Always a Kicker

by Jeff Zwagerman

  Jayne jumped up and went directly to the window and appeared to look out. Zander decided to give her some time to process what he had said before he spoke so he sat back on the bar stool and drank his beer. Zander had almost finished his beer when she finally turned around and spoke.

  “I can’t do that. I haven’t spoken to her or any of my family in twenty years.”

  “Well I have. Your sister wants to find out what happened to you and I’m sorry to have to tell you, your parents have both passed away,” Zander said.

  Jayne sat down quickly.

  “When? What happened?” she asked clearly shocked.

  “I don’t have those details but I know Sheila waited until they were gone before she decided to reach out. That’s why you need to call her,” he said and pushed over a slip of paper with the phone number.

  Jayne looked at the number.

  “How did she know I wasn’t killed in the blast?”

  “You took the Rubber Soul album with you that day. She realized that no one would take a record with them on any ordinary day unless they planned on not returning.”

  “She was always the smart one.” She smiled. “Do you know what she is she doing these days?”

  “She’s married to a farmer and I think they have some kids but I’m not certain about anything else.”

  “How did she find you?”

  “She didn’t. She hired a private investigator. A man by the name of Fred Doyle.”

  Jayne never broke eye contact or made any move whatsoever when Zander mentioned the private dick.

  That would be lie number two.

  22

  Breckenridge, Colorado-Sunday, September 15, 1985

  “It’s late and I’m tired. Can we continue this tomorrow morning over breakfast?” Jayne asked with a sigh.

  “Whatever you want,” was all Zander could say. He was upset about the two lies she had spoken. He expected the truth and when it wasn’t there it made him question everything she said. He was thinking back but the only things that didn’t seem to ring true was the comment about Lilly and pretending not knowing Doyle.

  “Let’s have another drink and just sit by the fireplace. We’re missing a beautiful snowfall,” she said trying to sound cheerful.

  “I’m full of beer,” Zander said. “What else do we have in that bar?”

  “I don’t know but I’m tired of the wine as well.”

  Zander got off the stool and looked in the bar and the fridge.

  “Looks like I’ve got everything I need to make a couple of Old Fashions. Are you up for that?”

  “What kind of whiskey do we have?”

  “There’s Crown Royal and Canadian Club for whiskey. Jack Daniels and Knob Creek for bourbon. What’s your pleasure?”

  “You choose.”

  “I think we’ll have some bourbon and I’ll pour Knob Creek.”

  Jayne smiled when she heard Knob Creek and went over to the couch facing the fireplace. Zander wondered if the smile was because she was thinking something dirty. He hoped so. He wasn’t as upset with Jayne as he thought he might be.

  “They even have some cherries in here,” Zander said as he finished mixing the drinks.

  He brought them over to the couch and handed one over to Jayne and sat down beside her. Her robe had come open in the front and Zander could see the short black nightgown underneath. Most of her breasts were exposed. Zander had a hard time taking his eyes off them. He thought of Lilly and how the two compared. Lilly was voluptuous and curvy. Jayne was petite and thin with beautiful skin. Her breasts weren’t as large as Lilly’s but they were perfect and bigger than they should be for someone her size.

  “Do you like what you see?” Jayne asked playfully.

  “Always did,” Zander said, smiling.

  “I’ve missed you, Zander,” and she pulled him close and kissed him with an open mouth.

  Suddenly Zander was transported back in time to the plumb grove just south of Hospers. He felt her body pressed close to his and her arms around his neck. He pulled her on top of him and she felt good laying on him like that. It was as if nothing had changed, but of course it had.

  Zander hadn’t felt this much passion since high school. When he felt like he was about to explode, Jayne stopped him.

  “If we do this, everything changes,” she said warning him.

  “It’s too late for that. Everything changed years ago. You said it earlier, that was twenty years ago, it’s time to move on.”

  Jayne paused in his arms and then raised her head and looked into his eyes.

  “You need to go slow. I haven been in bed with anyone for fifteen years. I’m afraid I won’t measure up,” Jayne said

  Zander didn’t say a word but stood up with her in his arms and sauntered directly into the bedroom. He did as she asked and it was a gradual and sensuous night for the both of them.

  *****

  Zander didn’t know when they had fallen asleep and when he woke up Jayne was still sleeping. He got up quietly, put on the robe and walked out of the bedroom. The blinds on the window were open so he walked over a peered out. There had to be three feet of snow on the ground. He looked over where his car was parked and noticed it was completely buried.

  The snow had stopped and the sun was starting to poke through the clouds. Nothing was moving and when he looked at the clock he couldn’t believe the time. It was after 10:00.

  Zander heard some movement coming from the bathroom and as he turned around, Jayne walked out still naked from last night. She was everything Zander had ever wanted but things had changed and he didn’t have any idea how this was going to work.

  “Looks like we’re snowed in for a while. Nothing ’s moving and it’s already 10:30,” he said as he took in the view.

  She didn’t say a word but took his hand and led him back into the bedroom. This time it was an impassioned love fest. Jayne certainly had overcome her fifteen-year absence.

  When they were both consumed they lay just holding each other.

  “How was it?” Jayne asked coyly.

  “You were like a wild fire,” Zander said.

  Jayne turned onto her elbow.

  “Was I as good as Lilly?”

  Zander was stunned but only for a moment.

  “You can’t ask me something like that,” he said simply without malice.

  “Why not, I know you had sex with her.”

  “Only because you sent her to find out as much as she could about me.”

  “How did you know that?”

  Zander had to tread lightly. “She told me.”

  “I never told her to have sex with you.”

  “She was probably just being a good employee and trying to the best job she could,” Zander said lightly.

  Jayne was pissed off.

  “Zander, I don’t think you’re being entirely honest with me.”

  “I could say exactly the same thing about you.”

  Jayne looked at him for a moment and then got up and put on her robe and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “It sounds like we need to have a little discussion about this.”

  “I think you're right but lets shower and get dressed and have some breakfast. We need to have this discussion with our clothes on.”

  Jayne got up and went into the bathroom and soon he heard the shower running.

  “Do you want to come in here and help me save water or are you planning to shower alone?”

  Zander had the robe off and was sprinting to the bathroom before it hit the floor.

  The shower experience with Jayne was the best. Jayne certainly was a seasoned lover. They didn’t actually have sex but explored their bodies by touching and lathering each other completely. Zander was thankful he had told Jayne they wouldn’t discuss anything until breakfast. He would have told her anything. Lilly was right, a woman could get a man to say or do anything when they were both naked.

  When they were finished and were both dressed, they decided to go down to
the coffee shop for breakfast rather than call for room service. Jayne asked Zander to go down and get a table because she had to make a call.

  “So you have to check in with Rooster?” was all Zander asked.

  “He will be wondering what is going on.”

  “Sounds like you are on a short leash,” Zander said and then left the room.

  The coffee shop was almost full. Most of the hotel guests had also slept in and were just getting their day started. Zander got a table next to the window overlooking the parking lot. It looked like most of the cars were in the parking garage. There were a few in the lot but you couldn’t really tell what make or model because they were completely covered with last night’s snowfall. Zander hated to think about digging the T-Bird out but he would have to wait until the road and parking lot were cleared regardless. He decided to go out and use the lobby phone to call Jo.

  There was no answer at the Branchwater so he called her home phone and after three rings Jo answered.

  “Hello,” she answered sweetly.

  “Hi Jo, it’s Zander.”

  “Zander! Can you believe this snow? Bert is outside trying to clear it away from the driveway. I told him to get in here and hire it done. I’m afraid he’s going to have a heart attack. How about you, are you snowed in at the cabin?”

  “I never made it home. I stayed at the hotel across the street last night.” Zander answered.

  “Alone?” Jo wondered.

  “What do you think?” Zander replied glibly.

  “Oh you are such a bad boy,” Jo said and laughed heartily.

  “I don’t know when I can get my car out to come to work. They haven’t even cleared the streets yet.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I doubt we’ll even open today. If we do, I’ll get Bert to help me. There isn’t going to be much movement until later today anyway. If I need anything more, I’ll find Fats.”

  “Okay, thanks, Jo. Some things have been breaking and I’ll have a lot to tell you soon.”

  “Oh don’t tease me. You know I’m a sucker for mystery. I hope it’s juicy.”

  “I don’t think you’ll be disappointed,” Zander mentioned as he said goodbye.

  Jayne still hadn’t come down from the room so Zander picked up a paper and sat down at the table. It was from the day before because there hadn’t been any delivery since 10:00 the night before. Zander glanced over the pages. He had read it yesterday but he looked at it anyway in case he had missed anything.

  It wasn’t long and Jayne came to join him.

  “Is everything alright?” Zander asked.

  “Well, Colorado Springs and Denver got this snow as well. I-25 is closed so he understood my not returning last night.”

  “So why are you here? Was it just to get me into bed?”

  “Of course it was. But I’m on business as well. We’re trying to open another salon in Breckenridge. Van thinks it’s a prime place for both sides. I think he’s right, ski areas are places where people have money and are willing to spend it for whatever they desire.”

  “Do you have a place scouted?”

  “As a matter-of-fact we do. There’s a nice spot in a strip mall just south of the business district. It used to be a ski shop but they were only open in the winter and the landlord wants someone in there on a full time basis.”

  “Is it a good location?”

  “The best. It’s situated between the grocery and liquor store. Easy in and easy out with lots of prime parking. We’re still negotiating the lease but it looks like a done deal. I’m supposed to make an offer as soon as this snow gets moved and if they accept it, I’ll sign the papers before I have to go back.”

  The server arrived with coffee and water. They ordered eggs and bacon with wheat toast. As they sipped their coffee, Jayne looked over at Zander.

  “If we’re going to go on with any type of relationship, I think we’re going to have to be honest with each other.”

  “So maybe we’d better start with you,” Zander retorted.

  “I have been telling you everything.”

  “Not everything.”

  Jayne looked down and Zander could see some discomfort.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Well, you asked me what I wasn’t telling you. Here’s what I know. Fred Doyle was around asking questions and somehow he stumbled onto your whereabouts. Now I’m going to ask you point blank, do you know of this Doyle guy?”

  “He’s dead, Zander. Van killed him.”

  “That’s kind of what I was figuring.”

  “He was asking questions about me at some of the salons and Van happened to be at one of them. I don’t know the details but he told me the guy wouldn’t be bothering anyone any longer. I had to pick Van up at the Denver airport in the middle of the night after the rental car was returned.”

  “What did he do with the body?”

  Jayne sighed, “A few years back Van bought some property south of Breckenridge with the idea of building a cabin. It was along the Blue River and quite high up on the ridge. After he realized it was almost impossible to access unless you had a four-wheel vehicle, he stumbled onto another problem. The land was setting on top of an old abandoned copper mine. There was an airshaft coming out right in the middle of his property hidden between two large rocks. At first he was madder than hell but later he seemed change his mind. I thought at first he would go after the realtor but he just kept the property and didn’t talk much about it. He took me up once and pointed out the shaft. It was hidden between the rocks and over growth of brush and trees. He told me that he had found a place for those that would do us harm and no one would ever find them or know the difference. It scared me. He never talked about killing people before that. I think he took me up there to show me what would happen if I didn’t remain loyal.”

  “So you think Doyle is at the bottom of that shaft?”

  “I believe he is. I didn’t ask. It would have been more information than Van thought I needed.”

  “What else?” Zander could tell she wanted to say more.

  “Some of the girls who wanted out just disappeared.”

  “How many girls are we talking about?”

  “I don’t know,” Jayne looked down, “Maybe twelve to fifteen.”

  Zander whistled softly. Jayne looked at him sadly.

  “I’m in so deep I can’t see the light of day,” she said as her eyes welled with tears, “How could I have been so blind?”

  “You were young. We were all young and stupid.”

  Zander wasn't sure Jayne's tears were completely remorseful. It could be she was feeling sorry for herself because of the situation she had put herself into.

  “You aren’t the slave to money like the rest of us though are you?” Jayne asked.

  Zander motioned out the window.

  “Money is all the condos and hotels you see lining this valley. Power, on the other hand, is the mountains that stand forever. I don’t have time for those who don’t know the difference.”

  “But you can’t have power without having money first, can you?” Jayne asked interested.

  “That all depends what kind of power you are talking about. Anything that starts and ends with money can’t endure,” Zander said enjoying talking philosophy.

  “Money seems to be what everyone wants. That's what this entire country is built upon,” Jayne countered.

  “You cannot believe that!” Zander was irritated. “What has money, for its own sake, ever done to further a society?”

  “I'm not following.”

  “Money is only a tool. If you stop with money and only continue to amass wealth for its sake, what have you got? Wealth is only good for society when it used to help it grow. Look at Mt. Rushmore. What if Borglum had obtained the money to sculpt his faces but decided to put it in the bank or invest it instead?”

  “I don't think Van is interested in the greater good.”

  “With great wealth comes great responsibility. I belie
ve in Nemesis. What ever we do will be avenged. If you live your life with ethical standards there will be great rewards. If you choose to live without a moral compass, the retaliation and punishment will be severe,” Zander was on his soapbox and enjoying every minute.

  Jayne suddenly laughed out loud.

  “My god, Zander. Your religious roots are showing. That's predestination in a nutshell.”

  “Maybe but it’s cleaner and easier to follow. There’s no burden of guilt that religion stacks on it.”

  “I don't know. I'm not sure I believe in much of anything anymore,” Jayne said and looked out the window.

  Breckenridge was beginning to wake up. A snowplow rumbled past the hotel and by evening things would be getting back to normal, I-70 would be open and travel would resume. Zander decided to confront Jayne about Lilly but he had to be careful not to give away any information that would make Jayne see she was still alive. He still didn't trust her completely.

  “You said before that you didn't think I was telling you everything. Why did you say that?” Zander asked.

  “You're holding something back, Zander. I could always tell when you were thinking about things but not wishing to share.”

  “You weren't being honest with me when you told me you would have to talk to Lilly when you saw her.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  Anger flashed in Jayne's eyes.

  “Lilly is missing and you know it.”

  “How would you know that?”

  “Her friend Sherri came into the bar and was worried and told me she was just gone. Apparently that isn't like her to do anything that extreme. She's been missing for a while hasn't she? I would say she's been gone since we met in her room at the hotel. The same room you and I shared last night. It was a happenstance, which I found pretty peculiar. I'd say the odds of that happening are slim and none wouldn't you?”

  “Is there a point to all this?”

  Jayne was still visibly peeved.

  “I need to ask you a question and I want you to be completely honest because I'll know if you are lying to me.”

  She was interested.

  “What is it?”

  “Not here. Let's go back to the room.”

  Zander wanted Jayne to have to some time to anticipate what he was going to ask but more importantly, he wanted her to think about what the consequences might be if she didn’t tell the truth.