The Minnesota Candidate

by Nicholas Antinozzi

  “There are like five of them, but those are all chained and locked.”

  “What about the windows?”

  “They’re barred, every single one. The backside of this place looks like a prison.”

  “Well, Sam would feel right at home.”

  Doris and Marie both howled with laughter. “Stop it,” said Doris, “you’re killing me.”

  The fit of laughter passed and Marie began walking around to the back of the big brick house. Doris followed along and they began dreaming out loud as to what they would discover inside the old house. “If I had a lot of money,” said Marie, “like if I was a millionaire or something. I would keep a big pile of cash hidden in my house. You know, just in case the banks went tits up.”

  Doris nodded her head in agreement. “I’d do the same thing with silver and gold.” From out front, Shari drove away in her fancy car. Doris watched her go and she was happy that Shari hadn’t seemed to notice them. “The dizzy bitch,” she said. “She didn’t even see us.”

  “She’s probably too busy counting her money. Rich people do stuff like that.”

  “Oh, I know they do,” said Doris. “Maybe someday that’ll be us.”

  Marie nodded her head. “You can take that to the bank, sister.”

  Where the front of the massive home was flat, the backside was odd-shaped and seemed to jut out in every direction imaginable. There were moss-covered patios and sundecks on the upper levels of the four-story home. Marie tried each of the five back doors, but Doris had been right, they were practically sealed shut. “What did I tell you?” asked Doris. “Those locks just make me crazy. What could she be hiding in there?”

  “Millions,” said Marie.

  “Billions,” replied Doris, “who knows?”

  “What if precious Shari was to have a little boating accident? You know, I was thinking about that when we were out on the lake.”

  Doris shook her head. “How could you even think such a thing? That’s Tommy’s wife we’re talking about. Just because we don’t like her, doesn’t mean we should have her whacked.”

  “I wasn’t going to have her whacked. I could do it, myself.”

  Doris considered this, but she frowned and shook her head. “No way, Marie, we could get caught and spend the rest of our lives in prison. Don’t you ever watch those shows on television? The cops always catch people who kill people for their money. I’ll be happy with Tommy’s half. Do you have the number to that lawyer?”

  “I was just kidding around.”

  “No, you weren’t.”

  “Whatever… I have that number at home. I’ll get it for you when Tommy is ready to file for divorce.”

  They walked around one of the many corners and came face-to-face with Tom. “Tommy,” exclaimed Doris, “you damn near scared the crap right out of me.”

  “What is all this talk about me getting a divorce? Don’t lie to me, ladies, I heard every word you just said.”

  “What did you hear?” asked Marie.

  “I heard you tell Mom something about me getting a divorce.”

  “Yeah,” said Marie, “well, I was just telling your ma that I know of a good lawyer, just in case you and Shari get a divorce. Face it, Tommy, now that she doesn’t look like Popeye the Sailor anymore, she can have any guy she wants. No offence, but you ain’t no George Clooney.”

  “She’s right, Tommy,” said Doris. “You’re no George Clooney.”

  Tom was so angry that he brushed past them without saying a word. Tears stung his eyes as he walked away. And he began muttering really bad things that no one should ever say about their own mother.

  When Tommy was out of sight, Marie turned to Doris. “He’s got thin skin, just like his old man.”

  “Do you think he was angry?”

  “Oh yeah, he was mad as hell, not that I give a shit. What do you suppose he was doing back here, anyhow?”

  “I don’t know, but I was just thinking the same thing.”

  “I’ll bet he was doing the same exact thing that we’re doing. He’s looking for a back way in.”

  “Oh, my Tommy would never do that. He’s a good boy, Marie.”

  “Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. What do you really know about him, anyhow? You thought Sam was a good kid and look how he turned out. I’m just saying that we need to keep an eye on Tommy. We can’t let him get in here before we do. If he does, you can kiss those millions goodbye. I’m not kidding, Doris.”

  “I see your point, but I’m sure we don’t have anything to worry about. I ought to know my own son.”

  “And he should know you, but he doesn’t. If he did, he wouldn’t let you within ten miles of this place.”

  Doris laughed at that and Marie joined her. They continued walking around the house and staring up it as they slowly waddled past. Suddenly, Doris pointed up to a fourth story window and she began to jump up and down. “Look,” she cried, “do you see that window? Marie, it’s open a few inches.”

  “Oh my God,” said Marie. “You’re right!”

  The window was open, but it was also fifty feet in the air. Doris felt woozy just looking up at it. She knew she couldn’t climb a ladder, open the window and climb inside. The thought made her skin prickle with goose flesh. “But I’m afraid of heights,” she said, “how about you?”

  “Absolutely petrified, I can’t even look up at a tall building without losing my balance.”

  “But how are we going to get up there?”

  Marie gave Doris a confident nod. “We’re not going up there. Lumpy and Steve are going up there. Come on, sister; let’s go see about getting a ladder.”

  “Lumpy and Steve,” said Doris, excitedly. “Why didn’t I think of them?”

  What they didn’t know was that Tom had also spotted the open window. At that moment, he was on the telephone with a rental company asking about extension ladders. Furthermore, Tom had already dumped four plastic jugs of gas into Steve’s car. Lumpy and Steve were already halfway to Minneapolis. The women continued walking around the house at what they considered to be a brisk pace. “We’re going to have to figure out a way to cut the power,” said Marie. “If I have to, I’ll use a damn butcher knife. Nothing is going to stop us.”

  They were back around to the front of the big house and walking across the lawn. Doris pointed down to the end of the driveway. “Steve’s car, it’s gone,” she said.

  “Where the hell did it go? Those guys didn’t have any gas.”

  “How am I supposed to know? I’ve been with you.”

  Marie stopped and put her hands on her wide hips. “Well, this is just great,” she said in a voice thick with sarcasm. “I don’t have their telephone numbers, do you?”

  “I lost all of my phone numbers in the fire. I’m sure that Tommy has them.”

  “Sure he does, we’ll have to get them without Tommy knowing about it. He’d want to know why we want them and it ain’t any of his business, anyhow. Ugh, I just hate the idea of having to call those nitwits. Are you sure you couldn’t climb in that window? What if we practiced it?”

  Doris hated the idea of having to call them, too. She thought about Marie’s idea. Now that they weren’t staring up at the window, it didn’t seem nearly as high. “We should both practice it. What are we afraid of, anyway? I’d say the reward is worth the risk.”

  “I think you mean the risk is worth the reward.”

  “What difference does it make and why are you always correcting me?”

  “That’s just the way I’ve always heard it. And I’m not always correcting you. You’re right, what difference does it make? The point is that we can do this, sister. Are you with me?”

  Doris was still miffed that Marie had corrected her, but she nodded her head in agreement. She was already thinking about suitcases stuffed full of money and about how easy it would be to climb in that window. They could do this, she was suddenly sure of it.

  Chapter 22

  Sam and Chona were back in Minneapolis befor
e noon. Chona made phone calls while Sam drove the ninety mile trip north. While he drove, Sam thought about what Shari had said to Chona on the telephone. The apology had seemed genuine, but as hard as he tried, Sam couldn’t shake the hurt that had come with the accusation. He hoped that time would help heal this scar. He listened to Chona as she set about organizing her team. Sam recognized many of the names and found that he was excited to go back to work with these people. And while he thought little of Doris, the idea of rebuilding her house thrilled him.

  Back at Chona’s home in Minneapolis, Sam unloaded the truck while Chona continued making phone calls. Sam brewed a pot of coffee and sat on the front steps, watching a group of kids play baseball in the park across the street. Chona surprised him by handing him her cell phone. “Here,” she said, “it’s for you.”

  Sam took the phone and gave her a confused look. “Who is it?”

  “Answer it and find out.”

  Sam was worried it was Shari. He wasn’t ready to talk to her and he had said as much to Chona. Hesitantly, Sam pressed the iPhone to his ear. “Hello?”

  “Sam, it’s Tom, I hear you’re back in town. How are you?”

  Sam pulled the toothpick from his teeth and smiled. “Hey Tommy,” he said. “I’m pretty good. Yeah, me and Chona got back about an hour ago. Hey, I’m sorry to hear about your ma’s place. That was some tough luck.”

  “Yes, it was. Look, I really need to see you and I was wondering if you could come out to the house?”

  “Drive out there? Gee, I don’t know, Tommy. I’ve got a lot going on down here. Chona has a list for me and it’s a mile long.”

  “I do not,” said Chona, loudly.

  Sam sighed and stared up at her. “He wants me to come out there,” he whispered, cupping the iPhone to his chest.

  “So, why don’t you drive over there? I have a million things to do and I want you to get over there and break the ice. Just get it over with, honey.”

  “But I don’t have a car.”

  “Take my truck. I can always drive the Mustang if I need to go anywhere. Go, make a day of it.”

  Sam sighed and shook his head. He pressed the cellphone back to his ear. “Yeah, I don’t know, Tommy,” he mumbled.

  “Sam, I heard every word you and Chona just said. Look, Shari is gone for the day. If you like, you can leave before she gets back. I’d drive out to see you, but we’re down to one vehicle. I have to talk to you.”

  “Yeah… well, she isn’t there, huh?”

  “No, and she won’t be back home until dark.”

  Sam looked up at Chona. “Sure, okay Tommy. I’ll finish my coffee and head on over.”

  “That’s great. I’ll expect you within the hour.”

  They said their goodbyes and Sam handed Chona back her phone. “I know you don’t want to see Shari,” Chona said, kissing him on the forehead. “But the sooner you two put this behind you, the better it’ll be for all of us.”

  “Shari ain’t there.”

  “Maybe she isn’t there right now, but she’ll be there. I’m pretty sure of that.”

  Sam got to his feet and shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, and I’m pretty sure you’re right. You’re pretty sharp.”

  “Do you want a sandwich before you go, honey-bunch? I was just going to make one.”

  “Sure, a sandwich sounds good. Thanks sweetie-pie.”

  An hour later, Sam was rolling through the gate. He didn’t like the idea of driving out here, but Chona was right, he had to get it over with. Slowly, he drove past the empty brick mansion. He stared up at the dormered windows and towering columns, admiring the craftsmanship. They didn’t build houses like that, not anymore. Sam spotted the chain on the front door and he stopped the Ford. “What the hell?” he muttered. He pulled the toothpick from his teeth, just as Doris and Marie stepped out from the side of the big house. He took one look at them and stepped on the gas pedal. Suddenly, the chain made perfectly good sense.

  Sam parked in front of the open garage door. There were no vehicles parked inside and that made him feel better. He climbed out of the truck and stretched.

  “You made it,” said Tom, walking around the pickup to greet him.

  “Yeah, I made it,” repeated Sam. They shook hands and he gazed off at the lake. “It sure is beautiful out here. So, what’s on your mind?”

  Tom looked up the driveway and saw his mother and Marie headed in their direction. He motioned for Sam to follow him. “We need to talk. Can I get you something?”

  “No thanks, I’m good. Look, Tommy, I think I know what you want to talk about.”

  “Actually Sam, you have no idea what I want to talk about. All I ask is that you’ll hear me out. At first, you’re going to think I’m crazy. Just promise me that you’ll keep an open mind and that you won’t pass judgment on me until I’m finished.”

  Sam studied Tom’s face. “Yeah,” he said, “okay, I guess we’ve had enough people passin’ judgment around here.”

  Tom grimaced, but he still managed to smile. He looked over Sam’s shoulder and saw that like an approaching storm, his mother and Marie were still moving in their direction. He waved Sam toward the house and they began to walk. Tom led Sam into the house and up the stairs to the master bedroom and he closed the door and locked it. He then turned on the television for some background noise.

  The journals were open and on the bed. Tom had given them all a quick scan and found them to be fascinating. Each contained what he thought must be years of research. With nothing to lose, Tom decided to tell Sam everything. With the television talking over him, Tom began telling the story of how he ran out of gas in North Minneapolis. Sam sat on the edge of the bed, while Tom sat across from him in an arm chair.

  Sam couldn’t believe his ears. “Those rotten sons-a-bitches,” he mumbled. “You should see what’s goin’ on down in Rochester. They’re trying to take over.”

  Tom nodded his head and continued with the tale. He was worried that something would stop him before he finished telling Sam the story, so he ignored most of Sam’s many comments. He told Sam everything, including everything that Mrs. Kindersley had said. When he finished, Tom handed Sam one of the journals. “It’s all in there,” he said. “She wasn’t making it up, I’d bet my life on it.”

  Sam’s head was spinning. He didn’t know what he had expected Tommy to say, but it certainly had not been this. He stared at one of the many diagrams that had been drawn in the leather book. “This looks like a tripwire,” he said, pointing to the open page. “And the ceiling is filled with bowling balls. And you’re telling me that the whole house is filled with these booby-traps?”

  Tom shrugged his shoulders. “I never said it was going to be easy.”

  “And they use these chip things to control people, huh?”

  “That’s right, Sam. Think about it. How else can you explain what’s going on? The whole world has gone crazy.”

  Sam crossed his arms and sat back on the bed. “But this ray gun kills the chips. So, all we gotta do is get inside Fort Knox, dodge a couple hundred land mines, find this hidden ray gun, and come out blastin’, huh?”

  Tom sank back into his chair. “You’re right,” he said. “This is crazy. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

  “You’re damn right it’s crazy. Don’t get me wrong, Tommy… I’m not doubtin’ ya. The world has gone completely nuts and someone has to do somethin’. I just won’t be dishonest about it. Do you feel me?”

  Tom stared at Sam and thought he understood. “You don’t mean that you want to tell Shari, do you?”

  “That’s exactly what I mean.”

  Tom stood up and began to pace around the bed. “Didn’t you hear what I said? Mrs. Kindersley thinks she’s been chipped. And do you know what? I think so, too. Look at how protective she is of that house. That isn’t normal behavior, Sam. What if she tells the CIA what we’re up to? No way, we’re not breathing a word of this to her.”

  “She ain’t gonna say a word to nob
ody.”

  “Forget about everything I just told you. I’ll take care of it, myself.”

  “I can’t forget about it. Tommy, if there is one thing that I’ve learned in my life: it’s that honesty is the best policy. Now, we’re goin’ to sit Shari down and start tellin’ her everything we know. You’ve got to trust me, man, she’ll see the light.”

  Tom couldn’t believe his ears and he growled like a caged lion. “We’re not telling Shari!” he shouted.

  His timing couldn’t have been worse. The television station was just finishing a commercial break and the room had gone silent. The door suddenly crashed open and Shari charged inside. Her face was wild with anger. She thrust her index finger at Tom’s nose. “The hell you’re not!” she roared. “You’re not telling me what?”

  “I don’t like it,” said Marie. “I don’t trust Sam as far as I can throw him. You can bet that he came back to break in here. He is a felon, ya know.”

  They were back behind the big house, staring up at the open window. Doris nodded her head in agreement. “Why else would he be out here?”

  “He wants it all to himself. I think we should take him out.”

  “Take him out, where?”

  “Take him out of the picture. Take him on a long walk down a short pier. Take him to swim with the fishes. For crying out loud, Doris, don’t you ever go to the movies? I think we should kill the worthless bastard.”

  “I don’t know,” said Doris. “I don’t think I could be part of that. He’s still family.”

  “No one will miss him. Come on, you hate him as much as I do. I say we whack him.”

  Doris shook her head. “I’m not going to risk going to hell to get some money. I just won’t do it and that’s my final answer.”

  “Whatever happened to you? You used to be cool.”

  “What happened to me? What happened to you? Since when is killing my own cousin considered cool? You need to get a grip, woman. You need to stop taking those goofy pills.”

  Marie shook her fists and stomped the grass. “My pain pills have nothing to do with this. Okay, we won’t kill your precious Sam. Are you happy? When is that ladder supposed to be here?”