Ride to Redemption

by D. J. Wilson

  “I’m glad you left him. No one deserves to live in fear, ever. For now, it’s good to know you’re my insurance policy. You protect me, and I’ll protect you. Deal?”

  “Deal,” sighed Candi, though she still didn’t seem convinced she could protect me, even being by my side.

  Candi, true to her word, would not leave my side as I made the two stops for the burgers and beer. Back at the hospital, however, I convinced her to leave me alone long enough to call her mom, while I delivered the fine assortment of refreshments to Room 304.

  “Where’s Candi?” Vic asked, immediately upon my entering the room.

  “She’s talking to her mom right now. She’s really concerned about Joseph and what he might do.”

  “To you?” asked Vic.

  “To you, to me, to the both of us. I told her I can take care of myself.”

  “There’s three of them, D. And for all they know, there’s only one of you. Won’t they be surprised if they make a move on either one of us?”

  “Eat up Gio, Mile,” I said as I passed out the burgers, fries and Canadian Molson’s. “I’ll join you in a minute, but right now Vic and I are taking this conversation elsewhere.”

  Finding a vacant hospital room a few doors down, I began, “What are you talking about, Vic? There’s only one of me, unless you know something I don’t.”

  “I brought reinforcements with me, D. That’s why I needed the three extra rooms. One of these guys you know, the other two are friends of his. They all served together in Desert Storm. Right now, they’re out rounding up some firepower, just in case.”

  “Seriously, Vic, who do you and I have in common in our brief history together? Who in their right mind would come with you to Calgary on a long shot that I just might need some help?”

  “Think about it, D. Why did I fly to the west coast to begin with? To meet up with Frank. Remember? He told me then, which I relayed to you, that he would always have your back. When you told me you were concerned about that ‘tidying up’ comment, I called him on a whim and bounced what you said off him. D, within twenty-four hours, that man had ditched the reporters hounding him and was driving to Victoria, BC with his two Marine friends, turned employees. Sucks, doesn’t it, to have friends like that, especially those you barely know? Hey, I resemble that remark, too. Who’d a thought?”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You said that the last time, D, and I told you that you don’t have to say anything. You were there for us when we needed you. Now it’s our turn to pay it forward. Some guy who’s been flooding the country with bags full of diamonds has been preaching that ‘pay it forward’ crap like there’s no tomorrow. It must be catching on. Don’t ya think?”

  “Evidently so,” I mused. “I just didn’t think it would come full circle and wind up back to me.”

  “I got it. Most people don’t do diddly-squat when you give them something substantial and then ask them to use all they need and give the rest away. That’s what is wrong with the world, everybody is too damn selfish and self centered … present company excepted, of course,” countered Vic, beaming a smile that would light up any room.

  Candi appeared in the doorway with a troubled look on her face. “D, mom can’t reach him. He’s not answering his phone. Donny and Mike’s phones are turned off, too.”

  “Guess Joey wants to play,” I muttered. “Well, let’s play. Candi, remember that guy, Frank, I told you about that I thought was going to be trouble? Well, Vic brought him and two of his Marine pals with her this morning. Turns out, Frank’s been doing his best to keep me out of harm’s way rather than put me in it.

  “Kinda evens the playing field, doesn’t it,” I announced, smiling broadly at Vic.

  “It does, D. It does.”

  “Remind me sometime to tell you whose idea it was to bring Frank and his friends along. Here, D, put your hand right here,” directed Vic, as she grasped my hand and used it to pat herself on the back.

  Candi’s expression only got worse at this news.

  “What’s wrong, Candi?” asked Vic. “You should be happy. D now has help if he needs it. You are, aren’t you?”

  “Candi, Vic asked you a question, didn’t you hear her, baby?”

  “Yes,” Candi stammered. “I think so.”

  Back to reality and totally confused by her answer, I announced, “Let’s eat,” as we made our way back to room #304.

  Addressing the Italians, I said, “We’re all going to have to leave shortly to take care of something that’s come up. Gio, Vic will be in court to represent you tomorrow morning to recover your passport. Vic, give him the document he needs to sign for his plea deal. Candi and I may or may not see you before you leave, so I wanted you to know that I’ll miss you.”

  “Thank you, D, for all things,” professed Gio, while signing the papers Vic placed before him. “I help?”

  “No thanks. I believe we’ve got this. Mile, take care of him,” pointing at Gio.

  “Bye cousin,” expressed a teary eyed Candi, while she bent over and kissed him on the cheek. “Tell mom I’m good.” Then she moved to the adjoining bed, “Mile, a hug please?”

  “Be ready to go home in the afternoon,” shared Vic, speaking directly to Gio.

  “Victoria, call Frank. Tell him that you’re ready to be picked up. Oh, and tell him to be prepared to come in ‘hot.’ He’ll know what I mean.”

  Walking down the corridor to the elevators, Vic made the call.

  Candi asked,” Just what does coming in hot mean, D?”

  Before I could answer her, Vic, hanging up the phone, replied in my stead.

  “I’m not that old and I know what that means. It means Frank and the boys are to come in locked and loaded, prepared for anything. Isn’t that right, D?”

  “That pretty much sums it up,” hesitating to go any further with the conversation.

  Chapter 46

  Candi and I were waiting for Frank as I stood thinking about the two most important women in my life right now. I was completely at a loss as to how I was going to get the girls out of this mess without anyone getting hurt. Joseph was a loose cannon and thinking irrationally right now, I surmised. A jealous rage consumed him; he would not be predictable, no matter what game plan I managed to lay out.

  The rented black Suburban pulled up to the front door with Frank in the driver’s seat. “Change of plans,” I announced before realizing they didn’t know what my plans were. Come to think of it, neither did I. But I did manage to grab my daypack and Sat phone from the bike before I left. I did know that.

  I walked up to the driver’s door, and Frank rolled down the window. “Good to see you again, sir.”

  “Hi, Frank. Hold on a minute. Ladies, if you please,” I called over to them. “We’re all riding together. I’m leaving the bike here for now. It’s too exposed and too much of a target. No matter how good of a driver I am, it won’t deflect bullets like a Suburban.”

  “You got a point there,” mused Frank, as he got into the front passenger side, immediately introducing his Marine pals. “Ron, Terry, this is D, and I’m sorry miss, I don’t know your name.”

  “It’s Candi,” I replied. “Candi, this is Frank,” introducing them officially, while Frank extended his hand to hers.

  “Nice to meet you,” she replied. “Thank you for coming with Victoria. I’m sorry I’ve dragged you all into this mess. If it weren’t for me, none of you would even be here right now.”

  “But we are. It’s best we get this show on the road. D, you can fill us in on the way.”

  Pulling out of the parking lot and into traffic, I had the presence of mind to constantly check the rear view mirror for a tail. I made a right on Crowchild Trail, followed by a left onto 37th Ave. Pulling into a parking garage, I waited just a minute, before I pulled through to the exit gate where I gave the attendant a twenty to delay the next car that came through for at least two minutes.

  When I left, I made my way through a few cross
streets until I found 16th Ave. This would carry us to Hwy. 1, and eventually back to the Inn.

  Confident that I had lost any tail we could have acquired, I said, “We don’t have time for the long explanation guys, so I’ll give you the short one. Jealous ex-husband with muscle for help, two to be exact. He also has mob affiliations.” Looking at Candi in my rearview mirror, I added. “Present company included.”

  “I think I got this,” said Frank. “Our job is to keep Candi’s ex-husband from blowing your ass away, D?”

  “Yep, that pretty much sums it up, except that we’ve got to protect the ladies, too. You think we can get Vic in and out of the courtroom tomorrow without a hitch?”

  Frank, looked at Terry and Ron, and asked, “We can do it, can’t we boys?” They both raised, short barreled 12 gauge shotguns in both hands and responded, “Double-Aught Buck!”

  “Yep, that should do it, but I hope it doesn’t come to that. For now, we’re going to this really nice inn that belongs to a friend of mine where we can put together a contingency plan. We’ve got to figure out all the ways Joseph and his pals could get to us tomorrow, before Victoria’s appearance in court is over.”

  Chapter 47

  Pulling up to Josie’s, I was relieved to see no other cars in the parking lot. That meant for now, we had the place to ourselves. As usual, Josie met us at the door with a fresh-baked platter of home made cookies. Today’s flavor was oatmeal/peanut butter.

  “Josie,” I began, “it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Victoria, Frank, Terry and Ron. I’ve told them briefly about you and your incredible hospitality. Kindly show the men where the beer is stored, while the women freshen up and I make a phone call.”

  Looking at Candi and Victoria, I asked, “Do you need to freshen up?” They both nodded in agreement. “Excuse me please,” I continued. “I’ll catch up on the patio. Open a Molson for me while you’re at it.”

  Trying to be good to my word, within reason, I called Jim.

  “Afternoon, sir. Just checking in with you as directed.”

  “It’s evening here. You’re still in Canada, I presume?”

  “You presume correctly. Jim, I, uh, well, I, uh…

  “Spit it out, D. What’s going on?”

  “Okay. I’m sorry. We have a situation here that might require your intervention.”

  “Get to the point, D. So far, you’ve been as clear as mud. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “First, those rumors you’ve been hearing about the contract out on me are no longer rumors. Second, you know that “family” we know and love so well? They’re here with muscle.”

  “How do you know?” Jim asked eagerly.

  “That’s a really good question. Do you happen to remember the Air Evac you so graciously called in for the Italians that were riding with me? They’re related.”

  “Don’t tell me. You’ve been riding with the “family” all this time?”

  “Yes, sir. You could say that. As a matter of fact, I’d like to say that I’ve been riding with the mob since the very beginning.”

  “I can’t believe you’d be that stupid. Tell me, D, just what does your “banging your brains out” girlfriend have to say about this? Wait, I know what’s wrong with you! She’s banged your brains out so much that all you’ve got left to think with is your little brain. And we know where that gets you.”

  “Laid, most of the time,” I replied. I just had to say that. “You’re just jealous, Jim. Listen, I’ve got this under control. I’ve even got help; don’t ask. Let’s just say the Marines have arrived. If something should happen, you’ll be the first person I call.”

  “That is, if you’re still alive to do so,” Jim replied grimly.

  “Yeah, well, I’m planning on that. I’m giving you a heads-up, just in case.”

  “D, I’ll make a phone call and let the Canadians know we might have a witness off the grid who could be in danger. That way if something does go down, we won’t be caught with our pants down, so to speak.”

  “That works. Metaphorically speaking, next time please use a different analogy. I can’t get past seeing you caught with your pants down. Yuck! Bye, Jim.”

  Making my way through the inn, I found Josie bustling in the kitchen. “I’m cooking dinner for everyone, D. No need to go out.”

  “That’s wonderful, Josie. I’ll pass the word. I was wondering, why aren’t there any other guests at the Inn right now? Did you make it so we’d have the place to ourselves?”

  “Water main break, D. Didn’t you hear about it? It’s all over the news,” replied Josie, giving me a wink. “I regretfully informed our scheduled guests of this and sent them to other equally nice inns.”

  “There are no inns as nice, as yours,” I said, and meant it.

  “Thank you, that makes me feel truly special.”

  “Gentlemen,” I announced, then corrected myself when I saw Vic and Candi walking in the gardens, “and ladies, Josie is cooking our dinner tonight, so everybody drink up.”

  Frank handed me a beer, “What’s the long version of this cluster-fuck? I’d like to know what we’re up against and why.”

  “You deserve that, Frank,” I acknowledged, taking a swig from my beer. “Here’s what I know. Candi is a real daughter in the mob family. She successfully infiltrated my pants in her search for certain documents the family wants returned. Today, I’m proud to say, the docs are on their way south. The wildcard now being played is this Harvard educated asshole of an ex-husband of hers who’s still in love with her and wants her back. Guess who he perceives is standing in his way? Yep, me!”

  I finished off the bottle, opened another one and continued, “If she wants to stay with me and continue our ride, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. I know this isn’t your fight. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful and humbled that you’re here. There was a time when I didn’t know which side you were on, Frank. After I dropped off you and the dog at the airport, I figured all you needed was a little help and you’d be set for life. I was glad to do it. Then, when Victoria said you were threatening to tell your story to the press, I was pissed.”

  “Stop right there, D. I cashed in a few of those diamonds and got a place to live. Then I sold a few more and replaced all my tools, bought a truck and started my own business. I was trying to live up to what you’d done for me, and I paid it forward.

  “My mistake was helping out a friend by giving him a couple of those diamonds so he wouldn’t lose his home. Do you know what that S.O.B. did? He cashed ’em in, went to Vegas, lost all his money and came back demanding more. When I told him to go to hell, he threatened blackmail. I guess he’d heard about how generous you’d been to all these people in some newscast, so he just knew there was more loot to be had and he wanted it. I had to beat him to the punch.”

  “You did that for sure.”

  “I told Vic I’d always have your back, man, and I meant it. These guys with me today know nothing about the diamonds. I served with them in Iraq and they work for me now. Can you believe it? I’m the one who’s giving people jobs, not the other way around. I’m paying it forward, just like you asked and it feels awesome. It’s all because of you, D.”

  Chapter 48

  “Dinner is served,” announced Josie, bringing our conversation to an abrupt end.

  Spread before us were a whole filet, grilled veggies, twice baked potatoes and fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. A feast for a king or an awesome last meal, I couldn’t decide which ,nor did I want to.

  Surprisingly, Vic and Candi hit it off almost immediately. So much for my thinking they would be adversarial like territorial cats in heat. I’d been afraid I’d have to act as referee to keep them from killing each other.

  Smiling at them, I said, “Vic, I’d like Frank and Terry to escort you into court while Ron, Candi, and I wait outside and out of sight. Joseph wouldn’t dare jeopardize Vic’s moment in court, so I’m sure nothing will happen until af
ter she recovers Gio’s passport. My guess is they’ll make a play for you, Vic, and use you as leverage to get to me. Where they’ll try this, I’m not sure. But what I do know is that I won’t let them succeed. We have three guys here that the suits have never seen. That will be our element of surprise, that and those short-barreled scatterguns. Any questions?”

  “I have one. Where’s my room, D?” asked Vic.

  “Josie,” I called out, “we’re done here. Would you please show everyone to his or her room? Candi and I are going to go crash. Josie will serve breakfast promptly at 7 a.m. I expect everyone to be dressed and on time.”

  Grabbing Candi’s hand, I led her up the stairs and into our room. “We’ve not had much time to talk, have we, baby? I’m sorry, but there’s a lot going on and you’ve been knee deep with Vic. What all have you been talking about?”

  “You,” Candi replied vaguely. “She really likes you, D. I know you’ve said you never slept with her, but the way she talks about you, I’m not so sure.”

  “Nothing is further from the truth, Candi,” I corrected. “We’re friends, good friends, but nothing more.”

  “I’m no good for you, D. If it weren’t for me, none of you would be in this predicament. I look around at Frank and Josie and Vic and I see that these people would do anything for you.”

  “What’s got into you, Candi? We’re going to get through this. Just watch, you’ll see.”

  “What good is love if you’re dead? If I was out of the picture…”

  “Stop it, baby. Don’t even go there. I saw the fear in your eyes when Joseph went after me. He’s a loose cannon, and he’ll go off if pushed too far.”

  “D, as God is my witness, he’s never once laid a finger on me. He’s a good person. He’s smart, intelligent and funny when he wants to be.”

  “That being said, Candi, how does tomorrow play out? Will Joseph put up a fight for you? I sure as hell would, especially if I had two goons to help me do it.”

  “They’re not goons, D. They’ve been employed by my family for over 10 years. They’ve always been respectful to me.”