“Yes, I remember that too. Didn’t Dana say something that upset him? ”
“There ya’ go, she sure did. It was right in the middle of her interview and here’s the interestin’ part. It happened right after she nailed him on his background, kinda sayin’ he wasn’t bein’ truthful to his fans ‘bout his past. Mind you, she made it sound like he was some sorta hero from the ghetto, but like Vinny said, the guy had egg all over his face.”
DeeDee chipped in. “Yes, it was all over the papers the next day, and I remember that the cameraman he pushed fell and broke his ankle. They canceled Four Kids and a Dad after that, which was a shame. I loved that show.”
“Ima definitely gonna put him on the list. I’ll handle him.” Al wrote down the name, Jerry McGee, before noticing that DeeDee was getting up from the table where they were sitting.
“Al, sorry, but I’m exhausted. It’s been a rough day, and I need to get some sleep.”
“You go right ahead. I’ll take the dogs out for a walk.”
“Thanks, Al. I can tell Balto’s pleased you’re here. I think he misses Jake.”
Al watched DeeDee’s face tighten as she mentioned Jake’s name. Not wanting to dwell on it further, he swiftly changed the subject. “Listen up. Don’t wantcha goin’ anywhere without me, and I wantcha to have yer’ piece with ya’ all the time.” He nodded toward the gun sitting on the table. “Got it? Stay inside and keep away from the windows.” Al rose and walked with Balto to the kitchen door. “We’ll go out this way and get Red. I’ll take the back door key, and the front’s already locked.”
“Thanks Al, goodnight.” DeeDee picked up the gun before going out into the hallway and turning to climb the stairs.
By the time Al returned, it was after midnight. He spent some time checking to make sure the house was secure, before going to his room where he called Jake in a quiet voice .
“Yo. Ima here.”
“Hi, Al. Welcome to Bainbridge Island. Everything go okay on your trip over?”
“Yeah, fine. I’m at DeeDee’s and we jes’ went through the guest list. She and I are gonna pay a visit to a coupla people, but I’d like yer’ man Rob to do a little research fer me. Need everythin’ you can find out ‘bout a guy named Jerry McGee, and I’d like it ASAP. I’ll call ya’ to get it, cuz I don’t want DeeDee to know us two are talkin’.”
“No problem. I’ll call Rob first thing in the morning. Isn’t that the guy that walked out of his interview with Dana Donnelly when they were on live TV? I remember something about that.”
“That’s the one.” Al’s gruff tones were a low mumble. “I’m with DeeDee pretty much 24/7, and she has her gun with her. Think she’s fine fer now. Don’tcha worry none. We’ll get this wrapped up and then you and DeeDee can take another crack at being an item of yer’ own. How does that grab ya’?”
Al heard a sigh at the other end of the line before Jake responded. “Not going to happen, man. I’ve seen her streak of stubbornness a couple of times over the last six months, but I never thought it would be directed towards me. Once DeeDee gets something in her head, that’s it.”
“Well, Jake, one thing I’ve learned in all these years, ain’t nobody perfect.” The bed sagged as Al laid down on it and made himself comfortable, still fully clothed, including the night vision sunglasses he’d worn on his midnight stroll with Red and Balto. “Sometimes ya’ gotta take the bad with the good, particularly when the bad is jes’ a small part. Think Vinny woulda taken that bad if he was still around,” Al said. He wasn’t sure if Jake would pick up on him referring to the fact that Vinny had been very taken with DeeDee and was hoping to develop a relationship with her.
Apparently, Jake was on the ball. “I’m sorry what happened to Vinny. I’m not sure about my chances of winning DeeDee’s heart if he’d been actively involved. Not that it matters now.”
The bedroom door creaked, the slit of light from the landing widening as Balto padded into the room and jumped onto the bed beside Al. “Ain’t gonna give my thoughts on that one. Talk to ya’ in the morning.”
CHAPTER 11
Al woke the next morning to the sound of pans crashing in the kitchen, and a giant, sopping wet tongue licking his face. He opened his eyes and tried to figure out where he was. Instead of bright sunlight straining through the windows of his home in the Cayman Islands, his view was of a spectacular cloud formation hovering over Puget Sound, and slowly his muddled brain began to click into gear.
“Balto, what the…” Al jumped up, grabbed his revolver from the bedside table, and rushed down the stairs to rescue DeeDee from whoever was attacking her. There were no screams, but judging by the commotion, she was putting up a good fight.
“Freeze or I’ll shoot,” he yelled, kicking the kitchen door open with his foot and hurtling inside, ready to pounce on the would-be attacker. Instead he found DeeDee, dressed in a robe and fluffy slippers, facing him with both of her hands held up in the air. Every available surface area in the kitchen was covered with food or cooking utensils, including the floor.
“Where are they?” Al growled, swinging his gun around the room. “Are ya’ all right, DeeDee?”
Balto had rushed into the room behind him, and started sniffing near the stove. DeeDee’s face was white with shock, or possibly, flour. A wooden kitchen spoon hovering over her head appeared to be dripping some sort of sauce.
Al reassessed the situation, and his body started to shake. Great, heaving roars of laughter rang through the house, and both DeeDee and Balto looked at him with amusement.
DeeDee lowered her arms and set the spoon in the sink. “I thought you were going to kill me,” she said, when his roars subsided. At this point, Al was doubled over, holding his rather large stomach.
“And I thought ya’ was bein’ attacked,” Al gasped with a snort, straightening up and wiping his brow. “I mean, look at this place.” He pointed at the open cabinets, their contents strewn everywhere.
DeeDee followed his gaze. “Oh.” A glimmer of a smile appeared on her face. “I see what you mean. Sorry if I was being noisy. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just thought I’d clear out some cupboards, and then I had the idea to make a couple of pies. You know how it is.”
Al’s eyes crinkled. “Not sure as I do. But so long as yer’ safe, that’s fine by me. Carry on, and I’ll get out of yer’ way.”
He turned to leave, but DeeDee called him back. “Thanks for checking on me, Al. That’s really thoughtful. I was just going to clean up and then make some breakfast. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great, thanks,” Al said dubiously. He wasn’t sure how DeeDee was going to clean up a mess of the magnitude in front of him short of lunchtime, but he knew better than to argue with a woman who had a large wooden kitchen spoon in her hand. When he was a little boy, his mother had left a wooden spoon at the bottom of the stairs, and any of her children who stirred after bedtime felt its sting on the back of their legs. It wasn’t an experience Al was fond of remembering. “I’ll get the paper, and leave ya’ to it.”
Al walked down the hall, followed by Balto. When he opened the front door, Balto ran out to get the paper from the porch. Something caught Al’s eye that caused him to turn around and make sure DeeDee was still at the back of the house in the kitchen, before he closed the door behind him and walked down the steps to where DeeDee’s SUV was parked in the driveway. Reaching for the handkerchief in the pocket of his pajamas, he used it to carefully lift the note that had been slipped underneath the windshield wiper. It was something he’d learned early on from his days with the Mob. Never leave a fingerprint on anything. For that reason, he carried a clean handkerchief at all times.
The note read, “Just a reminder to keep your mouth shut. Death is not pretty. Remember that.”
Al folded the note inside the handkerchief and put both of them in his pocket before going back inside. There was no point worrying DeeDee about a little matter like another death threat. Al had been expecting it, and would hav
e been surprised if there hadn’t been another one, and possibly more still to come. DeeDee, on the other hand, might not be so calm about it.
“DeeDee,” he shouted down the hallway. “Ya’ probably better call and see if Mickey Donnelly is gonna be in his office this mornin’. Given that his wife died, he may be takin’ some time off. Ima gonna’ get dressed and be back down in a little while.”
DeeDee’s head appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Good point. I’ll call at nine. The office may not open until then. Oh, and Al?”
He grinned. “That’s my name.”
“Don’t be long. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said, giving her a mock salute.
Al was astounded when he entered the pristine kitchen, showered and dressed, thirty minutes later. The table was set with a floral tablecloth and white china, and laid out on it were a variety of breads, toast, and small jars of jams and marmalade. Assorted boxes of cereal and a jar of homemade granola flanked a bowl of fresh fruit and a jug of what looked like freshly squeezed orange juice. To top it off, the smell of bacon coming from the stove along with the eggs and tomatoes sizzling in the pan indicated the feast that was about to follow would satisfy any appetite, even one as healthy as Al’s.
Al poured two cups of tea from the tarnished silver teapot in the center of the table, and wondered where to begin. If every meal was like this at DeeDee’s, Al’s commiserations went out to Jake more than ever. Losing a girlfriend the guy was crazy about was bad enough, but losing a girlfriend who could cook like this was nothing short of a disaster.
When they’d finished breakfast, Al sat back while DeeDee made the phone call to Mickey Donnelly’s office. She put the call on speakerphone so Al could hear what was said.
“Hello,” DeeDee said in her best telephone voice. “May I please speak to Mickey Donnelly?”
“Just one moment. I’ll see if he’s available. May I tell him who’s calling?” asked the young woman on the other end of the line.
“Tell him it’s DeeDee Wilson. I’m the one who catered his New Year’s Eve party.”
“Thank you, Ms. Wilson. Just one moment.”
The sound of music came over the line. Al closed his eyes, and after a few seconds, the music stopped and a male voice came on the line. “Hello, DeeDee, this is Mickey. I imagine you want the rest of your fee.”
“Mr. Donnelly, I’m only calling because you asked me to stop by your office and pick it up today.”
Al opened one eye, and saw DeeDee shift uncomfortably in her chair.
“Given what’s happened, I wasn’t sure if you’d be in your office today,” DeeDee went on. “If you’d prefer, I can come to your home at a time that would be convenient for you.”
Al shook his head. He reached across the table and wrote something on the pad of paper that was sitting there from the previous evening, holding it up for DeeDee to read. It said “Better make it today.”
DeeDee’s eyes widened, and she nodded before continuing. “Although if there is any way you could see me today, that would be better for me.”
“I wasn’t planning on coming to the office today,” Mickey went on, “but I had to be here because of a couple of meetings I couldn’t cancel. Some people have flown in from out of state for them, and one’s an appointment I need to keep to honor Dana. I could see you at ten this morning. Do you have my address?”
“Yes, I’ll see you then.” DeeDee ended the call and looked over at Al.
“Good,” Al said, smiling at her. “That’s one down. Why don’tcha call that nail place and see if ya’ can get an appointment fer’ early this afternoon? I gotta coupla’ people I need to talk to, and I don’t want ya’ goin’ to Seattle by yerself’.”
“Sure,” DeeDee nodded, getting up. “I have the number in my purse. I’ll go get it and make the call now.” DeeDee walked into the hallway with the phone, and Al heard her make the call. A few minutes later she came back in the room. “I have an appointment with the owner herself, Nikki, at one this afternoon. She had a cancellation. I’ll be finished by 2:00. Is that okay?”
“Perfect. While yer’ gettin’ ready,” Al said, “Ima gonna’ see how Red’s doin’ and take him and my pal Balto here out for a walk.” Balto’s tail started wagging furiously when Al said the word “walk.” Al laughed at the dog’s antics. “We won’t go far, but ya; know the drill. Lock the doors, and…”
“Stay away from the windows. I got it, Al. ”
“Good. While I’m out I’ll make a coupla calls. When I get back, I’ll drive ya; to Donnelly’s place and wait fer ya’. I’m gonna drive yer’ car. Think you’ll be okay in there by yerself’. I’ll do the same with the nail joint.”
“Al, I appreciate what you’re doing for me, honestly, but don’t you think that’s a bit overkill?”
“Nope, and I don’t wanna hear no more about it.” Al slapped his leg for Balto to follow him. Not that there was much danger of Balto doing otherwise. Earlier, Al had trouble keeping Balto out of the bathroom when he was showering.
Al left by the back door that led into the yard, taking food and water for Red, and locking the door after him. After making sure Red had been taken care of, he pulled out his phone.
“Jake, it’s Al. Found another note under the windshield wiper this mornin’. Pretty much like the first one. Did ya’ find out anythin’ on that McGee guy?”
“Not yet,” Jake said. “Why don’t you call Rob directly? Save me from being the middle man. I don’t think DeeDee would be very happy if she knew I was at all involved.”
Al remembered DeeDee’s sadness the night before when she’d mentioned Jake’s name.
“Yer’ probably right. I’ve still got his number. DeeDee has an appointment with Dana’s husband, and she’s fixed to see the nail gal that does Sonia McNulty’s nails. Ima gonna make an appointment with Dino. Right after I take my canine friends fer a walk, that is. Catcha later.”
“Thanks Al, bye.”
Al walked around to the front of the house with Red and Balto in tow, and the three of them headed towards the path that led to the beach. He pulled his collar up against the strong breeze, and thought about the day ahead. He was glad Jake had suggested he call Rob directly, because there was something else he wanted to ask Rob. He wanted to find out more about a certain attractive lady by the name of Cassie Roberts.
CHAPTER 12
“This is it, right here,” DeeDee said, pointing to a commercial office building. Al screeched the SUV to a halt, DeeDee gripping the door handle. There was a thump from the back seat, followed by a yelp from Balto. “I think you just set a new record for going from 60 miles per hour to 0 in my car,” she commented before climbing out, knees knocking. “Ever considered the Monte Carlo Grand Prix?”
“Too slow for me,” Al replied with a lazy grin. “I’ll park across the street and be waitin’ fer ya’. Any trouble jes’ holler.” He adjusted his sunglasses and checked the rear-view mirror as he put the car in drive. DeeDee just had time to close the door before he sped off in the direction of a nearby parking space, accompanied by a squeal of tires, and the smell of burning rubber.
DeeDee looked from side to side as she approached the entrance of the building, paranoid in case she was being watched or followed. The street was quiet, apart from an elderly woman riding a mobility scooter in her direction. DeeDee quickened her pace toward the entrance, on the remote chance that the woman decided to turn kamikaze. There were a few characters on Bainbridge Island, but the woman didn't strike DeeDee as being one of them, although she was zipping along at a pretty fast pace.
Once she was safely inside the office building, DeeDee breathed a sigh of relief. The sight of a security guard on duty made her feel even better. Although she was happy not to be cooped up in the house like she had been the day before, she was uncomfortable feeling like she had to look over her shoulder everywhere she went.
The click of her heels echoed on the tile floor. “I’m here to see Mr. Do
nnelly,” she informed the receptionist. “My name’s DeeDee Wilson. I spoke with him earlier today.”
The receptionist smiled at her politely and directed her down the hall. “Mr. Donnelly’s room is on the right. Please, take a seat in the hallway outside his office. He’s with someone, but he shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Thank you,” DeeDee said as she headed down the hall toward the row of seats lined up against the wall. A sign with Mickey Donnelly’s name on the door indicated she was in the right place. Sitting down, she noticed the door was slightly ajar, and in an effort to be polite, she tried not to eavesdrop on the voices she could hear coming from within the room.
DeeDee began to play a computer game called Candy Crush on her phone, but soon the conversation between Mickey, whose voice she recognized, and another man, caused her to pause. They were talking about gambling addiction. The man speaking sounded like he was reciting a speech he’d given before.
“Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from their addiction to gambling. We’re here to help and support you, Mickey. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.”
“How much does it cost?” DeeDee heard Mickey ask. “Because I’ve just about blown through everything I’ve got. I’m barely hanging on by a financial thread, but whatever it takes, I’ve got to beat this thing. I made a promise to Dana, so I’ll get the money from somewhere.” DeeDee heard a hollow laugh. “I always managed to find the money for gambling, although stealing from my children’s piggy banks wasn’t one of my finer moments.”
DeeDee considered leaving without collecting Mickey’s share of her fee. What Dana had paid her more than covered it already. DeeDee wasn’t desperate for the money, but from what she’d just overheard, it seemed like Mickey was. If it weren’t for the fact she was scared of her own shadow while Dana’s killer was still on the loose, she would have left right then and there.
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