The Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries 1-3 (46 page)

“Not yet.  I wanted to tell you.  Alex is coming down.  I
called him.  He should be at my place before sunrise.  I had him call Luke.  We
agreed to tell him that you had an attempt on your life, but you were fine and
I was going to hide you out.  Alex will make it very clear that Noelle is not
to go home.  I hope you don’t mind. I really need him.  I don’t think I can
stay awake twenty-four hours.  You, my dear, are a twenty-four seven,
high-maintenance babe.”

“You forgot pretty hot.”

“In your dreams.  Pete this is our turn.  Let’s pull over
and wait and see if anyone gets off at this exit.”

Pete pulled over and turned his lights off.  Five minutes
went by and still no one.  Pete started up the car and headed for the beach. 

“What time is it?” I asked.

“Three-thirty in the morning,” Pete answered.

“Turn south,” Harry instructed.  “Four mailboxes, then a
left.” 

I felt us turn onto a bumpy drive.  Pete stopped the car. 
“Stay here.”  He got out and with gun pulled, approached the house.  I could
barely see him.  I had crept up to the back window, and with the hood pulled
over my head, I peered out the window.  The light went on, and Dudley opened
the door.

“Cin, we’re home,” Harry said.

I had to wait until Pete opened the door.  No door handles. 
He helped me out and reached in and grabbed my packages.  Harry greeted Dudley
with a hard punch to the arm.  I’m sure this male bonding hurt Harry more than
Dudley.  I walked into the kitchen of a two-story beach house.  I sat down at
the kitchen table, not trusting my legs, and wondered where Harry’s mother
was.  The realization that she hadn’t survived the cancer just washed over me. 
I willed myself not to cry.  My eyes were raw enough without adding my tears to
the mix.

Dudley handed over the BMW keys, my purse and the contents
of the trunk.  Men, did he really think I would have a use for Kenneth Cole
stilettos at the beach?

“Thank you.”  I saw the tight face.  “Dudley, I’m sorry
about Officer Bradley.  I didn’t think that he was in danger.”

“It’s the job.  I just want a piece of this guy.”  He flexed
his volleyball-sized fist, and I prayed he would get his opportunity.

“Harry, it’s time we headed out of here.  Martin County
Sheriff’s Department is aware of the situation.  Since you’re in their
playground we have to hand you over to them,” Pete informed us.  “Night, Ms.
Fin-Lathen.  Heal fast and well.”  He lightly touched my arm and left. 

Harry stood and watched them leave, waiting to see if anyone
else was going to pull in.  He closed the door and locked it. He turned around.
 “Welcome to my home.”

“This is sure impressive, Harry,” I commented.

He pulled open the refrigerator and surveyed the contents. 
“We won’t starve. Let me help you up.”

I appreciated the arm as he led me around the bottom floor. 
Behind the kitchen was a large living room with a fireplace on the north wall. 
The east wall was all patio door windows.  A half-bath was nestled under one of
the carpeted stairways on the south side of the house.  We took the north
stairway, and it led us to the second floor.  Upstairs were two bedrooms
divided by a joint bathroom.  He turned on a light and quickly lowered the
rheostat, dimming the lights.

“This is your room.  Alex and I will share the other one.” 
Harry pulled open the verticals, and I could just make out the ocean in the
predawn hours.  A deck ran the length of the second floor with a stairway on
the south side.  There was a large bed, and it looked like Dudley had put fresh
sheets on it.  Harry turned down the covers and helped me into bed.  I kicked
off my slippers.

“The bathroom is through there.”  He pointed out a door on
the south side of the room.  “I hope you’ll be comfortable.”

“This is so wonderful.  However can you afford this?” I
asked, struggling with my sweatshirt.  “Valium.  How do people survive with
it?”

He helped me with the sweatshirt.  “Six months ago they told
my mother she wasn’t going to make it.  I sold our house and took a big chunk
of the money and got a year’s lease on this place.  I wanted someplace
beautiful for her to spend her last days.  I didn’t want her dying in the house
my father abandoned her in.  She loved the beach and stayed here until she died
two months ago.”

“Why didn’t you call us?” I asked quietly.

“I don’t really know.  Maybe I was used to the solitude.  I
had her cremated and dusted the beach with her ashes.  I mourned her for the
last two months.  Working with you and Tony on Monday started me breathing.  When
Alex called and told me that I was needed, it brought me out of my funk.  I had
purpose again.  I miss her, but I know she doesn’t hurt anymore.  And I know
that she would be happy that you’re here.  She liked you.  Thought you were a
bit eccentric, but appreciated what you did for me.”

“Thank you for bringing me here.”  I gave him a hug.

“Wait here, I have to get the rest of your stuff.  I picked
out an awesome nightgown for you.”  Harry jumped up and ran down the stairs.

I heard his feet pound back up the stairs.  He dumped out the
bag.  “Ta Da!” He held up the “Brat”
nightgown.  “I saw this and knew
that it was you!”

“Critic, everyone’s a critic.  Get out of here, I need to
change.”  I tossed the Game Boy at him.

“When you’re done open the door,” Harry instructed.

“Yes, sir.”  He closed the door as he left.  I took the gown
and headed into the bathroom.  A large shower greeted me, but I was too tired
to bathe.  I took off all but the Scottie panties and pulled the gown over my
head.  I washed my face and tried to get used to my enlarged-pupil eyes in the
mirror.   I trudged back through the room, opened the door, and Harry was
standing there with a glass and a pill.

“Valium.”  He handed some to me.

“Do I have to?” I whined.

“Did you see Ed’s face?”  He opened his eyes wide.  “You’re
a hell cat.  Remind me to suggest to Alex and Noelle to have you declawed.”  I
took my pill, and Harry tucked me in.  “I’ll be downstairs till Alex arrives. 
I’ll send him up.”

“Do you have to stay up?”

“Cin, I won’t sleep well until those old farts or Doc
what’s-his-name are caught.” Harry sighed.  “Now go to sleep.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Harry bent over and kissed my forehead.  He left the door
open, and I heard maybe three footpads on the stairs before sleep took me.

“Mommy, I’m here.”  The deep voice that belonged to my son
Alex woke me.  He knelt there beside the bed, his green irises vividly
surrounded with red from the strain of driving through the night.

“You’re safe.”

“I’m safe.  Are you hungry?  Harry’s making omelets.”  Alex
got to his feet.

“I’m starved.  Poor Harry has been up all night.  Let’s go
down and help him out.”  I sat up.  “Chilly. Hand me the gray sweatshirt,” I
said as I slipped the bunny slippers on my feet. 

“Nice shoes,” Alex said and waited till I had on the sweatshirt
before zipping it up for me.  He helped me up.

“Let me stand a moment.”  I felt like I was trying to stand
in moving water.  “No more valium for me.”

“Come on, druggie, let’s sober you up.”  Alex took my arm
and helped me down the stairs.  The smell radiating out of the kitchen was
wonderful.  “Bacon?  I haven’t had bacon in years.”  I was having trouble not
drooling as we entered the kitchen.

“Wait,” Harry called.  He turned off the light and opened
the blinds and let the early morning light gently illuminate the kitchen.  “Now,
that’s better.”

“You’re a gentleman and a scholar,” Alex commented as he sat
down.

“And you’re not.  Help Cin with that chair,” Harry scolded.

I was trying to develop grace, but the chair would not slide
out.  I kept running it into my foot. “Eh?”

The boys started laughing at me.  “Hey, I say do the drugs,
do the time.”  Alex reached over and guided me out of the way.  He pulled the
chair out and guided me into it, all with one hand.  The other was busy filling
his plate.

I sat down and looked at my plate.  It seemed so far away. 
I found my fork and began navigating around the plate.  Harry continued to
impress me with his cooking.  “This is the best!”  Harry bowed and sat down to
eat.

It was quiet at the table.  Not that we lacked anything to
say, but because we were hungry and the food was so good.  I started to gain my
land legs by the time I had finished my tea.  The boys were dead on their
feet.  I sent them to bed. Harry only agreed to me taking the morning watch because
he was so tired that he couldn’t think.  I promised not to go outside or climb
the stairs unless one of them was with me.  I kissed each on the cheek and
wished them sweet dreams.  I sat a while before I attempted the dishes.

Ever try to be quiet while washing dishes?  I did my best
and no one complained.  They must have been too tired to hear me.  I made
myself another cup of tea and wandered into the living room.  I had missed the
sunrise, but it still danced a little way above the horizon.  I was able to see
the front porch for the first time.  Was that a hot tub?  Yes, it was.  There
was an assortment of wooden Adirondack chairs and cushions laid just inside the
side door.  Walking had become easier now that the Valium was easing out of my
system.  I walked back and found my cell phone next to my purse. Dudley must
have plugged it in on the way here because it was fully charged.  The message
indicator showed in the corner.  I grabbed a pen and a couple old grocery
receipts to jot down numbers if I needed to.

I went in search of a comfy chair in the living room.  I
grabbed a book off the shelf and settled into the chair, using the book as an
impromptu desk.   I dialed into the message center and found that I had three
messages.

“Wednesday, eight fifty-four
pm:  Cin, this is Bernice.  Call when it is convenient.  I decided not to go to
Carl’s funeral.  Still don’t like him, and there are going to be bagpipes.  Bye.”

“Thursday, four
twenty-nine am:  Curtis here.  Nothing to report.  No one followed us.  The
gambling cruise ship came in, and Bob Walker saw Manfred and Tobias leave the
dock area with their wives in tow.  Doctor Sanders is still missing.  Everyone
is safe.  I will call after I get some sleep.”

“Thursday, six ten am:
Hello, Cin and Harry, if you’re listening.  Heard from Alex he made it in
safely.  Call me when you get this. I miss you! Bye.”

I realized that I had been holding my breath.  I let it
out.  I didn’t want there to be a bad call and there wasn’t.  I dialed Noelle’s
cell number and waited for it to connect.

“Hello?” her voice was happy.

“I’m alive.”

“You didn’t answer my email!”  Noelle’s voice was sporting a
slight British accent.

“I have been a little busy.”

“Alex mentioned you got yourself in another fix.  I told him
to get his ass home.”

“He’s here now.”

“Where are you?  I called the home number first.”

“Harry has a house, believe it or not, on the beach.  We are
hiding out here.”

“Could be worse, you could be staying in Alex’s dorm room.”

I flashed to my hygiene-challenged son’s college digs and
winced.

“Did you let Harry stay in my room?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s a shrine!”  She laughed at this running joke.

“How’s school?”

“Fine, and there is this cute boy.  I think he is in the law
program.  Anyway, get this, black hair, dark brown eyes.”

“You found a black Irishman.  I hope you’re not stalking
him.”

“But he looks like you know who.”

“Harry?” 

“Horrible Harry?  Are you out of your freaking mind?” Noelle
sputtered.  “Gabriel Byrne, a young Gabriel Byrne, more like Father Michael.”

“What happened to...”

“Peter?  Oh, mom that was two lads ago.”

I knew better than to ask how Paisley, Noelle’s best friend
and Peter’s first cousin, felt about Noelle and Peter breaking up.  There are
some things that mothers needed to stay out of, and their daughter’s love life
was one of them.

“Speaking of that dreamy priest, have you heard from him?”
Noelle asked to change the subject.

“No, I really didn’t expect to.”

“Don’t you owe him a week of...”

“Religious instruction,” I filled in.  I had mentioned that
I had formed my opinion of the Jesuit community from a Joyce book.  Father
Michael Williams wanted to have time to show his side of the religion he
devoted his life to.  He wanted equal time with Joyce.  It took me a week to
read
A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man
.  I, after drinking a large
amount of whisky, had foolishly promised him the same amount of time.  I never
thought I would see the man again after the plane ride over to England, but
fate had another agenda.

“Why don’t you come here for a while?  I’m sure Angie would
put you up for a while.”

I sighed. The idea of going back to Cornwall was a good
one.  I loved it there.  “Um, can’t.  Still haven’t cleared the suspect list.”

“How do you get yourself in such scrapes?” Noelle’s voice
was tense.

“This wasn’t my fault, at least I hope not.  To quote our
Paisley, ‘Shite happens!’”

“Paisley would know about shite, especially living on the
farm right now.”

“She’s still with Angie?”

“Oh, no, she’s moved in with Billy.”

“But doesn’t he live with his parents?”

“Not since Paisley.”

“Oh,” was all I could say.  Paisley Price was an experience.
 It would take a very open minded mother to embrace the idea of her only child
moving in with the wild, multiple-pierced young lady I knew.  Dorothy Comstock
wasn’t that open minded.  She detested me after I had accidently plowed under
her prized asparagus.  And I did take the heir apparent on a dangerous trip to
London, where he along with my daughter, subdued a Russian hit man. Long story
short, Paisley and I would never be invited to tea at the Comstock’s anytime
soon.

“Mom, I have to go.  Promise me to take care of yourself.”

“I promise.”

“Call me every day.  Let me know if I have to send you a
fruitcake with a file in it.”

I laughed.  “I’ll keep you apprised.”

She hung up.  I held on to the phone for a moment, saying a
prayer to keep her safe.  I wiped a tear that didn’t belong on my cheek.  She
would be fine.  I just missed her.

~

I called Bernice, and we chatted about this and that.  It
felt good not to be consumed by the murder investigation.  I told her about
Manfred and Tobias.  She listened and decided to take my council to stay as far
away from those two as she could.  Art had called her and told her that the
board was having an emergency meeting.  The college had temporarily closed down
the Avery, and the police had asked the band to not meet until they had the
murders resolved.  I told her that I hoped that they would listen to the
police. 

“Where are they meeting?” I asked.

“Perkins in Lake Worth.  They won’t meet unless they can be
fed.” Bernice sniffed.  “They do a good egg white omelet though.”

“And let’s not forget the pies,” I said salivating.  “I am
going to be out of touch for a while.  You can reach me on the cell, but I
won’t be at home.”

“Going on a trip?”  Bernice fished.

“Just spending some quality time with Alex and Harry,” I
said.

“Well say hello to them and kick up your heels some,”
Bernice advised.

“I will take that as a prescription!  Take care, Bernice.  Bye”

“Bye, Cin.”

I heard the upstairs toilet flush and footfalls overhead. 
Someone was up. I walked into the kitchen and brewed coffee.  I nosed around in
the freezer and found some Sarah Lee coffee cakes.  I took out the butter
streusel, my favorite, and popped it in the oven. 

“Smells good!”  Alex entered in his boxers.  My son spends
most of his day half naked.  “Harry is out cold.  More for me!”  He did a
little dance that only Alex could get away with, a two-minute performance that
was a cross between a football touchdown celebration and the robot.

“Sit.  You will save some for Harry,” I ordered
halfheartedly.  Alex looks like he is listening, but does he hear?  I
remembered a teacher saying just the opposite.  “Alex hears, but is he
listening?”  All I know is that he manages quite well on his own wavelength. 

“Food.  I need food,” Harry’s voice echoed through the
house.  He was bedecked in Calvin Klein pajama bottoms, Cary Grant style.  I
looked at Mr. Wonderful, aka Alex, in cheap Kmart boxers to Harry and back
again. 

“I am sensing someone was switched at birth.”

Alex looked up and gave me his plastic smile - would have
been better if he had swallowed his coffee cake first - and said, “Harry was
hatched.  I, on the other hand, was genetically engineered.  Come on, look at
this perfection.”  He reached over and grabbed his hat from the counter.  He
put it on backwards after smoothing his mop of hair back. “You must be so
proud.”  There was that smile again.  My green-eyed dishwater blonde son didn’t
suffer in the ego department.  I blamed myself, and the girls who were throwing
themselves at him.

I shook my head.  “Ah, would you like some coffee,
hatchling?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to sit downwind from Alex. Phew!” 

Alex got up and put Harry’s head under his arm and held him
there.  I stood back and watched the fight.  Wouldn’t have done any good to
stop them, they were having too much fun.  I popped my head into the icebox.  Yes,
there was ice.  I was ready for a bloody nose, bruised shin or maybe stitches.

“Take it outside,” I said as I opened the door and guided
the boys to a less breakable venue.  I poured myself a cup of coffee and walked
outside just in time to see Harry fly around the corner heading for the beach
with Alex’s hat in hand. 

“Harry, you give that back!”

Alex almost caught him at the tree line.  But Harry dove
over the hammock and landed on his hands and feet.  He soon was upright and
running towards the ocean.  I think he was very surprised when Alex continued
the pursuit.  Alex launched himself, flying into Harry, knocking both of them
into the surf.  I decided I had better get a body count.  So I kicked off my
bunny slippers and walked barefoot in my “Brat” nightgown to the water’s edge.

First, all I saw was one wet hat and a striped leg of
Harry’s pajamas.  I picked them up, cringing at the cool temperature of the
water.  I looked north along the beach and saw that it was surprisingly empty. 
I turned around, and the south was clear for a half a mile or so.  I scanned
the water and two heads, one blonde and one blue-black, bobbed in the water.  I
shielded my eyes and could just make out their faces.  They were laughing.  I will
never understand male bonding.  All I know is someone either ends up bruised or
semi-naked.

“Mom!”  Alex swam in closer.  “Have you seen my hat?” 

I shook my head no. 

“Cin, Alex tore my pants off.” 

I lifted my shoulders to say, “So what do you want me to do
about it?”