by William Cain
THE THOMAS GIRLS
Then There Were Two
Book 4 of the Adelaide Henson Mystery Series
William Cain
Disclaimer
The Thomas Girls is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, events, establishments or locales are intended only to give this work of fiction a sense of reality and authenticity, and all are used fictitiously. All other characters, places, dialogue and events are the product of the author's imagination.
Copyright © 2020 by William Cain Stranges
ISBN: 9798688128031
for stephanie,
my sister
my friend
aka two-hag
Asheville, NC
Asheville P.D.
Commissioner Bill Evans
Captain Adelaide (Addie) Henson Thomas – wife to Frank Thomas
FBI
Senior Special Agent David Juvieux
The Thomas Family
Reggi (Virginia) Thomas
Joseph Thomas – second husband to Reggi, deceased
Children of Reggi
Frank Thomas – son, and husband to Adelaide
Child of Frank
Frank Jr. (Frannie) – son
Officer Agatha Winslow Thomas – wife to Frannie
Charlotte Bouknight – daughter
Edwin Bouknight – husband to Charlotte, deceased
Children of Charlotte
Madison – daughter
Haley – daughter
Megan Thomas – daughter
Queens, NY
Woodside Psychiatric Center
San Luis Obispo, CA
California Men's Colony
Gennarro (Biggie) Battaglia – retired overboss of the DiCaprio Crime Family
Other Players
John Paulson – Reggi’s first husband and Frank’s natural father
Greg – Madison’s contact in the Underground
Author's Note
This is Book Four in a series of ten books. A series that is best read in order. Each two books are closely related, meaning Book 3 and Book 4, for example, complete that main story. A story which is part of the bigger picture of all ten books. This is the reason I publish the two close together, and make them available, as an eBook, for free on some days.
I myself am a slow reader. So, I explain this to others as 'I like to digest the material. I'm not trying to read as many books as I can, and then forget about them.' I like reading and going over what the author has written years later.
Years go by, and I can still remember characters from the epic novel by Terry Hayes, I am Pilgrim. That was a great spy novel about the end of mankind, and very believable. This manuscript and others live on because I took the time to read them.
And, I've had many reviewers finish a book of mine in one day. Some even reread them. Go figure.
So, don't rob yourself. Read them in order, and enjoy!
AMAZON
series link
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z43KVSF
books one through four
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X6C2TH7
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY78GL9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087BH1HHD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GY8Y5V1
GOODREADS
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52151799-mrs-jones
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49020218-mr-jones
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53453101-mrs-thomas
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55598812-the-thomas-girls
1
Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt. Eric Sevareid
Madison twists in her seat to look behind her through the rear window. In the desert heat, the air rippling from the roadway they’re traveling on, she sees what she expects, but wants to look anyway. Wants to see the Las Cruces Police Department building fading away as they distance themselves. It’s a welcome sight. Inwardly, smugly, triumphantly, she beams at the thought of the strength of the Network that has saved her and her grandmother once again, snatching them from their capture by the police and Captain Adelaide Henson.
One hour earlier, she and her grandmother had felt carefree, having lunch, waiting for the Network – or Battered Women’s Underground – to move them to their final destination. There, no one would find them, and the two of them would be safe forever. Madison expects her own work with the Underground to continue, and her grandmother will receive the treatment she needs, the counseling and therapy to continue her recovery from her impaired mental state which caused her to commit that awful crime so long ago. Madison will also continue her work with abused women, just as she did in her hometown of Asheville, and the move to their final destination – wherever that is – will reward the two of them with a return to some semblance of a normal life.
Then she showed up. Captain Adelaide Henson. Her Aunt Addie, along with Madison’s Uncle Frank, intended to arrest the two of them and return her grandmother, Reggi Thomas, to the psychiatric ward at Woodside Hospital in Queens, New York. The same hospital Reggi had escaped from weeks and months ago and then fled south to Florida with Madison’s help and the power of the Underground. It was peaceful there, on the beach. Peaceful until a killer started following them, bludgeoning one man there. As they fled again, to Texas, another man was beaten to death, so they fled a third time, to here in Las Cruces.
Yes, she showed up and the two women found themselves in handcuffs, being taken into custody in Las Cruces. How Aunt Addie found them confounds Madison, but she is sure it has to do with her mother, Charlotte. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, for sure, Madison mulls. Then, just as quickly as having been arrested, Madison’s contact in the Underground, her handler Greg, tricked the police into handing herself and her grandmother over to him. He impersonated a deputy and took them into the stationhouse himself, walked by the desk sergeant, waving and smiling, then marched right down the long hallway and threw open the back door where Greg’s operatives were waiting. Now, here she is, looking through the rear window, seated next to Greg and her grandmother in the rear seat. A lot can happen in sixty minutes, and Madison turns away, rubbing her wrists where the shackles have left their marks.
She glances at Greg, maybe a bit too long, and he notices from the corner of his eye. Placing his hand on Madison’s knee, he pats and shakes it, showering her with his confidence, calming her. On her other side, Reggi is watching this exchange, and her naturally wary ways belie her happy expression as she smiles at the two of them. Returning to the business at hand, Greg releases his comforting hold on Madison and speaks with his men in the front seats.
“Watch your speed, please. We just need to get to the replacements and we’ll be on our way, safer. Until then let’s make sure we don’t draw attention. It’s just a little further.” Then, Greg settles back and the trip’s conversation dries up, ever aware of what they have done, and the driver slows their advance a little.
A turn is made, and a desolate, dirt road is taken by the driver. In the distance, a small stand of trees can be seen, and the other operative points as the driver nods in agreement. Once they arrive, they meet a woman who has been patiently waiting in this sweltering heat, next to two SUV’s and one beaten, old pickup. Stopping there, Greg gratefully nods to the woman when he hears the SUV’s engines running. Their rides are ready for transfer of the three men and two women. The waiting woman has made sure the SUV’s cabins have been cooled down in anticipation of their immediate occupancy.
Greg gives the woman his thanks as
she boards her old truck and drives away noisily, no exchange necessary, raising a small trail of dust as she disappears into the distance. Looking over to his operatives Greg instructs, “Take the Gray one. Use expressways and alternating state routes. Once you’ve arrived, make contact only then. We’ll take the other car and meet you a few days later. You already have your instructions and no more needs saying. You know what to do.”
As the two men begin the short walk towards their ride, Greg calls out, and they turn around briefly, “Nice work,” he tells them. Smiling and nodding, the two climb in and are quickly lost from view, leaving the three of them alone, ready to begin their own trip.
Turning to Madison and Reggi, Greg motions, “Let’s go. We’ll leave the car here and take this shiny new SUV. Those two will act as our advance team and get things ready. We’ll stick to state routes only to avoid being seen and, you know, those nasty little cameras.”
The three of them step over to the SUV to begin what Madison perceives as a long trip, given it’ll take three or four days on state roads. She lets a rush of air out, but isn’t dismayed at the prospect of an extended, slow trip. Rather, she’s excited over the prospects of settling into their new home and elated that she and her grandmother are free. And it’s all due to Greg’s diligence, quick thinking, and hard work. She has a higher opinion of him now than ever before.
Reggi sees the hero worship in Madison’s eyes and taps her on the shoulder, “Earth to Madison. Help me into this thing please,” breaking Madison’s trance. After helping Reggi into the rear seat, she takes her place next to Greg up front. They drive off, leaving Las Cruces and the ugly affair of having been arrested behind.
Once they’ve been on the road a while, Madison asks of Greg, “Will you be taking us all the way?” She knows how the Underground operates, and their final destination won’t be revealed until they’re within a few hours of it. “Wherever that is,” she adds.
“I am your man,” he replies in a mock ingratiating manner. He likes Madison, and he’s been her contact for a long time now. They’re both young, and the age difference between them doesn’t amount to much, although he knows he’s older by around ten years.
What he knows about her from the women’s shelter in Asheville garners respect. She started working there at the age of sixteen and she’s seen a lot. A lot of blood, and bruises, and hurt. Many women actively seek to start over, and Madison was contacted by the Underground a long time ago to help start things for these poor souls. As time progressed, she became deeply involved, and her reputation became almost legendary. He himself came to know of her, even though his field office is in Atlanta. It’s why he leaped at the chance to become her handler.
As they drive along, scenic wastelands on one side and the craggy mountain tops of New Mexico on the other, it’s almost as if they’re on a daytime get-away, and not escaping the reach of law and order. For now, they are safe and in control of their destiny.
Greg allows his mind to drift as he follows the roads carefully, and casually looks over to Madison, seeing she is taking some time to rest her eyes. He finds her quite lovely and imagines a future with her, unlike his past torments and tribulations. His prior relationships weren’t the rosy pictures he would have liked, and when they ended, they ended horribly. His face darkens at the memories, the nightmares conjured into reality, his failures and poor shortcomings ending them all. He wants to be a better man, and maybe this sweet young girl next to him will make his dreams come true. He begins to imagine a world where he and Madison are together, lovers, laughing, being together … all the time. It’s all he can do is try.
He looks at Madison again, fondly, then glances into the rear-view mirror and his eyes widen guiltily. He finds Reggi Thomas staring at him, her expression grim. He quickly averts his eyes and fixes them on the road.
Reggi’s glare bores two holes into the back of his head. He can feel it.
◆◆◆
The three travelers stop for lunch, and they need to stretch their legs. Four-day road trips can make you cranky. The constant peril of being found brought a nagging gloom to the trip, even though Greg’s training made the group feel confident and safe. Still, just one mistake could ruin it all, and that dark cloud won’t be lifted until they reach their goal, their destination. Madison opens the sandwich bag and places it onto the picnic table under a large pine of a rest area. Opening their water and juice bottles, the group talks animatedly about their prior days, knowing it’s a bit forced and that each is eager to end their journey. The awkward moment between Greg and Reggi is forgotten and the conversation flows freely.
“I think it was nice to stop a few times and just act like tourists,” Madison reflects. “It broke things up and it was, well, fun.”
Reggi puts her two pennies in, “I liked the Apache reservation best.” She starts laughing, “Funny that three hundred years ago we were killing each other and now the tribe operates ski resorts!”
“Well, I thought the Grand Canyon was very, very cool. The day trip we took to reach the bottom is without question a bucket list thing to do,” Greg answers as he takes a huge bite of his cheesesteak sandwich. “The Havasupai Indians living there at the bottom … that was very strange – and kind of peaceful – at the same time.”
“They’ve only lived there for eight hundred years,” Madison adds. “What was it, they’re known as the blue-green water people?”
Reggi nods, then excitedly asks, “Do you remember that stag we saw resting on the ledge of the canyon early that morning? How he got up there is beyond me.”
“Me too!” Madison says in agreement.
The conversation continues on and on, until the food is gone and the group looks over to the car. The girls are dreading resuming the trip, but it’s the only way, their only option. Greg notices their sour expressions and decides the time is right.
“We will be in San Luis Obispo in two hours. That’s our destination.” Instantly the women’s expressions change to all smiles and they are beaming at each other, hugging one another fiercely. “That is your new, permanent home. The Network has prepared your house with wireless, cable, new linens, renovated rooms, new kitchen, and baths. The works, nothing has been left out. You’ll have one new car, and that will be waiting for you in the garage. Your identities, your new names, have been created and there is a package waiting for you both.”
Greg looks at Madison and then Reggi, and gathers that what he just told them was exactly the right medicine at this time. He doesn’t even have to ask them to get in the car. Madison’s hand is already on the door handle, helping her grandmother into the back seat. As she closes the door she orders playfully, “Buckle up Grandmother, we’re going home!”
Madison looks back at Greg, flashes her best smile, shows him her best profile, and asks, “What are you waiting for? Let’s go!”
When Reggi sees the looks exchanged between the two of them, Greg’s high school sweetheart expression and Madison’s openly flirtatious behavior, she turns her head, thinking, Don’t make me throw up.
Back on the road again, the group’s excitement becomes infectious with each passing mile, happily agonizing over the anticipation of reaching San Luis Obispo. It feels, to the women, as if the short journey takes a lifetime and finally, finally, they crest a low, amber rolling hill and the city comes into view. Each girl gasps when they see it.
“It’s perfect,” Madison whispers, and she grabs Greg’s free hand and squeezes it briefly before turning to her grandmother. “Do you see it? Isn’t it just perfect Grandmother?”
Reggi Thomas is impressed, and it shows. “It’s beautiful, Madison. What can I say, Greg? I’m floored. The city is beautiful. And so close to the ocean, too!”
The man is smiling from their accolades, and the touch of Madison’s hand. “The area is trademarked with its golden straw hills, green valleys, and occasional rocky mountain. Here you’ll find waterfalls, rivers, hiking, city life, and all that a small but modern city has t
o offer. We think you’ll like it here. It’s a fun city, too. We did our research. There’s Bubblegum Alley, Madonna Inn, a really cool winery named Tolosa, naturally flowering bougainvillea…” Greg stops when he sees the women aren’t listening to him. “I’ll shut up now,” and all three start laughing.
Pulling up to a white home under towering trees and richly landscaped grounds, Greg announces, “This is it!” and the group exits the SUV, eager to explore. The home is on Flora St, above the neighborhood of Little Italy, and sits at the foot of the mountains above San Luis Obispo.
Arriving at the front door, Greg pulls a paper from his pocket and punches the entry code into the keyless lock. “You’ll want to memorize this,” he says as he hands the paper to Madison.
Once the women enter the home, Greg heads to the living room to make sure everything is in order, with expected items waiting for them, and to make a few calls. He leaves the women alone so they can go through their new home. They find a GMC Terrain in the garage and the kitchen is stocked. The back yard hosts a patio, lawn set, flowers, hanging baskets, and a grill. They quickly turn to head to the bedrooms, finding three, and choose one for each. One bedroom is empty, and the two women assume the Network left it that way for them to furnish as they please, perhaps making it into an office or something. The only thing missing is clothes, and it dawns on them they’ve been wearing the same clothes for days, washing their underwear at night.
Greg appears again holding two packages. “This is yours, Madison. And this one’s for you, Reggi.”
Inside, they find money, credit cards, car keys, and they also find their new identities. Reading her paperwork, Madison announces, “My new name is Joanne Madison DiStadio.”
