by Stuart Woods
Lauren sat at the breakfast table and watched Jack wolf down his scrambled eggs and sausages. He ate a lot, she reflected, but never seemed to gain any weight.
“What have you been up to?” she asked.
“Well, I cleaned out the safe, packed up my stuff and loaded it into the airplane,” he said. “Thought I’d get a head start on our move.”
“Good idea,” she said. How much stuff can I take in the airplane?”
“Take a week’s clothes, have the rest packed into boxes at a pack-and-ship place and tell them you’ll call them with a new address soon. It’s a good time to get rid of any clothes you don’t really like, and the shopping’s good in Santa Fe.”
“In that case,” she said, “I think I’ll hold myself to two suitcases and give the rest to the Salvation Army store.”
“That’s the way to think,” Teddy said. “I always travel light: if I buy a new jacket, I throw one away. How’s your case coming?”
Lauren took his hand. “I think I’m going to be free to go early next week,” she said.
“That’s good news!”
“There’s just one more arrest I want to be there for,” she said, “and then I’m all yours.”
“Want to tell me about it?”
“I’ll tell you about it when it’s over,” she said.
Holly’s phone rang late that afternoon. “Hello?”
“It’s Lance.”
“Hey. You want me to go to the secure phone?”
“No, it’s not necessary. I just called to let you know that Joshua Harmon is being offered the position he applied for.”
“Great! When?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Lance said. “I thought you might like to tell him yourself.”
“Thanks, I would. Tell me, Lance, how did this all move along so quickly?”
“Dr. Harmon has friends in high places,” Lance replied. “Goodbye.” He hung up.
Holly hung up, laughing.
She was getting dinner ready when Josh arrived, looking a little down. “Another bad day?”
“Another boring one,” Josh said, pouring them both a drink and taking a stool.
“You’re really getting tired of it here, aren’t you?”
“That and I’m not very happy about your going back and leaving me behind.”
“Are you sure you want to move to McLean?”
“I certainly want to move somewhere, and McLean is where you are, so that’s good enough for me.”
“So you would consider a job offer good news?”
“I don’t want to think about it; then if I don’t get it I’ll be less disappointed.”
“I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed,” Holly said, kissing him on the forehead.
“Well, that’s a nice thought,” Josh replied. “That makes me feel better already.” He raised his glass. “That and this Scotch whiskey.”
“Congratulations,” Holly said. “You got the job.”
He looked at her closely. “Are you serious?”
“Perfectly.”
“How could this happen so quickly?”
“You’ve got friends in high places,” Holly said.
Josh came off the stool, grabbed her and kissed her. “That’s the best news I’ve ever had,” he said.
“And you’re young yet,” she laughed.
He began helping her in the kitchen.
“I was thinking,” she said. “I’ve got to fly my new airplane back, so you could drive my Cayenne and rent one of those tow bars to pull your car behind.”
“Good idea,” he said. “And I can fill them both with my stuff.”
“How much stuff do you have?” Holly asked.
“Well, not all that much, really. I always make it a policy when I move to throw away as much stuff as I can do without.”
“That’s a relief,” Holly said. “I have only so much closet space.”
“Huh?”
“In my house,” she said. “You’re not going to turn down a free sack, are you?”
He kissed her on the neck. “Certainly not.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” she said. “It’s been nice having a roomie here, and I think it’s a good idea to continue the practice.”
“Why thank you, ma’am.”
“You’ll get a written offer from the Agency,” she said, “and they’ll ask you for a local address up there. Use mine.”
“Shall I sign up as Mr. Holly Barker?”
“Not just yet, buster; I’m a cautious woman.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“I’d rather have a long affair than a short marriage,” she said.
“I guess that’s one way to look at it,” he replied, nodding.
“It’s the only way to look at it,” Holly said.
58
On Friday afternoon, Jimmy Weathers left his keys in his cruiser and walked the two blocks to the impound lot. The Mustang convertible, bright yellow and quite new, was sitting out, freshly washed, waiting for him. Jimmy signed the paperwork and got into the car, which smelled of new leather. The car had the hot V-8 engine, and when he turned the key it made a sweet noise. He tossed his service cap into the backseat and roared away, headed for the beach.
As soon as the Mustang passed the police station a man wearing coveralls with the local dealer’s GM name emblazoned on it got out of a van, got into Jimmy’s cruiser and followed his partner, who was driving the van. They drove to a state police garage in Melbourne, parked in an available bay and went to work on the cruiser, starting by removing the steering wheel and the entire dashboard.
Hurd was at his desk when his phone rang. “Hurd Wallace.”
“Captain Wallace, this is Mike Green. I just wanted you to know that your Orchid Beach police cruiser has arrived at our Melbourne facility, and work has already begun on it. I’m advised that they will be finished late Sunday afternoon, when it will be delivered back to the Orchid police station.”
“Thank you, Mike,” Hurd said, “but I and one of my people are going to want to check it out, especially for the placing of the weapons, before it’s delivered. Will you call me on my cell when it’s done, and we’ll meet you somewhere between Melbourne and Orchid Beach.” Hurd gave him the cell number.
“Will do, Captain,” Green replied. “See you then.”
Hurd called out to Lauren, who was walking past his office. “We’ve got Jimmy’s car,” he said, “and they’re already at work on it.”
“That’s good news,” Lauren said.
“Keep yourself available late Sunday afternoon; I want us to go over the car together and make sure you understand where everything is, especially the weapons.”
“I’ll be on my cell,” Lauren said.
Jimmy sailed along Ocean Drive in Vero Beach with the top down and the wind in his short hair. He hadn’t felt so good since he got the chief’s job. He pulled into the parking area in front of the Ocean Grill and parked in a spot overlooking the beach. He took off his uniform shirt and tossed it into the backseat, then took a Polo from his briefcase and put that on. Finally, he locked his shirt, cap and weapons belt in the trunk and stood, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. Half a dozen surfers were riding nice waves, and there were a few dozen people lying on the beach. He spotted a girl alone who was wearing a bikini, and as he watched, she untied the bra and lay on her stomach, letting the strings fall aside.
Jimmy put on his aviator shades, walked down the stairs to the beach and approached her. “Hey,” he said, stopping next to her towel. “You need somebody to put some lotion on your back?”
She turned her head toward him but didn’t sit up. “I’m okay,” she said, then she turned her head away.
“Can I bring you a cold one?” he asked.
She turned her head back toward him. “No, thanks.”
“You with somebody?”
“Uh, yeah. He’s surfing.” She waved a thumb at the surf.
“Which one?”
“Does it matter
? Look, I’d like to be left alone.”
“Nobody needs to be alone,” Jimmy said, squatting beside her in the sand.
“I need to be alone,” she said.
“Listen,” he said softly. “I’ve got a new Mustang convertible right up there above us; why don’t you let me show you some of the local sights? Ever seen the Jungle Trail?”
“No, and I don’t care to,” she replied, not looking at him.
“It’s a beautiful drive, lots of wildflowers, even orchids, and wildlife, too-you see deer and raccoons, maybe even a Florida panther.”
“The Florida panther is a myth,” she said. “Now, will you please leave me alone?”
“The Florida panther is no myth,” Jimmy said. “I’ve seen one twice.”
She turned back and looked at him. “Look, do I have to call a cop?”
“No need for that,” Jimmy said, pulling out his wallet. “I’m a cop.” He flashed his badge. “In fact, I’m the cop; I’m the chief of police.” He held the badge closer, so she could read it.
“In that case,” she said, “you ought to know that harassment is against the law, and if I choose to push it, I could get you fired.”
“Listen, lady, who are you going to complain to? I’m the boss.”
She looked around at the other people. “You want me to make a scene? You want me to start screaming? Because I will. NOW GET OUT OF HERE!” she yelled.
“All right, all right,” Jimmy said, standing up and backing away. Other sunbathers were looking at him oddly, now. He climbed the stairs and got back into the Mustang.
“Bitch!” he said aloud to himself, then started the car. He backed out of the parking place and yanked the stick into gear, leaving rubber and a roar behind him.
59
Teddy decided to make his special scrambled eggs on Monday morning. After putting the applewood-smoked bacon in the microwave and the plump Wolferman’s English muffins in the toaster oven, he melted some butter in a small skillet, then added a little milk and a handful of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. While the cheese was melting he whipped up half a dozen eggs with a wire wisk, then poured them into the skillet, turned down the gas flame to low and slowly scrambled them with a spatula.
When the eggs were still soft but not runny, he spooned them onto the plates, added the bacon and muffins and poured two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. As if on cue, Lauren came out of the bedroom with a large handbag over her shoulder. She set the bag on the sideboard and sat down to breakfast.
“Oh, I love these eggs!” she said, tasting them. “I love it all!”
When they were finished, Teddy poured them coffee. “To your last day,” he said, raising his mug.
“I’ll drink to that,” she said, raising her own.
“You look very happy about it,” Teddy said, “but also a little nervous.”
“I’m nervous about telling Hurd,” she said.
“I thought you were going to tell him earlier.”
“I sort of hinted at it, but I didn’t resign. I wanted to know how tonight’s operation would go before I did that.”
“Is there any chance it won’t go well enough to let us leave tomorrow morning?” Teddy asked.
“Maybe,” she replied. “Excuse me, I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” She got up and disappeared into the bedroom.
Teddy cleared the table, and when he came back he looked into her open handbag. Inside he could see a filmy pair of cotton pants and a tank top she liked to wear when they were going out and she was feeling sexy.
He went back to the kitchen and put the dishes into the dishwasher. As he returned to the living room she came out of the bedroom and retrieved her bag. “I’m off,” she said, giving him a kiss. “I may be late tonight; don’t wait dinner for me.”
“Why late?” he asked.
“It’s part of the operation,” she replied, “and don’t ask, because I can’t tell you about it.” She kissed him again and ran out the door.
Lauren’s estimate of two suitcases did not come anywhere close to what she wanted to take with her, plus she had left two packed boxes she wanted sent ahead of them. Late in the day, Teddy put them into the trunk of the car and drove to the pack-and-ship place on A-1A.
As he walked in he was surprised to see Holly Barker there, sending boxes of her own. “Good afternoon,” he said.
“Oh, hi, Jack,” she replied, signing a check and handing it to the clerk. “I’m just sending some of my Florida stuff back to Virginia. What brings you here?”
“Just sending a few things to some friends,” Teddy replied, setting the boxes so that she couldn’t see the address of the Santa Fe hotel he was sending them to.
“Listen,” Holly said, “I don’t want you to worry about Lauren tonight. She’s a capable person, and she’s going to have a lot of backup. We all know how dangerous Jimmy is.”
“I’m relieved to hear it,” Teddy said, not feeling relieved at all. Lauren had not said the operation was dangerous. “Have a good trip home,” he said.
Holly left and got into her Cayenne, which he had not noticed was parked outside, and drove away.
Teddy sent the boxes and drove home, wondering what the hell Lauren was getting herself into.
Lauren went into the conference room and met with the backup team. She had seen the car before, but the tech guys had photographs, and they wanted to explain everything again. Holly Barker came in and took a seat.
“All right, everybody,” Mike Green said, “this is what we’ve got: two video cameras mounted in the air-conditioning vents on each side of the dashboard, here and here,” he said. “There is a microphone with each one and another mike, on a separate circuit, in the center vent. We have three cameras mounted in the overhead light, one pointed forward, two covering the rear seat, each with a mike. There is another camera and mike in the rear seat light over the parcel shelf.”
He held up a Zippo lighter. “Each of these would fit into the case of this lighter, and the lenses are pinpoint size. They are outstanding in low-light levels, and they can pick up audio as faint as a whisper.”
“Where are the weapons located?” Holly asked.
“One here, under the dashboard,” Green said, “and one under the passenger seat, in spring clips.”
“I’ve seen them and tried extracting them,” Lauren said, “and it’s a good setup. They’re both loaded and cocked, safety on.”
“What kind of weapons?” Holly asked.
“Two Colt Mustang.three-eighties,” Lauren replied. “They’re small, but they’ll be good in close quarters.”
“One thing, Lauren,” Mike Green said. “If he wants to play the radio, turn it down low-off, if you can get away with it.”
“How does all this stuff transmit?” Holly asked.
“Through the car’s onboard antennas; we didn’t have to add anything.”
“He’s got a police radio in his car, right?” Holly asked.
“Yes, but we’re using frequencies reserved for the state police; he can’t get them on his radio or even if he has a scanner.”
Hurd spoke up. “Lauren has already had some contact with Jimmy,” he said.
“Yes, I have,” Lauren said, “and he’s raring to go.”
“What on earth did you tell him?” Holly asked.
“I stopped by the station and flounced around a little, then I sat down in his office and told him that things with Jack and me were not going well, and why didn’t we get together? He suggested dinner, but I said I couldn’t make that, so why didn’t we just hook up around nine and go someplace quiet?”
“I can see why he’s raring to go,” Holly said.
Teddy wandered around the house, worrying about Lauren, then he got into his car and drove to Lauren’s office. It was after seven, and her car was still parked outside. He pulled into a little strip mall across the road and parked. Pretending to be browsing, he went from shop to shop, keeping an eye on her car, then had some dinner in a little café a
t a table by the window. Just after eight thirty Lauren, wearing her sexy outfit, came out of the building accompanied by Hurd Wallace, Holly Barker and four men.
Lauren got into her car, and the others got into two unmarked cars and a van belonging to a plumbing company, according to the sign on the outside. Teddy left money on the table, went to his car and followed the little procession. Near police headquarters, the two cars and the van stopped in different places, and Lauren drove into the police parking lot.
Teddy parked a half block away and waited.
60
Lauren took a deep breath to calm herself, then opened the back door of the police station and stepped into the hallway. Light from Jimmy’s office spilled into the hallway.
She walked down the hall, turned and then leaned against the doorjamb, alluringly, she hoped. “Hi, there,” she said.
Jimmy looked up and grinned. He had already changed out of his uniform and was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and khaki trousers. “Hi, you ready?”
“Whenever you are,” she replied.
Jimmy locked his desk, got up and escorted her down the hall to the rear door and opened it for her. “Your car or mine?”
“Mine’s a mess. Anyway, yours has more room, so let’s take that.” To her relief, Jimmy steered her toward his car, opened the door and let her inside.
She sat in the middle of the wide bench seat, so that when he got in they would be close together.
He entered the car and started it. She knew that the cameras would come on when the engine started and remain on for thirty minutes after the engine stopped.
“Where to?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “How about Jungle Trail? Nobody goes out there since the murders.”
“Perfect,” Jimmy said. He pulled out of the parking lot and drove away.
Teddy watched them get into the car, watched Lauren slide across the seat toward Jimmy, and he didn’t like it. She was making herself bait. He looked around for the two police cars and the van, but they were nowhere in sight. He started his car and followed Jimmy at a distance.
