Freddy looked at the building. “Go. Go. Go!”
Grace peeled out.
“Oh, my god. Oh my god.” Freddy rattled fast.
“Oh, my God. Oh my god.” Grace repeated.
“Just go. Just go. Drive, Princess. Fast.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. Just go.”
“Did they follow us?” she asked, speeding away.
“No one was coming. But I’m sure they have cameras.” Freddy grabbed his chest. His eyes went from Grace to the side mirror. “We have to get out of here.”
“Out of where?”
“Town.”
“What about the police.”
Freddy shrieked. “Police!”
Grace screamed. “You scared me.”
“Me? Me? Your boyfriend had a man gunned down, we witnessed it. Scared? Toots, you don’t know the half of it. These people will kill us if they know we were there. The police can’t protect us. That’s why cars blow up.”
“Oh my God. What do we do?”
“Take off. Fast. For a while. A quick vacation.” Freddy rambled. “My psychic sense is for us to go. My dream. Remember my dream. Fresh start. We have to do that. My psychic sense …”
“Why didn’t your psychic sense kick in before this happened!” Grace shouted.
“It did!” Freddy yelled back. “Remember, I said it in the car on the way here. Murder. Witness. Jail.”
Grace’s hand shot to her mouth. “I’m gonna vomit.”
“Vomit later, you’ll mess up your lipstick. Just drive.”
Grace glanced at him side ways. “Ok. Calm.” She took a deep breath. “Do you really think the cops aren’t an option?”
“Not until we’re secure in our safety.”
“So then how do we know?”
Freddy thought. “I don’t know. We’ll think of that later. Right now... we have to be on the lam.”
“Freddy ….”
“I’ve seen godfather!”
“You’re right.” Grace nodded, pulled onto a side street, and stopped.
“What are you doing?”
“No one is behind us. No one is around. Let’s plan.”
“Fast,” he said.
“Fast.”
The bank nearest her grandmother’s was the place deemed to go. It was small, in the upscale suburbs and they knew Grace. Freddy made some phone calls en route. They go to the bank, make a sizable withdraw. Enough to get them out of town, get them clothes and situated them until they could figure out what to do.
After the bank, they would go to Freddy’s cousin’s husband’s, sister’s best friend and trade cars with her. She was far enough removed to not be connected to her. They’d also give the single woman, five grand to keep her mouth shut.
All planned out.
Of course withdrawing fifty grand from the bank wasn’t as easy as they thought. It wasn’t a matter of filling out a withdraw slip, and going to the window. They had to draw up papers, have forms signed, identification verified. The whole process took twenty minutes. Not really a long time, but a lifetime in to both Grace and Freddy.
Both of their feet tapped in anxiousness, their hands perspired and shook.
“And that’s it.” The manager produced a tray of money. “Good luck in Vegas.”
Grace smiled. “We have a hunch on a big bet.”
“Yes,” Freddy quickly scooted the money into his man bag, sliding stacks for Grace to put in her purse. “We plan on tripling this.”
“Sounds exciting.” The bank manager smiled and stood. “Good luck.” She extended her hand.
After wiping the sweat from her palm, Grace shook hands, as did Freddy.
“Lovely hair,” Freddy told her and looped his hand through Grace’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Grace nodded and both of them quickly moved from the bank.
As soon as they stepped outside, three cars sped up and stopped with a loud screech.
Grace and Freddy halted.
Six men raced from the cars all holding revolvers.
“Hold it!” One shouted.
Freddy gasped. “It’s like I said in the car. A hit on us.”
“FBI!” The agent showed his badge and revolver. “Drop the bag, hands in the air. Both of you!”
“Or worse,” Freddy said, raising his hands. “Jail.”
Grace dropped her bag and lifted her hands, as well.
CHAPTER TWO
Nothing was said to Grace and Freddy; they were placed in separate cars and sped away from the bank.
No handcuffs, which made Grace happy. The silence didn’t. She kept asking, “What’s going on?” and telling the two agents in the front seat of the moving car. “I didn’t do anything. I swear. Where’s Freddy.”
“Ma’am, everything will be explained when we get there.”
“I just need to know what is going on.”
“Ma’am …”
“I was just getting some money from the bank. Oh my God, do you think we robbed the bank.”
“No, we can’t say anything to you right now.”
“Where’s my friend. He was with me and … oh, there’s a Starbucks, can we stop. I can use a latte.” She leaned forward, pointing between the front seats.
The agent in the passenger’s seat just glared at her.
Grace sat back. “Never mind.”
She wasn’t driven across the town, or even across the entire city. Taken to the airport, Grace boarded a private plane, and flew somewhere for two hours.
At least they gave her an alcoholic drink.
She had two. They refused her a third. Even when she told them a third wouldn’t make a difference, she was from Hollywood, they refused.
After the plane, it was another car ride, and then down into a basement parking lot. From there they escorted her into an elevator.
“Can I at least ask where I’m at?” Grace looked to bother agents on each side of her.
Neither said anything.
“Guess not.”
Finally, she knew she arrived at her destination. Stepping from the elevator, she emerged into a hall and was escorted down that hall into a room.
They opened the door for her.
“Wait in here,” they said.
Grace stepped in.
“Princess!” Freddy jumped up.
Grace shrieked and ran to him. They embraced.
“You’ve been drinking?” he asked.
“On the plane.”
“Oh, that’s so wrong. I asked. They refused.”
“I think they wanted to shut me up,” she said. “Freddy? What’s going on?’
He shook his head. “It could be many things. I don’t know.”
Grace looked around the room. It wasn’t too small, a meeting table and mirror. She walked to the mirror. “I look haggard. My lipstick is off.”
“And they took our bags.”
“With our money.”
“Bastards.” Freddy folded his arms. “You know that’s two way mirror.”
“Really?”
“Bet me,” Freddy nodded. “Watch.” He walked to the mirror and stood there. Slowly he unbuttoned his shirt, and slipped his hand in the opening across his chest.
Grace giggled. “That’s funny.”
“I figure if I stand here long enough and rub my nipples someone will get tired of it and come in.”
The door opened. Two agents stepped inside.
“See what I mean?” Freddy said.
“Mr. Lyons, Ms. Benson,” the agent said. “Please …” he held out his hand to the table. “Have a seat.”
After looking at Freddy, Grace sat down. Then he did.
“I’m agent Bill Adams and this is agent John Smith.”
Freddy looked at him. “John Smith?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Adams cleared his throat. “I know you two are wondering why you are here.”
> Grace said, “We didn’t do it.”
“Do you know what you are saying you didn’t do?” Adams asked.
“Yes,” Grace replied, then paused. “No, we don’t.”
“I know we didn’t rob the bank,” Freddy added. “In case that’s what you’re thinking. That money belonged to her.”
“I have a lot,” Grace added. “Am I getting that money back?”
“Yes,” Adams answered. “Just ... stay calm. First why were you at the Henderson Building?”
Grace looked perplexed. “The Henderson building. We weren’t at the Henderson building.”
“You weren’t at 151 Mill Street, a building owned by Alfonzo Carlotta?” the agent asked.
“Yes, we were there,” Grace replied.
“That’s the Henderson building,” Adams said.
“I never knew that.” She turned to Freddy. “Did you know that?”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Excuse me,” Adams interrupted. “Why were you there?”
Freddy answered, “To see her boyfriend.”
“Ex boyfriend.” Grace corrected.
“Soon to be ex boyfriend, “ Freddy furthered. “You didn’t get a chance to break up with him. As far as he knows you are still his girlfriend.”
“Shit.”
“We should have just done the phone break up thing,” Freddy said. “We wouldn’t be here. Why are we here?”
Adams answered, “For your safety.”
Freddy slammed his hand on the table. “I knew it. We are in danger.”
Adams continued. “We had a tip that there was going to be a hit later this afternoon. We had just arrived and were setting up our surveillance when you two entered the building. Before we could finish, you two ran out, drove off, a few seconds later a body sails down from the roof. We figured there was a reason you two were running. It was one of two things. You pulled the hit or saw the hit.”
Freddy said, “We were scared.”
Grace added. ‘To death. Scared to death. Freddy said to go, I went.”
“We didn’t kill that man or the secretary,” Freddy said.
The agent partially smiled. “We didn’t say the body was a man and we didn’t say the secretary was dead.”
“Fuck,” Freddy wisped out. “Did I just confess to something I didn’t do?”
Adams shook his head. “No, we pretty much figured by the way you two ran, were dressed, and acted, you weren’t hit men. Did you witness the murder?”
Freddy and Grace just looked at each other.
“Did you?” Adams asked again.
Freddy leaned forward, “if we say ‘yes’, are we going to be in trouble for running from a scene of a crime.”
“No. Actually, that would have been the smart thing to do. In that situation. However, we have reason to believe, with all the surveillance cameras in that building, they’re pretty certain you guys witnessed it.”
Grace spoke up. “We didn’t see the secretary get killed. She was dead when we walked in.”
Freddy reached over and patted her hand. “Princess, we didn’t know that. We thought she was napping.” He crinkled his nose to Adams. “She’s elderly.”
“She was a federal agent.”
“Oh.” Freddy covered his mouth.
Adams looked at Grace. “Since you were romantically involved with Mr. Carlotta, did you recognize the shooter?”
Grace shook her head. “I didn’t know him or the victim. I only knew Al and his dad.”
Adams quickly looked at his partner, then back to Grace. “Mr. Carlotta Sr was in the room.”
Grace nodded. “Oh, yeah. He told the victim he was going to die.”
Adams nodded and bit his lip, looking pleased. “Ok. Here’s the deal. Mr. Carlotta is connected with organized crime. We have been trying for so long to put his guy and his son away. Problem is the last four good solid, witnesses were killed.”
Freddy’s eyes widened. “We won’t say a word then.”
“That’s not what we want. We want you to testify against them. Put them away for good. For life,” Adams said.
“But we can be killed,” Freddy said. “I don’t want to die.”
“We don’t want that either,” Adams said. “We want to put you in the Federal Witness Protection Program.”
“Wait a second,” Freddy commented. “I have seen movies. I know what that is. It’s where you wipe out our lives, make us leave our families, and put us somewhere knew so we can testify and be safe.”
“Exactly.”
“What about our careers?” Freddy asked. “I just picked up three new purse clients and Grace here, her acting career is just starting to soar.”
Grace smiled. “Ah, that was really nice of you to say.”
“I believe in you,” Freddy grabbed her hand.
“I believe in you, too.” Grace took a deep breath. “I don’t want to go into that. But thanks.”
“You don’t understand,” Adams said. “You two are as good as dead now anyhow. We have another inside contact with the Carlota organization. A hit is out on you.”
Freddy stifled a shriek.
“How long?” Grace asked. “How long will we have to be in this?”
Adams shook his head. “Could be short term, could be for the rest of your life. It depends how much your life is in danger.”
“Give up my family forever?” Grace sulked. Her head cocked when the door opened and Gregory walked in. “Daddy!” she jumped from her chair and ran to him.
“Grace, Sweetheart, are you OK?” he took her into his arms.
“We’re on the lam, Daddy. We witnessed a murder and now there’s a hit on us.”
“I know.” Gregory said.
“They want us to testify in the case, but to do so, they want to put us in some witness protection program. I have to leave. Give up my life. You. My home. My career.”
“The federal witness protection program?” Gregory asked. “It must be bad, Grace if they’re wanting you to do that. I know it’s a hard decision. Giving up your life. Your home and family.”
“And career,” Grace added.
“Yes.” Gregory nodded.
Adams explained. “She won’t be alone. Mr. Lyons would go into the program with her. They get the fresh start together.”
Freddy gasped. “My dream.”
Grace’s eyes widened. “You are so psychic.”
Arm around Grace, Gregory faced the agent. “Are we absolutely sure there’s a hit on her? I mean, I’m pretty damn confident I can protect my daughter.”
“I don’t want to leave my father,” Grace said. “Is there any other way.”
Adams shook his head. “Even without testifying we can’t guarantee their safety. And there’s more than just being shot. They could blow up the house, anyone could be a killer. Plus, death isn’t the only thing. They could try to bribe her. I mean, let’s say some huge producer offers her an Oscar style role in exchange for her not to testify. She may take the role.”
Grace bobbed her head. “I can see myself doing that.”
“See.” The agent said. “There’s no other way. This is the best way to keep her alive and get her testimony.”
Gregory looked into his daughter’s eyes. “Grace, honey, your life is what is important. Things will work out. They will.” He nodded to the agent. “Do what needs to be done. I’ll get my daughter in the right frame of mind.”
Adams nodded. “We’ll get these two situated in a hotel room for tonight, and get working on things to have in motion tomorrow morning.” He twitched his head in a call for his silent partner, and opened the door. “Someone will be here for you shortly to get clothes sizes, and so forth. I’ll see you tonight to go over everything with you.”
With Agent John smith, Adams walked out.
The door closed.
Gregory asked. “Feeling better at all?”
“A little. Now that you’re here.”
“It’ll work out for the best.
Please don’t worry,” Gregory said.
“How can we not?” Freddy stood up. “I’m worried sick. They’re picking out my clothes.”
Gregory just ignored him and returned to his daughter.
++++
Freddy sobbed.
Actually, he sobbed twice.
When they arrived at their hotel, it was explained that part of the new identity process was a new look. Or at least an altered look. They were both taken into separate rooms.
When Freddy emerged, that was the first time he sobbed.
Gone was his long hair. It was short, very short, almost a military high and tight. His goatee was removed, all jewelry, and he sported a thin mustache..
Gregory was impressed with the hair, telling Freddy it was a great change.
Grace received a haircut as well. He long brown hair with subtle highlights was chopped to a shoulder length do with strong blond highlights.
“You look like your mother,” Gregory told her.
“Oh, yeah, how’s this.” Grace said lifting small glasses to her face. “I had to get rid of my contacts.”
Then Freddy burst into tears the second time when he opened the suitcase and saw his clothes.
“Levis! I can’t wear Levis. Not with my figure. And boots. Cowboy boots.” He sobbed. “Look at this shirt. It …” he gulped. “Tucks in.”
“Calm down,” Grace told him. “We can get new clothes where ever we go. I have jeans and tee shirts, as well. How do you think I feel?”
Freddy nodded. “We must be going somewhere southwestern. A Ranch or Texas town. At least it’s better than Ohio.”
Grace nodded. “It could be Ohio.”
Agent Adams, who had been present, called for their attention. “If you two are done. Please have a seat.” He turned his head to the ‘shifting’ sound of a shotgun. “Mr. Benson, really, we have agents.”
“I know,” Gregory said holding his shotgun. “But while she’s still nearby, I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
Grace walked to the bed. “I think I’m sleeping in the bathroom tonight.”
“Why?” Freddy asked.
“In case they blow us up. They say the bathtub is the safest place.”
Adams held up his hand. “No one is blowing you up tonight.” He pulled up a chair and sat down across from them. “Everything is in order.”
“Except our clothes,” Freddy said. “Who picked them out?”
Charmed Life Page 2
