I leaned across David, calling to her, “What’s going on? What happened, Crystal?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a policeman gradually making his way over. I also noticed a crowd had gathered on the boardwalk ramp to watch the spectacle.
Crystal bent down by the driver’s window. “As usual, I set the alarm when we were finished and shut the gate. Apparently, someone was watching us leave, and after we drove away, they broke in and ripped the place apart and then took off. They were obviously familiar with how long it takes the cops to respond to a break-in around here.”
It was then that Crystal noticed my dirt-smudged face and scraped arms. “What the hell happened to you?” She turned toward David, suspicious, ready to challenge him.
He raised his hands in self-defense. “I swear I had nothing whatsoever to do with her injuries.”
I quickly gave her a rundown of my unfortunate mishap at the zoo. “I’m fine,” I reassured her several times, as she shook her head in worry and disbelief.
By that time, the cop had worked his way over to David’s car. Crystal hustled and stepped around to my side to help me out. David jumped out, rounding to my side too. Identification was established and we were led inside to assess the damage.
“What a mess!” I moaned, surveying closets ripped apart, pulled out drawers and discarded books on the floor.
One of the cops approached me during the fingerprint dusting process, asking, “You know, you look sort of familiar. I think I’ve may have already been here before.”
I smiled sweetly, “Could be. I can’t keep track myself.”
David turned to me. “What did that mean?”
“It’s a long story.” I could already see that it was going to be a very long night.
Through all the chaos, I found out from Crystal that the monitoring station had apparently called me, but like an idiot, I forgot to turn on my cell when I left the house, so they called Crystal, who was next on the list. She had just crossed over the bridge and was off the island when she got the call and returned as quickly as traffic allowed her to.
I felt drained as I faced the cleanup of all the carnage before me, in addition to the nagging soreness from my so-called accident at the zoo. My original vision of a solitary sojourn at the beach for peace and quiet to write had turned out like one of my books. This one was going to be a hard sell. No one would believe one word of it. I knew for a fact, I didn’t. I did some quick mental deliberation, thinking of alternatives in literary license… Maybe I could dress it up a little.
I pressed my fingers to my closed eyes, rubbing them. Angry, I considered my current situation. While I was at the zoo getting up close and personal with the local tiger, someone was violating my security. I stood there silently, thinking of all the possibilities. Random, or most likely the elusive disc. It was obvious they came up empty handed because I didn’t have it.
There seemed to be a commotion going on at the front door. We all turned to see what was it was.
“I certainly will not back off!” shouted an irate Barbara. “You have to let us in this minute. Samantha needs us!”
“Well, I never!!” said an indignant Betty. “Why…I do believe, I’ve just been violated!” Her face was flushed scarlet.
“Young man! Watch your hands!” complained Hazel. “Will you step back, please? This is our home too!”
“Listen, buster, I live here!” Martha said to the overwhelmed, and at that point, flustered officer at the door.
Martha finally broke through and came to a halt where we stood, quickly scanning the mess. “Sweet almighty, Sam! It looks like the circus just stomped through your home!”
Chapter 58
Tossing More Than Clichés & Conversations
It took us hours to clean up. The cops were long gone and we were exhausted, sitting around the table, still sipping coffee after eating a sack of subs from Sack o’Subs. David was history, having left earlier, not feeling comfortable in a room with so many women. Crystal said, her husband was working the night shift again. Which left Mona, who arrived later on, to be shocked by the retelling of the zoo incident and break in.
Everyone had strong opinions on the subject. I, on the other hand, had none. No one knew what actually happened at the zoo, only that I had fallen through some loose fencing. I surveyed my friends at the circular dining table, with their unpredictable natures, which consisted of two senior bookworms, one very pushy employee, one tattooed Harley librarian, a dear friend, and a former one.
After a long stretch of nothing, while each of us pondered the situation, Barbara finally spoke up. “And to think, I thought you might be bored and needed some company. After hearing all those stories when I first arrived, and after what happened today, I’m suddenly of a different opinion.”
Martha laughed. “It sure makes you think twice about how lightening strikes more than once.” She turned in my direction. “Doesn’t it?” As usual, her eyes did all the talking.
“It’s gotten my juices going!” Betty added. “Why, it gives a whole new meaning to getting burned at the beach.”
I tried to pay attention, but my mind was still replaying that day’s zoo incident. I shuddered at the mental visuals.
“You all right?” Hazel asked, getting ready to jump up and tend to my needs.
I held up a hand. “It’s nothing, just a chill, that’s all”
She sat back down. “I still can’t believe you were a victim of a random hit.” She turned to Betty and asked. “I said that terminology correct didn’t I?”
Betty patted her friend’s hand and nodded. “Yes, you got it just right! They sure tossed this place good.”
“It’s odd how both incidents happened on the same day,” Martha prodded, looking at me for some kind of reaction.
That woman loved to push personal parameters. I swear, she said more with her notorious look alone, while her mind worked overtime. I started to fidget in my chair, clearly uncomfortable under her x-ray vision. I figured she was probably guessing with her last remark, and knew she would try and pin me down another time when we were alone.
My brain was already trying to come up with what I was going to tell her and the others. I couldn’t tell any of them the truth about being pushed because I didn’t want to unnecessarily alarm them until I had a better handle on the situation. Maybe I was wrong and the hand I felt wasn’t a push, and I was jumping the gun. Maybe, I could soft-shoe around the truth. No. She was too smart for that, as well as the others. Suddenly, my confidence started gaining momentum, the more I thought about it.
Why, I was a writer! My life revolved around fiction. I would just make something up. I’d keep her busy asking her to keep an eye out for anything she thought looked suspicious. I smiled at my sudden brilliance.
“What’s so amusing?” asked Mona. She was looking at me curiously from across the table.
“I was thinking what a bunch of characters you all are,” I offered, smiling. Did I just give that lame response? What in the world have I turned into?
A writer who made this stuff up as they typed?
Barbara laughed. “Oh, Sam! You’ve turned out to be quite a character yourself. I bet this time your book will be as outrageous as your last one and probably filled with just as much intrigue too.”
“Don’t be too sure about that,” I replied. “Besides, it’s time to call it a day. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am all done in.”
Crystal nodded, agreeing, as she looked down at her watch. “It’s later than I thought. Even though the conversation’s been interesting, I have to hit the road.”
“Good because I’m hitting the sack!” I said, shoving my chair back and waving goodnight to everyone.
This clichéd dialogue alone was putting me to sleep.
Chapter 59
She Left Her Car In San Francisco!
What About You?
This car business was driving me crazy. I had to get to the bottom of why David wasn’t dri
ving his own car. Points? No insurance? No license? No money?
That last one made no sense. He was paying a pretty penny for rent, living next door. I ought to know. Our houses were almost identical and in the same courtyard. However, it presented a dilemma on my part. How was I to subtly ask why he wasn’t driving his own car?
It didn’t help problem-solving when some detail bothered me. I had to follow wherever it led. Unfortunately, at this point, I was at a dead end and currently expecting to be grilled by my self-described undercover agent, Martha, who had assigned herself the task of getting to the bottom of the break in. Of course, also included on that list were Hazel and Betty, who, I noticed, were keeping a close eye on me too.
I suggested meeting David in the morning at Uncle Bill’s for breakfast. Their morning menu was noted for their great pancakes. When I arrived, I found David drinking coffee. I noticed one steaming mug was already waiting for me. “Thank you! Thank you!” I said, immediately sipping some. “Ah! The nectar of the Gods.”
“Where is the, hi David? How are you doing?”
I smiled. “I already know how you are doing,” I commented casually, as I sipped some more of my coffee. “Except I don’t know the, why are you, part of it yet.”
He set his mug down. “Okay, you’ve snagged my interest. Now, what do you know that I should be aware of, that you already know about? Or, shouldn’t I ask?”
You know, that actually made sense to me.
“Your choice,” I offered.
“Can we narrow this down somewhat?” he asked cautiously, “to maybe what category you are referring to?”
Now, that left me wide open to a lot of avenues, but at the moment, I was only interested in one. Why he was watching out for me was another one, which I was determined to explore in a minute.
This man volunteered nothing. I was at a distinct disadvantage and flying blind. I never did like it in the past, but somehow always managed to land in that territory, but, first things first. “The four wheel category.”
“…Oh …that. You want to know why I am driving around in someone else’s car. Is that right?” he asked.
I tried for a non knee jerk reaction and answered in an even tone, “How perceptive! Now, how about explaining?”
“Well, for starters, my BMW has been recalled for safety issues. There was some kind of complicated electronic problem with it. The whole security system was messed up and no one could figure out what was causing it. Pat kindly suggested the temporary use of her car. She said she wasn’t using it that much. So, I took her up on the offer. It’s only for a few more weeks anyway. Mine should be ready soon.”
True? Possibly. I sat there, wondering if I should be feeling like a fool. I had built up this whole relationship thing going on and maybe something tying the two of them together in some nefarious scheme. He just blew a hole in that pathetic theory.
So, I marched on to the next item on my spontaneous agenda. “So, what is she driving while you’re traipsing around in her car?” I asked, smiling. I couldn’t wait to hear his answer.
All he did was smile. “After all, her being successful, she has two cars and prefers to drive her Lexus.”
“Well then, that explains why you’re driving her car.”
“It was considerate of her after what had happened to her previously. Apparently, some sleaze bag she knew in San Francisco stole her car and was never heard from again. She took a pretty big hit. She now has two cars instead, one for business and one for personal.”
“…Oh.” Sounded crazy and farfetched to me, but fit with all the facts I had so far, and it could possibly be valid.
“She’s smart and successful,” added David. “I like a woman who covers all her bases.” He leaned in and smiled at me. “What about you, Sam? Got all yours covered?”
I smiled back sweetly. “Like a few other men I’ve come across in the past, they all underestimated the woman sitting across from them.”
“How?” he asked.
“Well, it wasn’t because I left my car in San Francisco. It was because they thought they had me pegged.” I paused and smiled. “What about you?”
Chapter 60
Laughing At Dialogue & Playing Along
The beach became jam-packed as the warm weather hit. So, I normally avoided it like the plague. But after seeing how jumpy I was, my well-meaning ‘friends’ coaxed me out there for some rest and relaxation to clear my head. After considering my circumstances lately, I figured they were probably right and it might be a good idea.
My rationalization? With all those women under one roof, it felt just as crowded inside my house. Although after a few more kicks of sand in my hair, I might reconsider their brilliant decision to get me to change my venue. I also had to be careful because I usually burned to a crisp.
Because of that fact, I was buried under a hat, beach towel, sunglasses, sunblock, and a cover-up. At the last minute, I draped another towel across my face. Even I wouldn’t recognize myself if I walked by with all that camouflage on. My house was somewhere behind me.
I was lying on my stomach with my eyes closed, giving it one more shot at relaxation, when out of the blue I caught the hint of a conversation floating my way, coming in clearer and louder as the voices slowly approached.
“Hey,” he said. “I know we’ve looked everywhere, but I still think this broad has it hidden in that house of hers.”
They stopped walking. I stopped breathing.
“I’d put money on it,” said the other male voice. “Maybe we should put the squeeze on her.”
Put the squeeze on her? Hold on! Suddenly, I was dying to take a peek to confirm who those jerks were.
“Sam stashed it, but it’s not in her house. Where is it?”
I had my hand on the towel, ready to take a look when I froze. Hey, that was my name they just mentioned!
“Look, we were told we had some leeway, but I don’t know about strong-arming her,” the other male said.
“Yeah, but we have to find that disc before Joey gets a hold of her. He is unpredictable! We’ve already tangled with him before. Remember screwing up in California?”
“It’s a shame. I’d hate to see him mess up such a babe.”
I sucked in a breath. Mess me up? Hey, wait just a minute! Babe? Those voices! It had to be Phil and Tony! Who was their boss? Joey? This was a no brainer for me. I did not, I repeat, I did not want to be messed up.
I waited for something more, but there wasn’t. Just silence. After another minute, I risked lifting the towel. Gone. I sat up. No one. The two of them were nowhere in sight. Plenty of other people there, but not them.
I sat all alone with some scary thoughts running through my mind. How was I going to get that target off my back? Here I was, sitting in the middle of a throng of people, who were mindlessly playing and laughing all around me, but somehow, I felt all alone. After listening to their dialogue, I knew those two guys weren’t playing around, and I definitely wasn’t laughing.
Chapter 61
Driving & Drinking & Dunking Donuts
I was sitting at the stop sign, getting ready to make a right turn when I spotted Mona’s car in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. She was sitting behind the wheel, sipping coffee, munching on a donut and reading a newspaper.
I pretty much knew where she would be at this time of day. I had previously followed her enough times to know, like me, she was a creature of habit, her sweet tooth craving a donut, and then a coffee, in that order.
I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed some concrete answers. So this time, instead of continuing on, I pulled in to the parking lot and jumped into her car.
Without turning, she stuck out her arm, handed me a hot coffee, and then pointed. “Donuts are in the box.” She was finishing an article in her paper. “I knew you’d show up.”
I stared at my coffee, and then up at her. “ESP?”
She turned to me. “I was wondering when you were finally going to pull in and join me for coffee,
instead of watching me from your car before you usually turned.”
“How long have you known?” I asked, red-faced at her knowing my routine so well, so much for my covert surveillance skills.
“You have a lot to learn. You’re not exactly FBI caliber.”
“No, that’s true, but under the circumstances I find myself in at the moment, I’m seriously under the gun. And I don’t mean on paper either. I felt I had to jumpstart something.”
She turned to me. “So, what’s up? Come on, spill.”
“That’s what I was going to ask you. What’s going on?”
Mona suddenly appeared edgy. “Why the sudden interest?”
“Well, it involves you and your two cohorts.”
She reached for her coffee, spilling some. “Oh damn!” When she finished cleaning up, she turned to look at me. “Okay, you might as well go ahead and tell me what you know. You’ve obviously been a very busy woman.”
So I did, the motel, knowing the two guys on the boardwalk, and the latest incident, the overheard beach conversation. “Mona, this has gone beyond the ‘you don’t really need to know stage.’ I really need to know. Now!”
She leaned back against the headrest. “…Those two bozos don’t work for Joey. …They’re FBI.”
I stared at her. “Why are you meeting them so often?”
She sighed. “The FBI put me in their witness protection program and those two were my handlers. They moved me around a lot, but Joey somehow kept finding me. I didn’t feel safe with them protecting me. So I finally bolted.”
“So, why are you still meeting them in a motel room?”
She looked at me sharply. “I was trying to protect you. I knew they couldn’t. All they’re interested in is getting that damn disc before Joey gets his slimy hands on it.”
I nodded. Things were slowly falling in place. “Is that why you were attacked on the beach that night when you first got here?”
“Probably, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the FBI, and I don’t think it was Joey. It’s not his style.”
Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2) Page 14