“I’m not interested in his charm,” barked Harvey. “What did he and Alf discuss?”
“I never found that out, sir; all I heard was a snippet of their conversation, something like, ‘big bucks in it for you, you get my meaning?’ but I moved away real quick like. Later that evening after dinner he said to me, ‘Rita, don’t you worry about a thing. Anna has changed her will; you have a home here for life and I’ll be custodian of her money. Little Lucy will never inherit. What could a kid do with a place like this anyway? But you and me Rita, we could have a real good time here. Poor, sick Anna, she hadn’t a clue what she signed, so remember, keep your mouth shut.’ As I said, Detective, I was real scared of him by then.”
Harvey stood up, thumped the table, and pushed the chair with such force that it landed across the room startling both the prisoner and attending officer.
“I’m sure you were real scared,” he yelled at the top of his voice as he left the room in total disgust.
Rita collapsed onto the floor.
Harvey stood outside the interview room, head in hands as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard.
“Good God. It was Edward Garnett who set up the murder of Lucy and her companions. He colluded with Alfred Wysoki to prevent Lucy inheriting.”
He shook his head as Carole approached.
“This has totally bowled me over. I’ll have to inform our FBI guys. They had been searching for our two fugitives and know about the murders in Scotland but this takes it up a notch now that we have proof that the cause of the plane crash was a planned criminal act and the motive for the accident. They’ve been working closely with our own law enforcement agencies. I’ll make the call.”
When she recovered sufficiently in the prison medical centre, a senior detective read Rita her Miranda rights and passed on a verbal message from the superintendent of CPD to the effect that he would ensure she would never be freed from incarceration.
CHAPTER 18
Carole invited Tony over to her place for a meal and to talk things over. She knew he was angry at the turn of events after his visit to Rita Hampton and Anna Leci’s lawyer, and thought a change of scene would bring him out of his morose state. She tried to reason with him that what was done was done, but he was outraged at the selfishness of the woman who could perhaps have saved Lucy from prolonged captivity. Her involvement in the treachery of scheming Edward Garnett Jnr had floored him.
“You’re letting Rita Hampton get under your skin, Tony. Come on. Chill out a bit. Those two are safely incarcerated for forever and a day. Ted’s opening a bottle of your favourite wine, so let’s relax and enjoy my crazy kids. They haven’t seen their Uncle Tony in a long time. Since we’ve got back from Scotland you never seem to have a minute. We never see you socially. Where are you hiding out? You’re gonna burn yourself out. You need to chill and relax with folks who care about you. You spend too much time alone.”
Tony squirmed with embarrassment; his face reddened as he bashfully revealed his secret.
“Well, I suppose I’d best tell you. I have been chilling out… with a lovely lady… for some time now. We wanted to keep it under wraps to see how it panned out but you’ve kinda put me in a corner.”
Carole squealed with delight, bringing her husband rushing from the kitchen to see what the excitement was about.
“Who, Tony? Come on, spill the beans, who is she? I haven’t spotted any signs, like you buying candy for your lady, or flowers. Hey, come to think of it, you have been spruced up a bit lately and yeah, look at those shoes! When did you ever clean your shoes before? Tony, I’m your partner and I haven’t noticed anything!”
Tony threw his head back in raucous laughter.
“Flowers! That’s one thing I’ll never need to buy her, she has plenty!”
Carole digested this information before exclaiming: “Tony! It’s Gina, isn’t it? I thought you’d been going over there a lot. Wow! Tell me it is Gina!”
“Yeah, it is Gina. We got close after Lucy’s death. When I went over to give her the tragic news, Abigail was bereft. I called by several times to check on them. I suppose it just grew into friendship then got more serious.”
When he was able to entangle himself from Carole’s hug and Ted’s backslapping, he continued, “We took it easy to let Abigail get used to me being around. She’s a great kid and we get on so well. She was devastated at Lucy’s death. In fact, I don’t think she is really over it yet even after all this time. Gina often finds her sobbing in her room.
“Gina’s had a tough life; her husband deserted her when he found out Abigail was on the way. He didn’t want kids but didn’t think to let Gina know. She was shocked at the turn of events, but she sure is one strong lady and made a terrific job of bringing up Abigail and setting up her floral business. The two of them are close. Young Lucy envied them that closeness; she never had that from her own mother. Abigail is studying art at the School of Art Institute of Chicago now and has her own life ahead of her; she’s pleased for her mom and me. She has become quite an independent young lady now, but will always be haunted by memories of Lucy.”
“You’ve bowled me over! Wow, I’m so happy for you. What are your plans then?”
“As I said, we’ve been taking it a step at a time. And now, well, we’ve set a date for the wedding. I was going to tell you when I calmed down. Who knows what life has in store, so we’ve decided to take the plunge; we both realised how much we missed each other when I was in Scotland.”
“And I wish you every happiness! Now I know why you were reluctant to have Gina and Abigail re-interviewed; you were protecting them and rightly so, Tony. I understand.”
“Thanks Carole, that means a lot to me. Now, what I haven’t shared with you or any of the squad was that I was engaged many years ago to a wonderful girl, but my darling Poppy died in my arms after two years of suffering from cancer. She was so brave. She told me, ‘Tony, honey, after I’m gone, you have to find yourself a good woman. I don’t want to think of you alone in the world’.
“I never wanted anyone else, Carole, so I immersed myself in work. When Gina entered my life I was bowled over at how I felt about her, and you know, I was a bit afraid; part of me thought I was betraying Poppy. I talked it over with Gina. She’s such a level-headed person and she got me to see that it was okay to let go of my love for Poppy and was sure Poppy approved of our liaison. That’s why I kept the news to myself until I was sure of my feelings.”
He produced a photograph from his wallet, removed it carefully, and showed them his beloved Poppy.
“Oh, Tony, she is so beautiful.”
***
While Tony enjoyed time at Carole’s home, Gina and her daughter talked well into the night as they discussed the change about to happen in their lives.
“You’re sure, honey, that you’re okay with Tony and me?”
“Mom, I’m pleased for you both. Tony is a cool guy and I’m so happy that you will have someone with you when I’m off to college. I’m cool about it, Mom. Okay, there’s a big age difference but what does that matter?”
Tony laughed when Gina related the conversation about the ten-year age gap.
“As long as she doesn’t take to calling me ‘Grand pappy’.”
“What does age matter when love is involved?” whispered Gina as they finalised their wedding plans.
“You sure, honey, you want to take on an old guy like me?” laughed the groom-to-be, when he popped an engagement ring on his lady’s finger. They were both aware of the poignancy of events which led them to find love: the abduction and death of young Lucy Mears led Tony as head of the Chicago investigation unit to interview Gina and her traumatised daughter, Abigail. Regular visits had been made to ‘Gina’s Floral Boutique’ where Tony and his deputy Carole patiently questioned the distraught child on events leading up to the disappearance
of her school friend.
***
Tony and Gina’s wedding was a quiet affair, carefully choreographed and staged by Gina herself. The wedding took place in downtown Chicago. The hotel outdoor pool-deck offered the perfect setting for a romantic wedding. Abigail looked happier than she had been for many months and looked forward to having a stepfather. Several close friends were in attendance including Carole and Ted Carr. The bridal shower had been arranged by Carole and Abigail, the latter being chief bridesmaid. The couple had composed their own wedding vows which were said in unison.
“If Mom’s happy, then I’m happy,” she told Carole at the hotel where the reception took place. Since college was out for summer recess Abigail was to live with Carole and her family while the newlyweds honeymooned in Florida. Abigail often called around to spend time with Carole’s two kids and the families had become close friends.
***
The Florida Keys, a thousand miles away, was the setting for another quiet wedding, that of Nora Kelly and her fiancé Peter. Molly, accompanied by Brenda, attended the quiet beach wedding. The once spritely lady was becoming too frail to travel alone. The events of the past years had aged her considerably. In spite of her being in her late sixties, her health was not good. She had become stooped and had lost her love of life; everything was an effort for her. She suffered attacks of angina, which she tried to shield from her daughter and from Brenda, but she continued to push herself to the limit in spite of being asked to slow down. The trip to Europe with Brenda was an awesome experience for her, but the strain was telling on her aging body.
“I look in that mirror, Brenda, and I see an old woman looking back at me. Who is she and where has my youth gone? Inside me I feel young and apart from a few health problems, I’m still me!” chuckled the incorrigible Molly.
“I don’t want to miss my only child’s wedding,” she told Brenda, when the arrangements for the day were settled.
“The invite includes you, of course. Nora wants you, her lifelong friend, to be part of her special day. It’s to be a quiet celebration as Peter has only his father and one sister left now. I’m looking forward to meeting my son-in-law. I’ve only ever spoken to him on the phone. The sweet man called to ask my permission to marry my daughter. Perhaps we can spend a few days in the area and see some sights after the celebrations are over. I’m a seasoned traveller now, you know!”
“As long as you don’t drag me with you on those Disney rides, Molly Kelly!” laughed a more relaxed Brenda as they began arranging their trip.
“Now, we need to do some serious shopping; the mother of the bride must look the part,” she said.
Nora’s beach wedding was a beautiful occasion, perfect in every way. Mother and daughter had a long, emotional chat about the events which led Nora to this day.
“Mom, I’ll never forget George, he was my first real love, but what’s done is done, and Peter is a real good guy. I’m looking forward to spending my life with him. We plan to stay in this area and open our own small hotel; you know that was always my ambition and I keep thinking that maybe I put George under too much pressure about it and that led to his involvement with those scumbag loan sharks.”
“Honey, don’t beat yourself up about the past. George was an adult. He made the mistake, not you. No, you have to think of the future and maybe get me some grandkids before I get any older,” laughed Molly as she helped her daughter adjust her dress.
“I’ve left it too late for that, Mom. Not that I wouldn’t like to be a mom, I sure would, and Peter would be a good dad.”
“Honey, lots of women are having babies later in life. You just never know! Hey, I had you just after my thirtieth birthday and we made out alright, now, didn’t we?”
Nora, an ecstatic bride, looked more content then than she had been for several years. She and her new groom headed off for a vacation.
Molly and Brenda sat by the hotel pool reminiscing on life’s events which led to this contented day. As the sun set, casting a spectacular glow over the area, they raised their glasses to toast the newlyweds.
“What an awesome day, Brenda. My girl is so happy and so am I. I couldn’t be a happier mom.”
Wistfully, Brenda turned to Molly and poured out her heart.
“I envy you, Molly Kelly. I’ll never get to see my daughter as a beautiful bride. You are so lucky. Nora was stunning. I’m so happy for her. Peter is charming and they make a perfect couple.”
Molly hugged her lifelong friend. “I know, honey. I was just thinking that as I helped Nora with her dress. You are still hurting real bad, aren’t you?”
“Molly, dear, I have to face up to things. I know Lucy loved you and looked on you as her mama; I’m not blind to my neglect of her. It pains me so.”
“It’s not too late for you to get some professional help, some therapy. It might help ease things a little. But, listen to this old fool; I need therapy as much as you do. I think I managed to hide my grief from you, didn’t want to make things worse when you were suffering so, but, I’m still having flashbacks at night, sleep evades me most nights, so let’s fix it up when we get home; yeah, a bit of therapy will help us both. You were a good mom, despite what you think, so don’t beat yourself up.”
“That’s sweet of you to say that, but I have to face up to the fact that I poured money and material things Lucy’s way. She wanted for nothing except her mom’s love. No, Molly, I know I was not as good a mom as I should have been and things might have been different if I’d given her my time and my love. She might still be alive.”
“Brenda Mears, listen to me. Even if you had been the most loving mom in the world it would not have changed Anna Leci’s despicable plot to take Lucy from you. Now, less of this talk and let’s have a cocktail. I fancy a cool margarita. Don’t you? Served by a handsome waiter like that one over there!”
***
A few days after the wedding, Brenda returned to the poolside after her swim to find Molly snoozing in the sunshine.
“Come on sleepy; let’s head for lunch. Swimming always makes me ravenous. The food here is too good to waste.”
As she gently shook Molly, she knew then that her darling lifetime friend and mentor would never know the joy of grandkids. Molly had simply slept away.
Brenda had the unenviable task of informing the honeymooners of the demise of Molly Kelly.
CHAPTER 19
Carole settled her young kids in her sedan ready to drop them off at school.
“Hang in there kids, I’ve left my cell phone, won’t be a minute.”
She returned to her car to find the kids staring out of the window.
“Mom, a man in a car stopped on our driveway and just stared at us. It was creepy. He made a sign with his fingers, like he was going to shoot us. He drove off when he saw you come out of the house.”
At that moment, her husband Ted arrived home from his late-night shift.
“Hey, I had to swerve at the bottom of our street for some madman who was driving way too fast for here.”
“Daddy, a man was staring at us from his car, just now.”
Trying not to alarm her kids, Carole tried to make light of the incident. She was unsure how much information her seven and five-year-old children could understand without becoming afraid of every passing car or every stranger who smiled at them.
She whispered to Ted, “Honey, I’ll drop the kids off and come right back. Try to remember all you saw of that car. I’ll be back shortly.”
En route to school, Carole gently reminded her kids of the rules about not talking to strangers or going in strange cars.
“Yeah Mom, we know all that, you’re always telling us about good guys/bad guys.”
“I know you do honey, but it doesn’t do any harm to be reminded. You have to remind your friends too; will you do that for me? It’s probably noth
ing to worry about, but just remember the rules; you must never take a ride from strangers.”
“Sure Mom, but we all know these things.”
Carole spoke to the school principal about the incident and reiterated her strict arrangements for collecting her kids from school.
“They must never be picked up by anyone but me or my husband. If we have to arrange for someone else, I’ll call. Please be extra vigilant; this may be nothing, but I can’t take chances, not in my line of work. Every day I meet all kinds of people; some harmless, others downright dangerous.”
“I’ll inform my staff right now, ma’am, and we’ll make sure the CCTV cameras are constantly monitored. We do all we can here to keep the kids safe. As you know, we have an officer on the premises monitoring the school as part of the city ‘safe zone policy’. I’ll speak with him and make sure he keeps his eyes open for any untoward activity.”
Back home, she and Ted discussed strategies for dropping off and picking up the kids. What they had in place worked well. They were meticulous in setting a strict routine for the kids’ various activities.
“We just have to tighten up a bit,” admitted Carole. “I’m guilty of running late at times but the kids know to hang around in school for me.”
With the flexibility of Ted’s job as an environmental officer and his ability to work from home when necessary, child minding had seldom been a problem. He could vary his work hours to fit in with his wife’s shift pattern, allowing a plan of action to ensure the safety of his children. In the light of the morning’s incident they rescheduled some dates to ensure watertight school runs.
“As for the car, all we have to go on is that it was black and driven by a creepy man. I’ll call it in and ask our guys to patrol the area for a while. It may be nothing, just some guy out to terrify folk, but he sure as hell scared the kids.”
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