“Are you sure you don’t want me to go grab a police officer after I drop you two off?” Edna asked.
“I want you to go get the whole police force,” Eddie stated, followed by a sigh of resignation, “But I fear that would cause a shooting for sure. We need to pretend everything is going as planned.”
“I just wish there was something more that I could offer you besides that little derringer,” Edna said.
“For as inexperienced as I am with guns, this little two-bullet wonder will be enough trouble for me.”
“Just remember what I said about the accuracy. Only use it at close range and be prepared for a big kick,” she said.
Eddie shook his head and reached over for Brooksie’s hand. It was noticeably shaking. He looked over at her and she smiled at him. It was a forced smile that didn’t fool him for a moment. Her eyes held the same amount of sadness that they expressed at their first meeting.
She would be Patience Webb tonight, and for good reason. She needed the attention more than she ever had before. The wig was gone and those light, golden curls would catch everyone’s attention. Patience Webb was officially in Silver Falls, Ohio on July 2nd, 1928.
“No matter what I call you tonight, you are still Brooksie to me,” he whispered.
“And to me.Brooksie answers to no one except a dashing hero name Edward,” she replied.
* * * *
Much to her surprise, no one was waiting for them in the parking lot. Edward gave her a smile of encouragement as she paid at the ticket booth.
“You look like that one actress,” the boy said, handing her two tickets.
“I get that a lot,” she said with a wink.
She reached out for Edward’s hand and nuzzled in close to him. He put his arm around her instead and held her to him as they walked down the midway. The pain still sparked with every step, but not enough to cause a significant limp.
“You don’t seem as frightened as I feel,” Edward said.
“You promised to be my hero tonight. Between that and the popularity of Patience Webb, we just might be OK.”
“Well, my heart is thumping like crazy. I’m glad one person has some faith in me because-”
“I don’t!”
A gun was jabbed hard into his back from the direction of the stranger’s voice. Before Edward could even react, an unknown woman linked her arm in his and pulled him away from Brooksie. Brooksie was about to shout something before a gun was jabbed into her side by Lowell.
“Don’t worry about your little buddy,” he growled, “She’ll take good care of him. They’re going to hang out at the pool while you and I talk a bit.”
Lowell’s breath was right by her ear and the gun he held was jabbing in her ribs. She watched as Edward was led away by…
“Lu Lu?”Brooksie growled in disgust, “You brought your whore Louisa Barker?”
She watched as Edward yanked his arm from hers and started to turn away. Lu Lu boldly raised the revolver and pointed it right at his face. He stopped, realizing that she was perhaps a bit crazier than he initially suspected. She did, after all, raise the gun boldly for anyone to see. Unfortunately, no one nearby seemed to notice.
“Try me,” Lu Lu spat, “It’ll be a lot easier than babysitting.”
Brooksie’s heart sank as she watched Edward’s shoulders slump in resignation. Her hero was now being led away from her while Lowell squeezed her hand in his.
“Let’s go for a nice little evening stroll through the park while we discuss your future,” Lowell said with an exaggerated smile, “We’re having ourselves a nice little vacation in Silver Falls, Ohio. You’ll have to forgive me if I seem a little tired. You see, I’ve been doing a lot of running around today when I should have just been relaxing on a train.”
“I don’t believe in Houdinis or the predictions of prophecy devices,” she said.
“What?” he asked, nudging the gun into her ribs.
“I don’t believe in Houdinis or the predictions of prophecy devices,” she calmly repeated.
“What are you talking about?”
“I don’t believe in Houdinis or-”
“Alright,” he interrupted, “So he has you brainwashed into saying stupid things. And why are you limping, by the way? You’re not used to jumping from speeding trains?”
“I don’t believe in-”
“Whatever. You don’t need to do the talking anyway. You just need to listen. Let me tell you what’s going to happen here,” he said, “We’re going out the rear exit of the park where I have chartered a bus. Yes, you heard correctly. I paid a hundred dollars to charter a bus from here to Hollywood. Granted, it would be a lot cheaper to take the train, but we saw how well that turned out. Besides, what would the people think of an actress tied up and gagged on the train?”
She gasped. He grinned at her and then looked out toward the setting sun like it was the best day ever.
* * * *
“Oh, don’t worry about her,” she said, “He seriously doesn’t want to kill her. He just stands to make a lot more money off her back in Hollywood. I’m sure he’d let you have her back in a year or two when he’s bored with her.”
“She’s not a hooker,” Eddie growled, trying to imagine how he can get out of this situation.
He felt confident in his ability to physically overpower the girl, but she really seemed stupid enough to shoot him. The lady only stood about five feet tall and couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds. But she had the wild eyes of a crazy woman. Even now as they walked beside the pool, she didn’t try to fully conceal the gun. This woman literally didn’t understand fear or the term “discreet”.
“In here,” she nodded toward the dressing room with a “closed” sign taped across the entrance, “You can hang out in here with your buddy.”
She pushed him under the sign and into the small eight-room shed. The doors to all eight dressing rooms were propped open. A coil of rope awaited him at the end of the hallway. Another piece of rope was sticking out of the room at the end. She looked past him and mumbled something as she nudged him to the side.
“I’m about to-” she muttered as she squeezed past him and looked into the last dressing room, “Ben!”
Eddie’s mind shot into overdrive at her final shout. Ben had apparently been tied up in that room and was now missing. Eddie had less than a second to react to the three-word thought - now or never! She turned from the room with fire in her eyes. With the gun pointed only one foot to the left of him, he did something he had never done before.
He punched a lady
…in the face
…really hard!
Then, with his other hand, he grasped the gun as she fell back. She hit the wall and crumpled to the floor unconscious. He turned and dashed from the room with her gun still in his hand.
* * * *
“I don’t believe in Houdinis or the predictions of prophecy devices,” she said again, wondering why no one had noticed Patience Webb yet.
Was she that plain now? Didn’t people want to stop and ask if she was at least related? All her life she tried to blend in and avoid the crowds of fans, but today she needed them. She needed them to swarm her before they made it to those gates just a few yards away.
“Believe what you want, babe,” he said, “I still-”
It felt like they were both hit by a truck, though Lowell took the brunt of the slam. She jumped back and saw the man who had landed a hard tackle on Lowell. It was Ben. Lowell spun around on the ground and brought the gun up toward Ben. Ben slapped the gun from his hand and tried to punch Lowell.
Lowell blocked the powerful swing and began firing his own fists at Ben. Dazed, she watched the fight for only a second more before she realized she needed to run. She seized the opportunity.
Just like in those horrific nightmares, she wasn’t able to run very fast at all with the sharp pain in her right leg. The fight behind her was already drawing the gawkers. She wondered yet again why no one recognized Pat
ience Webb. She continued to hobble-run back toward the main entrance. Then she remembered Edward. She couldn’t leave him here to die. Maybe she would have to be the hero.
She turned toward the pool and ran.
* * * *
Eddie knew that Brooksie was being led toward the back of the park by the roller coaster, so he ran around the back side of the pool and dashed toward the White Lightning. He decided in that moment that he would surely die for Brooksie. He realized that he didn’t have what it took to rescue her, but nothing – not even a bullet or a madman – would stop him from trying. He would have to be her hero.
He ran past the umbrella tables and then paused for a moment. He was standing in the dark food court holding a shiny revolver for the whole world to see. He didn’t have time for discretion. Instead of running down the midway, he turned and headed for the alley behind the food stands.
He ducked behind The French Fry Factory only to discover a dark alley littered with crates and trash cans. Decent lighting was obviously reserved for paying customers only.
He dodged past two stacks of crates and three trash cans before stumbling over a low bench. Unprepared for the mysterious object, he tumbled forward, releasing the gun in the process. The gun skittered across the asphalt as he slid on his knees.
“Why is a stupid bench…” he growled, clutching his shin as he tried to regain his bearings.
He rushed forward as he searched for the glimmer of his gun. Unfortunately, there were no lights nearby to reflect off the silver revolver. Eddie shoved a trash can aside and finally spotted the gun next to the door of a small structure. Just as he grabbed it, the door beside him opened.
A thin girl rushed out carrying a large trash bag over her shoulder. The light from the miniature kitchen immediately spotlighted Eddie and his shiny gun. She was already two steps into the alley before she caught sight of him. The girl, who strangely resembled a grimy version of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, screamed.
“No!” he shouted.
In the slow-paced world of ordinary life, making rational decisions was usually a fairly easy process for Eddie. In the new fast-paced world of rescuing Brooksie, Eddie was finding it harder to make rational on-the-spot decisions. This was one of those moments where rationality was tossed out the window.
When her scream continued, he rushed forward and pressed her against the back of the building. He placed his hand firmly over her mouth as he tucked the gun down the back of his pants.
“I’m one of the good guys! I’m searching for Patience Webb and I’m trying to save her life. Someone is trying to kill her. Have you seen-”
He heard the sound of someone behind him only a fraction of a second before the metal trash can smashed against his head. He crashed into Audrey and somehow believed in that moment that they were both in danger. He shoved Audrey into the kitchen and then turned to his assailant with the trash can.
The dark shape flung the dented trash can at him which he easily dodged. The man was then about to charge him, but he didn’t stick around long enough to see the outcome. An unknown fist grasped the back of his shirt and tugged him suddenly into the kitchen. Eddie grabbed the door and slammed it just as the dark assailant barreled down on him.
“Patience Webb?” a beautiful voice asked from behind him.
Eddie stared at the back door, still fearful that his assailant was going to burst through at any moment.
“Is your name Eddie?” she asked.
He turned and was shocked to discover only Audrey Hepburn in the kitchen with him. Could she have been the one who so forcefully snatched him from the alley?
“How do you know me?” Eddie asked.
“Rich is my husband. I work here,” she replied, “He told me about you. And yes, I know where you’re really from.”
“Oh my,” he muttered.
Just then, a large man rushed up to the front counter pointing a jackknife toward the two of them.
“Leave the woman alone and come fight like a man,” the man roared.
“You leave us alone and get out of here. He’s with me,” she shouted back at him, “How dare you attack us behind my booth!”
“Attack you?” he shouted, jabbing the knife toward them as he spoke, “I saw him pull a gun on you. I rescued you, sweetheart.”
A police man casually walked up to the counter and nudged the knife-wielding man.
“Officer, that man was trying to rape this lovely lady in the alley back there,” the man said, still jabbing the knife in their direction, “Watch out because he’s got a gun.”
The police man turned to the two behind the counter and cocked his eyebrow.
“What that monster didn’t realize is, some things are private between a man and a woman and he shouldn’t be interrupting things,” she said, drawing Eddie to her, “There was nothing going on back there that… well, pardon my indiscretion, officer, but… there was nothing going on that… that wasn’t welcome.”
She sighed loudly, feigning a bit of embarrassment. The man lowered the knife as the officer shook his head.
“You’ve gone and embarrassed us both, so I would appreciate it if you would please leave,” Eddie said, placing an arm around Holly Golightly.
The police officer nodded his head and then put an arm around the man beside him. He took the man’s knife and led him away from the food stand. Eddie and Audrey stood there as they walked away.
“I’ve got to go. Someone I know is in a lot of danger,” he whispered to her.
“Rich said that Patience Webb is going to die today in this park,” she said, staring into the eyes of the man beside her.
“You’re very beautiful. I can see why he would have given up his life for you,” he replied.
“Did you give up yours for Miss Webb?” she asked.
“Yes, and I promise you she won’t be dying today. I don’t know how, but I’m not going to allow it to happen,” he replied.
“Please save her. I truly enjoy her movies,” she said, “Go quickly.”
He leapt over the counter and then turned to her.
“It was really nice to meet you, Audrey,” he said, realizing suddenly that he fumbled her name, “Oops, I mean…”
She laughed.
“Rich said I look like someone called Audrey Heartburn, but that’s not my name. I’m Virginia,” she replied.
“It was nice to meet you, Virginia,” he said, rushing back into the crowded park.
* * * *
Brooksie passed through the little gate separating the pool from the rest of the park. Other than about a dozen people lounging near the pool and just as many swimming, the massive pool was virtually deserted. No sign of Lu Lu with her shiny gun or Edward with his slumped shoulders.
“Did anyone see a lady pass through here with a gun?” Brooksie hollered, scurrying toward one of the other exits into the park.
“Look everyone, it’s Patience Webb,” one of the guys in the pool said mockingly.
He started to laugh before she hobbled beneath one of the lights.
“No, it really is Patience!” another added.
“Did you guys hear what I asked!” she cried, “I’m looking for someone who had a gun being held to him. The lady was about this tall and-”
“Was it that woman over there?” a guy asked, pointing toward the changing room, “She came in with someone.”
Both women locked eyes from across the pool.
“You!” Lu Lu shouted as she ran around the corner of the pool toward Brooksie.
“She’s got a gun, everyone!” Brooksie screamed, running in the opposite direction.
Brooksie was originally going to head back into the park, but suddenly remembered what the man in the pool had said. Lu Lu had come in with someone and was just now leaving the changing room.
“Is anyone going to help me?” Brooksie screamed as she sprinted past an opportunity to leave the pool area.
People were just staring in wonder as Lu Lu ran after Broo
ksie along the pool’s edge. They must have thought this was a show being put on by the park.
“Listen up! I’m offering a kiss from Patience Webb to the first one who tackles Lu Lu!” Brooksie ranted.
She could hear the movement and splashes behind her. The people were finally coming to her rescue. She tore through the “closed” sign on the dressing room and prayed that someone would grab Louisa. Otherwise, she was now cornered.
“Edward?” she hollered, checking each of the changing closets.
She feared that she would discover a dead body when she approached the last one near the coil of rope. Instead, she just found a confusing pile of knotted rope in the last room.
Knotted rope?
No Edward?
Houdini?
Houdini…
She turned and headed out to the pool area where she discovered two men holding onto the arms of an angry, kicking, growling Lu Lu.
“Where is he?” Brooksie asked.
“You tell me,” she spat.
It was in that moment that she saw the trickle of blood beneath Louisa’s nose. Edward had escaped and was probably searching for Brooksie right now.
“She didn’t have a gun?” Brooksie asked the guys who were struggling to keep a hold of Lu Lu.
“No,” one replied.
Saving Brooksie Page 17
