Suddenly Single

by Larry Brown

  She told him.

  “No problem, I’ll get someone started on the paperwork this afternoon, and you can come by tomorrow and sign and get the money put in your account.” Phil was standing to indicate the meeting was over when Betty, still sitting, asked Phil about the interest rate on the loan. He told her he was giving her his preferred rate. She said she was hoping for 1% less. Phil laughed and sat back down. “Pretty lady,” Phil said it before he realized he should not have said it. “She is a pretty lady, don’t you agree, Mr. Blake?” he said trying to make it seem the comment was not negative. “Tell her, Mr. Blake, that’s not a real number. Tell her she won’t get that around here.”

  Betty looked at Harry without speaking.

  “Mr. Jones, I think her request based on her record and her collateral is worthy of your reconsideration.”

  Phil was now becoming defensive.

  “Nobody will go that low. You obviously have been out of the real world too long.”

  “Thanks for your time, Mr. Jones. I know you will understand when Betty moves her accounts,” Harry said standing and holding out his hand for Betty to join him.

  “Wait a minute, you can’t threaten me and walk out just like that.” Now Phil was standing and visibly upset.

  “Look Phil, my attitude is, you local guys should take care of your good, local business people. You happen to have one of the best right here. I know there are two other local banks I believe would love to have her business. And as far as the loan is concerned, I don’t have your assets, but I’ll loan Betty the money for the term and rate she needs. Let’s go, Betty.”

  An octave higher Phil said, “So now you are going into the banking business?”

  “It’s an interesting thought. I may have a knack for it,” Harry said leading Betty toward the door.

  “Wait, come back in and let’s talk some more,” Phil said beginning to sweat.

  “I don’t think there’s anything else to say,” Harry said standing still.

  “How about we compromise on the rate, we each give a half point,” Phil said almost begging.

  “Have a good day, Mr. Jones,” Harry said as he reached for the door handle.

  “Okay, okay, you win, you get your way. It will be ready for you tomorrow Betty. And Betty, don’t bring him with you anymore,” he said sitting back at his desk pretending to go back to work.

  When they got to the parking lot, she grabbed him and hugged him, “Harry you were great in there. I mean the line you gave him about lending me the money, I thought he might mess in his britches.”

  Harry smiled.

  “It was a line, wasn’t it?”

  “Absolutely not, but I was sure he was not going to let it happen. My experience is most of those guys are all the same,” he said as he realized she was staring at him.

  “Betty, are you okay?”

  “Harry, you were really considering loaning me that much money?” she said not smiling.

  “Of course, I would,” he said, and he saw her eyes starting to get leaky. He quickly decided to try to get out of the serious moment. “But Betty, you have to understand I would want you as my collateral. You would have to be my slave until you repaid the loan,” and he laughed and added, “Betty, just kidding. Hey, are you happy?”

  Betty felt like her throat was in a vice. The thought of this man she barely knew to loan her that sum of money had really grabbed her heart but then when he added the slave part, it made her smile. What the hell was wrong with Andy Wilson?

  Chapter 44

  Andy had made the decision not to take on any official duties until Jack arrived at Shadow Lake Farm. He, unfortunately, kept sending messages that he had been detained in South America, Columbia specifically. The business deal he had been working on had become much more complicated than he had anticipated.

  So for the last several days, she had been doing self-guided tours of the entire 700+ acres. She and the girls had gotten their horses settled into their new surroundings and used the tours as a way to exercise their horses and spend time together. Everywhere people were working; she stopped and introduced herself. With no exception, everyone seemed to know who she was. She was somewhat surprised by this, but the girls told her that their father is very detailed in all that he does.

  Andy was sure about two things. One, she was sure she was not sure this is where she should be. How she had initially envisioned being the manager of Shadow Lake Farm did not match what she had found here. The second thing she was sure of, she felt terribly guilty over how she left Harry Blake. Maybe there was a third thing, she missed Harry. Perhaps this would change when Jack finally arrived.

  She was not sleeping well, and this morning she was awake just after 5:00 am. She and the girls were going Christmas shopping today, but that was later. She decided to slip out and take an early morning ride. When she stepped out of the back of the house, she was met by a man she had never seen before who was obviously some sort of security personnel. When she told him she was going to the barn to get her horse for an early morning ride, he used a radio and immediately a man showed up in a golf cart to drive her to the barn. When they arrived at the barn, her horse was already being saddled. The service was like being at an exclusive resort, but something struck her as eerie about it.

  She rode out to the highest point on the property. She stopped there, and now there was just enough light for her to see hands working the herd of cattle. The men were separating the calves from their mothers. It was like watching a choreographed dance the way the quarter horses responded to the movement of the cows and calves. She was fascinated by the whole scene. Her attention was broken by the arrival of an open top Jeep driven by Dax Langley. He pulled up on her right side so close and so fast, it made her horse skitter quickly to the left. Dax always looked the same, cowboy boots, blue jeans, western shirt, straw hat, and the ever-present toothpick sticking out of his mouth.

  “Sorry ’bout that, I got a little close. Would you like some coffee?” Dax said holding up a shiny thermos.

  She shook her head no without speaking.

  He was reading her mind, “Fun to watch the horses work. It’s shot day for the young ones. Oh, before I forget Ms. Spurgeon says to remind you the vehicle for you and the girls needs to leave promptly at 8:30 am.”

  She nodded affirmatively, turned her horse without ever saying a word and left. She supposed she had been rude, but she didn’t like him and especially didn’t like the way he looked at her.

  At the appropriate time, the three women were in front of the house when the big black SUV pulled up. A man dressed in a dark blue suit got out and introduced himself as Harmon without defining whether it was a first or last name. He was obviously fit, tan and wore a flat top haircut of black hair. When he opened the door for the women, Andy noticed his shoulder holster and weapon. He was apparently more than just a driver. When they were on their way, he spoke.

  “Ladies we are hopefully going to have a great Christmas shopping day. We are headed to the International Plaza in Tampa. It is supposed to be great shopping and some excellent places to eat. Now there are a few rules I am going to have to insist you follow. First, I will be accompanying you wherever you go. I try to stay away as far as I can. I will pay for all your purchases. There are no limits on your purchases in either volume or cost. We must stay together; by that I mean we, or you, do one store at a time. You must all stay on the same floor of the store at all times. We must be able to communicate with each other at all times. I have here a phone that services as a walkie-talkie so just push the button and speak and I will answer and expect you to do the same for me.”

  He saw them in his mirror, and they did not look happy.

  “It will not be as bad as you think, I just need to be able to see you.”

  Andy smiled and spoke up, “I’m sure it will be fine.”

  Jenny looked at Andy and said, “I told you Daddy doesn’t miss anything.”

  Jane followed with, “He’s awful,” and l
aughed out loud. They all laughed. It was going to be a fun day.

  When they arrived, Harmon valet parked the SUV and explained that there would probably be numerous packages during the course of the day that would be sent to the SUV. He gave the attendant a $100 bill to make sure it all got handled properly.

  After two hours of successful heavy shopping, the trio was able to follow the rules and still have fun. They decided it was time for a break and lunch.

  An hour earlier a man in a black suit and open-collar shirt had visited some restaurants supposedly to check menus, atmosphere, etc. He finally found the one he wanted and bought a $100 gift certificate.

  The three women and Harmon were standing in an open area near several upscale eateries. They were discussing where they would eat. The man in the black suit approached the group, and Harmon stepped forward to meet him.

  “Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt or be rude but could I talk to you for a minute?”

  Harmon looked at the ladies and Andy was saying sure, so he said, “Go ahead.”

  The man spoke good English but with an obvious Spanish accent. “I am considering investing in that restaurant,” as he pointed it out, “and you seem to be trying to decide where to eat. I have for you a $100 gift certificate if you will eat there and simply tell me what you think after lunch. I will be out here when you have finished.”

  Andy spoke up, “Oh, I think that would be fun. How about it, girls?” They all agreed. Harmon took the certificate, and the group entered the restaurant and got a table for one and another for three. Andy tried to convince Harmon to join but he refused. When they were settled and had ordered, the girls were ready to freshen up before they ate. They decided to all go together. They walked by Harmon’s table smiling and waving their walkie-talkies at him. When they went down the hallway to the ladies’ room, they were surprised to find two men standing at the end of the hallway at the entrance to the ladies room. One of the men was the same man who gave them the $100 gift certificate. The other man was also dressed in a black suit and an open collar shirt and definitely looked Hispanic. The original man smiled at them and spoke, “Ladies, please come with me,” and he opened an exit door to the outside.

  Andy said, “Why would we do that?”

  The man pulled a pistol and said, “No time to talk now, hurry, go!”

  Jane yelled into her walkie-talkie, “Harmon.”

  The second man started shoving the group out the door. Then he heard Harmon running down the hallway toward them. The man held up his left arm and hand indicating he wanted Harmon to stop. Harmon was opening his coat to retrieve his weapon when the man’s right hand came up and he tasered Harmon sending him to the floor where he was jerking and moaning.

  The two men herded the women into a white panel van parked in the alley outside the door, engine running. The girls were in the back, the man with the taser was driving, the other in the passenger seat still holding his weapon. There were no dividers between the front and back of the van and the man with the gun turned back and spoke, “Ladies, we are not going to harm you. You are in no danger as long as you behave and follow my instructions. Now, I am going to put my gun away and take out my phone and take your pictures.” He was smiling now.

  Andy sat forward and said harshly, “What’s going on here, what’s this about?”

  “Picture first. Please get close and smile.”

  They closed up but nobody smiled.

  “Okay, I will tell you. The girls’ father is being very difficult to deal with on a business transaction. My friends thought the girls’ father might not be so difficult if he knew his daughters were visiting with us,” and he laughed.

  Their plan had been a good one, almost perfect, almost. Andy leaned back in her seat and slid her pocketbook up between her legs. She put her finger to her lips to let the girls know to be quiet. Then she pulled the girls close and they appeared to be huddling together. She slipped her hand into her purse and pulled out her snub-nosed .38. Years before, Clay had taught her to be proficient with handguns and helped to obtain a carry permit. Why, she and Harry had even done some target practicing at her farm. If Harry could defend himself, so could she.

  The driver was in traffic trying to get them out of the main shopping area of the International Plaza. The other man was texting and sending their pictures to their associates and ultimately to Jack. Andy leaned forward and stuck the barrel of the .38 into the back of the man’s head which halted his texting.

  “Okay, I’m going to ask you once. Stop the van and let us out or I will have to shoot you.”

  The man placed the phone in his lap and started to turn his head and reach for his gun.

  “No, no, don’t turn around. Pick up your phone and tell your friend to stop the damn van.”

  He spoke, “Lady, killing someone is very difficult for most people to do and quite frankly I don’t think you can do it.”

  Before he could say more Andy said, “You know you could be right, but I know I can shoot you in the shoulder. You are right handed, aren’t you?” She said this as she jammed the gun into his right shoulder. Then she spoke again, “And after I shoot you, I am going to shoot your partner in the leg. Now stop the van or the shooting begins.”

  The two men looked at each other and then heard her pull the hammer back into the cocked position.

  “Lady, please don’t do that. A little bump and it goes off.”

  “You are right, a little bump and bang! So, you better stop the van.”

  They felt the van slowing and pull over to the curb. The women jumped out, but Andy wasn’t through.

  “Girls memorize the tag number please,” and she leaned toward the passenger open window sticking the .38 still cocked in the man’s right ear.

  “You two drive away from here and never let me see you again. If I see you or the van, I will start shooting the gun into the air to attract attention. I hope you know I mean what I say. Now get out of here.”

  The van pulled away never to be seen again.

  Chapter 45

  In less than 15 minutes Harmon was on his feet. He was greeted by two Tampa police officers who had been called by the people in the restaurant when all the commotion started. Harmon had explained the three women had been abducted by two men who he described in detail. He, unfortunately, was unable to provide any information on the type or description of the vehicle they used or which direction they had gone. As he was finishing his dialogue with the police, his walkie-talkie came to life. It was Andy telling him they were okay and still in sight of the International Plaza. One of the officers left immediately to pick them up.

  They were all reunited and took a private dining room to do a debriefing. Andy provided the commentary and details. When she reached the part about the photograph and how it was to be used against Jack, Harmon stopped everything. He had to get the information to Mr. Winstone that his children were safe. Hopefully, it would not be too late.

  When Harmon had sent his message, Andy continued. She explained that the two men had not taken her purse and the fact she had her carry permit and her handgun. She then offered a very vague explanation of how the kidnapping ended. Jenny insisted she give them a detailed blow by blow description.

  When Jenny finished, Harmon asked if he could see Andy’s handgun. She carefully took the weapon from her purse and handed it to Harmon. The two police officers gathered around Harmon to get a close look. Harmon opened the revolver cylinder revealing all empty chambers. He looked at the two officers and then at Andy, “You unloaded it?”

  Andy looked at the empty cylinder and flushed red, “Oh shit! I’m sorry, forgive my language. The bullets are in the inside pouch in my purse. I forgot I unloaded when I packed to come to Florida.” The policemen were smiling but Harmon was not.

  “What the hell would you have done if he had forced you to shoot him the shoulder?”

  Andy stared away from the group and finally said, “I really don’t know. Maybe I would have hit him in th
e head with the gun. I truly don’t know.”

  One of the policemen said, “I bet those two guys would truly be pissed off if they knew you stopped an abduction with an empty weapon.” Everybody laughed, except Andy, who was still flushed and concerned about what might have happened.

  Harmon said, “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll keep this for you,” holding the weapon up in front of Andy.

  “Oh, but I do mind. I’ll take it back, thank you.”

  Harmon pulled the gun away from her reach, “I think Mr. Winstone would prefer I keep this.”

  “That’s too bad, I want my weapon, and I don’t give a damn what Jack wants. I am capable of making my own decisions about my own things.” Andy was starting to get angry.

  Harmon nodded his head, “I am very sure Mr. Winstone would want me to be in control of this weapon.”

  “Frankly Harmon if we are going to be honest then let’s be honest. First, why would I want you in charge of my weapon when you sir could not keep us from being abducted. Second, I don’t give a flying flip whether Jack likes it or not. I will not be treated like a child by you or him. This whole control thing is absurd. I can shop, and I can pay for what I buy. I don’t need you or him to hold the money. I am not twelve. Now, do I make myself clear, and return my weapon.”

  Harmon was now turning red and the two policemen were having a difficult time not laughing out loud. The two girls were smiling at each other as Andy tore Harmon apart. Harmon now bowed his back, “Well, little lady, what do you intend to do if I refuse to return your weapon?”

  Andy opened her purse pulled out her permit and showed it to the two policemen, “Would you please have this man return my property to me?”

  The two policemen looked at each other, smiled, and one held out his hand to Harmon for the weapon. Harmon shook his head and reluctantly handed over the gun which was immediately given to Andy.