Would You, Could You

by Felicia Mires

  "Mo-om. I'd love to shoot a gun."

  "That's enough, Jujube. Mom said no. Let her think about it for awhile." He smiled at Lisa. "There's a more than adequate shooting range here. Completely safe. I'm a more than adequate instructor. Completely safe. If you're going to live somewhere that they keep guns, you should know how to use them. And that's all I'm going to say about it." He held up his hands. "Promise."

  Julianne pushed back her chair. "If Mom says yes, I'm in. Can I be excused? I'm going to the pool."

  "Yes," said Lisa. "Take your dishes to the sink and since you chose to eat up here instead of the restaurant, make sure you wash all the dishes before dinner tonight."

  "Promise." She held up her hands just like Bob then hurried inside.

  Lisa shook her head as she stared at Bob. "What have you done with my daughter? She hasn't talked and teased like that for...a long time. And now she's using your mannerisms?

  "She is?"

  "Ahh, caught you, Bob White. You've got a tell."

  "What is it? Are you sure?"

  Lisa laughed at the concern on his face. "Whenever you say 'Promise,' you hold up your hands in surrender. My daughter just did that."

  "No kidding." He got the biggest grin on his face.

  Apparently, it pleased him no end to have Julianne mimic him.

  "And why is she letting you call her Jujube?"

  "Because I can't stand her calling me Mr. White and she wouldn't call me Bob until I told her we would both have nicknames for each other."

  "Bob is a nickname?"

  "You look absolutely fetching in that yellow sundress."

  "Fine. Don't tell me."

  She picked up their dishes and carried them inside. As soon as she stacked them in the sink, he put his arms around her.

  "Lisa..."

  His hot breath on the back of her neck sent chills down her arms. She turned into him.

  His mouth found hers before she could say a thing. Then she didn't want to say anything. As long as he held her, she could forget the world.

  His hands fell away, and he straightened. "Rita is my only sibling. My parents live in Maryland. I've never been married, and I'm not sure whether I'm a Republican or a Democrat right now. I'm a little disappointed in both."

  "Ok. That's understandable. Where are you on global warming?"

  "I'm against it, but I think it's a fabrication of the scientific community."

  "I see."

  "Gotta go."

  "Why?"

  "Julianne."

  "The man from the lobby?"

  "I have to make sure."

  "You can't follow us around the rest of the week. And what about after you leave? What will we do then?"

  "I'll make sure it's not a problem."

  He gave her a soft kiss then walked to the front door. When he looked back, she was still leaning against the sink.

  "I'll meet you at the gun range at five."

  "I didn't say..."

  "Five. I didn't push it in front of Julianne, but you're going."

  He closed the door. Just like that. Demands she learn how to shoot a gun then walks out. Such a man!

  She smiled. For some reason, she didn't mind being bossed...just a little.

  * *

  Bob made a quick trip to his room to brush the brochure for fingerprints then scanned it and sent it off to the FBI. Since it was a new brochure, the only fingerprints on it should be his, Lisa's, the man in the grey shirt, and possibly whoever touched it at the printer's.

  Thanks to Lisa, he knew exactly where the suspect had touched it.

  On the way out of his room, he glanced at the safe that held his gun. If only he could bring the gun...

  When he got outside, he wished he had changed into shorts. The sun burned down on his head and shoulders as he hurried across the resort.

  Though it took a while, he found Julianne at the family pool with some other kids her age, playing water volleyball.

  He took several turns around the pool, investigated the men's room, and searched the snack area but never found the man in the grey shirt.

  He widened his search in case the man was watching from further away. Binoculars were a distinct possibility.

  After an hour of fruitless wandering, he returned to the pool. Julianne was gone. Perhaps she had gone to the high dive. When he didn't find her there, he called her cell.

  She answered on the second ring. "Booob?"

  "Hey, Jujube. What are you doing?"

  "I'm washing the dishes like Mom told me. What are you doing?"

  "Talking to you."

  "Fine. Don't tell me."

  "You sounded just like your mom when you said that."

  "Uh huh. I get that a lot, which is strange because she isn't really my mom. I guess when you hang with someone, you sound alike."

  "Maybe so. Have you ever thought about living somewhere else?"

  "DC?"

  "Jujube, you never cease to amaze me."

  "And you're surprised? But I don't think my mom will ever leave here. My dad and Jonathan...you know?"

  Bryce leaned against the pool house to get out of the sun. "How do you feel about that?"

  "I think they're gone. That hole in the ground is a hole in the ground. I could leave."

  "Good to know. See you later."

  "Bye, Booob."

  He closed his phone, smiling. He really liked that kid. Wait til he told her his name was Bryce.

  On his way back to the main lobby, his phone vibrated. He pulled it out. "Bob White."

  "Ran the prints you sent and got an ID that matches the facial rec. There's a warrant out...internet pornography, crossing state lines with a minor...et cetera."

  "So it's federal."

  "Yeah, I'll be sending someone your way, unless you want to handle it yourself..."

  "Not a chance. I'm on vacation."

  A chuckle sounded on the other end of the line. "Thought you'd say that. Must be some lady."

  "She is."

  "Ok. The locals will take him into custody until Trent can pick him up."

  "Sounds good. Hey, boss?"

  "Yeah."

  "How are things going with Roger Engles' case?"

  "I thought you were on vacation. We picked up the man at the top. He confessed when he saw what we had."

  "Was it who we thought?"

  "Yes, but he didn't order the hit on Engles. Swears up and down. It was purely the idea of his muscle, Vinny Dago."

  "You believe him?"

  "Yeah. He's agreed to turn in some of the other participants of his scheme if we drop the murder charge. The prosecutor went for it."

  "And Vinny Dago?"

  "He'll get life."

  Bryce shoved his phone in his pocket and walked into the cool lobby. After the running around he'd just done, he'd need a shower before meeting Lisa and Julianne, but his thoughts weren't really on showing them how to use a gun.

  He kept seeing the Engles' car after it had been overrun by a semi. The front had been smashed flat until you couldn't even see where the passengers would have been seated. They'd had to cut Roger out. He'd been completely unrecognizable.

  Jonathan's side had been slightly better. The car seat had held up somewhat, but he'd sustained massive head injuries and died on the helicopter enroute to the hospital.

  And for what? A ponzi scheme crossing several state lines. Roger hadn't even been involved. He just knew some of the investors and had given the FBI names...at Bryce's request.

  And now it was almost over. Nothing remained but the trial.

  Should he take Lisa and Julianne away with him now or come back for them?

  That was a moot question until he confessed everything and she chose to forgive him.

  For now, he had a lot more wooing to do. He walked into the florist shop.

  Chapter 8

  Would You, Could You...on a Gun Range

  Bryce pulled on a blue t-shirt and fitted his shoulder strap before sliding his gun
in place. Now he felt more like himself. Strange. When he first started wearing the shoulder strap, he'd thought it would always aggravate him. Now he never noticed it until he walked around without it. Then he felt incomplete.

  He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes. Either he walked to the gun range alone and hoped Lisa showed up or he went to their room. If he arrived wearing a gun and she'd decided not to go through with it, she'd be really ticked that he let Julianne see him wearing the gun. He shrugged. He'd rather walk with them. If she yelled at him, she yelled. They hadn't had their first fight yet. They were probably due.

  He knocked on their door and waited. Like all the guest doors at the resort, this one had a peephole. She might take one look at him and refuse to answer. But the door opened slowly, and her mouth dropped.

  "You look so hot."

  He couldn't help laughing. Completely not the response he'd expected.

  "So do you." He pretended to leer at her white t-shirt and jeans then bent to kiss her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hmm, this could take some getting used to."

  "But you could get used to it?"

  "I think so...if you kiss me again."

  "Where's Julianne?"

  "Right here. You can stop exchanging saliva," said Julianne from the couch. She leaned over the back. "Cool gun. Do I get to shoot it?"

  Lisa stepped back, and Bryce followed her to the couch. "Whatever your mom says."

  Lisa crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the floor. "You know, someone checked out of the resort unexpectedly today."

  "Really?" asked Bryce. "Don't people do that all the time?"

  "Not with an escort by the local police."

  "The po-po?" squealed Julianne. "Was it the guy in the grey shirt? Did we take down a criminal?"

  Bryce shrugged. "I was in my room all afternoon. Are you telling me the police walked through your lobby with a man in handcuffs?"

  "Well, no. They went out the service entrance, but I saw a guy with an FBI vest waiting outside. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

  Bryce narrowed his eyes then glanced at Julianne.

  Lisa got the message. "Because I thought the guy in handcuffs looked an awful lot like the man in grey. Anyway, I have decided that it wouldn't hurt to learn how to hold a gun."

  Julianne squealed again. "And shoot it?"

  Lisa nodded.

  Bryce walked around the couch to stand before the coffee table. "Before we go, there's something I want to tell you." He stared intently at Julianne until he had her full attention then he pointed at his gun. "This is a weapon. It kills people. Never pick up a gun unless you're prepared to kill someone."

  She nodded solemnly then held up both hands. "Promise."

  He lost it, bent double, laughing out loud then he shrugged at Lisa. "Sorry."

  "What?" asked Julianne. "What'd I do?"

  "Nothing," said her mother, smiling. "I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be."

  Julianne trilled with questions as they walked to the gun range. "What type of gun is that?"

  "9 mm Sig-Sauer P226."

  "Can I shoot it?"

  "I'll get you a gun at the firing range."

  "Have you got another gun?"

  "Glock 22 and a 12 gauge."

  "A shotgun?"

  He nodded, resting his hand on her shoulder blade as they walked.

  "Have you ever shot anyone?"

  "Julianne!" Lisa protested.

  Bryce had been expecting that question but not so soon. He wasn't sure if Lisa wanted him to answer. It was too late now. They might as well get it all in the open.

  "I have. He's in jail." And the other man he'd shot was dead.

  "Wow! That must have been hard."

  "It was."

  They'd reached the gun range, and Bryce gave Lisa's fingers a reassuring squeeze as they walked in.

  After they fulfilled all the requirements and selected guns and ammunition and ear protection, they went into the air- conditioned range.

  Bryce concentrated on Julianne first because she was hyped up and couldn't conceal her enthusiasm.

  "Let's work on your grip. You want to duplicate your grip and how you stand each time so you'll learn consistency. It'll make you a better shot."

  He taught her how to stand, how to lock her elbows, and how to use a two-handed grip. Then he showed her how to look down the sites and pull the trigger.

  Her first shot went low and to the left. Her second and third much the same.

  She groaned and looked up at him. "There's something wrong with this gun. I'm looking down the sights every time."

  "Your hands are small, Jujube. That grip's too big for you, but I think you can learn to compensate. Rotate your right hand on the grip a little to the left."

  "You mean clockwise?"

  "Uh huh."

  She fired again, narrowly missing the bulls-eye. She fired two more times and got even closer.

  Lisa clapped her hands and cheered. "You did it! Oh my gosh! I can't believe it. You did it."

  When Lisa turned to Bryce with that excitement in her eyes, he was taken aback. What a beautiful woman. And she was happy, truly happy, bouncing on the pads of her feet with enthusiasm.

  She patted Julianne on the back. "Do it again."

  Julianne emptied the rounds in her gun with varying success then handed it back to Bryce. He re-loaded it and held it out of reach. "Wait just a sec. I've got a surprise for you."

  "What?" Her eyes lit up.

  "Nothing big, just a little treat." He handed her the gun. "Ok, turn around."

  She took her stance and looked out to the target then started to giggle.

  "What is that?" asked Lisa.

  "A green zombie," said Julianne, laughing. "I love it!"

  Lisa glanced at Bryce and shook her head. "You spoil her."

  "We're bonding."

  "Over zombies?"

  "Way cool, Mom. You gotta try this."

  "I would, but you won't let go of the gun."

  "I'm almost out of ammo. You can be next."

  She missed her next shot completely and stomped her foot. "Stop talking to me! I messed up."

  She tripped and dropped it on the floor. Both she and Lisa turned to Bryce with huge eyes.

  "What if that had gone off?" asked Lisa with her hand on her hip.

  "It can't. It's drop safe. You have to pull the trigger."

  He picked it up and returned it to Julianne. She finished her rounds then relinquished the gun to Bryce with a smile. "Nice." She shook her wrist. "But my hand is sore."

  "It's got a little recoil. You did great."

  He loaded the gun and turned to Lisa. "Ok, let's see if the princess can fire."

  "Oh great," laughed Julianne. "She gets the princess nickname."

  Lisa accepted the gun with a superior air, adopted the stance and shot a hole in the bulls-eye with every round. She took a deep satisfied breath, blew at the end of the barrel, and handed the gun back to Bryce.

  He chuckled as Julianne laughed. "Way to go, Mom."

  "Are you as good with a shotgun?" he asked.

  She shrugged. "Why don't we try it and see...after you show us how you can shoot the pistol?"

  "I can fire my pistol just fine...princess."

  "I don't know, Bob, I think you're all talk. What do you think, Julianne?"

  "He's pretty full of himself."

  Lisa slid her finger down Bryce's chest. "Prove it, tough guy."

  He pulled out his Sig and walked over to the target, and firing with one hand, shot the head off the zombie then proceeded to remove any evidence of the zombie's gender.

  "Ouch!" yelled Julianne. "Ok, he's got it."

  Bryce held out his arm took one look at the target then looked back at them and fired with his back to the zombie.

  Julianne's mouth dropped. "You win!"

  He holstered his weapon before looking at Lisa. She ran her hands down his shoulders and held them togeth
er at his breastbone. "Think you're something, don't you?"

  He grinned. "Maybe."

  They each tried the shotgun, but Julianne didn't care for it, finding the length more cumbersome. Lisa did fairly well, hitting the bull's-eye more than once, but once again, Bryce proved his hours on the range had eclipsed their meager abilities.

  He wrapped his arm around Lisa's waist and pulled her close as they walked out. She leaned her head into him.

  He looked at Julianne over Lisa's head, and she smiled. This was really the first time Lisa had exhibited any interest in him in public. Was she warming to the idea of being with him? Of leaving here forever?

  "I don't know about you two, but I'm starving," she said. "After that display of testosterone I guess you need a man's meal."

  "What?"

  "Yeah," agreed Julianne. "Piles of meat. Maybe he should go out and shoot his own."

  "I don't think I can wait that long," said Lisa. "How about the Diamond Horseshoe Revue tonight with the all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet?"

  "The dance?"

  Julianne turned a puppy dog look on Bryce that had him rolling his eyes and groaning. "Ugh! Dancing?"

  "Yes, yes, please. It's the two-step...really easy," she insisted as she grabbed his arm.

  "I'll go, but only because you bribed me with unlimited barbecue."

  She ran ahead. "I've gotta go change." She looked back. "Meet me in the room."

  Bryce sighed. "I guess this means dancing."

  "Yep," said Lisa. "I told you not to spoil her."

  "Will I get to hold you close?"

  "Yep."

  "It's worth it."

  She tilted her head to gaze up at him. "Are you always this agreeable?"

  "Tell me that's what you were thinking when I demanded that you go to the firing range."

  "Not exactly, but I sort of liked it."

  He stopped walking and turned to her. "Really? I want to take care of you, you know."

  "I know."

  "Have you thought about what I asked?"

  "It's rolling around the back of my head."

  "I leave in four days."

  "I know."

  "You know what I really want right now?" He grinned.

  "It's what you always want."

  He started walking. "If we hurry, we can get back to the room before she's ready and have a few minutes for..."

  "For me to change."