Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 13

"Mr. Rudman slow down!"

Constance plucked at his arm, losing her balance as the boat bucked over the shallow chop.

"Percy, for God's sake!" Humphrey called from his refuge on the aft bench seat.

The launch made an arcing turn toward the shore and with murder in his eyes, Percy drove straight for the sloop.

********

"What the hell is he doing?" Rodney stood up in the dingy and waved his arms, shouting a warning. When the boat kept coming he aimed his gun and fired.

Mathew shipped the oars he'd been forced to use and rocked the boat side to side. Rodney teetered a moment, flailing at the air then toppled over the side.

On the launch Percy was slumped over the wheel. Rodney's shot had smashed the windscreen and hit him in the shoulder. Constance scrabbled for the throttle but Percy was too heavy to move. The launch hit the sloop amidships and rode right up onto the deck, smashing the cabin roof and the mast support.

The sloop tilted over from the impact under the continued progress of the launch and the collapsing mast smacked down next to Mathew in the dingy. As the launch rose up onto the sloop Lillian screamed when Humphrey flew backwards, cracking his head on the side rail. Constance had fallen down under the console at Percy's feet and remained there, stunned.

The launch stalled and the roar of the engines ceased leaving the only sounds the cracking of fibreglass and a woman screaming. Mathew managed to maintain the position of the dingy and held an oar out for Rodney to grasp while he swore sputtered profanities at the driver of the launch.

********

Mathew sat with Humphrey, dabbing at the cut on his head from the crash, after placing a call to Blue shoals for medical aid and transportation. Lillian was consoling Percy whose disposition had only worsened since the accident when she had cut away the sleeve of his thousand dollar Anderson & Sheppard suit to tend his wound.

Constance stood with Rodney at the end of the dock, the ice pack on her head was burning as was Rodney as he stared at his wrecked boat and no chance to get away.

"Insurance will cover that, Rodney and you can probably sue Rudman into the ground."

"I shot him, Constance, If anyone gets sued it'll be me. They'll say that caused the accident . . . and I lost my favourite gun."

"You have me as a witness, Rodney. I tried to stop him. He was a madman behind that wheel. The others will back me up on that, we all tried to stop him." She paused and then spoke without looking at him. "You weren't planning on leaving me out of any deal were you?"

"There's the rescue boat." Mathew came and stood beside Constance, interrupting their talk and preventing an answer. "I guess our little adventure is coming to a close." He cast a wary eye at Rodney.

"Mathew, I want you to know that hotel business was just . . . business." She placed her fingers on his arm.

"I seem to recall that gesture," he said, watching her hand withdraw.

"And our business isn't over, Patton." Rodney's statement was drowned out by the Zodiac rescue tender pulling up to the dock. The Blue Shoals launch was too large for the shallow water.

********

Percy and Humphrey had been taken to the mainland hospital for repairs and observation. The others sat in the Blue Shoals management board room giving statements to an amused but efficient Captain of Police.

"The shot that was fired, hitting Mr. Rudman . . . who was responsible for that?"

Rodney lifted a hand in silence.

"Could you explain that action, sir and where is the weapon now?"

"It was self defence. That idiot was aiming right for us at top speed." Rodney looked to Mathew for support.

"You were in a dingy quite close to the sloop, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"The gun, where is it now and why did you have it in the first place?"

"I have a permit for it." Rodney said with defensive belligerence.

"Not either of my questions." The Captain's voice hardened.

Mathew stood and slipped his hands in his pockets. "He was using it to intimidate me."

"You bast--"

"Sir!" The Captain pointed at Rodney then faced Mathew. "Intimidate? Why would Mr. Riddler want to intimidate you?"

It took over an hour with a few more outbursts and some follow up questions for the Captain to consider his notes regarding Mathew's statement. He instructed one of his constables to contact the hospital and make sure Rudman and Borden were detained for questioning. Both the Blue Shoals manager and two of the board members were also asked to give statements regarding the veracity of Mathew's claims.

"Mrs. Patton," the Captain asked, curiosity brimming in his voice. "Do you agree with your husband's statement?"

Lillian flushed briefly and wrung her hands, looking for all the world like a betrayed Ophelia.

"It's-- complicated . . ."

"I thought it sounded quite clear. Was there a particular part you disagreed with?"

"He just made it sound so-- so callous."

"Oh well, pardon me for not sugar coating your surprise divorce demands." Mathew snapped.

"Please, Mr. Patton. You had your time." The Captain looked again at Lillian.

She fiddled with a tissue then sat and gave a small sob, nodding acquiescence.

"Okay, that's settled now can I get on with my business with these gentlemen?" Mathew asked.

"I'm afraid that will have to be put on hold for the moment, Mr. Patton. Until our investigation is complete and my superiors have examined the contracts and Mrs. Patton's divorce paper there will be no signing of anything except police statements."

"You can't do that! This is a private business sale, it has nothing to do--"

"On the contrary, sir since your transaction for real estate in the jurisdiction of this territory is of significant interest in this case, legal approval will be required."

"That's bullshit! I bought it originally without all this crap." Mathew stormed about the room.

"Without the deliberate wrecking of watercraft or the shooting of a participant I should point out." The Captain gathered his notes and all the passports and addressed the gathering.

"Arrangements have been made with management for your accommodation until this matter has been settled."

The Blue Shoals manager handed Mathew the key to his villa and apologized, saying he and Mrs. Patton were welcome to use their villa as a matter of courtesy,

'That'll be the day we stay anywhere together again!" He tossed the key on the table. "Let them use it, I'll stay here."

He followed the Captain out with the two constables who'd accompanied him and asked how long they may have to wait for a ruling on his business with the resort.

"What is it they say about the wheels of justice, Mr. Patton?"

"Oh, please."

"I understand your concern, I do and I will move as quickly as I am permitted. The terms of the divorce papers your wife is presenting will have to be considered for validity . . . dates and such.

"Then it should be quick. I made my deal with the resort before she had them altered."

"But they were filed first originally, no?"

"Yes but I never signed anything."

"As I say, I will act as promptly as I can." They reached the parking lot and the Captain's vehicle. "Can I drop you in town?"

"That's generous."

"Not at all." They all climbed into the car.