by Laina Turner
“No. I’m okay,” I said folding the letter back up and sliding it back in the envelope. “Everything’s fine.” I forced a smile. “How about you? How are you doing today?” An easy way for me to forget about my problems was to focus on someone else’s.
“I’m better. Dr. Richardson gave my some sleeping pills to try a couple days ago and actually getting a full night’s rest does wonders. Who would have thought?” she said, smiling.
She was much happier than I had seen her in a while. This was good. “I’m proud of you, Phyllis.”
She beamed with happiness. She had made such progress in the weeks she had been here. She was becoming more relaxed and regaining some self-esteem and confidence through the counseling the shelter offered, plus a lot of hard work of her own. It made me that much more furious Stephen had left this note with her, and I couldn’t begin to imagine how he knew. He must have followed me here but wouldn’t have seen who I was seeing. So how in the hell did he know, and how did he get in to deliver the letter? I might have been a little scared before, but now I was a lot pissed off.
*****
“He left a note for one of the girls I have been working with at the shelter, Clive. How on earth could he have had that information?” I called Clive when I left the shelter. I was still furious. Stephen was out of control.
“I’m not sure, Trixie, but we will find out. We have cars up in that area all the time due to the nature of problems we regularly have there. Trust me, the women are safe.”
“Clive, I hate to argue, but how safe can they be if he, or someone else on his behalf was able to get to the residents’ mailboxes which are at the back of the main office?”
“Trixie, I can understand how you feel, and I am working with Katherine on this. I promise we will keep these ladies safe.”
“I hope so, Clive, I hope so.”
Chapter 11
Don’t be mad, but Jonathan looked into Stephen,” Sophie said sliding into her seat. We were all sitting down enjoying a coffee—hazelnut decaf—after closing the shop. “That’s why I’m late. He was filling me in.”
“What do you mean by looked into Stephen?” I asked.
“He did a computer search in some areas that maybe he doesn’t have full authorization to be in,” she said in a casual manner, knowing full well we were going to jump all over that.
“Okay. Wait a minute!” Berklie said holding up her hand. “Rewind. When did Jonathan start doing computer searches on people?”
“And what do you mean unauthorized? Did he hack into the police computers or something? How does he even know how to do that?” I asked.
“Close. FBI,” Sophie said still trying to maintain her calmness, although I could tell she was excited to be able to share with us.
“What?!” Berklie and I said, simultaneously sitting up straighter in our seats. “You need to explain yourself,” I demanded.
“There’s more to Jonathan than meets the eye. Even more than you two realize, and I know you’re his friends. He just keeps a lot of things secret. However, he told me I could tell you guys as long as you both promise not to tell, and of course we won’t.
“Tell us! Tell us!” I exclaimed. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”
“Remember when Jonathan went off to serve in the Marines?”
“Yeah, right after high school. He said he wasn’t a college type and thought the military would keep him out of trouble,” I said. “Which I think seemed to work. He came back much more settled.”
“When he was discharged from the military he was recruited by the ATF to be an undercover.”
“So you mean to tell us Jonathan is an ATF agent?”
“Undercover. Which is why you don’t already know. We can’t talk about it and risk blowing his cover.”
“Does Clive know?” I asked.
“Clive does, but the other officers don’t. It’s all very much on the down low.”
“I’m having a hard time reconciling the Jonathan I know with someone who is a government agent,” Berklie said.
“Me, too,” I added. “How did this happen? I mean, how did this come about? Jonathan was always such a non-conformist. I was shocked he went into the military. And why undercover here?”
“He didn’t give me all the details. I don’t think he likes to talk about it. He does like to pride himself on being a nonconformist. But also, he believes in justice. From what he told me, his dad and some of the other guys in the motorcycle club twenty years ago were engaged in illegal activities. Jonathan didn’t agree with it, but as a kid, he couldn’t do much and didn’t say anything. Eventually, somehow the ATF found out and said he could either be arrested with the rest of them or help them build a case. Jonathan helped and then continued to keep ATF abreast of other illegal activity that happens in the area.”
“I always wondered if Jonathan knew what his dad was doing. It was one of those known secrets about town that the club was running guns and drugs. I knew Jonathan would never do that, but I thought maybe he was in denial or that the rumors were all false,” I said.
“Nope. It seems like the rumors you heard back then were true,” said Sophie.
“Well, I’m glad we have his help,” I said. “Though I am a bit surprised that there was enough other crime to warrant our town having an undercover ATF agent here.”
“No kidding. That’s a scary thought. What did he find out about Stephen?” Berklie asked.
“You know how Stephen is connected to the mob and was blackmailing Sylvia? He apparently also double-crossed the mob back in California. So he is not only wanted by the authorities in connection with what he did here, but he is being hunted down by his former employers who, Jonathan said, he should fear more than the police.”
“So, is that why he’s taking the risk to come back here and get money? So he can escape?”
“That’s what Jonathan said. That’s probably why he needs that money. He needs to skip the country and needs cash to do so.”
“If he’s trying to get out of the country, then he is probably getting desperate. More desperate than what we thought, and he’s already proven he will take drastic measures.”
“That’s also something Jonathan said. I do have some good news, though. Now that Jonathan is tracking him, we now know how he knew Trixie spent time with Phyllis at the shelter and got the letter to Trixie in her mailbox?”
“How?” I asked.
“Phillip Hartley.”
“The mailman?” Berklie asked.
“Yep, that Phillip Hartley.”
“How did Jonathan find that information out? Or do I even want to know?” I asked. I admit I hadn’t exactly been paying attention to the details. I was blown away by the fact he uncovered that information.
“I’m not exactly sure, but you can ask him yourself. He wants to talk to you both and then thinks you should confront Phillip. He would do it, but it could blow his cover. He says Phillip is harmless though, and we can take care of it.”
“I’m game,” said Trixie.
“Me too,” added Berklie. “When can we meet with Jonathan?”
“I had a feeling you both would feel this way so he’s waiting out in my car. He needed to come into town anyway. I just need to send him a quick text, and he will join us in a second.”
Just as Sophie said, a few seconds later Jonathan walked through the door. With his scruffy beard and work jeans it was no wonder he was so good under cover. No one would ever suspect he had a genius IQ, much less be an ATF agent. I jumped up to give him a hug.
He looked at Berklie who had remained sitting. “What? No hug, Berk? You’re breaking my heart.”
She raised her eyebrows disdainfully at him. “I’m pissed that I kept your secret all through school about how smart you were and you don’t let me in on this secret?”
“Don’t be like that. You know you can’t stay mad at me forever, freckle face,” Jonathan called her by her grade school nickname. I could tell she wanted to smile and, of cours
e, she wasn’t really mad at him. She just enjoyed pretending to be. It was a game they had played for years.
“Fine. I just better not find out you have any more secrets you are keeping from me, mister,” she said pointing her finger at him.
“Nope,” he said shaking his head. “This is pretty much it. Other than this little side job, I’m just a mechanic.”
“So tell us how you found out Phillip was Stephen’s errand boy?” I asked, dying to know. Phillip had been a mailman here for years. It was a shock to find out he couldn’t be trusted.
“By accident, if you can believe it. I have a few wiretaps on some people I am investigating for illegal gambling, and Phillip happens to be one. I heard a transcript of a conversation between him and someone. At the time I didn’t know it was Stephen. Phillip was offered money to pick up an envelope and deliver it to the shelter. The caller, Stephen, said if he could personally see it made its way to someone you, Trixie, had contact with, there would be an extra thousand in it for him. Phillip knows Katherine well, so I would imagine he just casually asked a few questions to find out you spend a lot of time with Phyllis.”
“It was that easy?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, it usually is.”
The Occam’s razor theory wasn’t just used in business. It worked for the criminal element, too.
“Do you think Phillip knows all that’s going on?” asked Berklie.
“Nah. He’s just an errand boy.”
“Scary thought that it’s that easy to get someone to do your dirty work. Phillip of all people! He’s been a mailman for as long as I can remember. And you say he has a gambling problem?” I slumped back in my seat. I just didn’t understand people.
“Is that why Phillip was such a willing participant to Stephen’s scheme?” Berklie asked. “Does he need the money?”
“We all could use money, and you don’t see us committing crimes,” said Sophie.
“Phillip didn’t really commit a crime per se, but clearly he knew there was something fishy about the situation,” said Jonathan.
“How would Stephen have this information about Phillip to know he would be an easy mark?” I asked.
“I don’t know exactly, but it’s not hard to find things out if you look hard enough. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and all that,” Jonathan said. “Anyways, you all need to be careful. This Stephen character is a bad dude, and he’s desperate. That doesn’t make for a good combination.”
“What are we supposed to do when we don’t even know where he is?” I asked.
“Clive can’t arrest him if he can’t find him, and so far, he clearly has been able to stay one step ahead of everyone who’s after him.”
“I know. It’s frustrating,” Jonathan said. “Clive has his men on it, and I’m doing what I can on my end. Other than that, you all need to be careful and vigilant. I’ve got a few guys from the club that will be cruising by your places and the shop. Between them and the cops Clive has assigned to do the same things, Stephen will hopefully think twice about coming after any of you.”
Chapter 12
I had just put Cody to bed after a fun-filled evening of pizza rolls and UNO. I loved spending time with the little guy. He beat me best two out of three, and I wasn’t even trying to let him win. I was now sitting down by the computer to catch up on important things like email and Facebook. I had my cell phone with me, half expecting Stephen to call. Hell, I was almost hoping he would call tonight.
My anger over him messing with people I cared about at the shelter overshadowed the fear I had been feeling for myself. I also wasn’t going to live in fear. This was easier said than done. The crazy part of me thought if Stephen would come after me, he was more likely to be caught, since there were now enough people on the lookout.
A couple hours and a couple glasses of wine later, I was all caught up on the doings of my friends on Facebook and not a peep from my phone, besides a text from Berklie reminding me to pick up more pastries from the bakery on my way into work in the morning.
I walked into the kitchen to put my empty glass in the sink and double checked the door to make sure it was locked. Once I knew the house was secure, I made my way upstairs to my bedroom. Tomorrow was going to be another long day.
Chapter 13
I walked out to my car after running to CVS to pick up a few things I couldn’t live without. I needed important things like gum, vitamin water and new mascara. Of course I had forgotten these items when I was at the grocery store yesterday. I was horrible at remembering to write down a list of what I needed and subsequently, I ended up making a lot of trips to the store, which of course caused me to spend too much money. Sticking to a budget also was another weakness of mine. Although price-wise CVS wasn’t bad. Especially if you used your CVS card and tracked your coupons, which normally I forgot. But today I was in luck, and the five dollars off any purchase coupon in my wallet from last week was still good. I opened the back door to throw my bags in and then opened the front to get in myself. As I was starting to get in I saw something on my windshield. I reached my left hand around to grab it and slide down in my seat. Shutting the door, I opened the note, my hands trembling a little with apprehension.
If you want information that will help you catch Stephen meet me in the parking lot here at eleven tonight.
I turned it over. That was it. What was the deal with all the cryptic notes? It didn’t say who it was from or give me any idea as to who it might be from. CVS was on a busy corner of town, so there were always tons of people around who could have seen me pull into here just now. I was heading to the shop, so I would tell the girls and see what their opinion was. This note could be from Stephen, for all I knew, and meeting him late at night in a deserted parking lot would not be a good idea.
“So you didn’t see anyone by your car when you came out?” Berklie asked me after I showed her and Sophie the note when I got back to the shop.
“No. CVS was pretty busy as usual, but there wasn’t a car parked directly by mine, and I didn’t notice anyone who didn’t seem to be there just shopping like I was.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Sophie.
“That’s what I’m asking you guys. What should I do? I mean, what if it’s a set up.”
“You think Stephen could have sent this note?” Berklie said.
“Sure. He got the note to Phyllis. Leaving one on my car isn’t much of a stretch.”
“This handwriting looks female though,” Sophie said.
“You think so?” Berklie said peering over Sophie’s shoulder.
“Definitely. Don’t you think so, Trixie?”
I leaned over to look. “Yeah, it does look like a female’s handwriting, but still that could be easily accomplished.”
“How about all three of us go? If there are three of us and one of him, we’re pretty safe,” Berklie said.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Sophie asked.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but it is a better one for us to stick together than for me to go by myself,” I said. “There is a little more safety in numbers.”
“And I will tell Jonathan where we will be,” Sophie said. “Although I’m sure he won’t like it.”
“Why? In case we don’t come back?” Berklie chuckled.
“That’s not funny,” I said, but smiled anyway.
“Then it’s set,” Berklie said. “Meet back here at ten thirty, and we will drive over together.”
*****
“No one’s in the parking lot,” Berklie said as she pulled her Navigator in.
“We are five minutes early,” I said.
Berklie shut off the engine, and we sat there in the darkness.
“I thought there would at least be employees here.”
“They changed the hours a few weeks ago. They now close at 10 p.m.” I said.
“That’s an inconvenience,” Berklie said.
“You have your phone ready to dial Jonathan?” Sophie as
ked me.
“Yep.” Jonathan was across the street at the gas station. He said he wasn’t about to let us meet someone when we weren’t even sure who he was. So Jonathan was across the street and had instructed me to call him and leave the line open while I met whomever this turned out to be. He wanted to record the conversation and, of course, hear if I screamed bloody murder and come save me if need be.
“I think I see a car slowing down to pull in,” Sophie said excitedly. “Yes, yes, it’s pulling in.”
“It could just be someone who doesn’t realize CVS changed their hours,” I said dryly. But then the car pulled in two spaces from where we were parked and shut the engine off. The windows were dark, which made it difficult to see in, but I could only see one person in the car. And it looked like a female.
“Should you get out of the car now?” Berklie asked me.
“Yeah. I probably should. Wish me luck.” I was nervous, but knowing Jonathan was across the street made me feel better. Not that Berklie and Sophie being here didn’t, but they weren’t as trained in this type of situation as Jonathan. Plus, as much as I prided myself on being an independent woman, men, especially ones Jonathan’s size, came in handy. I opened the car door and stepped outside. It was chilly, and I pulled the belt on my green coat tighter. I should have worn a warmer jacket, but it hadn’t been this cold earlier. I stood by the car for a second, wondering if I should walk over to the other car or wait for the person to get out.
I was just about to walk over—it was too damn cold to just stand here—when the car door opened. A woman (that made me feel better at least it wasn’t Stephen) got out. She was petite with brown hair pulled up in one of those cool teased high ponytails. She had on jeans with UGG’s and a long corduroy jacket. She was a few years younger than me, early thirties, and was quite attractive. She tentatively walked over to me.
“Are you the one who left the note on my car?” I asked her as she reached me.
“Yes. I’m Rachel. Rachel Slydell.” She held her hand out to shake mine. I was getting more comfortable by the minute. Cold-blooded killers didn’t usually shake your hand did they? She seemed harmless, although those were the ones you often had to watch out for.