Guns, Wives and Chocolate

by Sally Berneathy

  Trent said some swear words. He didn’t know as many as George, but he was no slacker. “Those men are dangerous. Take Grace and Rickie to your house, lock the doors, and stay inside. Please.”

  “I can’t do that. I don’t have time to explain. You need to trust me.”

  “You need to trust me. You’re getting involved in something very dangerous.”

  I sensed he was close to breaking his vow of silence about all things police related. “You’re going to have to be a little more specific before I take you seriously.”

  “Gaylord Dumford is under investigation. That’s all I can tell you.”

  “I can tell you more. He’s coming to Grace’s house tonight, and George is going to make him take us to a basement full of drugs.” George didn’t exactly say that, but I figured Fred could make him do it. “I’m going to Grace’s house now. If you want to protect me from the big, bad drug dealers, you need to be there.”

  I hung up.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Fred and I walked out his front door into a rapidly darkening evening. The scuttling gray clouds warned of an unquiet night ahead. As we passed the Mayfield’s ugly truck, an icy west wind slapped me across the face.

  A shiver ran down my spine.

  “If they don’t come back for it soon, I’ll call the city and have it towed,” Fred said.

  “What?”

  “The truck. You shuddered when we walked past it.”

  “Oh. Yeah. I guess I did.” We started down Grace’s sidewalk. “Do you have a plan for tonight?”

  “You’re the one with the plan. George will coerce Dumford into taking us to the church basement full of drugs while you force him to confess to Chuck’s murder.”

  “Well, yeah, that’s the general idea, but I thought you might have a few of the details worked out.”

  “I’ll follow your lead.”

  Thunder crashed.

  I don’t believe in omens.

  Not usually.

  We reached Grace’s front door and Fred knocked.

  Grace appeared, eyes wide, hair in disarray. “I’m so glad you’re here! This is kind of scary.”

  I decided not to mention Dumford’s physical abuse of his wife. No point in adding to Grace’s fears. “It’s going to be fine, but we should probably take Rickie over to Paula’s.”

  Her eyes got wider. “Why?”

  “Bad language,” I said. “He may hear some bad language from these bad men.” After George’s outburst on the phone, I thought he might know some words even Rickie didn’t.

  “Rickie!” she called over her shoulder. “He’s in his room, studying.”

  I wasn’t about to ask what he was studying. The art of making bombs? How to take over the world in six easy lessons? He could be writing that one.

  Rickie strolled down the hall, phone in one hand and a Coke in the other. “Yeah?”

  “Remember Paula, the lady who works with Lindsay?” Grace asked.

  “The one with the kid?”

  “You’re going to visit them for a little while.”

  “Why? What are you going to do that you want to get rid of me?”

  “We don’t want to get rid of you.” Grace looked at me for help.

  I hate it when that happens.

  “We’re going to have visitors and conduct some business,” Fred said.

  “Cool,” Rickie said. “I need to learn about business.”

  “Everyone in the room must be of legal age to enter into a contract or the business transactions will be invalid.”

  Fred’s legal training was showing…a few big words and a lot of BS.

  Rickie studied him intently then shrugged. “Whatever. I like the kid. We’ll have fun.”

  That sounded ominous.

  “Lindsay will take you,” Fred said.

  “I know the way.” He headed for the door.

  I went after him. “You need me to get past the security system. Your fingerprints are on the blocked list.”

  He looked over his shoulder at me. “I don’t believe you.”

  But he wasn’t sure.

  “Come on.” I went with him.

  “I wish those damned people would come get that freaking truck.” He used a different word for freaking.

  “Watch your language.”

  “Okay.”

  Damn! “Where did you pick that up?”

  “What?”

  “Saying okay when you mean you’re going to do whatever you please and just want the speaker to shut up about it?”

  “I heard you do it a few times. Pretty cool.”

  I wasn’t sure what to think about that. On the one hand, it was pretty cool that he copied me. On the other hand…well, it was Rickie.

  We arrived at Paula’s front door. I knocked then pressed my index finger against the peephole.

  “Lindsay?” Paula called from inside.

  I took away my finger and looked at Rickie. “See? Told you.”

  Paula opened the door. “Rickie. How nice to see you. Please come in.”

  “Where’s the kid?” He pushed inside.

  Paula leaned close to my ear. “You owe me big time,” she whispered.

  “I know.”

  I went back to Grace’s house.

  A man stepped out of the shadows on the side of the house.

  An image of Dumford beating Laurie to a pulp flashed across my brain. I yanked my phone and my stun gun from my pockets.

  “What is that?” asked a familiar voice. Trent.

  “Cell phone.” I stuffed the stun gun into my back pocket.

  He came closer. “The other one?”

  “Good timing. George and Dumford will be here any minute. George wants to make a deal with you for immunity if he turns in Dumford for dealing drugs.”

  “Immunity? What has George done other than try to dig up your basement?”

  “Well, actually, it’s to save his life. Dumford wants to kill him. It’s a long story.”

  Trent crossed his arms over his chest. “Go on.”

  “I can’t! They’ll be here any minute. Since you’re here before they are, you can hide inside instead of out here. It’s going to rain.”

  A flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder punctuated my prediction.

  “Lindsay—”

  “Hurry! They’re going to be here any second!” I turned my back on him, ran to the door, and knocked.

  Grace peeked out. “Oh, it’s you. I thought it was them.”

  “Trent’s here too.” I looked over my shoulder, relieved to see he had followed me.

  She held the door open. “Where’s your partner?” she asked Trent. “Didn’t you bring backup?”

  He gave me one of those looks. “I wasn’t given enough information to justify bringing somebody else into this situation.”

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Grace continued. “Lindsay’s such a good friend to set this up so we can prove I didn’t kill my husband. Dumford did it because Chuck was getting out of the drug business so he could take care of Rickie and me.” She sounded almost as if she believed her declaration. Almost.

  “Lindsay got you involved in this too, Fred?” Trent asked.

  Fred stood beside the sofa. “You know how she is when she makes up her mind to do something.”

  He could have said he believed in this mission instead of focusing on my obstinate nature. I saved my reprimand for later.

  “Trent, where do you want to set up?” I asked. “Coat closet? Kitchen? One of the bedrooms upstairs?”

  “I’m not hiding in the coat closet.”

  “You’re right.” Always a good idea to agree with everything a person says when trying to get that person to cooperate. “With this weather, they may be wearing coats and we’ll have to open that door. How about the kitchen?”

  He made no move toward the kitchen. “Lindsay, we need to talk.”

  “Later.”

  “Now.”

  “Fine.” I took his arm and led hi
m into the kitchen.

  He closed the door behind us.

  Not a good sign.

  “Sorry, we don’t have time to make out,” I said.

  He didn’t laugh. “Our guys are working with the Jackson County Drug Task Force to get an undercover agent in Gaylord Dumford’s organization. So far we haven’t been able to.” He drew in a deep breath and slowly released it then took my hands in his. “You’re getting into something very dangerous.”

  “You’re here, Fred’s here.” And I have a stun gun in my back pocket. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll get Gaylord to take you to the church basement full of drugs, then you won’t have to worry about the undercover agent.”

  Trent grimaced. “We were pretty sure that’s where they stored the drugs, but we haven’t been able to get enough evidence for a search warrant.”

  “Well, then…oh. Dumford’s not going to invite you in. He met you at my place and knows you’re a cop.”

  “Exactly. Best case scenario, you see what we already know is there, but your word isn’t enough. Worst case…”

  I was glad he didn’t finish his sentence. I didn’t want to hear any worst case scenarios.

  Grace pushed through the door. “They’re here! What do I do? What do I say?”

  Too late to back out. “Tonight we’re taking down Gaylord Dumford,” I promised Trent. “I’ll get the door,” I promised Grace. Suddenly I was making promises all over the place.

  I tried to pull my hands free of Trent’s. He held on.

  A cold wind swept through the room. The front door was open.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Fred said.

  “Get out of here!” I whispered. “Dumford will recognize you!”

  Trent released my hands and stepped out of view of the open doorway. We weren’t touching anymore, but I could feel powerful waves coming from him. Waves of love? Anger? Both?

  “Who are you?” demanded Howdy Doody from the other room. “Where’s Chuck’s woman?”

  “I’m here!” Grace called. “Come on!” she whispered.

  We raced into the living room.

  George and Howdy stood inside the door, dripping on the ugly carpet.

  Lightning flashed. The lights flickered causing their faces to move with the shadows as though demons battled beneath their skin. Thunder boomed somewhere close.

  I shivered and decided I believed in omens after all.

  Dumford’s contorted face took malevolence to new heights. “I know who you are. You live across the street.” He pointed at Fred. “That guy was at your party. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m Grace’s sister. Can’t you tell by the hair?” Good grief. I’d just promoted myself from best friend to sister.

  “I don’t care if you’re her guardian angel. I thought this was going to be a business meeting, not a freaking party.”

  He didn’t say freaking. Good thing Rickie wasn’t there. Those two might bond over their favorite swear word.

  “I am Grace Mayfield’s partner,” Fred said. “Surely you didn’t think this was her first venture into this particular business arena.”

  Grace gasped.

  Howdy Doody frowned.

  Fred remained neutral.

  “It’s all good, man,” George said. “We can trust Lindsay and Fred.” He sounded nervous. Fear of Dumford or fear of my stun gun?

  Howdy finally shrugged. “Let’s get on with it. I got things to do.”

  As he hulked past me into the room, I found it hard not to cower. I hadn’t paid that much attention to him before. His resemblance to the old children’s puppet had made him comedic. Now his large size, slightly stooped shoulders, and broad, angry face were intimidating.

  “Please be seated.” Fred indicated the sofa.

  Nobody moved for a long moment.

  Finally George went to the far end of the sofa and sat.

  Dumford sat on the other end.

  Chuck died on that sofa. Leon and Edwina sat on it. Howdy Doody and George were on it now. It would have to be exorcised before we burned it.

  Grace settled tentatively in the arm chair across from George. That left one chair. I looked at Fred. He inclined his head toward the chair. I sat. He stood. I should have known. Vantage point. Looking down on everybody.

  “Can I get you all something to drink?” Grace offered.

  Bless her heart. Sitting in a room with drug dealers and a possible murderer, and she remembered her manners.

  “I think not,” Fred answered. “I’m sure these gentlemen are eager to get this business transaction brokered so they can move on to other things.”

  I would have killed for a Coke, but I thought it best not to bring up the k word among these people.

  Fred folded his arms. “Mrs. Mayfield is willing to enter into a partnership with you, Mr. Dumford, in which she will perform in the same capacity as did her deceased husband, Chuck Mayfield. For her services in such capacity, she will receive the same remuneration as you paid to her deceased husband.”

  Dumford’s lower lip hung slightly open increasing his resemblance to a puppet. “Huh?”

  George cleared his throat. “Like we talked about, she’s going to visit the churches and take our…um…stuff to them like Chuck did.”

  Dumford shifted his gaze to Grace.

  She looked down and toyed with the hem of her shirt. Not the picture of confidence.

  “You want the same money Chuck got?” Dumford asked. “You’re just a woman.”

  I reached for my stun gun, ready to show him what it meant to be just a woman.

  Fred stepped between Dumford and me.

  Grace sat erect and smoothed her shirt. She hadn’t liked Howdy’s insult any better than I had. “Chuck told me all about his business. I know who his contacts are and how to get in touch with them, and I know what you paid him. I want the same pay.”

  She sounded so positive, I wondered if Chuck really had told her all that. Had she known more about him than she admitted?

  Dumford cracked his knuckles. “Chuck got a bigger percentage than my other men because he did a better job. You got to prove yourself before I pay you what I paid him.”

  Grace quirked her upper lip in a sneer. “Three distributions at half the percentage to prove myself, then you increase my pay to Chuck’s rate.”

  “Three distributions and I bump it up ten percent. After six, you get what Chuck was getting.”

  “Deal,” she said.

  Grace had risen to the occasion.

  Was Trent able to hear all this? He could have left by the back door, but I figured he’d stick around to keep me out of trouble. Even if he was hearing all this, it probably wouldn’t be enough to arrest Howdy Doody. It was a start, but we had to push for more.

  Fred tilted his head in Dumford’s direction. “Mrs. Mayfield will, of course, be allowed to inspect the product before she distributes any of it.”

  Howdy Doody laughed.

  George made a sound somewhere between a giggle and a sob.

  Grace folded her arms in imitation of Fred. “I’m not giving anybody anything unless I know it’s clean and safe. I want to see where it comes from.”

  Howdy Doody stopped laughing.

  I folded my arms also. We were a united, fierce force. “You got something to hide?”

  Howdy glowered menacingly.

  “Chuck told me bad meth can kill whoever takes it,” Grace said. “He was careful. That’s what made him a success. I’m going to be just as careful.”

  Again I wondered if she was making up this stuff or if Chuck really had confided in her.

  It didn’t matter as long as Dumford believed her.

  He continued to glower but finally nodded. “When do you want to go?”

  “Now. My son’s daddy is dead and I need to make a living to support him.”

  Dumford harrumphed. “Chuck wasn’t that kid’s daddy.”

  I could almost see the steam coming from Grace’s head. Howdy Doody was digging h
imself in really deep. Grace’s hair color might come from a box, but she had the red-head spirit.

  I caught her eye and gave a mini-shake of my head. We’d have time to smite him later. For now we had to play nice until we got what we needed.

  Grace stood. “Let’s go. We don’t have all night.”

  George stood.

  Dumford remained seated.

  Grace sat back down. “You’re not the only game in town.”

  She was doing a great job bluffing.

  I was pretty sure she was bluffing.

  “Yeah,” I said, “that guy who came by yesterday to recruit you…what was his name?”

  “Malcom Frost,” she said without hesitation.

  “Yeah, him. He was dressed for success.” I scanned Howdy Doody’s rumpled khakis and plaid shirt. “He was a good looking guy.”

  “Lindsay,” Fred said, “this isn’t about looks. This is about whose product is superior.”

  Dumford shot to his feet. “My stuff’s the best. Who the hell is this Frost guy? I never heard of him.”

  “Grace,” Fred said, “you did tell Mr. Dumford you would look at his product and give him a chance. I think you owe him some loyalty since your deceased husband worked for him.”

  Interesting how he did that, turned things around so Grace was doing Dumford a favor.

  “Is it still raining?” Grace asked. “I don’t want to get my hair wet.”

  “Take an umbrella,” Dumford said.

  We all started toward the door.

  Dumford stopped. “This ain’t no freaking party.” He pointed to Grace. “Me and George and her. The rest of you stay here.”

  Fred moved between Grace and him. “There seems to be a misunderstanding. Mrs. Mayfield does not make business decisions without my presence.”

  “And my sister doesn’t go anywhere without me,” I said.

  Dumford looked at all of us but said nothing. I held my breath. Was this going to be a deal-breaker? We could follow them, but I didn’t think she should be alone with him and George. She might lose her courage. Dumford might lose his temper. We might lose track of his car in the dark, rainy night.

  “I got a Cadillac Escalade,” he finally said. “You’ll all fit.”

  “But you do not have a chauffeur’s license,” Fred said. “The women will ride with me.”