by J. W. Lucas
“Hello?”
“Mr. Richardson, Daryl, Hi, it’s Kaitlyn Mason at the Medical Center. Lindsey Moran gave me your number, I hope you don’t mind. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“No, not at all, is everything all right? Is Lindsey and Judge Moran OK?”
“Oh Yes, she is, and her husband is doing well. I wanted to touch base with you on an issue we had late this morning.”
“What’s that?”
“We had a visit from two detectives with the Abbot Sheriff’s Department, a Captain Carpa and Detective Manning. They came to visit one of their employees who is a patient, a man named Savage. He’s under arrest and is being guarded by two local policemen.”
I saw a store parking lot coming up ahead, and I pulled in and parked to give the call my full attention.
“Yeah,” I said, “I’m aware that he caused a disturbance in a bar last night and pulled a gun on someone.”
“Oh! At any rate, the Information Desk called the floor and the police officers agreed to the visit. I’m not sure what happened other than I was told that the Sheriffs got into some sort of argument with the officers and there was some pushing and shoving and a lot of cursing. The nurse called Security, and they went up with the Nursing Director. You met her the other day, Connie Ferris.”
“How could I forget!” I acknowleged the name with a laugh.
Kaitlyn herself couldn’t hide a little laugh and continued. “Well, Connie tried to mediate the dispute and Mr. Carpa threatened to arrest her for interfering.”
I didn’t respond for a few moments. “Are you still there Daryl?”
I wanted to say something like “And he’s still alive to talk about it?” but thought better. “Yeah, I’m here. You’re not calling to ask me to post her bail, are you?”
“No,” she answered this time not trying to stifle her laugh.
“Do you know what the argument was about?”
“I wasn’t up there but Tom Hines our Security Manager told me that it had something to do with the local police refusing to turn over the patient’s gun to them. Tom said, apparently they were holding onto it for evidence. Now that you told me why he was arrested that makes sense.”
“How was everything resolved?” I asked.
“Well, Connie ordered the detectives to leave and after some arguing on their part, they were escorted down to the lobby by Security. I was told that they were very vocal, continued with a lot of vulgar language and rudeness on their part. They really caused quite a scene.”
“Well Kaitlyn, I can tell you that I’m sorry you folks had to deal with their abuse, but off the record, I’m not surprised about their behavior. Tom seems like he knows what he’s doing.”
“Well, it gets more interesting. When they got to the lobby Mr. Carpa demanded that Tom turn over to him the bullets that were removed during Mr. Moran’s surgery. Tom said he couldn’t do that without a search warrant, and the detectives, Mr. Carpa especially, became really angry and demanded to see the hospital President.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Nope, I’m not kidding! Tom called me, and I went down to the lobby and tried to explain the warrant requirement to the detectives and Mr. Carpa went off on me, accusing me of interfering with an investigation and obstruction. He threatened to arrest me!”
“You, I would post bail for,” I interjected, and I heard her laugh. “I’m dying to know how this story ends.”
“Well, the officers guarding the patient must have called their
headquarters because Danny Monroe, he’s the Chief of Detectives here in town, showed up and in five minutes he had the Sheriffs out the door. Danny is great; I frequently work with him when they have matters with us.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Unfortunately, just before Danny got here Mrs. Moran stepped out of an elevator and Mr. Carpa got in her face and yelled something to the effect that if she was interested in finding out who shot her husband, she had better warn the hospital to stay out of his way. His language to her was very vulgar. The poor woman was shocked, I thought she was going to faint.”
“Is Lindsey alright?” I asked, my concern evident in my tone.
“Yes, I brought her into the coffee shop and got her some tea. We spent about an hour talking. She’s a remarkable woman. She told me who you are. I knew I recognized your name when we first met.”
“Are we still friends?” I asked, trying to minimize my prior evasivness with her.
“Mr. Richardson, I would like to think that we’re good friends. Thank you for everything you’re doing for the Morans and thank you for your generosity to our hospital.”
“I don’t deserve any thanks. My Aunt was very grateful for the care you folks gave her over the years. Her gift to the hospital was in her will.”
“Is Lindsey still at the hospital? Maybe I should call her,” I asked.
“No, she said she was going back to the hotel to lie down. She said she was coming back to visit her husband at dinner time. She just asked that I call you and let you know what happened with the detectives. “Daryl? are we in any danger with Mr. Moran being here?”
I thought for a minute before I responded. I didn’t want to scare her.
“Kaitlyn, I don’t have any information to suggest that anyone would come to the hospital to hurt the Judge. But I give you my word if I get the slightest inkling of any threat you’ll be the first to know.”
“Thank You, Daryl, I appreciate that, and I believe you. I Googled you. You’re quite the detective from what I read! Bye!”
I stayed in the parking lot for about five minutes, leaning back in the seat. I put what Kaitlyn had just told me to the back of my mind.
Today was Thursday, and I really hadn’t had any time to enjoy myself since I got Lindsey’s call on Tuesday. I thought about Mandy and hoped she’d call as she promised. I wanted to know more about her. Her physical beauty was evident, but I wanted to get to know the person inside that great body.
I drove to the hotel, unloaded my purchases, and went up to my room and hung them on the closet rack.
I had just sat down to watch some TV when my phone beeped and vibrated. I looked at my watch and saw it was 2:55. I didn’t recognize the number, but it was the local area code. I answered and heard a soft voice.
” Hi, Daryl Richardson!”
“Hi Mandy Simmons, how are you feeling?”
“Better now that I hear your voice.”
“That’s nice of you to say. Did you sleep okay last night?”
“I tossed and turned for a while. I couldn’t get that creep Savage out of my mind. I fell asleep finally and didn’t wake up until almost ten o’clock this morning. Were you able to take care of your business?”
“Yeah, I got back here to the hotel a little while ago. Feel up to me taking you out to dinner tonight?”
“Are you asking me out on a date?”
“That I am.”
“The hotel has a policy that prohibits employees dating guests. I don’t want to lose my job.”
I thought for a minute “Does the hotel have a policy against guests dating employees?”
There was a pause, and she answered with a drawn-out “Noooo!”
“Well then, how about dinner together? Someplace nice. Your choice, since I’m the stranger in town.”
“I guess you really are a lawyer,” she said with a giggle. “And a Federal officer, and a famous prosecutor.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
“And, according to Google, a millionaire. That makes me very, very nervous.”
“Nervous? I don’t understand.”
“Daryl, I’ve only known you a few days, but I’m really attracted to you. You’re very nice, but also very mysterious. We have all this violence we’ve never seen before and suddenly you show up.”
“I don’t understand Mandy. Mysterious?” I was confused.
“The friend you were with last night, is she the wife of the Judg
e that got shot?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Before the fight broke out last night, I heard the Abbot cops talking about you. They put two and two together when they saw you and your friend, and I heard them say that you were the boss of some undercover police team. They don’t like you, Daryl. They’re afraid of you. They were talking about you being in a shootout with a gang in Boston, going after a crime ring, syndicate I think they said. They think you’re in town to take over Susan’s murder and the shooting cases. They said something about the Feds sneaking in you and your guys. They’re really worried about that and I don’t understand why. That scares me, Daryl. Is any of that true?”
I was at a loss for words. I really liked this girl, but I was beginning to think that I would never get to know her better. I was concerned with what she was saying she heard from the deputies. I didn’t want to lie to her, but truth be told, they weren’t too far off point. I had to say something, but what?
“Daryl,” she continued, “I’m just a simple county girl from Vermont. I’m not used to all this violence. I’m afraid seeing a gun pointed in my face last night has left its mark on me.”
I thought a bit before I responded. “Mandy, I’m just a simple country boy from Berkshire County Massachusetts. Yes, my life’s work has involved investigating serious crimes and holding people accountable for their actions. Sometimes the process of doing that requires the use of force; sometimes extreme force.” I took a deep breath.
“But I’ve chosen to try to make this a better world. When I see good people like Lindsey Moran and Susan Peterson’s family suffer the horror caused by others, I get angry. And the fact that someone pointed a gun at your beautiful face last night makes me even more committed to making sure that never happens to you again. That’s why I’ve shown up on your doorstep.”
I don’t know where those words came from. Her silence was deafening.
Finally, she spoke. “Daryl Richardson, my doorstep is 123 Fairlawn Avenue #4; it’s a condo, end unit. Show up at 6:30. I’ll be wearing a dress.” The call ended.
Chapter Eight
I watched TV for a while and then laid out my wardrobe for tonight’s date and I must admit that I was nervous. I’d been in a few nice relationships; all the women I knew well before getting involved. Mandy was different. I had only known her for a scant few days, but it seemed like a lifetime. Yes, her physical beauty is incredible, and her personality and wit are young and exciting, but I felt something more about her that I can’t put into words.
I’ve been very careful who I allowed into my life, mainly because I had the habit of frequently finding myself in pitched battles against the dregs of society both in and out of a courtroom. Some of them got messy, and I couldn’t live with myself if any of my romantic interests got hurt because of me.
Now that Aunt Clarice is gone, I have a new set of problems to work around. Everyone should have such problems you’re probably thinking. I don’t mean to dismiss the incredible numbers you’ll find in my net worth statement, and I’m grateful to Aunt Clarice for her affection for me and her generosity to those people and places that she cared about. I just don’t want to make a mistake because I was blinded going into a relationship by sheer physical beauty and raging hormones.
I decided on the new dark blue suit and light tan shirt with an open collar. I slid a maroon tie into the jacket pocket in case our dinner location required such an accouterment. I tried on all the other long sleeves to see how they matched before realizing that my first instinct was the best.
Me, nervous? Ha! Let’s just say I was ready to set out for the rendezvous at 123 Fairlawn Drive #4 a full hour before departure time. I occupied my time online finding directions to Mandy’s house and checking the news.
I called Lindsey, and she answered right away. She said the Judge had a good day, despite complaining of pain. She said the nurses were medicating him for it, and he slept on and off most of the day.
I told her that Kaitlyn had called me and told me what happened at the hospital with Captain Carpa.
“I hate that man. How is Mandy?”
“Better today, she called me this afternoon, and we talked. We’re having dinner together in a little while.”
“Oh, that makes me so happy. Please tell her I know what happened to her last night and I’m thinking of her. Where are you going for dinner?”
I told her I didn’t know, I was picking her up at six-thirty and left the restaurant choice to her.
“What are you going to wear? Not a black suit I hope,” she said with a laugh.
“No, I bought a nice new dark blue one.”
“And what about shirts, did you get any?”
“Yes, Mother” I shot back. “A nice beige. And I have a tie in my pocket in case it’s required.”
“Estote parate.”
“I am prepared my friend, I was a Boy Scout.” Her reference to their motto surprised me.
“Seriously, relax and have fun. She’s a beautiful girl and I think she’s good for you. You need to start thinking about the rest of your life, my friend. It’s not easy going it alone, I’m finding that out.”
“You’re not alone Lindsey, I’m here if you need anything.”
“Thank You. I don’t know who’s luckier, Mandy or me. Have some fun and call me tomorrow and tell me all about it!”
“I will. Do you need anything?”
“No, but I’m thinking of going home tomorrow afternoon and sleeping at the house. I have to grab some clothes and run a couple of errands. I’ll let you know tomorrow what I’m going to do.”
“OK, get some rest.”
“I will, you have fun,” and the phone clicked off.
I still had some time, so I went down to the lobby to extend my stay at the hotel for another week.
The hotel manager from last night appeared to be coming on duty and stepped in front of the desk clerk to help me. I told him of my intentions and he brought my information up on his computer. “Oh,” he said, “This is a nice credit account” referencing my no limit card. “Very nice Sir, very nice. You’re all set.”
Did you ever meet someone and instantly sense mistrust? I just did.
I pulled into the parking lot of 123 Fairlawn Avenue at six twenty-five. It was a small complex, several buildings of four units each. They were two stories, nicely trimmed in a white vinyl siding. I walked to the door of number four and rang the bell. I heard the click of a deadbolt and the door opened.
Remember I said a little while ago that Mandy’s physical beauty was incredible? Well, folks that was the understatement of the year! She stood in the doorway wearing a dark maroon summer dress and heels. The dress hugged her curves and swept across her breasts and around her neck, leaving her arms and back exposed. Her hair was brushed down the sides of her eyes, her skin was flawless. The haunting slight fragrance of her perfume almost put me in a trance.
“Hi Daryl Richardson, C’mon in”
“Hi Mandy” I responded as she closed the door. “You look absolutely stunning.”
She turned and stood in front of me, not saying a word. She looked up into my eyes, leaned in and gave me a long and wet kiss on the lips.
As she leaned harder and wrapped her arms around my neck, I thought my legs were going to buckle. She was soft, curvy, and all woman.
Stepping back, she whispered, “I thought we should answer the question of whether or not to kiss on the first date. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes,” I croaked. I honestly don’t know how I got the word out.
“Good, please sit down, I just need to get my purse and a sweater in case I need one.”
I took a seat on the loveseat and sank down into the cushion. Her place was decorated beautifully; the furniture in the room was contemporary, yet cozy.
“Your place is beautiful Mandy.”
“Thank You.”
“I thought we would have dinner at Haberstrohs,” she said as she came down from the second floor. “It’s
very nice inside, and their specialties are German and Swiss. They have steaks, prime rib, and seafood too, but I just love their sauerbraten. The owners are friends of my parents and I haven’t been there for quite a while. It’s about a fifteen- minute drive from here.”
“That sounds great. Are you ready?”
“Ready! Let’s go have some fun Daryl Richardson,” she said, as we went outside, and she locked the deadbolt.
“This is a nice neighborhood, but you never know,” she said.
As we walked to my car, she held my hand and stood close to my side, swinging our arms as if we were two little best friends walking to school on the first day of kindergarten. What struck me was something that I didn’t notice about her before. She was actually petite. I’m six feet tall and in heels, the top of her head was just even with my shoulders.
We started the drive to the restaurant, with Mandy as navigator. About ten minutes into the trip an incoming call flashed on the screen and read “Chief.” This was very unusual for him to call in the evening.
“Sorry Mandy, I have to take this call.” I said. She nodded as I pressed the accept icon, and I saw she was staring at the screen.
“Yes, Boss.”
“Daryl, can you talk?”
“I’m in the car with a friend; we’re on our way to dinner.”
Mandy smiled.
“Sorry to disturb you but, wanted you to know that I spoke with Washington and you’re cleared to go forward. They are very interested. Very.”
“Thanks, Boss, same on this end. I’ll fill you in on Monday,” and pressed the end icon.
I looked over at Mandy and smiled. “Sorry, business,” I said.
“That’s OK,” she answered, but I sensed she was uneasy. I followed her directions, and she said little else as I drove.
We pulled into the parking lot and I remarked, "Wow! Nice place. Really looks Alpine.”
“I think you’re going to love it. It’s beautiful inside, and the food is out of this world.”