A Case of the Heart

by Beth Shriver

  Feeling Brenda’s newfound strength, Liz give up her carton as well. “You’re right. So what are we going to do with ourselves?”

  Brenda shrugged. “Same as we always do, I guess. Share ice cream, old movies and Saturday nights together until we’re old and gray.”

  Liz sighed. “Could be worse, I guess.”

  They sat in silence. Brenda stared at her carton of ice cream, and Liz sat twirling her hair.

  It could be worse, but it could definitely be better.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Shoulders slumped with his head down, Alex leaned forward across the table for a bowl of pretzels. Jake sat on a yellow vinyl chair next to him and set his drink on the table. The place was a dive, but they served a good burger and catered to the cops due to the fact that the station was a block away.

  Alex looked his way and almost smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were following me.”

  “Yeah, well lately I think you need a shadow.” Jake raised his glass. “Here’s to women. Can’t live with ‘em. And you, my friend, can’t live without ‘em, or should I say, her.”

  Alex neither raised his glass nor showed any enjoyment at Jake’s repartee. Finding no amusement in his present situation, he preferred to sulk privately. After work was a good time. He could let go of the pretenses and let himself feel the pain.

  Alex felt Jake quietly studying him but kept his attention on the nearest TV. He didn’t want to hear any more advice from his friend. It had been days since Alex and Liz had spoken to one another. Although Liz tried to call, Alex wouldn’t reciprocate, and try as he may, Jake couldn’t get him to budge. Alex even turned his cell phone off after hours now. Jake shrugged and turned to the TV as well.

  “I wish something would happen,” Alex said, more to himself than to Jake.

  Jake turned his head quickly to Alex with a perplexed look on his face. “With the game?”

  Alex kept his eyes forward but answered Jake. “No, with Liz.”

  Jake turned to him with enthusiasm. “Well, call her back.”

  Alex shook his head. “No, I mean on the job. It’s the only time she needed me.”

  “That’s not true, Alex. You were both scared, or just stubborn, so you used the situations at work to bring you together.”

  Raising his brows, Alex gave a small nod. Actually, he knew it was God that had brought them together, not their jobs or even the need to have a relationship. He needed someone like Liz to remind him how great God is and that He works everything for good. That He hurts when we do, and He wants us to come to Him, not fall away and take the burden alone.

  “You’re thinking of it all wrong. You’re the first guy she trusted again in how long, a year maybe?”

  Alex nodded again. “I tell you too much.” Alex forced a smile and slapped his friend on the back. “Thanks, Jake.”

  Jake looked at him in question. “For what?”

  He paused. “Just…thanks.”

  Alex got up and threw a few dollars down on the table to pay for his meal. He gave Jake a pat on the shoulder as his way of saying goodbye.

  Stepping out into the cool night air, Alex slipped his jacket on and put his hands in the pockets for warmth. He blew out a white cloud into the air and looked up at the distant mountains. The night was clear, defining the peaked silhouette against the moonlit sky.

  Alex felt their strength and was amazed in his Creator. His senses buzzed with his rekindling faith. He breathed in as the wind rushed past, cold but invigorating.

  “When I am weak, You are strong,” he whispered to God.

  He didn’t have Liz, but he had come back to his Heavenly Father.

  If that was her only purpose in his life, that was enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  As Liz walked into work, she decided she would call Alex and ask him to come over to talk, and she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Liz was figuring out a game plan, garnering her courage when the phone rang.

  “Liz, it’s John.”

  “How are the boys?”

  “They’re fine. But I just got a phone call, someone wanting to confirm who we are. They asked a lot of questions about us being foster parents. At first I thought it was about the license, but within a minute or two I knew better. But I’d already given them some information by then.”

  “What made you think it sounded suspicious?”

  “They didn’t ask about the kids, just confirmed that the boys were here and our location. They usually ask all those psychological questions about their adjustment and whatnot.”

  “It might not be anything, like you said. Maybe this time it was just different than past calls, but it’s good you told me. We should treat it as though it’s something, until we know it’s nothing. Have you called the police?” Her heart hammered but she didn’t want him to sense her anxiety. She tried to mentally calm her nerves.

  “No, I wanted to talk with you first.”

  “They wouldn’t do anything anyway unless something actually happened. I’ll call Alex and be over as soon as I can. Have the boys packed and ready to go in case we need to move them.”

  She asked John a few more questions about what information he gave. It didn’t sound like a routine call from Foster Care so Liz put in a call to check. They could still hope, but they would take all precautions. A caseworker was assigned to find another placement which would take a little time so Liz called Alex’s cell phone.

  He picked up after the first ring. The sound of Alex’s voice brought immediate comfort. She had hoped the next time they talked would be under different circumstances. Hopefully that would come later.

  “I just got a phone call from John.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It might be Pirelli.”

  “I bet he’s still catching some heat for that money.”

  “He can’t possibly think Scotty still has it.”

  “Scotty would still have the cash if the Bowies hadn’t found it. And if Pirelli’s getting enough pressure, he’ll come looking for it. It’s good John was savvy enough to call.”

  “I’m going over to pick up the boys and find another placement for them.”

  “Okay, but don’t go in without me. I won’t get there before you do, but stay put until I do.”

  She ran out to her car and drove to the Bowies’. She parked in front of their house and waited for Alex. Five minutes later, she got a call from Margie.

  “Where are you?”

  “Sitting in front of the Bowies’ house waiting for Alex.”

  “That’s probably a good idea with your track record. Who is this Pirelli character?”

  “A bad guy, Margie. And the last time I saw him, he wasn’t too happy with me.”

  “Then be extra careful. I’ll talk to you when this is over.”

  The house looked quiet, and she was tempted to get out and go to the door. But this guy really scared her, and if anything happened, Alex would never let her live it down.

  She decided to call Brenda while she was waiting. Liz had just picked up her phone to dial when the car jolted. Liz turned to see Pirelli peering in her window, his face flushed and his eyes were narrow slits. Liz quickly turned to push down the lock but didn’t reach it in time.

  He opened the door with a satisfied grin. Liz jerked away. “Stay away from me Pirelli. The cops will be here soon and you’re already in enough trouble.”

  He ignored her protests and grabbed her by the arm. “Come with me.” he ordered as he pulled Liz out of the car. “You’ll make another nice bargaining chip.”

  Liz regretted the inability to act on her first instinct to hit the guy where the self-defense instructors suggested but Pirelli had a vice grip on her that didn’t give her any choice but to be another one of his victims. Another part of her wanted to be there with those kids and keep them from harm anyway she could.

  He pushed her toward the house and banged on the door. His squared face was scarred with bad acne and
sweat dripped off his forehead even though the temperature was barely above freezing. He was tall and gangly, reminding her of the hooded figure she had seen in the parking lot. He had a firm grip on her arm, and his anger made him even stronger.

  Liz heard but couldn’t turn to see the squeal of car tires coming to a stop then a car door slam.

  Nancy opened the door and peered around. “Liz!”

  Pirelli pushed Liz inside, slamming the door just as Alex reached the first step. Alex hit the front door as Pirelli locked it behind him.

  “Pirelli!” Alex yelled, fury and frustration laced his voice.

  Liz had never heard Alex out of control on a call before.

  Pirelli growled a small chuckle and walked from room to room ransacking them one by one. She wished the money was still there so he could find it and this would be over.

  Liz gathered the children together with John and Nancy. “Is everyone okay? How long has Pirelli been here?”

  “Yes, just a little scared. He’s only been here a short time.” The boys looked at her with wide eyes as John answered for them. “He just wants his money. I’ve heard him on his cell phone. There’s someone making him very nervous.”

  “Alex is here which means there will be more cops coming soon. We just need to wait him out.” Liz paused and noticed the tension in Nancy’s face, but she was being strong and held back her fear. “Nancy, I’m sorry.”

  Nancy brushed away Liz’s apology with a wave of her hand. “He doesn’t seem to mean us any harm.” Nancy glanced down at the boys to see that they’d heard her for their reassurance. “He might be as scared as we are.”

  John looked at the boys and then to Liz. He moved closer to her so the boys couldn’t hear. “He says he has a gun, and I’m not going to call his bluff.”

  Liz didn’t want to put him to the test either. Whether he had a weapon or not, he was in a dangerous frame of mind. “Just try to stay out of sight as much as possible. I’ll try and keep Pirelli occupied.”

  Pirelli paced, looking outside and making phone calls. He spoke so quickly and softly Liz couldn’t make out what he was planning.

  John moved a step closer to Pirelli. “Believe me, we wouldn’t risk the safely of these boys if we had anything to give you that would get you to leave us here unharmed.” His voice cracked with anxiety.

  Pirelli walked up to Scotty. He bent down and stood nose to nose with him. Scotty gave him a blank stare, trying not to act scared, but Pirelli was scaring Liz so she knew Scotty had to feel the same way.

  “I’m gonna ask you one last time. Where is it?”

  “We told you, Officer Demas took it,” Scotty told him in an unwavering voice.

  Scotty’s glazed look was actually convincing, and Liz was impressed with his composure. She might not have done so well. Pirelli got to her in a big way. Harris and Sanders were emotional wrecks with dependencies, but Pirelli was dark and hollow inside. As if nothing he had to do would faze him, as long as he got what he came for.

  Pirelli snorted. “Demas.”

  He grabbed Scotty by the shirt, looking at him with those ghostly green eyes. “You’re full of it.” He yanked Scotty closer to him. “You think the cops would trade you for some coinage?”

  Scotty began to falter, and he looked toward Liz.

  Pirelli scoffed. “You’ve never been worth so much.”

  He abruptly let go of Scotty’s shirt and walked to the window. His phone rang. He scowled when he read the caller ID but took the call.

  Liz hated to think of what he was planning. She had to get Scotty some place safe.

  She touched his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  He was a few inches shorter than Liz, but after the way he stood his ground with Pirelli, he looked older than his twelve years.

  Scotty looked at her with confidence. “Yeah, I have God with me, remember?”

  She smiled and looked over at Pirelli. Scotty watched him too.

  “Go stand with John and Nancy on the other side of the room.”

  Scotty nodded and went to the others who sat at the far end of the room, huddled together on the couch.

  Pirelli kept his eye on them but was too preoccupied on the phone and didn’t seem to care, at least for the moment.

  She slowly sat down on a small couch by the front window, opened a curtain and peered out. Another police car had joined Alex’s. The officers stood together talking and looking up at the house. Alex went to his car and stared at the house, then walked back to the other patrol car.

  Pirelli noticed her interest with the goings-on outside and pushed Liz aside to see. “Where’s Demas?” His voice was raspy and low, and his eyes narrowed into slits.

  She didn’t answer and didn’t look at him.

  He moved in closer. “You and Demas thought you had me, didn’t you?” His mouth curled into a snake-like grin.

  She got up her nerve and drilled him with a dark gaze, prepared to connect with the cold and hollowness she found in them. “It’s not over yet.” That was bold, maybe too bold.

  He didn’t get angry like she feared, but got a kick out of it instead. He grunted and spit on the floor as he walked into the kitchen. The tinkling of glasses being knocked together and food thrown on a counter let her know he was distracted. She opened the curtain again and saw two cops behind their car doors, holding radios, and Alex with his cell phone.

  When the phone rang, Pirelli came strutting in. His presence brought out a fear in her that she couldn’t contain, and he knew it. She could tell by the sneer and crinkle in his eyes when he looked at her.

  Pirelli grabbed the phone. He grunted, then waited and mumbled Alex’s name. “Get it, and they walk. If not, I got all day.”

  He paused, listening. “I got nothing to lose here. I get slammed either way.”

  He listened again and then shouted angrily into the phone and cursed Alex’s name. He threw the phone over on the couch next to Liz. The negotiations were obviously not going well, which meant the cops would have to take some kind of action. She didn’t want to be consumed by fear, so she closed her eyes and prayed. She heard his footsteps but kept them closed.

  “Do you think your prayers are gonna help, sosh?” He shook his head and laughed. “God doesn’t care.”

  She opened her eyes and met his gaze. “Why do you feel that way?”

  He stared at her for a long time and then at the cops outside. They both knew they would end up hauling him off to jail, where he had been so many times before.

  “I figured that out real quick when my mom left. She got tired of getting beat by my dad.”

  “I’m sorry,” Liz said with true sympathy.

  “Yeah, me too, cuz then he started beating me.”

  Liz lowered her head. She couldn’t count how many times she’d heard similar stories. But it never stopped making her hurt, not even for Pirelli, a guy who caused grief for those around him because of his pain. But God teaches about hope and forgiveness. She lifted her head to face Pirelli.

  “God does care.” Liz’s voice was steady which surprised her.

  He turned to her and threw his hand down to his side and strutted over. He got in her face and stared right through her as he whispered, “Nobody cares.”

  Pirelli stood upright and wiped his stubbly mustache and beard with his thumb and forefinger. He turned to leave the room. “Don’t waste your breath, sosh.”

  “Oh, I’m not. I’m praying for you.” And she did, with all of her heart. She prayed for a man who was a drug dealer, thief, and holding her and four other innocent people hostage. She did it because Liz knew God cared just as much about Richard Pirelli as He did about her.

  He stopped, looked over his shoulder and stared at her. But it was different. His eyes didn’t feel as cold, and his face drained of hate, just for a moment.

  More time went by. It had been hours since she had been dragged into this nightmare. Liz looked over at the Bowies and the boys. Scotty and Jimmy sat close together, fear glimmer
ing in both their eyes. Liz wanted to reassure them everything would be okay, but felt so helpless.

  Pirelli was waiting for something. His cronies, or a deal that the cops weren’t agreeing to, or maybe he just liked having control. But the worst of it was, he was desperate.

  He kept busy talking on the phone with his partners in crime and keeping his eye on the cops outside while he continued to pace. He pretty much ignored his hostages, which Liz was grateful for. He looked at her a couple of times, giving her that crusty look to see if it still got a reaction. But since her prayer, it didn’t affect her the same way.

  The sound of police radios and a blur of loud voices caught her attention. She could hear Pirelli’s flip phone shut and the pound of footsteps as he came through the kitchen.

  “Get the others and go outside.” He motioned with his hand toward the door.

  “What’s going on?” Liz didn’t trust him, but his demeanor was different. Something had happened.

  “It’s either the drug lords or the cops.” Pirelli looked over her head, outside. “I’ll take my chances with the cops.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “You have no idea, sosh.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Jake drove up to the Bowies’ house, and Alex briefed him and two other patrolmen. Under Alex’s direction, they formed a perimeter around the house. Alex opened the door of his squad car for protection and took position when suddenly he saw the Bowie’s and Harris boys walk out of the house. Alarm prickled down his spine as Alex called out to the others.

  “They’re at the front door. Let’s move.” Where is Liz? God, let her be all right.

  “Go.” Jake replied. “I’m right behind you.”

  The pounding in his chest warned him to keep it together, to separate his emotions from the job he had before him. He maneuvered across the front of the house, moving slowly, listening and waiting. He rounded the corner of the porch, then walked up the steps to the house.

  Liz stood in the doorway. Her face was drawn with apprehension but softened when she saw him. He reached for her, and pulled her from the danger he felt sure was just inside the door behind her. When she was past the threshold, he coaxed her down the steps and directed her toward his car.