by Mary Clay
Suddenly, I realized what he’d said. “We’re going to steal the tour boat from the Marine Center?” I asked.
“Borrow. Otherwise, we might be glowing tomorrow. Us and everyone in this area.”
Good point.
Carl spoke up. “I think our old Klingon assault would be the best distraction.” He scanned his friends. “We’ve practiced it a million times and have it down pat. It would scare the hell out of anyone except Todd and his Romulans. Scared them the first few times. Vulture’s never seen it!”
“What is the Klingon assault?” Bobby asked.
“We swoop down on dirt bikes, shouting Klingon battle cries with paintballs flying and lasers flashing.”
“That might do it,” Saul allowed. “But, how do you get dirt bikes to the site?”
Bobby sat thinking. “I believe it could work. The bikes will fit on the pontoon. We’ll take the boat down the Inland Waterway while Saul and Roger come in from the ocean side in the Bird of Prey. We barge in with a lot of hoopla, Vulture and his thugs are distracted, then Saul and Roger take out the missile. Meanwhile, we rescue Penny Sue and Rich. Yeah.” He glanced at his two old friends, who nodded. Bobby rubbed his hands together. “We have a lot to do. In order to be in place before the launch, we have to shove off on the pontoon no later than midnight. The earlier, the better. I don’t want to wait until the last minute. Besides, every second we waste is a stroke against Penny Sue.” Bobby turned to Carl. “How soon can you and your buddies get the bikes and stuff together? By the way, if anyone has Kevlar, this is the time to pull it out. Hopefully, we’ll surprise Vulture and they won’t have time to get off a shot. Still, better safe than sorry.”
“We have some Kevlar. We’ll wear what we have.”
The Klingons left to get their dirt bikes and battle paraphernalia.
Roger went downstairs to help Carl put the Bird into the water, while Saul and Bobby lingered at the table. Fran and Ruthie had finished loading the dishwater when the phone started to ring. The first call was from Ted.
“Ted,” I said. Bobby shook his head vigorously, a clear sign that I should not say anything about our plans. I nodded agreement, though I didn’t like keeping secrets from Ted. “The worst thing has happened—Vulture’s kidnapped Penny Sue.”
“What?”
“We went to the cole slaw wrestling; she and Red had words. The next thing we know, she was dragged off by Vulture and his goons.” I choked up again, remembering the horrible scene.
“My God. You’ve reported it, right?”
“We called everyone and Ruthie filed a report with Volusia County.”
“I’m working a shift up here in Daytona. I wish there was something I could do.”
I stared at my feet. “I know. I guess there’s nothing any of us can do, but wait.” I hated to deceive him. I also cringed at the fallout when Ted found out about tonight’s escapade, which he surely would. If the Space Center security nabbed us, Ted might be visiting me in a Federal prison.
My phone clicked, indicating someone was trying to get through. I checked the display, it was Zack. “I have another call coming in—Zack. I asked him to personally tell Judge Parker about Penny Sue.”
“Take the call, I understand. As soon as my shift’s over, I’ll see what I can find out. Be careful. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Okay,” I said faintly. Under other circumstances I’d be insulted by his last remark. Unfortunately, he was right. We were about to do something very stupid.
I clicked off, but not in time to catch Zack’s call. Fran’s phone rang a moment later. She handed it to me, whispering, “Judge Warren Parker.” Bobby’s head shaking and hand waving went into high gear. I nodded again.
“Judge, I’m so sorry to give you this horrible news. We’ve contacted city and county authorities.”
“How did this happen?” he asked somberly. “Zack said the kidnapper may be someone I’ve locked up. Is that true? Who is this man?”
I took a deep breath. “A group of us went to a Bike Week event this afternoon—cole slaw wrestling.”
“Did I hear you correctly? Cole slaw wrestling?”
“Yes, sir. It’s very famous—like mud wrestling, only women wrestle in a pit of cole slaw,” I babbled nervously.
“You’re kidding.”
“No sir. It’s the highlight of Bike Week, which is the reason we went.” No need to mention Penny Sue being dumped by Rich. “Anyway, we ran into a rough character called Vulture. Penny Sue’s name was mentioned, and he flew off the handle, wanting to know if she was Penny Sue Parker from Roswell, Georgia. Penny Sue’s always said she had to be careful, that she was a target for criminals you’d convicted. Anyway, this guy and his gang whisked her away.”
“You’re telling me Penny Sue was kidnapped in broad daylight, and no one did a thing?”
I felt like a dirty dog. No, a dirty dog gave me too much credit. I was low, lower than pond scum. I’d let my friend be kidnapped and didn’t do anything but fumble with my cell phone. Fran, who barely knew Penny Sue, showed more gumption that I did. “Judge, I’m so sorry,” I started to sniffle.
“Becky Leigh, I don’t blame you. I know you and Ruthie couldn’t take on a gang of bikers.”
Yeah, because we were shit. Chicken shit.
“What can you tell me about this man called Vulture? I’m going to make some phone calls.”
I swallowed a sob. “He’s well known in this area, even by law enforcement. Rumored to be the head of an anti-government cult. Some people say he’s crazy. Sir, that’s all I know.”
“This man came up to my daughter out of the clear blue?”
“Penny Sue had some words with his girlfriend. But, it wasn’t Penny Sue’s fault. She was minding her own business when Vulture’s girlfriend came up and accosted her.”
“Becky Leigh, I’ve been a judge for a long time and I know when someone isn’t telling the whole truth. I need to know everything if we’re going to find Penny Sue.”
My chest started to heave. He was right, of course. Bobby’s plan was half-baked. Maybe the judge could call out the FBI, National Guard, or something. Anything.
I swear, Bobby must have read my thoughts, because he flew into my face, shaking his head. I waved him off. Okay, I wouldn’t tell the judge what we were going to do, but I’d tell him the rest of the sordid tale, including the potshots at Penny Sue’s car.
I told Judge Parker about Rich’s dumping Penny Sue, the body found behind her car, the potshots at her license plate, the run-in with Red at the Pub—all of it. He seemed to take it well, though, he’d probably perfected a deadpan bearing in his years of judging. Gawd, I hoped Zack was still there, in case the judge’s calm demeanor was only a front.
“Is Zack with you by any chance? I missed a call from him on my cell phone.”
“No, he went home.”
“Are you doing all right with this?”
“As well as any man can do when his only daughter’s been kidnapped by thugs.”
A big tear streaked down my cheek. That shit Zack went home and left you alone. Pond scum. He was pond scum, just like me.
* * *
Chapter 17
By eight-thirty everyone had assembled in Fran’s driveway and was ready to go. Todd, Saul, and Roger had already left in the Bird of Prey. Although the Bird was faster than the pontoon boat when using its gas power, it crept along on battery power. It also needed to be in place ahead of us to pinpoint the gang’s location.
We decided to take several cars to the Marine Conservation Center to avoid suspicion. Bobby and the Klingons with dirt bikes went ahead to load them onto the pontoon. We were riding with Carl and Thomas, who’d loaded a computer, other sundry electronic devices, along with paintball guns into the trunk of the Jaguar. Fran, Ruthie, and I had settled in the back seat and Carl was backing out of the garage when Ruthie remembered the Taser. She flew from the car to fetch it at the very moment a gray sedan pulled into the driveway.
“It’s Woody, the State Prosecutor, and his detective friend,” I shrieked.
Fran pushed me out of the car door that Ruthie had left open and dived after me. Before I knew what had happened, she’d slammed the door and was waving to Carl and Thomas. “Bye, boys. Have a good game.” She held her thumb up. “Victory, this time, right?”
Carl got the hint. As the gray car stopped, Carl inched by it and backed down the driveway.
Frannie struck her fist to her chest and yelled, “Qaplá!” at the very moment Ruthie raced into the garage with the Taser. Ruthie took one look at Woody, who was now getting out of the car, and stashed the weapon in the dumbwaiter.
“Hello,” Fran said, still waving as the Jaguar reached the street and sped off. “That’s my son. He’s a Klingon. They’re fighting the Battle of Khitomer tonight, and this time they’re going to win.”
Detective Jones eyed the Beach Bike and Scooter truck parked beside Carl’s workshop. “Saul Hirsch plays these games?”
“Oh, yes, he’s a Romulan.” She extended her hand. “I’m Frances Annina, what can I do for you?”
Caught off guard by the unusual exchange, Woody stuttered, “R-robert Woodhead. Detective Jones and I are here about Penny Sue Parker. We understand she’s missing.”
Fran hugged him fiercely. “We’re so happy you’ve come. We’re sick to death about Penny Sue. Have you found her?” Woody tried to disengage himself from Fran’s grip, but she held tight. “She was snatched away by a horrid gang right before our eyes. It was terrible, just terrible.”
Woody finally managed to push her away. “I’m sure it was. We’ll get to the bottom of it.”
Fran winked at me. “Yes, there’s not a minute to lose. Penny Sue’s probably being tortured or ...” she buried her face in her hands, “worse.”
“That’s why we’re here, Mrs. Annina. We’ve talked with Judge Parker and need to ask you a few questions.”
“Come in,” she waved them up the front steps and, as their backs were turned, gave Ruthie a hand sign to put the garage doors down. She led them into the kitchen. “Can I get you something?” Fran snapped Rich’s laptop shut and casually handed it to me. I stuffed it in a cabinet in the great room.
“That son of mine,” Fran ran on without missing a beat. “Thirty years old and still leaves his stuff laying all over the house. Now, what can I get you? Coffee? A soft drink?”
“Water would be fine, ma’am. We only need to ask you a few questions.”
I must say that this meeting with Woody and Detective Jones was far more civil than the last. Of course, much of the former hostility was because Penny Sue had kept them waiting for over an hour, declaring it was socially unacceptable for civilized people to call so early in the morning. The fact that Woody had obviously talked with Judge Parker didn’t hurt either.
The two men asked the standard questions, we told them the truth, though we were careful to skirt the issue of Bobby and the Atlas V. I wondered about keeping the secret, but quickly decided we should. With the chaos of Bike Week, I put more faith in Carl and Bobby at that moment. I, also, suspected Woody’s visit was basically a courtesy call to assuage the judge and Woody’s superiors.
Woody and Detective Jones thanked us and left with promises to keep us informed of any development.
Fran closed the door behind them and her polite smile dissolved. “Of all the luck, now we’re left on the sidelines.” She patted her bike belt. “I was ready, too.”
“Maybe we can still help. Let’s look through the emails on Rich’s laptop—perhaps there are more clues.” I fetched the computer. Ruthie, our computer expert, fired it up and started scrolling through the files. She hadn’t gone far when the phone rang. It was Judge Parker again.
“Judge, the state prosecutor and detective left minutes ago. They’re on the case and taking this very seriously,” I told him.
“I’m sure they are.” The unspoken fact was that the Florida Attorney General was probably in the loop, now. “Leigh, I need to know what Vulture said to Penny Sue. His real name is Curtis Hall. I’ve had my clerks check. I’ve never been involved in any case with a Curtis Hall. It doesn’t seem like the kidnapping was a vendetta against me.”
If that wasn’t it, what was? “Excuse me a moment, sir. Frances Annina and Ruthie are here with me.” I put my hand over the mouthpiece on the phone. “Vulture’s name is Curtis Hall and has no connection to the judge! What, exactly, did he say to Penny Sue?”
“He called her a meddlesome bitch,” Frannie said. “I remember thinking how coarse he was.”
Ruthie piped in, “Before that he asked if she was Penny Sue Parker, the busybody from Roswell, Georgia.”
“That’s the way I remember it.” I relayed the information to the judge.
“Hmph, busybody, meddlesome bitch,” Judge Parker repeated. “This is personal to Penny Sue. Can you think of any enemies she’s made in New Smyrna Beach?”
Aside from Shrewella, the backdoor neighbor, I couldn’t think of anyone who had it in for her that wasn’t already in jail. Surely, prim and proper Sarah/Shrewella was not connected to Vulture. “I can’t think of a soul. Penny Sue is a kind person. She loses her temper on occasion,”—and her hormones are completely out of kilter—”but, she’s not one to make enemies.”
“Think about it, Becky Leigh. The link to Vulture may be the key to finding her.” He hung up.
I frowned and tapped my fingers on the table. “How could Penny Sue possibly be connected to Vulture? He called her a busybody, implying she’d stuck her nose into something that was none of her business. What could that be?”
“He knew she was from Roswell. Rich has to be the connection. Maybe their love affair was interfering with a deal between Vulture and Rich.”
I chewed by bottom lip, thinking. “That doesn’t seem like enough justification to kidnap someone. Vulture was angry, as if she’d taken something away from him. Something important.”
“If the guy is psychotic like Carl suspects, it may all be imagined,” Ruthie said. “Like John Nash in the movie, A Beautiful Mind. He imagined all that stuff about working for the government.” Ruthie went back to searching Rich’s emails for key words and phrases like stinger, missile, atlas, shoot, and came up empty handed. Fran and I hovered over her shoulder. “No luck,” Ruthie said dejectedly.
“I think you need to be more obscure. Rich wouldn’t come right out and say what Vulture was planning to do, even if it was encrypted. How might he refer to a Stinger missile?”
“A bee, wasp, scorpion,” Frannie offered.
“Good.” Ruthie typed the words into the search engine. “What about Atlas? He was a Greek god, a Titan that held up the world.”
“I think of Charles Atlas. He was Italian, you know,” Frannie said. “His real name was Angelo Siciliano. He was the ninety-seven pound weakling who became a bodybuilder after a bully kicked sand in his face.”
“That’s good. Ruthie, put in bodybuilder, strong man, muscle man.”
She typed the words in and one by one began searching the documents. She’d gone through about a dozen when a faint chirp sounded. We all went for the cell phones stowed in our bike belts. It was Fran’s phone that was ringing.
“Hello?” Her eyes narrowed with intense concentration. “Hello?” She held it out for me to listen. I heard a gurgling sound like someone clearing her throat. I could almost see the light bulb go off in Frannie’s head. She snatched it from me and checked the tiny phone’s display. Tilting her head back, she finally found the mute button. “This is Carl’s new phone number, the one he gave to Penny Sue!” She handed me the cell. “Keep it on mute. We don’t want to tip her hand. I’ll call Carl.”
Fran rushed to the telephone on the kitchen counter and dialed. “Carl, Penny Sue has called on your cell phone. She must be gagged and can’t talk, but we can hear shuffling noises.”
“Is she still on the line?” he asked excitedly.
“Yes. We’ve got it on mute.”
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br /> “Keep the line open. There’s GPS on that phone. I’ll call you right back.”
Fran put the handset in its cradle and clapped her hands. “We’ve found her and she’s alive! Carl will locate her with GPS and the boys can probably rescue her right away.”
My throat seized, and I started to cry, only this time tears of joy. Keeping one ear on the cell, I glanced at Ruthie who was hunched over the computer, oblivious to the news. “Ruthie, didn’t you hear? We’ve found Penny Sue.”
Her face ashen, she glanced sidelong. “I’ve found it, too.” She pointed to the screen. “This email was in the draft folder and probably never sent. ‘The big guy should expect the delivery of honeybees on Thursday morning.’ Vulture really is planning to shoot down the Atlas rocket!”
My hand flew to my throat. “Omagod, if they’re successful, it will pollute the East Coast with radioactivity.”
The phone rang, we all jumped. It was Carl. “Mom, we’ve located Penny Sue, but she’s not where we thought. It looks like she’s close to the entrance of the tunnel on Klondike Beach, not far from where Saul found the smashed transponder. They must have circled back. I’ll contact Todd and have them alter their course.”
“No, son, you can’t.” Fran heaved a big sigh. “Ruthie found a draft email on Rich’s computer. Vulture truly wants to shoot down the Atlas. The email was probably never sent, so it’s up to you. You’ve got stop them. Penny Sue will have to wait.”
“Mom?”
“It has to be this way.” Fran motioned to my cell phone. “Take down Leigh’s cellular number. Mine is tied up with Penny Sue.”
As she gave him the number, I had an idea. I waved and whispered, “Put him on mute.”
“Hold on a minute, I think Leigh has more information.” She punched the button to block our conversation.
“Get Todd’s cell number.”
Fran’s brow furrowed with confusion. “Why?”
“Saul’s truck. Maybe there’s something in there that will help us rescue Penny Sue and Rich.”
