Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series Box Set

by Tanya R. Taylor

“It was all counterfeit. Your half a mil is still in the fund, safe and sound.” He smiled.

  I was elated. “You see why you’re my favorite lawyer and why Donnie placed such confidence in you?” Then I thought of something. “Wait a minute! My life was on the line there! Suppose they figured out it was worthless paper in that briefcase and you'd duped them?”

  “Then both of us would’ve been dead, I guess. It was a chance I had to take, Lucille. I wasn’t about to hand over your money to those blood suckers. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I’d done that. Donnie’s faith in me meant a lot.”

  “So you risked your own life – for me. Just agreeing to even show up at all was a risk.”

  “Well, I wasn’t gonna just leave you hanging. I’m not that kind of guy.”

  “What about the police back there? Was that all arranged?” I asked.

  “Yep. Another risk. I know what that jerk said on the phone and I took his threat very seriously. But I knew with my influence and military background I could convince the police to allow me to do this my way and for them to just be on standby for when those guys left the Pulia Bridge. They were watching all along, but of course, your captors didn’t know that.”

  “Smart. Really smart,” I told him. “I can’t thank you enough, Mickey. You’re a wonderful man.”

  For a while, we drove quietly. I couldn’t wait to get home to Nilla; it felt like ages had passed since I’d last seen her. Admittedly, I missed the boys too.

  We stopped at the Brighton Police Station where Mickey arranged for me to give my statement. It took quite a while as the detective was thorough in his questioning. Although I couldn’t describe the location of the house in order to protect my own interests, I did mention that after a long drive it felt like we’d driven over a track road in order to get to the house. I figured since they’d nabbed the guys, they’d eventually find out where Jake lived anyway. I also told them I’d overheard Jake and Sal mention a pantry full of weapons that was inside the house and brought up the so-called secret dungeon Jake had referenced in conversation, which I didn’t believe actually existed. I was confident that they’d look into it just to make sure. The detective was impressed with the information I provided and said they’d be in touch. I was glad it was over.

  As we entered Harriet’s Cove, I remembered feeling extremely grateful for the life I had as I thought of Jake and the struggles he mentioned. Donnie had made my life an easy one in every way possible. I don’t recall us having to struggle for anything since we both had pretty good jobs back in the day and Donnie’s salary more than doubled mine. What Jake didn’t know was that I didn’t always live in the suburbs and I didn’t have the idyllic life growing up as a child, just like he and his partner in crime hadn’t. I wasn’t always able to go into a store not having to be extra careful to check the prices. I realized they’d judged me based on where I lived and how I looked, not knowing I’d had my own share of burdens to bear and still do in a way that has nothing to do with finances. They assumed they knew my life and what it was all about. How wrong were their assumptions!

  As Mickey pulled in front of my yard, I’d never been happier to see my house than I was at that very moment. During the time I was held for ransom, I seriously wondered if I’d ever return here — if I’d ever get to see my beloved dog again, to feed her, cuddle her, sit outside on the back porch and watch her play as we both inhaled the fresh air. But here we were. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

  “Well, we’re here,” Mickey said.

  “Finally.” I started to unbuckle my seatbelt. “Have you touched base with the boys?”

  “I did, actually. Spoke with both of them last night and told them I’d heard from you and you were okay. Anthony mentioned you’d called and was worried that you might’ve been in some sort of trouble, but I did my best to put his mind at ease and told him you’d be coming home today. I couldn’t tell them what I knew since your life was on the line and your rescue had to be carefully thought out and planned.”

  “Okay. Well done!” I replied, eager to get to that front door.

  13

  _________________

  As anxious as I was to see Nilla, I wasn’t about to wait for Mickey to help me to the door. He’d have to assume that despite my blindness I knew the way – even without use of my cane.

  “Wait up, Lucille!” he said. “You don’t wanna trip over something.”

  “As I was about to holler for someone to open up, the door swung open.

  “Miss Lucille!” Theodore embraced me. “Where have you been?”

  “You won’t believe it,” I said.

  Nilla’s distant barking sounded like music to my ears. She must’ve heard my voice and was soon running at full speed toward me. I quickly picked her up and snuggled her against my bosom. “Momma’s back!” I kissed her face over and repeatedly. “I missed you so much!”

  Nilla’s tail was wagging wildly: her excitement could barely be contained. I gladly accepted her wet licks all over my face as everyone laughed.

  “My goodness!” Mickey remarked. “Little Nilla there is not gonna let you out of her sight ever again!”

  We finally made our way inside as Anthony was quickly descending the staircase. He hurried over and hugged me tightly.

  “I couldn’t get out of that shower fast enough when I heard your voice,” he said. “It’s good to have you back, Lucille.”

  “It’s very good to be back!” I replied. “By the way… why aren’t you boys at work?”

  “Theodore and I decided to take the day off since we expected you’d be back today. We were really worried about you last night. Guess we just wanted to be here when you arrived to make sure you were okay.”

  “That’s very kind of you two, but remember those jobs of yours are paying for the rooms you rent upstairs. Don’t go getting yourselves cut and can’t pay the full rent, because as sure as the sun is up there, I’d toss you right out on your gorgeous behinds!” I winked.

  They laughed out loud. I pinched both of their cheeks; couldn’t help myself.

  Eager to hear everything from beginning to end, they all sat down in the living room listening attentively as I proceeded to fill them in. I continued to hold Nilla until she wiggled herself out of my arms and wandered a few feet off toward something that attracted her attention.

  The fight in the living room was most shocking to everyone. Nilla was deemed a hero and Theodore immediately told her he was going to buy a case of her favorite treats. I can’t say she understood anything he said other than that beautiful word “treat”, which she always perked up her ears about whenever someone mentioned it.

  “You’re a hero too, Mickey,” Anthony said.

  “Yeah,” Theodore agreed. “The way you planned out Miss Pfiffer's rescue was incredible.”

  “And to take a chance bamboozling those guys… wow,” Anthony added.

  “But why didn’t you tell us what was going on? Maybe we could’ve helped,” Theodore said.

  Mickey glanced at me, then addressed the question. “I had some military training, though brief, before I went to Law school. I didn’t want to take a chance getting the word out there prematurely. I had a plan and felt I could pull it off. Thank goodness it worked.” He patted my knee and smiled.

  The boys were clearly impressed. Mickey's sunglasses slipped out of his hand and Nilla immediately latched onto them, then took off around the bend toward the sliding door.

  Anthony got up. “I’ll get them,” he said.

  Mickey grinned. “Your dog is faster than a speeding bullet.”

  “Yeah,” I replied. “I’m thinking of entering her in one of those doggy races coming up at the stadium.”

  Theodore was laughing and shaking his head.

  I looked at him. “Think she’ll win, Theodore?”

  “I’d bet my money or her,” he said.

  Anthony returned with Mickey's sunglasses moments later and handed them to him. Nilla was sitting afar off obse
rving.

  “I hope she didn’t manage to scrape them,” Anthony told Mickey.

  “Little rascal!” Theodore remarked.

  Mickey looked them over. “No, they’re fine. Besides, I have quite a collection of these.”

  “That’s good to know,” I said.

  “Well, I must be going now,” He started to get up. “Don’t worry, Lucille. I’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date on how they’re progressing with this case. These guys will not get away with what they put you through, not as long as I can help it. To think at your age you had to deal with those thugs!” He shook his head in disgust. “What a shame.”

  “And to think we befriended those guys on the excursion,” Theodore said, “That Jake guy, in particular. I’d really love to get my hands on him.”

  “Leave it to the Law,” I said.

  Mickey wholeheartedly agreed. “Those guys aren’t worth you getting into any trouble,” he added.

  I thanked Mickey again for everything and so did the boys.

  In the end I was glad there were no casualties and I was reunited with my family again.

  14

  _________________

  Merlene showed up at my house two hours after I arrived home. I’d taken a warm bubble bath and was resting in bed. So, I heard Anthony invite her up – not that she ever thought she needed an invitation.

  She knocked on my room door and peeped inside. “Lucille…”

  I slowly sat up. “Is it dark in here? Can you not see me? Of course, you can! It’s the middle of the day, for crying out loud! Why come in here so feeblish like you can’t see me?”

  “What’s the matter with you?” She frowned. “You’re surely in a sour mood.”

  “I am? I wonder why, Merlene?” I was fuming inside at the very sight of her.

  She walked over and sat down in the armchair next to my bed.

  “We were all worried sick yesterday when you just vanished and no one knew where you were, Lucille. Theodore called and told me what happened a little while ago and I rushed right over to see if you were okay. It’s awful what you’ve been through.”

  “Why did you really come here, Merlene?” I asked with a piercing glare.

  “I just told you why! Are you deaf? Is it time I took you to Doctor Barry for some hearing aids?”

  “You won’t be taking me anywhere ever again!”

  “What are you talking about, Lucille?” She acted confused. “Have I done something to offend you? This is not at all like you.”

  I sighed heavily. “I asked why you came here, Merlene, and I want a straight answer.”

  “Lucille, I told you Theodore said you were back. He didn’t get into much detail, but said you’d been kidnapped, so I came to see you right away. Do you understand what I just said?”

  “What else did he tell you?”

  She grimaced. “Oh, you mean that you couldn’t wait to see me?”

  “Bingo!”

  “Well, I’m here, but you don’t seem very inviting!”

  I only stared.

  “Wait a minute!” she said. “Are you suggesting I didn’t come because of genuine concern for you, Lucille?”

  “No, I’m not suggesting that, Merlene. I’m suggesting that you know what you tried to do to me and now you see it hasn’t worked.”

  “I’m confused.”

  “You’ve always been.”

  “Was that meant to be funny or are you insulting me, Lucille?” She looked offended.

  “Take it however you like.”

  “Okay, what are you talking about?” She sighed. “What did I supposedly do to you?”

  I shifted more toward her direction. “You almost got me killed! And Nilla too!” I yelled.

  “For Heaven’s sake, how? Have you been drinking or something?”

  “Okay. Play dumb.”

  “Lucille, what you just said is ludicrous. How could I have possibly almost caused you and Nilla to be killed? You must’ve dreamt that up.”

  “You told that jerk Jake from the excursion about Donnie’s life insurance money. You babbled on about it after I shared that with you in confidence. How could you do such a thing, Merlene? We’ve been friends for ages and you turn around and quite possibly conspire to rob me! How dare you?”

  She stared. “Lucille…”

  “Lucille nothing! You’re lucky I haven’t reported you to the police yet, but trust me, I will.”

  She got up and walked over to the window.

  “What? You’re in contemplation now?” I asked. “Is this a part of your new yoga routine?”

  “I couldn’t have…” she said. “I know I was a bit tipsy, but… I just don’t remember…”

  “Oh, blame it on the booze now!”

  She looked back at me. “I…I’m serious, Lucille. I don’t remember mentioning the money to Jake. Why on earth would I do that?”

  “That’s the half a million dollar question!” I noted.

  She faced the window again and just stared ahead.

  I was about to lie back down and resume my beauty rest when she said, “Wait! I think I remember now.” She hurried over to my bed and sat in the chair again.

  “Lucille, you have to believe me when I tell you this. It’s not like I just blurted out your personal information. Something led up to it…”

  “So, you admit it!” I interjected.

  With a clear degree of shame, she slowly nodded.

  “But listen to me. Maybe if I explained how it happened, you’d understand.”

  “Merlene, I highly doubt that whatever you’re itching to tell me is going to make a difference in how I feel right now. As far as I’m concerned, you have no excuse for what you’ve done. I trusted you. This whole thing makes me regret putting that kind of faith in you, after I’d kept that information to myself for years. You know I always said… if you want to know your true friends, get money involved. I took a gamble and I lost. No… you lost, Merlene. You had a true friend who would’ve moved any mountain in this world if I possibly could for you and your son, and you stabbed me in the back. You actually almost got me stabbed in the back or shot in the face. Those guys had enough weapons to easily pick and choose which kind of death I would’ve died.”

  She lowered her head and when she finally looked at me again, I noticed the tears in her eyes. “I realize I have no excuse, Lucille… and you’re right about everything. I let you down. It wasn’t like I intentionally did so though. I got drunk on the yacht and I allowed myself to be used in a way I never would’ve imagined.” She coughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “I remember while some of us were talking, Jake brought up how his close friend’s husband had died in a car crash and had left her penniless. Said she lost her house and everything since her husband had been the only one employed. He painted a picture of what her life was like after that; how she suffered, you know? Barely managed to keep herself afloat with menial jobs. That’s when I blurted, without thinking, something about how Donnie had left you secure and how you didn’t have to worry about money for the rest of your life.”

  “And you conveniently specified the half a million dollars, I gather.”

  “I think I did.” She took my hand. “But I was drunk, Lucille! I wasn’t thinking straight. I was trying to paint Donnie in a good light; how much he loved you and how well he treated you…and in the process, I must’ve said something I never should’ve said. I didn’t mean to, Lucille. I’m very sorry that my big mouth has caused you and Nilla such heartache. I never imagined those guys were criminals and even that they knew each other.”

  I was quiet for some time after her explanation, trying to digest her reasoning—her excuse. Deep inside, I figured she might’ve done it while in her stupor. After all, she did fall into the shark-infested waters because she got as drunk as a skunk, which she’d never done before in all the years I’d known her. I wanted to forgive her; yet, at the same time, I wanted to stay angry. Like that, I felt she wasn’t getting off easily and still had to pa
y for what she’d caused even if it truly was unintentional.

  “I understand if you never speak to me again.” She got up and started toward the door. By that time, her face was drenched in tears.

  I got up as well. “Merlene…”

  She immediately stopped and turned around.

  “Wipe that snot away, will you?” I opened my arms.

  She hurried over. “I’m so sorry, Lucille!” She sobbed on my shoulder. “I never would’ve forgiven myself if anything happened to you or Nilla.”

  “Don’t get any of that stuff on me!” I frowned.

  I got her to laugh. I could’ve actually wrung her neck not too long ago, but I had to forgive her because I knew the woman well enough to know when she was telling the truth.

  Merlene finally came up for air, held both of my hands and looked into those blank eyes of mine. “What can I do to possibly make it up to you guys?”

  I thought for a moment. “You can go downstairs and apologize to Nilla, then you can buy us lunch tomorrow.

  “No problem at all! But what’s wrong with today?”

  “It’s too late in the afternoon; almost time for dinner. Anthony’s cooking salmon and I don’t want to spoil my appetite. You know I love salmon.”

  I saw the great Sir Clement standing across the room. His hands were crossed in front and his face, as usual, void of expression.

  “I also have some more reading to do for Sir Clem’s case,” I told Merlene. I thought I’d better insert that nugget before the dead guy decided to pull the vision plug on me again.

  “I’ll let you get to it then. I’ll go and find Nilla,” she said.

  “Okay. Oh! By the way, I forgot to mention that Carla, my neighbor, came by yesterday. She asked for you.”

  Merlene was drying the last bit of tears with the back of her hand. I could tell the very mention of Carla’s name put a bad taste in her mouth.

  “Really? What for?”

  “She wanted to apologize. Said she was sorry for what she told the police about David that night.”