Brash Endeavor, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 3

by William Manchee

Chapter 13

  THE DINNER ENGAGEMENT

  Naturally Rebekah didn't have anything to wear for our dinner engagement with Bird and Sheila. This meant we had to rush out to the mall after Rebekah's Saturday shift which ended at three. Shopping with Rebekah was a nightmare as she could never find anything she liked. She would try on dress after dress and reject each one for one enigmatic reason or another. She insisted that I hang around close by so I could give her my opinion on each garment, yet she rarely took my advice. After searching through racks and racks of women's clothing, Rebekah finally found something acceptable, not good, but something tolerable.

  At six-thirty we drove to our rendezvous point with the Logans and found them waiting for us. We exchanged introductions, Rebekah and I got in the back seat of the black Lincoln Town Car and we drove off.

  Rebekah quickly surveyed Sheila’s pretty face, smiled and said, "It's nice to meet you too. I love your car."

  "Oh, it's not ours. We flew up and then rented it. It's a long drive from Corpus Christi to Dallas. We've done it a few times but it's no fun," Sheila said.

  "So, where are we dining tonight, Bird?" Sheila asked.

  "Anthony's, over near Northpark. It's got the best Italian food in Dallas."

  "Oh, good," Sheila said. "So Rebekah, Stan said you're a nurse, I don't know how you can do that with four children."

  "It's not easy, believe me," Rebekah replied. "I just work on the weekends when Stan can be home to watch the kids. If we had to get a babysitter there wouldn't be any advantage to working. I'd just pay all the money I made to a babysitter."

  Bird turned the Lincoln into the driveway of Anthony's and stopped the car in front of the valet parking sign. A young man hurried up to Bird's door and opened it. We all got out and entered the restaurant. A hostess immediately took us to a table near a large fountain encircled by marble pillars. We all sat down and began to look at the menu.

  "I always hate having to decide between all these wonderful dishes. I wish I could order everything," Sheila said.

  "I can never make up my mind either," Rebekah agreed. "I usually wait until everyone has ordered then I order the first thing that comes into my mind."

  After the girls finally settled on their dinner selections the waiter took our orders and vanished into the kitchen.

  "We sure had a nice visit with Stan when he came down to do research at the Nueces County Courthouse," Sheila said.

  "Yeah, Stan told me he had a good time. I understand you have quite a home on the bay," Rebekah replied.

  "Oh yes, we love it. It was a wedding gift from my parents along with the yacht," Sheila said rather nonchalantly.

  Rebekah raised her eyebrows. "A yacht too? That's some wedding present."

  Talk of the yacht sent shivers down my spine. I immediately sought to change the subject by asking Bird several questions in rapid succession. "So, Bird, when do you start drilling Parker #3?"

  "If all goes well we’ll start drilling a week from Tuesday."

  "How deep will you have to drill?"

  "Probably six or seven thousand feet, I'd imagine. There are three prospective zones. The most promising one is about 5400 feet."

  Sheila gave me a bewildered look as a result of my sudden domination of the conversation. I smiled at her hoping she would get the hint and shut up about the yacht. Rebekah watched me curiously.

  "How long do you think it will take to drill?" I continued.

  Bird pondered the question for a moment and then replied, "Oh, it depends on what we find down there but probably a week or ten days."

  "That's pretty quick," I said.

  "You know you ought to bring Rebekah and the kids out to the rig and watch the well come in. There's nothing more exciting than to see crude oil shooting twenty feet into the air, especially when you own part of it."

  "That would be fun wouldn't it Rebekah?" I said. "We ought to do that."

  "Well, it depends on when it is, I've got to work on the weekends," Rebekah said.

  "We usually know about forty-eight hours in advance of when we expect to hit the productive formation so we'll call you as soon as we find out. Usually we have a good size crowd so we have a barbecue and a big bonfire and you can camp if you want," Bird said.

  "Oh, we've got to do that," I replied. "Rebekah will find someone to take her place if it comes in on the weekend, won't you, Honey?"

  "I guess I'll try," Rebekah replied.

  "Good, then we'll plan on you being there. Oh, and don't bother to bring food or drink, you won't need it. Sheila always arranges enough food to feed Napoleon's army."

  The conversation was briefly interrupted as the waiter appeared with a tray full of tantalizing Italian cuisine. I inhaled the sweet aroma of the fare and commented, "Umm, that smells good." Everyone agreed and began to eat.

  "So, do you have a busy week coming up, Stan?" Sheila asked.

  "Well, I don't know how busy it will be but it should be interesting," I replied.

  "Oh, really?"

  "Yes, I'm going ghost hunting," I said

  Bird grimaced and said, "Ghost hunting?"

  "Yeah, I've been getting phone calls from a lady who apparently is dead. Obviously if she's calling me she must be very much alive. We suspect someone has kidnapped her and is hiding her somewhere, so that everyone will think she's dead."

  "Oh! How exciting," Sheila said. "How are you going to find her?"

  "Well, one of the calls came from Amarillo, so I'm going to check out the nursing homes there. One of our suspects owns a chain of nursing homes and we think he might have her stashed away in one of them."

  "If they are hiding her they'll never acknowledge that she's there," Sheila said.

  "True, so I've got to figure out some way to get access to the patient files. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do that, but I'll figure out something."

  "One of my fantasies was to be a private investigator," Sheila said. "But there aren't too many female PI's I'm afraid."

  "That's too bad, you probably would have made a great one," I replied.

  "So, how long will you be in Amarillo?" Sheila asked.

  "A day or two then I'm going to Colorado to investigate our ghost’s accidental death," I said.

  "How did she die?" Sheila asked.

  "She ran off the road, over a cliff and then her car burst into flames. Her body was burnt beyond recognition. I figure that the body in the car was not hers. Someone in her family wanted her to appear to be dead, so they would get control of all of her assets including the company she owned."

  "Who inherited the company when she supposedly died?" Bird asked.

  "Her son and daughter," I replied.

  "I think her son did it," Rebekah said. "He's a sleazy bastard from what Stan tells me."

  "He's the most likely suspect since he didn't like the way his mother was running the company and wanted to run it himself. Of course, now he has what he wanted, complete control."

  "Does he own the nursing homes?" Sheila asked.

  "No, his brother-in-law does. It could be they're working together as they were involved in some kind of merger of their two companies when this all happened."

  "That's really fascinating, Stan. You've got to tell me how it all comes out," Sheila said.

  "I'll certainly do that. Maybe I'll have it solved by the time we meet at Parker #3."

  "You better have it solved because if you spend much more time chasing ghosts we'll be filing bankruptcy and you'll have to go back to selling insurance," Rebekah advised.

  Bird and Sheila smiled and looked at each other.

  "Never. I hate begging people to do business with me. I love practicing law because people immediately give you respect. I like that, and I like people coming to me and asking me to help them. We may be in for some rough times getting a law practice going, but at least I like what I'm doing," I said.

  "Well, I think Tomlinson's going to be keeping you pretty busy, Sta
n, so I doubt if you'll be missing many meals," Bird assured us.

  "That's good to hear," I replied.

  The waiter came back to our table, took our plates and asked us if we wanted dessert. Everyone was too full to eat anything else, so we got our check and left. The valet brought around the Lincoln and we departed. Bird took us back to our car where we talked for a few minutes before we parted company.

  "So, we'll see you guys in a couple of weeks for a celebration at the well," Bird said.

  "Absolutely, we wouldn't miss it. I've got a good feeling about Parker #3," I replied.

  "It should be a big producer," Bird concurred.

  "It was nice to meet you Rebekah," Sheila said.

  "Make Stan bring you with him the next time he comes to Corpus," Bird added. "Sheila will take you out on the yacht and give you a tour of the bay like she did Stan."

  Rebekah gave me a cool look then turned to Bird and said, "Oh, Sheila took Stan out on the yacht?"

  "Yeah, didn't Stan tell you he and Sheila almost got caught out in a thunderstorm." Bird laughed.

  Rebekah smiled, gave me an icy glare and replied, "No, he didn't tell me. It must have slipped his mind. That sounds like fun, I'll try to make it next time, if this tightwad will spring for the extra fare."

  We watched the Lincoln pull away and then got into the Pinto. Rebekah was very quiet on the way home. This was her usual behavior when she was mad about something. I knew why she was mad, but I didn't want to her to think I was feeling guilty, so I said, "You're awfully quiet over there."

  "What's there to talk about," She replied.

  "Didn't you enjoy dinner?"

  "Dinner was fine."

  "Isn't Bird a character?" I said.

  "He's okay."

  After five more minutes silence I said, "Okay, I give up. What's wrong?"

  "Nothing."

  "Come on, we both know when you clam up like this something is wrong."

  "I said, nothing."

  Several minutes went by in silence as we cruised up North Central Expressway heading for Richardson. I hated to have Rebekah mad at me so I pressed for a confrontation.

  "Is it something I said at dinner?"

  "No, it's something you didn't say after you came back from Corpus."

  "Something I didn't say?"

  "Yeah, you never told me you went out on a yacht while you were in Corpus."

  "Well, like you said, it slipped my mind. I just didn't think about it."

  "Tell me I didn't hear what I thought I heard about your little cruise, Stanley Turner."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Just who went on that little outing?"

  "Just Sheila and I."

  "That's what I thought I heard. What happened to Blackbeard or whatever the hell he calls himself?"

  "Bird, doesn't like to sail much. He gets seasick."

  "So you were alone with a beautiful young girl on a fancy yacht in middle of Corpus Christi Bay. Do I have it right?"

  "Yeah, I guess so."

  "And what was the captain wearing?"

  "Gee . . . I don't remember actually."

  "Could it have been a string bikini like most of the girls wear down there?"

  "Well, no . . . not actually . . . just a regular one."

  "You dirty bastard! I am at home cleaning dirty diapers and wiping snotty noses and you're off sailing Corpus Christi Bay with a beautiful, naked woman."

  "She was married. I would never do anything with a married woman."

  "Oh, but if she'd have been single you would have had your way with her!"

  "No! Of course not. I would never do that. I wasn't planning to go out in the yacht, it just came up and I couldn't get out of it."

  As we drove in our driveway Rebekah turned to me, looked me in the eye and asked, "Stan did anything happen?" I stopped the car, shut off the engine and replied, "No! Nothing happened."

  Rebekah starred at me for a moment and then started to get out of the car. She hesitated a moment and said, "I wish I could believe you." Then she slammed the door and stormed into the house. I fell back into my seat in despair. "Damn it! I knew this was going to happen."

  Rebekah sent her mother home and went to bed without a word to me. I hated to have Rebekah mad at me, so I snuggled up behind her and tried to get her to talk. She ignored me for quite a while but when she sensed I was just about to give up and go to sleep she suddenly turned over and let me have it.

  "I can't believe that little slut trying to get her hooks into you." Rebekah said.

  "I don't think she's after me," I replied.

  "Ha. You don't know women. I could see it in her eyes. She wants you."

  "No. You're imagining things."

  "You don't think for a minute she's interested in that old buzzard she's married to, do you?"

  "I don't know; they must have loved each other if they got married."

  "Oh come on Stan, don't be stupid. She married him for some reason other than love."

  "If he were rich and she were poor then it would make sense, but she's the one from a wealthy family," I said. "What motive could she have other than love?" I said.

  "I don't know but I'm sure it was a good one."

  "What I didn't understand is why Bird wanted her and I to go out. He doesn't know me that well yet he insisted I go out with her alone on the yacht. He must really trust her."

  "All I know Stanley Turner is you better keep your distance from that bitch because if she messes with you she'll have me to deal with."

  I laid back and beckoned Rebekah to come to me. She scooted over and laid her head on my chest. I gently stroked her silky smooth hair and said, "Don't worry, no one's going to mess with me. You're the only woman I will ever love and no one is ever going to get between us."

  She raised her head, gazed into my eyes and replied, "Do you promise?"

  "I promise," I said, then I leaned down and gave her a tender kiss. She laid her head back on my chest and fell asleep.

  As Rebekah slept I began to think of Parker #3 and how much easier our life would be if it came in. Slowly I drifted off into a semi-conscious state and began to dream. My dream was interrupted by the sound of one of the children crying.

  "Stan, get up, Peter's crying. He must have had a bad dream. Go take care of him," Rebekah said and then rolled over and went back to sleep."

  "Okay," I said.

  I got up and went into Peter's room and laid down next to him. What's wrong, tiger?" I said.

  "My eyes hurt, Daddy," he said.

  "Your eyes hurt?"

  "They're burning me."

  "Let me turn on the light and look at them."

  I turned on the night lamp and looked at Peter's eyes but they appeared normal.

  "Let's go into the bathroom and rinse them with a little water, okay?"

  "Okay."

  We went into the bathroom and he threw some water on this face and then dried it with a towel.

  "That feel better?" I asked.

  "Yeah, sleep with me, Daddy."

  "Okay, for a minute."

  The next morning Rebekah came into Peter's room and woke us up. "Stan, what are you doing sleeping in Peter's bed?"

  I opened my eyes and saw Rebekah standing over me with a puzzled look.

  "I don't know. Oh, don't you remember you sent me in here when Peter started crying," I said.

  "Well, I expected you to come back after you took care of his problem."

  "I know, the weirdest thing happened last night."

  "What?"

  "I dreamt Parker #3 came in and you and I and the boys were at the well. Oil was pouring down from the sky drenching us all, then Peter began to cry because he was getting oil in his eyes."

  "There's no hope for you, Stan. I'm going to make reservations for you at the home."

  "No, that's not what was weird. Peter began to cry and you woke me up to go take care of him. When I got to him he was complaining about h
is eyes burning."

  "What? You're trying to tell me that you and your son are having the same dreams?"

  "We must, how else can you explain it?"

  Rebekah shook her head and began to laugh. "You are crazy? I am definitely making that phone call."

  "Okay, but at least now I know that Parker #3 is going to come in."

  "How do you know that?"

  I walked over to Rebekah, put my hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "What happened to me last night was not a dream, it was a vision, and my visions always come true."

  Rebekah thought for a moment, smiled and then replied, "Well then, we better bring goggles for the kids when we go to Blackbeard's comin-in party."

  "Okay, you won't be laughing at me when we're pulling in five or ten thousand dollars a month in royalties," I said.

  "Well, right now all I'm worried about is breakfast. Get your kids up so we can feed them."

  "Yes ma'am," I said and then proceeded to jump out of bed. Peter didn't stir.

  "Before I do that do you want to go back to bed for a little while?"

  "I don't think so. I was there alone all night. I'm up now. Besides, Tom called and wants you to meet him at Frito Lay."

  "Why."

  "I don't know. I just took the message."

  Reluctantly I drove over to the Frito Lay offices. I couldn't imagine what Tom wanted.

  "Well, how did you think the closing went Friday, Stan?" Tom asked.

  "It seemed pretty smooth. That was some lunch Kurt gave us, wasn't it?"

  "Yes, Kurt knows how to impress people," Tom replied.

  I guess you must be pretty excited about finally closing the deal," I said.

  "Well, I am but I've got a lot riding on it so I am a little worried. Did your friend Ron Johnson have anything to say about the closing?"

  "No, he said everything looked great."

  "Good."

  "So what happens now?" I asked. "Is Kurt going to do the rest of the rehab or are you guys handling it."

  "No, Kurt's doing everything. All we were supposed to do was invest our money and guarantee the note."

  "I suppose you went to Amarillo and checked out the building didn't you." I asked.

  "Well, actually no, I've never seen the building. Kurt's shown us some pictures."

  "I haven't seen it either but I'm going to be in Amarillo tomorrow so I thought I would go by and check it out," I said.

  "Oh good, would you call me when you get back and tell me how it looks?" Tom asked.

  "Sure, I'd be happy to. Don't look so worried, I am sure everything will work out. Kurt seems to know what he's doing."

  "My wife didn't want me to make this investment."

  "Oh really?"

  "She doesn't trust Kurt. If I lose this money, I'll probably end up divorced."

  "Oh, I doubt your wife would really divorce you over money." I said, "How long have you been married twenty or thirty years?"

  "Twenty-nine."

  "Well, if she's put up with you that many years I think you're probably stuck with her until the day you die, no matter how the Panhandle Building deal turns out."

  "I know, but I don't want this deal spoiling my retirement."

  All the way home I wondered about the Panhandle Building project. All the investors seemed so paranoid about it, but if they didn't feel good about the deal why did they each invest a hundred grand in it? It didn't make any sense. I discussed it with Rebekah when I got home.

  "You're awfully quiet, Stan," Rebekah said.

  "Tom and the other investors are so worried about this Panhandle deal. Now they've got me worried about it."

  "What are they worried about?"

  "I don't honestly know. It seems they just don't trust Kurt. They think he can make them lots of money, but I guess they realize he could just as easily screw them."

  "Do you think he will?"

  "No, but he did manage to talk Worldwide into releasing a million-dollar CD," I said.

  "You're kidding?"

  "No, it was supposed to be pledged on the project but somehow he talked them into releasing it."

  "You won't get in trouble if the deal goes sour will you?"

  "I don't think so, as far as I know the deal is legitimate."

  "Now I'm worried," Rebekah said.