* * * *
Friday, late afternoon, Justin stepped on a plane that would be taking him home. He’d picked up a few gifts for Madison and a couple for Princess. The flight was about five hours. He’d have to take the air porter van to Mount Vernon and a taxi to Clear Lake. By tonight, he’d be holding Madison in his arms. Damn. It’d seemed like years since he’d done that.
* * * *
About the time Justin was getting on the plane, Madison was getting confirmation by her doctor that yes, indeed, she was pregnant. She gave Madison a prescription for prenatal vitamins and something to help with the morning sickness.
* * * *
Roxy was busy. A convention was going on and the motel was filling up. Her mother called on her cell.
“Roxy, Ralph is taking me out for dinner this week. Do you think I should wear my black pantsuit or my purple dress?”
Roxy placed her fingers to her temple. The pantsuit was a polyester 1970 era and the purple dress wasn’t much better. “Maybe you should go shopping and buy something new, Mom.”
“Oh, I don’t think I can afford it.”
“Well, whatever. I gotta go, Mom. It’s a really hectic day.”
She closed her phone and answered the ringing motel phone. Before she was off the phone, her mother was calling back.
“I think you’re right. I need to treat myself sometimes. Could you shop with me?”
“Maybe Sunday afternoon or early next week, Mom. I gotta go.” Roxy glanced up and saw a small group of people walking in the door. She smiled, hoping not to appear nervous. Her cell phone rang again. She turned it off and forgot about it.
* * * *
Jacki and Elvira would sleep in their house tonight! Jacki bought some champagne to celebrate. She also bought an imitation animal fur rug; soft, sensuous. She pictured Elvira laying on it; naked, her black hair against the white fur. Just the thought made her quiver with anticipation.
* * * *
Sunday placed her suitcase in the trunk of her car. She would leave from the Bellingham airport instead of Seattle. It wouldn’t even dawn on Duffy to look there since they always flew out of the Seattle-Tacoma airport. He had a business meeting tonight after work, which usually entailed drinking until eleven, or later. She had plenty of time. Still, she left the note on his pillow. She didn’t need him calling the police and reporting her as a missing person.
Forty-five minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot of the airport. The thought occurred to her that Duffy would be calling her friends, trying to find her. She decided to call Roxy and let her know that she was leaving Duffy and not to worry. Her call went to Roxy’s voicemail. She left a message. Getting her suitcase out of the trunk, Sunday walked quickly, still fearful someone may see her.
* * * *
Late in the day, Bud stopped at the motel with his weekly delivery. He took his invoice to Roxy. “Fancy meeting you here,” he said and grinned.
Roxy smiled back and took the paper from him. “How can I help you, Sir?”
Bud looked in both directions. “Give me a quick kiss. I won’t tell anyone.”
She looked around quickly too, and obliged him.
“How would you like to go to Seattle for the weekend?”
Roxy laughed. “You know I have to work Saturday. I have Sunday and Monday off; remember?”
Bud cocked his head, grinning. “Except, I have an ‘in’ with your boss and she gave you Saturday off.”
“No way!”
Bud nodded his head. “I called her yesterday before I made reservations.”
Roxy laughed. “No wonder you got that shit-eating grin on your face!”
“Now, is that any way for a motel manager to talk?”
“You know that old saying, ‘you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.’”
“I’ll pick you up at six?”
“Sure. It won’t take me but a minute to pack. Well, maybe more than a minute. Is April coming?”
Bud shook his head. “Mom’s babysitting for the weekend. They have big plans. Chucky Cheese, the park, and maybe a movie.”
Roxy made a face. “Gee. Maybe I should go with her.”
Bud shrugged his shoulders. “Your choice.”
The implications of the weekend stirred excitement and anxiety within Roxy. She walked around the corner, and taking Bud’s hand, led him to the empty conference room, shutting the door quickly behind them. “You know, I’m not sure if I can...”
He placed a finger to her lips. “Shhh. We are going to have a good time, no matter what we do or don’t do. Understand?”
Roxy nodded, took his face in her hands and kissed him. A ding on the counter alarmed her of someone being at the counter. She hurried out the door. “Can I help you?” She hoped Bud would have sense enough to wait a minute or two before he, too, emerged from the room. He did.
* * * *
Sunday was on her way. She gazed out the airplane window, seeing the clouds and mountains below her. “I’m finally on my way to freedom.” Mentally she said her goodbyes to her friends and to a young Duffy she once gave her heart to. A sense of relief swept over her. Tension left her shoulders. She realized she was more at ease, thousands of feet up in the air, than she had experienced over the last several years living with her abusive husband. She would no longer have to be careful of things she said that could offend him. No longer would she have to “walk on eggshells.” Laughter of happiness erupted from her. The tears that came a minute later didn’t surprise her. Bittersweet was the moment.
* * * *
Madison was just getting off work. Her plans were to do a little grocery shopping and go home for a quiet night with Princess. Maybe she’d call Roxy later. She smiled, thinking about Jacki and Elvira spending their first night in the old house.
* * * *
Justin stepped off the plane and into the terminal. First, he had to get his suitcase. Next, he needed to get to the area to wait for the air porter. He felt tempted to call Madison, but he fought against it. He’d rather wait and see the delight in her face when she opened the door.
* * * *
Elvira and Jacki struggled to get the queen size bed into the house. It was more work than they had anticipated. When, at last, they tugged the mattress on top of the bed, both collapsed on it.
Jacki panted, “Damn. We should have just bought a new bed. It would have been delivered free.”
Elvira burst into laughter. “If we weren’t so self-reliant, we could have asked a couple of guys to help. Maybe Cory.”
“As soon as we can breathe, let’s get the bed made.”
“I don’t think I need any sheets or blankets.”
* * * *
Madison made a chicken salad for a late dinner. Afterward, she took a shower and got ready for bed. Princess lay on Madison’s bed and waited to see if they were watching a video or sit-com. Madison made sure the front door was locked before she went to her bedroom.
* * * *
Justin looked out the windows of the air porter van. Soon, he’d be in Mount Vernon. He’d call a taxi and be at Madison’s in an hour or so. He couldn’t wait to be with her.
* * * *
Duffy drove into his driveway. The garage door was closed. He assumed Sunday’s car was there, as usual. He was hoping she’d be in the mood for sex tonight. He’d had a few stiff drinks and was feeling quite amorous. Sunday had been rather distant since her mother’s death. He’d given her time to mourn. She needed to get back into the swing of things now. Duffy entered the house and was suddenly irritated at all the lights that were on. “Sunday? Can’t you turn off some of these damn lights?” Hearing nothing in response, he thought perhaps she went to bed early. He walked into the bedroom and flipped on the light. A strange eeriness bothered him before he even saw the note. Everything sat in its place; picture perfect. Except Sunday wasn’t there. He scanned the room until his eyes landed on the envelope with his name on it. Sunday’s handw
riting, of course. His heart thumped hard in his chest. Adrenalin electrified his nerves. An overwhelming feeling of fear caused him to pause before he picked it up.
It didn’t take him long to read it. He’d always known in his heart she would, someday, leave him. Still, the reality hit him like a ton of bricks. Anger exploded. He ran to her dresser and began to pull out drawers; some of her things remained. He went through her jewelry chest, noticing several expensive items, gold and diamonds, were gone. He opened the closet doors, going through her clothes. Many of her expensive things were gone as well. Did the bitch bleed him dry? He would find her and by God, she’d be sorry she left him. He let out a yell as he swung his arm, knocking everything that was on her dresser flying.
* * * *
“The room is perfect, Bud!” Roxy exclaimed, staring out the large picture window in their hotel room. Twenty-four floors up, the dark night sparkled with the city lights, the Space Needle tall in the sky. Bud had taken her out for dinner on the waterfront at Ivar’s. She looked out the large windows and watched a ferry come in to dock and boats pass by.
Bud came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her small waist, tucking his chin between her neck and shoulder. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
“I am. I only wish I could share it with... Oh crap!”
Bud stood tall. “What?”
“I forgot to tell anyone! And... I had turned off my phone, ’cause of Mom.” She rummaged through her purse until she found her phone and flipped it open and turned it on. “Oh, a voice mail.” She pushed buttons and listened. Her facial expression showed surprise. She looked up at Bud. “Sunday’s left Duffy!” Suddenly, she frowned. “I wonder if anyone else knows. I better call.”
“Now?” Bud asked, dismayed.
“Yes. You have no idea...” She had never gone into great detail about Duffy and how much they hated each other. Enough to do dirty pranks. She speed dialed Madison. “Come on, come on! Answer!”
Just as the phone started to go to voice mail, Madison answered. “What’s up, Sugar Pie?”
“Don’t Sugar Pie me tonight. Sunday left Duffy today. I have no idea where she went, but he’ll go looking for her. Bud and I are in Seattle for the weekend, and I just heard Sunday’s message.”
Madison was quiet in her thoughts for a moment. “Okay. I’ll call Jacki and Elvira. They’re up at the old house tonight. He probably doesn’t know about that house. Still, they need to be on guard.”
“What about you? Why don’t you call Cory to come over? If he shows up—”
“Yes,” Madison interrupted. “I’ll call the sheriff. Don’t worry about that.”
“I’m going to worry all night...”
“You stop that. If anything happens, I’ll call.”
“Oh...okay.”
As soon as Roxy had hung up, Madison called Jacki and gave her the news. She hung up and started back to bed. Wherever Sunday was, she hoped she was safe. She climbed back into bed with Princess.
Check the front door.
I know I locked it.
Check the front door.
Madison got out of bed and checked the door. It was locked. She paused for a moment, then walked into her spare bedroom and dialed the combination lock on her gun safe. Opening it, she pulled out her Magnum and a box of ammunition. She loaded her gun and took it to her bedroom, laying it on her bedside table. Knowing she’d be unable to sleep now, she turned the television back on, propped up her pillow and tried to concentrate on what was left of the hour-long drama.
* * * *
Duffy drove his truck to Roxy’s place. The place was dark. The truck’s head lights shown into her front room windows. Duffy high-beamed them and honked the horn. He waited a moment. No lights came on. Duffy reached in his glove box and pulled out his loaded pistol. He climbed out of his truck and stomped to her house and up on the steps. He pounded on the door with his fists.
“Roxy! My wife in there?” He turned to see if anyone was close by. He couldn’t see much of anything with his bright lights aiming right towards him. He rattled the flimsy door. No response from inside. Maybe they were hiding. He reared back and rammed his shoulder into the door. It gave. Duffy kicked the door wide open with his steel-toed boots. “Any body here?”
* * * *
The noise alerted a neighbor across the street. All that yelling and slamming doors. The elderly man looked out his window and saw a big man break into Roxy’s house. His ancient hands trembling, he picked up the phone and dialed 911.
* * * *
Duffy found a couple of light switches. Enough to case the place and see no one was home. Madison lived down just couple of blocks. He’d go there, next.
* * * *
The cab pulled in front of the Cotton Tree Motel and Justin climbed in, giving directions. In about fifteen minutes, he’d be home with Madison again.
* * * *
The Sheriff eyed his new partner. Too young and too green, but nothing he could do about that. Hopefully, it would be a quiet night in the valley. The radio sounded and quickly put that thought out of his head. They were only a couple of minutes away from Clear Lake. The dispatcher relayed a man in a new black truck just broke into a house.
The eager young cop sat up straighter. “Hey, Jim, maybe we will see some action tonight, after all.”
Jim only gave a quick nod. Damn Rookies.
* * * *
Madison saw a flash of the headlights before she heard the motor of Duffy’s truck. Her cell phone was on her lap. She pushed 911 and told the dispatcher an intruder was at her front door. She asked for Madison’s name and address. Madison reeled them off as she climbed out of bed, glad that she had worn pj’s to bed instead of a flannel nightgown or a short see-through teddy. The dispatcher asked her to stay on the line until someone could get there. Madison carried the phone in one hand and her gun in the other as she walked into the living room.
Duffy’s truck engine roared loudly as he ramped up his engine a few times before he got out of his vehicle. He took a few steps towards her house, yelling. “Is my wife in there, Madison? You tell her to come on out!”
Madison stood against the wall, next to the front door. She found herself trembling. The dispatcher was calling to her, asking her questions. Madison dropped the phone on the couch. It was too distracting.
“I’m coming in there, Madison. I’ll break down the door like I did at Roxy’s if I have to. All I want to do is to talk to Sunday. I’m not going to hurt her. I just need to talk. You can understand that.”
Madison reached over, unlocked her door, and opened it. When she stepped to the doorway, only part of her was visible to Duffy. Her right hand, which held the heavy gun, was hidden. Her left hand, instinctively, rested on her stomach, where the tiny baby grew.
“Sunday’s not here, Duffy. Go home.”
Duffy stopped. “Just let me come in and look around then. No harm in that.”
Madison shook her head. “No. Can’t do that, Duffy. This is my property and you’re an intruder. You need to leave.” Her voice was stern. Madison was growing angry.
Duffy took a few steps closer. “What’s the harm? You said she wasn’t here. I’ll look around and leave. You can go back to bed.”
Princess whined at Madison’s feet. Madison tried to use her foot to push her away.
Duffy stared for a moment, weighing his options. He reached around his back and pulled out his gun.
“I don’t want to use this, Madison. All I need to do is to make sure she’s not here. You can understand that. Don’t be such a hard ass bitch.”
Madison heard the sirens in the distance. She stepped out and, lifting her Magnum, used her left hand to help brace the heavy gun. “The cops are coming, Duffy. And if you don’t leave right now, I’ll blow your fucking head off!”
Duffy took pause for a few seconds, weighing his options. Everyone knew Madison hunted. Still, did she have the balls to shoot a human? His gun was pointing right at her, yet,
there she stood aiming at him. And her gun was bigger. Much bigger. The sirens were almost upon them. He had to act quickly.
* * * *
Justin leaned toward the taxi driver. “What’s up with the sirens?”
“Don’t know.”
“Wonder if someone tried to rob the tavern again.” He chuckled, remembering that story being told time after time. He glanced up the road. Almost there.
* * * *
Duffy took another step and Madison cocked her gun. He hesitated. The sheriff’s vehicle pulled into the driveway. Duffy turned his attention to them and Madison, lowered her arm, hiding her right side behind the door. Once again, the gun out of sight.
The two deputy sheriffs got out of their car. Duffy faced them; however his arm was behind his back, hiding the pistol. He seemed to be attempting to stick it in the back of his jeans again.
The older deputy unsnapped his holster. He withdrew his pistol. “Sir! Place your hands behind your head. Sir!”
(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women Page 24