by Marja McGraw
“Are you two sure you want to read murder mysteries right now? I think you’re edgy enough already. I know I am.”
Mother and Felicity glanced at each other before quickly setting the books back on the coffee table.
“What time is Stan supposed to be here?” Felicity asked.
“After he takes Glenna home. When I called him he said they were going to release her after a few more tests. The doctor was bothered by the way her chest seizes up when she gets upset.”
“Oh.”
My mother sat forward. “I think if we…” Her voice trailed off.
“You know, your mother and I might…” Felicity didn’t finish her thought either.
We were awfully quiet for a group of women who loved to talk.
“I know you’re both trying to think up ideas, but I can’t even come up with anything.” When I needed my experience to come to the rescue, I couldn’t think of even a single good plan. I wondered what Pete would do. He’d probably… I had no idea what he’d do.
The phone rang and I excused myself to answer it. I headed for the kitchen because I seemed to have more privacy there. Why I wanted privacy was the question of the hour.
I picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“What’s up, Sandi? You’ve been too quiet. Trying to plot against me?” David sounded full of himself. He was full of something, okay.
“David, let’s get this over with. I have no plan, no plot, and I’m tired of this. Why don’t you just come try to get me?” I slapped my hand over my mouth, surprised at the words that had come out. This was the second time I’d practically invited him to a shootout, so to speak.
He had the nerve to laugh. “You’re tired of this? But the games have just begun. I’m looking forward to killing you, and I want to take my time with it.”
Taking the phone with me, I ran out to the living room. I grabbed my purse and pulled out my cell phone, throwing it to Felicity.
I mouthed Call Rick at her and pointed at the receiver I held in my hand.
“David?” she whispered.
I nodded.
“What do you think, Sandi?” David sounded impatient. “Can you do that?”
“Uh…” I hadn’t been listening and didn’t know what to say.
“You’re stalling, aren’t you? I’m hanging up. You must have the cops on the line, am I right? You’re stalling so they can trace my call. Ain’t gonna happen. Do what I told you and maybe you’ll live one more day.” He hung up.
I stared at the phone. What was I supposed to do? Why hadn’t I listened to David?
“I think I might be in big trouble,” I said.
“Why,” my mother asked, “other than the obvious?”
“He told me to do something and I didn’t hear what it was. His tone of voice was demanding. He expects something.”
“Oh, Sandi. Don’t be silly,” Felicity said. “You are in big trouble, and you have been for a few days. ‘Might be in big trouble?’ Sweetie, right now your middle name is Trouble.”
My mother inhaled loudly and glared at Felicity.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Felicity straightened her shoulders and returned my mother’s glare. “What? You and I both know how much trouble Sandi is in. We’ve known it since the beginning. That’s why we’ve been sticking so close to her.”
It would have been almost humorous to watch these two tiny women facing off if it weren’t for the fact that I knew they were both frightened and angry.
The phone rang and I ran to answer it, glad for the distraction. Maybe Rick had traced David’s whereabouts.
It was Rick, but he didn’t have good news. “He hung up too soon. We couldn’t trace him. He’s got to turn the phone back on so we can find him.”
“I wish I knew how to make him do that,” I replied. “Short of putting a big sign on the front door asking him to call me, I don’t know what I can do.”
“Funny, Sandi. Ha ha. No signs. He’ll turn it on eventually.” His sarcasm didn’t help.
We hung up and I found my mother still glaring at Felicity. She dropped her head before looking up into Felicity’s eyes. “You’re right. It seemed easier to deal with when we were making light of it. We really do need to figure something out, and fast. Sandi is my only child and I’m not going to let some screwball take her from me.” Her eyes filled with determination while she spoke.
Felicity nodded. “Okay, let’s figure this out. How can we make David show himself? And how can we catch and stop him without me having to shoot him? Sandi really needs our help, whether she realizes it or not.”
“Don’t forget Stan will be here, too. Maybe he’ll think of something we haven’t thought about. Sandi will have three of us, not just you and me.” My mother stood up and walked into my downstairs office while she spoke, her voice fading before she returned with a pencil and pad of paper.
“What’s that for?” I asked.
Ignoring me, she handed the pad and paper to Felicity. “Here. You take notes while we talk.”
Felicity licked the end of the pencil and held it over the paper, ready to write. I’d always wondered why some people lick a pencil before writing, but I had a feeling now wouldn’t be the time to ask. With any luck, these two women would come up with the plan that eluded me.
“Mother – ”
“Shhhh! I’m thinking.” She glanced at Felicity as though she’d started to speak instead of me.
Just like the child I used to be, I obeyed her and closed my mouth.
“I think we were right when we talked about going to Dolly’s house and leaving Sandi here alone. We won’t try to act like anything is wrong this time though.” My mother tapped her chin, still appearing thoughtful.
“We might take cleaning supplies with us so it looks like we’re going to do some cleaning at Dolly’s.” Felicity tapped the pad of paper with the pencil. “And if we sneak Stan into this house, he’ll be here if anything happens. Sandi won’t really be alone.”
“What about Bubba?” my mother asked.
“Oh, he’ll have to go to Dolly’s with us. If he’s here, David might not be as bold as he’d be with Bubba gone.”
“I – ”
“Shhhh!” This time Felicity was shooshing me.
Somehow I felt like these two were taking over, and I wasn’t sure I liked that.
“Sandi really needs our help with this, even more than I realized. You know, fear could keep her from dealing with David.” My mother thought she had it all figured out.
“Wait a minute,” I said with some authority. “You two are talking as though I’m not even in the room, and believe me, I have a big stake in what we do – including where Bubba is. You’re talking like I’m inept, not capable of taking care of myself. Well, you’re wrong.”
Both women turned and stared at me as though I’d suddenly appeared out of nowhere. My mother opened her mouth to speak.
“Shhhh!” I hissed. “It’s my life and my decision how we handle this. First of all, yes, you’ll both go over to Dolly’s. I don’t want you here when I have it out with David. Oh, and I want Stanley to go with you. I want him to make sure you two are safe, no matter what happens.”
Felicity held her hand in the air like a child who wanted to be called on. “But Stan – ”
“No. If Stan is here we’ll be tempted to speak to each other. If David looks through the window I want him to know that I’m alone. No Stan.”
“Yes, dear.” My mother watched me intently, probably hoping I’d come up with a foolproof plan. There was no such plan. Anything could happen. I knew this from past experience, both with David and with other criminals.
“I’ll ask Rick to put someone outside to watch the house. He’ll have to be careful though, because we have no idea where David is hiding. I don’t want him to see Rick’s people.”
“How are you going to handle David?” Felicity had the same intensity on her face that I’d noticed in my mother’s expression.
&nb
sp; “I’ll keep my gun on me, but out of sight.”
“Do you know how many people are shot with their own gun? I’ve read stories about it in the paper. And didn’t Rick say the same thing?” My mother’s voice sounded uncertain. She was worried now that push was coming to shove.
“Trust me, Mother. I can handle this.”
“I’ll keep my gun at the ready, too.” Felicity mimed holding a gun with her hand.
My mother nodded at her. “And Stan will have his gun.”
I smiled. “You have no idea how precious the two of you are to me. I know exactly how you felt when you called me Precious, Mother. If anything happened to either one of you it would kill me. I should have sent you both over to Felicity’s house.”
Felicity glanced at her watch. “I wonder where Stan is.”
“He’ll be here soon.” I glanced at my own watch before looking out the window. “It’s going to start getting dark soon. We need to prepare ourselves and get ready to put an end to this whole mess.”
“Livvie, let’s carry your suitcases over to Dolly’s house.” Felicity stood. “Maybe he’ll think we’re spreading out so we can watch Sandi’s house from a distance. Actually, that’s what we’re doing.”
“That’s probably better than cleaning supplies.” My mother stood and joined Felicity.
“Wait. I’ve got an idea,” I said. “We’re trying to trick an intelligent man who sees right through us. Instead, I want you both to look like you’re trying to sneak over to Dolly’s house. Let’s make him think we have a whole different plan in mind. Try to look sneaky, but be kind of obvious about it. Let him think we’re dumber than dirt.”
Mother nodded. “I think you’re on to something. We’ll wait until the sun goes down and wear dark clothing. We’ll be the ones who are inept. Leave a light on so he can’t miss us sneaking across the yard.”
“Then you can remember to turn off the light, Sandi, and we’ll sneak back here without him knowing it.” My friend winked at me.
“Brilliant, Felicity. Once he sees us skulking over to Dolly’s, he’ll quit watching us.” My mother clapped her hands together in glee.
I’d lost control again, but actually they had a pretty good idea.
The phone rang.
“Oh, crap. If that’s David, I’m going to sound too sure of myself.”
“I’m going to answer it this time.” Felicity stomped out to the kitchen. As small as she is, she can stomp quite well.
I smiled and my mother and I followed her.
She pushed the Talk button. “Why don’t you quit bothering Sandi, you dipstick? We’ve had just about enough of – ”
She paused for a moment.
“Oh, hi Stan. Where are you?”
My mother and I let out the breaths we’d been holding and returned to the living room.
Mother seemed fine one minute, and startled the next. “What are we going to do when he comes inside the house? All this planning is great, but what are we actually going to do? We need a plan for that, too.”
“Mother, I don’t want you and Felicity to sneak back over here. I want one of you at each end of Dolly’s house. The minute you see him approach, call 9-1-1. Don’t hesitate for even a second.”
“But – ”
“I mean it. I can handle myself.”
“But he’s a big man, Sandi – too big for you to handle by yourself.”
“I’ve got equalizers. I know he’s coming and I’ve got my gun. I’d rather not use it, but he’s not leaving me a choice.” I rolled my head, trying to loosen a stiff neck. I heard a crack and felt better. “There’s one other thing, Mother.”
“What’s that?”
“He thinks I’m frightened. I’m not. I ran out of fear about ten minutes ago. All I feel now is disgust and anger. I’m not going to let him get away with terrorizing me.”
“I’ve got enough terror for both of us. But, sweetie, a little fear can be a good thing. It’ll make you more careful.”
“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
“Sure you do.” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on me. She reminded me of Rick.
“I do. Would you please trust me?”
“I guess I don’t have a choice.”
Felicity walked into the room and she didn’t look too happy. “Stan said Glenna called her parents from the hospital. They’re flying out here and they’ll be arriving at the airport around six o’clock. She talked him into picking them up before he comes over. I didn’t let on that we’re this close to a confrontation with David. I told him he was doing the right thing in helping her out.”
“It wouldn’t serve any purpose to tell him,” I said. “It would just make him feel guilty for not being here. He’d probably leave her high and dry, and right now I think she needs him and his help.”
My mother nodded again. I noticed she was very quiet, which is unusual for her. I gave her a hug. “It’s going to work, Mother.”
“It’d better.”
“Okay, let’s put our plan into action.” I looked from one to the other. “Let’s go out on the front porch while it’s still light. We’ll chat, but I want you to occasionally glance at Dolly’s house. Try to act slightly suspicious, but don’t overact.”
I poured us each a glass of iced tea and we took it out on the porch with us. We talked about my upcoming wedding, Felicity and Stan getting married, and how much Mother and Frank loved living in the desert. Although we were talking about simple things, we leaned closer to each other from time to time and surreptitiously glanced at Dolly’s house.
My mother started to laugh. “Do you really think he’s going to fall for this?”
“I sure hope so.” Felicity took a drink of her tea. “He’s got to think we’re dumb as doornails. He’s got to believe we think we’re fooling him.”
I smiled. “No matter what happens, I want you both to know how much I love you. I can’t think of anyone else in the world I’d rather spend my last hours with.”
“Sandra!” My mother was good at throwing out the dreaded given name when she was upset with me.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Mother. How about this? Other than Pete, I can’t think of anyone else I’d like to be plotting and scheming with while I wait to take down a killer.”
“That’s only minimally better.” Her hands were shaking. I knew she realized that this really was the end of the road for one of us, and it had better be David.
Chapter Thirty
I needed a distraction and so did my mother and Felicity. “Let me tell you about the night Stanley met David.”
“I’ve been dying to hear more about this,” Felicity said.
“Me, too.” My mother moved forward on her chair.
I’d have to tell Stanley how much his story had helped us deal with David’s threats.
“David and I had been on a date and decided to stop for a nightcap on the way home, and I suggested a place by the Mays Building, near Stanley’s apartment. Remember, at that time I had no idea David was involved in Robert’s death. That poor college student didn’t deserve what David did to him.”
~ * ~
“I do tend to forget that there are other things in life besides my work,” David said. “You’re a good reminder. Actually, I think you’re good for me in a lot of ways. You’ve been drawing me out of my work. I was reaching a point where nothing else mattered until I met you.”
What a charmer, I thought. “I’m glad you feel I’m having a good effect on you.”
He reached across the table and took hold of my hand, smiling. His touch gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
“Sandi, these last couple of days have meant an awful lot to me. Something important is happening between us. Can’t you feel it?”
I felt the warm, fuzzy feeling fizzle and I was uncomfortable. He was moving too fast. We’d only known each other for a few days.
“I’m afraid we’d better be going, David. I have to get up early tomorrow. Things are busy at
work.”
“You can change the subject, Sandi, but I’m not through talking about it. I’m a patient man.”
I wasn’t sure if I hoped he meant what he said or not.
David walked all over my mood when he reminded me that someone had taken a shot at me, maybe as a warning – or maybe it had been more than a warning. He’d arrived for our first date right after a shot had been fired into my apartment. “I should stay with you for a while. Or you could stay at my place. I do worry about you, you know.” He looked deep into my eyes, seeming to search for acknowledgement.
“Hey, I’m okay. Really. And believe me, I certainly can’t forget that someone took a potshot at me.” He was smothering me, which effectively and completely ruined the good mood I’d been in earlier. I liked him, but whether it would grow into anything else, only time would tell. I knew I had to keep him at a distance for my sake, as well as for his. If he pushed too hard, I’d end up hurting him, and I didn’t want to do that. He gave the impression that he was probably a very sensitive guy inside.
Just about that time I glanced over David’s shoulder and saw Stanley planting himself at the bar across the room. He’d almost slid off the stool and had to reposition himself more carefully.
David started to say something, but I hushed him. Stanley looked scared spitless.
“Sandi—” David persisted.
“Shhh.”
“What—”
“Wait a minute.” I was glad to have something to distract us from our conversation.
David turned his head to see what I was studying so intently.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“Stanley Hawks, one of my clients. It doesn’t have anything to do with Robert.”
I knew something was up by the expression on Stanley’s face, and I wanted to know what it was.
Al Draper, the guy who’d been stalking him, walked into the cocktail lounge and sat next to him. I could see the poor little guy flinch when Draper placed a large, skinny hand on his shoulder. Was it time for a showdown?
I stood up and told David I’d be back in a minute.