by Judy Kentrus
Susan looked at her sister, sitting in the corner between empty cardboard bread boxes. “A little, but we’re not worried. Uncle Pirate will be here soon.”
“He saved us the last time we were in trouble,” Vicky said.
“Yeah, but this time we weren’t looking for trouble, but we’re in trouble anyway. Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to be good,” Susan decided.
“I wish we had our walkie talkies,” Vicky said. She picked up a piece of bread and started tearing it into little pieces. “Do you think your mother will find our clues?”
“She’s really smart. It was a good thing we found that loaf of bread on the floor in the back seat. At least we were able to give some food to Cupcake and Muffin.”
“I’m glad they hopped on the seat and started pecking him in the neck.”
“When we get back, maybe we can go in the hot tub again.” Edie abruptly stopped. “Did you hear that?” she whispered. “Listen.” The three girls shared a conspiring smile.
Jessie had a hard time keeping up with the quacking ducks. When she saw the first breadcrumb, she thought it was just a coincidence, until she noticed the second and third. The girls had pulled a Little Red Riding Hood and left her a trail to follow, despite the ducks eating the clues. Her heart was pounding and she was sick with worry, but she had to appear calm for their sake. If she entered the basement with guns a-blazing, the girls could get hurt. It was mind boggling that Donatiello had it in for her. Why, she asked herself, over and over again. When the ducks stopped at the iron door that was ajar, she took numerous deep breaths and stepped into the secret room.
“Mommy!”
“Aunt Jessie!” The girls stood up, intending to rush to their rescuer, but halted when Donatiello ordered them to get back to the floor.
Jessie paled when he drew the Sig from his holster.
“But, Mommy!” Edie cried.
“Girls, stay where you are. Everything is fine.” She looked at Donatiello almost pleadingly. “I don’t know what I’ve ever done to you, but please let the girls go. I did what you asked and came alone. This is between us.”
“Put your gun on the floor and kick it against the wall.” He smiled when Jessie did as she was told. “Why should I let them go? That rich bastard you’re going to marry will pay a lot for his brat and you. Landis will also pay anything to see his daughters safe.”
“You’re right, but if you harm those girls in any way, Lincoln will hunt you down and you’ll wish you were dead. He’ll pay a lot of money for me alone. What I don’t understand is, what have I ever done to make you hate me this much?”
Donatiello threw the almost empty bottle against the wall and it shattered into thousands of pieces. “You ruined everything! My step-brother married you to keep you in line, but that plan fell through. We had a nice operation going in New York, and it helped that I had lots of connections in Rikers. When you didn’t die, I cut my ties before I got caught. Thornton and his bodegas were part of our New York operation. I contacted him and he filled me in on the opening at the Laurel Heights Police Department. Two years ago, Andy told me about the new deal with Thornton, using smuggled liquor in NY, PA, Ohio, and Michigan. Price found out, but he got greedy. That pansy mayor started giving Thornton a hard time about the liquor licenses. He was paying me five big ones a month to keep my mouth shut about his fetish for female underwear. I was pretty smart and put all my money in an account with my great grandmother’s maiden name.”
“Why did Sayers send those threatening notes to my mother?” Jessie could see he was starting to relax. Hopefully the alcohol was doing its job.
“A big company coming into Laurel Heights would draw too much attention and ruin our sweet smuggling operation. Your boyfriend didn’t get the hint when we left the note on his truck or the one on the dummy in your garage. He must have been pissed when I flattened his tires. He’s one stubborn son-of-a-bitch!”
“That’s not a nice word,” Susan whispered. The girls were huddled together listening to the adult conversation. “You’re right, Edie, he’s not a nice man.”
“We have to do something to help my mother.” Her mom’s gun was against the wall, but she’d been told to never touch a gun, no matter what. When there was movement beside the open door, their eyes widened when Cupcake and Muffin waddled in.
“I’ve got an idea,” Vicky said, and reached for the last loaf of bread. “Start breaking this into pieces and throw them at the bad guy’s shoes. Cupcake and Muffin will go after the breadcrumbs.”
“Let’s toss the bread crumbs at his body,” Edie suggested. “The ducks might fly up and starting pecking him like they did in the car.”
“Great idea!” Susan started to tear the bread in earnest.
“Damn ducks!” Emilio hissed when they got closer to where he and Jessie were standing. “They pecked the hell out of my neck. I should shoot them right here!”
“Now, Emilio, a couple of female ducks getting the best of you,” Jessie laughed and caught the movement out the corner of her eye. The three girls were inching closer to Donatiello. She had to keep his attention. “How much do you plan to ask for us?”
When the first pieces of bread took to the air, the movement attracted the ducks. More and more bread fluttered like wayward snowflakes. “Quack, Quack.” Cupcake and Muffin were in their glory, eating the breadcrumbs the girls were tossing.
“What the hell are you doing?” Emilio bellowed at the girls. “Stop that, now!”
“No way, you big bully!” Edie announced and all three girls tossed double handfuls at Donatiello. The ducks flew up and went after the crumbs that landed on his shoulders. When his arm flew out to block their flight, Jessie barreled into his stomach and he landed on his back. Jess grabbed his gun and pointed it directly at his head.“Don’t make me use this if you value breathing.”
Cupcake and Muffin landed on his chest and were pecking away at the bread crumbs. Donatiello was squirming and squealing like a baby.
“Girls, bang on the cellar door,” Jessie yelled. “Our rescue team is on the other side.”
All three girls pounded on the door calling for Uncle Daddy and the Pirate.
Lincoln charged in and gathered the three girls in his arms, but his eyes frantically searched out Jessie. The chief and Scott and Russell rushed into the room. “Daddy! Uncle Russell,” the girls cried. “Cupcake and Muffin saved us. Can we get a couple of pet ducks?” Susan asked. Scott gathered them close, thanked God they were safe, and said, “We’ll see.” Then, he called Julie.
The beat of Linc’s heart slowed when he walked over to Jessie. From what he could see, he had nothing to worry about. Emilio Donatiello was being held hostage by two ducks that were presently eating bread crumbs from his clothes. Jessie had a Sig pointed at the whimpering scumbag. “’Bout time you showed up,” she grinned. “This is the first time a criminal has been bested by three little girls, two ducks, and bread crumbs.”
The chief came over, followed by Lynch and Grote. “Handcuff this dirty cop. I wouldn’t get too close because he’s just been shit on by a couple of female ducks. If that isn’t a tribute to female ingenuity, I don’t know what is.”
All were greeted with open arms when they got back to the barbecue. Somehow, the Nose Patrol had gotten wind of what was happening and invaded the Long’s residence. Being the consummate hostess, Florence welcomed everyone. The citizens were shocked to learn one of their own cops had been dirty and hoped this was the end of the trouble the town had suffered the past few weeks. The girls expounded on the role the ducks had played in their rescue. Julie held up to her promise and let the girls go in the hot tub.
It was after ten-thirty when the party finally ended. Margaret took Edie home and would put her to bed. Linc and Jessie were needed at police headquarters to do follow-up paperwork, and wanted to know what was happening in Stevensville. Logan and Samantha said they would keep everyone posted on the takedown.
Jessie sat at the table in the chief’s conferenc
e room, along with everyone else who had been involved with Donatiello’s arrest. Her report hadn’t been easy to write. The past few hours had been hell, and she’d had to arrest a man she’d looked on as a friend.
“Sergeant, can I have a word with you?” Bill Dailey asked, stepping hesitantly into the room. His hair was mussed and he wore his moccasin slippers.
Jessie understood what he was feeling, finding out his partner was dirty. “Let’s go in my office.” She didn’t bother to sit behind the desk, but sat in one of the two visitor’s chairs. “Have a seat.”
“I’m still trying to get a handle on all that I’ve learned tonight about a man I’ve worked with. He was a dirty cop! I never suspected a thing. What kind of cop does that make me? I hope you don’t think I had anything to do with his operation.”
“Bill, your name never entered into the mix. What I’m about to tell you stays between us. My last partner in NYC was dirty, and I never suspected a thing. I doubted my cop instincts for a very long time. I wanted to quit, but my father convinced me to stay on the job, and I returned home to Laurel Heights. You’re a good cop, and we’re going to need your expertise when you graduate. The chief is tired of doubling as a CSI,” Jessie added with an encouraging smile.
“Thanks, Sergeant.” Bill stood up, feeling a great deal better. “I, for one, am grateful your father convinced you to return home. Mind if I hang out in the conference room with the rest of the team?”
They returned to the others, and Jessie sat next to Lincoln. She reached for his hand and held it tightly. “I wish I was there. This not knowing is driving me crazy. The train should have arrived twenty minutes ago.”
“Samantha said she’d notify us how it went down,” Linc said, and squeezed her hand. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to understand what the police officers were thinking, feeling. They’d been betrayed by one of their own and barely restrained anxiety filled the room. No one spoke.
Linc’s cell phone shattered the silence. It was Samantha: “Talk to me. I’m putting you on speaker phone.”
“The bust went down as planned. Four men showed up, driving two nondescript vans. They were paid a thousand dollars a head to pick up the liquor and deliver it to a warehouse in Detroit. The orders were given over the phone, and they were first-timers. None of them were familiar with Sayers.”
“Is anyone going to drive the vans to their drop off point?” Jessie asked.
“That’s the kicker. Jackie called one of her ABC counterparts in Michigan. The address they were given to deliver the liquor is a burned out warehouse. Sayers played us. He left a message with one of the drivers for you and Sergeant Taylor, and I quote, “Catch me if you can.”
“Son-of-a-bitch,” Linc cursed in frustration.
“Sam, please extend our thanks to the agents for all of their hard work,” Jessie cut in. “Tell everyone Linc is covering the bill for breakfast tomorrow morning at the Spoonful.”
The chief thanked everyone for all of their hard work and the extra hours they’d put in before advising everyone to call it a night.
Despite being exhausted, Linc and Jessie needed some time alone. They left headquarters and drove to the old quarry. Jess straddled his lap and rested her face in the curve of his neck. “I love you so much. Tell me this is all over.”
“I love you too, so very much. It’s all over, for now.” Lincoln lifted her hand and kissed her ring finger. “It’s already Sunday. Two weeks from today, you will walk down the aisle of Trinity Church and become my wife.”
Jess concentrated on fingering the pearl in his ear. “I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
“Is this ‘confess all’ before we get married?” he chuckled. “Unless you have a secret husband someplace, I forgive you for whatever you’re going to confess.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Am I going to like what you’re going to tell me?”
“I saw the dimple on your ass.”
Lincoln frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“When you walk, you have the cutest dimple on your right butt cheek.”
Linc didn’t know whether to be flattered or embarrassed. “Since I don’t look at my own naked ass when I walk, I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Guess I better explain. When I was fourteen, I hid in the bushes when you and Treig went swimming in the reservoir, naked. I really wanted to add your ass dimple to my list of favorite things.”
“I’m certainly glad you didn’t. So, that’s it? No more secrets? No more fondest wishes?”
“Just one. I will be arresting your heart for the rest of our lives. That is my fondest wish, Mr. Lincoln.”
Epilogue
Trinity Church was overflowing, with standing room only. Family, close friends, and the citizens of Laurel Heights, were eager to witness the marriage of Jessie Taylor and Lincoln Adams.
The slightly nervous groom stood next to the three steps before the altar, accompanied by Scott, Russell, and Billy. He thought this day would never come. Jessie and Edie would be his. He’d already started the adoption paperwork for Edith Amanda. They would be a unit, a family.
Jessie rested a hand on her brother’s shoulder. She’d never been happier. Fulfilling her life’s dream, marrying Lincoln, was only moments away.
“You know I would only put on a monkey suit for you,” Treig kidded, adjusting the black bowtie on his white tuxedo shirt.
“I appreciate you giving me away.” A watery film covered her eyes. “I wish Dad were here, not to take the privilege away from you.”
“I feel the same way. You look pretty in Mom’s wedding dress. I remember seeing pictures of her and Dad on their wedding day. She wore a wreath of baby’s breath in her hair too.”
“Thanks. I wanted to carry on the tradition.” The bodice of sheer ecru lace graced her shoulders. A delicate sparkle around her waist accented the Grecian lines of the soft flowing gown.
Lisa Kay, dressed in a gown of baby blue, smiled at Jessie. “Remember, as soon as I pass the eighth pew, the wedding march will start. That’s your signal to move out. Just think, we’ll be changing places in three months. See you at the altar.”
Jessie adjusted the spray of pale yellow daffodils and baby’s breath in her arms. “If it was up to me, I’d push everyone out of the way and sprint down the aisle.”
“You could always sit on my lap and I could set the speed on this motorized hot rod to full throttle,” Treig teased.
“Nah. That would give the Nose Patrol something to gossip about.”
Excitement surged through Jessie’s body when Mrs. Schmidt struck the first chord of the processional, Here Comes the Bride. “One, two, three, four,” she nervously counted. “Come on, Treig, let’s go. I’m not waiting any longer.”
Her eyes focused on the love of her life, devastatingly handsome in a black tuxedo. With each steady step, his beautiful smile grew.
When she passed the last pew, Father Munson stepped forward and addressed Treig. “Who gives this woman in marriage?”
“I do,” Treig replied. He grinned and held out a hand to Lincoln. “She’s all yours.”
Jessie stepped close to her soon-to-be husband and paused, not believing what she was seeing. He’d removed his eye patch.
“Before you ask, I want to look at you with both eyes when we repeat our vows and tell you how much I love you.”
Jess melted into his loving gaze and put a hand to his smooth cheek. “Thank you and I love you too.”
Father Munson cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?”
On the occasion of Jessie and Lincoln’s nuptials, the number of “ethereal beings” inhabiting Trinity Church had increased ten fold. The balcony, once used as a choir loft, was occupied by a choir of angels, not that they claimed to have great singing voices. Buford Adams and Norman Taylor sat side by side in the front row. They were joined by Jennie Elizabeth and her parents, John and Sara Adams. Their eyes lingered on Edith Amanda, proud of the
young lady she’d become.
The Right Reverend Alfred Huff, still smarting from the body dumped on his bones, decided to make an appearance. He’d brought along Marion, the love of his life. Alice, the little girl who had befriended Edie, sat between them.
“Well we did it,” Buford said, watching Jessie and Lincoln stand before the minister, repeating their vows. “You were right, Norman, advising me to change my Will. I didn’t think so at the time, but it all worked out. Lincoln is carrying on my legacy. Naming the youth center after you showed the goodness in his heart. Laurel Heights will prosper and grow for many years to come.”
“You argued with me at first, but realized Edith Amanda would need a strong, loving father. Jessie deserves to be happy, and she’s loved Lincoln for a long time. Sallie Mae and Margaret think it was their idea to get them together, but we know better.” Norman beheld his beautiful wife sitting in the front row, wiping her eyes with a white handkerchief and fingering her beloved pearls. He missed his love, but her time to join him wouldn’t be for a while. She was needed to watch over Edie and their future grandchildren. Jessie and Lincoln would be parents in seven months, a lot sooner than they’d planned. He shifted his gaze to Edith Amanda and the other little girls in their frilly blue dresses and crowns of blue and white daisies, fidgeting with the white wicker baskets that held rose petals. They looked bored, so he did something to bring smiles to their faces.
He waved.
“Do you know the man in the balcony waving to us?” Susan whispered to Edie.
“That’s Norman, my grandfather. The man sitting next to him is Buford, my great grandfather.” Edie smiled and waved at both men. “The little girl is Alice, the one who comes out of the wall in the church basement.”
“The pretty lady sitting next to the other couple has black hair and looks like you,” Vicky said.
