“Come on, Sandy, time to go,” says Liam. He and Sandy leave the storage unit and return back to the Cruiser. Liam thinks to himself, Dad sure knew what he was doing when he built this hidden compartment area under the back seat. He places the handgun, shotgun, and ammunition in the compartment and replaces the backseat.
“Okay, old girl, let's go,” says Liam. Sandy jumps in the front seat, and they drive back toward the front office.
Henry meets Liam at the exit and asks, “Did you find what you're looking for?”
He looks into Liam's eyes and says, “You're going back into the jungle, aren't you?”
“Henry, this time the animals came here. I've got to go. I won't put what family I have left in danger,” says Liam, looking at Henry.
“You go do what you need to, son, but you come back. I can't deal with your mother alone. Since we were kids, she's been one stubborn Irish woman,” says Henry.
Liam notices the front sign to the business, and while chuckling says, “Hey, with a name like Hank Swank, you can handle anything.”
“Now, you know this place was already named Swank’s Storage when I bought it. I thought it was a catchy business name, so I just added Hank to the sign,” replies Henry.
“Well, Henry O’Hara, I've got to go. I'd be obliged if you'd look in on Mama while I'm away,” says Liam. He looks at Henry and wants to say more, but Henry looks at him and says,
“Do what you have to, but come back to us!”
Liam and Sandy drive off.
d
The door opens from Chief Green's office at the Port Saint Lucie Police Department and Detective Tibedoe asks loudly, “Tony, Officer Youngblood, will you join me in the chief's office, please?”
Molina, having just returned from the Coroner's Office, gathers some papers together, expecting to brief the chief on the autopsy and the identification of the John Does. Officer Youngblood is somewhat surprised to be called into the chief's office and gets nervous.
They enter the office, and Chief Green says, “I've called you all in after talking with John about the status of the investigation. John has given me the updates as to who the two dead guys are, and their criminal background. John and I have spoken with the district attorney's office, and we are all in agreement that this shooting was a case of justifiable homicide. No crime was committed by O’Connor. With that in mind, your investigation is completed. Now, having said that, John and I believe that O'Connor's life is still in danger. John, you and Tony go and speak to O’Connor and let him know what the DA’s decision on this matter was. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear the news. Also, let him know that a two-man patrol vehicle will be outside his condo for the next several days or so. What I've learned about Liam O’Connor is that he's going hunting, and probably won't be around long. I also wanted to tell all of you, you all did a fine job out there. I know this was Officer Youngblood's first time assisting in a homicide investigation.”
Chief Green looks at Officer Youngblood and says, “I believe you have good instincts as an investigator. I think when a spot opens up in the detective division, you should put in a transfer request. Tony, you were right! Shea was in the Army, those were military tats on his arm. Doc Hill found positive identification through Shea's military records. Good work,” says Chief Green.
“Chief, Tony and I will go and speak with O’Connor,” says Tibedoe.
“Okay, take Youngblood with you, too,” says Chief Green.
The detectives leave the chief's office and meet outside in the parking lot of the police station.
“Detective Molina and Officer Youngblood, there is one last thing I wanted to talk to you about, away from the chief,” says Tibedoe. “If I can figure out that something is going on with you two, you can bet the chief knows it, too.” You two need to get your shit together fast! Don't say anything. This is where I talk, and you listen. Both the chief and I see eye to eye when it comes to workplace romance. It usually ends badly. My suggestion to you two is, get over it. If you don't, your careers could be affected, and you both have bright futures here. You think about what I'm saying. You could be working together for many years to come, possibly as partners. Can you deal with that?” asks Tibedoe.
“This ends my fatherly advice for today. Now, let's go talk with Mr. O’Connor.”
The three drive to O'Connor's condo, saying nothing on the ride over.
Liam and Sandy arrive back at the condo, and he begins to pack for Boston. He wonders what he will do with Sandy on this trip. He doesn't want to take her, because he knows he might not be returning home. He remembers to bring his favorite leather jacket, an old black jacket given to him some twenty-five years ago by Kelley. He recalls Kelley telling him,
“Liam, if you want to be properly warmed, you come home. But until that happens, this jacket will have to do the job.”
Liam wore the jacket in the Boston winters, but always looked forward to coming home.
Sandy begins to bark and starts to pace near the front door. Liam knows someone is outside the home. He places his gun under his jacket and starts toward the door when he hears a knock. Liam approaches the door slowly, looks out the front window and sees Lieutenant Tibedoe, Molina and Officer Youngblood. He places the gun and jacket on the kitchen counter and opens the front door.
“Mr. O’Connor, we have some news for you. May we please come in?” asks Lieutenant Tibedoe.
“Sure,” says Liam. He looks back at his jacket on the kitchen table, sees the gun is completely covered, and continues to open the door. Tibedoe, Molina, and Youngblood enter the residence and sit down in the living room.
“Liam, the chief and I ran this case by the district attorney. The DA believes this is justifiable homicide and not a crime,” says Tibedoe. “So as far as we're concerned, this investigation is closed. We just wanted to let you know this.”
“Well, thank you for coming by and telling me. Were you able to identify my two visitors last night?” asks Liam.
“Yes, the light complexioned guy was identified as Bobby Dale Pentacost, and the other we identified as Daniel Scott Shea,” says Lieutenant Tibedoe.
Detective Molina asks, “Do you recognize any of those names, maybe from past cases or something?” Detective Molina, Tibedoe and Officer Youngblood look at Liam.
Liam looks into Detective Molina's eyes and says, “I don't recall those names.” He realizes that his left hand is slightly shaking uncontrollably and puts the hand in his pants pocket. Officer Youngblood looks around the condo and notices a red canvas bag with the logo “Boston College Eagles” on it, placed near the kitchen counter, and sees the jacket near the bag. She continues to scan the room. “Is there something I can help you with, Officer?” asks Liam as he notices her looking around the residence.
“No, Mr. O’Connor, I was looking just for Sandy.”
“Sandy is probably lying in her favorite chair in my office,” says Liam. “This is the time of day she usually takes her nap.”
“Sounds like my kinda dog,” says Officer Youngblood.
“Well, I was wondering if I could ask a big favor of you, Officer Youngblood,” says Liam.
He looks at Officer Youngblood, Detective Molina, and Lieutenant Tibedoe and walks toward Officer Youngblood, getting a couple of feet from her. As Liam walks towards Youngblood, Molina becomes unsettled and starts toward Liam.
He looks over at Detective Molina and says, “Easy, Skippy, I'm on your side.” Liam looks down at her face and asks, “Officer?”
“Please call me Tina,” requests Officer Youngblood.
“Okay then. Tina, would you mind looking after Sandy for a few days while I'm gone?”
Lieutenant Tibedoe asks, “Liam, where are you headed to?”
“I'm driving back to Boston for a few days to see some family. I should only be gone for about five days or so. I would really appreciate it. Sandy doesn't get along well with most people, but she didn't mind being with you last night,” says Liam. “I can't take her to my mama's
place. If you can't watch her or don't have the room for her, I understand. Dogs aren't for everyone,” says Liam. He looks into the eyes of Tina and flashes back to a time when he looked into the eyes of Kelley, remembering her green eyes, soft pale skin and her long, flowing auburn hair. He starts to lean down as though he is going to smell Kelley's hair, but he stops, realizing it's Tina in front of him.
Tina steps closer to Liam while he stares into her eyes. She starts to breathe faster, feeling a warm, tingling sensation on the back of her neck. She reaches back to rub her neck and thinks to herself: compose yourself. Breathe through your nose. After a long, awkward pause, he looks toward the others as though what just happened surprised him. What seemed like a frozen moment in time was really no more than a few seconds of direct eye contact.
Liam steps back a few paces and notices his hand has stopped shaking. He says to Tina, “Well, hmm, if you can't...”
“I would be glad to watch her,” says Tina. “I'll be here to pick her up after I complete my shift in a few hours.”
“Very good, then,” says Liam. “I'll have everything ready and waiting for you.”
“Okay, Liam, we just came to give the latest information from the district attorney,” says Lieutenant Tibedoe. Detective Molina, Tibedoe, and Officer Youngblood begin walking toward the front door when Sandy comes from the office and walks toward Officer Youngblood. Youngblood reaches down and starts petting Sandy.
“Tibedoe,” says Liam, “last night my handgun was seized. What are the chances I can get it back today, since I committed no crime?”
“Not happening today, Liam,” says Lieutenant Tibedoe. “Guns are released back to the owners when the Department of Justice clears them, which can take several weeks, as you know.”
“I thought so,” says Liam.
Lieutenant Tibedoe, Molina, and Officer Youngblood leave Liam's place and return to their vehicle.
“Sir,” asks Officer Youngblood, “are you still going to have officers assigned to O’Connor until he leaves?”
“Tina, it's done. Look over there,” says Tibedoe.
She looks over to the parking lot area of the complex and sees a marked patrol vehicle with two uniformed officers.
“They have been told to shadow him until otherwise directed. This protection detail will continue until the chief shuts it down,” says Detective Tibedoe.
“It makes it difficult to do much, being watched like that,” says Molina with a smile.
“So you're going to watch his dog?” asks Tibedoe.
“Tina, you be careful. When you are with him, you too are in danger. You may be blinded to that right now,” says Tibedoe.
“Tina, John is right. I saw how you looked at him in there. We may have had our time, and I wish it would have lasted, but like so many of my relationships, it didn't. Oh hell, I know I have, let's say, relationship issues with women, but the way I saw you look at him was the way I want a woman to feel with me. Just don't expect too much from him,” says Molina.
“I mean, when he's looking at you, who is he really seeing?” asks Tibedoe.
“That dude has issues, but who doesn't?” says Tony. “I just don't want to see you get hurt.” Detective Molina, Lieutenant Tibedoe, and Officer Youngblood get into their vehicle, and Detective Tibedoe turns to Tony and says,
“I guess if you peel an onion a layer at a time, you might be surprised what you'll find.”
“Yeah, that's true with all of us,” says Tina. They drive away with Lieutenant Tibedoe realizing that Molina and Youngblood are going to be all right.
d
Liam looks out his window and sees the detectives drive off, and spots the marked patrol vehicle in the parking lot outside his condo. He continues to load his bags into his vehicle. He checks the engine’s oil level and other fluids, like his dad had taught him. With a twenty-four hour drive ahead of him, he needs the Toyota Cruiser to be reliable. I have no doubt the Cruiser will hold up, but will I, wonders Liam as he looks at the Cruiser. I'm taking pills just to make myself stop shaking. I haven't had a drink of Jameson for over ten months, and yet I see, smell, and talk to Kelley like she's alive.
He thinks back about eight months ago, when his doctor told him he had Parkinson's. He knows, in time, what can become of him. His mind and body could weaken, and he'll become challenged by life's simple tasks. He laughs. That's my damn Irish luck. I survive over thirty years as a cop, and my body turns on itself, thinks Liam.
The challenges ahead of him bring renewed energy to Liam. He continues to pack the Cruiser with the proper food and drink for the journey back to Boston. Beef jerky, Gatorade, and a Starbucks card will be a good start. He checks the computer for the road and weather conditions from Port Saint Lucie to Boston, Massachusetts. Nothing could be finer than Boston in the winter, thinks Liam. He notices Sandy walk to the front door as though someone is approaching. He retrieves his handgun from the kitchen counter and walks toward the front door. He looks outside an adjoining window and sees that it's Officer Youngblood. He opens the door before she can knock, which catches her by surprise. With his handgun tucked behind his back leg, Liam continues to open the door and says,
“Please come on in.”
Tina looks down at Liam's right arm and spots that he has tucked a handgun toward his backside.
“I see you found another gun, Liam,” she says.
“Sorry about that. Hell of a way to greet a lady,” says Liam while backing up and lifting the gun out in plain view. “Let me put this thing down.” He moves over to the kitchen counter and places the handgun back on the counter near his jacket.
“Please come in. I don't always meet people at the door with a gun in my hand, but stuff happens with me,” says Liam.
“That's okay. I'm armed too,” says Tina.
Liam notices that she's not in uniform. In fact, she's wearing jeans and a tee shirt that reads USMC Explosive Ordinance Disposal School, Camp Pendleton, California. He also sees she has a gun tucked in her waistband underneath her shirt. Liam does another once-over of Tina and thinks to himself, damned attractive, but she can't be but a few years older than my daughter.
“I really appreciate your willingness to watch Sandy. I know earlier it may have been difficult for you to say no to my request, but if you've changed your mind, it's really okay. I can just board her for a few days,” says Liam.
“No,” says Tina, “I'm looking forward to this. She seems like a great dog.”
“Please sit down, let me move my bags from the chair. Please sit,” says Liam as he points to an empty chair. “She really is. She's a good listener, too. She and I have had some good conversations over the past several months or so.” Sandy comes to the side of Liam and sits beside him. He strokes her head while looking at her. “She means a lot to me,” he says. “I was thinking about this before you came over. It might be easier for you to stay here and dog sit... I mean, I know you work. You could stay here, or just come and go. It might be easier for both you and Sandy. I know this sounds forward of me, but I plan on hitting the road, so the place would be yours.
“I would like that,” says Tina.
“Good. You might tell Tibedoe that the babysitters won't be needed anymore,” says Liam.
He looks at Sandy and at Tina, and says, “Nice shirt,” staring at her chest.
Tina's chest is that of a well-developed woman, but he's referring to the print on the shirt. However, Liam thinks what he just said could have been taken a different way. “I didn't mean it that way,” says Liam as his hands reach out into two curved simulated breasts. He looks at his hands and just shakes his head.
“I'm really not a pervert. Forgive my manners.”
“That's okay, my husband used to do the same thing. I haven't had such a sweet compliment in years,” says Tina.
“I didn't know you were married. I just assumed...I mean, you and Detective Molina seemed like you had a thing going. I just thought…”
“My husband was killed in Iraq ab
out five years ago. This is actually his shirt,” says Tina. “He was an EOD specialist.”
“I'm sorry to hear that,” says Liam.
“We were married for a year when he got deployed. No kids. God had a different plan, I guess,” says Tina.
“Yeah, I know about changes of plans. Personally, I think it sucks. I'm not much into change at my age,” says Liam. “My mother says that very same thing about change, that God has a different plan. I guess it will happen whether I want it to or not,” says Liam.
“I saw a picture of your wife and daughter while I was searching your bedroom last night. They're beautiful women,” says Tina.
“Molley and Kelley look a lot alike. They too, are gifted in the chest area,” says Liam with a smile. “My wife used to say, 'Liam, my lollies'—that's what she called her boobs—'are working themselves down South the older I get.' I would tell her, where they go, I go!” he says. “She would just point her finger at me and say, “Liam Matthew O’Connor. You know better. But I love you anyway.”
Liam looks at the photograph and remembers the time it was taken, and smiles.
“Your daughter is lovely too. She works out of Atlanta, right?” asks Tina.
He looks at his daughter in the photograph and says, “Yes, she lives in Atlanta and works at a big hospital as their human resource manager. We're not on speaking terms right now. She blames me for Kelley's death, and I'm not sure she's wrong.”
Tina looks at Liam, and he stares back for several seconds. She wants to say something but feels it's inappropriate.
“All right, Tina, I need to hit the road. Do you have a cell phone number I can call, so I can check up on Sandy from time to time?” asks Liam. Tina gives Liam her cell phone number, and he starts to gather his last bags from his home.
“Do you have a cell number you can be reached at, in case I need to get a hold of you?” asks Tina.
“No, Tina, I think it's best I call you from pay phones,” says Liam.
He works his way toward the front door, stops and looks down at Sandy. “Sandy, you be good. I'll be back soon.” He looks at Tina and says, “And if I don't make it back, God has a plan. We just need to accept it. Now I must tell you, Sandy is a great conversationalist. She says a lot with her eyes.”
The Key to Betrayal Page 4