by Galen Rose
The adrenaline high was wearing off and slowly being replaced by the shakes. I couldn’t even say anything for fear that I might just throw up all over him.
“I see. I’ll give you something for the pain and the nausea should pass. Try taking slow, even breaths. We will need to x-ray your ankle again to see if there’s any more damage.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. What I wouldn’t give to put my past back where it belonged and get on with my life? What a mess. Were Christina and Amy going to come at me now? I hesitated to even wonder what was next.
The cops arrived and took my statement just before Mason and Chase came in. “Swell, the gang’s all here.” I was feeling pretty damn nasty right about then and didn’t care who suffered for it.
Mason and Chase glared at each other, the tension running hot between them as she sat down and he leaned against the wall. Mason went first. “I don’t have to ask if you’re okay. I’d be pretty mad, too. Apparently, your Aunt Katherine read the newspaper article about you, which named the hospital you were in. Then she bribed the reporter to try and find out what floor you were on. He took it upon himself to help her in exchange for an exclusive. He scouted the floors to find the ones that had guards in the hallway and then told her. He also helped her procure a nurse’s uniform and ID badge. She is confessing as we speak and he will be arrested as soon as the police find him.”
I rolled over away from them. “It’s amazing what money can buy these days, isn’t it?”
Chase came around and knelt down by the bedside to look me in the eye. “Laney, Bill screwed up. He saw a nurse head into your room and didn’t even really look at her. I had not even seen your aunt as a threat. I should have.”
“Why should you? Why would anyone think that a mother would want to protect someone like James?”
Chase sighed, “Although I’m not thrilled I wasn’t kept in the loop, it was fortunate that Dallas had the room wired. I saw the video. You could take up stunt work if you don’t want to work for Woo anymore.”
I tried not to smile. “I just want people to quit trying to kill me. A reprieve from any form of violence would be nice.”
Chase laid his hand on mine. “I’ll see what I can do about that. Sean slept through all this but I will tell him in the morning. Get some rest, Laney. Mason is staying here tonight and Bill is on suspension for a while.”
“What about Mike and Dallas? You going to put them in separate corners and let them come out fighting or let them settle it at the OK Corral?” I really had no clue what I was saying. Whatever Dr. Peter had given me for the pain was kicking in and I could have cared less about anything, anything at all.
The next morning started with an x-ray of my ankle. Luckily, nothing more seemed to be damaged. The whole right side of my body felt like one big bruise from where I’d hit the floor. I was tired. Bone weary tired. I gave another statement to the detectives and I calmed Sean down when he called to see how I was and then Tommy showed up. I could hear him out in the hallway ranting and raving at Chase. “That’s it!” I threw off the covers, dragged my crutches under my arms and went toward the door.
Mason, who had been quietly reading in my room got up and opened the door for me. “Allow me,” she said.
Once out in the hall I put two fingers to my lips and gave a shrill whistle. Tommy, Chase, Mike, and Dr. Peter stopped talking.
“Thank you. Dr. Peter, I appreciate all that you have done for me but you are now relieved of duty.” He raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing.
“Tommy, stop harassing Chase for this, it was my decision to go after Sean. Right or wrong, I made the choice. Tell Molly that she can take care of Sean when he gets out but right now, I am getting dressed and I’m parking my butt on a chair in his room and that is where I intend to stay until he gets to leave.”
I then turned to Mike. “Bill screwed up. Just make sure he doesn’t do it again. Now, if you all will excuse me, I am going to get dressed and check out of Grand Central Station. That is my final word on this. If any of you persist in treating me like an invalid, then I will go and live with Mason.” Thank heaven Mason didn’t bat an eye at my announcement. She just held the door open so I could return to my room.
“You realize, Laney, that I live on a boat.”
“I know,” I said setting my crutches against the bed and sitting down. “But I had to do something. I can manage just fine on my own and I’ll get myself a room in a hotel if I have to, but I’ll take some measure of control over my life again!”
Mason put her hands together and applauded. “You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself there, Laney, but I like the confidence.” She handed me a small duffel bag. “See if you can manage to get dressed and I’ll be back in a few minutes. Don’t worry I won’t be far.”
“Who’s worried? I can take care of myself.” I said it and I meant it. I was also completely off my rocker. But as I’ve stated in the past, they are my delusions and I am happy with them.
Mason stepped out and then was back in two seconds. She walked over to my bed, removed the sheet and then covered up a framed painting on the wall. “Dallas said you should wear the purple bra and panties. It’s his favorite.” She walked out.
“Christ almighty, Dallas!” I knew he could hear me if he couldn’t see me. “Is nothing sacred around here?”
“No,” said a voice from the wall across from the bed. I looked around to be sure I was alone. “Dallas?”
“Yes?”
“Where are you?”
“Under some cloth or something. I can’t see any more thanks to Mason. The purple set is my favorite but the burgundy ones are a pretty close second.”
“Damn it, you’ve been watching everything.”
“Yep. I especially enjoyed the sponge bath you got. Sexy.”
“How is this two-way possible?”
“I am still working out the kinks in it. But it’s the same principal as the wireless mics you use on the job. I just made it even smaller and combined it with the tiny video eye. Unfortunately, if I’m talking then the video gets fuzzy. That is mostly why I haven’t said anything. I can hear perfectly and see perfectly as long as I don’t talk.”
“Wow, that would be great.”
“Watch it, or I’ll let Mr. Jealous know about what I saw.”
“How do you know he’s the jealous type?”
“Never mind,” Dallas chuckled.
“Oh my God. You have Muldoon’s storage room bugged?” I could hear him laughing.
“No, but you’re making me wish I had. I saw how he was acting that night at the pub when you were flirting with that guy at the bar.”
“You were there? I didn’t think you came out of your cave.”
“For the right incentive I will.”
“Oh, and the singer, Mary Donovan, is the right incentive?”
“No, but Stacey is and a little bird told me she was going to be there.”
“Aha.” I could smell romance in the air.
“Indeed. I finally got her to agree to a date with me. Now if I could just get her to pick a day or night to have this date I’d be a happy man.”
“Why won’t she go out with you?”
“That, my dear is the million dollar question. I don’t know and she won’t say. Yet. But I’m wearing her down.”
I could well imagine he was. I likened his persistence to that of Mike, but without the pit bull attitude.
“Dallas, is that why Mike doesn’t like you? Because of Stacey?”
“Uh huh. He doesn’t think I’m good enough for her. She practically raised him herself, so he’s very protective. I can understand that but that isn’t going to stop me.” It was quiet for a moment.
“Laney, can I say something?”
“Yes.”
“Go stay with Mason. If you and Sean are still targets, then it would be far too easy to take both of you if you are together. I know it will be hard especially, since you’ve declared undying devotion for each other.” I was
going to kill Dallas the next time I saw him. “You can go back to work on Monday and then she can keep an eye on things while you’re not at work.”
“I don’t want to go to Tommy’s and place him or Molly in any danger. Do you really think these people will come after Sean or me?” It was a thought that had been weighing on my mind since I had awakened in the hospital.
“I think, at this point, anything’s possible.” Dallas was right and I hated admitting it. I wanted to be with Sean but that would only place us in more danger. When Mason came back in I told her what Dallas had said.
“He’s right and I’ve already said as much to Chase and Tommy. Tommy didn’t like it but he agreed for Molly’s sake. Of course, if she knew, she’d pitch a holy fit. That woman is a tough nut to crack.”
“I know.” Something occurred to me just then. “Mason, why does Tommy have old police files in his office?”
Mason stopped packing my things up but did not look at me. “Laney, some things are best left buried. Leave it.”
I started to say something but she then looked up at me and I knew it would be a waste of time. I would drop it. For now.
We stopped by Sean’s room on the way out. He was not thrilled with the decisions but he knew they were good ones. “I’ll be out in a few days. Then we can talk more about our earlier conversation.”
“Nothing more to say. My answer is still no.”
“No?”
“No.”
Sean just smiled and nodded. “You just keep saying that, Laney darlin’.” I kissed him, then Mason wheeled me out to her car.
She had a midnight blue Porsche 911. “Damn, you must get paid well.”
She laughed and helped me get in. “I have a good investor.” We drove to the San Francisco Marina. Mason told me her boat was a thirty-nine-foot sailboat, aptly named Gael Force. Her first boat was called The Storm but it had suffered an untimely death. I asked her to explain that but she ignored me. I have yet to figure Mason out. I knew very little about her except that she’s related to Tommy somehow, that Chase is crazy about her, and that she has an army of brothers. I managed to navigate my way down the ladder to below deck. Not easy with crutches.
Mason stood in the galley, “Welcome aboard, Laney. She sleeps six but usually only one sleeps here. You can take the forward cabin. I will sleep out here, or the cabin here,” she said, pointing first to the sitting area and then behind her. The main compartment had a sitting area, small dining area, and galley.
“I don’t want to take your bed.”
“No matter. I can sleep anywhere and if I’m at the steps here then I’m behind anyone who wants to come below.”
“I’m sorry. I’m displacing you.”
“You didn’t seem sorry earlier when you invited yourself aboard.” I couldn’t tell if she was teasing or not.
“I didn’t think you’d mind. Would you rather I go to a hotel?”
“Heavens. Give me my own comforts of home any day. Look, I don’t share well with others. Occupational hazard.”
“Which occupation was this? You have been at Woo for five years according to Forbes. What did you do before that?”
“Are you always so nosey?” Mason went to her refrigerator and removed two bottles of water, handing one to me.
I shrugged, “Sure. How else do you find out answers?”
“Indeed.” Mason took a long drink and then went about making up the bed for me and pulled out a long silver suitcase from under the bed. I did a double take once I saw what was inside. A 30-06 — the perfect sniper rifle, complete with scope — two 9 millimeter handguns with two magazines each, one bowie knife, and a stun gun. She loaded a handgun, flipped the safety on and handed it to me. I went through the motions of checking the chamber. Never assume that a gun is not loaded, or that a round is not chambered, when handed one.
“I know you know how to use it.” Mason asked as she watched me.
“Yes.”
“Good then. Can you?”
“Can I kill someone?”
She was looking at me very intently. “Yes.”
“I have never had to.” I was praying I never would.
“Then let’s hope you never do.” Mason removed the bowie knife and the other handgun.
“Mason, you and Chase,” I noticed her body stiffen slightly when I combined their names. Interesting. I forged on. “You and Chase have better than average training. Training like the Navy Seals. Maybe better.”
“Your point is?”
“I don’t really have one. I just noticed it. That’s all.”
Mason closed up the case and took it with her.
I took a deep breath. “You going to give Chase a chance?”
She stopped at the doorway and turned around. I was absolutely floored to see a brief flash of fear in her eyes. So I’d finally found her kryptonite. “You certainly notice quite a bit.”
I nodded, waiting to see if she was going to say anything or kick my ass six ways from Sunday.
“Let’s just say that, for now, I am aware of the situation and I am giving it careful consideration. Careful consideration.” Mason raised her hand to stop any further questions from me. “Goodnight, Laney, sleep well. I will not let anything happen to you.” She closed the door behind her.
I took a deep breath and sat down on the bed with the gun still in my hand. I really should stop letting my brain run amok with my mouth. I had been very nosey, as it’s my nature to be, but it was going to get me in trouble. I placed the gun on the small shelf near the bed and laid back.
Sleep took me quicker than I thought and it was well past noon when I woke up. I could hear someone up on deck singing softly and I could smell coffee. Both sounded good to me. I wasn’t as stiff as the previous day and felt better rested than I had in several days. My hand hurt like hell, though. I managed to navigate the shower and grab a cup of coffee. Mason was up on deck reading the paper, her gun on her hip.
“Morning,” I said with a yawn.
“Afternoon. I hope you slept well.”
I nodded, looking around at all the different types of boats tied up along the dock. The gulls were making noise overhead and I could hear seals barking nearby. It had been dark when we arrived last night and I had been too tired to notice anything.
Mason folded up the paper, “You managed to not get into today’s paper. That’s a good thing. Connor called to tell me that they found the reporter and he was singing as well. The DA will probably charge him with aiding and abetting an attempted murder. I doubt the paper will stand behind him on this. I think the reporter had been pushing the envelope too much and has burned his bridges behind him. The DA is looking into the possibility of other girls and women James may have hurt, and James is wanted for questioning in the kidnapping of Sean. There’s no proof though and Sean never actually saw James. The DA would like you to come to their office tomorrow if you’re up to it.”
“Of course. Whatever it takes.”
“Good. Now, the attorney for William’s estate is stopping by today at three o’clock today. You may have to go to LA for some of this.”
“Mason, whatever it takes, I will do it. If I have to tell every sordid detail of what James did to me, or if I have to fly to the ends of the earth to stop William’s family, then so be it. I’ve allowed them to push me around for far too long. I’m done.”
Mason nodded. “Molly dropped by a basket of goodies for you. Something about blueberry pancakes?”
I was up and stumbling down the ladder before she finished the words. Mason was still laughing when she came down the steps. I would almost commit a crime for Molly’s pancakes. “The woman should be sainted,” I said a few minutes later between mouthfuls.
The meeting with the attorney, Eric Weston, went well. He told me that an appearance before a judge was inevitable. I really didn’t mind. I was ready for a fight. I still had no idea what I would do with the money. Besides giving some of it away, I had thought about getting a house. I knew my fu
ture with Sean was inevitable as well, but I refused to be rushed into it. I knew with absolute certainty Sean would keep at me until I gave in; and with the same certainty that I would keep him on his toes. I was truly looking forward to it.
I spent the day hanging out on the boat. Mason took me out for a sail. I watched how the tension that usually surrounded Mason lessen with each mile we sailed. This was her way of finding peace of mind. I had loved boating with William and our friends, but I hadn’t been out on the water since he died.
We were sailing near Angel Island when Mason let me take the wheel. “Do you miss him?” she asked.
I knew whom she meant. “For the year after he died I did nothing else but miss him and damn near died for the want of him. I miss him in that he was always so calm about things. I used to tease him that he must not have really been a Marine because he didn’t have a temper. He was the only Marine I knew who didn’t have one. He had a way about him that made you relax no matter what. But I’ve found so much more now, and I’d like to think he would be happy for me. Of course, he would have scolded me too for jumping in like I did without thinking.”
Mason was quiet for most of the return back to the dock before she finally spoke. “I was an assassin for a special division of the government.”
I sat there and waited to see if she would follow that statement up with anything. I was a bit disappointed she didn’t, but I wasn’t going to push it. Hell, I was surprised she had said anything at all.
That night Chase joined us for dinner. It was relaxing and work was never discussed once. When Mason went below to the galley to get dessert, I turned to Chase, “You have made some headway lately.”
I knew he knew what I was talking about.
“You could say that,” he said with a smile.
“You are being given careful consideration.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Playing matchmaker are we?”
“Hell no. But I like evening the playing field.” He laughed as Mason came up. “What’s so funny?”