by Alexie Aaron
“How are you feeling?” Dave asked.
“Very tired. I don’t know what time it is. I realized that I sent you guys shopping very late at night.”
“Wal-Mart was open.”
I looked through the bag. Not too bad. I didn’t remember asking for a Game Boy, but everything else was fine.
Brent took off my IV and sent Dave and Harry out of the room. “Ms. Fin-Lathen, the things that I have been hearing about your situation, I feel compelled to give you something.”
“Advice?”
“No, this.” Brent handed me three inches of sharpened steel that folded up into another three inches of cold metal. He showed me how to open it, hold it and slash with it. I didn’t want to explain that I was very familiar with knives. He seemed so earnest. I wanted to refuse it, but something in the back of my mind told me to take it.
“What do I owe you for this?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just bring it back to me when they catch those two, plus lunch and the full story. That’s the interest.”
“You got a deal, now get out of here. One nude flash a night for you.” I got off the bed, and with wobbly knees I proceeded to get dressed. I pulled out the underpants, pink with little black Scottie dogs on them. I rolled my eyes and tried not to dwell on the fact that Dave would know I was wearing them. The bra was a black lacy thing. I guess it was supposed to match the little black dogs. My stomach rolled a bit at the thought of the cop handling my undergarments. I pulled on the green khaki cargo pants, black t-shirt and topped it off with a gray, hooded sweatshirt. I put Brent’s knife in one of the many pockets in the legs of the pants. I was pleased to count out six other Scottie dog underpants and a nightgown with the word “Brat” on the front. I returned those to the bag, pulled on my bunny slippers and grabbed my sunshields.
Brent came back in with my pills and instructions. He teased me about the slippers, but when I showed him the lights, he said he was going to get himself a pair. Tony walked in with Pete, Dave, and Harry sporting a Coconut Palm police uniform and a wheelchair.
“Pete is going to drive you and Harry to your destination. I have a policewoman and a young male officer to double you and Harry. They will leave with me in the front. Pete will wait fifteen minutes and leave from the emergency room area. Dudley is already at the house, and he has your purse and cell phone with him. Dave is going to have the CSI team go through your home when you’re ready to return to it. So just let him know in advance. Anything I forgot?”
“Maybe you should get a pair of these for the officer.” I tapped my glasses. “And please be careful, Tony. Take no chances.” I reached over and hugged him. I almost got my arms around him. Harry shook his hand. Dave followed Tony out. He was going to shadow the decoy car at a safe distance.
Brent wheeled me to the service elevator. Harry and Pete were very quiet in the elevator as we went down. I think we all were thinking of Tony and hoping for the best. Pete and Harry sat up front, and I lay down on the floor of the back seat. Someone had thought ahead and a pillow eased some of the discomfort. I think I fell asleep because we were moving when I heard Harry quietly call my name.
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry did I wake you?”
“Gee, I guess so. Where are we?”
“The interstate. We’ll be turning off soon and heading for the beach.”
“The beach? You live on the beach?” I whistled.
“You’ll see.”
“Did you hear anything about Tony?”
“Not yet. I wanted to tell you. Alex is coming down. I called him. He should be at my place before sunrise. I had him call Luke. We agreed to tell him that you had an attempt on your life, but you were fine and I was going to hide you out. Alex will make it very clear that Noelle is not to go home. I hope you don’t mind. I really need him. I don’t think I can stay awake twenty-four hours. You, my dear, are a twenty-four seven, high-maintenance babe.”
“You forgot pretty hot.”
“In your dreams. Pete this is our turn. Let’s pull over and wait and see if anyone gets off at this exit.”
Pete pulled over and turned his lights off. Five minutes went by and still no one. Pete started up the car and headed for the beach.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Three-thirty in the morning,” Pete answered.
“Turn south,” Harry instructed. “Four mailboxes, then a left.”
I felt us turn onto a bumpy drive. Pete stopped the car. “Stay here.” He got out and with gun pulled, approached the house. I could barely see him. I had crept up to the back window, and with the hood pulled over my head, I peered out the window. The light went on, and Dudley opened the door.
“Cin, we’re home,” Harry said.
I had to wait until Pete opened the door. No door handles. He helped me out and reached in and grabbed my packages. Harry greeted Dudley with a hard punch to the arm. I’m sure this male bonding hurt Harry more than Dudley. I walked into the kitchen of a two-story beach house. I sat down at the kitchen table, not trusting my legs, and wondered where Harry’s mother was. The realization that she hadn’t survived the cancer just washed over me. I willed myself not to cry. My eyes were raw enough without adding my tears to the mix.
Dudley handed over the BMW keys, my purse and the contents of the trunk. Men, did he really think I would have a use for Kenneth Cole stilettos at the beach?
“Thank you.” I saw the tight face. “Dudley, I’m sorry about Officer Bradley. I didn’t think that he was in danger.”
“It’s the job. I just want a piece of this guy.” He flexed his volleyball-sized fist, and I prayed he would get his opportunity.
“Harry, it’s time we headed out of here. Martin County Sheriff’s Department is aware of the situation. Since you’re in their playground we have to hand you over to them,” Pete informed us. “Night, Ms. Fin-Lathen. Heal fast and well.” He lightly touched my arm and left.
Harry stood and watched them leave, waiting to see if anyone else was going to pull in. He closed the door and locked it. He turned around. “Welcome to my home.”
“This is sure impressive, Harry,” I commented.
He pulled open the refrigerator and surveyed the contents. “We won’t starve. Let me help you up.”
I appreciated the arm as he led me around the bottom floor. Behind the kitchen was a large living room with a fireplace on the north wall. The east wall was all patio door windows. A half-bath was nestled under one of the carpeted stairways on the south side of the house. We took the north stairway, and it led us to the second floor. Upstairs were two bedrooms divided by a joint bathroom. He turned on a light and quickly lowered the rheostat, dimming the lights.
“This is your room. Alex and I will share the other one.” Harry pulled open the verticals, and I could just make out the ocean in the predawn hours. A deck ran the length of the second floor with a stairway on the south side. There was a large bed, and it looked like Dudley had put fresh sheets on it. Harry turned down the covers and helped me into bed. I kicked off my slippers.
“The bathroom is through there.” He pointed out a door on the south side of the room. “I hope you’ll be comfortable.”
“This is so wonderful. However can you afford this?” I asked, struggling with my sweatshirt. “Valium. How do people survive with it?”
He helped me with the sweatshirt. “Six months ago they told my mother she wasn’t going to make it. I sold our house and took a big chunk of the money and got a year’s lease on this place. I wanted someplace beautiful for her to spend her last days. I didn’t want her dying in the house my father abandoned her in. She loved the beach and stayed here until she died two months ago.”
“Why didn’t you call us?” I asked quietly.
“I don’t really know. Maybe I was used to the solitude. I had her cremated and dusted the beach with her ashes. I mourned her for the last two months. Working with you and Tony on Monday started me breathing. When Alex called and told me that
I was needed, it brought me out of my funk. I had purpose again. I miss her, but I know she doesn’t hurt anymore. And I know that she would be happy that you’re here. She liked you. Thought you were a bit eccentric, but appreciated what you did for me.”
“Thank you for bringing me here.” I gave him a hug.
“Wait here, I have to get the rest of your stuff. I picked out an awesome nightgown for you.” Harry jumped up and ran down the stairs.
I heard his feet pound back up the stairs. He dumped out the bag. “Ta Da!” He held up the “Brat” nightgown. “I saw this and knew that it was you!”
“Critic, everyone’s a critic. Get out of here, I need to change.” I tossed the Game Boy at him.
“When you’re done open the door,” Harry instructed.
“Yes, sir.” He closed the door as he left. I took the gown and headed into the bathroom. A large shower greeted me, but I was too tired to bathe. I took off all but the Scottie panties and pulled the gown over my head. I washed my face and tried to get used to my enlarged-pupil eyes in the mirror. I trudged back through the room, opened the door, and Harry was standing there with a glass and a pill.
“Valium.” He handed some to me.
“Do I have to?” I whined.
“Did you see Ed’s face?” He opened his eyes wide. “You’re a hell cat. Remind me to suggest to Alex and Noelle to have you declawed.” I took my pill, and Harry tucked me in. “I’ll be downstairs till Alex arrives. I’ll send him up.”
“Do you have to stay up?”
“Cin, I won’t sleep well until those old farts or Doc what’s-his-name are caught.” Harry sighed. “Now go to sleep.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Harry bent over and kissed my forehead. He left the door open, and I heard maybe three footpads on the stairs before sleep took me.
Chapter Twenty
“Mommy, I’m here.” The deep voice that belonged to my son Alex woke me. He knelt there beside the bed, his green irises vividly surrounded with red from the strain of driving through the night.
“You’re safe.”
“I’m safe. Are you hungry? Harry’s making omelets.” Alex got to his feet.
“I’m starved. Poor Harry has been up all night. Let’s go down and help him out.” I sat up. “Chilly. Hand me the gray sweatshirt,” I said as I slipped the bunny slippers on my feet.
“Nice shoes,” Alex said and waited till I had on the sweatshirt before zipping it up for me. He helped me up.
“Let me stand a moment.” I felt like I was trying to stand in moving water. “No more valium for me.”
“Come on, druggie, let’s sober you up.” Alex took my arm and helped me down the stairs. The smell radiating out of the kitchen was wonderful. “Bacon? I haven’t had bacon in years.” I was having trouble not drooling as we entered the kitchen.
“Wait,” Harry called. He turned off the light and opened the blinds and let the early morning light gently illuminate the kitchen. “Now, that’s better.”
“You’re a gentleman and a scholar,” Alex commented as he sat down.
“And you’re not. Help Cin with that chair,” Harry scolded.
I was trying to develop grace, but the chair would not slide out. I kept running it into my foot. “Eh?”
The boys started laughing at me. “Hey, I say do the drugs, do the time.” Alex reached over and guided me out of the way. He pulled the chair out and guided me into it, all with one hand. The other was busy filling his plate.
I sat down and looked at my plate. It seemed so far away. I found my fork and began navigating around the plate. Harry continued to impress me with his cooking. “This is the best!” Harry bowed and sat down to eat.
It was quiet at the table. Not that we lacked anything to say, but because we were hungry and the food was so good. I started to gain my land legs by the time I had finished my tea. The boys were dead on their feet. I sent them to bed. Harry only agreed to me taking the morning watch because he was so tired that he couldn’t think. I promised not to go outside or climb the stairs unless one of them was with me. I kissed each on the cheek and wished them sweet dreams. I sat a while before I attempted the dishes.
Ever try to be quiet while washing dishes? I did my best and no one complained. They must have been too tired to hear me. I made myself another cup of tea and wandered into the living room. I had missed the sunrise, but it still danced a little way above the horizon. I was able to see the front porch for the first time. Was that a hot tub? Yes, it was. There was an assortment of wooden Adirondack chairs and cushions laid just inside the side door. Walking had become easier now that the Valium was easing out of my system. I walked back and found my cell phone next to my purse. Dudley must have plugged it in on the way here because it was fully charged. The message indicator showed in the corner. I grabbed a pen and a couple old grocery receipts to jot down numbers if I needed to.
I went in search of a comfy chair in the living room. I grabbed a book off the shelf and settled into the chair, using the book as an impromptu desk. I dialed into the message center and found that I had three messages.
“Wednesday, eight fifty-four pm: Cin, this is Bernice. Call when it is convenient. I decided not to go to Carl’s funeral. Still don’t like him, and there are going to be bagpipes. Bye.”
“Thursday, four twenty-nine am: Curtis here. Nothing to report. No one followed us. The gambling cruise ship came in, and Bob Walker saw Manfred and Tobias leave the dock area with their wives in tow. Doctor Sanders is still missing. Everyone is safe. I will call after I get some sleep.”
“Thursday, six ten am: Hello, Cin and Harry, if you’re listening. Heard from Alex he made it in safely. Call me when you get this. I miss you! Bye.”
I realized that I had been holding my breath. I let it out. I didn’t want there to be a bad call and there wasn’t. I dialed Noelle’s cell number and waited for it to connect.
“Hello?” her voice was happy.
“I’m alive.”
“You didn’t answer my email!” Noelle’s voice was sporting a slight British accent.
“I have been a little busy.”
“Alex mentioned you got yourself in another fix. I told him to get his ass home.”
“He’s here now.”
“Where are you? I called the home number first.”
“Harry has a house, believe it or not, on the beach. We are hiding out here.”
“Could be worse, you could be staying in Alex’s dorm room.”
I flashed to my hygiene-challenged son’s college digs and winced.
“Did you let Harry stay in my room?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s a shrine!” She laughed at this running joke.
“How’s school?”
“Fine, and there is this cute boy. I think he is in the law program. Anyway, get this, black hair, dark brown eyes.”
“You found a black Irishman. I hope you’re not stalking him.”
“But he looks like you know who.”
“Harry?”
“Horrible Harry? Are you out of your freaking mind?” Noelle sputtered. “Gabriel Byrne, a young Gabriel Byrne, more like Father Michael.”
“What happened to...”
“Peter? Oh, mom that was two lads ago.”
I knew better than to ask how Paisley, Noelle’s best friend and Peter’s first cousin, felt about Noelle and Peter breaking up. There are some things that mothers needed to stay out of, and their daughter’s love life was one of them.
“Speaking of that dreamy priest, have you heard from him?” Noelle asked to change the subject.
“No, I really didn’t expect to.”
“Don’t you owe him a week of...”
“Religious instruction,” I filled in. I had mentioned that I had formed my opinion of the Jesuit community from a Joyce book. Father Michael Williams wanted to have time to show his side of the religion he devoted his life to. He wanted equal time with Joyce. It took me a week to read A Portra
it of an Artist as a Young Man. I, after drinking a large amount of whisky, had foolishly promised him the same amount of time. I never thought I would see the man again after the plane ride over to England, but fate had another agenda.
“Why don’t you come here for a while? I’m sure Angie would put you up for a while.”
I sighed. The idea of going back to Cornwall was a good one. I loved it there. “Um, can’t. Still haven’t cleared the suspect list.”
“How do you get yourself in such scrapes?” Noelle’s voice was tense.
“This wasn’t my fault, at least I hope not. To quote our Paisley, ‘Shite happens!’”
“Paisley would know about shite, especially living on the farm right now.”
“She’s still with Angie?”
“Oh, no, she’s moved in with Billy.”
“But doesn’t he live with his parents?”
“Not since Paisley.”
“Oh,” was all I could say. Paisley Price was an experience. It would take a very open minded mother to embrace the idea of her only child moving in with the wild, multiple-pierced young lady I knew. Dorothy Comstock wasn’t that open minded. She detested me after I had accidently plowed under her prized asparagus. And I did take the heir apparent on a dangerous trip to London, where he along with my daughter, subdued a Russian hit man. Long story short, Paisley and I would never be invited to tea at the Comstock’s anytime soon.
“Mom, I have to go. Promise me to take care of yourself.”
“I promise.”
“Call me every day. Let me know if I have to send you a fruitcake with a file in it.”
I laughed. “I’ll keep you apprised.”
She hung up. I held on to the phone for a moment, saying a prayer to keep her safe. I wiped a tear that didn’t belong on my cheek. She would be fine. I just missed her.
