Authors: Kathryn R. Blake
Kelly sobbed, then said, “Mike?”
“Yeah, baby, it’s me. Surprised?”
“Where are you, Mike?”
“Oh, no, baby. I’m not going to make it that easy for you. I know you’ve got the police watching you, so I’ve got to hang up now, but you and I are going to be together again soon, Kelly. And I’m going to have lots of fun getting reacquainted with you.”
Then the phone clicked.
Jim sat down hard as he stared at the recorder. He was surprised Kelly didn’t need a sedative after that one. He’d have to check on her. He looked over at Jeff. “Enough for a fix?” Jeff shook his head. “Well, that’s a confession if I’ve ever heard one. Now all we need is an ID. Have you been able to separate out any of the background noise to give us a clue where he is?”
“Yeah,” Steve answered. “Listen to this.”
Jim heard a whirring like a fan, then a faint, “Order’s up!”
“A fast food restaurant?” Jim asked.
“With what sounds like a lot of ovens opening and closing.”
“So, what are you thinkin’? Pizza joint?”
“Could be,” Jeff answered. “Certainly fits.”
Jim listened, then heard a voice calling “Perkins! Here you go. That’s $123.27.”
“Okay, what would it take for us to search out all the neighborhood pizza joints to see who might have served a Perkins today? By the way, isn’t it awfully early for pizza? Who eats pizza at ten a.m.?”
Jeff shrugged. “I often have cold pizza for breakfast. Maybe this Perkins person is having an early lunch.”
“Or an orgy,” Jim suggested. “One hundred and twenty-three dollars buys you a hell of a lot of pizza. Any other sounds that might narrow our search down some?”
“Traffic sounds. Oh, it sounded like there was a fender bender at the time of the call, too. Here.” Steve rewound the tape, and sure enough Jim could just make out the screech of tires and the crunch of metal.
“Call dispatch. We may have finally gotten lucky boys.”
* * * *
Officer Riley was being very considerate by fixing Kelly a mug of hot tea and covering her with a blanket, but she felt so cold inside she couldn’t stop shaking. She wanted Jim, but knew better than to disturb him at work unless it was an emergency, and she already had one police officer with her. Kelly covered her face with her hands. Oh, God, Mike knew exactly where she was. What was she going to do? She was a sitting duck in her apartment, and needed to get away fast. Maybe she could take a cab to Jim’s place. Except she didn’t have a key and no good way to disguise herself. And it was clear Mike was watching her place.
Grabbing her mug, Kelly brought her knees up and curled into a tight ball on her bed, drawing the steaming beverage close to her chest. She tried to still her shaking long enough to hold the hot tea without spilling it, but wasn’t having much success. Jim would be furious with her if she ran away. Though he wouldn’t hurt her like Mike would if he caught her. With Jim, she might have trouble sitting down for a day or two, but she wouldn’t be bleeding. With Mike…. Mike sounded like he was going to kill her, and she was sitting on her bed waiting.
Kelly put her mug down and surged to her feet only to stop and stand still. How could she get past Officer Riley? What excuse could she give to make him leave? She glanced out her bedroom window and saw the fire escape. Maybe….
Retrieving her purse, she began collecting things she’d need, including Jim’s soap and shampoo. Either he hadn’t discovered her thievery yet, or chose not to say anything. She grabbed a toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, change of underwear, and a roll-on deodorant. Panicking, she couldn’t think straight. What else would she need?
She heard voices in the living room, but didn’t give it much thought as she scrambled about collecting every item she could think of to get her through a day or two on her own. She was trying to stuff a hand towel into her purse, when a familiar deep voice asked, “Goin’ somewhere?”
Taking a shallow breath, she gazed up into Jim’s face.
Yup, he was pissed all right. Shit.
What could she say?
Hands tucked into his belt, he stepped into the room. “What do you think you’re doin’, Kelly?”
“I thought I’d gather a few things together in case I needed to make a quick getaway.”
“How were you thinkin’ of doin’ that exactly? Down the fire escape?”
Her jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
He simply arched an eyebrow.
“Oh. I just told you, didn’t I?”
“Yes, ma’am, you did.”
“I’m in a lot of trouble right now, aren’t I?”
“Yes, ma’am, you are. And I intend to take care of that as soon as I see to this other matter. I realize you’re terrified out of your wits, Kelly. I can’t say as I blame you, but I need you to pull it together for me a little while longer. When it’s over, I’ll hold you and let you fall to pieces if you need to. Don’t worry. I’ll be able to put you back together again.”
“Yeah,” she said with a grimace. “Only to put me over your knee afterwards.”
Then seeing his determined expression, she knew he was going to punish her seriously this time, even before he verbally confirmed it. “Yes, ma’am,” he agreed softly. “But not until we’re sure you’re safe.”
“So, why isn’t that making me feel any better?” Kelly murmured under her breath.
“Come here, darlin’,” Jim said, opening his arms to her. A part of her wanted to run to him in relief, while another part cringed at what he intended to do. Even after their light play last night, she was so sore she doubted her butt would ever stop tingling.
When Kelly didn’t move, Jim lowered his arms. “You scared of me, Kelly girl?”
“A little,” she admitted.
He gave a nod. “Can’t say as I blame you for that either. All right, I’ll go–”
“No!” she protested immediately.
“–into the livin’ room,” he continued softly. “And wait until you’re feelin’ up to discussin’ things with me. I need you to do somethin’, and we don’t have much time.”
Then he turned and walked toward the living room.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Jim!” Kelly cried out, tears in her eyes.
“You come on out here, Kelly girl, and I’ll hold you on my lap while we talk.”
Not wanting to let him out of her sight, Kelly ran after him, then wrapped her arms about his waist and cried. He turned, lifted her up and sat down on the couch with her on his lap.
“Should I get her…?”
“No. Thanks, Riley. Just man the door for a few while I talk to her.”
“Yes, sir,” Riley answered, stepping outside to give them a little privacy.
“Looks like I’m not the only one you insist call you Sir, am I?” Kelly asked softly.
Jim chuckled as he brushed away her tears with his thumb. “No. But they do it because they want to. You, however, only call me Sir when I demand it.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Now, look at me, darlin’. You know I’d never let anythin’ happen to you, don’t you?”
She nodded giving a small wince when he narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
“Stubborn wench,” he said, pressing her back against his chest. “So, what’s this about runnin’ away?”
“I felt like I was no better than a cornered rabbit by staying here waiting for Mike to strike. He means to kill me this time, Jim. I know it. I couldn’t simply put my feet up and wait for him to get me. He knows where I live.”
“Yup, he does at that. And we know where he works.”
“You do?”
“Sure do. You up for some pizza?”
“Pizza? No, I’m not hungry. Why would you think I’d want pizza?”
The eyebrow went up again.
“Oh my God! He works for a pizza parlor now? But he’s a computer programmer.”
The eyebrow arched even higher. “Computers, eh? Somehow I pegged him for an entirely different line of work.”
“So? What? Are you thinking of luring him here?”
“No, darlin’. You’re gonna do that. I want you to place an order for a medium pizza to go … for one.”
“I guess you’re not hungry, huh?”
“If you feel up to eatin’ later, I may join you, but right now I want him to think you’re alone. We have undercover cops swarmin’ this place, and both me and Officer Riley are gonna take cover in here with you. However, we will need you to ask who it is before you open the door. Chances are he’s gonna hide his face and only give the name of his pizza company, thinkin’ you won’t recognize him, which you probably wouldn’t have. We want him to think it’s pure dumb luck you called for a lunch he could deliver right to your door.”
“You don’t think he’ll believe it’s more than a mere coincidence?”
“I doubt it. Though I suspect he was plannin’ to get you real spooked before he caught up with you, and he probably intended to catch you outside, on your way to work or some other such thing. However, it will all depend on you. You can’t be all cheery when you place your order, Kelly, because he knows he’s been terrorizin’ you and would suspect somethin’ was up if you didn’t sound at least a little worried. You might wanna ask if their drivers are bonded, and if they would leave the pizza with the front doorman when you call. If they agree, we may need to alter our plans some, but as I recall Zippy’s has a twenty minute delivery policy, and it’s door-to-door.”
“He works for Zippy’s? They were in Massachusetts, too. I used to eat their pizza … a lot.”
“Well, I guess he remembered and took the chance that your habits haven’t changed. So, do you think you’re up to makin’ a phone call for me?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I definitely have the worried part down. Now, if I could only talk halfway intelligibly.”
“You’ll do fine. Here’s the number. Order the same toppin’s you used to get with him. Would a medium be too large for you to eat by yourself?”
“For me? Nah. I could put one of those away easy.”
He chuckled. “That’s my girl. Okay, you’re on. Officer Riley and I will be right outside your door.”
“You’re not going to stay with me?” she asked, wincing at the whiney tone of her voice.
“No, darlin’. I don’t want us accidentally making any sounds that might clue him you’re not alone. But we’ll be back as soon as you’re done. All right?”
Kelly gazed up at him, then mouthed, “I’m scared.”
Nodding, he bent forward to give her a kiss. She clung to him, so he held her close and said, “I love you, Kelly girl, and I know you’ll do great.”
Kelly drew back slightly, fearing she may have imagined the words she wanted to hear so badly. “What did you say?”
Giving her chin a light pinch, Jim said, “Now you know I don’t like repeatin’ myself. You wanna swat?”
Kelly’s eyes spilled over with tears as she shook her head, suddenly lighthearted and giddy she kissed him, then asked, “Really? You really do?”
“Yes, ma’am, I really, really do, though that’s not gonna save your pert and perky backside from gettin’ a real bad whoopin’ later. If anythin’ it’s gonna make it a little bit worse for what you attempted to do.”
She wrinkled her nose, but didn’t complain when he set her down on the couch and pointed to the phone. She waited until they had stepped outside her door, then dialed the number Jim gave her.
“One medium pizza with sausage, mushroom and onions, delivered directly to your doorstep, ma’am. That’ll be $15.00. Cash or charge?” It wasn’t Mike.
“Um, cash. Rather than deliver it to my door, would you please leave it with the doorman? He’ll make sure it’s brought up to me right away.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Franklin, but that’s against Zippy’s policy. However, we’ll be in and out before you know it. I’ve got you down for cash, ma’am. Is there anything else?”
“No. No. That’s all. Thank you.”
“Thank you for calling Zippy’s ma’am. It’s our honor to serve you.” Then he hung up and Kelly put her receiver back in its cradle. The moment she did, both Jim and Officer Riley came back in. Jim strode directly over to her.
“That was absolutely perfect, darlin’.” He pulled her up for a kiss. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,” she said a little weakly. Then putting her hand on Jim’s cheek, Kelly did something she’d never done before. She fainted.
When Kelly came to, she was stretched out on the couch with a wet cloth on her forehead, and Jim right at her side.
“Welcome back, darlin’. You had me worried there for a bit.”
“Me too,” she admitted.
“Never done that before, either, eh?”
She blushed recalling the other first she’d had with him, but shook her head.
“How’re you feelin’? Still dizzy? Would you like some water?”
She shook her head again and struggled to sit up. “Easy,” he ordered, supporting her back as he took the cloth from her. “Don’t get too rambunctious. I want you to sit here with me awhile until you’re sure you’re steady enough to stand.”
“I’m okay,” she said, trying to rise, but his arm kept her down.
“You’re not listenin’ to me again, doll, and I thought I made it clear last night there’re penalties for that.”
“Sorry,” she apologized with a wince.
Giving her a nod, he placed his hand to her forehead. “You’re lookin’ a little peaked, still. We may need to call this off.”
“No. No. I’m fine. I think it was the stress and your admission. Everything kind of went to my head.”
He took a deep breath. “If you’re sure?”
She nodded.
The eyebrow arched slightly, but he didn’t press further. “Okay, here’s the plan. Riley’s gonna crouch over next to your corner curio shelf where he’ll be hidden behind the love seat. I’m gonna stand behind your door. Both of us will have our guns drawn. There’ll be armed men in the hall as well. Basically, you’ll be surrounded by the good guys, and it’ll be your cue that brings us out. If it’s Mike, that’s all you gotta say in a surprised or terrified voice. ‘Mike?’ That will be our signal to surround the fucker. If it’s not Mike, you need to say ‘Steve?’ Doesn’t matter what the name on his uniform says. You’re to say ‘Steve?’ Got it?”
“Yeah. You didn’t give me too many lines, so I think I can manage.”
He smiled, bent his head and kissed her. “Bless you, darlin’. All right, stand up nice and slow now, and tell me how you’re doin’.”
Kelly let Jim help her to her feet, then stood on her own. “I’m okay.”
“Good,” Jim said, giving her another quick kiss. He pointed for Riley to take his position, and taking her by the hand he walked over and stood at the side which placed him next to her, but behind the door when she opened it. She thought Jim would be blind standing there when her door was open, then she noticed he’d moved a small hanging mirror from her bedroom into her living room and had positioned it so he could see who came in through the door without the person seeing him. He put his finger to his lips, then drew out his gun and held it in both hands pointed toward the floor.