Hot Time in Chicago

by Cindy Combs

  Sam walked in, flanked by a bouncy young man with a curly ponytail and a large, tall man with a military bearing. Two more men followed them in. Joan immediately recognized the blond as the Det. Vecchio in charge of the case. While the first three walked towards them, the last two split up and started walking around the church.

  "Here's Sam," Dave announced with a sigh of relief.

  "That's got to be Blair and Jim with him," Terry added. "I hadn't realized Jim had flown out, too."

  "Who are Jim and Blair?" Joan asked.

  Terry quickly explained, finishing just before Sam and his entourage joined them. Terry gave his best man a big smile. "I was beginning to worry."

  "Hey, a little thing like a sniper isn't going to keep me away," Sam declared, returning his own quiet smile. "Blair, Jim, these are my friends, Terry Connell, Terry's mother Mrs. Joan Connell, and Dave Pajack. Everyone, this is my brother Blair Sandburg and our friend Jim Ellison."

  "Hi," Blair greeted everyone, giving them an infectious grin. "Sorry for busting in like this."

  "Sam's family is always welcome," Joan declared, ignoring the scathing glare from Darlene. She personally felt safer with Det. Ellison here. There was just something about him that made her feel protected. When the man sent an icy and dangerous glare back at the bride's mother, Joan knew she was going to love him. She was also impressed as to how quickly the ice turned to warmth as he patted Sam and his brother on their shoulders, then stepped back to survey the room.

  Up front, Father Frank and Sister Steve had also noticed Sam's entry and the glare. "Who is that?" Frank asked Steve in a whisper.

  "That's Det. Jim Ellison from Cascade. He's friends with Sam's brother, who I think is the short guy with the ponytail."

  "Doesn't look very friendly," Frank commented, studying the detective.

  Steve chuckled. "Sam said he's real protective of Blair. From what I gathered last night, he's also pretty protective of Sam as well."

  "Then Thank Heavens he's on our side," Frank declared. Then he paused. "Is that a police dog?" he asked.

  Steve's eyes widened as she, too, spotted Dief. "Actually, I think that might be a wolf."

  "You sure?"

  "No." Frank and Steve looked at each other and shrugged. Life at St. Michael's was rarely routine. No reason a bomb, a dog, and a glaring detective should make a difference.

  Cautious of zoning, Jim extended his senses around the room. He quickly noted the bridal party. The rude mother was now pointedly ignoring Sam, while the girls were discussing how cute Blair was. Saving the comments in his memory for later when he could tease his friend, Jim noted Sister Steve standing next to a priest, catching the part of their conversation discussing Dief. A voice suddenly roared through his earpiece. Jim was forced to pull back his hearing as Vecchio declared the balcony clean.

  As he listened to Fraser's report on the confessionals, Jim focused on sight and smell. He noted two young women setting up the wedding candles at the front of the church. Seeing their nerves burst forth into giggles, he assumed they were part of that afternoon's wedding party. Thankfully, the candles weren't scented or he'd be sneezing his head off.

  Then he spotted the women arranging the flowers. Remembering that they had also been there the day before, Jim focused his sight on each one. The first girl was concentrating on tying a spray of flowers to one of the pews. The other young woman was finishing hers while trying to catch glimpses of the young men, Sam in particular, near the front. Apparently, Sam's sex appeal was just as great as Blair's. Taking a quick glance at the brothers, Jim couldn't help but notice that while Blair was aware of the attention, Sam was not. Jim chuckled to himself. Sam's too focused on the bomb and the wedding to be thinking about girls. It probably hasn't even dawned on Sam that the girl might be interested. Oh well, maybe he'll find a girl that won't get all of us in trouble.

  Finally, he turned his attention to the older woman near the hallway. She was artfully tweeking the bowl of flowers, then turned to see what her assistants were doing. That was when Jim noted a sparkle on the collar of her cream blouse. Focusing harder, the sparkle resolved into a gold eagle with green-jewel eyes.

  "Damn," he whispered just as Blair touched his arm.

  "What?" Blair asked.

  In answer, Jim quickly tapped his headphone. "Guys, I've found our suspect."

  "We have another problem," Fraser reported over the headset. "I've just found another bomb under Mr. Flesch's urn."

  Gary had just handed the last of the required trays to Marissa's assistant when he spotted five men walking respectfully towards the church. He nudged Chuck with his foot. "Showtime," he whispered.

  Chuck took a deep breath, then picked up the tray of cream puffs. Marching towards the men, he declared loudly, "They taste fine, Gary!"

  Gary trotted behind him. "No, I still think they're missing something," he called out after his friend, making sure the men could hear him.

  "They're fine!" Chuck stopped just short of plowing into one of the huge men. Looking up and still only seeing the man's chin, Chuck just barely prevented himself from turning tail and running in fright. With a deep breath, he continued with the charade. "Excuse me, do any of you like cream puffs?"

  "I love cream puffs," one particularly beefy guy declared, looking over the tray.

  "Then maybe you could settle something for us," Gary requested, sending his friend a glare. "Could you taste one and give us your opinion?"

  Faced with a large tray of mouth-watering pastry, the man's face broke out in a smile. "I would love to." While he picked a cream puff off the tray, the other four men watched him longingly. He took a big bite. "Hmmm, I don't think there's anything wrong with this!" he stated, licking a bit of cream off his lip.

  "You think anything is okay as long as it's sweet," another man told him. He turned to Chuck, his politeness incongruent with his rough exterior. "May I?"

  "Be my guest," Chuck replied, trying to keep from smiling.

  After a whispered suggestion from Blair, Terry and Dave drew the wedding party over to the side of the sanctuary while Sam casually walked over to Father Frank and Sister Steve. Joan walked over to the young women at the alter, quietly engaging them in conversation and leading them to another hallway.

  Blair stepped back into his accustomed position behind Jim, eyeing the young women between Jim and their boss worriedly. They were way too close to the florist. He didn't see any way he could reach them without tipping off the suspect. Jim's jaw clenched when he realized where Blair had planted himself. He had told Blair to step back with the wedding party.

  "What's going on?" Steve whispered as Sam stopped in front of them.

  "Fraser found another bomb and Jim thinks the florist might be the bomber," Sam explained, glancing around for a good excuse to get the Father and Sister out of the open area.

  "Lydia?" Father Frank repeated thoughtfully. "I thought something was troubling her, but I didn't think she was dangerous."

  "Have you seen the new praise books, Sam?" Steve asked in a normal tone, then dropped to a hushed voice as she ushered them to the side. "Wasn't Lydia in the army?"

  Frank nodded his head as they walked towards the pews.

  "How do you want to play this?" Jim asked Ray casually, turning towards Blair to make it look like the two were having a quiet conversation.

  "Do either of you have bomb disposal training?" Ray questioned as he swiftly climbed down from the balcony.

  "I know some," Jim replied. Blair closed his eyes, again wishing Mac, the true expert, was there.

  "Okay, how about I keep an eye on our suspect, while you take a look at the bomb."

  "Agree. How do I get to the bomb?"

  Ray quietly gave him directions. Jim and Blair then cautiously walked towards the side room with the urn as Ray walked up the aisle.

  Suddenly, Lydia noted the movement around her. Realizing her gig was up, she yanked out a gun and fired twice towards the ceiling. Shrieks from the girls echoed
in the santuary as everyone ducked. "Hold it right there!" she demanded.

  Jim, Blair, and Ray paused. Fraser's voice softly asked over the headphones, "Is there a problem?"

  Barely moving his lips, Ray replied, "Oh, I'd say so."

  Chuck and Gary soon had not just the five mobsters taste-testing the cream puffs, but also had an usher from the Randolf-Evers wedding and a Mr. Connell trying them, too.

  "Maybe a hint more vanilla," one of the men suggested.

  "I don't know," the usher stated thoughtfully, "Much more would overpower it."

  "Let me try another strawberry one," another of the mobsters requested. "I think I might have it figured out."

  "Personally, I think they taste wonderful," Mr. Connell sighed. This was much better than a wedding rehearsal with his son's future mother-in-law glaring at everyone. "Where did you guys say you were from?"

  ~Pop! Pop!~

  "Did you hear something?" The first mobster turned back towards the church.

  "Sounded like someone dropped a couple glasses," Gary dismissed, hoping nobody realized he was sweating due to nerves and not the heat.

  Marrisa walked up with her assistant. "Hey, anyone want to try these sandwiches, too?"

  Back against the wall with Father Frank and Steve, Sam quickly sized up the situation. Noting the banners on the wall and the ropes supporting them, Sam covertly pulled out his swiss army knife.

  Nearer to the center of the church, Jim carefully placed himself so that he was standing between his partner and the gun. "Do you think this is the right place for a gun?"

  "It is when the church is harboring murderers!" the woman proclaimed, moving her weapon back and forth to keep most of the crowd covered. Jim quickly realized this woman had weapons training, raising the potential danger another notch in his mind. At that moment, Jim sincerely wished he'd been able to bring his gun to Chicago.

  "Murderers?" Blair asked, slipping past Jim. "You know, there is a police detective here. If you'd point out the murderers, he could take them into custody." Jim's jaw clenched tighter. Why did Blair insist on making himself a target? He searched the area for any possible advantage.

  "I've already talked to the police!" the woman yelled at Blair. Her nose wrinkled as she parrotted snidely, "It was an accidental fire, ma'am. These things just happen." Her eyes darkened with anger as her voice grew cold. "All you cops are on the take. It wasn't an accident. Those damn nephews of his killed him! They wanted his business and they didn't want him to marry me!"

  "Do you mean Mr. Flesch?" Ray asked, drawing her attention away from the anthropologist.

  "Yes, damn it, I mean Rodger! My dear, sweet Rodger."

  Blair's eyes widened as he exchanged a look with Jim. A 'sweet' numbers runner?

  "So since no one is doing anything about it, I will! While those slimy nephews are crying their crocodile tears, I'll blow them up! Boom!" Half the people in the santuary jumped at the shouted 'boom', including Blair. "Then neither will profit off their dear uncle's death!"

  While attempting to hear how Fraser was doing with the bomb, Jim finally noted a soft sawing sound. Glancing towards the front, he met Sam's eyes. Sam then glanced pointedly above the woman. Jim shifted his attention back to the bomber. He didn't want to give Sam's plan away.

  "But what about the innocent people here?" Blair pointed out, regaining his calming guide voice. "What about your assistants? The people in the wedding? Surely you don't have anything against the Father and Sister Steve?"

  "God will take care of them," Delmonte stated firmly. "But vengeance is MINE!" She turned the weapon towards Blair. "You were with that damn man who found my first bomb. His brother, right? I had everything so perfectly set up until HE ruined it. So I guess I can get back at him by starting with you." She began to depress the trigger.

  "NOW!" Jim shouted as he tackled Blair. The bullet whizzed over their heads as the huge banner proclaiming 'God is Love' dropped from the ceiling. The heavy material forced the woman to the ground. Ray was there instantly, handcuffing the woman as she fought against the enveloping cloth.

  Sam ran over to his brother and Jim. "You guys okay?" he asked worriedly, offering Jim a hand up.

  "I'm fine," Blair replied as he stood up and brushed off his jeans. He gave his brother a quick hug.

  "I'll be better once you stop making yourself a target," Jim growled at his partner. "Between you two, it'll be a race to see who gets gray first, your Dad or me."

  Both brothers returned sheepish but unrepentive smiles. However, Jim's hearing picked up Mrs. Lawrence's aggravating whine, "That orphan bastard is going to get us all killed." His jaw clenched. His nerves were already stretched thin without that woman harping on Sam.

  "Who undid the banner?" Ray asked as he secured the bomber to a nearby rail.

  "Sam did," Sister Steve stated with a cheeky grin as she and Frank walked towards them. "Though now we're going to have to replace the rope."

  "That is very little compared to what damage a bomb could do," Father Frank pointed out.

  Jim, Blair and Ray all looked at each other. "BOMB!"

  "No need for alarm," Fraser calmly stated as he walked out of the alcove. "I called in the bomb squad. They are working on it now. In addition, the timer still had more than an hour on it." He frowned slightly, glancing towards the wedding party against the far wall.

  In the background, Jim could still hear that woman complaining about Sam. He was about ready to storm over there when he heard a sudden scream. Everyone turned to look, but it was Jim's special vision that provided the grand view of Mrs. Lawrence on the floor, feet in the air. Eyes widened as several people in the sanctuary tried not to laugh. Diefenbaker trotted up to Fraser and Ray. Jim could swear the wolf had a huge grin on his face.

  "Diefenbaker," Fraser scolded softly. "Just because you do not like the woman does not mean you should trip her." However, Jim thought he could detect a satisfied twinkle in the man's eyes. Guess Blair has better taste in friends than I thought.

  Father Frank and Sister Steve avoided looking at each other, knowing they would start laughing if they did. It was just another atypical day at St. Michael's.

  That evening, McGinty's

  Gary joined his friends at their table towards the back, running a hand through his damp hair.

  "Hi Gary," Marissa smiled up at him. "Did you get all the gunk washed off?"

  "I think so. But that is the last time I'm pulling a doll out of a duck pond."

  "But if you hadn't, the little girl would have gone after it and drowned," Marissa pointed out.

  "Yeah, I know. At least this time I didn't get stuck on a scaffold in an abandoned theater like I did with the monkey."

  "It's tough being a hero," Marissa teased him.

  "At least it was profitable this morning," Chuck declared. "We got three catering jobs from our diversion at St Michael's."

  "We did?" Gary questioned in amazement.

  "You betcha. One of the mobsters wants us to do his wife's 30th birthday party and another recommended us to his mother for some charity function. The usher recommended us to his sister, whose planning her wedding." Chuck rubbed his hands together in glee. "We're going to have to try the free samples routine again."

  "Plus, we have reservations tonight for eleven from Mr. Thomas Connell," Marissa added. "He wants to give a little pre-wedding party for his son, his friends, and the detectives that helped with the whole bombing deal."

  "They're coming here?" Gary looked around worriedly. "When?"

  "Seven-thirty. Why?"

  "Because the police never found out it was me who rescued Malloy and Sandburg. If they find out I was at the church, too, they'll get suspicious."

  "Relax, Gare. If they ask questions, we'll send them to Crumb. He'll vouch for you," Marissa suggested, referring to their retired cop/bartender.

  "Besides, it's too late now." Chuck waved towards the front doors. "They're here."

  "I'm just glad the Cubbies gave you guys a g
ood show," Ray stated as they walked through the doors.

  "It was a great show," Blair replied enthusiastically. "I loved watching Sosa hit that homer."

  "Thanks again for taking us, Vecchio," Jim added.

  "Yeah, thanks. Jim and I were at loose ends while the guys were getting their tuxes and stuff."

  "You certainly got the better end of the deal," Sam commented.

  "What? You didn't like running around Chicago, or has New York City and Europe spoiled you?" Terry teased.

  "Too hot," Sam replied.

  "I'll second that." Dave wiped his forehead. "This 103 stuff is ridiculous."

  "It must be hot, since Fraser has ditched the uniform," Ray added, sending a calculating glance at his partner while keeping the smile off his face.

  Fraser, dressed in light blue shirt and jeans, was holding the door open for Joan Connell and her mother-in-law Laura Connell. "I'm off duty, Ray. I don't need to wear my uniform."

  Ray's smart remark was cut off when the hostess appeared to take them to the table. Once they were all seated, Laura commented, "I haven't been here since it was a dance club back during the war. They have really fixed up the place." She turned to her son. "How did you learn of it?"

  "I met the new owner and his manager this morning. They were catering a wedding at St. Michael's and were handing out free samples."

  "Yes," Joan commented, giving her husband a smile. "While we were all being threatened by a bomber, Tom was eating."

  "What happened?" Terry's sister Chris asked, wide-eyed. She had just gotten into town that afternoon. Everyone at the table quickly caught her up-to-date.

  "What happens to Ms. Delmonte now?" Dave asked.

  "Oh, she's in lockup, pending a psychological exam," Ray explained.

  "Detective Huey is looking into her allegations about the fire," Fraser added, "but so far nothing suspicious has come to light."