Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 05 - Till Death Do Us Part

by Peggy Dulle

  “No, they always make me cry and I’m just not in the mood, right now.”

  Art laughed. I threw away all of the paper cartons. I guess there wouldn’t be any leftovers for Kenny and me. Maybe I should order twice as much next time. My tax dollars at work!

  It was late, so I said goodnight to Art and changed into my pajama shorts and T-shirt. Then I climbed into bed. I set the phone on the nightstand again for Tom’s call and fell quickly asleep. I probably would have slept all night, if it weren’t for the gunshot and shouting that startled me awake.

  Chapter 17

  “Throw the weapon on the ground,” Art yelled.

  “It’s not a …,” Kenny began.

  “I said get on the floor,” Art yelled louder.

  “I am on the floor,” Kenny screamed back.

  “Lace your hands behind your back and don’t move.”

  “I’m not moving,” Kenny screamed again.

  I threw on a robe and walked down my hallway. “Hello, Kenny,”

  “What the hell, Stretch?” Kenny yelled.

  Art’s knee was in Kenny’s back and his gun pointed at his head. I started to chuckle and then exploded into a belly laugh. My life was weird!

  Kenny frowned at me. “I’d love to be laughing with you, Stretch, but I’m pinned on the ground by this guy’s pointed knee.”

  “Who’s Stretch?” Art asked.

  I wiped away my tears and said. “Art, my Federal Protection Special Agent, whose real name is Tony, but I told Jay it was Art, so we are calling him Art, meet my best friend, Kenny Martin, who has a key to my house and came in search of the leftovers you ate.”

  “Your friend?” Art said.

  “He ate the leftovers?” Kenny whined.

  Art stood up and helped Kenny stand. “Sorry about that.”

  “Why’d you shoot at me?” Kenny asked, rubbing his back where Art used his knee to hold him to the floor.

  “I saw the gun,”

  “What gun?” I asked.

  Kenny held up an orange plastic gun. “It’s a tennis ball shooter for Shelby, I got it at the airport.”

  “I shot over your head. It was just a warning shot,” Art said, although I could see a slight tremor in his hand. He almost shot someone over a dog toy.

  I heard the sirens coming down the street and put my head in my hands.

  “You have fast neighbors,” Art said.

  “You have no idea. I think Mrs. Crasten sits at her window all day and all night long. She’s a neighborhood watch’s dream.”

  Art set his gun down on the kitchen counter and said, “I’ll go out and talk to them.”

  I shut the front door and Kenny started chuckling. I joined him. By the time Art came back, we were both hysterical, with tears running down our cheeks.

  “You two are weird,” he said.

  Kenny and I busted up even more.

  “I’m going to bed.” Art picked up his gun.

  “Hey, Art,” Kenny stopped laughing and said, “Just so you know, I’m sometimes here in the morning raiding Stretch’s refrigerator, too, so don’t shoot me.”

  “And if you’re missing me, check Kenny’s condo next door. I raid his refrigerator, too,” I added.

  “Who is this Stretch?” Art asked.

  I smiled and Kenny pointed to me.

  “She doesn’t seem that tall to me,” Art mumbled and went to his room.

  Kenny and I started laughing again and when we finally were laughed out, I said, “Sorry I don’t have food for you, Kenny.”

  “Jay was here, what happened to my order or the leftovers from yours?”

  “The Fed ate it all.”

  “He ate his, yours and mine.”

  I nodded.

  “Order more next time,” Kenny said.

  “That was my plan, especially since we’re using his government issued credit card.”

  “My tax dollars at work,” Kenny said, echoing my previous statement.

  I reached over and gave him a big hug. “I missed you.”

  He smiled and hugged me back. “I missed you, too.”

  “Hey, did you say you got that toy for Shelby at the airport?”

  Kenny smiled. “I used your suggestion, rode first class, and got a stewardess to hold my hand.”

  “That’s great.”

  “I got her to hold other things, too.” And Kenny began telling me all the things he got the stewardess to do in the galley and in the bathroom.

  “La, la, la,” I finally put my hands over my ears.

  Kenny laughed and then continued, “I’m already starting to think of all the places I can go now that I don’t have to drive the highways of America. She was a really lovely stewardess, too.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt about that.” I reached over and stroked his cheek. “With this pretty face, they all fall at your feet. But I thought you weren’t coming home until next week?”

  “I already sold my house. It took less than twenty-four hours and cleaning out my office took only a few hours. I decided to come home and surprise you.”

  “I was surprised and am very happy to see you.”

  “Tell me about the wedding plans,” Kenny said, changing the subject. He never liked it when I remarked how pretty he was.

  “I can show you.”

  Kenny and I went into the office and I showed him everything on the board. I took him through the entire wedding plan in less than five minutes. He totally understood the chaotic drawings and words.

  “That sounds awesome, Stretch. But totally not on this subject, why is there a Fed in your house?”

  Then I went through the rest of my day.

  “Wow, you have been busy today and I rescind my previous statements about Savanah. I like your new friend.”

  “Me, too.”

  Just then I heard my phone ringing in my bedroom. “Tom’s calling.”

  Kenny kissed me gently on the forehead. “Okay, I’m headed home. See you tomorrow.”

  I picked up the phone and the first words out of Tom’s mouth were, “I’ve been calling for twenty minutes, Liza. Where the hell have you been?”

  It was that tone again and my first instinct was to end the call, let him cool off, and then maybe talk to him tomorrow. But Mrs. Crasten probably called him and he’s freaking out over the gunshots and the sirens, so I took a deep breath and said, “I’ve been right here, Tom. Can you tone down your voice?”

  I heard him take a deep breath and say, more calmly, “Thanks for not hanging up on me.”

  “Did Mrs. Crasten call you?”

  “Yes, I think she has me on speed dial. She called when she heard the gunshots and the screaming. I told her to call 911 and I started calling you,” his voice elevating on the last three words.

  “I’m fine. Kenny surprised me by coming home early and do you know that he used the ‘keep Liza from having a panic attack technique’ for calming down on himself, of course he had a stewardess help him and he flew home but he was afraid to fly and now he’s not and so he comes in and he brought a toy for Shelby from the airport and Art starts yelling, ‘put the gun down and get on the ground’, of course his real name is Tony, but I called him Art when Jay got here and now I have to call him Art all the time so I won’t forget, so he yells and Kenny, of course, does exactly what he tells him to do and then I came out and it was this is Art my FBI guy and this is Kenny my best friend and we were laughing and Art says we’re weird and, can you believe, he ate all the food, even Kenny’s and my leftovers but he did pay for it, so I guess it’s all right.”

  “Stop,” Tom said. I didn’t have to see him to know his hands were in the air, in a gesture of surrender. My dad used that gesture when he was around Kenny and me, too.

  “What?”

  “Let me breathe for you and give me a second to translate all of that into something I can understand.”

  I laughed.

  “Bottom line is no one got shot and you’re all okay?”

  “Yes.” />
  “That’s all I’m concerned about.”

  “Hey, Art says that you are spending every weekend here, is that right?”

  “Yes, I hope that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to interfere with you and Kenny’s time together.” Tom said sarcastically.

  “Of course, I love you.”

  “Make sure Kenny knows I’m coming in tomorrow night and that he should knock on the door, not just come in. I bet I’m a better shot than Tony.”

  “You need to call him Art or it’s going to mess everything up.”

  Tom laughed.

  “Hey, Art says he’s going to install video cameras at my front door and in my backyard.”

  “That’s a great idea. Where is he putting the video feeds?”

  “In his bedroom.”

  “Why not the office?”

  “It’s wedding central in there. I’ve got my big board out of the garage and I’ve got wedding plans all over it.”

  “That’s great. I’d love to see them. You can show them to me when I get there tomorrow night.”

  “What time do you think you’ll get here?”

  “Probably around seven or eight.”

  “Should I wait and eat with you?”

  Tom laughed. “I love that you’re ruled by your stomach, Liza. But go ahead and eat. I’ll pick something up on my way down.”

  I yawed deeply. It was a long day.

  “You sound tired, Liza.”

  “It’s been a busy day,” I told him.

  “I love you, good night and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Love you, too, Tom.”

  I barely got the phone to the side table before I was sound asleep.

  In the morning, I threw on my robe and yelled at Art, “I’m going to Kenny’s house. He usually has the breakfast foods.”

  Art stuck his head out of door. “It’s only seven in the morning. Do you always get up this early?”

  “Yes. On a normal school day, I’d already be on my way to school, so this is late for me.”

  I could see him debate whether he should get dressed and go with me or trust that I could get next door without getting kidnapped.

  “It’s only next door,” I reassured him.

  He frowned but said, “Okay, but call me when you get there. And I’ll be happier when the video cameras are installed today. I’ll have them put two in the front, one at the door and one in the yard. Then I can see you when you go over to Kenny’s house.”

  “It’s only next door,” I repeated.

  “Give me your phone and I’ll program in my number.”

  I didn’t plan on taking my phone since it was only next door. But I went back to the bedroom, retrieved my phone and handed it to him.

  He pushed the buttons and then said, “I’m on speed dial number 1, I programmed Maury’s number as speed dial number 2.”

  “Thanks,” I put the phone into the pocket of my robe and went out the front door.

  I opened Kenny’s door with my key, walked in and found him at the kitchen table eating a bowl of Captain Crunch. There was an empty bowl and spoon next to him for me.

  “Thanks,” I sat down, poured in the cereal, and added the milk. Then I dialed Art and told him I walked the ten feet without getting kidnapped.

  He nodded at the cereal and said, “You think I should buy a different cereal, maybe Cheerios, Corn Flakes or Raisin Brand?”

  “Why? I love Captain Crunch.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Don’t go all adult on me, Kenny.”

  He laughed and added some more to his bowl.

  “If you want a variety, let’s get the kind with the berry crunches in it,” I suggested.

  “Great idea, Stretch.”

  “Are you going into work today?”

  “No, they still think I’m driving from Nashville. I thought I’d spend the day with you. Pretty soon you’ll be married and living way up north in Gainesville. I won’t get to see you every day.”

  I did not want to think about not seeing Kenny, so I asked, “Where do you want to go today?”

  “Zoo?”

  “No, I hate all those animals in cages, even though the one in Oakland is good. I take my class there every year. They do a great class on the five senses and then a docent gives us a tour of the zoo.”

  “Cool. I’d suggest Disneyland but you just got back.”

  “You know me, I’d go again, but Tom will be here tonight and just one day in Disneyland isn’t enough.”

  “So true,” Kenny said. “How about the aquarium over on Pier 39?”

  “Can we take the ferry?” I asked.

  “Sure, let’s drive to Jack London Square and take the ferry.”

  I jumped up and said, “Great, I’ll go and get dressed.”

  “Better ask your babysitter if it’s all right,” Kenny said as I went out the door.

  I had forgotten about Art. Would he want to go? I didn’t want an FBI guy in a blue suit and white little earpiece following me everywhere.

  When I got back into my house, Art sat at the front table with a McDonald’s bag. He was eating an Egg McMuffin. I sure did like this guy’s taste in food.

  “Kenny and I are going to Pier 39 today.”

  “No, you’re supposed to stay in this house.”

  “Not a chance.”

  “Ms. Wilcox, you are in protective custody.” Art stood and came near me.

  “I’m not staying here, so if you want to protect me, you’ll have to come along. And call me, Liza.”

  “Fine, I’ll get dressed.”

  “You’re not wearing a blue suit, are you?”

  He laughed. “No, I think jeans and a T-shirt would be better, don’t you?”

  “That’s great. We’re riding the ferry from Jack London Square and then enjoying the aquarium.”

  “Actually, it sounds like a fun day. It’s amazing how I live in the Bay Area but never visit the city unless I have guests in from out of town and have to play tour guide.”

  “So true. Hey, you won’t follow me in your car and then stay away from me, lurking like an alley cat while we are out today, will you?”

  “No, I think I’ll just tag along as another friend on a trek to the city.”

  “Perfect.” I went to take a shower. The weather app on my phone said it would be around sixty-seven degrees in San Francisco. I could never live there, it was just too cold. I dressed in jeans, a black V-neck shirt with Minnie and Mickey Mouse on it, and grabbed my black sweatshirt and a coat. Today, I’d have two men, one on each side, and one armed with one, probably two guns. What could happen?

  Chapter 18

  As I came out of my bedroom, Art joined me and we walked toward the front door. Before I could open it, Kenny came in. I like it when everything goes like clockwork.

  “You’ve got to drive, Stretch,” Kenny said, as he held the door for us.

  “Why? Where is your car?”

  “Since I decided to fly, I left it in Nashville. I have to go back and clean out my house at some point, so I left it in the garage and took a cab to the airport. I have a rental but it …,”

  “Looks like a rental,” I finished.

  He nodded.

  “No problem. You know I love to drive.”

  Kenny smiled and said, “Hang on tight, Art, you’re in for a real treat.”

  “Excuse me?” Art said, his eyes and voice looking wary.

  “She’s got a lead foot and loves her brakes. I told her she should have gotten a stick on her new Jeep. She drives her automatic like it is a stick, slowing on curves and wishing she could downshift.”

  I didn’t disagree. I would have loved having a stick shift, but I sit in too much traffic when I go to Tom’s house. Sticks are a pain when the traffic is stop and go. Maybe when I moved to Gainesville, I’d trade this Jeep in for one with a manual transmission.

  I got into the driver’s seat and watched Kenny and Art stare at each other as to who would get into the passenger seat and who w
ould have to take the back.

  Finally, I said, “You can protect me better from the back, Art. That way you can see where we are going and who is behind us.”

  Art nodded and got into the back seat. Kenny got in, squeezed my hand and smiled. What I said was true, but with Kenny’s long legs, it would have been hell for him to climb into the back seat.

  When I started the engine, my country-western station came on and Kenny turned it up. We sang along as we drove the freeways to Jack London Square. Art kept looking toward the front, then sides, then behind us – looking for a tail. I noticed a few times he was tapping his fingers on his lap. He must be a country music fan, too.

  “What time does the ferry leave?” Kenny asked.

  I shrugged. “Doesn’t it run every few minutes like BART?”

  “I don’t know,” Kenny shrugged.

  “I’ll look it up on my phone,” Art said.

  Both Kenny and I nodded.

  “If we hurry, we can make the 9:15 ferry. If we miss it the next one isn’t until 11:00.”

  I pushed down on the accelerator. After all, I had an FBI agent in the car with me. He should be able to keep a cop from giving me a ticket, right? I hoped so. I swerved around several cars and pushed the Jeep’s speed up a little more.

  “You needed to encourage her to drive fast?” Kenny said to Art and hung on to the door handle when I maneuvered around another car.

  “Sitting around at the ferry terminal for over an hour makes us a sitting duck, I’d rather be moving.” He grabbed the armrest as I slid across two lanes.

  We arrived at the parking structure for the ferry at 8:55, so we hustled down the street to the ferry. There was no one waiting for the ferry and no ferry at the dock. I was afraid it came early and we missed it. But before we got to the dock, the ferry pulled up.

  “Good driving, Stretch,” Kenny grabbed my hand and we walked down the dock. Art stayed on my other side, constantly searching the crowd and studying the faces.

  We got on the ferry, Kenny went to pay our fee and we sat down in the seats on the main floor of the ferry.

  When we settled down, I asked, “Are you looking for someone in particular or just looking at everyone?”

  “Actually, I am keeping a look out for the brother of the guy who tried to kidnap you.”