Phil scratched his eyebrow and grimaced. "He's got kids?"
Drew laughed. "Yeah. Two boys and a girl. Cute little brats."
"All with the same woman?"
Drew laughed again as if Phil were the stupidest man he knew. "Nah, three women. Two of them are married now. The other was married at the time he fathered the kid."
Phil's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. Drew was clueless about how good and pure life could be, and apparently, so was Barney. There was no way he could ever do the honorable thing for these women. How sad. "What about you, Drew?"
"What about me?"
"You got any kids?"
Drew dug into his right ear with his pinky finger. "Nah. I've been too busy with business. And I’m too careful to make the mistakes Barney has made."
Phil could relate. He’d been consumed with business too for a while—so consumed that he’d lost his fiancé. "Don't you ever want to settle down? Ever get tired of this way of life? You're my age, right? 28?"
"Yeah."
The waitress came with their spinach and artichoke dip appetizer and tortilla chips. "Don't you ever think about leaving a legacy? A good legacy?"
Drew sat back and folded his arms across his chest. "What are you now? Some kind of counselor or something? Or a priest?"
"No, man. I just...I want to settle down and be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to belong to someone."
"I'm surprised you want to try again after what happened with Maria."
"Yeah, I'm surprised too, but I get lonely. I want someone to share my life with."
"So get a woman for the night. That'll cure what ails you." Drew flicked a chip at Phil.
"Drew, no. I'm looking for something more fulfilling than that. I want what Ma and Pops have. I want commitment, honesty, faithfulness, love." There was so much more to life than making money and gambling it away, more than blindly following a mob boss, more than viewing a woman as an object to satisfy a man’s most primal urges.
"Your Ma and Pops have that? I thought your Pops just kept your Ma put up in that nice house so he could golf and spend time with the ladies.”
“No, man. Pops may be a lot of things, but he’s not a cheater.” Or was he?
“You've gotten even softer than I thought, Phil. You sound like a character in one of those chick flicks."
Phil shrugged and scooped a heap of dip up with a tortilla chip. He shoved the chip into his mouth and held Drew's clear eyes with his own. "I'm all right with that."
"What gives?"
"What do you mean?"
"What makes you so relaxed and resigned to live a boring—peaceful life?"
Phil felt his insides burst with excitement. The opportunity had finally come to share with Drew about his faith. But first, he needed to apologize for his bad attitude when dealing with Drew and Barney earlier. He took a sip of water, pushed down the lump of humility that grabbed at his throat, and began to tell the story of the day that changed his life.
#
Kathryn bolted up off the couch, knocking Sadie to the floor. She grabbed the fleece throw to her chest, and her heart pounded in her ears. What had startled her awake? A clap of thunder and a flash of lightning outside the window answered her question. Something banged and scraped the glass patio door. Could it be Barney?
She ran to the door and peeked out into the darkness. What time was it? Where was Phil?
She shifted her weight to her right leg and crossed her arms across her chest. The banging and scraping continued, and she leaned her head to the right to try to see around the corner of the house. She flipped on the floodlights, but the rain came down so hard the lights did little to illuminate the yard.
She reached for the doorknob to check outside, but her phone vibrated on the coffee table with a reminder notification. A text from Phil awaited her. She'd missed it because she'd been sleeping.
We're at the airport getting ready to fly back. It should take less than two hours. Maybe we can catch the sunset?
Before sunset? He’d missed the sunset. According to the time he'd sent the text, he should've arrived already. Where was he? Kathryn sent him a return text.
Phil, I just got your text. I fell asleep and didn't know you sent it. Where are you?
She put the phone down and returned to the door to try to figure out the source of the noise. When she reached the door, a palm frond hit the glass. Sadie yelped, ran to her bed in the foyer, and Kathryn let out a nervous laugh. The storm was playing games with her mind. It brought little comfort knowing that she only imagined something menacing happening to her and that she would, in fact, be safe there until Phil returned.
A flash of lightning lit up the darkness through the dwindling rain and revealed a broad-shouldered silhouette. Kathryn shrieked and yanked the heavy drapes across the door. She reached through them to make sure the door was locked then ran to the front door to secure it. She jammed a chair underneath the doorknobs and returned to the sofa, scooping up her phone in the process. Sadie whimpered. "Come here, girl. It's okay." Kathryn received another text from Phil.
"We were delayed because of weather, but we're almost there. How are you?"
Kathryn shot a quick text back.
"I was doing okay, but it's storming, and I saw a man outside my door just now."
Chapter Twenty-one
An explosive pounding came at the door and Sadie growled. Kathryn jumped and dropped her phone on the floor where it spun out of sight underneath the sofa. Every nerve ending in her body felt raw and electrified.
"Open up! You've got something I need, little lady."
Frozen, Kathryn clasped her hands over her mouth and screamed a muffled scream into them. Everything she'd fought against this week was now standing behind that door. She'd found the weapon. Why hadn't she left Cedar Key when she'd had the chance?
The pounding at the door came again. The chair jammed under the doorknob should hold, but there was no guarantee.
"Let me in!" That voice! It was Barney, the same voice from the threatening phone call.
Kathryn dropped to the floor and searched for her phone in the dimly lit room, finally landing her hand on it beside the foot of the sofa. From her place on the floor, she rushed a text to Phil.
Are you close yet? Barney is banging on the door and trying to get in. If he breaks in, he'll kill me. Or worse.
Her phone chimed a few seconds later.
We landed a few minutes ago. Get Sadie and the gun and escape out the other door. Follow the lights to the airstrip. I'll be waiting here.
She ran to the kitchen, grabbed Sadie's leash, and connected it to her collar. Her breath caught in her throat and threatened to choke her. Sadie continued to bark and growl, the hairs on her back standing at full attention and her ears pinned back.
Kathryn flung her purse strap over her shoulder, grabbed the gun from its hiding place, picked up her laptop bag and keys, and headed toward the patio door. Barney banged on the front door again. This was Kathryn's chance to escape. She tugged on the leash and forced Sadie to follow her. Barney rang the doorbell and banged on the door until the door facing sounded like it would crack.
"Help me!" Kathryn scream-whispered, fear gripping her vocal chords. Who was she talking to? No one was around to help her. But maybe God was. "Come on Sadie," she whispered. "Be quiet." If Sadie barked once they got outside, Barney would be on her trail within seconds, and her hopes of escaping would be dead forever.
She jammed her feet into her sandals and made it to the patio door, her arms heavy-laden, and slid the lock open with a click. The rain had stopped, but the wind still tossed the trees around in the night sky. She had a choice to make right now. Would she shrink back like a coward, like a first year law student in a mock trial, or would she straighten her shoulders and boldly conquer what was out there? Would she give in, or would she win this battle?
She'd win it, or die trying.
She pulled the door open, and then halted. She whisper
ed, "God, if you're there, please get me and Sadie to safety."
Barney banged again on the door and screamed words at Kathryn she'd only heard in the belly of the prison. Now was her chance. She darted out the door, pulling Sadie along, although the dog tried to go toward the front yard where Barney waited on the porch. Kathryn tiptoed across the pool deck and inched her way to the edge of the tree-lined property. A distant rumble of thunder sent an eerie tension to her bones. The sky flickered with heat lightning, and she bolted toward the airport.
#
On the flight back, Drew had said few words. He hadn't had much to say when Phil told him the story of how his life had changed. How after Maria dumped him, he took a long look at the direction of his life. That that's what caused him to quit the law practice and stop defending criminals.
But, in truth, there was more to it than that. He'd wanted his life to not only be absent of negative things but to include positive things. He'd wanted to have relationships with people that mattered. When Phil started going to church and turned his life over to God, he'd met all sorts of new people who really cared for him and who he could care for. His life changed in unimaginable ways.
Drew obviously wasn't ready to make a change like that. He had too much invested in the family business. His quiet on the way back to Cedar Key spoke volumes about what was on his mind. Phil's words had to have made an impact on him, if even just a little.
They climbed out of the plane, and Phil reached for Drew's hand. "It was good catching up with you. I'll see you around."
"Hold up. We're not done here."
"What do you mean, Drew?"
"We've still got a matter of that D.A. She's down here snooping around."
"Drew, I told you it doesn't matter. She's not on the case anymore."
"It matters. If she's looking for something, and she finds it, we could all be in a lot of trouble."
"Don't say we. I have nothing to do with this. And I recommend if you do, you'd better come clean. If you don't, you'd better tell the authorities what you know. Or else you could go away for a long time."
"Not going to happen."
Phil turned away from Drew. Even though he'd told Kathryn to meet him there at the airstrip, he'd head toward his SUV to distract Drew.
"Where you going, Cuz?"
"To get my Range Rover."
"I'll drive you."
"That's okay. I can walk. I need to stretch my legs."
"No, I'll drive you. We need to go have a visit with your friend."
Phil patted his pockets and held up his index finger. "Hold on. I left something in the plane."
"Hurry up then."
Phil climbed back into the plane. The pilot sat in his seat adjusting his controls for takeoff. "Excuse me. Can you wait here a few minutes?"
The pilot’s serious eyes examined him beneath an arched eyebrow. "Why?"
"I need a ride back to Georgia, but first, I've got to get one of my friends."
He chuckled, obviously finding Phil’s request ridiculous. "Have you got money? I don't fly for free, you know."
"This is an emergency. Someone's in danger. We've got evidence that's crucial to a murder investigation taking place next week, and someone here doesn't want that evidence leaving Cedar Key."
The pilot clicked a few switches on his console. He faced Phil and grinned, this time his eyes sparkling. "Sounds dangerous. I’d love to be a part of your scheme. I could use some excitement. I'll wait."
"Thanks, man. My friend, Kathryn, should be here in a second." Phil grabbed the keys out of his pocket and jumped out of the plane. He halted and turned back around to the pilot. "Oh, and, the guy that was with me before, don't let him on this plane if he gets here before I return."
"Yes, sir."
Phil jogged down the airstrip through the fence to the parking lot and jingled his keys in the air so Drew could see them. "I found them."
"Good. Now let's go."
"I'd really like to get my SUV out of the kayak rental's parking lot. Will you take me to it?"
"Yeah, whatevah. Get in."
As Phil started to climb into the car, Kathryn and Sadie burst forth from the trees and rushed straight up the road toward him. Then Kathryn froze, her eyes wide with fear, and she yanked Sadie close to her side. She’d obviously seen Drew there.
Drew was already sitting in the car and didn't see her. Phil motioned with a nod for Kathryn to head toward the plane. She jerked Sadie's leash and ran, balancing her laptop and purse. Did she have the gun with her? Hopefully, she'd not dropped it in her frantic escape from the house. Phil plopped down into Drew's car but kept his legs outside.
"What are you doing? We need to get going."
"I’m stretching my legs for a minute. We've done nothing but sit and ride ever since we left."
Drew laughed. "You're getting old, cousin."
"Hey, since I've lived here in Cedar Key, I've become a lot younger than I was before. I walk a lot. I stand for hours when I fish. So forgive me if I've gotten stiff by sitting so much today. You ought to try something other than sitting around smoking cigarettes sometime."
"How do you know I don't exercise?" Drew cranked the car.
"I don't know, but you don't look like the type."
"Shut up and get in. You're stalling the inevitable."
Phil swung his legs around, pivoting in the seat. He glanced up toward the plane. Kathryn and Sadie had made it safely inside. "Aw, man, I'm missing my phone. I must've left it in the plane too."
"Forget it. You can get another one. We've got an appointment with your lady D.A." Drew pulled the car out of park.
"I don't think so." Phil jumped out of the car and took off through the gate and across the runway toward the waiting plane.
"Stop! Phil, I'll shoot you!" Drew screamed and came after him.
Phil froze and turned around. Drew's gun glimmered in the moonlight. Phil raised his hands in the air, but took small steps backward toward the plane. “You won’t shoot me.” There was no way he was going to let Drew stop him from getting on that plane and getting Kathryn to safety.
"Phil! Come back here." Drew's face looked like it would explode.
Phil spun around toward the Baron and bolted the last few feet to the door. He launched himself into the plane using the footrest, jumped in, and slammed and locked the door behind him. "Go!" He shouted, his breath coming in gasps. He hadn't run that hard or fast since the Moratti clan chased him down Brooklyn Avenue after their leader went to prison for running an illegal gambling ring.
"Yes, sir!" The pilot accelerated, and they were off.
Phil plopped down into the seat next to Kathryn, sweat dripping from his face and wet circles staining the armpit areas of his shirt. Kathryn, on the other hand, was a vision of loveliness, dressed in a blue Cedar Key T-shirt and shorts. Her eyes were wide with fear, but they were beautiful and glossy just the same. Her cheeks were rosy from running to the plane in the evening's humidity, and hopefully a little bit from being with him.
Chapter Twenty-two
"Phil, I'm so glad you made it!" Kathryn, breathless, reached for him, and Sadie squeezed between her knees wagging her tail.
Phil's arm pressed against hers, and the heat radiated from him and soaked into her body. The most wonderful feeling in the world, to have this man beside her as they went off to make sure justice prevailed.
"Hi. How you doin'?" He shrugged his eyebrows and winked.
Kathryn laughed at the accent and the flirtation she'd grown so accustomed to, then she grabbed Phil's forearm. "How am I doin'? I'll tell you how I'm doin'. I'm freaking out! I'm scared to death. I've never been so glad to get off the ground in all my life, even though I’ve been on buses bigger than this plane."
Phil leaned over toward her and rested his forehead on hers. "We're going to be okay now." He withdrew his head from hers and apologetically wiped his sweat from her forehead. Kathryn's skin tingled from his touch regardless of their dangerous situation.
"Fasten your seatbelts, please," the pilot said as Drew banged on the side of the plane and tried to open the door.
Kathryn pointed out the window into the darkness where Drew ran alongside the plane. "What about your cousins? They've got to be stopped."
"We'll call the police when we land."
"Here we go," the pilot called out. The plane pushed forward and left Drew behind them on the runway, waving his hands in the air.
Kathryn gripped the armrests. "There's no time for that. They'll get away."
"I'll call the chief right now before we take off." Phil reached for his phone.
"Good luck getting him. I tried several times this week, but he was never available for me."
“He’ll answer.”
“And I’ll text my mom and get her to call the D.A. He needs to be waiting on us at the airport. The police should be there too in case Drew and Barney manage to catch a plane in the next few minutes."
"Good idea."
They buckled their seatbelts, and the plane lifted off of the runway as several loud thuds pounded its sides. "Go, go, go! He's shooting at us!" Kathryn screeched to the pilot.
Phil leaned over Kathryn and looked out the window. Kathryn pressed her body against the seat and kept her eyes closed, and Sadie whimpered and tucked her head between Kathryn's knees. Phil dialed the police and waited. "Chief, this is Phil Tagliaferro. I'm flying out of Cedar Key right now on an emergency. I need you to get to the airport and arrest my two cousins."
He sat silent for a moment, while Kathryn texted her mom, then hollered over the roar of the plane's engines. "I don't have time to explain. We've lifted off, and I can't talk but a second more. It's Drew and Barney Ezzo. They're in a black Mercedes, and they were last seen at the airstrip. They're involved with the Louie Ezzo murder trial in Georgia—hello? Hello!" He sighed and powered down his phone. "My phone dropped the call."
"They'll get them." Kathryn patted his hand. "Thank you for thinking so fast and getting this plane."
"I wasn't thinking that fast. It's the plane we flew in on, and I just happened to think about asking the pilot to take us back right before climbing out."
Secrets Among the Cedars (Intertwined Book 2) Page 18
