by Larry Brown
“Good idea.”
She sent the message and the pictures to Jane. In less than five minutes the girls texted back that they were their abductors. She texted back and asked if they were both sure and they said they were positive. She then forwarded all of the texts to his phone so he could have a record of their identification of the two men.
“I’m going to call a contact at the DEA and go over this with him.”
“Why the DEA?”
“Well, there is all this info that points towards drugs. First, the guys are narcotics agents. Second, a private plane comes into a private runway and delivers unidentified material. Third, Jack is in South America, and the abduction was to persuade Jack to make the deal. Is that not what you told me?”
“Yes, you are right, but, oh my goodness. You think Jack is involved?”
“At this point, I don’t know what to think.”
Their dinner was served, and the conversation changed to Clay’s new infatuation with Betty. “You know I was becoming envious of you and Harry and how much fun it looked like you were having. At first, I didn’t like it. I thought he was too old for you, but then I saw how happy you were and then you up and left. Then the Betty and Harry thing starts up and I see two people again really happy, and I’m thinking I bounce around with three or four women, have sex and momentary fun but not anything beyond the moment. Then I get to know Betty much better, and I see why he has taken to her. I admit I was jealous again. Then I find out you are coming back and I think this is perfect. You and Harry and Betty and me, the four of us could really have some fun together. Don’t you think I’m right about this?”
“I see why you say that, but, I’m not sure where Harry is. I didn’t treat him the best when I left. And then there is Betty, and I’m pretty sure she has slept with him and I never did.”
“Really, I assumed y’all were there.”
She didn’t respond. They had finished with their dinner and her phone buzzed; it was Jack. She motioned for Clay to stay quiet.
“Hello, Jack. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”
“Andy I just met with the girls, and they told me, showed me the text and pictures you sent. What the hell do you think you are doing? I’m telling you in no uncertain terms, drop this, stop this. My girls are minors and will not be allowed to testify or be witnesses. Besides, I think they made a mistake when they said what they did. They are not sure of anything anymore. Listen nobody has been harmed, please let it go. If you don’t, you are asking for trouble not only for my family and me but also for you. Do you understand me?”
She was stunned at his tone. She had turned the phone on speaker and Clay had heard every word. He was red-faced and pissed and wanted to take the phone away from her, but she wisely kept control of it.
“Jack, I understand every word you said, but I make no promises about anything. What kind of mess are you in?”
“Just drop it, and it will go away.”
“Goodbye, Jack.”
“He threatened you. That SOB threatened you. Who the hell does he think he is?” Clay caught his breath, relaxed and sat back in his chair. “Jack’s in big trouble, and I believe now even more than what I thought earlier. It’s probably drugs and probably one of the cartels.”
Chapter 65
Harry watched as Millie and Betty left his hospital room headed for dinner. He had hated that Millie had to come back so soon after Christmas. She was the oldest and she had the most flexible schedule but still not a fun visit. The medication and sleep had made him start to feel human again. As long as he was relatively still, the pain was under control. Only when he moved, did his face and ribs hurt. After some thought, he felt like he was lucky to be alive. A blessing. He hoped he had persuaded Millie to go back home in the morning. He was hoping to go home the next day, and Betty had insisted she would make sure he was properly cared for.
Betty, he had seen the look on her face. He had watched her interact with Millie. What a change between the two of them since Christmas and now dinner. It would be interesting to see if Millie left and trusted Betty to be his caregiver. His thoughts kept going back to Betty and how caring she had been. She had stayed overnight. Even though her face showed fatigue and stress, he could also tell they were becoming bound together. He loved the interaction he saw between the two women.
Then his thoughts turned to Andy. Betty had told him she was back for good. At least that’s what she said Andy had told them. He thought he remembered seeing her, but maybe it was a dream. The previous night had turned into a fog. He wondered what her expectations were regarding their relationship. Did she think they would pick back up where they were when she so abruptly left? He truly was not sure about her expectations. And then the question entered his mind; what did he expect or want? Was he going to have to choose? He tried to take his thoughts somewhere else, somewhere more pleasant. But right now his thoughts were not pleasant. He thought about the two bastards who came into his house, beat him, and stole his coins. He thought about Ruth and the fact the one and only time she forgets to lock the door there are intruders there just to walk right in and Hispanic intruders. It could not be a coincidence. He would have bet a thousand dollars Ruth would never betray him the way he believed she had.
Chapter 66
As Clay and Andy walked from the parking lot to the hospital, Andy stopped. “Clay, maybe we should do what Jack suggested, just drop this whole thing. He was correct in that nobody was hurt. Maybe we should just move on.”
“I can’t believe you would think or even say that. These are bad dudes. Maybe the next time somebody gets hurt or killed. Plus, as sure as we are standing here, there are drugs involved. That plane, private airfield, in and out in a hurry. The police don’t do things that way. Hell no, we are going to stop those two bad cops and maybe even more bad guys.”
“But Jack says he will not let the girls testify. It will just be my word.”
“We’ve got pictures and text messages from the girls, and I’ll let my friends at the DEA worry about all that. We need to get on in and see how Harry’s doing, but I have one big question before we go. Are you expecting to be back in the same place with him before you left?”
She paused then started walking again, “We will see…we will just have to wait and see.”
As they started through the entrance, they ran into Millie and Betty on their way out and to dinner.
Clay introduced Millie and she responded, “Oh, you must be the redhead I’ve heard about.” Andy smiled and glanced at Betty. They got a quick update on Harry’s condition, and each couple moved on.
*****
Harry was resting when he heard someone entering his room. When he opened his eyes, he saw her, red hair, big smile and as beautiful as ever.
“Andy, you’re back and still as gorgeous as ever.”
“And you, Harry Blake, no matter your condition you never change, still a charming rascal.”
She came to his side grabbed his hand and kissed him very gently on his lips.
Clay walked in behind her and said, “It looks like nothing has changed.” He said that wanting it to be so.
Harry looked at her and said, “You didn’t have to come all this way to check on me, I’m fine.” He said this knowing he had been told she had come back for good.
She smiled mischievously and said, “After I heard what happened to you, I realized I should have never left. You need a responsible person to take care of you in your old age.”
“Oh, that hurts, maybe more than my body,” and he chuckled.
“I’m going to interrupt you two. Harry and I need to talk, and then I’m going to leave and y’all can catch up. I know you must have a lot to talk about.”
“Did you arrest anybody?”
“Not yet.”
“Did you talk to Ruth?”
“No, but listen to this. She disappeared. We couldn’t find her anywhere. We tried to see Freddy, but, he too, was nowhere to be found. Then late this aft
ernoon I get a call from our mutual friend and attorney Roscoe Abernathy. He says he knows we are looking for Ruth Lopez, and that she is now his client and will be available at his office tomorrow afternoon.”
“Well, if there was any doubt, she left my door unlocked accidentally, I guess that answers that question.”
“I would say so, but I would also guarantee she’s not going to be providing any help on anything. I think this is Freddy’s way of locking her down.”
“I think she will talk to me. I’m sure I can make her talk.”
“Maybe, but you aren’t going to get that chance. Roscoe wouldn’t dare let her come here.”
“I’m sure, but I’m going with you to see her and Roscoe.”
Andy exclaimed, “What? You can’t do that.” She jumped in, “Harry that blow to your head must have scrambled your brain. You have to stay here and recover. A person your age has got to take the proper time to heal and regain your strength.”
Harry stared at Andy and spoke, “You haven’t been here ten minutes and that’s the second time you have commented about my age. It didn’t seem to bother you before.”
She blushed, “You know what I mean,” her response was sharp.
Clay responded, “Hey, even if I wanted to take you, the hospital is not going to let you out of here.”
“You are both wrong. I am going to get released in the morning to go home. I am going home with one stop to see my old friend, Roscoe, and my housekeeper, Ruth.”
“Never gonna happen, my friend. But I tell you what, if they let you out, I’ll take you with me,” and he smiled smugly.
“Clay!” Andy jumped in, but before she could say more, he held up his hand in her direction and spoke, “Don’t worry, I’ve made a good decision. Now I’m out of here so you two can get caught up.”
Clay left, and Andy started thinking. She could tell she had touched a nerve with her comment about his age and she wanted to recover.
“Hey, listen, I’m not worried about your age. You and I have talked about it, and you know it has never been an issue for me. The point I was trying to make was our bodies heal slower, and take more time to recover as we get older. It’s obvious you took quite a beating. So please don’t be mad at me on our first visit since I have come back!” she said smiling and putting her hand on his arm.
“Okay, forget it. But just so you know, I have one more concussion-related test in the morning, and if I pass, I’m out of here. They have done all they can for me. I just need time and to finish some antibiotics.”
She did not respond to what he had said but she did begin, “Can we change subjects?”
“Sure.”
"I need to apologize for the way I left. It was wrong. I owed you more than that. When I walked out of your house, I knew I had made a big mistake. We had something that was starting to be special, and I just pulled the plug on it.
“I was impulsive and wrong. I’ve always had this impulsive streak. I have usually gotten away with some stupid decisions but not this time. Do you think you could ever forgive me?”
“Of course. Look we weren’t married or even engaged. You had this big opportunity. I’m sorry it didn’t work out. By the way, do you want to tell me what happened?”
“It was nobody’s fault but my own. I didn’t do the research and check it out. It was a great place. It was way over my head. Jack tried to accommodate me in every way possible, but it just wasn’t right. I needed to come back here where I now know I belong. My small town, my lake, my farm, my family, my friends, and you, Harry, if we can start over.”
“I will always be your friend. All my memories before you leaving were great. I’ll admit I was hurt. I couldn’t believe you left like you did, but it made me realize I was probably a good bit ahead of where you were. I also realized you were the first woman in my life since Maggie and maybe I was lonely and trying to move too fast. I’m not sure, but those were some of my thoughts.”
She was now beginning to fend off the tears, “What about Betty?”
He smiled, “I certainly wasn’t looking for anyone else. The speech that you set up at the women’s luncheon was where we first met. She was terrific. The speech went well, and so we ended up spending the better part of a day together. She then asked me if I would do a review of her business. I had always wanted to consult, but it just never worked out. I decided to take the job, and it turned out really good for both of us. By this time, we were very comfortable with each other, and we enjoyed the others’ company. Anyway, I mentioned I had to decorate the house for Christmas before my family came and that Maggie had always handled it and I didn’t know where to start, and she volunteered to help and then the winter storm and two and half days stranded alone, and now we are close friends.”
“I can see how it happened, I’m just disappointed. I really thought you and I would be together. Is there any chance we could start over? I know you have slept with her, but sometimes that doesn’t necessarily work out.”
He frowned, shook his head negatively, and spoke, “Why do you say you know we have slept together?”
“Well, Clay, and two days stranded in the storm. Are you saying you haven’t slept with Betty?”
“That, my dear, is nobody’s business. I would not respond one way or the other.”
She decided to drop the subject. She decided there was hope. Time to move onward, but slowly.
Chapter 67
Betty arrived at the hospital early on her way to work, but Harry was not in his room. The nurse said they were running their last test to see if he could be released. She said he was insisting he be allowed to leave.
Betty wrote a note that told him to call if he was released and she would pick him up and take him home. She said if she didn’t hear from him, she would be back to see him at lunchtime. She left the note on his pillow and went to her office.
Her morning passed quickly and as she was getting ready to go back to the hospital, her cell phone rang. It was Harry. He thanked her for coming by and told her he was leaving now with Clay for a meeting with Roscoe at Roscoe’s office. He said he would call her back after the meeting. She cautioned him about overdoing it. He needed more time to recover.
Harry had been taken to the hospital entrance by wheelchair as was their policy where he carefully climbed into Clay’s big SUV.
As they headed for Roscoe’s, Clay said, “You know he’s going to be pissed when you show up. He may not let you participate.”
“I know, but you must insist. I need to see Ruth, and she needs to see me. I need to ask her questions in a certain way, and I need to hear and see how she reacts.”
The two men walked into Roscoe’s office, and when he saw Harry, he exploded, “Get him out of here, this is totally wrong.”
When Ruth saw Harry’s face, her eyes got as big as silver dollars, and she looked as if she were about to cry.
Harry spoke, “Ruth, are you upset with me?”
She shook her head from left to right and before Roscoe could speak, Harry said, “Then you don’t mind if I stay, do you?”
Again, she shook her head from left to right. Roscoe looking at Ruth said, “Please Ruth, you need to listen to me, we can’t allow him to be here.”
Harry spoke quickly, “Ruth, are you afraid of me?”
Again, she moved her head from left to right.
Clay quickly spoke, “Well I guess that’s settled. Look, we are here only to talk and ask some questions. We are not here to charge Ruth with any crime.”
Ruth could not stop looking at Harry’s face. He looked at her and said, “It’s not quite as bad as it looks.” She didn’t appear to get any relief from his remark.
Clay and Harry sat, without being invited, in the two chairs in front of Roscoe’s desk. Ruth was seated in a straight chair beside Roscoe’s big leather desk chair. Roscoe was still standing, trying to decide his next move.
Clay ignored Roscoe and turned to Ruth and started speaking.
“Ruth did you and M
r. Blake have a disagreement, or did he hurt your feelings in some way?”
“No.”
“Has he tried to take advantage of you in any way?”
“No.”
“Do you like working for Mr. Blake?”
“Yes.”
“How many times have you forgotten to lock Mr. Blake’s door in the past?”
Roscoe interrupted, “Don’t answer that. That is an improper question. If she forgot to lock the door, she wouldn’t necessarily remember.”
Clay was not to be denied, “Harry how many times has Ruth failed to lock your door when she left?”
“Never.”
“You mean, never before the other day, right?”
“Correct.”
Roscoe started to speak but stopped himself.
“Why did you leave the door unlocked Ruth?”
Roscoe answered, “Hey, it was a mistake. She’s human, we all make mistakes.”
Harry leaned over and whispered in Clay’s ear. Then Clay spoke, “Was it a mistake, Ruth?”
She was beginning to tear up, “Yes, it was a mistake.”
Roscoe smiled, “I told you.”
“Do you wish you had not made the mistake, Ruth?”
“Oh, yes,” and now she was quietly sobbing.
“You can see, Mr. Blake took quite a beating, and his gold coins were stolen. And you know and we know, it was a mistake.”
Harry leaned over and again whispered to Clay.
Again Clay stared at Ruth and said, “Ruth it wasn’t a forgetful error. You have proven you’re way too efficient for that. No, it was a mistake, a mistake in judgment that could have cost Mr. Blake his life.”
Roscoe stood up and almost shouted, “What are you trying to say? You are upsetting my client, and I must ask you to leave. This is outrageous!”
Clay now stood and leaned over the desk toward Roscoe, “No, this isn’t outrageous. What is outrageous, is that five minutes after the mistake, two Mexican thugs broke into Harry’s house, beat the hell out of him, and stole his gold coins.”