Black River

SIXTY-TWO

Nick had Kim stop at a grocery store on the way back to the marina. He bought a large porterhouse steak, a head of lettuce, hummus, sweet onions, potatoes and a six-pack of Corona. In her car, he turned toward her and said, “How did I screw up so bad, Kim? I thought the lady liked me for me — Nick ‘the Greek’ Cronus. But all along she just wanted information about Sean and the diamond. Maybe she’s some kind of international jewel thief. I think she stole the key to Sean’s boat.”

“Oh, God, Nicky. How the hell did that happen? Don’t even tell me. I’m sure she’s long gone. I’ll try to reach Sean or Dave.” She lifted her phone and Nick sank lower in the front seat.”

Cory Nelson paced the floor of the motel room, an extended stay unit on the ground floor. He peered out of a small opening in the curtains through a window facing the street. The only movement was from a linen-service delivery truck stopping at the motel office. He released the curtains, partly shutting — a single stream of sunlight entering the room.

Nelson poured vodka from a Ketel One bottle into a paper cup, hand trembling, he knocked back the vodka, a dribble running down his whiskered chin and soaking into his white T-shirt. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, opening a small duffle bag and removing a black sock.

He glanced at the time on his watch, reaching into the sock and removing a black velvet pouch. Nelson opened the drawstring and took out the diamond. He held it between his thumb and index finger, grinning, lifting it up, toward the small beam of sunlight from the curtain. The diamond captured and altered the sunlight, beaming pockets of light around the room. “You are the rock of fuckin’ ages, baby.” He set the diamond on the nightstand table, lifting the fifth of vodka and drinking straight from the bottle.

Nelson’s face popped sweat, cheeks flushed. He punched numbers on his phone. The man’s voice said, “Good to hear from you, Cory.”

“Listen to me! Time’s up! They know I took out Jack Jordan.”

“Who are they, police?”

“Maybe. Guy’s name is Sean O’Brien. He’s some kinda ex-cop. Could be a PI. I don’t give a shit what he is or isn’t. He knows I shot Jack. He’s saying the proof is on ultra-slow motion film from the damn movie set. It shows the Minié ball coming out of my barrel, and it shows me aiming at Jack.”

“Maybe he’s calling your bluff.”

“This guy isn’t the type to bluff. He’s smart. Listen, we have a deal. I risked everything to take out Jack and lift the diamond while you sat on your ass lining up a buyer. You pay the two million we agreed on or I’m walking. No, I’m flying out of the fuckin’ country. You told me ten days ago you’d have the money. Either you bring it now or I find my own buyer.”

“That will be a most unfortunate mistake for you.”

“I don’t think so. I told you Silas Jackson saw me lift the diamond from Jack’s van. Jackson want’s a cut.”

“Will hush money keep Jackson quiet for now? Greed, like amoebic dysentery, breeds and infects the gut.”

“I guess you’ll have to take that chance. Jackson is my insurance policy. He stays silent and gets paid his blackmail money. If I disappear, he lets police know you’re the mastermind behind this, and you’re carrying the diamond.”

“If you gave him my name, that is the dumbest mistake you’ll ever make. But right now you have the Koh-i-Noor. Remember, Nelson, it carries a centuries-old curse. Any man who possesses it too long dies a painful death. I’d suggest you turn it over to me now.”

“Curse? You wanna hear a curse? Fuck you! Come with the cash. I’m out of time. O’Brien made me. You grasping that? I have to vanish.”

“And so you will. Just calm down. Even if there is video of a bullet coming out of your muzzle, police will have to prove premeditated intent to kill — that you loaded the gun. Why? Because you were on a movie set with a number of people having access to props like the muskets the men use.”

“Time’s up! I can’t even go home to pack my bags. I’m stuck hiding in fuckin’ Super — a super mess — a motel — and I can’t even go pack a damn bag. Show me the money—”

“Show some respect for this process. You just don’t pawn overnight what is now the most famous diamond in the world. I told you I have two buyers — both big players. Both very private in their negotiations. The auction is about over. You will be paid soon.”

Nelson said nothing for a few seconds. The man on the line could hear the sound of a low-flying jet arriving or taking off. Nelson said, “I’ll see you tonight. “I get paid now or I’m flying to India to hock it. From what I hear, they’d love to get this rock back, and they’ll pay through the teeth to get it. Meet me at the Hilton on Airline Road after dark. I’ll be in the bar, back table. Be there at nine o’clock or I’m flying and the rock’s coming with me.” Nelson disconnected. He set the phone on the kitchen table, held his hand out, fingers spread, trembling.