by JL Phillips
Ah, crap.
Chapter Seven
I know if I try to call Fedora back he won't answer so I don't even try. The man is a pain, but it might not be a bad idea to have him watch my back. These guys have already shown they are willing to kill.
I hear a knock on my door. Must be Billy. I put my eye to the peephole; I'm not taking anything for granted. I doubt the guys that have Angela know I'm still alive, but it pays to play it safe at this stage.
I see a distorted image of Billy as I look out, so I open the door. He comes in pushing a food cart. “Your food was ready in the kitchen so I volunteered to bring it up. I also have the medical kit.”
The food smells good. Tee wakes up and is ready to be fed. Billy sets the small table in the room with some plates and utensils. My stomach is growling. It’s time for some nourishment as I cut up some of my steak for Tee and place the small plate on the floor.
“Come on buddy. You deserve steak.”
I motion for Billy to take the seat across from me. My hands hurt, but not enough to keep me from eating. I open one of the bottles of water Billy brought with him and pour some out for Tee, then slug the rest down. I wonder if I'll ever get enough water again.
I start to eat and in between bites, I regale Billy with my adventures the past day or so. He lets me talk with only a few, 'damn' or other strong exclamations inserted in. When I'm done talking, I butter another roll and shove it in my mouth. Billy keeps my coffee cup full the whole time. The kid has potential.
“I knew you weren't like most of our guests the first time I saw you in the elevator. You're not one of these spoiled rich women who are afraid of breaking a nail,” Billy crosses his arms and leans his elbows on the table in a self-satisfied way.
The mention of broken nails forces me to remember my stinging hands. I open the medical kit and search through it. I find some antiseptic wipes and open them. I wipe my palms and open the sterile gauze. Billy moves his chair closer and takes the roll of gauze bandages from me.
“Better let me do that,” he says as he starts to wind the gauze around my palms. I'm grateful for the help. The food kicks in and in spite of the gallon of coffee I drank, I feel my eyelids getting heavy. I force them open.
“Billy, do you know where Tony Bandoni lived?”
“Sure do. My older sister worked for him for a few years. She used to have me deliver real estate paperwork to his house sometimes for a few bucks. It was always fun going to see him. He was always full of jokes.”
For the first time I notice he has his street clothes on. I must be tired if I missed that. “You off work for the day?” I ask him.
“Yeah, my shift ended an hour ago,” he states as he finishes tying off the bandages and sits back. “Can I help you in any other way, Dee? That would be so kick ass!” He practically jumps out of his chair in his enthusiasm.
“Can you find out if Angela is being held there? Without getting caught?” I know I shouldn't involve the kid, but I need someone who won't stand out doing a bit of reconnaissance work. He knows the town, the people and he's smart.
“Piece of cake.”
I describe Angela and I describe the man who took her.
“Whoa! I know that man. He's someone you don't want to piss off,” Billy sits back in his chair and gives a little whistle.
“How do you know him?” Maybe involving Billy isn't such a good idea.
“Me and a couple of buddies had some trouble with him once. We were skateboarding down the sidewalk, just goofing off, you know. My friend flies past this guy and startles him. The guy cusses my friend out and goes after him! I swear if he had caught one of us, that he would have done us some damage. He's a scary kind of man.”
“You don't have to do this, kid. In fact, you shouldn't. You could get hurt.” I sit up and beat back the lethargic effects the food was having on me. I start to have serious doubts about asking Billy for help. I know the men are dangerous and I have no right to risk the kid’s life.
“No! I'll do it. I'm not afraid of him.”
“You should be afraid of him, Billy. He's a mean guy and won't think anything of hurting you.”
“I'll be careful. I promise. Let me help. I won't get caught,” he pleads with an earnest look. I need the help. I know Billy is smart and quick. If anyone can do it, he can.
“OK, but the first sign of trouble you get your ass out of there and come back here. You promise?”
“I won't get caught.”
“I can't do anything until it gets dark. I want you to see if you spot any activity at Tony's house. If you do, just watch from a safe distance. Then come back here tonight and let me know. I have to get some sleep. I'm not helping anyone if I'm not alert.”
I hate to leave Angela there with the guy for one more minute. I also don’t want us to be killed. I need some sleep or I’m not going to be any good for anything. I also know I can't just walk up to Tony's house and announce myself. They think I'm in a hole in the ground. I want that to work to my advantage. I'm also not stupid enough to think I can do this on my own.
Then tonight, if Billy can find Angela, I'll get her. If it involves kicking some ass in the process, all the better. I caution Billy to be careful one more time, then tell him to come back here at ten tonight. I can't do anything until then but rest.
As soon as Billy leaves the room, I lay down on the bed next to Tee and stretch out. God, I'm tired.
Chapter Eight
A pounding sound penetrates my dreams. The pounding entwines with them. Someone one was nailing my coffin closed. I'm trying to push the lid of the coffin open as I hear the nails being pounded. I wake suddenly flailing my arms upward.
The pounding comes again. The door… The pounding is someone knocking on the door. I move my body and all the aches and pains in my muscles seem to wake at the same time. Crap, I hurt.
I hobble over to the door and look through the peephole. Fedora stands there with an impatient look on his face. His knuckles hit the door again. There is nothing for me to do but let him in if I don’t want everyone on the floor disturbed. I switch on the lights and open the door.
“Dee, about time you answered the door. I was ready to get someone to open it for me. Wow, you look terrible,” Fedora says as he walks in, grabs my chin with one hand, and turns my face up to him.
“I'm fine,” I push his hand down. “I'm fine,” I repeat. “Just a bit sore.”
“What the hell happened to you? You are not fine. You are bruised, scraped up, and you have bandages on your hands.”
Fedora follows me to the small table and I sit in one of the chairs. There's a bottle of water on the table, I grab it and take a huge drink. Tee is greeting Fedora like a long-lost friend. Traitor.
I look at the clock in the room, as my watch is dead from the dig out. I'll have to have Mr. Frinklestein, the old watch repairman take a look at it when I get home. It's nine o'clock. Still an hour before Billy shows up.
I need to loosen up my muscles, so I put my shoes on and grab Tee and his leash. “Let's take Tee out for a walk and I'll tell you all about it. I may need your help on this one.”
“The independent DeeDee Watson, Private Investigator needs my help? I'm flattered.”
“Can the sarcasm Fedora. I don't have to involve you, in fact, I probably shouldn't. You might mess up that fancy hat of yours.”
I'm in no mood for the man's attitude. I didn't ask him to come here. I look over at him; he has his trademark fedora firmly on his handsome head. Dark blue and black plaids with a black ribbon trim. I wonder if he has a closet dedicated to just his hats? The thought makes me give a small snort of laughter.
“What's so funny, Watson?”
“Do you want to hear what happened or don't you?” I steer the conversation past the thought of a hat closet.
I head out towards the park that Tee and I visited the first day we were here. Seems like a year ago. Fedora matches my stride. I let Tee investigate the bushes and trees while I fill Fedora in on what has occurred
since Angela called my office. I keep it brief and try to gloss over the hole in the ground incident. I came out alive, that is all that matters to me. Plus, I know Fedora would get all prissy about it. After telling the tale twice now, once to Billy, now to Fedora, I was tired of repeating it.
I whistle for Tee. It's time to head back to the hotel, as Billy should be there soon. I clip the leash back onto Tee's collar and start walking back to the hotel. Fedora has been too quiet, makes me wonder what he’s thinking. I didn’t have long to wait to find out.
“It's easy to forget just how dangerous your career choice is sometimes, Dee.”
I shrug my shoulders and keep walking. “I can take care of myself.”
“I don't know why you won't get your gun license and carry one on you.” I can see Fedora is set to open up our old argument of me refusing to carry a gun. I'm just about to tell him to mind his own business when I hear my name.
“Dee! Thank god, I've found you.” It was Billy; he skids to a stop in front of us. He's upset and out of breath.
“You have to come now, Dee! I found Angela, but she might not be alive for long if you don't come now.”
“Billy. Take a second and catch your breath,” I tell him as he sucks in great gulps of air.
“You have to come now, Dee!” He repeats himself. Anyone can see the kid is upset.
“Tell me what you saw, Billy.”
“I staked out Tony's house like you asked. Spotted the guy that took Angela. A couple of other guys are with him. They are tearing the place apart.”
“Did you see Angela?”
“I didn't see her, no, but she must be there because I overheard them saying it was time to finish things up since she didn't know where the deed was. The big guy, he seems to be the boss, said they would wait until daylight, and then take a ride out to the Wenner place.”
I stop walking and stare at Billy, “Did they say what they are going to do there?” I had a sinking feeling in my gut.
“They said they would finish what they started there.” Billy looks at me and I can’t tell whether he’s scared or excited to be in on the action. “I think they mean to kill your friend Angela, that’s what it sounded like to me.”
It’s time to make some fast plans. I have to save Angela. We can't go to Tony's and just bust in, that would just get Angela and probably the rest of us, killed. I'm thinking fast as the three of us walk to the Hilton. The best place to surprise them is at the Wenner estate. They think I'm dead or close enough to it, so they won't expect me to be out of the hole and waiting for them. Plus, less chance of innocent bystanders getting hurt, as it will be just them and us.
“Billy, you go back to Tony's and keep an eye out on them. Call me on my cell when they leave or if you see Angela.” I tell Billy my phone number and he programs it into his cell.
“Don't do anything but watch.” Billy starts to protest and I shut him off. “These are dangerous men, Billy. I don't want you hurt. If you can't follow my directions, say so now and you can go home.” I give Billy my sternest stare. I won’t have his death on my conscience if I can help it.
“I'll follow your instructions,” he promises. Billy gives me a thumb up and takes off running back to Tony's place.
I turn to Fedora, “I need your help, Fedora. You don't have to, as it could be dangerous.”
“Why not just call the cops and tell them what's going on, Dee? That's what they are trained for, that's their job.”
“We don't have time for the cops. The tons of paperwork, the millions of questions, it would take too long. Also, they probably wouldn't do anything as I have no proof.”
“You got proof. You got yourself. Look at you. You're bruised and your hands are torn up.”
“That's not proof of anything. You know that. If you won't help, then stay out of my way. I have things to do.” I have to admit to myself, I'm disappointed in the man. Going to the cops will take time, too much time. Time that Angela doesn't have.
“I never said I wouldn't help. What do you need from me?”
“I need you to drive Angela's SUV to the Wenner Estate. I want everything to look like it was before I escaped. I don't want these guys to know I'm alive. Not yet anyway.”
I don't let him know all my plans just yet. Hell, I don't even know all my plans yet. I walk fast through the hotel. Fedora follows me into the elevator. I push the button to the fourth floor. A wave of relief surprises me when Fedora agrees to help. I'll have to examine that later, as I don’t want to look too closely at what it means right now.
“Where is your room?” I ask Fedora.
“It’s next door to yours,” he says as he walks by me to the door next to mine.
“Meet me in my room in ten minutes. Then we'll head to the Wenner place,” I tell him as I shove my door open and walk inside.
My head is full of ideas as I gather Tee's satchel and put a few things from my Harley's saddlebags in the outside pockets. I add a couple of bottles of water too. I'm confident I can get the drop on the men that are holding Angela. They won't be expecting me to show up. That will work in my favor.
A few minutes later, I hear a short knock on my door and I open it to Fedora. He gets extra points for being on time. I notice he took the time to change out of the suit he had on earlier to jeans and t-shirt. The man looks good in anything. I also notice he has no fedora on, I almost miss it. I'm ready to go. I grab the satchel and put Tee inside.
Fedora cocks one eyebrow at us, “Don't you think it would be better if the dog stayed here?”
“Nope, he's going to help,” I state as I close my door and start to walk down the hallway.
“Help? How's he going to help?” Fedora asks as he punches the button for the lobby floor.
“You'll see.”
We reach the lobby where Mr. Haughty is at his post behind the check-in counter. He looks over at us and frowns. I don't think I'm one of his favorite people. I'm heartbroken. Fedora and I reach the parking lot where I left Angela's SUV. I reach in my jeans pocket for the keys when I hear my name being called for the second time that night.
Billy. What is he doing here again? Something happen?
“What's wrong?” I ask him as he runs up to me.
The young man looks serious and says, “I'm going with you guys. You might need my help.”
“You are supposed to be keeping an eye on those guys. Get your ass back there or go home. I have no time for foolish young men who think this is some kind of video game.”
“Dee, please! I can help. I have my best friend watching them. He'll call me when they leave or if something else happens. You can trust him.”
“You involved someone else? What if he gets caught? What if he gets hurt?” I'm angry with the kid; I thought he knew better than this.
“I explained everything that was going on. Also, he was with me earlier while I was watching them. He's cool. He won't be caught. He’s smart and fast,” Billy pleads with me. “Let me come with and help, Dee. I know you have something planned for these guys.”
I look at Billy. He's eager to help. I know the kid is smart and apparently resourceful. I make a quick decision. I hope I don't regret it. I hand Angela's keys to Fedora.
“Take Billy with you and follow me. We'll need some time to set things up at the Wenner place. Let's get moving.”
Billy lets out a whoop and punches the air above his head with his fist. Fedora frowns. I cut him off before he can even open his mouth.
“Billy can help. With what I want to do the chances of his getting hurt are minimal.” I turn around and walk toward my bike, “I'll take Tee and the bike, you guys follow me. Let's move.”
I put my helmet on and ignore Fedora's mutterings. I just hope I'm right and no one gets hurt except the bad guys. I’m pretty sure my plans will work. Pretty sure is better than not sure in my book.
I swing my leg over the Harley and settle in. I put Tee's goggles on him and snap him in his satchel. I head out towards the Wenner Estate. It’
s time to teach these thugs a lesson in humility.
Chapter Nine
We arrive at the Wenner Estate under a full moon. I'm grateful for that, gives us lots of light to work by. I don't want flashlights shining or anything that will draw attention to us. I stop in front of the house with the SUV right behind me.
I walk back to the guys and Fedora rolls down the window. “Park just over there, that's where it was before. I want everything to look as much like it was when they were here so they don't suspect anything,” I point out where I want Fedora to move the vehicle.
Billy gets out of the SUV and stands next to me while Fedora parks it. I look around. Doesn’t look like anyone has been here since I was here this morning. Was it only this morning? A little shudder goes through my body at the thought of digging out of the hole. I shake it off.
“I'm going to hide my motorcycle behind that shed over there,” I gesture to the shed next to the house. “Once we have things in place, it's just a matter of waiting for them to show up.”
“What's the plan Dee? We can't just surprise them and then fight it out,” Fedora asks while his eyes take in the place.
“If my plans work out right, we won't have to fight them at all,” I tell him. “One thing, don't move around without watching where you are stepping. There are holes dug all over this place. So be careful.”
Both men lower their eyes to the ground.
“I'll show you where the hole is that I fell through and where I think they will take Angela. That’s where we need to set everything up. If we pull this off, Angela will be safe and the bad guys will be in the hole instead.”
“They will still have guns, Dee and we won't,” Fedora states.
“We don't need guns, Fedora. They will find their guns won't do them much good down there,” I tell him. Unless they run into a giant rat...or two. I smile at the thought.
Billy rejoins the conversation, “I just talked to David, my friend that’s watching Tony's place. They are still there. Not doing much from what he says.”
