by JD Faver
“I knew that,” Bernie said. “We’re talking about the men who killed Colin?”
“Yes, but it gets worse.”
There was a long silence. “Tell me.”
Teri outlined the death of Marcel Farmer and the kidnapping of Sister Clement. She told Bernie about the money and her plan to trade it for Clem.
“Holy Mother of God!”
“Bernie...”
“Are you out of your mind? Where is this Detective Angel in all this?”
“Detective Angel Garcia doesn’t know I have the money. When I met him, I lied to him. I said I didn’t know about it. I didn’t trust him at first and I didn’t know if I’d have to use it to run again.”
“So now it’s a sin of omission?”
Teri smiled, in spite of her fear. “Even I can’t sell that one.”
“What are you going to do now?” Bernie asked.
“I’m going to call the kidnapper and try to get Clem back. What about the janitor?”
“I’ll try to avoid him. I don’t think he’ll enter the convent. I can hang around until my classes start and run like a chicken when the students leave.”
“Atta girl.”
“Teri, please don’t try to take on the kidnappers by yourself. You can tell your Angel about the lie. He’ll understand and protect you.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Teri said. “I made a deal with his mother that I wouldn’t get him killed.”
“He’s got a gun and you don’t.” Bernie let out a soft whimper. “Teri?”
“I’m here.”
“Just this once, you have my permission to be a complete bystander. Let someone else be a super hero. You have to make a deal with me not to get yourself killed.”
“I’ll do my best, Bernie. I can’t bear it if anyone else dies because of me...I’ve gotta go now. Pray for me.”
She hung up abruptly and tucked her cell in her pocket.
Time to save the day or die trying.
#
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“She’s gone?” Angel stared at his parents in disbelief. “How did she leave? She doesn’t have a car and she doesn’t know the city. Where would she go?”
“Calm down, Angel,” Arturo said. “She was gone when I got home from taking the kids to school.”
A deep furrow formed between Isabel’s brows. “Teri was sitting in our bedroom looking at the Christmas album. I took Abuelita to her room for a nap. Then I went down to start preparing the meal. I didn’t miss her until you came home.”
“So she’s been out of pocket for at least two hours?”
“I guess.” Isabel wrapped her arms around herself.
Angel stepped into the hall and called Teri’s cell.
“Hello, Angel,” she said.
A wave of relief washed over him. “Teri, where are you?”
“I,… I can’t tell you.”
He fought down the choking sensation. “Teri, you’re in serious danger. Just tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.”
“I’m sorry, Angel. I can’t tell you. Please don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you, baby. I’m afraid for you.”
Teri laughed softly. “Me too.”
“What is it you think you’re doing?”
Her voice broke and she spoke in a throaty whisper. “I’ve been the cause of so much trouble, for you and your family and to the nuns here. The Private Investigator is dead because of me. Sister Clem is in danger because of me. I’ve had the money all along. I have to make things right.”
“Teri, please—” He wanted to reach out to her, hold her.
“Angel,” her voice faltered. “I love you.”
The phone disconnected.
Angel ran his fingers through his hair. A muscle in his jaw twitched and he took a deep breath before he could trust himself to speak. “She’s in danger. Do you all understand me? Her life is in danger.”
His parents nodded at him.
“If she comes back, call me immediately and do not let her leave.” He headed for the back door, slamming his hand against the door frame as he passed through it. “If you have to use duct tape, don’t let her out of this house.”
Angel got into the rental car and Arturo slid in on the passenger side.
“Pop?” He didn’t have patience for any delays.
“Son, I’m going with you.”
Angel met his father’s calm but unyielding gaze. “Okay.” He started the ignition.
“Where are we going?”
Angel opened the glove compartment and removed a flat device. He opened the lid and punched some buttons. He smiled as he gazed at the grid.
“What’s that, son?” Arturo asked.
“I planted a tracking device on her cell phone.” He ground the idling motor into reverse and roared out of the driveway. “Everything starts at the convent.”
#
After she disconnected from Angel, Teri sat staring into space for a few minutes. He called back but she didn’t answer.
She told him she loved him and she did. She didn’t want to lose him.
The concrete bench was smooth, worn by decades of use. She rubbed her finger across the roses carved into the arm rest. The smell of antique roses intoxicated her. Bees buzzed as they poked into flowers. Birds chirped and twittered. A group of pigeons cooed from a niche under the eaves of the chapel. From the street, the sound of a car horn brought her back to the all too real world.
She suppressed a shudder as she visualized Colin’s face with a bullet hole in his forehead. She’d rather be dead than see Angel in that same state.
Sbe forced her thoughts in a different direction. Where was the kidnapper holding Clem? He had to know she wouldn’t deal with him if Clem was harmed.
She shook herself into action. She searched her phone memory and redialed the kidnapper’s number she’d lifted from Angel.
Angel...It wouldn’t do to think of him now. She had to be clear and focused. Her call was answered on the first ring.
“I’d nearly given up on you.” The voice almost caressed her. “Do you have my money?”
“Yes. Do you have my nun?”
“Right here, being quiet like a little mouse.”
“She’d better be able to talk to me or the deal is off.” Teri winced as she heard Clem cry out.
“Hello?” Clem sounded scared.
“Hi, Clem. Are you alright?”
“I guess. Are you?”
“Absolutely!” Teri had to smile, hoping her old self assurance had returned. “I’m going to get you back, Clem. Father Conlyn sends his prayers.”
“Oh!” Clem expended a long sigh of relief, as though Father Conlyn’s prayers resolved everything.
“Enough chit-chat,” the man said. “Where do you propose to make this exchange?”
“In a crowded public place. Believe me when I tell you, all I want is the nun. You can have the money.” Teri tried to stand, but thought her knees might buckle.
“Believe me when I tell you that all I want is my money. I don’t give a rat’s ass about you or your little nun here. But if you cross me, you both die. I’m tired of all the crap you’ve put me through.”
“Meet me in Brackenridge Park at the train station by the Sunken Gardens in thirty minutes. I see you with the nun and I’ll hand you the bag of cash in exchange.”
“What is Bracken Park?” The man sounded exasperated. “I don’t want any tricks out of you.”
“Brackenridge Park. Sister Clement knows how to get there. I’m not going to try any tricks. It’s a simple exchange.” Teri cleared her throat. “It looks like a lot of money in trade for one little nun.”
“You don’t know how much cash you’re holding?”
“I didn’t count it. Should I?”
“No. Just hand it over. I’ll find the park and I’ll see you at the train station by the Sunken Gardens.” He hung up abruptly.
Teri took several deep breaths and tried to slow the hammer beating
against her ribcage.
#
Bernie stared at the telephone. For the first time since she’d taken her vows, she wondered if she’d made the right choice. Would Teri be in trouble if she’d had her big sister to rely on? If Bernie had been closer to her, perhaps they could have worked out the problems together.
She realized how isolated Teri must feel.
Bernie had an entire order of fellow nuns. Teri only had her and she lived in a convent a whole state away. Now they were half a continent apart and her hands were tied.
Where is this Angel? Why isn’t he protecting her?
“Sister Bernadette? Are you alright?”
She turned to find Sister Clair smiling at her. She nodded, making light of her reverie.
Leaving the parlor she returned to her classroom. She tidied the desks and laid out the supplies for the next lesson.
She had an eerie feeling as though she was being watched. She glanced out the open doorway but there was no one in the hall. She scanned the bank of louvered windows and saw Sister Mary Magdalene holding onto her skirt against the stiff breeze as she scurried across the quad.
Bernie crossed herself and said a prayer for Teri’s safety. She stepped into the hallway and found Klaus standing on a stepladder changing a florescent tube in the light fixture overhead. She stared at him, open-mouthed. He didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her as she sidled past him and strode quickly to the other end of the building into the student-filled dining hall.
#
Angel left his father in the car with the motor idling. The tracking device showed that Teri was on the move, but she’d been here. He spotted the priest talking to two students and sprinted to where they stood.
“Pardon me, Father,” he said.
The priest turned to him, dismissing the girls.
“Have you seen this woman?” He held a small photo of Teri Slaughter, looking tanned, with long hair and make-up.
Father Conlyn smiled. “Yes, I have.”
“She’s in great danger, Father.” Angel’s dark gaze would have intimidated a lesser man. “Where is she now?”
“I can’t tell you, son. She came to me for confession.”
Angel turned away, gritted his teeth and then turned back to the priest. “Can you tell me how long she’s been gone?”
“Probably ten minutes, at most.” Father Conlyn made the sign of the cross in the air, blessing Angel. “I pray you can save them.”
“Them? She’s going after Clem?” Angel realized he wouldn’t get an answer from the priest. He raced back to the car and found Arturo studying the tracking device.
“I think she’s going to Brackenridge Park,” he said.
#
You want me to drop you here, lady?” The taxi driver looked around uncertainly. “Is someone meeting you, or something?”
“Or something,” Teri handed him one of the crisp hundred dollar bills. “Keep it,” she said.
She clutched the blue bag and walked briskly across the wide grassy lawn approaching the train station from the rear. The grass looked smooth from the street, but it was difficult to walk on due to large bare areas of hard-packed earth. She tried to walk with purpose, but knew if she turned her ankle in one of the cracks in the sun-baked clay she wouldn’t be able to accomplish her mission. She kept her head down, picking her way carefully through the disastrous ruts until the grass grew more lush, closer to the train and picnic area. She stepped under the shade of a covered picnic pavilion to wait and observe the train.
#
Angel called Tolliver and explained the situation as succinctly as possible.
“What the hell you been up to, Garcia?” Tolliver’s deep voice rumbled in his chest.
“My neck, Sergeant. Please send back-up. I’m rolling now.” He disconnected. Angel glanced at his father.
“I’m glad your mother doesn’t know what you do for a living, son.”
“And we’ll never tell her.” Angel turned into the park and slowed, looking at the device in Arturo’s hands. He pulled to the side and touched a few keys, enlarging the image. He drove forward slowly until it appeared he was right on top of the blinking dot on the screen.
He stopped the car and looked around.
“There’s nothing here,” Arturo said. They were in the middle of the park with the zoo just ahead and to the right and a wide grassy area with railroad tracks for the miniature train to travel.
Angel punched in Teri’s cell one more time, breathing a sigh of relief as she answered.
“Teri, are you alright?”
“Why do you keep asking me that? Is there some reason I wouldn’t be alright?”
Angel motioned to his father and took the tracking device from him. “No, baby. I just wanted to hear your voice.” He narrowed his eyes as he pinpointed her location. At least she was stationery. He handed the GPS monitor to Arturo.
Teri laughed. “Liar.”
“No, really,” he said as he started across the grassy area toward the train. “You can’t tell a man you love him and then hang up. How much do you love me?”
“A lot,” she said. “I’m kind of busy now. Can we talk about this later?”
“Sure, we can talk over dinner. I’ll take you for a romantic meal and you can tell me how much you love me. How does that sound?” He and Arturo were gaining ground.
“Whatever you want,” she said. “I’ve got to go.” The whistle from the Brackenridge Eagle sounded close in the background.
“No, Teri. Please talk to me.”
“Angel, I’m not a bystander. Whatever happens, just remember that I really loved you.” She disconnected.
“Damn! She thinks she’s going to die.” Angel shoved the phone in his pocket and ran full out toward the train, his father close behind.
#
Bernie locked her classroom and walked down the hall to leave the school. She looked around for Klaus but didn’t locate him spying on her from any vantage point. Bernie expelled a relieved breath.
She needed exercise. One quick circle around the grounds wouldn’t hurt. After that she could have dinner with the other nuns in the convent dining hall and perhaps look over the wildflower book she’d checked out of the library.
She set out briskly, swinging her arms. First she rounded the garden with its flagstone walkway. Then she circled the greenhouse and potting shed. She noticed that the door to the potting shed stood ajar.
Bernie stopped and peeked inside. Seeing no one, she closed the door and stood on tiptoe to latch it.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Klaus said. He easily reached over her head and fastened the latch.
Bernie jumped away, too frightened to speak. She hadn’t heard him approach. She seemed to be frozen in place, her wide blue eyes staring up at the man who could snap her neck with one hand.
“Are you okay, lady? Do you need to sit down or something?” Klaus reached out to steady her.
She looked down at the large fingers gripping her elbow. Bernie found her voice. “Who are you?...I don’t mean your name. What are you doing here?”
“I’m just Klaus, Ma’am.” He released her elbow. “You should go inside now.”
She turned and rushed away from him, almost running toward the safety of the convent.
Suddenly huge hands gripped her and lifted her off her feet. She felt herself being held against a rock hard chest as she was carried from the convent grounds.
She took a deep breath to scream, but a meaty hand clamped over her mouth. She tried to make as much noise as she could while she kicked her heels against her abductor.
Clutching Bernie against his chest, he ran out through the stone archway at the entrance to the convent. She saw a car at the curb and another man behind the wheel. He swung the passenger door open.
Bernie locked her legs in a wide arc and stiffened her body, making it difficult for the man to fold her into the car.
Suddenly she was falling backwards as her abductor was thrown on
his back. The car sped off without them, tires screeching.
Klaus stood over them, his foot on the would-be kidnapper’s neck. He held out his hand to Bernie.
She gazed up at him and stretched both hands toward him. He lifted her effortlessly to her feet and shoved her behind him as he handcuffed the man on the ground. “You have the right to remain silent,” he said. He recited the rest of the Miranda mantra as Bernie made an attempt to recover her composure.
“Who are you?” she asked when he was done.
“I’m just Klaus, Ma’am. Officer Klaus Grunfeld. Detective Garcia assigned me to protect you.”
Bernie laughed. She laughed so hard her ribs hurt. She leaned against the stone archway at the entrance to the convent grounds and laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks.
#
CHAPTER TWENTY
Teri’s distinctive hair was hidden under her Spurs baseball cap and the large hot pink sunglasses dwarfed her features. She sat under a pavilion reserved for large parties. The massive concrete pillars supported a poured concrete roof. She guessed it had been built in the thirties as it bore the unmistakable stamp of that era.
It was relatively cool in the shade. She watched a family with two small excited boys waiting for their turn to ride on the train.
She felt disconnected and unafraid. In some neat compartment of her mind, Teri thought she should be terrified, but she couldn’t bring it to the forefront.
It might have been all those years in front of the camera where she’d put aside her personal feelings to promote whatever product the sponsor was trying to sell. Or it could have been the recent years in advertising when she put on a smile and greeted clients who were so impressed with themselves because Teri Slaughter, former model was their account manager.
Absolutely! Teri Slaughter could pull this off.
She glanced at her watch. She moistened her dry lips and phoned the kidnapper.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“What do you mean? Where the hell are you? You better live up to your end of the bargain, or else. . .”
“Or else what?”
“If you don’t watch your step the little nun won’t make it through this adventure.”