by Lora Lindy
“Copy that.” The most important task for Mike is to get Lana back to the beach house. Mike knew his guys would know what to do to protect her. From this point on his only concern was to take care of Lana.
*****
“Mike, do you mind if I start breakfast?”
“Of course, and I can’t wait.” He reached over to kiss her. Then to tease her and blew a fart on her neck.
All the men held their noses. “What’s that smell?” Her face turned red and she didn’t know why. She decided having these guys around was like having little brothers always tormenting her.
She got busy mixing the batter for the pancakes. The saut��ing of the mushrooms, onions, peppers, and ham for the omelet got started. She put the bacon in the oven to cook. The coffee and sweat tea was made. A dozen eggs were whipped and seasoned for scrambling. The onions were saut��ed for hash browns. Then she poured herself some coffee with cream and savored those few moments.
The guys walked in the kitchen smelling the aroma, making excuses to be in there. Joe’s excuse was to catch Lana if she fainted. Mike’s excuse was to cut up the veggies. Raymond’s excuse was to get some coffee.
Everyone got quiet when the crew came in to run the sweep. In a short five minutes, she heard a beep. She didn’t have to be told what that meant. To find out what all the commotion was about, she peeked in the bedroom. They had found a little chip in her purse. “Did you find the tracking devise?” She asked as she looked at the men.
“Yes.” Mike’s face turned angry. He glanced at Raymond and Joe. They had no doubt now. He was after Lana. Everyone’s heart sank. They were trained to handle problems. Lana wasn’t.
“He knows everyplace we’ve been?” She saw the looks the guys gave each other, and she saw Mike’s eyes harden. Worry was written all over their faces.
“I’m assuming he knows everywhere we’ve been. Honey, I want you to think real hard and try to remember how you know this guy. Think about anyone that might have made you feel uncomfortable in the last week or so. Was there anyone who got close to your purse?”
She thought for a minute, wringing her hands. “Mike I don’t remember. I’ve bumped into many people the past several days, and I don’t remember where I saw his face, I just don’t remember.”
Mike motioned for the team to leave and finish their sweep in the living room. “Okay guys keep sweeping and let me know if you find anything else.” Mike waited for them to leave. “Baby, I know you’re upset, but it’s important to remember where you know this man. Do you know him from home or here?”
“I don’t remember. I wish I could remember.” Tears dripped down her cheek.
“Let’s get some food in you and we’ll go from there, how does that sound?”
“It sure won’t hurt.” She was totally confused to why anyone would want to follow her.
*****
“This food is so good Ms. Andrews, thank you so much.” The guys loved breakfast.
“You’re welcome,” she answered not concentrating. She knew this guy from somewhere, but where. For some reason she felt overwhelmed and excused herself and walked into the bedroom. Tears flowed uncontrollably. She was mad at herself because she couldn’t remember.
After a few minutes when Lana didn’t return, Mike left to check on her. Once they found the tracking device he noticed Lana’s demeanor changed. He slowly opened the door and saw her crying. It broke his heart. “Babe, are you okay?”
She gave him a hug and sobbed.
He just held her for a few minutes. “Just let it all out, baby.”
Her entire body was drained and it shook uncontrollably, she didn’t think she had an ounce of anything left.
He just held her and rubbed her back trying to sooth her.
She never felt so helpless. “Mike, I need to tell you something,” she said while looking into his eyes, still crying. “I never told you the reason I had to get away. Why I left Tennessee.”
He didn’t know what was coming but he didn’t want to act surprised either. His gut told him she was about to tell him about an old boyfriend who had stalked her for five years. “Continue honey.”
“A few weeks ago my cousin died of a massive heart attack. We were very close and our entire family is close. His death was devastating to us all. His wife Sharon had his breathing machine turned off, and I held his hand while his heart stopped. I could feel his last heart beat through my fingers. All this happened less than four weeks ago.” The tears kept coming.
Mike sat there and listened. Her words cut his heart like a knife. He also held his wife’s hand when she died.
She took a deep breath and kept going. “His name was James. All his life he wanted a sports car and we decided to look at one on Saturday. On Tuesday I went by a few places and got some brochures on sports cars, to surprise him. I thought I would drop them off at his house, and I rang the doorbell and no answer. Even though I saw his car in the drive, I put the brochures in the mailbox. Mike, he was laying in there dying. If I would have used my key, he might be alive today.” She couldn’t help herself and she just let her confession roll off her tongue. She never told anyone this story. “After the funeral I was so depressed I couldn’t function. I felt such guilt. I thought the best thing for me was to get away and clear my mind, and that’s why I’m here. So you can see how everything has overwhelmed me. My emotions were already fragile when I got here.”
Mike held her close. “Baby, I’m here for you now, and I’ll carry that burden for you. I know what it’s like to lose family. What happened to your cousin has absolutely nothing to do with you and it isn’t your fault. I can assure you he would feel the same way as I do.”
“I can’t help but feel some guilt.”
“Honey you should not feel any guilt. If was a horrible incident and it wasn’t your fault.” This story flooded his mind of his own memories of helplessness and guilt with his wife. He watched his wife die of breast cancer. What could he have done different? What if he stayed home more? He knew exactly how Lana felt.
“I mentally told myself from the moment I stepped on the airplane I planned on relaxing and writing down all my feelings. Then my last night here I planned on burning my journal in the fireplace, and that would be a whole new start for me,” said Lana.
Mike got up to get her some Kleenex and she blew her nose and wiped her eyes, and then she continued. “As a matter of fact I started writing on my laptop while I sat down on the plane, oh Mike, the plane.”
“What are you talking about, what plane?”
“That is where I saw that guy, on the plane. He walked up and sat with me at the gate, umm ��� gate 14. Then on the plane he wanted to sit with me, and I said no. I can’t believe I didn’t remember that. He had every opportunity to touch my purse.”
“Did he ever tell you his name?”
“I think so, umm, I think, oh Mike I can’t remember.” She tried to think real hard, but she couldn’t remember. It had been several days and a lot has happened since then.
“That’s okay we have it narrowed down to your flight.” Mike squeezed her hand and got busy doing what he did best, being a great cop. He made one last glance over his shoulder and said to her. “Babe, you did great.” He immediately got his phone out and called his office and had the tech people run a check on the passenger list. “Babe we have an advantage he doesn’t know about,” said Mike smiling.
“What’s that?”
“Your uncanny ability to remember faces.”
“Mike.”
“What?”
“He sat toward the front, the first few rows, if that helps you any.”
“It helps a lot.” He went out to the kitchen and told the guys about their conversation. Everyone within a mile radius heard them whooping and hollering as Mike told them the good news. Then Mike gave orders and everyone got busy. Raymond got on the computer to get a passenger list. Joe headed to the airport to get video and Mike got on the phone to Sara to see if she got any fingerprints from the
beach house and the Border’s house.
Mike walked back in the bedroom. “Babe, I’m sorry I left so abruptly but I had to get the ball rolling. Are you feeling better?” Even though he was giving orders, his heart was with her.
“Some yes, and I want you to know I’m not normally a cry baby, but it has been a stressful couple of weeks.”
“Honey, you don’t have to explain, I’ve seen people with less stress have to live on drugs to get through it all, and I think you are doing great. I have to say how impressed I am with your memory of faces. I’ve been in this business for years, and never has anyone had a memory like yours. When Joe gets back we’ll send him over to the Borders to get an idea of how tall the killer is. So in a little while I’ll need your help again.”
“You got it, just let me know when.” She was proud of herself for remembering. Relief flooded her. She couldn’t believe how much weight was lifted off her shoulders. She felt like a new woman.
As Mike walked out he glanced back and asked. “By the way, what is your blood type?”
She was totally confused by the question but answered. “A+ Why?”
“I just wanted to make a mental note just in case someone asks.”
“Oh, okay,” she said confused.
Mike joined Raymond who was sitting at their makeshift desk, working on the computer. “What cha got?” Raymond asked without looking up from the computer.
“Lana’s blood type is A+,” Mike whispered.
Mike had his full attention with that statement. “Do you think it’s her blood type on the wall?”
Mike shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’m going to have to ask her if she is missing any dirty underwear. She’s in the bedroom crying.”
“Why?”
“She thinks she has put us in danger.”
“Did you tell her we live this every day? We thrive on danger.”
“I will, but when she started crying, I just let her talk.”
“Good move. But Mike the more we know the better. Keep in mind that Ms. Border’s blood type is A+.”
“I know. Whose blood type do you think it is?” Mike asked.
“I think its Ms. Borders. Think about it. There was enough for Sara to find, and I don’t think she could get that much just from worn underwear. And Mike I don’t want to get personal, but I think your blood type would have shown up along with Lana’s.”
“True, unless he got some underwear before we were intimate.”
“Did she ever mention anyone being around before the wood was delivered?” Raymond asked while taking notes.
“She did mention she had the creeps several times since she’s been here. She said it wasn’t like her to get so scared all the time. You know we’re taught as cops to listen to our instincts. We’re also taught women have better instincts than cops.”
“Being out here with no one around can give anyone the creeps. Have you been listening to the wind today? It’s giving me the creeps.”
“I can tell you this much, she’s not leaving this house until we catch this guy. I’m so afraid he’ll follow her home.”
“I agree, but I don’t want you to worry. We’ll catch him or them.” He put his hand on Mike’s shoulder and gave him a pat.
*****
Crying out her feelings made her feel better. She washed her face and sat on the bed for a little while. Then she decided to clean the kitchen and watch some TV, anything to stay busy. Everything was quiet when she walked out of the bedroom, except for Mike talking on the phone. She rolled up her sleeves on the way to the kitchen. To her surprise the kitchen was spotless. She knew at that moment she would have to adopt Joe and Raymond. How could she go wrong, they are gun toting house cleaner’s.
Quietly she turned on the TV and sat down on the couch with the remote, surfed the channels. Since Mike was on the phone, she muted the volume.
When he hung up he kissed her on the neck and ran his hand down her leg. He could tell she cried a lot and that broke his heart. Other women crying never bothered him. Several months ago he dated a girl named Brenda, and they dated three months. He knew it wasn’t going anywhere and he decided to end their relationship. He didn’t know how to end it, so he invited her over for grilled burgers. They ate and then he told her it was over between them. She cried but he didn’t care, he just wanted her to go home. If he had to do it all over, he would have gone to her house, told her and left. All the women in his past always cried, but he didn’t care. He cared for them, and hated they were upset. But once the door shut it was all over or at least in his mind. If Lana walked out he would be the one crying. Deep down he knew Lana was his for life. He asked her. “How are you holding up honey?”
“I’m fine.” She was deep in thought of all this that’s going on in her life. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“How do you work this kind of stuff all the time? I’m stressed beyond belief and you and the guys act like this is everyday stuff, or am I just imagining it?”
“As a U.S Marshall, we deal with this stuff every day. Honey, we are adrenaline junkies and the more bazaar and dangerous it is, the better we like it. I will admit not all cases fall into place as well as this. Think about it, we’ve had a couple of different crimes happen to us in the last several days. You can see how we’re putting it all together. We love the stress and action of it all. My team is great and we know how to get results. That’s part of police work, you may have ten suspects and it dwindles down to one or two or sometime we have to start from the beginning.”
“Do you deal with the witness protection area? I might need it.”
“Now why would you think you might need witness protection?”
“If you don’t catch this guy he might kill me unless I vanish.”
Those words she said hurt Mike to the core. He hated the idea of someone as innocent as Lana would have to think of something so drastic. “Squirt, you are so cute. We will catch him. I’ve worked in the fugitive investigative strike team. This is what I used to do, so I know exactly what I’m doing,” he said as he kissed her on the nose.
*****
The room got loud as several agents entered the front door and they were talking about the case. Mike was right, they were adrenaline junkies. Excitement filled the air every time they put a piece of the puzzle together. Her favorite agent was Joe, and he reminded her of a kid. Everything something happened his eyes light up, like a kid on Christmas morning. She also noticed he was more kind hearted than the other agents. Raymond was definitely Mike’s right hand man. Raymond seemed to be about ten years younger than Mike, so his age is around forty. His personality seemed more like Mike’s, more so than the other agents. Both were more quiet and to the point. He had dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. He’s thinner built than most of the men, but still very well built. Raymond was the only one married, or at least the only one wearing a wedding band.
Everyone got quiet when she walked in the kitchen. She was embarrassed that she interrupted their important conversation. “You all don’t have to be quite on my account, unless you’re talking shop talk.”
Mike answered with authority and professionalism. “Actually we are talking about something very important.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted, I’ll go to the bedroom and watch TV. I don’t want to bother you all,” she said with all sincerity.
All the guys laughed “Honey we’re talking about what we are going to have for lunch.”
“That was mean, but that’s fine I got the stuff to make lasagna, salad and a cheese cake. But since you want to hurt my feelings I’ll just go be by myself,” she said winking at Joe.
Joe caught on quick. “I think lasagna sounds fantastic. You guys need to leave her alone and quit teasing her. Lana, I would never tease you.”
She thought that’s the first time he ever used her first name.
Raymond snarled at Joe. “Teacher’s pet!”
Everyone laughed. “Okay guys scoot and I’l
l make some lunch.”
Mike scooped her up in his arms and swung her around in a circle and said. “Honey you are the best, I’m starving and I know the guys are. I cannot wait to try your lasagna, and what do you want me to do?”
“How about chopping onions? I need five cups.”
“I can definitely do that.”
After they washed their hands, she handed him everything he needed, and he started chopping away. She browned the meat and adding the onion as Mike finished chopping. Then she added the wine and spices. The house started to smell good. She quickly whipped up two cheese cakes and put it in the fridge. The guys drooled over the cheesecake. She knew Mike didn’t know this, but when she cooked she felt like she’s contributing to the investigation. It keeps her busy and it keeps the guys fed and that makes them all happy and productive.
Mike walked over to the sink where she happened to be standing and looked down at her, with all seriousness. “Can I talk to you in the bedroom?”
She could tell by the look on his face something was wrong. “Sure.” She did not know what he was about to say, but it had her worried a little bit. Her heart pounded from nervousness. Without a doubt the news would be bad.
He closed the door behind them. He picked her up and kissed her so deeply, his tongue found hers.
Her heart raced with excitement. She pulled him close. “Oh Mike, I think that is by far the best kiss I ever had, ever. It was a wonderful unexpected kiss.” She didn’t want to stop.
“Oh baby, I have wanted to do that all morning, but I wanted you to rest especially after getting that bump on your head, and I had to find time to be alone. Are you feeling better?”
“Now I am.” She kissed him again.
He stopped her and said. “A problem has come up and I can’t go back into the room just yet.”
She knew what he meant. About that time his phone rang. That damn phone, I’m going to toss it out when this is all over, she thought.
It looked like Mike would be on the phone for awhile, so she decided to check on the meat sauce. When she walked in the kitchen the guys were busy stirring it. “Is it good?” she asked. The sauce appeared to have thickened perfectly.
