Orchid Blues (Holly Barker 2)

"I'm going to join you for this one," she said to Hurd, and pulled up a chair.

"Good, we were just getting started," Hurd replied. "Mr. Barrington was just about to tell me what happened."

"Please go ahead," Holly said.

"I went into the bank to pick up a cashier's check. I'm buying an airplane from Piper, over in Vero Beach. Mr. Oxenhandler-that was his name?"

"Yes, Jackson Oxenhandler."

"He came in and was in line behind me; we chatted a little, discovered that we were both lawyers. We talked a little about airplanes; the line was held up by someone depositing a lot of checks and cash."

"Go on."

"Four men came into the bank; they were wearing identical blue coveralls, yellow construction hard hats and masks, the kind you wear when you're sanding floors or dealing with a lot of dust. All four were carrying shotguns."

"Descriptions?" Holly asked. She nodded at Hurd, who got out a notebook.

"Three were around six feet-within an inch or so-one was shorter, around five-nine. The bigger men were middle-age beefy, though the coveralls probably made them look heavier than they were. The shorter one was much thinner. Two of the bigger men had gray hair showing around the edges of the hard hats; one had darker hair, nearly black. The smaller man had sandy hair and eyebrows. He was wearing brown oxford shoes; the other three were wearing sneakers, one pair of New Balance, two of Nike. All four men were wearing wedding bands, and one of the larger men wore what looked like a college ring.

"The shotguns looked like Remingtons, standard police riot guns. I think all four men were wearing shoulder holsters, too, under the coveralls."

"Did any of them speak?"

"One of them, I'm not sure which, told the people to behave, and they wouldn't get hurt. Any other talk was between themselves and quiet. They went immediately to the area where the desks were, and the shorter man indicated that a bank officer was to accompany them to the vault."

"Do you know which officer?"

"One in the second row of desks. I don't know his name, but the robber seemed to know who he wanted."

"Goon."

"Two of the four men guarded us, while one went with the shorter man and the bank officer to the vault. They were in there maybe a minute, and came back with a four-wheeled hand trolley containing a pile of canvas bags, maybe a dozen. As they passed close to where we stood, the taller of the two men bumped into Mr. Oxenhandler, and there was an exchange of words."

"What sort of exchange?"

"Truculent, on the part of the robber. Mr. Oxenhandler replied in a manner that showed no fear. The exchange escalated a little, then, to my astonishment, the taller robber shot Mr. Oxenhandler, who fell backward at my feet. I immediately took off my shirt and applied it to Mr. Oxenhandler's chest, to try to control the bleeding."

"Why were you astonished at what happened?" Holly asked.

"Up to that moment, the whole operation had been quick and professional. The sudden display of anger on the part of the robber seemed out of character with the team, though, of course, the mask may have prevented me from seeing it coming, since I couldn't see any facial expressions."

"After he shot Jackson, what happened?"

"The shorter man came and shoved him toward the door. He said something, but I wasn't able to understand him, because of the mask. The four men left the building, and a moment later, I saw a white van-a Ford, I think-leave the parking lot and drive west, toward the mainland. I shouted toward the desks for someone to call nine-one-one and ask for an ambulance, and I stayed with Mr. Oxenhandler until the EMTs put him into the ambulance."

"Did he have anything to say?"

Barrington looked her in the eye. "He said, 'Holly's going to be very upset about this.' I asked him to relax and be quiet, but he wanted to talk."

"What did he say?"

"He told me he was on the way to his wedding. He didn't seem to be in a lot of pain, but certainly in shock. He said I should tell Holly that he was sorry he ruined everything, but that she should see Fred, that he had everything in hand and under control. Who's Fred?"

"His law partner," Holly replied. "Anything else?"

"No, the EMTs arrived about that time and got him into the ambulance. If it's any consolation, they got there fast and did their work well, did everything they could do. Mr. Oxenhandler didn't want for the proper medical attention."

"Thank you for telling me that, Mr. Barrington. That was an excellent report; tell me, are you a police officer?"