by Tom Heaven
“Never mind ‘when you get home,’ big boy, sit down on the bed. I have something I want to show you.”
“What?”
“Just do as your told.”
Annika gently pushed against his chest making him comply with her orders. Once he was seated, she straddled his legs putting one of her knees on each side of his waist. She then put her hands around his head and pulled it down between her breasts.
Dan said, in a muffled voice “What the hell are you doing?” but he didn’t attempt to pull away.
“Just in case you didn’t know baby, this is called a lap dance. I am pretty sure that whatever the boys at the party have planned for you, a lap dance will be on the agenda. When you get home, you will be honest and tell me exactly what you did when that happened. If you were a ‘good boy’ I will give you this kind of dance and maybe teach you some new tricks.”
“How do you know so much about this kind of stuff?”
“Do you think just guys in their college dorms have a monopoly on porn flicks? There were plenty of magazines and videos available where I went for my physical therapy training. The weekends were reserved for parties and dates, but many a week night was spent with a group of us drinking beer and watching porn in one of the girl’s rooms. We learned more there about the human body and what you can do with it, than in any of our formal anatomy and physiology classes.”
“You have always seemed so sophisticated yet innocent. I never would have guessed.”
“Just keep my stipulation in mind and we will finish the evening accordingly.”
Dan helped her to her feet, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel, and said, “You got it baby, but now all I will be thinking about is what new tricks you can teach me.”
The party was held at Frank’s house. Benji would have gone earlier to help set up, but in keeping with the chief’s directive to travel in pairs, he waited and went with Dan.
As soon as they walked through the door, Dan began laughing hysterically. All the guests were there, and everyone was wearing a fedora.
The guys had contracted with a small band with a lovely female singer to provide the entertainment for the evening and had a full bar available to lubricate the conversations. There was a great deal of talk about whether or not Bonnie could be “converted” and if so, who would be able to do it.
When everyone had at least one drink, Benji, spoke up loudly and said, “Hey fellas, I’d like to make a toast to the man of honor, Dan Carter.
I can’t tell you how pleased I am that he has found the perfect woman. Dan and Annika are a couple that truly deserve each other. Annika is smart, beautiful, loyal, compassionate, and one hell of a good physical therapist. Dan is… uh, Dan is… uh, well Dan is just luckier than any man I know. Not only did he win Annika’s heart, but, nobody here is aware of this, but everyone participated in a vote to see who would win the first dance with our gorgeous singer, Sophie and… guess what? Dan won. Come on over here Sophie.”
Benji positioned the singer in front of the red-faced man of honor and said, “Play some good dance music boys.” to the band. The band began playing “The Stripper” and Sophie started undressing…
When Dan and Benji arrived home, Benji told Annika that Dan had been a perfect, trustworthy gentleman in spite of being tempted by the sexiest woman the guys could find for him.
The next morning, before Annika arrived for breakfast, Dan thanked Benji profusely.
Chapter 81
Annika’s parents drove down from L.A. for a short, five-day vacation to attend the wedding. To allow them to celebrate and get acquainted with Dan, he made reservations for dinner at La Gendarme the evening of their arrival.
The parents were staying at Dan’s and both couples were gathered in the dining room having a cocktail before driving to the restaurant. Annika introduced her folks as Adrian and Abbie.
Adrian said, “How long have you two been dating?”
Dan responded with “We have been together for almost a year now haven’t we babe?”
“Yes, ever since you were shot, and I became your physical therapist.”
Abbie said, “I remember, in one of your letters, you said that you had just taken on a really handsome client that you were going to marry.”
“Mother, I knew I would marry Dan when we first met but Dan didn’t know it until last month!”
Dan said, “That’s true, I knew I would never meet anyone as perfect as you by our third session. I just didn’t think I was good enough for you until you got me back to fully functioning… I mean, walking.”
When both parents chuckled at his “slip of the tongue” Dan knew he liked them.
At La Gendarme, Benji was introduced to the parents and by the time the meal was over, the family had expanded to include all five present.
Chapter 82
Not that either of them was superstitious, but just for the sake of convenience, both Dan and Annika slept in their own bed on their wedding-eve. Bonnie and Sophia stayed at Annika’s to help her get ready in the morning and Benji was at home with Dan as always.
At dawn, Bonnie made coffee while Sophia laid out the wedding gown and remainder of Annika’s trousseau, while Benji was laying out Dan’s tux at their house.
Over coffee Benji asked, “How you doing Boss? Are you having any pre-wedding jitters?”
Dan took in a deep breath and said, “I don’t know Benji. I feel a little nervous, a little excited, a lot happy about the wedding, and a little apprehensive about The Assassin still being out there. I guess all those feeling wrapped up together could be called ‘having the jitters.’ In any case, I am really looking forward to marrying my dream girl today. I am also excited about becoming a father.”
“Good, then you are feeling as you should on this big day.”
***
The large foyer at Dan’s was decorated with so many beautiful flowers that one might have thought they were attending a coronation rather than a wedding. There were white roses in vases on the pedestals of the stairway, white calla lilies coupled in tall containers with white plumeria blossoms in bowls set on small tables around the perimeter of the lobby and, clusters of large, white amaryllis flowers standing in pots as silent sentinels between the tables. The visual effect, and fragrance, from all these blossoms helped create an enchanting environment for the ceremony.
The four music speakers set in the corners of the ceiling were so small that they could not be seen unless someone pointed them out.
Enough folding chairs were set up in horseshoe fashion around the foot of the staircase to accommodate Annika’s parents, the chief, and Gloria, as well as Dan’s team of detectives. Invitations for the remainder of SDPD were to the reception only, as security requirements prevented a larger wedding guest list.
Dan hired five uniformed and five undercover police officers to patrol the sidewalk and beach area in front of the house for the duration of the wedding.
As the guests arrived, they were escorted to their seats by Frank and Jerry who were acting as ushers. Hushed murmurs of greetings, as the attendees took their seats, could just barely be heard under the soft, romantic music emanating from the speakers.
The couple had chosen a humanistic, non-traditional format for the ceremony.
At precisely 10 A.M., Dan and Benji entered from one of the downstairs rooms, walked to the bannister at the end of the staircase, and stood quietly. Both were dressed in immaculate tuxedos and both sported a white carnation boutonniere. Neither of them appeared nervous on the outside but each of them had a slightly dry mouth and small tremor in their hands.
Dan looked around the foyer and acknowledged each of the guests with a smile and slight nod while Benji stood at attention and looked straight ahead at the entrance, vigilant as always.
A few minutes later, the front door closed, and the speakers softly resonated wit
h “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” sung by Natalie Cole. All eyes turned toward the top of the staircase where an angel seemed to have appeared. Annika was standing in the center of the top stair with a large bouquet of various shades of white roses. Her designer dress was off the shoulders with a deep V-neck front. There was a long, double train being held out to the left and right behind her by twin blond girls. Behind the girls were two bridesmaids on each side. The bridesmaids were wearing soft pink, above the knees, dresses and each carried a small bouquet of pink peonies and dahlias.
Annika’s father stood on the second step from the top, just below the bride, waiting to take her hand and walk with her down the stairs to give her away to the man who would be her partner for life.
With each step down, taken by Annika and her entourage, Dan took one step upward until the participants met halfway. At this point, Mr. Eld stepped to the side and allowed Dan to take his soon-to-be wife’s hand to escort her the rest of the way to the bottom of the stairs.
The humanist celebrant that was to preside over the exchange of vows waited for the wedding party to take their places before he began.
“I speak for Dan and Annika when I wish all the guests present, a warm welcome to witness the bond being created here today. These two people have agreed to spend the rest of their lives together in harmony and mutual support as partners in all aspects of their relationship.
They have consulted each other and prepared a vow that works for both of them, encompassing the important and meaningful values that are important to each. Dan, would you begin by making your vow to Annika?”
Dan took her left hand and slid a gold band onto her ring finger as he said, “Annika Eld, before I met you, I was only half a person, living my life for a single purpose. I believed I was happy, only striving to satisfy my own needs. Living moment to moment, day to day. You have shown me what true happiness is. You have made me whole. You have given me a future to live for and have made me happier than I could ever imagine possible.
For all you have done for me and our future together, I promise you these things. I will protect you with my life. I will be your partner in all aspects of our life together. I will honor and support you. I will be the best father I can be to our children. Most of all, I will love you, and only you until the day I die.”
Annika slipped a gold band on Dan’s finger as he had done for her while saying, “Dan Carter, you have shown me what love is. You have made me feel as if I was cradled in your arms whenever I have been afraid. You have made me whole. You have given me a future to look forward to. You have shown me respect in every possible way, always treating me as a partner rather than a subordinate. I know you will be the best father a child could ask for.
For all you have done for me and our future together, I promise you these things. I will protect you with my life. I will be your partner in all aspects of our life together. I will honor and support you. I will be the best mother I can be to our children. Most of all, I will love you, and only you until the day I die.”
The celebrant said, “Dan and Annika, you have demonstrated your commitment to one another by exchanging vows and rings. I now pronounce you husband and wife.
When the applause died down, Benji stood and said, “Thanks everyone for joining us for this celebration. The reception will be held at Le Gendarme beginning in one hour.”
By the time everyone was outside and had congratulated the bride and groom, a limousine pulled up in front of the house, and the driver got out, walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for the couple.
As the limo drove off, the wedding planner turned to Benji and said, “The regular driver must be out today. I didn’t recognize the one that just picked up Dan and Annika.”
Benji said, “Well people do get sick, even here in San Diego. But just to be safe, why don’t you check in with the folks you leased the car from?”
“No problem. I’ll call them now and let you know what I found out, when I meet you at the restaurant.”
Chapter 83
After the limousine carrying the newlyweds had progressed about five blocks, the driver flipped a switch that was wired to the dashboard. The bulletproof window between the driver and the back seat closed, all door locks clunked, and a barely visible cloud of a gas began discharging from the rear seat headrest behind the two passengers. The couple barely had time to notice these things happening before they both became unconscious.
The next thing Dan noticed was the strong smell of mold and decay. His head felt like there was a bass drummer inside it, trying to drown out the rest of the band. His arms and wrists ached from restraints that threatened to cut off his circulation. As his vision slowly returned, he noted that he had been secured to a metal chair by duct tape. His hands had been bound, holding some sort of strong spring mechanism.
When he opened his eyes completely, he saw Annika sitting across from him, similarly restrained. They both had legs and ankles taped firmly to their chair and their feet were submerged in buckets full of water.
He also determined that they were confined on the floor of an old movie theater. On one side was the stage and on the other, rows of seats.
Annika slowly opened her eyes. He could see from her grimace that she was experiencing the same pounding headache that was finally subsiding for him.
A voice said, “I see you are both coming out from under the effects of the tranquilizing gas my associate so generously provided.”
The Assassin was speaking to them from the first row of seats.
“Good, I want you fully awake, so you can understand your situation.
As you know Dan, you have attempted to thwart my occupational efforts ever since I half completed my contract to end the lives of the Casciani brothers. For this, you are about to pay dearly. While your beautiful bride has not offended me in any way, I fear she must pay the same price, solely as a means of increasing your level of suffering.
I have designed, what I believe to be, an ingenious device to provide maximum physical and emotional pain prior to the demise of both you and your new spouse.
If you look down at your hands and feet, you will see wires coming from a welder’s transformer up there on top of the stage. In order for you to understand what is about to happen to you both, I have a little information for you.
In any electric shock measured by ‘milliamps’, the damage caused depends on the current flowing through the body. One mA can be felt, five mA is painful. Above fifteen mA a person loses muscle control and seventy mA can be fatal. That transformer is set to provide one hundred mA.
The switches both of you feel wrapped inside your cupped hands control the flow of power. Dan, you will notice that your hands have been taped with the clamp switch closed. Annika, your switch is open, which means that you will receive the current first. Initially, it will be a low charge which will gradually increase until you loosen your grip. At that point, the flow will be passed to Dan. When the charge gets to the point where he can no longer tolerate the pain and loosens his grip, the current will then be transferred to the wires that enter the buckets.
Since I hate the smell of burning flesh, I will not stay for the grand finale. I’ll be on my way to start eliminating the rest of your team, Dan. Oh no, your demise will not prevent me from carrying out my promise to kill everyone you care about. I want your last feeling to be regret for having interfered with my career. Most of the wedding party should still be at Benji’s new restaurant. I will return to my preferred method and use a rifle.
Electrocution was my choice for you two as I wanted to see the pain in your faces up close as I told you what was about to happen. Believe me, it was well worth it.”
The Assassin then got up and walked over to Annika. He squeezed her taped hands tightly enough to turn the current on.
Dan said, “Annika, let go of your switch!”
“No!”
>
“Please honey, you don’t need to feel any pain.”
“No Dan, the longer I can hold out, the longer it will be before we die.”
“Well, if you two are just going to argue about this, I’ll be on my way, Ciao,” said The Assassin as he left by the emergency exit behind the stage.
At first, Annika did not show any expression of pain. It took at least ten minutes until Dan could see the beads of sweat on her forehead.
“Okay honey, that is enough. Please let the switch open and pass the current to me.”
“No, I’ve still got it.”
Ten minutes later, Dan could smell scorched flesh when she finally let go and passed the current and pain to him.
“Ow, Jesus, babe, you held on to it much too long. This hurts like hell.”
From the grimace on his face, Annika could tell that they didn’t have much longer to live.
It wasn’t more than ten minutes before smoke started coming from under the bandage on Dan’s hands.
Annika said, “Just let go honey. There is no sense in tolerating that much pain when we are going to die anyway.”
Suddenly there was the sound of a car crashing through the front doors and the entrance to the theater. Benji got out of the car and looked to see what was happening.
“Benji, kill the power to that generator on the stage. Hurry!” Yelled Dan
Benji ran down to the front of the theater, shooting at the generator all the way. Sparks flew, and the generator died on the third shot.
“Thank God, Benji you got here just in time. We were about to get fried.”
As soon as he released the tape holding Annika to the chair, she jumped up and hugged him so hard, he couldn’t move enough to release Dan.
She said, “You are now officially my savior, Benji!”
“Hey whenever you two are ready, you could get me free of this chair. My ass is getting sore.”
When he was finally free of what was intended to be his electric chair, Dan said, “How did you find us?”