The Twelfth Of Never: A suspense mystery romantic thriller

by Lillian Francken

  "That doesn't sound like no trouble to me."

  "It isn't what you think. Your daughter had some important information that people would do anything to get back. She didn't know this. I've called in a friend to come and stay with you and Carla while I take Jenny back to the city."

  "Young man, I was in the Korean War, and I'm perfectly capable of taking care of my wife if that's your concern."

  "It's not that I don't trust your ability Mr. Morgan." Gideon added quickly.

  "I've got a twenty-gauge sitting in the kitchen closet. I've sent many a chicken poacher running with that."

  Gideon laughed at the thought of Ian being frightened away by an old man and a shotgun filled with buckshot. "Times are different," is all Gideon said, and then walked away from Joe.

  "Now, young man."

  Gideon turned. It had been a long time since anyone referred to him as that. "I'm sorry if I made it sound as if you weren't capable. It's just that these people are a new breed, unlike anything you've ever seen."

  "When's your friend coming?"

  "Another few hours." Gideon glanced at his watch; it was nearly two. If Jake did not make it by five he would have to start thinking about Plan B.

  "Do you know who the bad guys are?"

  "I know a few of the players: they aren't nice people, Joe. To tell you the truth, you wouldn't want to tangle with them. They don't play fair."

  "Just take care of Jenny. It would kill Carla if she lost her too."

  "I intend to," was all Gideon said.

  Gideon shook Joe's hand, as if sealing their pact. But there was no need. Now that Gideon found Jenny, he was not doing anything to jeopardize her life. He did not know why, but ever since Tuesday when he saw her in the hospital lobby, he’d felt himself come alive. All he could think about were her soft hazel eyes and her gentle smile. When he shut his eyes, he could still smell the sweet scent of jasmine. He ached inside, wanting to be consumed with all of it. How could he tell Joe that he was willing to die to keep his daughter safe? It would only sound like a hollow promise, but Gideon knew it was a promise he meant to keep.

  CHAPTER 25

  Gideon relaxed somewhat and thought they were only going to view the back forty. However, after a half hour, Joe took the path along the cornfield near the farm, Gideon started to get concerned. The path narrowed as it veered off along the woods, and then when he thought they were lost, the path ended, and a country road began. It was then Gideon saw the Four Corners Pub, a favorite watering hole for the locals and his driver.

  Gideon turned to Joe. "I don't think we should."

  "What's the harm in a beer?"

  "I don't like the idea of being away." Gideon looked at his watch.

  Joe turned to him. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

  "No," Gideon lied, not wanting to say too much. "I guess one won't hurt."

  It was early, too early for the troops to gather and make an assault. Gideon gave Joe ten minutes with his friends, and then got up to leave, with Joe reluctantly following. Gideon had been away from the house longer than he was comfortable with.

  As they pulled into the drive, Gideon searched the grounds. It was uncomfortably void of activity. It was only when Carla exited the chicken coop with a basket of eggs that Gideon breathed a sigh of relief. Joe pulled up to the tool shed where the two spent more time together. Joe worked while Gideon kept an eye on the country road.

  Finally after an hour of Joe's nonstop talking, Gideon made an excuse and walked back to the farmhouse. He went into the kitchen. The aroma of beef stew cooking and fresh apple pie baking sent his taste buds into overdrive, and for a fleeting moment he forgot the reason he was there. This was definitely heaven, or as close to it as any man could get. Gideon walked to the sink, poured himself a glass of cold water, and then glanced around the room, storing up every detail for his memory book. When Gideon saw the closet he walked over and opened the door. There tucked in the corner, standing on its butt end, was the old rusty double-barrel shotgun Joe mentioned earlier. Gideon reached up for the box on the shelf. He looked inside, and then laughed to himself when he saw six shells. It was hardly enough to hold off a poacher, much less Ian.

  "What you looking at?"

  Gideon turned quickly, staring at Jenny before answering. "Your father mentioned the gun."

  "Did you tell him about Ian?"

  "Not exactly, but I did tell him there could be trouble."

  "Gideon," Jenny shook her head. "I wish we could just leave."

  "We can't, I already explained that."

  Carla walked into the kitchen. "Will your friend be here before dinner?" she asked.

  "I don't know." Gideon replied, realizing Joe had told her to expect company and wondering if he also told her there might be trouble.

  Carla walked over to the counter and washed her hands. She took a stack of plates from the cupboard and handed them to Jenny.

  "I'll go wash up before dinner." Gideon turned, but said nothing and walked out of the room.

  Gideon walked over to the phone and dialed Langley. When the phone was picked up finally it was not Colby on the line, but Phil March again. Gideon slammed the receiver down, and then picked it up once more and dialed Colby's private number, but all he got was a recording. Gideon did not trust it to be secure and hung up again. There definitely was something wrong down at Langley. He only hoped whatever it was would not reach up to embroil Jenny's parents.

  Gideon walked slowly up the stairs, hesitating at Jenny's door, the sweet scent of jasmine still hung heavy. He savored the moment, but all the pretending in the world would not make Jenny his and when the assignment was over they would go their separate ways. It hurt to think about that, but it was a reality he would have to face.

  * * *

  Carla and Jenny busied themselves putting the finishing touches on the meal. Joe was at the head of the table sipping a cup of coffee while reading the evening paper. Gideon silently descended the stairs. He stood for a moment at the door. He wanted that feeling of belonging to this family to last. He wanted most of all to pretend he never had to run off to save the world ever again.

  "Gideon, don't just stand there. Sit down." Joe said looked up from the paper.

  Jenny turned and glanced at Gideon in the doorway. She had not realized he was standing there watching her. Jenny smiled, and then started cutting the pie.

  "Do you like apple pie?" Carla asked.

  "It's un-American not to," Gideon replied.

  "I made two, so if you want seconds, feel free."

  "Let the man eat the meal first before you start filling him full of thoughts about dessert."

  "Oh hush up," Carla scolded. "I know where you were this afternoon, and it wasn't the back forty, plowing."

  Gideon glanced at Joe, shrugged his shoulders, and then smiled sheepishly. It did not take a genius to smell the beer on either man's breath.

  They all sat down, Carla said grace while they bowed their heads in thanks. Gideon had seconds on everything and finally pushed himself away from the table.

  "You want more?" Carla asked as she reached for the platter of beef.

  Gideon raised his hands. "I'll burst," he said, then leaned back on his chair.

  "Pour us more coffee, will you Jenny?" Joe asked.

  Jenny got up and walked over to the stove. Gideon could not take his eyes off her. It was Joe clearing his throat that reminded Gideon others were in the room.

  "Gideon, remember Sam Harrison?" Joe asked, looking up at Gideon. "He was the man with the sullen look at the end of the bar?"

  Gideon thought for a moment; the bar was filled that afternoon, but he remembered the face of Sam well. "What about him?"

  "He could have been Jenny's father-in-law," Joe laughed, and then watched the expression on Jenny's face.

  Gideon turned to Jenny and smiled. He wondered what kind of man would let a woman like Jenny slip away.

  "It wasn't like that." Jenny snapped. "The only reason Cu
rt asked me to marry him was for the draft deferment. And you know that, Pa."

  "Whatever happened to the young lad?" Gideon asked, sipping his coffee while watching Jenny's feeble attempt to defend herself.

  Joe cut in, "He was killed over there. Now Sam spends his days drinking and trying to forget."

  "It must be rough?" was all Gideon could muster up to say.

  "It ain't easy." Carla dabbed the napkin to catch the tear that escaped. She quickly put it down and then got up. Carla walked to the counter and did not look around for fear they'd see the tears that would not stop.

  "You know, Gideon, this farm has been in the Morgan family for five generations, there's no one to pass it on to now."

  Carla's voice quivered as she turned to Joe. "Now is not the time to dredge up old wounds."

  Jenny glanced at Gideon and rolled her eyes. It was a clear sign to get off this subject and fast. All Gideon could do was shrug his shoulders helplessly. It was out of his control. He knew Paddy's death weighed heavy on Joe Morgan, a fact that was apparent all afternoon, but the effect on Carla was far worse.

  Just then, the sound of tires squealing out back caused all to turn. Jenny got up and hurried to the window. The black sedan next to the red sports car startled her at first until she saw the familiar red hair pop out from behind the car.

  Jenny turned to Gideon. "Your friend is here."

  Carla wiped away the tears, and then walked over to the cupboard. "I'll set another place."

  Gideon could see by the expression on Carla's face, she also was thankful for the interruption. He got up and quickly walked out the back door, taking the steps two at a time before Jake could get close to the house.

  The two men stood there. Gideon's back was to Jenny while Jake glanced up at the window where she stood watching. She knew they were discussing the situation. Jenny hoped Gideon and Jake would both leave now. She was certain no one would be interested in her once the truth was known.

  Jake followed Gideon into the kitchen. He nodded to Jenny's parents after Gideon's introduction. Finally without further ado's, Jake sat down at the table and let Carla mother him with food. Gideon walked over to the sink where Jenny stood.

  "What's up now?" she whispered.

  "Why do you think something's up?"

  "I could tell by the expression on your face. There's trouble isn't there?"

  "Yeah," he finally said, then turned away from her.

  "What is it? I have a right to know."

  "They haven't caught up with Ian yet." Gideon leaned against the cupboard, and then turned his head as he glanced over at the table.

  "Don't they know where he is?" Jenny whispered. She did not want her parents to hear the concern in her voice.

  "That's the problem. Seems they followed him to the consulate and he hasn't come out yet. The Russians aren't giving him up either."

  "Well if they know where he is, then we're safe for now."

  "It appears so, but knowing Ian, it's highly unlikely."

  Jenny sighed. "When do we go back to the city?" she asked. Jenny stared into the eyes of the man she had come to trust. "I want this all behind me."

  "Jake's pretty tired. I'd feel a lot better leaving him with your parents after a good night's rest. I thought in the morning we could leave, if that's okay with you?"

  "Can you stand twelve more hours on the farm?" Jenny sensed Gideon's reluctance to leave all afternoon.

  He turned to her. "I could stand a lifetime of it."

  "Don't make me laugh," Jenny replied. The idea of Gideon tending the cows somehow did not seem natural, and then she smiled at him. "You have this world of intrigue in your blood. You wouldn't give it up so easily."

  "For the right woman I could." Gideon gazed into Jenny's soft hazel eyes.

  Jenny turned away suddenly, not wanting to face what he was saying. Up until then, Jenny thought it was just a fixation with her photo. It had not occurred to her that Gideon's feelings for her ran deeper.

  She regained control, and then grinned as she turned to Gideon. "Do you hand all your little frauleins that line?"

  "No," is all he said, and then walked back to the table.

  Carla cut Gideon another piece of pie. Jake and Gideon talked with Joe about the farm. There was no mention about New York or the trouble that was down there. It was as if they were in another world, where only peace filled the land.

  * * *

  After dinner the men went into the living room while Jenny and Carla cleaned up the kitchen and washed the dishes. This all brought back old memories of her youth when they were a family. Jenny missed those days and almost felt as if Paddy was in the other room with her father instead of strangers. She could hear the deep voice of her father, and she knew he had conned someone into playing cribbage.

  "Your father is really enjoying your gentlemen friends."

  "I think you have it all wrong," Jenny said.

  "It doesn't matter. It's like it was when Paddy was still alive."

  Jenny glanced at her mother cleaning the sink. She could see the sad expression on her face, as she too was thinking back to a time when there was no sadness in the family.

  "I should have come home more," Jenny said finally as she touched her mother's hand lightly.

  "It wouldn't have made the loss any easier," Carla said softly.

  "Once this mess is over, I promise it will be different," it was a promise Jenny meant to keep this time.

  "We would enjoy that." Carla walked to the back door, and then looked out. "It's going to be a cool night."

  Jenny turned to her mother. "I'll go see if Pa wants anything before I go upstairs for the night."

  Jenny entered the living room where Jake and her father were sitting at the dining room table. Both men were too engrossed in their game to notice her or care.

  "Where's Gideon?" Jenny asked.

  Jake looked up, nodded to the front door. "I think he's on the porch." He quickly turned back to Joe. "I've got my eye on you."

  Joe raised his hands and deftly shuffled the cards. "I don't need to cheat to whip your butt."

  With a quick flip of the wrist Joe cut the cards and then offered the cards to Jake to cut them again. But Jake declined and then patiently waited for the cards to be dealt.

  Jenny laughed to herself, turned, and walked out the front door. Gideon was on the swing at the end of the porch. His back was to her as he stared at the road.

  "Would you like a cup of coffee?" Jenny asked.

  "No, thanks," Gideon replied. He never took his eyes off the road.

  "Do you think they will come?"

  "Hope not. It bothers me though, about not being able to get ahold of Colby all day."

  "Maybe he's busy."

  "I have his private number. It should ring wherever he is."

  "So?" Jenny asked, not understanding what it meant.

  "I keep getting Phil, the Executive Director."

  "I thought you got a recording before?"

  "Yeah I did, but now Phil picks up the line. Something's not right."

  "Now what?" she asked.

  "Tomorrow we will be out of here. Jake will stay with your parents for a day or two, until this blows over."

  "Pa will love that." Jenny said. She glanced back through the screen door at the two men still sitting at the table. Her father was in his glory having someone at his beck and call to play his favorite game.

  Gideon was not paying any attention to Jenny. He was too busy watching the car that drove slowly up the road. Gideon got up from the swing when the headlights suddenly went out. He stood and stared into the darkness, watching the silhouettes of two men getting out of the car and start running up the road toward the house. Gideon turned to Jenny.

  "Why don't we go in?" Gideon took Jenny by the arm.

  "What is it?" Jenny asked turning in the direction of the road but saw nothing.

  Gideon pushed her toward the door. He quickly opened it and looked at the two sitting at the table. C
arla came from the kitchen when she heard the commotion. Gideon strolled across the room, quickly reached for the phone, dialed a few numbers, and then slammed the receiver down.

  "It's dead," he said then turned to Jake.

  Gideon walked over and whispered something into Jake's ear so as not to alarm Jenny or her parents, but the gesture only made Jenny more anxious.

  Jake quickly unstrapped his gun while Gideon runs up the stairs. It was not long till Gideon reappeared a few moments later, tucking the envelope under his belt.

  Jenny could see the bulge under his left arm, and she knew it could only mean one thing. The trouble he feared earlier was here.

  Jake turned the lights off in the living room then went into the kitchen. There was no noise except a few farm animals that had not bedded down for the night yet. The windows were all open, and the yard lights along the drive lit up the grounds.

  Then a strange thud sound and the slow hissing noise filled the quiet night air. Gideon stared out the back window. The little sports car and dark sedan rested on wheel rims, both useless for a get-a-way. The sound of glass shattering caused all to run to the front of the house. The yard was shrouded in darkness, only evening shadows could be seen due to the lack of a moon that night.

  "What are we going to do?" Jake asked.

  "You keep an eye on that side of the house," Gideon pointed to the kitchen. "I'll go to the front. So far I've only seen two." Gideon turned to Joe. "You get that shotgun. We may need you for backup."

  "Just tell me what you want."

  "You and Jake watch these windows." Gideon then turned to Jenny. "Stick close to me."

  Carla stepped forward. "What should I do?"

  "You stay here with Jake and your husband."

  "You leaving us?" Jake asked.

  Gideon looked at Jake and shook his head. He took hold of Jenny's hand and then watched as Jake and Joe strategically covered the kitchen windows. "Tell me if you see any hint of movement."

  There was silence in the house while the occupants waited for whoever was outside to make a move. Finally after ten minutes of stalemate tactics, it was established only the two men were out there, but even then they were not sure. It would only be a matter of time before they stormed the house.