Salsa and Speedbumps

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  “Huh?” Robbie looked down at his wife, “I’m sorry, my mind was wandering, and with the crowds, I didn’t hear what you said.”

  “If we find a place to sit in the café, do you want to stay for a little while?”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I want to enjoy this day with just you and me.”

  “Really? That’s sweet, but any more time with just the two of us in that little hotel suite, and we will probably be at each other’s throats due to boredom.”

  “I don’t know that you could ever bore me.” Robbie grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He smiled down at her. She was definitely anything but boring.

  “Don’t make me test you on that. I’m sure to win.”

  “I’m tired. Can we just get some fast food or take out and go back to our room?”

  “Chinese sounds good.”

  “Chinese it is.” Robbie helped Stephanie on with her coat and shepherded her to the car while keeping an eye out for Luis.

  Once on the road, Robbie let out a loud sigh.

  “So what was that all about back there?”

  “What?”

  “Ushering me out of church so fast? That’s not like you. Usually, we mingle for a while. What’s the rush?”

  “I feared Luis was there. I’m sorry. I’m probably being paranoid.”

  Now it was Stephanie’s turn to sigh. “You think we’re safe now?”

  “We should be. I never laid eyes on him, and there’s so much traffic around with the shopping craziness, even if he tried, I doubt he could follow us.”

  * * *

  They sat at the table in the kitchenette and shared their various offerings, having bought enough so there would be leftovers.

  Stephanie cracked open her fortune cookie and read it out loud. “A hero will emerge just when you need him.’ Awww, Robbie, that has to be you.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss.

  Roberto cracked open his and read it. “Fight for the dream you treasure most.’ I’m glad these are just generic and not prophesies of the future.”

  “What if they are?”

  “Fortune cookies, made in a factory, really coming true?”

  “Well, they are generic enough that they could, depending on how you interpret them. You were a hero in looking out for me at church. Maybe you did frustrate an evil plot and are unaware.”

  “And fighting for what I treasure?”

  “Depends on what you treasure. You definitely took some hits and persevered for me and the baby. You helped me fight in court. You fought to protect our marriage against Natasha’s attempts to seduce you.”

  “So they have already come true according to your interpretation?” Robbie smiled and crunched his cookie. After one bite, he tossed it in the garbage. It was stale.

  “I think you’re on edge. The police are looking for Luis, and we have tried to be as safe as possible. Let’s make the most of our time together here, since tomorrow, you return to Harrington to work, and I’ll be sitting alone twiddling my thumbs.”

  “So, television? Any good movies? Nap, or perhaps a rip roaring game of Uno?”

  “Wow, you really know how to entertain a lady, don’t you? I think that nap sounds good.”

  * * *

  The next day, Robbie left for work, and Stephanie stayed in her room for most of the day, although she did manage to spend some time in the pool which gave her the opportunity to move a little more at least. It was the only time she could feel like she didn’t weigh as much as the scale indicated. The down side was that she looked like a whale in her one-piece suit.

  Robbie came home exhausted and was greeted by Stephanie with a kiss.

  “Did you have a good day?” She hung his coat up and started to undo his tie and unbutton the top button of his shirt. He smelled so good.

  “As good as it could be. I’m still sorting through the workload and trying to figure out how everything stands and what needs to be done next. It’s a bit overwhelming.”

  “Do you want to order pizza? Or go out?”

  “Pizza delivery sounds fine to me. I’m not all that hungry.” He flopped down on the bed while Stephanie called in an order for pizza.

  “Thirty minutes.”

  “Sounds great. How was your day?”

  “Mundane. I did get in the pool at least.”

  Robbie yawned. “That’s good.” His eyes closed.

  Stephanie pulled off his shoes for him and tickled the bottom of his feet, earning a grin. “Why don’t you rest a bit until the food arrives?”

  “Hmmm. If you insist.”

  Stephanie watched his eyes close and sighed. She hoped he would perk up a bit so she could enjoy his company for a little while. It had been a lonely day. The fact that many more days like this stretched out before her was depressing. If she thought her life before this baby came along was boring, she realized now that she never understood what mundane really was.

  The pizza delivery came to the front desk and Stephanie went down to pay him and bring the pizza back to the room. The hotel lobby appeared empty this evening, and the clerk was busy on the phone with a reservation and gave her a slight wave as she passed him. She stepped onto the elevator, even though they were only on the second floor. The smell of the pizza made her mouth water.

  A hand covered her mouth and foul breath tickled her nose. “Don’t scream or I will kill you right here and now.”

  Luis had found her.

  The pizza fell to the floor.

  * * *

  They encountered no one on the way to the suite. She put the key card in and struggled against the door, trying somehow to make noise and also see if she could somehow keep Luis out of the room. Her efforts were not successful, and the gun at her back terrified her more than she cared to admit.

  Luis shoved her into the room, and she fell against the bed and crawled over Robbie.

  “Robbie…” she cried out in an urgent whisper.

  “So, Romeo’s asleep on the job. You thought you could foil me by moving to a hotel and switching cars and leaving church early. But I’m much smarter than you, pretty boy.”

  Robbie opened his eyes to find Luis standing at the foot of the bed with a gun pointed at him.

  “So, Luis. You came out of hiding.” Robbie dragged himself to a sitting position, leaning against the headboard. He showed no fear and didn’t look at her at all but stayed focused on Luis.

  Luis wore a ratty jacket and torn blue jeans, was unshaven, and his hair had grown out. His eyes were wild. He wandered around the room, tapping the gun against his hand.

  Stephanie slid Robbie’s cell out of his front shirt pocket when Luis turned away. She hid it behind her.

  “Luis, I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “You will stay right here.”

  “I’m pregnant and I need to go. Now.”

  “Fine. But no funny business.”

  Stephanie kissed Robbie and gave him a speaking glance and a squeeze of the hand as she left his side. He nodded to her and returned his gaze to Luis who paced around the kitchenette.

  “Got any food to eat?”

  “Stephanie was supposed to have ordered pizza.”

  “I think that got dropped in the elevator.”

  “You can check the mini-fridge. Help yourself.”

  Luis started rummaging through it and took out the leftover beef and pepper steak. Digging around, he found a fork and started to eat out of the container.

  Stephanie entered the bathroom, locked the door and turned on the fan. She dialed 911 on Robbie’s phone.

  “911 what’s your emergency?”

  “My husband and I are being held hostage at the Traveler’s Lodge Hotel. Room 211. His name is Luis Vasquez, and he is armed and dangerous.”

  “Who else is in the room with you?

  “My name is Stephanie and my husband Roberto Rodriguez is in the bedroom part of the suite.”
/>   “Where are you?”

  “I’m hiding in the bathroom, but I’m not sure how much longer he will let me be in here. I’m pregnant and told him I needed to use the bathroom.”

  “Does he only have one gun?”

  “I think he has more in a backpack. He’s not right in the head. Either he’s on drugs or has been drinking.”

  “You know him?”

  “I used to date him and he has held me hostage once before which was how he ended up in jail.”

  “Can you stay safe in the bathroom?”

  “I don’t want to leave my husband alone.”

  “Please, ma’am, stay in the bathroom. Help is on the way. Stay on the phone.”

  * * *

  There was a banging on the door and the handle moved. Weight was thrown against it from the hallway and Stephanie heard curses.

  “Get out of there. You’ve had more than enough time to do your business.”

  “I’m trying as hard as I can, Luis, please be patient.”

  “I’ve been patient long enough, hunting you down.”

  The gun fired and the door handle fell. Luis slammed the door open, grabbed Stephanie by the arm, dragged her out of the bathroom, and threw her against the bed.

  “Thought you could hide from me? I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do with the two of you. I want you to suffer, and I’m not sure who I want to suffer more, you or your boy toy. Do I torture one while the other gets to watch?”

  Robbie pulled Stephanie to his side. She could sense the tension in him, and from the way his jaw clenched, she suspected his pain was severe.

  “Luis, I’m curious. How did you manage to get out of jail? I thought you had been sentenced for at least two years,” Robbie asked.

  Luis placed his backpack on the table and began to dig through it, dragging out more guns and ammunition and making sure everything was loaded and ready for use.

  “I was good. My jailers found me to be a model prisoner. No one could believe that little ol’ Luis would have trashed an apartment and held his double-crossing girlfriend hostage.”

  He turned toward Stephanie. “You shot me.” He waved a gun in her direction, and Robbie tried to sit forward more so most of his torso was between her and Luis. Stephanie squeezed behind him, if only so Luis didn’t notice the phone she held in her hands. She set it on the bed and lay her palm on her husband’s shoulder blade, slowly moving her thumb in a small massage.

  Stephanie hoped that the 911 operator could still hear what was happening.

  Luis set the gun down to pick up the food and eat some more. “There was some kind of error and I got out. I didn’t bother to correct them. Not even any probation set up. I was free, except that I’m in danger of being deported if the Immigration goons get a hold of me.”

  “Why didn’t you just go to Mexico?” asked Robbie. “You could have put this all behind you.”

  “I have no papers. No visa. No passport. The other one was forged. I would be denied entrance. Besides, I’m a wanted man down there too. If I try to enter the country I’ll be arrested and put in jail.”

  “What trouble did you get into in Mexico?” asked Stephanie.

  “I killed my girlfriend.”

  “Why?” asked Robbie

  “I found her sleeping with my best friend.”

  “So you shot her, but not him?” asked Stephanie.

  “I shot him too. I just didn’t manage to kill him.”

  “Luis, you’ve been out of jail for two weeks now. Where have you been? How have you even managed to survive?” Stephanie asked in quiet voice.

  “I got friends in town. I found several drug houses that offered me shelter. I could take the bus and pimped myself for money and drugs.”

  “I never knew you took drugs,” Stephanie said.

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, sweetheart.” He gave a toothy grin. “Why don’t you come over here and give me a kiss for old times’ sake.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Luis, but I’m tired and would rather stay right here.”

  Luis laughed and waved his gun around. He shot at the light fixture in the wall just to the left of where Stephanie sat. Stephanie and Robbie both instinctively ducked as glass shattered and the light in the room dimmed.

  Luis laughed. “I’m a good shot, aren’t I? Stephanie. Come here. Now.”

  Robbie slid off the bed and rose to his feet.

  “Just what are your intentions here, Luis?”

  “I thought I made that clear, pretty boy. I want what’s mine. My girl. My baby. You are in the way.”

  Robbie stepped forward as Luis raised the gun, aiming at his chest. “I thought you wanted to torture Stephanie and have me watch before killing me.”

  “You’re right. What was I thinking?” Luis lowered the gun and appeared confused.

  Robbie took advantage of the moment and rushed Luis, knocking the gun out of his hand causing it to discharge. Stephanie screamed. Robbie never turned to her. She watched him as he focused on the man in front of him. Robbie tackled the stockier man to the ground and threw a punch to his face. Luis retaliated with a punch of his own to Robbie’s chin, thrusting his head back sharply. He rolled over, pinning Robbie beneath him, and put his hands around Robbie’s throat, leveraging his weight down on his victim’s neck. Robbie struggled to get Luis off. Stephanie watched as his face grew white and his eyes rolled back and closed. She yelled, “Luis, stop!”

  Glass broke as men in black swung into the room through the windows and others beat down the door.

  “The one on top!” Stephanie yelled.

  Luis looked up, releasing his hands from Robbie’s now still body. “Ninjas?” He looked around, shocked at the invaders all pointing guns at him. He reached for his own to aim at her.

  Something hurled through the air and lodged in Luis’s neck. The gun dropped as he rose up in a howl to meet the attackers. He reached for another gun, but before he could, a shot rang out and Luis fell to the floor. The men surrounded Luis and Robbie as more people with guns entered. She cowered back on the bed. She lifted her hand off her shoulder and saw the blood.

  A tall dark man came over to her and lifted up the visor of his headgear. “Are you okay, ma’am?”

  She shook her head and looked again at her hand. She grew cold all over. She couldn’t see Robbie, only blood and mysterious figures moving in the darkened room.

  The man in front grabbed for a radio strapped to his chest and called for an ambulance and flight for life for transport of a victim.

  “My husband?”

  “Is that the one over there?” The man’s voice was gentle and his brown eyes intent. He pointed to where Robbie lay, motionless, attended by some of the men.

  She nodded and shivered.

  “We need a blanket over here. She’s going into shock and has been shot. There’s glass everywhere.”

  The broken light fixture. She had forgotten about that. Her eyes remained wide.

  “Your husband is alive but we need to transport him to Froedert.”

  Stephanie nodded that she understood. Sounds crackled on the radio, but she couldn’t hear the words.

  “So cold.”

  A blanket was brought to her by a female police officer who assisted her off the bed. “The hotel has given us the room next door. Let’s take you there to await the ambulance.”

  “But Robbie. I can’t leave him.” She started to move towards him but was restrained. Luis was laying nearby and already covered with a sheet. She glanced at him and the officer. “Luis’s dead?”

  “Yes.”

  Stephanie nodded and allowed herself to be escorted out the door. “Were they ninjas?”

  The officer smiled as she seated her on the bed and sat down next to her.

  “They look and act like ninjas in a situation like this, but no. They are some of Wisconsin’s finest who make up a Special Weapons and Tactics team.”

  “S.W.A.T.? But one of them threw something. I s
aw it hit Luis.”

  “They may not be ninjas, but that doesn’t mean they are above using ninja tools of the trade if it will get the job done.”

  “Oh.”

  Soon, paramedics tended to her wound. Someone helped her wash blood from her face and hands and offered her fresh clothes to wear. She went to the bathroom and changed. Once she was seated again, she heard the helicopter arrive.

  “Why Flight for Life?”

  “There is concern for your husband’s neck. The roads are too slick out to ensure a secure trip that would not injure him further.”

  “His neck?” Stephanie finally lost it and began to sob. The female officer rubbed her back and spoke softly to her.

  “I can give you a ride to the hospital.”

  Stephanie nodded and her boots, coat, and purse were retrieved from the room. She got to the parking lot in time to see the helicopter take off. She was ushered to the back of the police car and sat there, stunned. She picked up Robbie’s phone and called Renata.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, it’s me, Steph.”

  “I didn’t recognize the phone number.”

  “I’m on Robbie’s phone.”

  “You sound strange. Are you okay?”

  “Luis came.” Stephanie sniffed.

  “Steph, are you in trouble?”

  “Not anymore. Luis is dead. It’s a long story. I’m in the back of a police car being taken to Froedert. They air-lifted Robbie.” She started to sob.

  “I’ll call Tony and try to get there as soon as I can.”

  TWENTY-TWO

  El remedio puede ser peor que la enfermedad.

  Sometimes the remedy is worse than the disease.

  ~Mexican proverb

  Stephanie was escorted to the emergency room where her shoulder wound could be examined more closely. The bullet had only grazed her. Her blood pressure was high, but the baby seemed fine. She was stitched up, bandaged, and released to wait for more information on Robbie. Papers were thrust at her to sign, and she did so, wondering if her attorney husband would care at this point whether she read them through or not. She couldn’t focus.

  Soon, Renata rushed through the door and ran forward to hug her friend. Stephanie winced at the resulting pain in her shoulder.