I was surprised to see that both of them put all twenty shots in the target.
“Impressive.”
“Thanks. Well, we’ve gotta run. Our instructor gave us some YouTube videos on shooting and gun safety, so we’ll be busy for a while. Catch you later.”
With that, the two of them were off, acting like kids on Christmas morning with a new toy.
I was torn. For two people in their nineties, this new adventure was a two-edged sword. I was happy that they had found something to share that gave them joy. I just hoped they could handle the responsibility that comes with carrying a gun.
That evening, Maggie and I had just finished supper and were just about to settle in to watch the last season of American Idol, when the phone rang.
It was Kevin.
“If you and Maggie aren’t too busy, Veronica and I would like to stop by for a few minutes.”
What could I say but yes. Thankfully, we had a DVR to record Idol so we wouldn’t miss a single note. The wonders of modern technology.
When we were all seated in our living room, Kevin began. “Veronica and I have been talking, and well, we just don’t see any reason to put this off. There’s really no reason for a long engagement and I’m not getting any younger over here. We want to be married as soon as possible.”
Maggie and I had both figured this would be the case and were not surprised.
“Makes sense to us,” I replied. “Do you have a date in mind?”
“Not yet. I guess it kind of depends on how we’re going to proceed. We talked about just going to the courthouse and getting it over with, but that didn’t seem quite right. This is a first for both of us, and for sure will be the last for me, so we thought we might want to have something a bit more memorable --- nothing fancy, mind you. Just a simple ceremony with our closest friends and family.”
“Sounds perfect,” Maggie replied. “How can we help?”
Kevin actually blushed. “It may sound corny, but we’d really like Pastor Bob to perform the ceremony. You know him a lot better than we do. Would the two of you mind going with us to talk to him?”
“Of course not,” I replied. “I’m sure Pastor Bob would be honored. When would you like to do it?”
“How about tomorrow morning?”
Obviously Kevin wasn’t kidding about wasting time.
I looked at Maggie and she nodded. “Sure, I’ll call Bob and see if he’s available tomorrow.”
“One more thing,” Kevin said, sheepishly, “Veronica and I would really like for the two of you to stand up with us --- you know, best man and matron of honor.”
I looked at Maggie and she nodded again. “We’d love to.”
Two years ago, Maggie didn’t even know if her long-lost brother was alive, and here we were, planning to be part of his wedding.
Life is full of surprises.
Pastor Bob is my kind of guy. He is devout and totally committed to his ministry, but the sign on the placard outside his church bears the John Wesley quote, “Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.”
While I certainly believe in a Higher Power, organized religion has never been my cup of tea. Fortunately, Pastor Bob is more concerned with how a person lives his life than where he spends his Sunday mornings.
One day when I shared my concern over my lack of attendance at his services, he calmly replied, “Sitting in church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.”
Needless to say, when I’m in need of spiritual guidance, Pastor Bob is my guy.
The door to the church is open pretty much all the time, so the four of us made our way to Bob’s office.
Bob had met Kevin and Veronica before and knew something of their backgrounds.
After greetings were exchanged, I explained why we were there, since I knew the pastor better than anyone else.
When I was finished, Bob turned to Kevin and Veronica. “I’m sure the two of you have thought this through and are not taking this union lightly, so I would be happy to officiate your ceremony. What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Uhhh, nothing fancy,” Kevin stammered. “We just want to keep it simple. Close friends and family. We were thinking maybe Walt’s dad could help us get the Teamster’s lodge.”
Bob was confused. “Teamster’s lodge? Why not here at the church?”
“I --- I just thought it wouldn’t be right,” Veronica replied, hanging her head. “I know you know what I used to be --- what I used to do, and I just figured having the service in church would be some kind of sacrilege.”
Bob reached out and took her hand. “My dear girl, have you ever heard of Mary Magdalene?”
Veronica shook her head.
“While there is some disagreement among scholars, it is believed that Mary Magdalene may have been in the same business as you used to be. It is, after all, called the world’s oldest profession. In spite of her sordid past, Mary became one of our Savior’s strongest disciples and was with him during his crucifixion and resurrection. The Lord doesn’t look at people as they used to be, he looks at them as they are now, and I believe He would be proud to have the two of you joined together in holy matrimony in His church, if that’s what you want.”
Kevin and Veronica both nodded, tears glistening in their eyes.
Pastor Bob had come through again.
It seemed, for the moment at least, everything was right with the world.
We had been home just a few minutes when the phone rang, changing everything.
“Walt, this is Kevin. When we got home, someone had bashed out one of the headlights in Veronica’s car and scratched ‘WHORE’ on the side in huge letters. She’s beside herself.”
I was stunned. “Any idea who could have done such a horrible thing? Maybe one of her old johns?”
“We don’t think so. She hasn’t been hookin’ for over a year, and when she was, it was strictly business. She never had any kind of relationship with a client --- until I came along.”
“What can we do?”
“I don’t know what to do. Here I am, a P.I., and I don’t have any idea where to begin.”
“Have you called the police?”
“No, you think I should?”
“Absolutely! Let me give Ox a call. Maybe the CSI guys can find some prints.”
“Thanks, I appreciate your help.”
Ox and his partner, Amanda, took the vandalism report, but the CSI team came up empty.
Two days later, we were supposed to go with Kevin and Veronica to help pick out rings.
We were just leaving the apartment, when the phone rang.
“Walt, Kevin here. He’s hit again.”
“Who are you talking about? Hit what?”
“This morning we found a note someone had slipped under our door. It simply said, ‘If you want Fred to live, get out of his life forever.’”
I was confused. “Who the hell is Fred?”
Then it hit me. When Kevin was in Phoenix in witness protection, the name the U.S. Marshalls gave him was Fred Fenton. He didn’t start using his real name until he returned to Kansas City.
“Fred Fenton,” I said. “It looks like this is a person from your past, not Veronica’s. Can you think of any old enemies who might have tracked you down and are looking for some payback?”
“Are you kidding?” he replied. “I was a gumshoe for hire. I took pictures of cheating husbands and corrupt politicians. Of course I have enemies who would love to take a crack at me, but that really doesn’t explain the message, does it? The note said for Veronica to get out of my life. It just doesn’t make sense.”
I had to agree. It didn’t.
“You’re not, by any chance, keeping another lady on the side, are you?”
“Walt, get real. At my age I’m lucky to keep one woman satisfied.”
“So do you want to cancel our ring shopping?”
“Hell no! I don’t know who this creep is, but I’m not going to let him spoil my weddi
ng.”
In spite of the disturbing letter, we had a lovely morning.
Kevin and Veronica both found rings they loved, and by noon we were finished shopping and famished.
“How about lunch at Mel’s,” I suggested.
Maggie and Veronica rolled their eyes, but grudgingly agreed.
When we entered the diner, we were surprised to see Dad and Bernice. They waived us to their table and asked us to join them. It wasn’t exactly what we had in mind, but we didn’t want to be rude.
After they oooh’d and ahhh’d over the wedding rings, we all ordered some of Mel’s delicious comfort food.
We were about to order pie when Bernice announced she needed to make a trip to the ladies room.
She had just left the table when a woman I’d never seen before entered the diner and approached our table.
I felt Kevin tense as she came closer.
“Gloria! What in the world are you doing here?”
“I came to be with you, Fred,” she replied.
We all looked at Kevin in surprise.
Victoria was the first to speak. “Who is this woman, Sweetie?”
“She’s no one,” Kevin replied. “Not now anyway. Gloria and I lived together in Phoenix --- until we discovered I had a fatal kidney disease. One morning I woke up and she was gone. Just vanished. Not a word of goodbye. I could only guess that she saw no future taking care of an old codger hooked to a dialysis machine. It just wasn’t what she had signed on for.”
“Well now I’m back,” Gloria said. “I know I did you wrong and I’m here to make it up to you.”
“Sorry, Gloria,” Kevin replied, shaking his head. “That ship sailed the day you left me alone to die. So beat it. Just go back where you came from.”
“Sorry you feel that way,” she said, pulling a .357 Magnum from her purse. Then turning to Veronica, “I tried to warn you off, bitch, but you wouldn’t listen. If I can’t have Fred, nobody will.”
As she pointed the .357 at Kevin’s head, I heard a voice from behind her.
“Drop the gun, lady, or I’ll fill you so full of lead they’ll be able to use you as a trot-line weight.”
We all looked and saw Bernice pointing her .32 at Gloria. I had no idea Bernice was a fisherman.
Gloria looked at the ninety-year old and snickered. “You’re not going to pull that trigger. I doubt you’ve got the strength.”
“Oh really?” Bernice replied. “Rule number 1. Never point a gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot. In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s pointed right at you. Rule number 2. Never put your finger on the trigger unless you’re ready to shoot. Well, guess what? That’s exactly where it is. So what’s it going to be? It’s all up to you. Go ahead, bitch. Make my day!”
Bernice and Dad had obviously been watching some Dirty Harry movies.
Gloria waivered and set the gun on the table. It was a prudent move. There was no doubt in my mind that Bernice would have blown her away.
I called Ox and a half hour later, Gloria was in cuffs.
As Bernice was putting her gun back in her ankle holster, I heard her mutter, “Thank goodness I just peed or my holster would’ve been soaked.”
After things calmed down, I said, “I hope this revelation doesn’t change anything between the two of you.”
Veronica looked lovingly at Kevin. “Like Pastor Bob said, the Lord doesn’t look at people as they used to be. He looks at them as they are now. We both have done things in our lives we’re not proud of, but that’s all in the past. What’s important is what we have now and what we’ll have in the years ahead.”
Another bump in the road, but thankfully things seemed to be smoothing out --- at least for now.
CHAPTER 9
I had just sat down at the breakfast table with my coffee and Wheaties, and had taken my first mouthful when I opened the newspaper.
I nearly choked when I read the headline.
Body of Kansas City Star Reporter Jack Carson Found.
The article went on to say that Carson had been reported missing by his editor at the Star. Carson’s body was found in the Missouri River by a tugboat captain. Detective Derek Blaylock said the case was being treated as a homicide.
So there it was.
I knew from his note that Jack was trying to get away and start a new life, but obviously they had found him before he could make his escape. Sending me the envelope with all his work was most likely one of his last acts before being captured.
Knowing that Carson was now on the list of people who had died trying to expose the chemtrail conspiracy made me shudder, and it strengthened my resolve to never let anyone know about the evidence locked away in my safe.
My appetite gone, I flushed my soggy Wheaties down the disposal, gulped the rest of my coffee, dressed, and headed to the morgue.
Dr. Grimm, the medical examiner at the county morgue, and I aren’t exactly close friends, but during my time on the force, I had frequented his domicile enough times that we were more than just acquaintances. I hoped that previous relationship would get me in the door.
I wasn’t disappointed.
“Walt, the aged half of the former dynamic duo! What brings you to my humble abode?”
“Hi Doc. Good to see you again. I --- uhhh --- was wondering if you’ve had time to look at Jack Carson yet.”
“Indeed I have,” he replied, “but I haven’t even had the opportunity to report my findings to Detective Blaylock. I probably shouldn’t even be talking to you. What exactly is your interest in Mr. Carson?”
“Two things. First, we were friends, and second, we were working a case together when he disappeared. I understand what you’re saying, but anything you could give me would be appreciated. Detective Blaylock doesn’t even need to know I was here.”
He thought for a moment, then whispered conspiratorially, “Okay, but mum’s the word.”
I nodded.
“Actually, I can’t tell you much. The body had been in the water for some time and was in poor shape. It looked as if the denizens of the deep, most likely turtles and gar, munched a bit. There were ligature marks around the ankles. A good guess is they were made by a rope tied to something very heavy on the other end.”
“So you think someone tossed him in the river with weights tied to his ankles.”
“It would seem so, but that’s not the worst part. His lungs were filled with water. He was most definitely still alive when he was tossed into the deep. A horrible way to go.”
I cringed as I thought about poor Jack’s lungs bursting as he sunk deeper and deeper into the muddy river.
I thanked the Doc, who once again swore me to secrecy, and headed home.
My heart was heavy and I wanted desperately to avenge Jack Carson’s death, but I didn’t have a clue where to start.
Maggie and I have a ritual. Every night, we hop in bed and watch a rerun of Two and a Half Men, the ones with Charlie Sheen. Best writing and funniest series ever. Then we turn on the ten o’clock news before tucking in.
I had just switched channels when ‘Breaking News’ scrolled across the screen. Immediately following was a video of a man in cuffs being shoved into a police cruiser.
The news anchor said that police had arrested Carmine Marchetti, the alleged head of the Kansas City crime syndicate, for the murder of reporter Jack Carson whose body was found floating in the Missouri River, and that his arraignment was scheduled for ten o’clock the next morning.
I couldn’t believe what I had just seen.
When Jack went missing, Detective Blaylock had a hunch that Marchetti was involved. It was common knowledge that Carson was writing an exposé on the mob’s protection racket in northeast Kansas City. During his investigation, Carson met the lovely Calinda Marchetti, and much to her father’s chagrin, a romance blossomed. Blaylock figured that was sufficient motive to point the finger at the mob boss, but since there was no body, there was nothing he could do.
But now there was.
“Hello, Walt Williams here.”
“Walt, this is Carmine Marchetti. You seen the news?”
“Uhhh, yes I have. Where are you?”
“Where do you think? I’m in the hoosegow. Remember when I saved you and your sweetie?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“I told you then I might be needin’ the services of a top notch private eye someday. Well, that day has come and I’m callin’ in my chit. My arraignment is at ten tomorrow. Be there! We’ll talk afterward.”
The line went dead.
At the time, I was grateful that Marchetti and his men had saved our butts, but I hated the fact that I was indebted to a mob boss and that someday I would be asked to return the favor.
Apparently, that day had arrived.
The next morning, I left the house early so I could stop by the precinct for a chat with Detective Blaylock before Marchetti’s arraignment.
I knew the brass had been after the crime boss for years, but just couldn’t get the goods on the wily old Don. Since I was convinced Carson had been murdered to squash his investigation into the chemtrail conspiracy, I needed to know what they had that convinced them that Marchetti had done the deed.
I caught Blaylock just as he was leaving for the courthouse.
“Walt Williams! Carmine Marchetti’s arraignment is this morning and here you are. What a surprise!”
“Derek, I think you have the wrong guy.”
“Great! Here we go again. If I remember correctly from our conversation right after Carson disappeared, you were trying to convince me that he had been the victim of hired assassins sent by a government cabal involving the Navy, Air Force, the CIA, the NSA and God knows how many other alphabet organizations, to cover up his exposé of a clandestine conspiracy to spray poison into our atmosphere to control the weather, prevent the Russians from pelting us with ICBM’s, and allow Monsanto to take control of the world’s food supply. Did I forget anything?”
The Chemtrail Conspiracy Set (Lady Justice Book 22) Page 19