The Walkers are in Beaufort this afternoon—let's celebrate,” Seth said.

“I'm ready!”

“You're always ready.”

“I adore my teacher and the lessons!”

That evening before dinner Dr. Walker opened a bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs to celebrate Seth's highly successful semester in law school. He toasted Seth and praised him for his hard work. “Son, I'm so proud of you.”

“Thank you, Dr. Walker. I couldn't have done it without you.”

“I promise you it was my pleasure,” he said, patting Seth on the shoulder.

For dinner, Dr. Walker had prepared a meal of filet mignon, grilled vegetables, and salad. During the meal, he explained that he and Sofia would be returning to Italy immediately after Christmas. They wanted to celebrate the New Year in Rome, but would be back from Europe by spring to help with Jenks's and Seth's wedding.

Seth and Jenks had decided on an early June wedding date and Sofia Walker had discussed several events that she'd like to host for them, including the nuptials.

After dinner, Jenks and Seth cleaned up the dishes while Dr. Walker played a soft jazz piece on the piano. “I'll load the dishwasher, if you'll bring me the plates,” Jenks said.

Seth handed her the dishes. “I must have done something right to have the Walkers and you in my life.”

She looked at him, and saw his eyes brimmed with tears.

He kissed her on the lips before returning to the dining room for more of the plates.

On Christmas Eve, after dinner, Seth invited Jenks to accompany him out onto the Walker's front porch. White lights decorating the porch twinkled in the darkness. The night air was cold and the scent of pluff mud and salt air was strong in the evening breeze.

Jenks felt chilled and she wrapped her arms around Seth, pulling him close to her. “Merry Christmas—I love you.”

He kissed her on her forehead and then on both cheeks. Suddenly, he dropped down on one knee and took a small box out of his coat pocket. Jenks was thrilled as she gazed down into his eyes.

“Miss Ellington, I am honored that you have consented to be my wife.” He took a diamond engagement ring out of the case and slid it on her left ring finger. She held her hand out and gazed at the fire in the stones created by the white Christmas lights.

“Thank you, baby.”

“The Walkers went with me to Charleston to pick it out one day after class.”

“I had no idea,” she said blushing.

“Well, it was supposed to be a surprise.”

“I love you, Detective Mason.” With those words, she dropped to her knees and hugged him tightly against her. “You've made me so happy!”

“Have I?”

“Yes, you have,” she said with blissful delight.

They both stood and danced to the slow jazz music that Dr. Walker was playing on his piano, the melody only slightly muffled by the closed doors.

Please don't let this ever end
.

Two days after Christmas, the Walkers left for Italy. Jenks was taking down some of the Christmas lights when the phone rang. Seth was assisting at the sheriff's department that week, and Jenks picked up the phone.

“Walker's residence,” she announced into the receiver.

“Miss Ellington, please. This is Richard Price calling from Belize.”

“This is she.”

“Miss Ellington, I'm not sure yet, but I may have a lead on the whereabouts of Frank Hiller. I have a nephew who works in the city office of the town of Orange Walk. He has told me of a man who some weeks ago leased a home in the Orange Walk District that formerly belonged to the British Honduras Mahogany Company. It was used by their company elite until their operations ceased. The home is now owned by a Canadian couple who have attempted to sell the property with little success. I checked to see how any utilities are listed, and the electricity is still in the Canadians' name.

“I see.”

“The property is backed up to the Rio Bravo Conservation Area.”

“Rio Bravo?”

“Yes, ma'am—it is one of the most abundant wildlife sanctuaries in the world—with many unexcavated Maya sites. All in all—a very private location.”

“I see.”

“Miss Ellington, I will try to find out more about the man without contacting the Canadian couple who owns the house. You never know how they might react. If this man is Mr. Hiller, I don't want him alerted. When I know more, I will be in touch.”

“Thank you for your help, Mr. Price.”

“It is my pleasure, Miss.”

When she finished her conversation with him, she anxiously phoned Seth at the sheriff's department. He was helping Detective Campbell with a case file when she got him on the line.

“I've heard from Mr. Price in Belize!” she said, barely able to catch her breath from the excitement. “A nephew of his who works in the city office of Orange Walk says a man who resembles the description of Frank Hiller leased a home in the Orange Walk District . . . near a nature preserve named Rio Bravo.”

“Hmmm . . . I thought that was the name of a John Wayne movie,” Seth interrupted, deadpan.

“John Wayne? Would you please be serious?”

“Baby, you sound terribly nervous. Calm down now. Take a deep breath.”

She inhaled deeply and tried to calm herself. After a moment, she said, “I'm better now.”

“Okay, young lady—I'll see you in a few hours.”

That evening several photographs were e-mailed to Jenks from Mr. Price. The pictures were of a physically fit man with brown hair and a beard, sitting on the front porch of a handsome white two-story home. Due to the distance from which the photos had been taken, it was difficult to confirm if the man was Frank Hiller.

Jenks e-mailed him that she was simply wasn't sure if the man was Hiller. He replied that he would try again for a closer shot.

The next afternoon, Mr. Price sent two more photos of the same man, taken from a closer distance, while he sat in a lounge chair in the yard. There was a striking resemblance between the man and Frank Hiller, but she wasn't certain.