by C L Bauer
There was silence and then quietly she heard, “You don’t know how much I wish I were there right now.” He paused. Perhaps it was time to say something out loud that had only been in his thoughts. “I wish I could hold you right now and make you feel safe. But I will make you safe no matter what. I promise. So, I’ll try to talk to you later. Fullerton will be there soon.”
He hung up. Her mouth was open to say something. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say in response. She stared at the phone. He wished he could hold her. She wished that so much not just in this moment. She was in love with him. When had that happened and how could it happen? Her fear was overtaken with sadness.
He wasn’t in love with her. He was being kind and gentle and protective. Was he in love with her? Could he be, ever?
Her thoughts of the heart were interrupted by the loud banging of Jeremy at the door. She nearly jumped a foot out of the chair. He looked like a misguided boy scout with a Hello Kitty sleeping bag under his left arm and a pizza in his right hand. He was knocking with his foot, almost falling over onto the sidewalk in the process.
He was off balance with a huge filled backpack hanging off his right shoulder. “He is so cute. My knight in shining armor,” Abby said as she ran for the door.
Lily could only laugh. If that was her knight in shining armor she would hate to see the court jester, but he was sweet. He kissed Abby fiercely as she shuttled him in, closing the door quickly and locking it once more.
“So, I got this call from the dude you were dating, Lily,” he began, “and he says we’re all going to some cushy hotel for the night? He told me to get my butt over here but I didn’t know if you still needed the sleeping bag and stuff. I could only carry the pizza and my backpack but the rest is in the car.”
Lily smiled. Dev had called Jeremy? Wow that must have been a phone call! He talked to the dude she was dating. She wondered if Dev told him who he really was. The probability was low if Agent Pierce wanted to continue the secrecy. Or maybe he did and Jeremy just thought that the DEA and the FBI were two new channels on Hulu.
Now there was a delivery man at the door with a flower box in hand. He was from Federal Express. He knocked on the glass. Agent Tom Fullerton was here..
“I have a COD for Lily.”
All three of the shop’s inhabitants came to the door. Lily unlocked and opened for him. He handed her a slip to sign as he came into the shop.
“You need to sign this. Let’s make it look good just in case someone is watching.”
He completely understood her situation. His hat covered most of his face but Lily recognized him. Her now weekly customer had almost become a friend like most of her clients always did.
“Thanks so much. We’ve been waiting for this package.” She played along. Just in case.
“So, you are going to process this in the back room just like you ladies would do and I’m going to leave,” he directed as he looked up from the box. “Then I want you three to leave just like you’ve finished your day. Jeremy, you drive your car with Abby, and Lily you head out in yours. You’re going to the Intercontinental on the Plaza, so just go your usual route. I’ll be following.”
Jeremy muttered “sweet” as Lily glared at him.
“This isn’t a vacation.” She took the box from the agent. “I just check in under my name?”
“Yes. Let’s just make this as normal as possible. If anyone asks you about the hotel, they are comping you a night for a job you’re doing for them.”
“But,” she stopped. Fullerton turned around to look at her. “But they have their own florist. They wouldn’t have us doing a job for them.”
Fullerton shook his head. “You are over thinking this. Then just say they’re comping you a room, if anyone asks but I doubt they will, Lily. Don’t over think.”
He almost sounded like Devlin Pierce slighting her for always preparing for the worst case scenario but despite all her planning and organizing for all those other times, this really was the worst case scenario. She feared for her life and for Abby’s and Jeremy’s. Don’t over think.
Don’t be scared. Act naturally. She wasn’t that great of an actress. Perhaps she could pull it off after all those years of practice with the brides and especially their mothers. Heck, she’d fooled Gretchen the coordinator!
She smiled finally. “Thanks so much. We really needed this delivery. Good night.” She was almost pushing him out the door. Abby was already in the backroom pretending to process an empty box of newspapers.
As a band of misfits, they closed up the shop, locking the door and setting the security code. That seemed futile now but Lily did it anyway. Everything needed to appear normal. Normal for whom?
The three moved together down the sidewalk to the cars, almost like the scene from Mary Tyler Moore’s old television show when their news team had one massive group hug moving as one across the newsroom. She noticed Jeremy still carrying the pizza and the Hello Kitty sleeping bag. The backpack was now carried by Abby.
Unfortunately, she decided right there and then they were doomed. Surely the Cartel couldn’t think this was normal? She shrugged her shoulders as she opened her own car door. On the other hand if they had surveilled Jeremy for about ten minutes they would’ve realized the threat level from him was less than zero. He was sweet but the elevator didn’t go up all the way to the penthouse on that boy. He was perfect for Abby.
As she drove to the hotel she passed the street where she used to turn to go to school. So many years had passed that most of those memories had faded into a murky mess but she still had the scars. There had been some laughs and happy times but she still had the pieces of inferiority haunting her. She wasn’t good enough; pretty enough; rich enough. She passed the park where they all used to walk and feed the ducks. Looking in her rear view mirror she saw Jeremy’s car right behind her and there was just the glimpse of the top of the Federal Express truck.
Pulling into the hotel’s drive, Lily’s car door was opened by one of the valets. She handed her keys over and received the ticket. She only had her purse and work bag from the back seat as she waited at the front door for Abby and Jeremy. Thank God he had left the sleeping bag in the car but he was still carrying the pizza box, backpack and a paisley carry-on bag that was obviously Abby’s. At least she hoped it was.
The two were holding hands as Lily strode up confidently to the front desk. She could pretend she was confident and maybe it would lower her fear level.
“Hi, we are checking in. Lily Schmidt. I believe we have a suite reserved.”
Usually, she was so busy bringing wedding party bouquets into this hotel that she never really noticed the beauty of the chandeliers or the ornate serving tray to the side of the front desk that held water with slices of lemon. She hadn’t decorated here since the hotel had hired their own florist, but many of her brides had suites the day of the wedding and she’d bring their bouquets to them. The lobby was lavish, green plants and flowers providing a light but fresh fragrance. On a warm day of stress it soothed. She needed a long bubble bath tonight.
The gentleman checking them in clicked away on the computer. “Yes, we have you.” He looked up and smiled. Waving his hand he added, “Peter, will you escort Ms. Schmidt and her party to the Rockhill Suite? Do you have any bags for the night?”
“We’re fine, thank you.” What must he, she looked at his name tag, what must George think of Jeremy’s pizza box? He’d probably seen worse or funnier but the three of them had to look a little strange. They all had sneakers and jeans on. Abby and Jeremy were wearing tees and she was in a black button down top with short sleeves. They were dressed more for a grunge concert than the Intercontinental.
Peter directed them down the hallway.
“I’ll be at your service tonight. You’ll be on the concierge level and concierge guests only are allowed on that floor. Your keycards just slide in here to go to your floor,” he said as they entered the elevator. He was very conversational explaining wh
at floors the gym and pool were on and when food and drinks were available.
“We have hot appetizers, salads, desserts and drinks for guests until eleven tonight if you’re hungry.”
He looked at Jeremy’s pizza box. “There’s also a full kitchen in your suite if you need coffee or a microwave.”
Lily examined him carefully. His hair was short, no stubble on his face. She watched his hand as he slipped the card into the slot. His hands were soft, a few calluses at the top of his index finger, his trigger finger? Was he the agent Fullerton had mentioned? If he was he wasn’t playing his hand; his role was well scripted. So someone else was acting?
The ride ended and they followed him down the left hallway. It was like slow motion as Peter slid his key card into the slot and opened the french doors of the suite. He handed the card to her and then handed one to Jeremy and Abby. She was the only one who said thank you as her two companions’ mouths gaped open in shock.
As they entered, they saw the Country Club Plaza in front of them in all its majesty. They were above most of the clay-colored tiled roofs and even some of the newer office buildings. The Plaza area citizens and home owners were trying to retain the ambience of the district, holding off those albatrosses to the edges of the area. Why would they want to block such beauty of this Spanish jewel of the plains? The sun in the west was brightening the painted colors molded into the buildings, the blues bluer, the greens greener, the reds so royal. She’d never really looked at the buildings this way or had the time to examine their beauty. She lived in this city but didn’t really live. Lily just flitted from location to location, to bride and church and venue packing up, dropping off and going from day to day. She was just surviving. Funny, that’s what she was doing tonight too.
Jeremy and Abby continued to do their best imitation of frozen mummies as Lily dug into her purse for a tip for Peter. He didn’t take it, instead moving his hand to wave her off. He began to move down the corridor for the tour.
“Let me show you a couple features of the television…”
Before he could finish the sentence, Jeremy was following behind like a pet puppy. She flopped down on one of the huge sofas. She could just sleep here until morning. She heard crying and looked up to see Abby’s face.
“Honey, what is wrong?”
“I’m so sorry this is happening to you. It’s not fair.”
Lily stretched her hand out to present the room. “This isn’t fair? I think this is pretty darn awesome. I’ve never stayed in a suite like this. You should go investigate with Jeremy.”
She sat down next to Lily and grabbed her hand. “He’s an idiot you know, but he’s my idiot.”
Lily laughed out loud. She didn’t know whether she should agree with the assessment or just let it go. Let it go. Not the time, Lily.
“He cares about you, Abby. I can tell.”
Abby nodded. “I know but I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”
“Have you two talked about that?” Lily could only imagine what their children would be like and who would be taking care of whom.
“Well, no but I just don’t want to be alone… you know.” Abby clutched her hand up to her mouth. “I didn’t mean, you, but, oh crap.”
Lily knew what she meant but it wasn’t as if she hadn’t thought the same thing on many occasions.
“It’s fine, Abby. I know what you mean. You never know but if you think that someone better might come along in the future then maybe Jeremy isn’t the best person. You’ll know, at least that’s what everyone told me. Actually no, not everyone, just my mom.” Lily went silent for a second.
“She always said someone would come along and I would always tell her no, I was going to be alone all my life. No one would ever love me. Well, my family loves me, my nieces love me, my nephews and that’s going to have to be enough.”
“Is it enough?”
“Sometimes, Abby. Sometimes it isn’t. I’ve decided to not over think things right now.”
The two smiled at the advice, looking out the large windows of the suite at the sight below them.
“Pretty, huh?” Lily’s stomach growled. “I wonder what they have to eat down the hall.”
“I was wondering what they had to drink,” Abby admitted. “I really need a drink, the alcoholic kind.”
Peter was just finishing his tour with Jeremy. “Peter, where’s the food?” Lily asked.
“Allow me to take you down there. I thought I heard we have a pasta dish, chicken and beef with vegetables. The appetizers tonight are turkey meatballs in a cream sauce, crab rangoon and I’m not sure about the rest. As I said before there’s usually salads and desserts. No need to go anywhere.” If he was an agent, he sure knew his cover.
“Lead on.” There was never any over thinking when it came to food. Thank the heavens Jeremy was not bringing his pizza box with him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lily stopped at seven on her list. Angela Lansbury was on the television in front of her and Abby was asleep beside her. She barely heard some game on in the other room. Assuming Jeremy hadn’t fallen asleep surrounded by his sleeping bag, seemingly his Linus security blanket, he was probably watching the West Coast games now. She strained to hear if he was watching football or baseball playoff games. He may have even snuck out and grabbed some more appetizers from the concierge lounge.
She was surprised that Abby was by her side. She’d explained that this was a real thrill for him and she wouldn’t get any sleep if she stayed with him. Lily figured she wouldn’t be able to sleep with his games on but she didn’t want to think of the two nitwits doing anything else together involving legs wrapped around legs, with her just across the living room. Lily had a light buzz from the bottle of wine they had brought back to the suite. She’d taken a full glass to sip while she had her bubble bath. She’d soaked until her fingers were pink prunes. She’d thought a lot and then she had let everything vanish from her mind for a few minutes.
Lily slipped from the bed and padded across the room to the door of their suite. She felt good in the hotel’s fluffy robe. It reminded her of the one her mom used to wear. It was blue but this one was white; hers was chenille and this one a soft velour; hers from Sears and this one designed by Calvin Klein. But when she was sick in the middle of the night and that robe’s arms gently enveloped her, she felt better even if she was throwing up all the contents of her stomach.
When they packed that robe away after her death, her fragrance was still lingering. Too bad she hadn’t lingered.
She barely opened the door and Peter popped up from his chair across from their door. “Can I help you with anything, Ms. Schmidt?”
“Well, one thing. Have you heard from Agent Pierce?”
His eyes were like steel now and not at all hotel worker worthy. “Ms. Schmidt, there’s nothing I can say.”
“Well at least you didn’t lie to me and say you didn’t know who I was talking about. Thanks for that. Goodnight.”
As she closed the door she mouthed “gotcha” and she thought she heard a cuss word from the young agent.
She padded across to see the Plaza in the middle of the night. She knew she wasn’t the only one up right now but she felt like this view was for her alone. A street cleaner was going by on the street below her. Two waiters were walking across the bridge. She could see their white shirts glowing under the street lights and the occasional red embers from their cigarettes. The bars had closed. At the bus stop was an older African American woman still dressed in her hotel uniform. She was pulling herself up onto the bus. Lord, she looked tired. Bless her. Day in and day out people were cleaning after others, bringing them drinks, fluffing their pillows, making them happy, giving them what they ordered. She was one of those people but tonight she reflected on more than just this view.
She needed and now desperately wanted to make some changes and if that meant less money, well she couldn’t lower her income too much or another fear would raise its littl
e head. Something had to give. And she needed to let go, a little at first and maybe more when she became comfortable with that uncertainty.
Uncertainty…what had Dev said to Abby today? The little minx had never shared their conversation with her. As she went back into the bedroom, she got into bed next to Abby and looked down at her angelic face. She’d interrogate her in the morning.
The sun had been up an hour by the time Agent Devlin Pierce met up with a former buddy from Special Forces. Dev sat patiently outside a Cuban cafe near downtown Miami in Little Cuba. On the table in front of him was the strongest espresso he could find. It had been a long night. He could feel his contact coming up behind before he sat down across from him.
“How long you been here?”
Dev folded his newspaper and placed it on the bistro table.
“Long enough to begin my second cup of espresso. How are you Carlos and what do you have for me?”
One of the ladies from the shop brought out another cup and asked in Spanish if the friend would like espresso. He smiled and in her language ordered a couple of their pasteles. Carlos waited until she had poured and left the area.
“I’m doing the best I can and you aren’t going to like the answer I have for you.” Dev closed his eyes. All these months and he still was getting nowhere.
“Shoot. I’m ready.”
“They are insisting the drugs are still there. Two packages containing one to two kilos each, pure, have vanished. I know they have some people there looking for them and they still think your girl has them. They are mad and embarrassed that all of this happened. They’ll do anything to get them back to prove a point.”
Dev cussed out loud. The woman was back again with two turnover looking pastries, smiled and left.
“But she doesn’t have them. Carlos, have you told them?”
“Over and over, Dev. If I go much further I’m going to blow my own cover. This mistake has cost them and they know you all are after them. The guy at the airport, well he’s probably in the Everglades inside a gator by now. They are putting pressure on their contacts in Kansas City. They’ve shut down that route from South America. Customs is changing procedures.”