by Alexie Aaron
Memories of Sidney in the shower with me made me wince.
“Are you okay?” he said, rushing over to me.
“Painful memory. How could I have been so stupid?” I asked. “How could I get involved with someone so evil?”
“I don’t think he’s evil, just determined.”
“Oh, Dave. Save yourself. I’m a Jonah,” I said and started crying.
He scooped me up and returned me to the bed. He sat beside me while I sobbed. When I got the hiccups he brought me water.
“Don’t make me go home,” I said. “Hold me.”
He did. And I didn’t go home until early morning. He walked me into the house. We snuck down the hall and listened to Alex’s snoring. I was reassured that everything was fine. He tucked me into bed. “Get some more rest. I have a feeling once the Feds vet the operation, we’re going to be called in,” he said.
He shut my door. I think I heard him talking quietly to Harry, but I wasn’t sure as I fell asleep.
Meyer was waiting for me. “Soon,” was all he said and let go of my hand.
~
Later, I was playing with the short, curly hairs that were growing back on the side of my head when Noelle walked into the bathroom.
“Did you have a nice dinner?” I asked.
“Yes, expensive though.”
“Your dad is used to the finer things.”
“How was your evening?”
“We got a lot sorted. Talked a lot. I cried a lot too,” I admitted. “He just held me, and let me do it. He listened, really listened. I think that’s what I like best about him. He’s there one hundred percent.”
“That’s a good quality. I think he’s rather handsome. I got the opportunity to study him while we waited for you to come back from the MRI. He and Harry were arguing about something, but he wasn’t mad. Harry drives us all nuts, but Dave seemed to understand him. I thought about what you said about Father Michael being unavailable. I know you’re right. I guess it’s the adventure we had in Cornwall that put me on team Michael,” she admitted.
“Team Michael? What is this team stuff?” I asked.
“Oh, it started with Twilight you were either for the heroine to be with the vampire or the werewolf. You must have heard Team Edward…”
“Oh, got you. So who’s the vampire and who’s the werewolf in my situation?”
“I think you have to figure that out, Mom.”
“When do you have to go back?” I asked.
“Soon. I was wondering if we could do some retail therapy together? Dad gave me some money, and from what Harry’s told me, the consulting business has been pretty lucrative.”
I nodded. “Do you think I should chance buying any smaller clothes?”
“No. I don’t want you to lose any more weight. You’re starting to look angular, and I think you’re better with rounded corners.”
“Really? Okay. You’re the expert. Harry says I’m still fat.”
“Harry is an ass.”
“That he is, that he is.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Harry and I arrived at the Richardes’ home. I leaned out of the car and pressed the call button on the gate.
“Yes?” Susan’s voice asked.
“Fin-Lathen and O’Rourke to see Mr. Richards,” I announced.
The gate started to open. I squeezed Harry’s hand. “Ready?”
“Yes, you’re sure you want to do this?” Harry said. “It’s not too late.”
“I’m certain. If I get a little mean…”
“PMS gone wild, no problem.”
I pulled the car around, facing out. I left the top down. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I adjusted my hair and took a moment to check the straps on my high-heeled sandals.
We were greeted at the door by Tom. He offered us refreshments which we declined. We followed Tom to his office. I sat down, putting my bag on the floor.
Tom sat down on his desk and flipped a folder open. “I know none of us got the results we wanted from your consultation, but Elijah insisted that I pay you for your time. He handed Harry a check. He looked at it and handed it to me.
I looked at the amount, and it really was fair considering. “It’s not enough,” I said.
“Cin,” Harry warned. “It’s fine.”
“Is it?” I snapped. “Fine for you, you weren’t kidnapped and smacked around.”
“But that didn’t have anything to do with our case,” Harry pointed out. “Just because you had to fool around with Sidney, that isn’t their fault.”
I looked over at Tom. “Do you mind if we speak alone?”
“Cin!” Harry argued. “Leave this be.”
“Here, take it. We’ll pay our bills at least. Now wait for me in the car,” I ordered.
Harry stomped off, leaving the door open.
Susan walked in.
“The young man looked upset,” she observed. “If it’s about the payment, I assure you that’s all we can afford.”
“He’s fine with it. I’m not,” I said. “Can I be blunt?”
“Go ahead.”
“I know you guys are playing a game with us. You have been from the beginning, and I’m sick of it, and you’re going to pay.”
“Have your lawyer…” Tom started.
I laid my hand on the edge of the desk as I stood up, and my thumb pressed the listening device under the lip of the expensive desktop. “Tell Sidney, while I convalesced in the hospital, I remembered what Meyer told me. If he wants that information, he’s going to pay for it.”
“I don’t understand…” Tom started, genuinely confused.
“Let her talk,” Susan insisted.
I leaned down and dropped an envelope on the desk. “Inside is a sample of what I have to sell. And the price, I assure you, I’m being decent about this. It’s just business after all, folks. Oh, and don’t call my cell. I’m not sure it’s not being monitored. Here.” I tossed a burner phone on the desk. “Just press one when you want to meet. Don’t take too long. I’ve got a flight to catch.”
I picked up my purse, pushed past Susan and walked down the hall. Harry was at the wheel. I got in. We moved down the drive.
“What the hell, Cin?”
“Just drive.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m getting some of my own back, you idiot.”
Harry set his jaw, and we turned out of the drive in silence.
We drove into West Palm.
“The car looks like shit. Get it detailed,” I instructed. We slowed at the light at CityPlace. “You can drop me here.”
“Hell of a time to go shopping,” he said.
“Fuck you, Harry,” I said, getting out.
He drove off. And I went shopping.
I walked into the parking garage and came out driving Harry’s jeep. I drove to the detail place and picked him up.
“They did drop a bug inside. Our guys have handled it,” Harry said. “Did they call yet?”
“No, I figure that Sidney was in the wall or Gareth was. I get the feeling that Tom knew nothing about this. They’ll have to argue amongst themselves and then come to the realization that they have to part with $50,000 now and $50,000 after they sell their product. They’ve got no choice.”
“What do you want to do?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Do you want to go and get something to eat?” I asked.
“I could eat,” Harry said.
I turned the jeep in the direction of my favorite Irish pub.
My bangers and mash arrived just as the phone rang. I excused myself and walked outside. “Hello.”
“What kind of game are you playing, darlin’?” Sidney asked.
“No games, just business. You owe me, you son of a bitch.”
“The redhead’s angry. Oh boo hoo,” he said cruelly.
“I believe I left you a business proposal. What’s your answer?”
“I’m interested.”
“How long do you need to g
et the money?”
“I can have it by three. Meet me…”
“Oh, no, I’m not getting anywhere near you, sweetie. Send Susan.”
“Hang on,” he said.
I waited and he came back on. “Send her where?”
“Macy’s Lancôme cosmetics counter at CityPlace. Once I have the money, I’ll give her the number Meyer gave me.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, I figure you’ll welch on the second payment. I only need the fifty.”
“Fifty thousand’s not a lot of money. How do I know you’re not going to show up for more?”
“You don’t. But the fifty is fine for where I’m going.”
“Where?”
“Sorry, solo trip, darlin’.”
“We had some fun, didn’t we?” he asked.
“Yes, it was peachy.” I hung up and walked back into the restaurant.
Harry looked up at me. I nodded. He pointed to the Manhattan he had ordered for me.
I sat down and took a sip. It was delicious. “Three o’clock.”
“Hey, at least it will give me time to eat and you to sober up,” he teased.
“Harry, if something happens to me, stay with the family. They’ll need you.”
He looked at me. I think he was seeing me for the first time. I was just a woman over her head, not a super sleuth. “Do you think they’ll try and take you?” he asked.
“Oh yes. Susan will have insisted on it. The only hope I have is that I’m feeling kind of lucky today. After I secure the money, I’ll try to make it out of there in one piece. I’ll trigger the theft deterrent alarm if they have me.”
~
I was at the counter early and enjoying the attention of the staff when Susan walked up. She looked pissed.
“Why so upset, Susan? You’re getting what you want. Soon you’ll be headed back into financial freedom on the backs of the future junkies of America.”
She shoved a gift bag at me. I pulled out the wrappings and looked inside. I didn’t bother to count it. Money wasn’t the issue. I handed her the envelope. She opened it and extracted my business card with the numbers printed on the back. She nodded.
“It’s just business,” she said and turned heel.
I pulled out the Federal Express Mailer I had brought with me and poured the contents inside. I picked up the mailer, leaned across the cosmetic counter, and tossed it in the bin with the other packages ready to be picked up by the store’s mailroom. I looked around me and started to walk out. I spotted Gareth at the east entrance. I circled around and headed into the store. I rode the escalator up to the second story, and I saw Gareth follow me.
“It’s not the one you can see, Cin,” I said to myself. “It’s the one you can’t see.”
I walked off the escalator and headed for the parking garage. I got thirty feet from the exit when I felt a body close behind me. I turned, and Sidney stared down at me.
“Now where are you going in such a hurry, darlin’?” he asked, pressing something hard into my side with one hand, grabbing my purse with the other.
“Gee, Sidney, is that a gun or are you happy to see me?”
“Oh that’s cute. Where’s the money?” he asked, looking through my purse.
“What money?”
He shoved it back in my arms, frustrated. His hand squeezed my arm hard.
The top floor was populated with a handful of clerks and a dozen or so customers. Some of which were planted agents. Agent Morris wanted to catch Sidney and Gareth with the drugs, but they would come to my aid if I were in trouble. I wanted them all to be prosecuted, so I kept my cool.
“Ouch. You got your numbers. Leave me alone or I’ll scream.”
He looked around and shook his head at Gareth who turned heel and headed back down the escalator.
He let me go. “That code better be right or your family’s dead.”
“It’s the one Meyer gave me. What does it open?”
He almost smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Cin dear,” he said and turned around and followed Gareth down the escalator. I walked to the nearest counter and pulled the theft control device I pocketed and set it on the counter. I waited until I saw Harry’s jeep pull up before I ran out the door.
Harry drove me to Palm Beach Detail to retrieve my car. The tech agent waved me over.
“Ms. Fin-Lathen, the car’s clean now. We dropped the tracking device in a Waste Management truck. If they are following, they will be in the land fill by now.
“White trash in the landfill, how apropos,” Harry said.
“I guess it’s time to go home,” I said to Harry. “Want to follow me just in case?”
“It would be an honor,” he said.
The two of us had a little fun on the way west, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding. Dave wouldn’t have approved, but we weren’t looking for approval.
~
I sat in the living room. I was staring at the empty chair in front of me. The chair Dave was supposed to be sitting in hours ago.
Harry had walked through a number of times, checking if I’d heard anything.
Dave was working with the DEA. His guys were to stake out the Richards house and provide motor support for the agents in Palm Beach County. Agent Morris wanted me available to make identification onsite, but Buslowski negated that, reminding him that I was a civilian. I was out of danger, but I was also out of the loop.
“Waiting is hell!” I exclaimed.
Alex arrived in a heartbeat.
“Shit, sorry, Alex, nothing’s happening. I’m just frustrated,” I said, getting up and walking to the window.
“Mom, you’ve got to chill. Dave’s a professional. They’ll get them.”
A car approached. Alex pulled me out of the window. “You’re supposed to be on a flight somewhere, remember,” he said.
“Shit, I forgot. Tell me what’s going on?”
“The deputies have gotten out of the car. They’re approaching the truck that’s slowing down.”
“What kind of truck?” I asked, hope rising to the surface.
“A Buslowski type of truck,” he said. “He’s telling them something, and now they’re leaving. He’s pulling in the drive and… Mom?”
I had already launched myself out the door, running barefoot down the sidewalk to the driveway. I opened the driver’s side door and pulled the surprised Buslowski out of the truck.
“What’s all this?” he asked as I wrapped my arms around him.
“You’re so late,” I said, holding on to him.
“Cin, I can’t breathe,” he managed.
I let go, and he put his hand on my chin. He waited until I settled down before telling me, “We got them. All of them!”
“Woo hoo!” I shouted.
Harry and Alex walked out of the house.
“They got them!” I said, running towards them, dragging Dave.
Harry grabbed my hand from Dave and twirled me around. Alex shook Dave’s hand while Harry and I rumbaed across the front yard.
“What are they doing?” Dave asked laughing.
“They’re dancing,” Alex explained.
“But there isn’t any music.”
“Not that we can hear. Those two are special.”
Noelle walked out with Luke behind her. “What’s all the shouting about?” Luke asked.
“It’s over,” Dave said. “You Lathens are free to go about your business. Those two, however, should be locked up.”
Harry had just dipped me too low, and I fell on the ground laughing. Alex stepped into the house and came back out strumming the guitar, Gypsy Kings style.
Noelle danced over and tapped Harry on the shoulder. “May I have this dance?”
“It would be a pleasure,” Harry said.
I rolled out of the way and lay there on my back until Dave came over and looked down at me.
“Put your back out?” he asked.
“No, I’m just so damn happy.”
I laughed saluting. “Yes, sir.” I accepted his hand up. I kissed him before I ran across the yard, jumping over the jasmine plants on my way inside. I grabbed a handful of beers and distributed them to Dave and Luke before opening one for myself.
Luke was laughing at something Dave said. Alex had moved on to play “Redheaded Stepchild.” Noelle and Harry split apart and danced mosh pit style in the middle of the lawn. My neighbors began coming out of their houses. Once they saw where the racket was coming from, they went back in.
We worked our way back into the house. I resupplied the men with more beer and went into the kitchen and began pulling bags of chips out of the pantry. Alex and Noelle were playing guitar duets. Harry was pounding on the arm of a chair, keeping the beat as the siblings rocked.
In the kitchen, I was dancing around with the whisk, mixing dip when Dave walked in. He just stood there and watched me. I finished making the dip and poured it into bowls before I danced over to him. He opened his arms. “This isn’t going to happen every time I come home, is it?” he asked, hugging me.
“It could,” I teased. “I want to hear all about it. Can you tell us or is it confidential?”
“It’s not my operation so why not?”
“Cool.” I walked into the living room, setting bowls on the tables. I waited until the kids finished their song before announcing, “Dave is going to tell us all about the apprehension of Sidney and company.”
Dave blushed when Luke and the kids turned and gave him their total attention. His professionalism soon took over, and he launched in, “After Cin handed over the code. Susan left the department store. My detail was in charge of keeping track of her, and I started following her. I was worried about Cin, but I knew that Harry here had her back. Soon I heard the other details reporting in. Sidney and Gareth had left the building. Relief washed over me, and I was able to concentrate on tailing Susan Richards.”
“Sidney and Gareth headed south immediately while Susan made a detour and headed for her home. She tried the gate, but it wouldn’t open. We think Tom locked her out. She was so mad that she backed out too fast and accidently clipped one of the Ken’s cars.”