by Robert Gonko
surprised you haven't already,” Steve said. “The old neighborhood isn't what it used to be.”
“Yeah, I know,” Sam said. “Tracie and I have talked about it a couple of times, but they're expensive and we always seemed to have something more important to spend our money on. I guess that really isn't a problem now, is it?”
“Nope,” Steve said. “You might even want to consider getting a concealed-carry permit. I know a guy who can take you through the training.”
“I was just thinking about home protection,” Sam said. “But it might not be a bad idea.”
“Take your time and do some research before making that decision,” Steve said. “I—what's going on?”
“What?” Sam asked.
“This isn't the expressway,” Steve said, looking out the window.
“Maybe we're taking an alternate route,” Charlton said.
“I don't think so,” Steve said, taking out his cell phone. He consulted his GPS, then turned and knocked on the divider that separated them from the driver. There was no response. He pressed the button that should have lowered the divider. It didn't work.
“Hey!” Steve shouted. “Hey, we're going the wrong way!”
There was still no response. “Open up, dammit!” Steve shouted, pounding on the divider.
Still nothing happened. The limo lurched to the right and the ride started getting bumpy. Sam looked out the window and saw they were on a dirt road. He tried rolling down the window but the buttons didn't work. The door locks wouldn't release, either.
Steve drew his gun. “Get down, and plug your ears,” he said
“You're not going to—” Charlton began.
Steve aimed the weapon at the back window. Sam and Charlton ducked, covering their ears. Steve fired three rounds into the window, kicked it out, and crawled onto the trunk. Then he climbed onto the roof. Sam heard several more gunshots. The limo screeched to a halt.
Sam looked out the window and saw a man running away, Steve in close pursuit. The private detective caught up with the man and tackled him to the ground. They struggled for a moment but Steve got the upper hand and pinned the driver to the ground.
Once the driver was under control, Steve released Sam and Charlton from the limo. Sam's legs were shaking and from the look of things, Charlton wasn't doing any better. Sam offered a quick prayer of thanks for deliverance as Steve shoved the driver against the hood which, Sam noticed, had several bullet holes in it.
“Call 911,” Steve said. “And turn on your phone's location service so they can find us.”
Sam took out his iPhone and did what his friend said. Steve, meanwhile, yanked his captive back by the hair. “Who are you?” he asked.
“Fuck you,” the man replied.
“Fuck You?” Steve said. “Interesting name. Your mother must have hated you. Where were you taking us?”
The driver didn't reply. “We'll be right back,” Steve said. He led the driver down the road and behind a large bush. Despite intense curiosity, Sam stayed put. He sensed that his friend might be having a less-than-lawful conversation with the driver and wouldn't want any witnesses. When they came back, Sam noticed that the front of the driver's pants were wet. What had Steve done to him?
Steve looked grim as he shoved the man up against the limo. “You have a serious problem,” he said.
SIX
It was early evening when another limo carrying Sam and company arrived at the Curtis estate, just outside Houston. There were armed guards at the front gate, which was opened only after the identities of the limo's occupants were verified.
Sam was so shaken up that he didn't even look at the mansion. Steve Bennett had to lead him out of the limo and into the home. They were met by Sallie, Nick, and two other men, who were introduced as Nick's brothers.
H. William 'Bill' Curtis, Jr. looked like a CEO in his custom tailored suit and tie. The far less formal Jerry Curtis was dressed like a blue-collar foreman. Bill was the acting president of Curtis Enterprises. Jerry ran the oil business. Nick rounded out the trio by overseeing the company's many high-tech ventures. Neither Bill nor Jerry offered to shake Sam's hand.
They took Sam into a parlor and sat him on a sofa. He was offered a drink but politely refused. “Do the police have any idea what this is about?” Nick asked.
“Oh, yes,” Steve said. “I suspect they'll be here in a few minutes.”
“Here?” Sallie asked. “Why?”
“To question these two,” Steve said, gesturing to Bill and Jerry. “They're the prime suspects.”
“What?” Bill replied, shocked.
“That's nuts!” Jerry exclaimed.
“You'd better be able to back that up,” Sallie said. “I don't like people coming into my house and calling my boys criminals.”
“The driver's name is Stu Peart,” Steve said. “He's worked for you for years, hasn't he?”
“Sure,” Nick said. “That's why this is so shocking.”
“Peart told me that these two offered him one hundred thousand dollars in cash to drive Sam to one of Curtis Enterprises' old buildings instead of bringing him here,” Steve explained. “He's given the same statement to the police.”
“Did you beat him in to saying that?” Jerry asked, belligerently.
“He was eager to talk,” the private detective smiled.
“This is outrageous,” Bill declared. “I run a multi-billion dollar corporation. I don't kidnap people.”
“And if I wanted to hurt this loser,” Jerry said, indicating Sam. “I'd do it myself.”
“You'd have to go through me, first,” Steve said.
“Think you can take me?” Jerry asked, smiling.
Steve smiled back. Sam knew that look on his friend's face. Jerry's chances of leaving this room on his own two feet had just dropped considerably. “Steve,” Sam said. “Ease off.”
Steve took a reluctant step back. Moments later the police arrived to question Bill and Jerry, taking them into another room. Sallie sat down next to Sam. “Sure you won't have that drink?” she asked.
“Yeah, I'm sure,” Sam said. “But thank you.”
“Don't worry,” Nick said. “We've put on extra security. You'll be safe here.”
“What about my family?” Sam asked.
“Charley's with them,” Steve said. Charley Bennett was Steve uncle and the owner of Bennett Investigations.
“Thank you,” Sam said. “All of you. If nobody minds, I'd like to get some rest.”
“You don't want any supper?” Sallie asked.
“I don't have much of an appetite right now,” Sam said.
“We have a room ready for you,” Nick said. “I'll take you on up.”
“Steve, you mind coming too?” Sam asked. “Something I want to talk to you about.”
Nick showed Sam and Steve to adjoining rooms on the second floor. They were every bit as luxurious as the suite back at the Fairmont, if not more so. Sam walked over to the window and stared out at the sprawling estate.
“If you decide you want something to eat, dial 5 on the phone,” Nick said. “They'll make you anything you like.”
“Thanks,” Sam said.
Nick left the room. “What did you want to talk to me about?” Steve asked.
“Can the local cops be trusted?” Sam asked. “The Curtises are pretty powerful around here.”
“I'd love to tell you that the police will always act with integrity no matter who they're investigating,” Steve replied. “But I've seen enough back home to know that isn't always the case so I guess my answer is that I honestly don't know. If you're about to ask me to look into it, I'm a little reluctant. We don't like to meddle in active police investigations.”
“I know,” Sam said. “It was just a thought.”
“If Houston PD can't pull it together for some reason, I'll look into it,” Steve said. “But we should give them time to do their thing first
. That okay with you?”
“Sure,” Sam said. “I want you with me at that meeting tomorrow. Jerry...I hate to say this but he scares me.”
“You have good reason to be scared,” Steve said. “When I was checking the Curtis family out, I discovered that Jerry's first wife divorced him on grounds of spousal abuse. He's also been picked up by the police for getting into bar fights. There's never been suspicion of criminal activity beyond that, but if I learned anything as a cop it was not to underestimate people.”
Sam nodded. “I have a feeling you're going to be doing a lot of work for me,” he said. “I want you to know that I appreciate it. I know it's probably going to cut into your other cases.”
“After that retainer you paid, I think Charley might kill for you. Don't worry about it.”
Sam nodded absently. “If it helps, I do think you'll be safe here,” Steve said.
“Maybe,” Sam said. “Maybe.”
SEVEN
Sam did not emerge from his room until mid-morning the next day. He'd spent a good part of the night on the phone with Tracie who was just as scared as he was. Nothing had happened in Port Mason, thank God, but Sam did not like being away from his family at a time like this. He wanted to get home as quickly as possible.
The meeting with the Curtis family convened in what Sam had been told was an 'informal' dining room. Sallie Curtis sat at the head of the table, Bill and Jerry seated on her left and Nick on the right. Nick gestured for Sam to sit with him. Anderson Braddock, Sam noticed, was absent.
“You get any sleep?” Sallie asked as he sat down.
“Not really,” Sam admitted.
“We can put this off if you like.”
“No,