I’ll Be Seeing U

by Dianne Castell

  Sally said, “I think something public is in order.”

  Pete hissed, “You can go to hell.”

  Callie said, “That would be where you’re headed and we can arrange it.”

  Effie added, “I could draw up plans for a gallows, we could hang the son of a bitch.”

  Sally got Cynthia’s purse and retrieved the derringer. “I say we just shoot his balls off. Bet that could wheedle a great apology.”

  Pete wobbled and held onto the back of a chair. “Fine, I’ll say I’m sorry just to get you bitches off my back.”

  Cynthia gasped. “Now you made us all mad. Ever see six women mad all at once?”

  Sally got her baseball bat and paced. “I’m sorry is what you say to your woman when you can’t get your dicky up for her. We need something more, something like Hi, my name is Pete and I’m a rat’s ass so everyone knows you treated Quaid bad, didn’t feed him, made him steal to survive, break into places to sleep for the night. Made him into a hellion.”

  Cynthia growled, “Because of you Quaid doesn’t think he’s good enough for me. You nearly ruined his life and now you’re ruining mine.”

  Effie said, “I could design a pillory.”

  Sally grinned, the ice pack sliding to the left side. “That will work.”

  Cynthia said to Pete, “You’re going to make things right with Quaid and undo the damage you caused.”

  “Then all will be well,” Sally added. “Except for Demar, he’s still a pig.” She turned to Effie. “On second thought, draw up plans for that gallows. Just in case we need it.”

  Cynthia took the derringer from Sally and slid it into her pocket. “I’ll be standing in front of you with my little pea shooter. One little mess up and I’m taking Sally’s sage advice and you can bend over and kiss your balls goodbye.”

  Chapter 17

  The air filled with the scent of diesel fuel as Quaid watched River Boy pull from the dock and churn her way toward Vicksburg to pick up a payload. He helped Hank roll a cable onto the Annabelle Lee, then fueled her up for a run tomorrow. Taking a break, he checked the repairs to the Sea Ray that Conrad had finished up earlier. What a honey of a boat with 320 hp, a terrific cabin and some pretty terrific memories.

  He did a mental sigh. What the hell was he going to do to get Cynthia back? He loved her, but that wasn’t the problem. As much as he tried to convince himself, he still didn’t really believe she loved him. He knew in his heart—even if she didn’t realize it—that she wanted him because he could protect her and Lawrence. And that was okay with him. Why couldn’t it be okay with her?

  He gave Hank instructions for the night and told him he’d be at Slim’s for the party if Hank needed anything. Quaid walked up the road to home, the evening sun at his back, Max trotting along at his side just as he’d been there for Rory every evening. They turned for the big frame house, till Quaid heard a commotion in the town.

  Now what? He didn’t care; he was too tired and frustrated to care. He took two steps toward the house then knew he couldn’t just walk away. He’d always care about the Landing. Crossing the road he made his way past Slim’s. Something at the new flagpole held everyone’s attention. Maybe they got one of those flags that had flown over the White House and everyone was there to celebrate and…“Holy cow!”

  Quaid froze. “Pete, why are you tied to the flagpole? What are you doing here?”

  “Get me out of this,” Pete sniveled. “And I’m not tied, it’s duct tape. That fiancée of yours taped me here. She’s a damn lunatic.”

  Cynthia sat on a chair in front of him. “Ah, ah, ah,” she said, wagging her finger at him. “You really don’t want to say things like that, Pete.”

  “Now tell Quaid why you’re here,” Sally coaxed. “You don’t want to make Cynthia…upset.”

  “No, not that!” Pete crossed his legs as if trying to protect his dick. What was that all about? Effie, Callie and the two nuns—who never looked less nun-like than now—stood next to Cynthia.

  “We’re all waiting,” Cynthia encouraged, nodding at the growing crowd.

  “All right, all right. My name is Pete and I’m a rat’s ass.”

  “And,” he continued, “I am sorry I was a piss-poor grandfather to Quaid and treated him like crap and drank and beat up on him and said really shitty things to him.”

  “And,” Cynthia growled, looking more pissed by the minute.

  “I’m sorry. What more can I say.” He eyed Cynthia then Quaid. “All right, all right, I can say more. I’ll never bother you again I swear it, especially if you got anything to do with this Looney Tunes woman in front of me. How the hell did you wind up with this wacko? You’re a smart guy, made something of yourself. You can do better than this nut case, Quaid. Run, get the hell away from her.”

  Everyone laughed, some slapping Quaid on the back. Then he laughed, and it felt as if it came from the depth of his soul, as if something snapped into place that he never thought would. Seeing Pete taped to the flagpole and the people in town gathered around, supportive and pulling for him, meant a hell of a lot. He wasn’t sure how Cynthia Landon had pulled this off but she did it for him—all for him.

  Quaid took the new knife he’d bought to replace the one he’d given to Lawrence, and cut Pete free. “Go home,” he said to him in a quiet voice. “And don’t come back.”

  Pete didn’t even look at him but ran toward an old Chevy at the curb. He drove off, the door on the driver’s side still hanging open. The crowd began to drift off to get ready for the party, no doubt, but he snagged Cynthia’s hand and drew her close. “What was all this about?”

  She smiled up at him, looking totally pleased with herself. “You took care of Aaron for me, I took care of Pete for you.”

  “Another one of those things that make us even?”

  “More like I wanted you to know just how much I really love you, and that I can take care of things right nicely when I have to. In fact, I’m getting better at it all the time.”

  “I love you, too. God, I love you and you obviously love me. So marry me.”

  “You need time to realize you are a fine man. That you are respected and looked up to.” Cynthia slid from his grip and strutted her very lovely stuff toward Slim’s, knowing he was watching and teasing the hell out of him. He loved seeing her all sexy and flirty and what the hell did she mean that he needed time. How much time?

  “Quit drooling,” Rory said as he came up beside Quaid, Bonnie in the stroller. “You got yourself a real catch there, boy. Now you got to figure out how to keep her.”

  Bonnie started to fuss. Quaid quickly unbuckled her and scooped her into his arms. “Are you taking Bonnie to the party tonight?”

  “Dropping her at Hastings House. The racket at Slim’s would be too upsetting.”

  Bonnie scrunched up her face and Quaid said, “Uh-oh. Got a bottle? Tell me you got a bottle.”

  “Didn’t think I’d be out so long. Then I caught the Pete show and I couldn’t miss that.”

  “Except now she’s hungry and we’re all going to pay.”

  Bonnie looked at Quaid then Rory, took a deep breath, and yowled. Three people ran across the street to get away from the racket. Max crouched and put his paws over his ears. Rory yelled over the noise, “You carry Sweet Pea, and it’s a good thing she likes you or she’ll yell louder than ever, I’ll push the stroller. Head for home and get a move on. If we don’t get her quiet quick people will think it’s one of those tornado warnings.”

  And three hours later, as Quaid shoved open the door to Slim’s, he felt as if he’d been caught in a tornado. One look at Cynthia dressed in yellow silk that clung to her lovely curves, gold earrings, hair in some fancy do, made him feel as if he’d been dropped right on his head. She handed out beers and laughed and swayed one way then the other to “Howlin’ For My Baby.” He stared, not able to take his eyes from her. He’d been doing that a lot lately.

  “See something you like?” Keefe said as he placed a beer in
Quaid’s hand.

  “Yeah, and how the hell do I get her?” He watched Conrad and Thelma dance together and then dance with others. Ryan got his sax from his case and broke out with “Cross Road Blues” and Sally joined him, belting out the tune like no one else could. Callie snagged Keefe for a dance and Demar came up, looking like death warmed over, as Sally finished the song and disappeared back into the crowd.

  Demar said, “You know that job offer Sally got from Seattle? She’s taking it. She’s already packed, luggage in the car. Slim’s ready to beat me to a pulp, not that I blame him. She’s leaving tonight after the party. Did you know Cynthia and Lawrence are going with her, keeping her company on the drive out? Something about giving you time. What the hell do you need time for?”

  Quaid felt his head swim. “I don’t, and how in the hell am I going to convince Cynthia of that? Have you seen Jett?”

  “Guess who showed up at the dry dock at seven tonight? First Beau, then Jett.” He gave Quaid a knowing look. “They are our connection.”

  “No wonder Beau tried to finger Preston. I’m betting Beau’s the missing accountant. If we keep our eye on him and Jett they’ll lead us to the two guys who got away.”

  “Since they found nothing at the dry dock and you showed up there, Beau and Jett might put two and two together and realize we’re on to them. They’re going to be scrambling to find Mimi any way they can.”

  Lawrence came up, big smile, hair combed. “This is a great party. I don’t like the mushy doves and hearts stuff but the music’s good and we’re cooking really great food. I’m helping Preston in the kitchen. He taught me how to make lasagna.” Lawrence said to Demar, “Your girlfriend’s a good cook, and she loves Bonnie. Wanted to hold her, but I told her she was at Hastings House. She went to visit. I better get back to help Preston set out the food.”

  “See,” Demar said. “Sally’s even good in the kitchen. I didn’t know she could cook. I can’t lose her. I don’t know what I’m going to do but I can’t.”

  Clyde Miller sat at the old upright and he and Ryan started in on “Wild Thing.” The place erupted, everyone laughing and singing, Sally dancing and swaying, making her way over to Demar. Quaid backed up, giving Sally room, and bumped into Cynthia. The two women danced around the men, reminding them what they so didn’t have…them!

  The music got louder, Cynthia rubbed her front to his back, making every muscle in his body beg to have her. Sally ran her hands through Demar’s hair and kissed the back of his neck, the crowd cheering. The music ended, everyone clapping and laughing.

  Quaid snagged Cynthia around the waist. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Sally laughed. “Practicing a little “Southern Spice.” Showing what you two are pining for.”

  Demar’s eyes devoured her. “All this and you can cook too, damn. I didn’t know that.”

  “Only if a microwave’s involved, baby. I can’t boil an egg.”

  Demar’s eyes cleared and his gaze fused with Quaid’s. “Sally was singing, she couldn’t have been in the kitchen with Lawrence.”

  “Oh shit, that girlfriend,” Quaid said, running behind Demar toward the back.

  “What do you mean, that girlfriend?” Sally yelled, trailing behind with Cynthia. Quaid stopped in the middle of the little kitchen. “The food’s here, but where’re Preston and Lawrence?”

  Moaning came from the storage closet and Quaid opened it to Preston struggling to sit up.

  Ryan, Keefe and Rory came in as Quaid helped Preston to a sitting position. “What happened?”

  Preston rubbed the back of his head. “Someone hit me from behind. I’m getting real tired of getting whacked on the head. But I got a look at the guy’s shoes—saddle shoes.”

  Quaid and Demar exchanged confirming looks as Preston continued, “They said something about PayDay’s ready. That’s a candy bar. What’s a candy bar got to do with knocking me out?”

  Quaid said, “It’s a boat like Moneymaker. Where’s Lawrence?”

  Preston looked worse. “Isn’t he with you?”

  Quaid glanced at Cynthia, her face suddenly gray. “They took my son? Why?”

  Demar said, “He must know something important.”

  Preston said, “I went to my car to get a platter. Lawrence must have overheard something then he came back in here. Guess they thought he was with me and didn’t realize he was in the kitchen.”

  “Stop!” Cynthia held up her hands. “What the heck’s going on? Where is Lawrence and who took him?”

  Quaid said, “Lawrence told Jett that Bonnie is at Hastings House. All you have to do is look around and you can see that everyone from there is here at the party, which means…”

  Demar finished, “Which means Bonnie is with her mother. Everyone knows Rory wouldn’t trust his baby with a stranger. Jett is in cahoots with the missing bank presidents, and Beau Fontaine is one of them.”

  “My Beau,” Ida said from the doorway, Sally, Effie and Callie standing beside her.

  Demar said, “Now those two have Mimi and Bonnie and Lawrence.”

  Quaid took Cynthia’s hand. “We know they’re on a boat and we’ll get them. The Sea Ray’s ready and we’ll have tows on the river watch for Pay Day.” He kissed her. “Stay here. Sit tight. It’s going to be okay, I swear it will.”

  Rory started for the back door. “Quit your dang jabbering, time’s a wastin’.”

  Cynthia felt all the blood in her body turn to ice as she stood there in the little kitchen. “They have Lawrence, my baby?” She swallowed. “Hang tight? If that isn’t a perfectly male thing to say.”

  “Beau Fontaine took my grandson,” Ida said, her eyes narrowed. “That no-good son of a bitch used me, and I’m going to get even if it’s the last thing I do. I have my gun, two actually; let’s go find him.”

  Cynthia blinked. “T…two?”

  “Did I hear gun?” said Sister Candy, Sister Ginger beside her.

  Sally pulled herself up tall. “We’ll get a boat down at the dry dock. Conrad has a bunch.” She faced the sisters. “We have bad guys to chase.”

  Effie said, “Except those boats have holes in them, that’s why they’re in dry dock.”

  Callie nodded. “Then we get a boat without a hole. There’s got to be something.”

  They all stampeded out the back door and got to the parking lot cluttered with cars from the party. Gridlock comes to O’Fallon’s Landing. They headed for the docks, till Cynthia saw Max jumping and barking at a car that was trying to wiggle between other parked cars to get out. The white Lexus convertible on the other side finally made it free then took off down the road, Max galloping full tilt behind it.

  “Holy shit!” Cynthia gasped. “Lawrence is in the trunk of that car. That’s why Max is going nuts. He never chases cars.”

  Sally added, “That’s Jett’s car.” She pointed. “Follow that dog.”

  Cynthia jumped into the Blue Bomb, then Sally. Effie, Callie and Preston got into the second seat, and the sisters climbed in and helped Ida into the third seat, facing backwards. Cynthia smacked the dash three times and the engine caught. “Good car.” She floored the accelerator, sideswiping two cars and a truck, and aimed the Bomb for the two-lane.

  Max was losing ground but not giving up. Lightning zigzagged through the sky, rain dotted the windshield. Sister Candy said, “We’re losing them, step on it.”

  Cynthia grinned. “Oh we won’t lose them, it’s raining and we have a car full of Southerners.”

  Sister Ginger yelled, “You’re slowing down a lot. What are you doing!”

  “My son’s in that car, I don’t want him hurt. I’m keeping my distance. Just wait, it’ll be okay.”

  “Sweet Jesus, we don’t have time to wait.”

  They took one curve then the next, coming up on Hastings House to the left. A white streak tore across the road in front of the Lexus.

  “What was that?” Preston yelped as the convertible swerved, skidded then slid off into the ditc
h. Cynthia slammed on the brakes. “That was Grant. God Bless that Yankee!”

  Everyone poured out of the Buick. Jett scrambled from her car and started to run, and Sally tackled her in a full body slam that threw them hard against the pavement with a solid thump. Cynthia popped the trunk and Lawrence scrambled out into Ida’s arms. Relief washed over Cynthia as Ida kissed her grandson, tears on her face. She held him tight as Max caught up, licking Lawrence’s face. Ida sniffed. “Thank God. Now where’s that no good Beau Fontaine? I’m going to blow him from here to kingdom come.”

  “Amen,” the sisters said and crossed themselves.

  Sally sat on Jett’s back as Preston said to her, “Where are Mimi and Bonnie?”

  “I’m not telling you anything,” she spluttered from the ground. “Now get this pig off me.”

  Sally said, “You have one minute to tell us everything or we’ll drag your sorry ass to that river over there and throw you in.”

  “Besides,” Preston added. “If we don’t get the others there’s a chance the DA might try and stick you with all that’s happened, like kidnapping, extortion, you name it. That puts you in prison for the next twenty years, being someone’s bitch. Cooperation is recommended.”

  “Fuck! I didn’t sign up for this.”

  Sally slapped Jett’s head. “No ‘F’ word around the kid.”

  “Just getting information, is all I was going to do,” Jett huffed. “Uncle Edward…Beau…has Mimi and Bonnie and his partners are picking them up at some derelict dock down the road. They’ve been hiding out at this old house. Lawrence overheard me talking on the phone saying Mimi was at Hasings House, I thought he was with Preston. I was going to let him go, I swear.”

  Cynthia shook her head. “I don’t know what dock that is. Docks aren’t my thing.” Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.