by Karen Nappa
"Sure thing, Vince," the second cop said and went outside.
Two paramedics, a man and a woman, came in. The man had the ex-military look with his short hair and the way his eyes took in the scene. They quickly assessed the situation. The cop named Vince was already with the man by the window and the male EMT joined them there. Derek waved the woman over to where he was.
She joined them and introduced herself as Lydia. "Who needs help here?" she asked. Sonja indicated the injured women. "I think you should start with Miss Clara."
Miss Clara was having none of that. "Do Krystal first. She's the one who was hit."
"Sorry, ma'am, but our rule is 'age before beauty'. Can you tell me where it hurts?" Lydia asked as she began her examination.
There was activity at the door, and Derek looked up to see Paula Stone and her partner coming in. Paula looked professional as always in a gray pantsuit with a fuchsia blouse and matching scarf adding a touch of color and femininity. Officer Vince broke away from the man he was questioning when he spotted the detectives enter, and the three of them spoke together for a few moments before the detectives came over to Derek, Sonja, and Suzie.
"This does not look good," Paula said without preamble.
"No, it doesn't," Derek replied. "We have to stop this." He turned to Paula's partner. "Nice to see you, Bill." They shook hands.
"I'm sorry," Paula said. "Sonja, Suzie, this is my partner, Bill Christopher. Bill, meet Sonja Madden and Suzie Carmichael, owners of this establishment."
Bill shook hands. "It's a pleasure, ladies. Sorry to meet under these circumstances."
"So, who was out here when it happened?" Paula asked.
"I was," Sonja said. "I was over at the hostess stand. Suzie was in the kitchen, and Derek was in the office. I was chatting with customers waiting for a table when I heard a noise, the glass broke, and all hell broke loose. Somebody yelled, 'Get down; someone's shooting,' and you can see the results. I think I must have seen Krystal fall first, but I'm not really sure. I just knew I had to get over here."
Paula turned to Krystal. "What do you remember?"
"I finished pouring Miss Clara a fresh cup of coffee, and it was the last in my carafe or I'd be burned instead of just cut from the glass. I heard a noise and I think I saw the glass breaking as I felt something hit me hard in the shoulder. I fell on Miss Clara and we both went down," Krystal said. "Someone pulled the table down to protect us, but I didn't see who."
"Miss Clara, what do you remember?" Paula asked.
The older woman was nodding. "It was just like Krystal said. She poured my coffee, and there was the sound of breaking glass. Krystal fell against me, and we both went down. I think that rock over there is the cause." She pointed at the offending object.
"Has anyone touched it?" Det. Christopher asked.
"Not since I came over," Sonja said. "It looks like it's covered in paper. Will that have fingerprints?"
"We hope so." Det. Christopher pulled a pair of rubber gloves from his jacket pocket and crouched down on the floor to have a look. He took several photos with his phone before he reached over and touched it carefully. "This paper is taped on pretty thoroughly. I think we take it straight to the lab and not try to do anything with it here," he said to Paula. He pulled out an evidence bag and gently worked it over the rock.
"Sorry, folks. We won't be able to tell you anything more about it until later," Paula said. "Thanks for not taking the paper off before we got here, though."
"We were tempted," Sonja said.
"Everybody is," Paula replied. "Derek thinks this is connected to the vandalism today. Do you?"
"I don't know. He knows her a lot better than I do. But if it's not Angie, it's someone we don't know about with a huge grudge against the café. Whoever it is, needs to be stopped. This is a nightmare. So many people could have been hurt. Thank God it's only three, so far, but our insurance is going to go through the roof." Sonja's voice started to break on the last sentence.
"Relax, baby," Derek said. "We'll take care of this—one way or another." He clenched his fists.
"Derek," Paula said, "you might want to be careful what you say and what you're doing." She indicated his hands.
Derek looked down and consciously relaxed his fists. "I didn't even realize I was doing that. I guess I'm angrier than I thought."
The EMT had finished with her check of Miss Clara and was examining Krystal's shoulder. "I don't think anything's broken, but I can't say for sure. In my opinion, you both need to go in to the hospital and get checked out."
When they started to object, Sonja silenced them with a look. "The café's insurance will take care of the expense and I'd feel better if you went. Please, Krystal, please, Miss Clara?"
"All right, dear. If you insist, I'll go," Miss Clara acquiesced.
Krystal nodded her head in agreement. Lydia used her radio to call for two more ambulances since they could only transport one patient per vehicle.
"That's settled then. I need to see how the gentleman by the window is." Sonja moved carefully through the mess in that direction.
Derek watched her with pride as she worked her magic on the man with the head wound. As he saw the EMT signal someone outside, he knew she had been successful with him as well. Then she moved to the steps and addressed the room, "Can I have everyone's attention, please? I'm Sonja Madden, and many of you know I'm co-owner here. I'm so sorry your mornings have been disrupted like this. First, whatever you ordered is on the house. If we find any money lying around, it will be divided among the servers, who are out their morning's tips. Please leave your name and contact information with us when you leave. We would like to follow up and make sure no one is suffering any after-effects. Also, whatever you order on your next visit is on the house. Again, I'm very sorry, and I hope you won't hold this morning's unfortunate events against us."
A man wearing a conservative suit stood up. "Can we get out of here now?" he asked.
"That's not my department, I'm afraid," Sonja said. "Det. Sgt. Stone of KCPD is making that decision."
Paula came over to join Sonja. "Thank you, Ms. Madden. As soon as we've spoken with you, you're free to go. If you didn't see anything, the officer at the door will check you out. Thanks for your cooperation."
People began getting up and forming a line by the door, where officer Vince had taken up position. The man who had asked the question was the first one there.
About half the people were gone when two more ambulances arrived and interrupted the flow out the door. They were quick at getting Miss Clara and Krystal out on gurneys. The man by the window insisted he could walk, and he did. Soon, it was just Derek, Sonja, Suzie, Paula, Bill, and the staff in the café. Everyone had been interviewed and Paula and Bill were going over what they had found out when Connor burst in from the back.
"I leave to get things to fix the first mess and come back to find you've gotten into another right bourach?"
"Bou-what?" Sonja asked.
"Bourach," Connor said. "It means mess. Sorry, lass. My temper isn't aimed at you."
"We think Angie struck again," Suzie said and quickly filled him in on the events of the morning. "We're closing, and we've already told the staff they'll be paid for the full day. Jenna is calling the lunch servers to tell them not to come in."
"Did you get everything from the store?" Derek asked Connor.
"Aye. Now tell me more about what happened here," Connor replied.
"As I was saying," Paula answered, "several people saw a small figure in a hoodie throwing the rock. They were described variously as a teenage boy, Hispanic, Indian, a woman with short hair, and an old man with a great throwing arm."
"Dark-skinned teenager was the most common description, but eyewitnesses are notoriously unreliable," Det. Christopher said. "Any of you know any teenagers who might have a problem with the café?"
"No. Absolutely not. And no one's been fired in over a year. Our employees are really great," Suzie said.
"I really think it has to be Angie," Derek said. "She played softball in high school and college, if that counts for anything. She had dozens of trophies."
"It does," Paula said. "That's very helpful information. We need to get going. I'll call you if there's anything interesting on the paper around the rock. Good luck getting a new window."
"Thanks for all your help, Paula, Bill. You get free food here whenever you come in," Sonja said.
"Now, that would be a bribe, but maybe a piece of pastry when we solve the case." Paula winked and everyone chuckled a little. "I'll call you later. Let me know if anything more happens. Bye, everyone," Paula called as she and Bill left.
"We need to get this mess cleaned up," Sonja said to the room at large.
"Yes," Suzie agreed. "Anyone still here in the kitchen?"
Several voices answered.
"Anyone who helps with cleanup gets double time for the day," Sonja added.
In minutes, there were three servers, two busboys, and two dishwashers in the main room with cleaning supplies, trash bags, and trays for dishes that had survived the chaos. They got to work immediately.
Connor said softly, "You realize, ladies, we don't have much of a margin to stay closed for the day, pay people extra, and waste food."
"And Sonja promised all the customers free meals the next time they come in," Suzie added.
"Sonja," Connor said in his best Dom voice.
She took a step back from him but steeled herself to respond, "Take it out of my check this month. We owe it to the staff and the customers. The good will is worth the cost."
"Aye, lass. You're probably right." Connor turned to Derek. "Shall we paint first, or put up the cameras?"
"I'm going to call a window repair company first and see if I can get a new window for you today. That's on me, since my ex is the one responsible," Derek answered. "I think the cameras first, though. We should wait on the painting until the day is as warm as it's going to get. I think it's supposed to be sunny."
"You don't have to do that, Derek," Sonja objected. "I was going to call the landlord."
"The landlord will take too long and you don't want a boarded-up window while you wait. You can pay me back from the insurance claim. Maybe." Derek was determined to help out. He was convinced it was his mess.
"We can argue over payment later. I'm going to get a ladder and get started on the cameras. Join me as soon as you can, Kiriakis." Connor headed toward the furnace room.
"Call James first, Derek," Suzie said. "He's a contractor, so he's bound to know someone who can help. He might be able to do it himself."
Derek went to the office to call Suzie's brother-in-law. Five minutes later, he came back out. "James is sending a truck in an hour. He's got people who can do it, and we can keep it in the family. They'll take measurements, and if they can't replace it today, they come equipped with plywood. He recommended safety glass. I agreed on your behalf. If it breaks again, it won't cut people."
"Thank you, Derek," Sonja said. "You don't have to do this."
"I know I don't," he replied, "but I'm doing it anyway. I'll be outside if you need anything else."
"Thanks, Derek," Suzie called behind him.
He raised his hand in acknowledgement and went to join Connor.
Once the cameras were installed, the painting finished, and the new window in place, it was mid-afternoon and everyone was exhausted. Suzie had left earlier to meet her kids from school. Connor, Sonja, and Derek took a few moments to take stock.
Sonja said, "It looks like we're set to open tomorrow morning. Thank you for all your work. I know you both had other plans for the day and I appreciate your help."
"There's nothing to thank me for, lass. I have a stake in the success of this place, too, after all," Connor replied.
"Yeah, but our deal does not include you painting and installing security cameras, and I heard you canceling client meetings." Sonja wanted him to know how much she appreciated the stubborn Scotsman.
"Nothing urgent was involved. Everything is taken care of. Consider it part of the service. I'm going home to Suzie. You two have a good rest of your day." Connor left with a wave of his hand and no chance for more talk.
"Don't thank me, baby girl," Derek said before she could start. "I consider myself responsible. I know you don't, but that doesn't change anything. And the city could do without me for one day. I need to see if I can get through to Jackson before it gets any later. Care to join me in the office?"
"Sure. I want to know what's going on, too."
They went into the office, and Derek took the desk for the call, miraculously getting through to Jackson right away. "Let me put you on speaker, Jackson. Sonja's here, and it will be easier if we don't have to go through this more than once."
Between the two of them, they caught Jackson up on the events of the day and the situation with the restaurant reviews. Derek finished with the report on the rock from Paula Stone. "The note on the rock was in thick orange and red crayons. It said, 'Stay away from my Daddy' followed by multiple exclamation points. I think Angie saw Krystal through the window and thought it was Sonja, and that's why she got hit."
"That's some trail of damage. I think we can get a temporary restraining order today if I can catch Judge Edinger before he leaves." They heard Jackson shuffling papers over the phone line. "Hang on while I call him on the other line."
To the sound of hold music, Sonja said, "Will it really be that easy now?"
"I hope so, but Angie will still have a chance to challenge the order in court, and it doesn't get her prosecuted for the damage she's done," Derek replied.
"Anything is better than nothing at this point," Sonja said.
Jackson came back on the line. "Can you two get down to the courthouse right away? Judge Edinger can see us in half an hour. I'll call Paula and see if she can bring the police reports."
"Great, we'll be right there," Derek said.
Jackson gave them directions to the judge's chambers and ended the call.
Derek and Sonja arrived first but were joined by Jackson and Paula within moments of each other. The judge's clerk welcomed them and showed them into Judge Edinger's office.
"Good to see you, Jackson. What have you brought me today?" the judge asked.
Jackson introduced the others and explained the situation, Paula contributed the police reports, and the judge asked a few questions of Sonja and Derek.
"Why is this woman after you, Ms. Madden?"
Derek answered, "She stalked me for over a year after I broke up with her in St. Louis, Your Honor. She's the reason I moved back to Kansas City. You put her on a psych hold about a week before Thanksgiving after she freaked out at my office. That's when she made her first threats against Sonja."
"I could have sworn she was supposed to go back to St. Louis after that. Do you have a copy of that order?" he asked Jackson and started shuffling through the papers on his cluttered desk. "Oh, here it is, don't worry about it. Yes, her lawyer swore she would be leaving Kansas City as soon as she was released. Do you have any evidence she's still in here?"
"Not directly, Your Honor," Paula said. "But after today's events, we've got an APB out on her. The note is almost a confession."
"Why does she call you Daddy, Mr. Kiriakis?" the judge asked.
"Um, well, she has a kink about pretending she's a little girl and her boyfriend is her Daddy." Derek tried to be as straightforward as possible, but sharing with vanillas, even a judge, was a little challenging.
"Hmm," was the judge's only response.
"All right. You have your restraining order. I've ordered her to stay at least five hundred feet away from both of you and your café. I think that's far enough that she won't be able to throw anything at you."
Sonja tried to chuckle, but it was more of a huff that came out. "Yes, Your Honor. I hope that's far enough, too."
"I suggest you each carry copies and keep one at your café along with her picture, so she doesn't manag
e to sneak in when you're not looking. Don't let your guard down," the judge concluded.
"We won't, Your Honor. As a result of this morning, we've put up security cameras. I hope that will be enough to discourage her," Derek said.
"Good man. As soon as she's served, we'll get the formal hearing on the books." With that said, the judge turned away to his papers, and they filed out.
For the next three days, Derek spent as much of his spare time with Sonja as he could. She wondered if it was to protect her or to be with her. Don't be so insecure, girl. He might want to shield you, but he likes to be with you. Funny thing was her internal voice sounded a lot like her gran's. Paula called daily with updates, but Angie seemed to have vanished. The window breaking actually had a positive effect on business at The Sweet and Savory Table. The regular customers seemed to have taken it as a personal affront and came back in force, and visitors showed up hoping for more excitement and staying for the great food. It was a week later, before Angie made her presence felt again. Sonja had stayed after closing to work on her books as usual and it was almost dark when she finished. She texted Derek before she went out the door and made sure to lock it. She walked over to her car and stood, stunned. Her tires were flat, and her car was covered in garbage from the dumpster.
Sonja shook her head the way Snuggles did when he accidentally ran into a wall. She straightened and pivoted to go back into the café. Now, she was pissed! First, her reputation, then, her café and, now, her car! Angie had to be stopped. Sonja marched back into the café and called Derek first. He told her to stay put until he got there and to make sure the doors of the café were locked. Then she called Paula, who promised to come as quickly as she could.
Sonja was in the office trying to pull up the security footage when she heard pounding on the front door. It took her a moment to realize it had to be Derek or Paula. She got up and walked out into the main room and was pleased to see it was both and she wouldn't have to deal with a second round of pounding. She let them in.
