Deadly Conception
Page 2
At the final moment they all plunged into the channel…and disappeared from sight for a long, five-second count.
Gabriel’s fingers skimmed the sandy bottom. Bubbles rushed around his face. Pushing off the sea floor, he saw the sunshine through the last few feet of water. He exploded past the surface, spurted water from his nose, and grinned like a kid.
“Way to go, Pop,” Iona cried out, and then filled her mouth with saltwater and squirted her father.
“You, too, sweetie. Better than a belly-flop,” he said and quickly splashed her back.
The group swam over to the jetty and navigated the surest footing on submerged rocks covered with seaweed. They climbed carefully until reaching the higher, dry, flat jetty boulders where some of the parents comfortably watched the summertime ritual.
Carl and Ron ran over to a tall, muscular black man, whose suit was bone dry. “Hey, Dad! Did you see me? I did a back flip!” gushed Ron.
His father grinned. “Very impressive, Ron. Very nice. You, too, Carl. You all looked awesome. I got it all on my smartphone.” He glanced at the others.
Carl made rapid introductions. “Hey, y’all…this is my dad, Dr. Robinson.”
Gabriel stepped up and shook the man’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’m Gabriel, You look dry. Are you jumping?”
The doctor looked to be in his early 50s, stood about 6’1”, and was fit…lean…like a runner.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Raimy.” He shook his head. “And no, free falling is not my thing. I'm just recording my boys for posterity. Was that your first time?”
“Nah,” replied Gabriel, clearing the salty snot from his nose. “Not the first jump…just the first dive. I jumped every day since I got here a week ago.
“Cool. Oh, this is my daughter, Iona.”
“Hi, Dr. Robinson.” She smiled.
“Nice to meet you, Iona,” Raimy replied and turned toward Lilo. “And you must be Lilo. Nice to meet you, too.”
The young, skinny teen sported a big smile, an Irish tan, and an assortment of tattoos.
“Likewise, Dr. R. Your boys are wicked chill with their flips and all. Really!”
“Thanks. You got some tats there, huh. Are they new?” Raimy replied, a little blinded by the sunshine in his eyes.
“Yessir. I got this one about a week or so ago,” he said and turned his right shoulder toward Raimy to show him a skull with the green-white-orange Irish flag in the background and the letters L-I-L-O spelled out in the skull’s mouth.
“L-I-L-O. Got your name in the teeth, huh?”
“My nickname, Lilo. Short for Liam Lohan.”
“Gotcha. How about that one? What is it?” Raimy asked and pointed at the teen’s chest.
“Dad, it’s a Dullahan. It’s so badass,” Ron said, admiring.
Lilo grinned. “It’s an Irish dude on a horse carrying his own head under one arm and whipping around the spine of a dead man. He’s always on the move.”
“Yeah. But when he stops and calls your name, you die,” Iona added.
“Sorta like the grim reaper, huh?” asked Raimy.
“I guess. I just like it. I’ve wanted it for a while…finally did it.”
“Cool. Looks expensive…and painful.”
“Nah! Not too painful, but yeah, it wasn’t cheap. I spent three Gs on it. Got the best artist.”
“Wow! I gotta admit. It’s kinda weird to come face-to-face with a kid sportin’ a massive chest tattoo of the Grim Reaper. It’s a little freaky.”
“We all gotta die some time. May as well live it up while you can.”
“Fair enough.”
“Dad…DAD!” Ron excitedly chimed in. “Lilo’s got a jet ski. Can I go for a ride? Please?”
“Oh, yeah. Right. S’okay if they jump on the jet ski? I’ll drive ‘em out. One at a time. Then let ‘em drive a little and then come back. You guys can go, too, if you want.”
“Please, Dad? Can we?” Carl pleaded.
Raimy thought about it, weighing the pros and the cons.
“Pop…POP! I wanna go, too,” Iona begged
“Hang on, sweetie. Lemme see. Lilo? You have a jet ski?”
“Yeah, I got one for the day. Like I was tellin’ Dr. R here. I’d zip ‘em out one-by-one and then let ‘em drive a bit before comin’ back. But only if s’okay with you. You can take a spin, too, if you want.”
“For the day? So, it’s a rental, huh? That’s more than $600 for the whole day.”
“Yeah. I wish I owned one. It’s just a rental. But I can afford it.”
“You going in the Pond or the Sound?” Gabriel pressed.
“Pond is smoother…but I’m not allowed to take ‘em in there. I have to stay in the Sound.”
“Life jackets?”
“Yup. Mandatory.”
“Okay…one last thing.”
Iona groaned. “Pop…no…don’t…please…don’t!”
“Sorry, honey. That’s my rule.”
“Wassa problem?” Lilo asked.
Gabriel borrowed Raimy’s smartphone. He levelled it at Lilo, snapped a photo, and then handed it over to the tattooed teen. “Put your number in. Just in case.”
“Jeez, Pop. This so embarrassing.” Iona cringed, as Lilo tapped in his mobile number.
“Iona, this is my life jacket. Now go have fun. Be back in an hour or poor Lilo here will be lucky if the police find him before me,” Gabriel smiled, but drilled a hole into Lilo’s eyes with his own thousand-yard stare.
Lilo nodded. “I read ya, Mr. Sweeney. No probs.”
“Thanks, Pop!” Iona hugged her dad and whispered, “Pop, don’t worry. He’s so damn skinny. I could break him in a second if he tried anything.”
“Dad, can we go, too?” Ron asked.
Raimy nodded, “Now you can. Take care of each other.”
The kids ran off.
“Careful, Iona. I don’t want to return a damaged kid to your Mom,” he shouted playfully.
“Okay, Pop” she called back with a broad smile.
He knew she’d be fine. But he wouldn’t be. His two-week stint with Iona ended tomorrow.
My little girl goes back to my ex and her rich, new husband while I’m drowning in legal fees. This sucks, he thought, and hung his head struggling to come up with a silver lining for her looming departure. I guess I can disable my apartment security camera now. No need to check up on Iona anymore.
Gabriel looked over at Raimy. “Let's go up and watch them from the bridge.”
The pair walked along the jetty going toward the east side of the bridge, stepped onto the sandy beach, and climbed the slight incline to the road where it met the bridge apron. They moved closer to the center of the overpass where the duo’s progress slowed as the throng of jumpers grew dense.
“I gotta tell you. I can’t believe my boys did that,” Raimy declared.
“Oh, yeah? You mean their front- and back-flips off the bridge? They looked pretty confident.”
“No. I mean I can’t believe they met your daughter and now they’re off jet skiing with her. They’ve never been so…so…comfortable and confident around girls.”
“Oh. Gotcha. Chalk it up to the Vineyard Magic. This place changes people…in a good way. Sucks though. We leave later tonight. You?”
“I wouldn’t know about Vineyard Magic. This is my first time here. If you ask me, I think Iona is a chip of the old man’s block. She just breaks down social barriers,” Raimy smiled.
“Nice of you to say. So, where are you from?”
“Boston. We leave tomorrow.”
“Really? You live in Boston and you’ve never been here before? So, that was the first time off the bridge for your boys. Wow! Impressive. How about your wife?”
“Yup. I’ve never been. Wife neither. We go to the Cape a lot, but never been to the Vineyard.”
“That makes sense. Where’s your better half? Soaking up the sun on the beach?”
“She stayed in Boston. Work. She’s a nurse. It’s to
ugh synching up calendars.”
“Gotcha. I'm from New York City. What do you do in Boston?”
“I’m a medical examiner.”
“Oh, I’ll bet you don’t get too many complaints from your patients,” Gabriel wise cracked.
Raimy rolled his eyes and retorted, “You know, I hear that a lot. But in my field, I can honestly tell you that I’ve never been sued for medical malpractice.”
Smiling, Gabriel nodded. “I never thought of it that way.”
“What do you do in New York?”
“PR in general…but mostly crisis communications. I help big companies promote their better side with reporters and elected officials.”
“Got it. So, you’re the guy a bank president hires if bad guys tunnel into your vault and steal $100 million?”
“Oh, yeah, I read about that – the Beacon Hill Bank robbery a few weeks ago. What a shit show. They need some crisis management and good PR.”
“Yeah. I know the money’s insured but I’m sure glad I don’t bank with them.”
“No doubt. Hey Raimy, it's time for you to jump.”
Raimy’s shoulders sagged. “I don't know, man. I've never done it before. I'm not ready for it.”
“C’mon, man, don’t be a wuss! Your boys jumped; you can do it!”
“Nah! I just can’t.”
Gabriel’s easy smile disappeared, his jaw set and eyes riveted on Raimy. “Oh? Do you have some medical malady, fragile bones? Are you pregnant?”
“What? Pregnant? No, I’m not pregnant. I don’t like free fall. I told you. Man, you’re kind of a pushy smart-ass, aren’t you?”
Gabriel often dared others to take risks, especially when he saw untapped courage in them…like now. It served him well when it came to winning clients. But it also earned him a reputation for being insensitive and inconsiderate. Despite his crisis management prowess and rain-making ability, Gabriel was fired three times after pissing off successive PR agency Managing Directors. Still, he couldn’t resist.
“Yeah, sure. I’m a smart-ass…I just think you should jump. When life gives you a song you better dance, because the song is going to end for everybody.”
“I don’t know…” Raimy hesitated.
Gabriel knew this was the tipping point. He’d done this with clients in board rooms a hundred times.
Make your case. Vividly polarize the challenge. And walk away. Force a choice, he thought. “Yeah. Screw it. It’s just a stupid jump off a silly bridge into the water. Child’s play. You’re a doctor. This trivial crap means nothing. Right?”
Initially taken aback, Raimy looked over the railing at the water and conceded, “Maybe you're right. Maybe I should jump, too.”
Gabriel walked away, to the left, where all the parents and friends crowded to watch the bridge jumpers and snap photos. He found a gap – sliced his way to the front and levelled his elbows on the top rail – still holding Raimy’s smartphone.
“I can do it, can’t I?” Raimy muttered imperceptibly before realizing Gabriel had left.
He gripped the top rail with both strong hands, bent his knees and lowered his hips.
Gabriel watched unseen and tapped the red ‘record’ button on Raimy’s phone.
Raimy hesitated. What’s wrong with me? I spent my whole life doing the right thing…the safe thing…to get what Mom called ‘success.’ Damn, she was a dream-killer. Now I’m a ‘successful’ pathologist and not a chemistry researcher…like I wanted.
Raimy adjusted his footing on the wet, sandy bridge sidewalk, and mocked his mother’s tiresome, admonishing, career advice. Pathologists are saaaafe, secuuuure jobs and researchers are brooooke dreeeeaaaamers.
Raimy dipped his hips, his hands firmly on the top rail.
To hell with it. It’s time to give the middle finger to fear.
Raimy’s powerful legs burst upward and extended to the sky while his arm muscles contracted and straightened. Leg momentum carried his hips forward, over the rail. He released his hand grip and felt his ankles arc past the horizon. Eyes opened; he saw blue sky briefly until it turned to the horizon. Sensing the quick rotation, Raimy pulled his hands together and watched as the water surface raced to his face.
Gabriel saw Raimy's gigantic smile before the man even broke the surface. The son-of-a-bitch just did a forward handspring off the bridge. Holy shit. That was awesome.
Raimy cycled through a few strokes toward the jetty before standing up on the sandy bottom in waist-deep water. He turned, beaming, and waved at Gabriel.
“You were right,” he yelled. “That was fun!”
Raimy climbed up the jetty rocks, received a few fist bumps and high fives from other parents before sitting on a flat rock to reflect.
Gabriel trotted down to the jetty and sat next to him. “That was awesome. I caught it on video,” he grinned and handed back his smartphone.
“Thanks. It was freaking scary…but gosh danged fun.”
“Raimy, you’ve inspired me. I’ll be right back.” Gabriel marched back up to the bridge, reached the center, and put both hands on the railing.
He quickly climbed up, took half a breath, leaned forward, and felt his feet abandon the rail.
Blue sky, horizon, water – all flashed in front of his eyes. Gabriel was disoriented but gravity restored his senses. His left foot and right knee crashed into the water first. Plunging to the sandy bottom, Gabriel bent both knees and sprung to the surface.
Finally. A flip off the bridge.
Gabriel swam over to the jetty, grinning, climbed out, and stood next to Raimy.
“Holy shit, man! You did it!”
“Yeah. After more than 35 years. Sometimes you just have to jump. It’s my last day on the island and I decided enough was enough.”
“Who cares? You did it!”
“Thanks. It felt good. Hey…I gotta get Iona. We need to pack up. It was good to meet you. Have fun.”
The two men fist-bumped, and Gabriel walked off to find his daughter.
Later that evening, Gabriel and Iona waited for their Jetblue flight to New York City when Lilo stepped up.
“Hey, Mr. Sweeney. Iona. Howya doin’? Headin’ back, huh?”
“Oh, hey Lilo. Yeah. Goin’ home. Fun’s over. Back to work,” Gabriel conceded.
“Not for me. I’m goin’ to Cyprus. It’s gonna be epic,” Iona boasted.
“World traveler, huh? Lucky girl! Send me pictures. I don’t know anything about Sinus,” Lilo said.
“Sure. It’s Cyprus…not Sinus. Doofus. Gimme your phone. I’ll put in my number. Text me when you wanna get an update.”
Just at Iona finished entering her mobile number, Lilo’s phone hummed…and she read the incoming message. “Hey Lilo. You just got a text. I think your Dad is ticked off at you for spending so much money on your new tats,” Iona teased and handed the device back.
“My dad? I doubt that,” Lilo said as he read the message.
3 grand on tattoos…$650 on jet skis…$2,700 on a beach house? You think I don’t check up on you? Get your ass back here now. We need to talk about rules.
Lilo wobbled on his feet and felt the blood drain from his face.
“Lilo? Lilo! You okay?” Iona asked.
“Yeah…yeah…no probs…just a buddy…he’s goofin’ on me. It’s nothin’. Hey, I gotta go. My flight’s takin’ off soon. Good to see you both,” he said and quickly turned, heading off to his gate.
“Okay, Lilo. Thanks again for the jet ski ride. It was fun,” Iona called.
“Take care, young man,” Gabriel added.
“You, too, Mr. Sweeney! Hey, Iona, send me pictures of Typhus,” Lilo called out over his shoulder.
“Cyprus! It’s Cyprus!” she blurted.
“Yeah. That’s it!” he grinned and disappeared through security.
Gabriel reached over and hugged Iona. “Sweetheart?”
“Yeah, Pop?”
“Please don’t read other people’s messages. You know better than that.”
“Still, honey. That’s no excuse. Now get your stuff. It’s time for us to go, too.”
Chapter 2
The Cape Air pilot made a final announcement for the half dozen passengers aboard the Cessna 402 aircraft.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have turned on the Fasten Seat Belt sign...
Lilo fidgeted with his seat belt, pulling it tighter again and again. He blew into his sweaty hands, and then rubbed them dry on his jeans.
“First time flying? You’ve have nothing to worry about, young man. These little planes are quite safe,” the leathery-skinned woman beside him warmly counseled with a too-familiar pat on his thigh and a lurid smile spreading across her creased face.
“Yeah…sure…thanks, lady. No probs. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure, cutie? You seem agitated. I always have a glass of wine when I fly. It calms me down. Why don’t we get a drink after landing? It’ll help relax you.”
“Yeah, right,” he smirked. “Look, lady. You seem nice…in a boozy kinda way. But I ain’t interested and I ain’t nervous about flying. I just got some shit on my mind. So, step back, cool?”
“Your loss, young man,” she huffed, and turned to look out the window.
Lilo thought, Fuck! Like I don’t have enough crap on my plate without a fuckin’ basic Cougar lookin’ to slum it up. Jee-zus!
He pulled his smartphone out and reread the threatening text one more time. He closed his eyes, made a hasty plan, and tapped a message to Lefty.
Dude, the Vinyid was pissah, man. But Nino’s on me hard. Shit’s goin’ tuh Chelsea. I’m banging out for a while. Tell Mah I’m OK.
Lilo hit SEND, tucked the smartphone into his front pocket, and nervously waited.
After the propjet landed and taxied to Terminal C, Lilo shouldered his compact backpack, followed the small number of passengers onto the tarmac, and walked the short distance to the gate. Inside, he moved quickly to the Jetblue ticket counter.
“Good evening, sir. May I help you?”
“Yeah. So, what’s the next flight to the Florida Keys? You got anything tonight?”