Thorns on Roses Page 9

  Tom dodged an SUV pulling from a driveway, then continued. “There was a barmaid at the Ultra-Airborne Lounge that caught my eye, and vice-versa. She was older than me and knew bedroom tricks I never dreamed of. Charlie said she was a slut and a gold-digger, who put out to every GI that came by.” He grinned. “No way I would buy that story. She had me wrapped around her little finger, or more accurately, stuffed into another part of her anatomy. I would hear nothing bad about her. I told Charlie I’d kick his ass if he didn’t shut up. Anyway, I spent every night at the Ultra-Airborne until Sheena got off work.”

  “Sheena?” Abby said. “Her name was Sheena? And you bought it?”

  “Yeah.” Tom laughed. “Should have been a dead giveaway, shouldn’t it? But like I said, I was naïve. Plus, she taught me things you could never learn in my little hometown or in a military classroom.” He leered at Abby.

  “Don’t even think it. I don’t need lessons from you.”

  “Okay. Your loss. But back to my story. Sheena told me she was pregnant and begged me to marry her—or, to use her words, make an honest woman of her. I didn’t hesitate. Where I came from, marriage was often the price for what started out as fired-up hormones. So we made plans for the weekend following graduation. I asked Charlie to be my best man. He refused and tried to talk me out of it. After telling him to shove it up his ass, I stormed away.

  “On Saturday, I slipped in the back door of the bar with Sheena when she reported for her shift. Graduation had been the previous afternoon, and I slept over at her place where my education continued.” He leered at Abby.

  “Yeah. It’s nice to know you were getting something worthwhile out of it.”

  “She had arrangements with another barmaid so she could get off at five. The Justice of the Peace closed at six.”

  Tom chuckled, shaking his head. “Even when I tell it, I can’t believe how stupid I was.”

  “You aren’t the first,” Abby said. “Oldest story in the book.”

  “Yeah, well this one is mine. Not my brightest day, but it leads to Charlie. Back to how Charlie saved me. Sheena put me at her best table and plied me with boilermakers all afternoon. At this point, I have to rely on what witnesses told me. My mind is blank.” He hesitated. “I was drunk by two and blotto by three. At five, she helped me stagger out of the bar. It took her and two others to keep me upright.

  “Charlie and a couple of other troops met us outside. He was emphatic there would be no wedding, and Sheena and her friends were just as emphatic that she and I were marrying. Allegedly, my contribution was some unintelligible mumbling as I drooled all over my new suit.

  “Finally, I swung on Charlie with a wild roundhouse that only punched air, and Charlie dropped me with one quick jab. He then introduced Sheena to the Fayetteville Detective he’d brought with him. They showed Sheena proof of the scams she ran on rookies like me. Her shtick was to pick ’em young and naïve and hook them with booze and sex. She’d then plead pregnancy and inevitably, the soldier was anxious to do the honorable thing.

  “She had four husbands stationed in various parts of the world. The Army sent her the spousal allotments and her husbands had gifts delivered on special occasions. Since soldiers bounce around so much, she managed to juggle things with no more than one in the area at a time. However, that didn’t stop her from looking for a new husband when none were in town. In the meantime, if they died, she collected their life insurance.

  “The cops arrested Sheena, and Charlie frogmarched me to his car and drove me to the base. I spent the rest of the night tied to a chair with cup after cup of black coffee turning me into a wide-awake drunk. My memory kicked back in just before daylight. I remember not being appreciative of their efforts.

  “Over the next week, I ambushed Charlie four times and lost each match. What Charlie lacked in shooting skills, he made up for as a boxer, plus he had me by two inches and fifty pounds. I made playground swings, not getting close, and he’d jab away until I’d had enough punishment. I’m not sure I ever landed a punch.

  “The judge denied bail to Sheena as a flight risk and held her for trial. I went to visit her, telling her I’d get her out of there. Then came the worst of it. On the third visit, she laughed at me and told me to grow up.”

  Tom grinned. “You’ll like this next part. She said I was the worst lay she’d ever had, never gave her any satisfaction.”

  Abby ducked her head. “No comment seems the safest thing to say.”

  “Well, just so you know, I’ve improved since those days. Now, I only get compliments.” He glanced at Abby, who kept her head down. When she made no further comment, he said, “We’re almost at the hospital so I’ll save you her descriptions of my ineptness. I felt like the fool I’d been and couldn’t apologize to Charlie enough. Along the way, I asked him for boxing lessons. He agreed and added some street-fighting techniques. The combination saved my life a few times.

  “And that’s why I’ll always be there for Charlie Rogers,” Tom said, pulling into the hospital parking lot. “That goes for his family, too. No matter the situation, I’ll be there.”

  Abby stared at him. “Who are you, Tom Jeffries? You just spun a whole new personality right before my eyes. When you came to my office to discuss running surveillance on one of my cases, you wore the mantle of man is superior. When you invited me to that sports bar, your attitude was a woman can’t take it. Now you tell me you’re human. You make mistakes. And mostly, you tell me how loyal you are. It’s a wonderful story.” She paused. “Yes, you are lucky Charlie was there for you.” After another pause, she added, “I suspect he’s lucky to have you on his side, too. Someday, maybe I’ll tell you my life story. Not as citified as you seem to think.”

  They parked and rushed into the hospital. A moment later, Tom tapped on Lonnie’s door, and Charlie stepped into the hallway.

  “Thanks for coming, Tom.” His eyes turned to Abby, and his eyebrows went up in a question mark.

  “This is Abby Archer. She’s an attorney at BGE&B.” He smiled. “To further her career, she’s my assigned angel.”

  “Oh, hush, Tom,” she said. “I left my wings home for this flight.” She put out her hand to Charlie, saying, “I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter and the effect it’s having on your wife. If there’s anything Tom and I can do—”

  “Tom and I?” Tom said. “So, we’re a team now?”

  Charlie looked at Abby, then at Tom. “Maybe you met your match. I’ve been waiting a long time.”

  From inside the room, they heard a faint call, and Charlie hurried in. A moment later, he was back. “Tom. Lonnie recognized your voice and would like to see you. Sorry, miss, but she’s really down.”

  “I understand,” Abby said as Tom disappeared into the room.

  Tom walked to the bed and took Lonnie’s hand. “Hey, kid. What are you doing here? You know I have better things to do than babysit that old man of yours. He’s a mess. Needs your firm hand.”

  A flicker of a smile crossed her face. “Poor Charlie. He worries about me so. I need to get on with my life, but I can’t. Mary Lou…” She quieted as tears trickled from the corners of her eyes.

  Tom squeezed her hand. “You know what she’d tell you, don’t you? She’d say, ‘Mom, get up. Life’s too short to waste any of it.’ Then she’d give you that big ear-to-ear grin that melts your heart, and you’d do what she said.” He hesitated. “Since she’s not here to say it, allow me. Lonnie, time to get up. Life’s too short to waste any of it. I’ll add one more thing.” He glanced toward the door, then leaned closer to Lonnie. “You may move on with your life knowing she will be avenged.”

  “Will she, Tom?” Lonnie whispered. “Do you think the police will find the ones who…who hurt her?”

  “I promise they’ll suffer more than she did.”

  A nurse barged into the room. “Hey, glad you’re up. Now I don’t have to wake you to get your vitals.” She looked at Tom. “Sir, if you’d step outside, I’ll only be a mome
nt.”

  After the nurse’s visit, the three of them went into the room, and Tom introduced Abby. Lonnie’s face alerted with interest. “Nice to meet you, and so nice of you to visit.” She stared into Abby’s eyes then into Tom’s, and smiled a knowing smile. “Yes, it’s very nice to meet you.”

  “Easy,” Tom said. “We’re not even friends yet.”

  “You will be,” Lonnie said. “Charlie, when is Mary Lou’s funeral? Aren’t there preparations to make? Maybe I’ll get out of here tomorrow. Think that’ll be all right?”

  “Wonderful for me,” Charlie said, radiating. “We can ask the doc during evening rounds.”

  They visited for another thirty minutes. Lonnie took Tom’s and Abby’s hands. “Okay, you two. Get out of here. There’s too much life to be enjoyed to hang around a hospital.”

  Abby touched her arm. “I see what Tom meant about you and Charlie. There’s so much love in this room, it’s palpable.” She lay her other hand on Tom’s arm. “You have wonderful friends, nothing like I expected of you. In fact, I can’t imagine what you’ve done in your life to earn them.”

  Tom leaned over and kissed Lonnie’s cheek. “Remember what I said. Mary Lou wouldn’t want you here.” He hesitated, looking around. “And the rest of it.”

  She whispered, “Don’t let Charlie get hurt, and don’t you get hurt either, but those fiends must be stopped.” As he stood, she added, “Take care of your young lady. She looks pretty special to me.”

  In the hall, Tom asked Abby to wait for him at the elevators, explaining he had something for Charlie’s ears only. While she walked away, he said, “Think she’ll be out of here tomorrow?”

  Charlie stroked his chin. “If she says it, it’ll happen. Don’t know what you said to her, but it made a difference.”

  “I told her Mary Lou will be avenged.” His voice hardened. “She will be, Charlie. Trust me on that. You just take care of Lonnie.”

  As Tom and Abby rode down in the elevator, she said through a grin, “Now that we’re almost betrothed, where are you taking me for dinner?”

  TWELVE

  Stepping out of the hospital elevator, Tom looked at Abby, his mind flying with the possibilities of dinner and afterwards. Her behavior in the hospital and Lonnie’s instant acceptance of her had him reevaluating things. Lonnie could spot a phony from two blocks away, and had done so for him in the past. If Abby measured up to Lonnie’s standards, she was a woman worth a second look. However, there was Mary Lou, and she came first. “Dinner with you is tempting, but I have work to do. Maybe I can get a rain check.”

  “Or, I could hang around and assist you,” she said. “Last time I let you out of my sight you disappeared for three days.”

  “I promise not to vanish on you. My chores are at home. And thank you, but no, I won’t need any help. If it makes you feel better, you can block my driveway to make sure I don’t leave.” He touched her arm and smiled.

  She glanced at his hand. “Don’t think I won’t. You may think you’re slick, but I’m a fast learner. I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

  “We had a saying in the Army. The only thing worse than making the same mistake twice, is making all of them the first time. Now, I’ll take you to your car. After that, you can do whatever you like. How about brunch tomorrow? I still owe you an omelet.”

  “Perhaps I’ll surprise you with breakfast. There are a few things I know how to put together.”

  “Burnt toast and watery coffee?” He waggled his eyebrows to soften the words.

  “Only one way you’ll find out.” She punched him on the arm.

  They arrived at Tom’s car, and he climbed in behind the steering wheel while Abby got in on the passenger side. Their banter continued during the trip to Tom’s house, with each mile raising the comfort level between them. By the time he stopped in the driveway, he viewed her in a different light. He killed the engine, and turned toward her. “Out you go.”

  “In a moment.” She hesitated. “Tom, I’m not sure what to make of you. Only a few days ago, you were a crass Neanderthal. Now I discover you’re incredibly loyal and have friends who love you. You even admitted you’re not perfect. What am I supposed to think? Who are you?”

  “I’m the same wonderful, lovable person I’ve always been,” he said, chuckling. “Not my fault you jump to conclusions. But, let’s go the other way. Who are you—the snobby bitch that looked down her nose at me, or the warm female I see today. I love Lonnie and trust how she sizes up people. She took to you like a cat to catnip.” He took her hand. “When this is over…”

  She placed her hand over his, then looked into his face, a blush pinking her cheeks. “I’d better go. You said you have work to do.”

  “Did I hit a soft spot? Is there a smidgen of romance buried under that lawbook exterior?” He grinned. “Stay where you are a moment.” He got out of the car, walked to the passenger side, and opened the door. “See. Even a Neanderthal knows how to treat a lady.” He helped her out, then drew her to him, and kissed her gently. Releasing her, he stepped back. “When this is over, we—”

  She lay her forefinger on his lips, then traced them with its tip. “We’ll see what the future holds. But first, what is it? What are you doing? I need to know—not for the law firm now, but because I’m worried about you…because I’m interested in you. Where did you go? What happened to the man you had in your car?”

  His face hardened. “You better leave now.” He took her elbow and turned her toward her car, using gentle pressure to guide her. “If you want that omelet, call first.”

  * * * *

  Tom watched the rear of Abby’s car as she drove away, feeling sad he couldn’t follow his romantic inclinations. But there’d be time for that in days and weeks to come—he hoped. When she turned the corner two blocks down, he moved his car into the garage, then recovered the tape from the trunk—the tape containing Johnny’s confession.

  He took it inside and slipped it into his audio system. After connecting to his computer, he copied the confession to his hard drive, duplicated it, and began to edit. He wanted the basic facts and identifications of those who participated in Mary Lou’s death, but needed to remove the wailing, threats, and begging. And especially all references to alligators and Big Al. What he produced wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny as an original, but that wasn’t important. He simply needed something to drop on the police in case he couldn’t finish the job.

  Tom worked steadily, editing, listening, then editing some more. He used headphones to make sure he didn’t miss anything. Even bird calls and animal noises had to go. They could give away an Everglades location. There could be no clue left to identify where he and Johnny went. Lives depended on it—the lives of his friends. Finally, at one a.m., he was satisfied he’d done as much as he could. He burned five CDs, labeled each THORNS ON ROSES GANG CONFESSION, and put four into envelopes. One, he addressed to Detective Jim Richards, one to Abby at the office, one to Bert, and one to Charlie.

  He ran an overwrite program to clean his hard drive of the original and evidence of his editing, then, using the fifth CD, copied the new version into the computer. After listening again and nodding in approval, he stripped the tape from the cassette and ran it through his crosscut shredder. At two, he was satisfied with his work and prepared for bed after hiding the last CD in his gun box.

  He slept soundly.

  * * * *

  At eleven p.m., as Tom worked at his computer, the black Ford Expedition parked among three other vehicles in a strip mall parking lot on Lyons Road. There were four people total in the van, four of the five who pulled the 7-Eleven robbery a few nights previous. The driver was clearly agitated.

  “You better know I’m mad…plenty mad. That damn Johnny will pay for this. And don’t think you’re off the hook. Where the hell is he? He knew the time. We wasted a half-hour waiting, and he still didn’t show. Has anyone seen him in the last couple of days?” He stared from one to another of his passengers as each
shook his head in a negative manner. “Do I have to have set up a buddy system for you idiots? Is that what it will take to get you to meetings on time? I don’t have time for this shit. We have to get our funds together for the recruiting drive. I don’t plan to grow old waiting for you jerks to learn something.”

  “But,” one of the men said. “He’s not—”

  “I hope you weren’t going to say he’s not your responsibility,” the driver growled in a menacing tone. “I’ve told you it’s all for one and one for all. That means each of you is responsible for the others. If one screws up, all screw up. Johnny screwed up. So you screwed up. You got it?”

  They refused to meet his eyes, each showing fear in his own way.

  The driver relaxed his tirade a bit. “You must understand. You’re my lieutenants. You must be ready to assume command of your units when we make our move.” He studied his watch. “We can’t wait any longer. Remember, piss poor planning portends piss poor performance. I call them the seven P’s. We can’t afford that. All it takes is one time, and we’re running from the law. I’d rather have the cops worrying about where we’ll strike next. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir, El General,” each of them said.

  He pulled out of the parking space and headed for the Chevron station he’d cased the previous evening. It was a perfect setup because of its corner location, a couple of blocks from the Sawgrass Expressway. Good escape route, no matter which way he drove. In keeping with his trust of only himself, the others did not know the target or the direction he planned to run. No way anyone could tip the cops or another gang. His motto was, what you don’t know can’t hurt me.

  Their jobs were to execute exactly how he had trained them no matter where he dropped them off. He’d cruise the area, giving them a chance to check it out, but that was it. The rest was his planning. He reflected on the training exercises he’d put them through numerous times. His technique was to drop them at a strip mall with a specific list of small items to steal and a time limit to get it done. While no one would confuse them with Mensa candidates, they were willing soldiers and were trainable. The proof was their performances had improved with each repetition. Now, it was time to move the schedule forward. Not having Johnny would leave a hole, but he’d built in redundancy so he wasn’t worried. They were coming together as a cohesive military unit.