Since Kidd texted her that Saul was headed her way, Kirin asked Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dean to babysit the boys for the weekend. She wouldn’t allow herself to think that she wouldn’t be coming to get them.
That night Kirin and Stacy went over the menu for her dinner party with Todd’s parents. It was a welcome change from planning the takedown of a mob giant. Kirin would prepare bacon wrapped organic chicken breasts, with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus with white sauce, tossed salads, wine, and red velvet cake for dessert. While Stacy focused on everything else.
Stacy hired a decorator, a cleaning service, and a few servers for the evening. Between the three, her house would be cleaned, decluttered, and freshened. She was more nervous than when she and Kirin had taken their clinicals in nursing school.
Wednesday was Kirin’s half day at work. She came home at noon to Rosa and Little Jack discussing how at four, he was too old for a nap. He used his words and made a pretty good case for himself. Maybe he’d be an attorney. Will’s school had early dismissal for parent-teacher conferences, so he was home too.
Rosa left to spend time with her sister. As Will played math games on the computer and Little Jack stared at the TV, Kirin paced back and forth in front of the window. Come on FedEx. Her mind listed the questions she’d ask her Aunt Margaret.
What was Saul like as a young man? What type of man would sell women or kill them for that matter? What were his weaknesses?
Maggie would help. She’d have to, wouldn’t she? She’d see the boys, her great-nephews, and help Kirin bring Saul down. She wondered what their relationship had been like and what attracted her to him? From the old picture, she was much better looking than he was. Maybe back then he’d been charming, or a slick talker. All she knew was her Aunt Maggie needed to give her some ammunition to help her survive.
Around 2 p.m. the slim FedEx woman dropped off two boxes. One box housed the cameras and the other had the pen and wiretap. Kirin texted Adam who ran over between jobs and had everything installed in minutes.
Right at 3 p.m. she woke Little Jack up from the nap he hadn’t meant to take. She grabbed a bag of snacks to go and everyone jumped in the car. Kirin told the boys they were visiting a friend, and she wanted them to be on their best behavior.
They drove downtown and parked in the main parking garage. It was filled with cars from the elite who worked downtown in suits or heels. She’d made sure both boys looked clean and gave them a talk about politeness. She’d even grabbed the old baptismal photo, in case she needed to jog Maggie’s memory.
Two other patrons perused the tiny store making it appear crowded. Behind the counter was a young girl with a pierced lip and a mostly shaved head. She spoke as they entered.
“Hi, can I help you find something?”
“Yes, we were looking for the owner of the store, please?”
“Oh,” she said. “Mary?” she yelled behind her through the curtains. The young woman said under her breath, “Where is that crazy woman? She was just here.”
The girl walked through the curtains and after a moment reappeared, looking apologetic.
“I’m sorry, but she’s not here. Can I help you with something? She must’ve gone out to grab a bite to eat.”
“Thanks, but we can wait for her.” Kirin smiled.
The store clerk twisted one of several hooks in her ear nervously. “She may not be back for a while. Can I take your number and have her call you?”
Something in the way the clerk changed her tone after going into the backroom made Kirin think her Aunt Maggie was there and avoided her. She’d try a different tactic.
“That’s okay,” Kirin replied. “Do you know if she works tomorrow? We might come back around noon?”
“Oh, yes.” The clerk said, clearly relieved. “Mary works tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Kirin sang and ushered the boys out the glass door. Will looked up at her, confused. Kirin ducked into the candle store next door and waited. After a quick minute or two, the two customers in Galaxy 10 left the store. Her Aunt Maggie peeked out the glass door. She walked across Market Square and glided up to the ice cream vendor on the sidewalk. They crept in behind her.
“A double mint fudge please,” Maggie ordered in a cheery voice.
Kirin smiled. Her father’s favorite. She snuck right up behind Maggie and whispered loudly, “That was his favorite too, wasn’t it?”
Maggie whipped around and almost spilled her open wallet on Will’s head.
Wide-eyed and white as a ghost, she trembled. “What do you want?” her tone was harsh, and she was visibly frightened until she cut her eyes down to Will and Little Jack. Maggie searched Kirin’s eyes and exhaled loudly, “Oh dear…child, for some reason, I didn’t recognize you. I’m sorry.”
Maggie squeezed Kirin’s arm and looking around said, “How about we get these boys an ice cream and go back into my shop?” The boys cheered. They liked her already.
On the short walk back to her store, Little Jack reached up with his free hand and grabbed Maggie’s hand as he licked the drips running down his ice cream cone. Maggie’s eyes glistened as she dropped his hand and opened the door. Kirin couldn’t have choreographed it better.
As soon as they entered the shop, Maggie told the young clerk to take the rest of the day off. Kirin had never seen anyone move so fast to leave work. The girl moved like a hungry cheetah.
Maggie sat down at the glass counter and pulled up a stool on the opposite side for Kirin. The boys sat on the carpet near the front of the store, entertained as the sun danced on the hanging crystals making rainbow shapes come alive along the inside walls. The store was quiet as they ate their ice cream. Maggie spoke first.
“They’re so perfect. What handsome little boys you have, dear.”
“Thank you,” Kirin said, “I think they look like their dad.”
Maggie searched Kirin’s eyes for recollection. “He died, didn’t he?” she whispered innocently.
“Yes. Not long after Little Jack was born. Cancer.”
Maggie nodded understanding. “I’m sorry.”
Kirin fished the picture out of her purse as she finished her ice cream. With one finger, she slid it across the glass counter to Maggie. Pulling the glasses from around her neck up to her eyes, Maggie squinted at the picture. Her face briefly turned white. She looked from the picture to Kirin’s face, and back again. Methodically, she licked her ice cream and said, “Nice picture. Who are they?”
Kirin glanced up and whispered, “You know every person in this photo, and I know who you are.”
Maggie glared for several seconds, then shook her head. “Dear, I’m not who you think I am.”
Maggie pointed to herself in the picture. “That was your Aunt Maggie. She died, God rest her soul.” Kirin stared into Maggie’s eyes searching for the truth. Maggie’s half-smile never faded. She was practiced and confident in her statement.
Kirin leaned forward. “I think you’re her, and I need to know more about him,” she said, pointing to Saul. The corners of Maggie’s mouth turned down. Will interrupted, politely asking for a napkin for himself and his little chocolate-faced brother.
“Mary” jumped up and tended to them both, getting wet wipes and laughing as she helped Little Jack clean his face. Kirin rested her chin on her fist and observed. Maggie was enamored by her boys. She’d use whatever it took to keep them safe. Maggie walked back over, studying Kirin’s face. Kirin picked up the picture and pretended to study it even though she’d looked at it so often, it was ingrained into her brain. Maggie sat slow and cautious.
“Kirin dear, please understand. I’m not your Aunt Maggie. My name is Mary. But I was close to your father’s family. I knew your parents and I knew Maggie, but I am not her.”
Kirin wasn’t buying it. She looked like an older version of the woman in the picture. It had to be her. Kirin raised her voice, slightly.
“So, did you know him? My Godfather?” A tiny cringe crept across Mary’s eyes at the ter
minology.
“I’d met him a few times, but I didn’t know him well.”
Maggie stared out the front window, not focusing on the people walking by, but lost in her own thoughts. Kirin got the feeling Maggie’s last statement was true. She probably didn’t know what he was capable of when she dated him so young.
“Kirin, I only remember a few things. His name was Saul. He had a witty sense of humor and he loved Maggie. I believe she loved him too, but he had a terrible temper and a mean streak.”
She stood as she finished and snapped, “And that is all I know!” She turned and faced the boys.
Kirin stared after her. She wasn’t going to break. She was strong. She wasn’t about to admit to her identity. The woman’s attitude was self-preservation, learned over many years. She’d have to force her hand.
Kirin rose quick, making the stool squeal behind her.
“Don’t you get it?” Kirin whispered, loud. Maggie spun around, mouth gaping.
“He’s coming for me … and them.” Kirin pointed to Will and Little Jack who listened to a sample of meditative music with headphones squeezed on their heads. Maggie stared from Kirin to the boys.
“He will kill them! Do you understand that?” Kirin stepped around the counter and stood toe to toe with Maggie, shaking. “This isn’t only about you staying hidden anymore. He killed my mother, and he’s coming here this weekend to do the same to me. Do you want that? Your brother’s only child, dead? His grandsons murdered?”
Maggie shook her head, hard. Eyes closed tight as a tear hung in one corner. Kirin lowered her voice.
“You can’t fool me. And I know there’s something you can do to help me stop him before he hurts them.”
The tear in Maggie’s eye let loose. Kirin grasped both Maggie’s hands.
“I know you’re scared. God knows, I’m scared too. But you can help us. You must be brave and tell me anything you can remember that’ll help me defeat this monster before he destroys my family. I promise. I’ll never tell a soul I found you alive. You have my word. But I need some insight to bring him down. Can you do that? Can you help me?”
The Galaxy 10 phone rang with a shrill cry. Both women startled, then Kirin released Maggie and stepped back. Maggie waddled to the back of the store, swiping at her tears.
Kirin’s whole body quaked. She was glad her intuitive boy, Will, had his back to her. She slowed her breathing, but her heartrate drummed loud, as it had the day she ran from the mob. She didn’t know what got into her. She’d never yelled at anyone that way, let alone someone she’d just met. She prayed she hadn’t scared her off. God, she hoped she got through to the woman.
Through the beads in the back room, she couldn’t help but overhear bits of Maggie’s conversation.
“Yes, I’m fine … No, now is not a good time, I have customers. Yes, I will call you back. Yes, I have your number from the last three times you called. Good day, sir.”
She hung up with force, then took a minute to return. Kirin assumed Maggie took a breath to compose herself. She was wrong.
Maggie glided through the beads toward Kirin carrying a small set of papers. She placed them on the glass as if they’d break, folded the papers up and put them into a bright white envelope. She licked the envelope never looking at Kirin. In beautiful script handwriting, Maggie took her time and wrote on the front of the envelope then handed it to Kirin.
As Kirin grasped it, Maggie held it tight. Her eyes held a warning. “Do not open this. I don’t know if this can save you, It might help, but only if you don’t open it. Hand this to him as a last resort, in your moment of need. He’ll figure out where it came from and I’ll have to leave, but if it helps you and them …” Her voice trailed off as she glanced over at the boys. Tears pooled again in her eyes.
Little Jack and Will came over to show them a soy candle that smelled like rain. Kirin took a whiff and encouraged them to let their new friend “Mary” smell it too.
Maggie knelt, wiping her face before they could see her tears. She breathed deeply and smiled at them. Will hugged her, and Little Jack followed.
Kirin gathered up her keys, then sadness hit her like a wall. What if Maggie fled? What if they never saw her again. It was her turn to wipe away tears. Maggie looked so much like her father. The man who she was slowly developing a pocket of forgiveness for. They had the same skin tone and kind eyes.
She ambled slowly toward the door with her boys in hand. Stopping, she turned around and ran back and hugged Maggie tight.
She whispered, “Thank you,” then walked out the door, swiping tears, before holding two little hands.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Before Kirin knew it, Thursday and Friday had come and gone. Sam had been entangled in some scheme of his own, because the only time they spoke was over the phone late at night. He’d carefully tiptoed around his whereabouts and it took every ounce of discipline to trust him and not to allow her mind to run wild. He’d promised to see her Saturday evening.
Every minute had been filled with prep work for Stacy’s party anyway. At least when she wasn’t second-guessing her own flaw-filled plan. She’d knelt in prayer several times over the past few days for Sam and her boys. Her last will and testament had been prepared years ago, when Jack died, giving her aunt and uncle full custody of the boys. She knew they’d keep Sam inside their circle too.
Uncle Dean and Aunt Kathy called to let her know they’d taken the boys camping for the weekend. She was thrilled with the offer to get them as far away from the house as she could. She didn’t want to think what would happen if Saul got a hold of her boys. She shuddered at the thought.
Kirin woke early on Saturday and made coffee. Curled up in a blanket, she sat on her porch to watch the sunrise. Not sure if it was the caffeine in her morning brew, God answering her prayers, or witnessing the sunrise over the trees, but she was filled with hope. Everything was gonna be okay.
Kirin made a huge breakfast and woke the boys. They ate together while Saturday morning cartoons played on TV. Bags packed and ready, Aunt Kathy walked in first with Uncle Dean trailing behind. He looked at the floor when he spoke. Kirin wondered how much Sam had told him.
He bear-hugged Kirin tight as if she was ten again. Like he didn’t want to let go.
She grabbed Little Jack and Will with that same fierceness. Kissing them both, she choked back tears as she pretended to be happy. She jogged back toward the house as they left, never looking back.
After checking the cameras for the hundredth time, she moved the pen to the outside pocket of her purse, then made a copy of everything her father sent to her on a flash drive and put it in an envelope in the panic room. She addressed it to Stacy’s brother Steve. The original, she placed in a hidden zipper inside her purse. That way if something happened to one copy, there’d still be another copy to survive. Kirin packed her bag and dress clothes and set off for Stacy’s house.
Driving away, she was glad to get out of that quiet space. Every time her old walls creaked, she wondered if someone was outside.
She needed to put her focus into Stacy’s party and yet she couldn’t get her mind off Saul. Was Saul as personable as her aunt described him? She’d called him witty. And she’d said even back then, he had a mean streak.
He seemed like the type to play with his prey before killing it, that was for sure.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Stopping Stacy from drinking the entire bottle of wine Kirin brought, proved to be a full-time job. When her friend insisted on re-setting the tables, re-folding the napkins for the third time, and rearranging the flowers repeatedly, Kirin wanted to clobber her.
Two silver serving spoons clanged to the floor at Stacy’s feet.
“You’ve got to calm down,” Kirin said, stooping to pick them up.
“I can’t remember my own damn name.” Stacy said, checking her watch for the fifth time.
“It’s soon-to-be-gorgeous. Now, go upstairs and get ready. I’ll go check on the foo
d, deal?” Kirin swiped the bottle from under Stacy’s arm as Stacy passed her to climb the steps.
“Fun sucker,” Stacy whined. Kirin shot her a look before she stuck her tongue out and took the stairs two at a time.
Kirin headed for the kitchen. She hoped Todd’s parents would be gracious and grateful for all the work Stacy put into making this dinner special for them.
Todd had come over to help set up but ended up disappearing into the backyard to smoke away his nerves. He was an odd duck most of the time, but Stacy adored him. His parents were set to arrive at 5:30 for drinks before dinner. The sound of rushing water above her meant that Stacy was quickly showering.
The doorbell rang.
Kirin swiped a nearby towel for her hands and strolled to the door. When she opened it, Stacy’s perfect older brother, Steve, stood beaming at the door.
“Hey, Kirin,” he said without a trace of surprise, as if Kirin always opened Stacy’s door. She was shocked.
“Steve!” Kirin hugged him. “Stacy didn’t mention you were coming for dinner.”
“That’s because she doesn’t know,” he leaned in and whispered, winking.
Oh great. A drop-in from Mr. Perfect on an important day like today, Stacy would be thrilled.
Seconds later Stacy bounded down the stairs with wet hair in rumpled sweats to see who’d arrived.
“Steve!” she squealed, half-surprised and half-irritated. “What are you doing here?” she grumbled. “Don’t you ever listen to your voicemails? I told you this weekend wasn’t good for a visit since Todd’s parents were coming to town.”
The only thing Steve could say for himself was an insincere “whoops.” Grinning widely, he picked Stacy up and swung her around as if they were kids. By the look on her face, she didn’t find it funny.
“Well, sister dear,” he said, mouth full of an apple supposed to be a decoration, “I’m here, and there’s nothing you can do about it. I warned you it was time for a visit. And here I am.” He laughed then added, “Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you.” Steve winked at Kirin.
Entangling: Book One of the Kirin Lane Series Page 22
