A Heart Full of Diamonds (7 page)

Marilee giggled. “Thanks for the offer, but my things are
just outside your back door. I didn’t dare leave it in my place. I wasn’t sure
exactly what I was going to do and didn’t want to admit I was going away until
after we’d talked.

“Tony’s goons hadn’t actually walked behind the house during
the daylight that I know about, so I felt pretty safe they wouldn’t come around
the back after dark. And you’re absolutely right; clean clothes and a shower
will feel heavenly, and dinner sounds utterly divine!” She stepped to the back
door and retrieved her bag before vanishing into his bathroom.

Richard looked at the closed door a long moment before he
started dinner, calling Derrek in to set the table for three, a smile on his
face.

The apartment was finally silent. Richard and Marilee
settled onto the couch in the living room, having eventually sent Derrek to
bed. Dinner had been eaten, after which they’d played three games of
Sorry
.
Derrek had easily won all three games. Marilee looked as if she was
pre-occupied with the thugs trying to kill her. Richard’s thoughts refused to
focus on anything but Marilee.

Smelling of the spicy-scented soap he and Derrek used, she
was positively captivating. He needed to help her out of the crisis, get rid of
the brute husband, and then…then what? Then maybe he’d have a chance to win
her? Maybe; it was enough. It had to be enough; at least for now.

During the account of her situation, she hadn’t once
mentioned loving or being loved by the lout. The urge to strangle the man
married to this precious woman was strong. Richard shook his head to clear his
thinking.

Marilee perched nervously on one end of the couch, toying
with the ends of her hair, which had grown just below shoulder length since he’d
met her; she was so beautiful to him.

He thought again about her being a blonde; tried to imagine
her there on his couch with the shimmery white hair. He had to take a deep
breath to slow his heart rate and steady himself. He had to get his mind back
to the business at hand.

Richard spoke first, “Any ideas?”

“No.” Marilee shook her head. “At least not viable ones.” She
sighed.

“Well, let’s list all possibilities, and then eliminate any
useless ones, okay?”

“All right.” She ticked each idea off on her fingers. “First,
I could walk out there and let Mr. Ski Mask take me to the mountains and kill
me. Second, I could call Tony and ask him to call off his goons, go home and
let him kill me himself, although being cooked in a house fire doesn’t appeal
much, I’m afraid.” A small, sickly smile accompanied her attempt at humor
before it petered out and a frown replaced it.

“Third, I could run again, and hope he doesn’t find me this
time. I’d need help getting away and reaching the airport.” The frown deepened.

“Those aren’t even options, in my book.” Richard stated
flatly. “You can’t run forever, and you’re too nice to end up dead.”

“Well, I can’t think of anything else. Can you?” Marilee
looked at him, hope filling her eyes, making them almost luminous in her face.

“You could go to the police.” He watched her carefully.

“And spend the rest of my life in jail for something I didn’t
do? Tony said...”

“Tony lied a lot. I believe you didn’t know about the diamonds.
I’m sure the authorities would, too. Besides, even people who are guilty get
off all the time by testifying against their partners. You haven’t done
anything. Maybe they’ll hide you until they get Tony behind bars. He’s guilty
of more than stealing diamonds, you know. There’s your attempted murder. They’ll
protect you, not jail you.” He hoped so, anyway.

“I’d like to believe that, but I’m just not sure of it. Are
you positive they’d hide me?” Her voice quivered, her eyes pleading.

Richard looked at her for a long moment and knew he couldn’t
lie. “Not totally. What I am positive about is that going to the police is your
best chance for staying alive. And I don’t think they’re going to put you in
jail over the diamonds.”

Marilee sat silently for several minutes and then she
giggled.

Richard’s face must have shown his concern for her mental
state.

“No, I haven’t snapped under the strain. I was just
thinking,” she clarified, “if I did spend the rest of my life in prison, at
least I’d have lots of time to read.”

Richard now chuckled too, sharing the absurdity of the
thought.

Marilee took a deep breath, and let it out in a noisy rush. “Will
you go with me?”

“Absolutely; every step of the way.” He hoped his smile was
encouraging.

“All right. I’ll go to the police. How do we get me past Mr.
Ski Mask and his buddy?”

“That part’s easy,” Richard grinned. “First, I drive out of
here like I’m going to the store, and see if the car’s still here. Then I go to
the police station and give them a brief sketch of what’s been happening. They
come and arrest the men in the car. We can deal with Tony and the diamonds end
of it later.”

Marilee waved her hands in a simple gesture. “You make it
sound so easy, but will it actually work?” He saw her shiver; the fear was
evident in her voice.

“I certainly hope so. We’re betting your life on it!” Richard
was vehement.

Marilee searched his face and then nodded. Richard looked at
her solemnly and reached over and patted her hand for reassurance and then went
to his bedroom to retrieve his shoes and coat.

Turning out the lights, Richard stepped through the front
door, locked it behind him and strolled to his truck. He opened the door and
climbed inside, noting the black car hadn’t moved since he’d come home from
work. The men in the car hadn’t moved, either, and only gave him a casual look
as he drove past them.

He traveled down the street, relieved that step one had
succeeded so far. He hoped the men didn’t know Marilee was in his half of the
duplex and go after her while he was gone. That would put both Derrek and
Marilee in danger. He prayed they’d be safe.

As quickly and legally as he could, he drove to the police
station, parked, and then went inside.

“Can I help you, Sir?” The petite blonde officer behind the
desk perked up as he approached.

“I’d like to report an attempted murder.” Richard’s voice
was quiet, businesslike.

The officer’s eyes widened and she made a phone call. She
turned Richard over to the detective who appeared.

Detective Samuel Briant was a stocky man in his
mid-thirties. His ash blonde hair was thick; he gave the overall impression of
competence and dependability. Richard followed the man to his desk.

“Attempted murder, hmm; who’s almost dead?” His brown eyes
impaled Richard with a directness that engendered confidence and trust. Richard,
glad he was on this side of the law, felt it would be nearly impossible to keep
anything from this man.

“My neighbor.” Richard sketched the bare bones of Marilee’s
story and the last 24 hours for the detective, adding that as far as he knew,
the car was still there. The detective arranged for a patrol car to meet them
near the duplex and they decided on a plan of events.

Richard stopped at a grocery store for a bag of items,
according to their plan. Hopefully the men wouldn’t think he had anything to do
with the arrests. He didn’t want his son in danger.

The detective followed a bit behind. A patrol car was
waiting for them a block away from Richard’s street when they met together for
the last instructions. Moments later, Richard drove into the alley and parked
in his accustomed place. The car was still there. He exited the truck, carried
his groceries into his home and closed the door behind him.

Marilee was still sitting on the sofa where he’d left her,
the faint moonlight seeping in from the windows casting a soft glow over her. The
cocoa cup in her hand was evidence she hadn’t been sitting still the entire
time he’d been gone. She looked up as he entered, fear and questions evident on
her face.

He walked into the kitchen and put the bag on the table. Marilee
followed him into the kitchen.

“Your friends in the car are still there, and the police are
about to arrest them.” He smiled his reassurance.

“What did you tell the police?” Her voice revealed her tightly
strung nerves.

“The
Reader’s Digest
version of your story. I figured
you could fill in the details later, when you have time to sit down and chat
with them.” Richard hoped his voice was soft, calming.

Marilee nodded, taking a sip of cocoa.

Richard put the bag of groceries on the table, and unloaded
it, putting everything away with swift competence. Together they moved in the
darkness closer to the front door so they could listen to sounds coming from
the street.

Marilee moved to draw the curtains aside to peek out, but
Richard stepped between her and the window.

“Don’t risk it, Sweetheart,” he said, “I don’t want to take
the chance of them seeing you here looking out the window. It isn’t safe for
you or for Derrek if they see us watching them. We can’t let them know we’re
aware of who they are.”

She seemed stunned as she looked at him, and then sat
quickly, as though if she didn’t sit she’d fall down. He smiled his thanks for
her obedience and turned off the lights in the living room.

Richard looked out of the window towards the alley without
moving the curtains. With the lights off in the house and the streetlight
bright at the end of the driveway, he could see enough through the cotton fabric
to tell what was going on.

Both police cars pulled up, blocking the black car in the
driveway. Two men got out of the squad car, Detective Briant exited the other. They
walked swiftly towards the black car. The doors of the black car sprang open,
both men running as they cleared the car. One jumped over the wall and down
onto the stairs to the street below. The other charged up the street, behind
houses along the block, and disappeared virtually before the startled officers
could follow.

Richard saw the men run, the police giving chase, and turned
from the window to face Marilee. She looked up at him, guessing the outcome.

“What do I do now, Richard? I can’t stay here. It puts you
and Derrek at risk, and I can’t do that.” The worry was evident in her voice.

“Wrong. You can’t go to your place, and I won’t have you
hiding in the basement again. We need to find out what the police want you to
do. Let me slip outside and see…”

“No!” Marilee’s voice exploded into the quietness of the
apartment. “No,” she repeated, more in control of her voice. “You can’t go out
there and talk with anyone. If those men are within sight of this house, they’ll
know you were involved in getting the police to come, and they’ll guess I’m
here. You and Derrek won’t be any safer than I will. In fact, it would simply
give them two more hostages. I won’t allow you to go outside, Richard. I can’t!”
Her voice was strong, adamant.

Concern for his son warred with the concern for this
courageous woman he had come to care for.

“You’re right.” He stepped to the couch and sat next to her.
He picked up her hand, gently drawing circles on the inner wrist with his
thumb, and quietly said, “The police have my phone number. They know you’re
here and will want a statement soon. They’ll figure a safe way to get you to
their headquarters.”

Marilee looked at him, searching his face, and then turned
away. “I’m really sorry I’ve involved you, Richard. I didn’t intend to put you
and Derrek at risk this way. I guess I decided to run again, and just thought
you’d help get me to the airport.”

Richard saw the tears streaking her cheeks in the moonlight.
“Don’t worry about it, Marilee. The police will find those thugs and we’ll all
be okay.” His voice was gentle. At the moment, he didn’t dare succumb to the
feelings raging within him to hold her and kiss the tears from her face, so he
simply gave comfort by holding her hand.

*          *          *          *          *

A brief hour later, the telephone rang; the police were
sending a car for Marilee, even though they’d not yet found the men.

After Detective Briant left with Marilee, Richard went in and
lay on his bed. He didn’t get much sleep, but was unwilling to admit which
reason had kept him awake…his strong feelings for Marilee, or his concern for
her safety.

Detective Briant drove Marilee to the station. She learned
they’d called for back-up, but though they combed the neighborhood, they didn’t
find the men. Police dogs were brought in and followed one scent down the hill,
into the shallow stream at the bottom of the gully.

The one who had gone up the street had eventually circled
around and was also lost into the stream’s flow, disappearing as completely as
his partner.

The police were unable to find where they exited the stream;
no further scent was discovered. A patrol was assigned to watch the black car
and the home; the others finally left the area, frustrated with their failure.

The rest of the ride to the station with Detective Briant
was mostly silent, once she’d heard the results of the manhunt. Marilee was
grateful for the quiet.

Collecting her thoughts, she was trying to keep them off
Richard but wasn’t having much success. Had he meant it when he’d called her
Sweetheart as she’d reached for the curtains? Did he care for her like she
cared for him? Dared she hope for a future with him? A little flame of faith,
borne of love flared within her heart as the car continued to drive closer to
the police station.

When they reached the station, the detective parked the car
and Marilee followed him inside, feeling a little strength from the knowledge
there may be a chance for her where Richard was concerned. If she could just
get out of this awful situation with Tony…she swallowed hard. Right now, that
was a mighty big
if
.

They walked without speaking to his desk. He seated himself
and gestured Marilee to the chair next to it. Pushing several folders aside, he
retrieved a notepad from one drawer and a pen from another. Marilee felt it was
more for show and to set her off-kilter than that he was unorganized, but she
said nothing.

“All right,” he said to her, “I’ve got a few questions for
you.”

Marilee nodded. Telling the story to a police officer
terrified her. In a few moments, events would be totally out of her control. She
grimaced. She wasn’t exactly in control of things now, so it really didn’t
matter who was in charge. Actually, Tony was more in control than anyone. As
usual.

Could she change that? Maybe Richard was right. Perhaps this
was the best way to put Tony where he belonged and to end the fearful threat. Once
everything was finished, maybe she could get her life back. Maybe Richard and Derrek….
Marilee stopped the wishful thought before it was completed. She needed to
concentrate right now, and thinking of them wouldn’t help her do that.

Gathering her courage, she swallowed hard and wet her lips
nervously with the tip of her tongue. “What do you need to know?”

“Let’s start with your name.” Briant’s pen was poised above
his notepad.

“Marilee Curtice…Ferguson,” she added, correcting herself.

For the next two hours, Detective Briant went over and over
every detail of her story. He made lots of notes. She ended with, “I was afraid
to go into the house, because I knew they were watching it, so I hid all day in
the basement. When I heard Richard come home, I asked him to help me. And now I’m
here.”

Briant finished scribbling on his legal pad. Looking at his
cramped handwriting, Marilee wondered how he could know what it said. He laid
down the pen and began thumbing through the Rolodex on his desk, looking for a
number.

“This has got to be one of the strangest stories I’ve heard
in a long time, and in homicide, you hear a lot of strange ones. It’s too crazy
to be made up. If it was your husband who sent the thugs, then things can get a
little sticky.

“We only have your word on a possible crime that crosses
state lines; an attempted murder in Utah that was ordered in Illinois because
of diamonds stolen from who-knows-where. I’m just a little out of my depth
here, if you know what I mean.” He slanted a look at Marilee, and she nodded.

“So,” he continued, “I’m gonna call the Captain, and ask him
how he wants to handle it. In the meantime, we’re gonna go into one of the
interrogating rooms, and get a full statement from you; all the details, on a
cassette tape.”

His look apologized for making her go through it all again,
but a casual shrug of his big shoulders said it was all part of the job.

Marilee nodded, and then the full realization hit her. “You
mean you believe me?” she asked, her amazement evident in her voice enough that
she could hear it.

“Yeah. For a story this convoluted, either it’s true or else
you’re one heck of a fiction writer. ‘Scuse me while I make the call.” His
fingers had located the Rolodex card he was seeking and he quickly dialed the
number on it.

“Captain?” Detective Briant spoke quietly, yet clearly into
the phone. “I’m sorry to bug ya on your night off, but I got a sticky one,
maybe multi-jurisdictional. The victim’s still alive to help us, if we can keep
her that way.” He listened for a few moments. “Okay. See ya in a few. Yessir, I
will. ‘Bye.”

He gently set the phone down and scooped a tape recorder and
cassette tape out of the bottom drawer of his desk, grabbed his pad of notes
and a pen to take with him before rising from his seat and motioning for
Marilee to come with him.

She hastily followed in his wake. Though her heart was
filled with trepidation, and her safety was yet not assured, she felt better
knowing both Richard and Detective Briant had believed her, and both men had
been willing to help her out of this horrible, deadly situation. She silently
thanked the Lord as she walked down the hall.