“Hey, Gramps, how’s it going?”
“Very well, Pop,” Polasky replied, handing Peace an apron. “I’m glad you came in tonight, the new girl decided to take a long weekend.”
“You mean Betts?”
“One and the same,” Polasky confirmed.
“I thought she was working out real well, and you did give her the weekend off. I thought you were a little shorthanded last night. Sorry I went right in the back with Jill.”
“It was worth it. In the hour and a half you sang last night, we literally cleaned up. How was the tip jar?”
“Overflowing,” Peace answered. “Having Jill there to listen really makes a difference for me. Those couple of hours flew by.”
“We set a record for a Sunday evening, even being shorthanded. If you keep performing, we’ll be set for life, and the baby’s college education will be paid for before kindergarten.”
“When would you like me to start tonight?”
“Give it another hour,” Polasky told him. “Did you get to see your cop friend?”
“Yep.”
“How’s his leg doing?”
“He’s healing real well, but he is one nasty natured individual,”
Peace said. “He was on me from the moment I stepped on his doorstep.” “You’ve been getting a lot of that lately,” Polasky pointed out with a grin. “How did things go on base today?”
“Better than I had hoped. Bull didn’t even make me his bitch today.”
Polasky laughed appreciatively. “Any of the others say anything about your weekend?”
“Just some kidding about what a coincidence my life has become, just like you were saying yesterday,” Peace admitted. “You ever get tired of being right?”
“Nope, and especially with Nancy, it drives her nuts,” Polasky stated proudly.
“I…” Peace began, and then froze as he saw Bull hurry in through the entrance. When he spotted Ed and Peace together behind the bar, Bull jogged right up to where they were standing.
“Jesus, Bull, you look like you saw a ghost,” Polasky remarked.
Bull stared at his two friends, as if wondering how to go on or what to say.
“C’mon, spill it,” Peace said quietly. “You’re beginning to scare me.”
“It… It’s Holly,” Bull finally managed to say. “She went to a Rave last night with some of her friends. She called me up about an hour after I dropped her off from the barbeque, asking if I wanted to go. I told her about how early we’d be going at it on the base. She said, ‘no problem, it was a last minute thing’. She thought it would be fun to spend a few hours over there with her friends, and promised to call me today to tell me about it. She never called, and her roommate, Connie, said she never came home. When I called over there after leaving the base, Connie even sounded strange to me. Am I being a pussy, freaking out about her not coming home?”
“I don’t know, Bull,” Peace replied. “Did Connie say whether she’d ever stayed out all night from one of those things?”
“No, she told me they always stayed till it ended, but then they came home. Connie admitted she came back to their place a little screwed up, and couldn’t remember much about the Rave, or how she got home. She did give me the names of the two friends she and Holly went with, and their numbers.”
“Where would you start, Bull?” Polasky asked sympathetically. “I mean, I thought they kept the location of those Raves secret.”
Bull nodded. “They do, but I left my cell phone number on both of the friends’ answering machines to call me the second they retrieved the message.”
“I feel like I’ve entered the damn Twilight Zone with you guys lately,” Ed shook his head in disbelief. “Man, I think you all need to be confined to the base for six months until the black cloud over your heads passes by.”
“I knew I should have went with her,” Bull whispered through clenched teeth.
“Calm down,” Peace said, putting a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Hell, you can’t burn the candle at both ends like that, and still show up at the base today. I’m sure Holly understood. She wasn’t pissed at you or anything was, she?”
“No, just the opposite,” Bull replied. “It was a last minute girl’s night out thing, and I would have been an anchor around her neck. We had an outstanding weekend together.”
“She still might have stayed with one of the friends,” Polasky pointed out. “You’ll just have to suck it up until you hear from them. If you stomp too hard into the girl’s business, she might tell you to take a hike.”
“I know,” Bull agreed with a sigh. “What can I say? I got it bad.”
“There ain’t nothin’ wrong with that, son,” Polasky said. “Peace is going to sing for a little while. If you don’t hear from the friends by then, we’ll go to their addresses, and ask in person.”
“You don’t have to do anything like that, Ed,” Bull replied. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want you chasin’ around with us on a wild goose chase.”
“I am officially the Rod Serling figure in this,” Polasky retorted. “I control the vertical, I control…”
“That’s The Outer Limits, Ed,” Peace smiled.
“Whatever,” Polasky shrugged. “Count me in. I had a good night’s sleep last night. Not to mention I know this city like the back of my hand. We’ll hit the roommates’ places first, and then try to find out where the Rave was held. Chances are the cops would know.”
“I don’t think we should involve them just yet,” Bull said, cringing. “I can just see Holly’s face if this turns out to be one of my goof ups. I just want her to be okay, even if it means she spent all night out with someone.”
“Hey, hold on there, partner,” Peace inserted quickly. “I think you’re throwing yourself off the cliff, I…”
“Listen,” Bull broke in impatiently, “I’m just sayin’ her welfare is the important thing, but I don’t want to cause a scene. If she just stayed with a friend, or even another guy, I don’t want her thinking I’m smothering her. I’ve had a crush on Holly since the first time I laid eyes on her.”
Peace started around the counter to wait tables, but Ed stopped him.
“I’ll wait tables,” Polasky told him, as he picked up an empty tray.
“You and Bull go on in the back.”
Peace nodded, taking off his apron. “Thanks Ed. You want a soda or something, Bull?”
“No, I’ll get something later. How long are you going to sing?”
“Just let me know when you want to head out. I only planned on an hour and a half anyway.”
“That’s perfect,” Bull replied, falling in next to Peace as they walked together into the back dance area. “I don’t want to bug anyone until they get a chance to respond to my first call. She’ll think I’m really desperate if I dive into this with both feet, and probably dump my ass.”
“I’m glad you came over to get me.”
“I’m not like you,” Bull replied, grinning to take the edge off his words. “I ask my friends for help when I have trouble, especially when they know better than me how to proceed, 007.”
“Hey, I think you may be confusing circumstances, my friend,” Peace protested, taking a seat behind the piano. “You’re as cool making a decision under fire as anyone who ever lived, Bull.”
“This ain’t combat,” Bull shrugged, leaning on the piano, as Peace ran through some fingerings on the keys. “I don’t want to start tracking people, or running down leads on my own. It’s just not my forte. I figured if it came to info gathering, I might need the Warrior.”
Peace laughed at the reference to his cyber nickname in college. “I’ll help in any way I can, Bull. We’ll start like Ed suggested though, so we don’t overlook the obvious. Then…”
“Well, look at this picture,” a base voice announced from behind them, near the entranceway. “We aren’t interrupting, are we girls?”
Peace and Bull looked over towards the origin of the voice, seeing Holly
standing sheepishly next to a man nearly as large as Bull. The man wore a dark tailor made suit, and looked to be in his middle twenties. His dark brown hair was perfectly set, and the man’s angular face made him look as if he stepped from the modeling pages of a men’s fashion magazine. Holly blushed within the circle of the man’s left arm, under Bull’s surprised gaze. Bull hurried over to her, ignoring the man completely.
“Holly,” Bull said happily, “you’re okay. Jesus, I thought…”
“I… I’m sorry, Bull,” Holly stammered, as Peace walked up next to his friend, between Bull and the man with Holly. “Stacy told me you had left a message. I was just going to call… but Ken… this is Ken Landry. He… He’s an old acquaintance. He…”
“I thought it would be better to come over and ease your mind about Holly,” Landry interrupted, still smiling. “She was with me. When we heard you were worried about her, I thought we should come over in person so you could see she was okay.”
Peace watched Bull closely, but his friend had not taken his eyes off Holly.
Bull looked at Landry finally. He held out his hand, and Landry shook it. “I’m glad to meet you, Ken. I’m Bull Jenkins, and this is my friend, Peace. Thanks for coming by. I don’t know much about those Rave things. I probably overreacted a bit, but when…”
“I understand completely,” Landry broke in, as he shook hands with Peace.
“Ken, let me speak to Bull alone for a moment,” Holly said hesitantly, looking up at Landry.
Landry’s smile vanished, and Peace saw a dark shadow sweep over the man’s face. It was gone in an instant, his smile back in place. “Of course, babe, but remember, we have to get going in a couple minutes.”
“Let me buy you a beer at the bar, Ken,” Peace offered, gesturing towards the barroom.
“Uh… sure,” Landry said, hesitating. He followed Peace out to the bar, glancing at Holly pointedly before going.
“I don’t know where to begin… Bull,” Holly stammered. “I…”
Bull took her hands in his gently, stooping a little to smile into her face directly. “Listen, I don’t care what you have going. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Connie, Stacy, Jan, and I were just listening to the band. Ken came walking up, and it… it was such a surprise. I was engaged to him last year. I hadn’t seen him for about six months. We talked for a while. He bought us drinks, and introduced his friends who were with him. I started getting really woozy, and Ken offered to take me home. One thing led… oh Jesus, Bull… I… I’m so sorry…”
“Hey… don’t sweat it,” Bull reassured her, his heart in his throat. “Like I said, I was really worried. Look, I know you never really were interested in someone in the service anyway. We clicked for a…”
Holly started sobbing, and shaking her head. “I… I just don’t know what happened. I never meant… I mean… we…”
Bull enfolded her gently in his arms. “Easy, easy now, don’t cry. I’m not mad, Holly, honest to God. I care for you. Just take care of yourself. I’ll…”
“Hey, hey, hey…” Landry’s voice boomed from the doorway. Peace followed Landry closely, carrying a beer for Bull. Landry had a mug of draft in his hand. “Take it easy on my girl there, big guy.”
Holly wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, and brushed at her dress front with shaking hands as Bull released her. Landry walked up next to Holly, and put an arm around her possessively.
“Did you make my girl cry?” Landry admonished Bull.
“She was just saying goodbye,” Bull replied, nodding his thanks to Peace for the beer, without taking his eyes off Landry. “Stay in touch, Holly. If you need anything, just call. Nice meeting you, Ken.”
Landry patted Holly’s shoulder. “I don’t think she’ll be needing anything. See you guys around.”
Holly did not trust herself to say anything else without bursting into tears, and simply allowed Landry to guide her out past the two Seals. Peace watched Landry lead Holly away until they were clear of the door, before turning to Bull, who had also stared after the couple thoughtfully.
Bull took a sip of his beer, and grinned down at Peace.
“Well, that was depressing.”
“Something’s wrong with that picture, Bull,” Peace replied. “Didn’t Holly say anything that resembled an explanation?”
“They were engaged last year. She hadn’t seen him for six months. They had drinks at the Rave. One thing led to another. Blah, blah, blah,” Bull answered, shrugging his shoulders. “I love her, Peace. I don’t care about anything, except she’s still alive. I’ll get over it. Hell, if the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz did all right with his heart ripped out, I’ll be fine.”
“The Tin Man,” Peace corrected with a laugh. “The Tin Man was missing his heart. The Scarecrow didn’t have a brain.”
“Okay, 007, you be the Scarecrow,” Bull replied. “I have a request, Mr. Piano man.”
“Blues in the Night?”
Bull laughed, shaking his head in the negative. “I’m not going there. I was thinking of Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen.”
“Oh yea, but I have to get my trumpet to do that one like Louis.”
“Just do it like Duke Ellington instead.”
“Okay,” Peace agreed, walking over to sit behind the piano, while Bull stayed down off the raised stage. “You’re really not going to say anything more about Holly, are you?”
“Nope, and if you have anything more to say about her, you better bring your saddle tomorrow, my little horsey. Anything else you want to go over about Holly?”
“Holly? Holly who?” Peace said quickly, launching into an introduction for Bull’s request.
Two hours later, Bull was sitting at the bar, while Peace bussed the tables in the dance room before closing, and Ed cleaned up behind the bar.
“Well?”
“Well what?” Bull replied, looking up from his beer.
“Suddenly, I’m not in a Rod Serling plot, I’m on the set of Oprah,”
Polasky commented. “I was just wondering who changed the script.”
“Cute,” Bull chuckled, before sipping his beer. “Shit happens, as you are so fond of saying. Shit happened.”
“Fair enough,” Polasky nodded. “I liked that girl.” Bull stayed silent, still sipping his beer.
“Peace thinks that guy’s a flake, and there’s something wrong.”
“They were engaged. She wasn’t with him against her will. She showed a lot of class coming over to let me off in person.”
“You could ask 007 to make him quit breathing,” Ed suggested.
Bull laughed, looking back at Peace, who had just walked back in with a tray full of empty glasses. “Did you hear that, Peace? Ed suggested
I ask you to off Holly’s beau.”
Peace snapped to attention, saluting Bull smartly. “At your service, Chief. I didn’t like the prick anyway. He’s probably a child molester too.”
Ed laughed, but Bull answered seriously.
“Don’t even talk like that Peace. If Holly loves him, he must have some redeeming qualities.”
“Aye, aye, Chief, if you say so,” Peace said doubtfully, handing Ed the tray full of glasses. “That’s the last of them, Ed.”
“We had a great night, Nicky,” Ed announced with satisfaction. “Man, the crowd ate up the blues in there this evening. I think I called more cabs tonight than I have since I opened the joint. If this is the new secret formula, I’ll have to book Bull in on the nights you perform.” “Did you pipe it out to the street?” Peace asked.
“No, we had all we could handle. I sent Nancy home because she was beat. I’m going to need a ride.”
“Since we don’t have to give Bull a hand searching for Holly, we can go anytime you want.”
“I’m done here,” Ed told him. “Do you need a ride home, Bull? How much have you been drinking?”
“This is my fourth beer in over two hours, and Peace brought me a big shrimp plate. I’m fin
e. I’ll see you tomorrow, Peace. Take care, Ed.”
“See ya’, Chief,” Peace replied.
“I’ll see you tomorrow when you come for class,” Polasky added.
Bull looked back for a moment, smiling. “I forgot tomorrow’s Tuesday. I already did my homework. See you then, Ed.”
Ed and Peace watched Bull leave, before they hung up their aprons, and began shutting off the lights.
“He took it like a man. Bull’s a class act,” Polasky commented as the two men walked out together.
“If you had seen those two at the barbeque, you’d be wondering what the hell could have happened. Something ain’t right in this, Ed. If I hadn’t seen Holly in here breaking up with Bull, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“You may be right, but what the hell can you do,” Polasky nodded in agreement. “Women are the strangest creatures on Earth, and I’d be nuts to venture a guess as to what’s going through Holly’s mind. Like I told Bull, I liked her.”
“I think I should look into this.”
Polasky stopped dead in his tracks, just before they reached the door to exit. He stared at Peace in disbelief, his hands on his hips. “Excuse me?”
“I know what you’re thinking, I just don’t like that Ken guy. I thought I’d…”
“You thought you’d just stick your nose in it, and end up making things worse. Holly will either come to her senses or she won’t, 007. You stay out of it, or I’ll get Nancy after you.”
Peace shrugged. “Okay, but I still don’t like it.”
“Yea,” Polasky retorted, following Peace through the door, and then turning to set the lock and alarm system. “Stifle yourself, Meathead. Keep your ugly mug out of Bull’s business.”
“Bu… but… Archie…” Peace mimicked the Rob Riener character’s nasal whine from the old television series All In The Family.
“Just remember what I said, Meathead,” Polasky laughed, pointing a warning finger in Peace’s face.
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