by Elaine Meece
“Karma missed. It only spattered my legs.” She glanced around. “I have a truck coming.”
“We’ll wait with you. I can drive you home or you can go with us for burgers.”
She glanced at his huge car. Gabe had his face pressed again the glass. He wore a silly grin.
“I appreciate the offer, but I can call a friend.”
“Nonsense, we’re here. It’s no trouble at all.” He studied her car. “If you had a sunroof, your car would look like a Jack in the box.”
Annie surrendered and smiled. “Okay, we don’t make fun of Greenie Beanie.”
“Greenie Beanie?”
She hadn’t shared her personal name for her car with anyone. “You tell anyone, and I’ll toss you out of the jet at forty thousand feet.”
He laughed. “Your secret is safe.”
A security car that canvased the area stopped, and she explained about the tires.
He studied her car and suggested she call the police. The security man took her information.
“I think you should,” Brice said.
“That could take a while,” she countered. “I doubt they can do anything about it. I’ll call them later.” She snapped a few pictures of her tires to show the police.
After the tow truck left with her car, Annie slid into the front passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt.
Brice grinned. “If your shocks ever go bad, your car will look like a dish of lime Jell-O going down the street.”
Gabe and Shawn laughed.
Annie smiled. “Not amusing.”
As he drove and talked with the boys, she thought of her oldest sister. So long as Renee knew Annie had a savings account, her sister would always hit her up for money. First, it had been a gambling debt she owed to mobsters. If Annie hadn’t loaned her five thousand, they would’ve killed Renee. Her sister’s stories grew more desperate and bizarre. Maybe she could convince Renee she’d lost all of money in a Ponzi scheme.
Her dream had always been to spend a year or two at the Yves Breyer School of Art in Paris. Something always arose in her dysfunctional family that required her dipping into her savings.
Brice pulled in front of Grind House Killer Burgers on Edgewood. The boys poured out of the backseat and ran toward the door. They entered the restaurant and were immediately escorted by the hostess to the patio.
“I insist you let me get this. You covered my movie and refreshments. Besides this is the least I can do for you waiting around for me.”
“Wouldn’t think of letting you pay,” Brice said. “Are you okay eating outside?”
“I’m fine. There’s a nice breeze tonight.”
After they ordered, the boys talked about the movie. Then they folded a napkin into a football and flicked it back and forth.
“Uncle Hayden and Mommy go on dates,” Gabe said. “Are you on a date with Annie?” he asked his dad.
Her cheeks grew instantly hot like a toaster. “No,” she said, answering first. “I work for the company your dad runs.”
“We’re friends,” Brice said as he winked at her.
Annie concluded Uncle Hayden was their mother’s boyfriend. No wonder Brice tensed at the mention of his name.
“Your Mommy and I will get back together after she realizes what she gave up.” Brice’s eyes grew sad and distant.
Annie realized how much Brice loved his wife. He seemed very determined to get her back. That was why Annie needed to keep her distance from him.
His situation made her incident with Evan look like a minor conflict. Annie had never been one to sleep around. It had to be someone she cared about unlike Renee, who slept with anyone with a dick who crossed her path.
Annie had fallen in love with Evan, so it was easy to fall into his bed. She couldn’t blame him. He had never led her on. She couldn’t explain their whirlwind romance in Belem. The place reeked with a romantic ambience. They’d both gotten caught up in the magic and lost their common sense. That and all the rum they had consumed at dinner made it easier. It wasn’t just one night. For three or four days, their lovefest continued. It didn’t start to die until they returned home.
“Who wanted to get even with you?” Brice asked.
She shrugged. “Maybe someone got my car confused with another one.”
“Your car is lime green with Support the Arts decals and a bumper sticker that reads: Are you a good witch or bad witch? I didn’t spot another lime green, square car in the entire lot.”
“True,” she admitted. “It could have been my sister, Renee.”
“Your sister would do something like this?”
“She probably had someone to do it. She called while we were in Jacksonville and wanted ten thousand to invest with her friends in a new dance club. I refused to give it to her.”
“That’s a lot of money to loan someone, even family. Is she your only sibling?”
“No, there’s Megan. She lives somewhere in Phoenix.”
“I bet you’re the prettiest one in the bunch.”
Heat radiated through her cheeks. “Actually, my dad always said I’d better study hard because I was an ugly duckling. Both my sisters are gorgeous. I don’t compare to them.”
“I’m not sure what your dad was seeing, but you’re very attractive. Especially, with your hair down.”
She wanted to change the subject. “What about you? Any brothers or sisters?”
“I have an older sister, Pamela who lives here, and a younger brother, Carter, who lives in Texas. Both are married. My parents are both gone.” He paused. “Will you confront Renee about your tires?” he asked.
“I will, but she’ll deny it and bring my parents into it. They always side with Renee. She’s thirty-five and still trying to be a teenager.”
Their dinner arrived. This wasn’t a cheap burger joint. She doctored her gourmet burger with mayonnaise and salt. She didn’t know how she’d eat it without looking like a yawning hippo. The thing stood wider then her mouth could open.
The mayonnaise kept oozing from the sandwich. She flicked her tongue out to catch a drip rolling from the corner of her mouth.
Brice laughed, then handed her another napkin. “You’re losing the battle.’
She took the napkin and wiped her mouth. “It’s messy.”
“You have a way of making a mess.” He salted his burger. “What kind of activities are there for the kids in Utah?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t go with them to the resort. I stayed with a friend.” She hated lying. The moment they’d landed, she took a cab to the main airport and flew to Phoenix. From Sky Harbor, she rented a car and drove to Garland.
“The one you’re staying with this time?” he asked.
“Yes. I guess you could say we used to be roommates.” She sipped her drink. “I know they went skiing, but that was in the winter. I think they might go ziplining or on a trail ride. They’re not staying at the same resort.”
“I’m not sure Gabe is old enough to do any of that.”
“There are hiking trails.”
“Maybe. I’d hate to run into a bear.”
She smiled. “Just let Shawn tell it a knock knock joke. Once it hears the punchline, it’ll run back into the woods.”
Brice laughed out loud.
His boys glanced up and stared as if trying to figure out what was so funny.
On the ride home, she considered how to approach Renee about her tires.
Brice pulled into the driveway of her older Norwood home and parked. “Lovely house and neighborhood. You live here alone?”
“Yes, I figured out it’s cheaper to own than rent.”
“Would you like me to walk through your house?”
“Thanks. But I’ll be fine. Renee wouldn’t really harm me.”
“One thing I’ve learned is you never really know what’s in a person’s heart,” he said, wearing a disheartened expression.
“Words of wisdom,” she said, thinking of Evan.
“Will you be able t
o pick up your car tomorrow?”
“Yes. My dad will drive me. Thanks again for dinner and the movie.” She twisted in her seat. “Boys, see you soon. I’ll have a new joke for you.”
“Bye, Annie,” Gabe said.
Shawn nodded but didn’t glance up.
After Brice and the boys left, she entered the house, locked the door, and turned off the porch light.
The house seemed too quiet. Water dripped in the kitchen. The air conditioner switched on. Her alarm hadn’t been activated, so no one had been inside.
Annie kicked off her shoes, then grabbed the phone from her purse and called Renee. It’d be best to get this over with tonight while she was still angry. She sat on her sofa and got comfortable as she prepared for a verbal battle.
Her sister picked up quickly. “You change your mind about the money?”
“No, and after what you did to my car, I’ll never loan you another cent.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look, I know you were behind it. You probably paid one of your grubby friends to do it.”
“Do what? You sound nuts.”
Annie sighed. Renee could be quite the actress. “Someone shredded my tires. I figured you were getting even since I wouldn’t loan you the money.”
Silence.
“Renee, just admit it.”
Silence.
“Renee?”
“Annie, I didn’t do it. I swear to God I didn’t do it or have anyone else do it.”
As she listened to her sister, Annie’s gaze landed on the door knob. It slowly turned one way, then the other.
Her heart jumped.
“Annie, Annie. What’s wrong?”
Annie couldn’t answer.
Chapter Three
“Renee, let me call you back,” Annie said.
“Annie, don’t hang up.”
After disconnecting the call, Annie made sure the door was locked. She pulled out a small taser from her purse before dialing 911, then stayed on the line with the operator who assured her a car had been dispatched.
The sounds from the porch registered in her brain. Someone had just hit one of the tall stone vases that stood on each side of her door. One thing for sure, it wasn’t a Girl Scout selling cookies.
Listening to the operator’s voice helped her remain calm.
Bright blue lights flashed from her driveway.
The officers checked her house inside and out. When she showed them the pictures of her slashed tires, the older officer made a call to a detective with the APD. He arrived twenty minutes later and took the report the officers handed him.
After skimming over the report, Detective Tabor introduced himself. “I have to ask this. Do you have a boyfriend who has a score to settle?”
Annie started to say no until she thought of Evan. No way would he do anything remotely like this, so she decided not to mention him. “I haven’t dated anyone in a while.”
“Where do you work?” the middle-aged detective asked.
“Zurtel Aerospace Industry,” she replied.
His brows rose. “Hell, not this again.”
She gave him a puzzled look. “Again?”
“I handled the case last year involving Ms. Reynolds.”
“She’s Mrs. Conners now. I assure you this has nothing to do with Zurtel. I don’t have any top secrets hidden in my house. I’m a flight attendant. That’s it.”
He rubbed his chin in thought. “Weren’t you with them in Brazil?”
“Yes, but I didn’t go to the plantation. I stayed in Belem at the hotel until Owen Reynolds called us back. I didn’t come into contact with anyone but Ravelo, and he’s in prison.”
“Maybe I should speak with Mrs. Conners about this.”
“I’d rather you didn’t,” she said.
After not finding anyone or any evidence, the police left. She locked her doors and kept the taser nearby.
She racked her brain trying to recall anyone she’d angered recently. No one. Maybe, her sister had just given an award-winning performance. After all, if something happened to her, Renee and Megan would inherit everything she had.
In bed while thinking about Evan, Brice popped in her mind. She recalled touching his fingers in the popcorn bucket. His smell had intoxicated her. She didn’t know what cologne or aftershave he wore, but it was hypnotic.
But clearly Brice still loved his wife.
Sunday afternoon, her father pulled in the driveway and honked.
Annie grabbed her purse, hurried out to his car, and climbed in. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Explain again what happened,” her impatient father said.
She went through the story again. “I thought Renee was behind it.”
He frowned. “Why would you think that?”
“I wouldn’t loan her ten thousand.”
“I can understand why she’s upset. This investment is a life changer for her. An opportunity like this doesn’t come along every day.”
“Then you loan her the money.”
“I would if I could. Your mom and I are retired, and we live on a fixed income. I bet she could have you paid back in a year.”
“Over the last three years, I’ve loaned her over twenty thousand. Out of that, she’s paid me back three hundred dollars. I’m done loaning her money.”
“This is her first real chance to do something worthwhile with her life. Get her on the right track.”
“Oh, pleasseee. She could be on the right track and still miss the train. Dad, she’s a loser. Until she gets on medication and stays on it, her train is always going to derail.”
“Just give her a chance.”
“Not happening. Renee has had a lot of chances to get her life straightened out. You and mom are stuck raising her two kids.” Annie changed the subject. “I received a letter from Megan.” She explained her sister’s situation.
“We tried to tell her that bastard was up to something.”
“I’ll be out there next week. I may get a chance to see her.”
“Those people are dangerous. They’ll do anything to prevent jeopardizing their lifestyle.”
Maybe we can trade Renee for Megan.
She smiled over the silly thought. The commune wouldn’t know what hit them. Renee could be a fireball. Whereas Megan had always lived in Renee’s shadow. Being the youngest, Annie hadn’t been as affected by her sister’s outrageous behavior.
Her father pulled into the parking lot of the tire place. “You need me to wait?”
“No, Dad. They called and said it was ready. Thanks for the ride.” She climbed from the car, then watched her father drive away. Her parents were so blind to Renee’s shenanigans.
On her way home, she stopped at the Norcross Pawn Shop on Jimmy Carter Boulevard and received a sweet deal on a little Walther P22. She’d have to wait until the background check was done to pick it up. It’d been a long time since she’d fired a gun. First chance she had she’d go to the range and practice.
Something told her a taser wasn’t enough.
♦♦♦
Brice dozed on the sofa while the boys played video games. The doorbell rang. Shea had come early to pick them up. He opened the condo door.
Shea waltzed in and stood in the center of the room. The boys ignored her and kept playing. She gave an exaggerated sigh. “We need to talk.”
“Go right ahead,” he said, wondering if she had realized the mistake she’d made by divorcing him.
“I plan to go into real estate.”
“Good. So why does that concern me?”
“The alimony you give me isn’t enough for my classes and the money it’ll require to get started. I think you should pay it.”
“Why can’t Uncle Hayden help with it? He’s getting free room and board and fringe benefits.”
“Business is down. They’re replacing pool cleaners with those damn robots.”
For a moment, Brice thought of the ones replacing the copilots. All the copilots
for Zurtel would end up without a job. “That’s not my problem,” Brice said. “If you want to do that fine, but take it out of the money I already give you.”
“I should refuse to let the boys go to Utah with you.”
“You could, but I won’t be back to take them next weekend. You and Uncle Hayden will have them the entire time.”
She huffed. “When do you leave?”
“I’ll pick them up Wednesday morning around eight. They’ll need to bring hiking boots.”
“I’ll pack them.” She glanced over at the kids “Okay, boys let’s go.”
Gabe and Shawn ran over and hugged him.
“I don’t want to go,” Gabe whined.
“I had fun,” Shawn said. “I liked Annie. She’s nice.”
“She liked both of you.”
“I’m going to tell her a new knock knock joke next week,” Shawn added.
For the first time since their divorce, something other than impatience and frustration showed in Shea’s eyes. Her eyebrows rose. “Who is Annie?”
“Someone who works at Zurtel. She went to the movie and dinner with us last night.” He wouldn’t mention it hadn’t been a date.
“Should you have the boys around her?” Shea asked.
“You don’t seem to have a problem with Uncle Hayden. I guess I could call her, Aunt Annie. Would that make it any better?”
“You’re being an ass.”
“You’d better hurry. Your cabana boy might get tired of waiting out in the car.”
Shea’s posture stiffened. “Boys, head for the car.”
After she left, Brice thought of her reaction over him being with another woman. For the first time in a long time, she seemed interested in what he was doing.
Maybe, he should ask Annie to dinner. He scolded himself over the idea of using the attendant to make his ex-wife jealous. It wouldn’t be fair to Annie, and he liked her.
Thinking of Annie, he decided to call her but then realized he didn’t have her number. He called Cynthia Conners.
“Brice. It’s Sunday. What can I do for you?”
“I need Annie Spencer’s phone number.”
“Let me get it. It’s in my phone.” She returned. “Strange but Detective Tabor called this morning and asked me a lot of questions about Annie and if anyone at work had a beef with her.”
