An Unfortunate Incident

by K T Brodland

  “Well, thank God for that,” Cat grumbled. She jerked her thumb at the four guns still in the middle of the road. “What are you planning on doing with these?”

  “Bag them and tag them for starters. If you have the means of getting fingerprints off them, we could work on them tomorrow. As for the photos you took, I have a facial recognition program on my computer. That will be helpful in identifying those characters who showed up in my yard.”

  “Well, we’re in luck then. I have the means to do both. And I want you out of here until Monday when your car is ready. No arguments, either. Is that understood?”

  “Excuse me, but do you need a reminder of what I can do to protect myself?”

  Cat holstered her weapon, then snapped, her sharp reply matching Olivia’s tone. “Excuse me, but I had no idea what was going on out here. You hung up after muttering something that sounded like ‘I’ve got company.’ Given everything else that has happened lately, I thought you might be in serious trouble.”

  Olivia stood her ground for a few seconds longer, then looked away. “I’m sorry, Cat. That was rude of me,” she said, when she met Cat’s eyes again. “You couldn’t have known those guys were more in danger from me than I was from them. I can do much the same thing to bodies as I can to inanimate objects. Unfortunately, the end results would be a lot worse than a few dings in a couple of buckets.”

  “I take it you know that from personal experience.”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Olivia had a brief flash of the last time someone—several someones, actually—had attacked her. She hadn’t hung around long enough to find out if the bodies crumpled by the wall of the squat she’d been staying in were still alive or not.

  Olivia shook her head, willing away another, darker memory… a motionless body, blood pooling beneath its head. She swallowed hard against the bile that threatened to surge up into her throat.

  Don’t go there! she screamed inside. Don’t go there!

  Fighting for control, she dropped down onto the step and closed her eyes. Gripping the edge of the step hard enough to crack the wood into splinters, she focused on a pinprick of white light, willing it to expand until it drove away the darkness that threatened to engulf her. In her altered state, she was oblivious to the way miniature dust devils danced along the driveway, gathering up bits of gravel along the way.

  “Olivia. What’s going on? Are you okay?”

  Olivia struggled to respond to the urgency in the voice. Finally managing to get her eyes open, she blinked and focused on the face aligned with her own. Cat’s slate gray eyes bored into hers, concern wrinkling her brow. She blinked again, then shook her head.

  “Oh. Yes. I’m okay.” For now, I am. “I think you should head on home though. I’m going to stay here tonight. I need to be alone for a while.”

  Maybe I should be alone permanently. It’s been so long since I had that particular flashback, I’d forgotten how bad it can get afterward. I certainly don’t want anyone else getting hurt. Cat least of all. And there’s no way I can explain this to her. Not without revealing far more about my past than she needs to know.

  The expected protest came. “If you think I’m going to leave you here on your own after what happened tonight, you are badly mistaken.”

  Olivia sighed. “Yes, you are, Cat. I’ll be okay. I promise. But I really do need to be alone for a while. So, please, don’t argue with me. I’ll call you in the morning when I am up and ready to face the world again.”

  For a moment she half-expected Cat to argue with her, but the PI merely shook her head and asked for a few plastic bags to hold the guns they had confiscated. She managed to get upright without making it obvious just how shaky she was feeling and made it into the kitchen. She returned shortly and handed the bags to Cat, then stood back out of the way. While Cat finished bagging the guns, using a pencil to avoid smearing fingerprints, Olivia mentally kicked herself for being so sharp with the woman earlier. Right then she didn’t have the energy to do damage control. That would have to wait until morning.

  She breathed a sigh of relief when Cat swept her eyes across the area where the intruders had been, then nodded in her direction.

  “Okay. I’m out of here. Give me a call in the morning. Take care.”

  “Yeah, you too.”

  Once Cat made her way back to where she had parked her car and the Mustang’s muffled roar said she was on her way, Olivia sighed, grateful to be on her own for a few hours. She picked up the shotgun and headed inside. Entering the pantry, she pulled open the sliding cabinet. Ignoring her shaking hands, she unloaded the gun, put it back on the rack, pushed the cabinet closed. She leaned her head against the cool wood of the pantry door, suddenly so tired she wondered how she was going to make it upstairs to bed. It had been years since she’d had a flashback to the night she had fled her family home, but she vividly remembered how exhausted she was afterward. She also remembered how violently she had reacted to being around anyone. She doubted Cat would have been in any real danger if she’d gone back to her place, but she didn’t want to take any chances. She didn’t need to add another murder to her list of capital offenses.

  Chapter Ten

  W hen Cat came out to the farm the next morning, Olivia met her on the porch. She waited until Cat joined her, then drew in a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing.

  Braced for anger on Cat’s part, she spoke her name firmly and waited until she had the PI’s attention.

  “While I appreciate you coming out here last night to make sure I was all right, I can’t have you turning into a helicopter every time you think I might be in trouble.”

  Cat’s eyes flicked sideways. “A helicopter, eh? I’ve been called a lot of things in my time, but that’s a new one.” She shook her head. “Olivia, you are one independent little cuss. I’m guessing you’ve had to be. You’ve also had a lot to deal with this past week. Based on what I observed after your unwanted guests took off, I’m also thinking you’ve had a great deal to deal with in the past.” She paused. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “I’ll live.”

  “Hm. The shadows under your eyes suggest you didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  The truth of the matter was she’d been afraid to go to sleep in case she had a return of the nightmares that had kept both her and Alison up on more than one occasion.

  “I managed to get a couple of hours in so I’m okay for a little while.”

  “Okay. Well, for what it’s worth, I’m going to give you a pass this time around. I also accept your apology. Do try not to take my head off, though, the next time I come to the rescue.” A ghost of a smile hovered at the corner of her mouth. “By the way, I still think it took guts to face down those creeps armed with nothing more lethal than a shotgun.”

  Relieved that the crisis was over, for the moment, Olivia decided there was no need to point out that, all by herself, she was deadlier than any gun.

  “So,” Cat said. “Where do we go from here?”

  Olivia exhaled, scrubbed at her face. “We still have killers and vandals to track down. While I am used to working from behind the scenes, you are the one with the training and skills for the leg work that needs to be done. So, I guess we continue to work together.”

  Cat stood, held out her hand. “Right answer. So, what’s your game plan for today?”

  Olivia pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Other than staying out of trouble? That’ll be easy. Much as I want to get to work on the photos you took last night, I really should go shopping for Trish. That girl badly needs new clothes before she is discharged. I’m hoping her mother can talk her into going home with her. I’d offer to put her up, but with what’s been going on around here lately, I’m thinking the farther away from here she is, the better.”

  “I’m inclined to agree. And you staying out of trouble is also a good plan. As for the rest, I feel the same way about clothes shopping as I do about going
to the dentist. I can always go and hide out in whatever coffee shop is nearby while you indulge in retail shopping therapy.”

  “Hm, I’d hardly call it therapy. It’s not my favorite pastime either. However, it’s a case of necessity driving a hard bargain.” Sighing in resignation, Olivia used her cell phone to locate the nearest maternity shop and gave Cat the address.

  The store turned out to be located in a mall directly across the street from the hotel where Abe’s brother and his wife were staying. Olivia hoped they were enjoying the amenities the hotel offered. She’d dined at the hotel bistro once or twice and the food was quite good. So was their selection of wines.

  Olivia spotted a coffee shop just inside the mall and arranged to meet Cat there as soon as she finished her errands. Locating the store she was looking for, Olivia headed off. A helpful clerk was there to greet her the second she walked in. Olivia gave the woman the few details she knew of Trish’s height and weight and how far along the pregnancy was. Forty-five minutes later she walked out of the store with three shopping bags filled with everything a mom-to-be could use for the next few months. She paused to consider her next move, then headed for the luggage store she’d spotted farther down the mall. Olivia emerged shortly thereafter towing a purple soft-sided roller bag with a matching purse and the other shopping bags nestled inside. She could almost see the smile on Trish’s face when she got a look at the contents of the suitcase. It also occurred to her that she should deliver it to the hospital before Trish was discharged so that she would have something decent to wear. She hadn’t heard from Trish’s mother yet but hoped the woman would make it to the hospital soon to spend some time with her daughter. Mentally crossing her fingers, she hoped they could sort out their differences, because she wouldn’t have the faintest idea of how to handle the care and feeding of a new mom and an infant.

  She joined Cat in the coffee shop, taking a moment to catch her breath while Cat fetched her a French vanilla latte. Revived by the fragrant beverage, Olivia leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. “Thanks. I needed that.”

  “I can believe it,” Cat indicated the suitcase parked next to Olivia’s chair. “I take it your mission was successful?”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “Good. Unless you have other plans, I’d like to head home as soon as you are finished your coffee. I want to log into the DMV’s database and find out who that Benz is registered to, as well as checking the fingerprints on those guns we confiscated. None of the gang members were wearing gloves and I’ll be surprised if any I don’t come up with at least one rap sheet. I should also get in touch with Jean, bring her up to date.”

  Olivia drained the final mouthful of coffee. “Then let’s get rolling.”

  Once Olivia’s shopping was tucked out of the way in the Mustang’s trunk, and they were underway, she kept flicking side-long glances in Cat’s direction. Not since Alison had taken her in had she felt safe including someone else in her life. It had been an equally long time since anyone was as accepting of her as Alison.

  It wasn’t until they were back at Cat’s place and they were settled in the downstairs office, that Olivia brought up the subject uppermost in her mind.

  “Cat, how do you really feel about working with me, especially after last night?”

  Cat’s leather swivel chair squeaked as she turned to face Olivia. Absently tapping her chin with her index finger, Cat was silent for several moments before replying. “You aren’t too good at following orders, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Thought so.” She flicked a finger at the edge of one of the photos she had printed out.

  “I didn’t fall off the wagon yesterday, Olivia. The way you handled yourself last night suggests you had to be doing something more than raising chickens while the McIntyre’s’ handled the gardens.”

  “Could be. Or maybe I just got lucky.”

  “I don’t think so. I think there is a lot more to you than the fresh-faced, girl next door image you present to the public. And one of these days I’m hoping you will trust me enough to tell me what goes on behind that mask you wear.”

  “Do you now?” Olivia met Cat’s eyes head on. Drawing in an almost silent breath, she spoke again. “Don’t take this personally, Cat, but I barely know you. While you have been supportive since I showed up here on your couch a week ago, I’ve been operating by my own rules long enough that it isn’t easy for me to switch to being a team player.”

  “Hold that thought,” Cat said as she half-turned in her chair to study the image that appeared on her monitor, then tapped the print button. Seconds later, the printer spat out the final facial recognition image, complete with a copy of the gang member’s rap sheet. She added the page to the other three, then tapped her fingers on her desk.

  “I can appreciate how you must feel, Olivia. I’m used to working on my own for the most part, too. Even so, there have been times when I’ve been grateful to have Jean and Lee around. Anne, too, for that matter. They’ve both been good friends to me during the years. Don’t know what I’d do without them. If you’ll let me, I’d like to offer you the same support. No strings attached.” When Olivia didn’t reply, she added more. “If you are concerned about confidentiality, I can have non-disclosure forms drawn up.”

  After what seemed like an eternity, but was only few minutes, Olivia slowly nodded. “Okay. That works for me.” The corners of her mouth twitched. “I have to admit, this business with the Alphas has turned out to be a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. It’s certainly a far cry from the way I usually work from behind a computer. I haven’t done this much field work since my days on the streets.”

  When Cat’s eyebrows rose clear to her hairline, Olivia swallowed hard.

  Omigawd, have I said too much?

  She breathed a sigh of relief when Cat contented herself with giving her a long hard look.

  The moment passed. “Okay. I can live with that. In the meantime, I suggest we work on these rap sheets and later on I will get out my kit and see what we can raise in the way of fingerprints. I also strongly recommend we turn this in to Jean after we see her on Saturday.”

  Olivia nodded agreement. “What about the clothes we took from those guys?”

  Cat scratched the back of her neck. “Hm. Well, we will soon have at least one address. We can box the clothes up and drop them off at the driver’s house. He can do what he wants with them after that. I expect he’ll be glad to get his suit back. Armani doesn’t come cheap!”

  Olivia chuckled. “I guess it’s true that crime does pay.”

  “Yeah and considering the going rate for even a small bag of blow these days, I’d say it pays damn well.” Cat grimaced, “Makes me wonder if I’m in the wrong business.”

  “Trust me, you aren’t.”

  Chapter Eleven

  O livia was just finishing her second cup of coffee when her phone rang the next morning. She recognized the number. “Hello, Mary. Is everything all right?”

  “Hi, Olivia. I hope I’m not calling too early. I arrived late yesterday afternoon and booked into a motel near the hospital. How is Trish doing?”

  “Physically, she seems to be recovering from her injuries well enough. Emotionally, she’s a basket case. You’re going to have your work cut out for you. She didn’t sound too enthusiastic about seeing you again.”

  “I can imagine, but I’m hoping I can convince her that things will be much better now and she’ll come home with me. I’m sober and I have a job. I don’t have a lot of money, but I make enough to keep food on the table and pay the rent.” There was a pause. “Could you bring some clothes to the hospital please? I’m going to stay a couple of nights at the motel to give Trish a chance to rest up before we head home.”

  “No problem. We’ll be along shortly. Oh, where are you staying?”

  When Mary gave her the name of the seedy, one-star motel that catered to the less than affluent, Olivia made an executive decision.

  �
��Mary, when do you have to be back home?”

  “The boss wants me back by Wednesday. He originally said Monday but changed his mind after I told him about Trish being pregnant and in the hospital after being shot.”

  “Smart man. Okay, I want you to check out of that motel. As soon as I hang up, I am going to book you and Trish into a different hotel. The rooms are quite nice, they offer a free breakfast, and they even have a pool.”

  “Oh, no, I can’t let you do that, Olivia.”

  “Yes, you can. In fact, I insist. Can’t have you two staying somewhere I wouldn’t stay if you paid me.”

  There was a long pause. From the muffled sounds Olivia could hear, she had a hunch Mary was crying. Finally, she heard a mumbled response. “Thanks, I really appreciate all you’re doing for us.”

  “No problem. Now, go pack up. I’ll see you shortly.”

  As soon as the line was clear, Olivia called the hotel. Within minutes she had a ground floor two queen bed unit booked in her name. Shortly afterward, a confirmation letter arrived in her inbox. She printed it and tucked it into her shoulder bag.

  Cat looked up from the notes she had written after finishing with the facial recognition program the night before. “I gather we need to get this show on the road.”

  Olivia took her breakfast dishes to the dishwasher. “I can manage on my own if you want to drop me off,” she said over her shoulder.

  “I’m sure you can, but there’s a little matter of Trish’s bill. Somehow, I doubt that Mary has the money she’ll need to take care of it. Especially since her daughter doesn’t have any coverage.”

  Olivia paused at the foot of the stairs. “Since I have no idea what hospitals charge, care to enlighten me?” She knew exactly how much the bill was, but she wanted to see where Cat was going with this conversation.

  “Let’s put it this way, I won’t have to take out a second mortgage on this place to pay it off, but after ten days there the bill will definitely be a sizable amount.”