Cactus Island, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 8

by William Manchee

CHAPTER 23

  OCTOBER 18, 1990

  It was our 22nd wedding anniversary, so I left work early to pick up some flowers and get ready for a night of celebration. It was a tradition to spend the night of our anniversary at the Adolphus Hotel. It was a romantic place to get away for an evening and we looked forward to it every year. We had just finished an elegant dinner at the French Room and were planning to get a cab to the Majestic Theater to see the musical City of Angels. As we were sitting there happily, I looked into Rebekah's eyes and remembered the day I had proposed to her. Suddenly I got the urge to tell her how much I loved her, but in a way she'd never forget.

   I called the waiter over and ordered a glass of champagne for everyone in the restaurant. He looked at me oddly, but nevertheless carried out my instructions. Rebekah watched all this curiously wondering, I'm sure, what I was up to.

  When everyone had been served, and all were looking around curiously for an explanation as why they had been given champagne, I stood up and said. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Excuse me for this intrusion on your evening, but many years ago I proposed marriage to this wonderful woman who is with me tonight. When she said yes, I bought everyone in the restaurant a glass of champagne and proposed a toast in celebration of our engagement. Our marriage and our life together have been so blessed that I felt compelled tonight to repeat that toast to a room full of strangers."

  Everyone laughed. I smiled and lifted my glass."So, here's to my bride, who is just as beautiful and wonderful as she was the day I married her. Thank you for twenty-two wonderful years, four precious children, and most of all, for putting up with me all these years."

  Rebekah looked at me and shook her head. A tear ran down her cheek as she raised her glass to mine. Then I took her hand and helped her out of her chair. We kissed and I heard applause and then laughter as we lingered in each other's arms. I let Rebekah go and turned to the hundred smiling strangers. "Thank you. Thank you all very much. Now dessert is on me!"

   The door to the kitchen opened and a gigantic anniversary cake was rolled out by a chef in a white hat. Rebekah looked up at me again and we embraced once more. There was more laughter and I heard a lady behind me sobbing.

  "Oh, this is so nice!"

  I smiled at her and then the music began. An hour later we left in a cab to go to the theater. The musical was great and Rebekah seemed to be as happy as any woman could be. I knew I was the luckiest man alive to have someone like her. When we got back to the hotel I turned on the TV to watch the news while Rebekah drew us a bath. Much to my shock and dismay, the headline story was all about Paula and Cheryl Windsor. My heart pounded as I paced back and forth wondering what I should do. I considered not telling Rebekah and ignoring the story until morning, but I was worried about Paula and Rebekah would sense something was wrong.

  When I told her what had happened, she insisted we go straight over to the hospital. It was nearly midnight, but Paula and Alex were still there. They looked very tired.

  "We just heard the news," I said. "Are you two okay?"

  Paula nodded. "Yeah, physically we're fine. Emotionally . . . well, that's another story."

  "Where's Bart?"

  "He's helping out the DA down in Houston this week."

  "Oh. So you're all alone?"

  "Yeah. Well, I've got Alex my bodyguard here with me."

  A wave of concern swept over me—or was it my own jealousy? I knew Paula hated to be alone and with Bart out of town she would be vulnerable—particularly to a young hunk like Alex. I considered intervening, but then decided it wasn't any of my business.

  "Good. I won't have to worry about you getting home safely."

  "No," Paula said. "I'll be fine." She smiled at my obvious concern and then began giving us a detailed account of the kidnapping and the chase that ensued. She said that they had only been allowed to talk to Cheryl for a few minutes since she'd been admitted and at the time Cheryl still had no recollection of the kidnapping. I suggested calling Dr. Gerhardt to see if he might be able to help Cheryl regain her memory.

  "Even if she regained her memory, I doubt she could tell us anything we didn't already know," Paula said. "Alex and I saw just about everything she did except where they went when the left the Suburban."

  "Have you talked to Perkins or the FBI about the man you recognized?" I asked.

  "Yes, Alex and I are supposed to go to FBI headquarters tomorrow to give a statement and work with a sketch artist."

  "That's good. If they can get a picture out on this guy, someone is bound to know who he is."

  "How is Cheryl?" Rebekah asked. "She must be devastated losing her children."

  "She was so traumatized, they had to sedate her. Can you imagine your husband disappearing, being accused of his murder, and then having your children kidnapped?" Paula asked.

  Rebekah shook her head. "No, I can't. You'd have to send me to the looney farm if that happened to me."

  Paula's face suddenly lit up. "Oh, happy anniversary! I hope this mess tonight hasn't ruined it for you."

  "Well," Rebekah said. "We were about to hop into a hot tub at the Adolphus."

  Paula glanced at me and then back at Rebekah."Oh, no. I'm so sorry."

  "It's okay," Rebekah said with a smile. "We had a wonderful evening anyway."

  "Yes, but this was your night away from the kids and I ruined it for you. I feel terrible."

  "Forget it," I said. "I can always book another night for us at the Adolphus."

  Rebekah rolled her eyes."You better book us somewhere else. I'm not sure I can go back there."

  Paula's confusion showed on her face. "What happened? What did you two do tonight?"

  "Nothing," I said. "Just a quiet little dinner."

  Rebekah turned away, suppressing a smile. I said to Paula and Alex, "So, you two have had a long day. Why don't you both go home and Rebekah and I will stay here and look after Cheryl? You can relieve us in the morning."

  "You sure?" Paula asked. "It's your anniversary."

  "Not anymore. It's after midnight. Our anniversary is over so, don't worry about it. Go home. You need to get some sleep."

  Paula gave us a look of great relief and said, "Thanks. We'll be back by eight, okay?"

  "Fine. See you then."

  After Paula and Alex left, I put my arm around Rebekah and gave her a squeeze. "Well, I bet you never figured you'd be spending our anniversary at Medical City Hospital."

  "It's okay," Rebekah replied. "As long as it's not you or one of the kids in the hospital, I can handle it."

  I took her hand and looked her in the eyes. "Hey, I think I saw an empty room down the hall. You want to— "

  Rebekah gave me a provocative look. "Hmm. . . . What if we get caught?"

  I shrugged. "So, they'll charge us for using the room. Hell, the room rates here are probably cheaper than the Adolphus."