“The baby should be just fine. You are only about a month along.”
Now what would she do? What could she do? She couldn’t afford to take care of a baby but didn’t feel she should burden her father with more of her problems. Getting pregnant was her own fault. She had no clue how, but she’d take care of her baby. She certainly wouldn’t tell Rupert anything about the baby. He wouldn’t help anyway. Of that, she had no doubt.
Chapter 4
Much to Molly’s delight, Bobby did return, and he didn’t brow-beat her. They had many pleasant conversations about her past, her time in school, and her family. He already knew a lot about her father such as his job, his cars, his speedboat, and the houses in Europe. She filled in any gaps in his knowledge. Naturally, he tried to find out what she knew about her attacker because he knew she had been lying, but he was gentle with her and didn’t push. Finally, she gave up and confessed she knew her attacker was indeed Rupert Stippens telling him why she had been hiding the truth. He assured her she and her father would be safe. Two days later, Bobby and his partner managed to corral Stippens. He was now awaiting trial in the county jail.
During their times together, Bobby also told her about his life as a cop and how he’d moved up quickly to become one of the youngest detectives in the history of the Morgantown police force. After all, he was only twenty-six. She asked some pointed questions, and he was gratified that she wasn’t bothered by some of the more unpleasant aspects of his occupation. As soon as Molly was allowed, he brought her meals from outside the hospital. When she was able to walk, he helped her to one of the patios where they ate what he’d brought from one of her favorite fast-food outlets.
After a month in the hospital, Molly was finally dismissed. Bobby rode with her as her father took her to their home in Charleston. Bobby liked the idea of a drive with Molly but was reluctant to go knowing Morgantown was a good two and a half hours from Charleston. However, Richard knew Molly would feel more comfortable with Bobby along and promised to have someone take him back to his car at the hospital in Morgantown. Together they helped her up the stairs to her room as she was a bit stiff after the ride. Richard and Bobby stayed with her until she reluctantly admitted she was tired and should get some rest.
After Richard and Bobby left her room, Bobby asked Richard how he would feel if he asked Molly on an actual date. “How I feel doesn’t matter,” Richard said. “It’s how Molly feels about it. And, from what I’ve sensed, I think she would feel just fine about it. But I have a question.” He sat on the top step of the staircase and Bobby joined him.
“I know what you’re going to ask. Am I breaking some kind of rule if I date a crime victim of a case I’m investigating?”
Richard nodded.
“Well yes and no. That is, I would be if I were still on her case. However, since she’s now fingered Stippens as her attacker, and he’s in jail, I am officially off her case. I’ll still have to go to Stippens’ trial, but that’ll just be a formality. The crime scene unit guys will have to testify about what they found at the crime scene, and the two patrol cops who found her and the paramedics who took her to the hospital will have to answer a few questions. All I can testify to is how she was when I saw her in the hospital and tracking Stippens down to arrest him. I may not even be called. Unfortunately, Molly will have to testify since she was the victim. I’ll drive down here myself to take her to court when it’s her turn.”
“So it’s okay with your department for you and her to go out?” Richard regarded Bobby seriously. His daughter could do worse, and they obviously liked each other.
“Yes,” Bobby nodded. “It’s okay, and I know it’s a bit old fashioned, but I’d really like to have your permission.”
“Well, you have it,” Richard stuck out his hand, and Bobby shook it.
“Where are we going?” Molly said from the doorway to her room. She was leaning on the door frame.
Richard and Bobby both turned around. “Sweetheart, you should be in bed.” Richard got up and went over to her followed closely by Bobby.
“I feel better, and I couldn’t resist eavesdropping as you two discussed my future.” She grinned first at her father and then at Bobby. She held his eyes until he looked away shyly.
“I was only talking about a date or two, not your future. Maybe your immediate future, but I haven’t thought past a date or two.”
“Haven’t we already had a couple of dates?”
“I wouldn’t call eating lunch and supper at the hospital a date.”
“Okay. I’ll buy that. But you didn’t answer my question. Where are we going?”
“Right now, you’re going back to bed young lady,” Richard said.
“Yes, Daddy. Whatever you say, Daddy.” She winked and smiled at Bobby.
“Now, none of your smart mouth young lady. Go!” He also winked and smiled.
She turned around to go back to her bed but turned a bit quickly, got dizzy, and started to sag. Bobby caught her before she collapsed. She winced as he grabbed her realizing her ribs were still sorer than she’d realized. Bobby had felt her tense when he caught her, so he put his arm around her shoulder to steady her while she walked, a bit shakily, to her bed. He helped her onto the bed, and she eased her head onto the pillow.
After Bobby gave her several days to rest at home, he called to ask Richard how she was doing. After Richard said she was doing better, Bobby asked if he thought she was ready to go out for dinner at a restaurant of her choosing.
“I’d say she’s ready since I’ve heard about little else when I visited with her after work. What do you have in mind?”
“Et Tu, Richard?”
“Huh?” Richard responded.
“I could’ve said Et Tu Brute.”
“I got the reference, but I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
“Remember, Molly wanted to know where we were going when she overheard us talking.”
“Ah, that’s right, she did. But I’d hardly call that a stab in the back. Well?”
Bobby realized Richard must not remember he mentioned to Molly he would take her out to a restaurant of her choosing. He explained again.
“I’m sure she would enjoy getting out of the house if nothing else.”
Bobby wasn’t sure how to take that last comment, but he didn’t think Richard meant to insult him, so he let it pass. “If you can please tell her I’m on the phone, I’d appreciate it immensely.”
“I can do that.”
A few seconds later Molly was on the phone. “I haven’t seen you for a while.”
“I’m sorry about that, but some of us have jobs and Charleston is a reasonably long drive.”
“I know that. I’m sorry. Anyway, what can I do for you?”
Bobby thought her father probably divulged why he called, but he dived right in. “I thought you might like to get out of the house for a while. What’s your favorite restaurant?”
“My favorite restaurant is right here. Our cook is second to none.”
“But if we eat there I won’t get the pleasure of taking you out.”
“Not to worry, our back patio overlooks the Elk River, and I’m sure if I ask, we can be left alone.”
“Well, if that’s what you would like, it’s okay with me. My only desire is to be with you.”
“Well, aren’t you romantic.”
“Only truthful. I like your company. You’re smart, witty, and beautiful.”
“I have to admit I look better now than I did when you first saw me, but to say I’m beautiful is a stretch.”
“You’re beautiful to me, and that’s all that matters. At least that’s all that matters to me.”
“Okay, let’s leave that alone for the time being. When will you be here tonight? I presume you were talking about tonight.”
“I hadn’t really thought that far ahead, but tonight will be fine, or excellent if truth be told. How about seven o’clock? I don’t know that I can make it there any sooner. Even at that, I
’ll have to leave work a little bit early.”
They discussed the time frame a while longer and then what he’d like to eat. Molly said the cook would happily prepare anything they wished as long as they gave her enough time to get any missing ingredients from the store.
That evening’s festivities went off as planned, and nobody disturbed them on the patio save for the servants delivering several courses of food, an excellent bottle of wine, along with an outstanding Crème Brûlée.
Bobby kept visiting Molly as often as he could as their affection for each other grew. He had warned her she would have to testify when Stibbens’ court case came up but promised her he would be there for her. He was actually waiting in the hallway when she was on the stand, and she joined him when her testimony was finished.
“What’s going to happen now?” she asked.
“The crime scene guys still have to testify, and then I may be called.”
“No, I mean do you think they’ll put him away?”
“We discussed this before. The likelihood of him going to prison is pretty remote especially with the Perp Judge on the bench.” This was the non-affectionate nickname cops had given the judge that had been assigned to preside over the trial. His judgments always seemed to lean toward leniency for the perpetrators.
True to his nickname, when the trial was over, the judge gave Stibbens a sentence of time served and one year of probation. Bobby shook his head at the injustice of it all and apologized to Molly who said she understood and that she hadn’t really expected a different outcome.
Stibbens smiled at Molly, pointed a finger gun at her, and pulled the “trigger” as he walked down the aisle to his freedom. Bobby jumped to his feet ready to tear into Stibbens, but Molly put her hand on Bobby’s arm to stop him.
“It’s all right,” she said not wanting Bobby to get in trouble in the courtroom.
“No it’s not,” Bobby said forcefully pointing at Stibbens. “You’d better keep your distance you scumbag.”
Stibbens gave Bobby a small salute and strode out of the courtroom still smiling.
The next day Bobby was daydreaming at his desk when Molly called sounding frantic. “Rupert is across the street staring at our house.”
“Has he done anything?”
“No, but he’s creeping me out.”
“Did you call the Charleston police?”
“They said they couldn’t do anything as long as he’s not trespassing or doing anything threating and staying at least three-hundred-feet away.”
Bobby wished he could do something, but his authority didn’t extend any farther than theirs–less actually because he would be out of his jurisdiction in Charleston. “I’m afraid I can’t do anything either, Sweetheart.”
“Can’t we get a restraining order or something?”
“There’s automatically a restraining order in place. That’s why they asked if he’s staying at least three-hundred feet away.”
“But when we leave the house, wouldn’t that put him within the order’s limit.”
“It would. But you’d have to have some kind of proof. If he’s smart, he’ll just move back when he sees you coming out and then nothing would be different. I would suggest you go to another part of the house or out on the patio so you can’t see him any longer and he can’t see you. If you don’t let him know he’s bothering you, he’ll probably get bored and go away.”
“I guess that’ll work. I called Daddy, and he’s going to send a couple of his security guys to patrol the fence. That should scare him and maybe keep him away.”
“That’s a good idea. Just tell them not to get too aggressive. You wouldn’t want him to be able to file a case against you or your father.”
“I’ll tell them. I feel better already. Thanks for listening. I really appreciate it.”
“I’ll always listen to you. All you have to do is call”.
He’d been involved in enough cases with perps like Stippens to know a lot of them can be quite aggressive when they get their dander up, so he was glad her father was going to station a couple of guard at the front gate.
He didn’t hear from Molly again until the end of the week when he drove to Charleston, and they talked in person. Stippens had apparently left when the security guards showed up and hadn’t been back.
Chapter 5
Bobby was glad when Molly decided to go back to school in the fall because he wanted her to finish her education and because she would be back in Morgantown where he could see her much more often. He could also protector her if Stippens got anywhere near her. Guys like Stippens didn’t give up easily. One evening after they had finished a pizza, Molly turned to Bobby thoughtfully.
“What’s wrong Molly,” he said before she said anything.
“You need to know something I’ve been holding back from you.”
“Let me guess. You’re pregnant,” Bobby said with a smile tickling his face.
She gazed at him with an expression of incredulity. “How long have you known?”
“Since before you got out of the hospital. I overheard a couple of the nurses talking and asked the doctor if the baby was going to be okay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you knew?”
“I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
“And you don’t mind?”
“It matters not at all. I love you, and I’m sure I’ll love your baby as well.” He got up, pulled a small box from his pocket, opened it, knelt in front of her, and asked nervously, “Will you marry me?”
She didn’t answer right away but a tear formed in her eye.
“I don’t think it’s a good sign if you have to think about it.” He wiped the tear from her cheek and added, “Or cry.”
She leaned over and hugged his neck. “Only tears of joy. Of course, I’ll marry you; if you’re sure you want Rupert’s baby and me.”
He pulled away from her, looked her straight in the eye, and shook his head. “I don’t want to ever hear you say your baby is Rupert’s baby. He or she will be our baby. Rupert will have zero to do with our baby. He’s out of our lives.”
She hugged him again. “How is it you always know just what to say? I love you and can’t wait to be your wife.”
He held her at arm’s length and smiled at her with a twinkle in his eye, knowing how his next statement would be greeted. “I know a justice of the peace. We could get married tonight.”
“Don’t you even contemplate something like that,” she glared at him with her brows arched and forehead furrowed. “That’s not going to happen. I want a big wedding with all the hoopla that goes with it. After all, I’m only going to get married once, and Daddy can afford it.”
“I’m sure he can. But won’t that take a long time to get organized? I don’t want to wait for months.”
“I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to wait as long as it takes. I can get some of Daddy’s staff to help with the planning, and I can hire a wedding consultant. But it won’t happen overnight.”
“So, I’m gathering my proposal didn’t come as a complete shock. It sounds like you’ve been planning for it, at least in your own mind.”
“Guilty as charged. After all, a girl can hope can’t she?” After what Bobby had said about the baby she didn’t feel she should tell him that was the one thing she had been worried about—how he would react to the news she was pregnant. She had envisioned him running away screaming. Maybe she didn’t know Bobby Drummond as well as she thought she did. No matter, that would merely add to the adventure of their life together.
Harold Morgan had been summoned by Carlo Donati, and when a Donati summoned you, you went. At least if you valued your life, you went. Harold had never met Carlo although he had worked for his father, Alphonso, for many years. Carlo had grown up in one private school after another coming back only during holidays and summers and went into the service shortly after school. Thus, Harold and Carlo had never crossed paths.
Alphonso had started as a run
ner for a drug gang when he was still in high school in New York and had advanced through the ranks until he had control of all of the drug distribution in one of the larger areas in New York. After their major drug distributor in the North East stationed in West Virginia was killed in a shootout, Alphonso was given control of his territory with one simple-sounding order—to get rid of the rival distributors. After a bitter, three-year war in which Carlo played an important part, Alphonso was left with the only distributorship in West Virginia and most of the North East territory.
Alphonso had recently been diagnosed with ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease, and his doctor had given him only had a year or two. Alphonso immediately passed control of his empire to his son Carlo with just two commands, never let anyone muscle into his territory and never mess with the big bosses in New York.
Although Harold had never met Carlo, he knew Carlo would be able to carry on his father’s legacy with no difficulty. He had heard Carlo was a ruthless and smart businessman who had graduated Summa Cum Laude in business from MIT. Carlo was also brave. He had been awarded a medal after he saved seven soldiers in his squad in Afghanistan by killing five Taliban fighters when his team was ambushed while on night patrol. He had also taken care of at least four rival drug dealers in Alphonso’s dealership war, and most importantly, at least to Alphonso, Carlo could be trusted to do what he promised.
Harold’s knock on the front door was answered by a proper English butler who had worked for Alphonso even longer than had Harold. “Good afternoon Alfred.”
“Good afternoon Mr. Morgan. Mr. Donati is awaiting your coming in the library. Follow me.”
“Of course.” Harold still marveled at how Alfred had maintained his accent and his formal manner after working for Alfonso, and now Carlo, for so many years. He followed Alfred down the long hallway to the door of Carlo’s inner sanctum. Alfred quietly knocked on the door and opened it in response to Carlo’s voice from inside.
The Dog Who Ate The Flintlock Page 3
