A Reason To Kill, page 56
When the Cadets made their mad dash for the stands, Jason headed for the president’s box. Brian was right at his back as he leaped over the wall.
“What are you doing here?” Jason gasped to the sound of the girls’ quick chatter.
“Can’t stay,” Brian warned and tugged at his cousin’s tunic.
“Wait!” Jason attempted to shove him off.
“Look, damn it.” Brian gestured to where Philip Caine was apparently questioning another freshman.”
“Gotta go,” Jason agreed. “I’ll make a break for the loo at half time—be by the door.”
“Don’t sweat anymore love,” Deirdre said. “IGA to the rescue.” And she shoved an envelope in his hand with the order, “Read it carefully.”
“Be by the door,” was an added plea as Jason quickly fell instep behind his cousin.
Brian was cursing under his breath. The last thing they needed was the IGA, he thought as he led the way to the seats they’d been instructed to claim and remain in.
Only one of their senior bodyguard was waiting for them. Randy Johnson was in the football squad and Matthew Reed was finishing his duties on the field. When Jason attempted to move passed him, Philip Caine’s fingers locked painfully on the back of the youth’s neck. Instinctively Jason braced at the demanded, “Where in hell you been?”
Jason sucked in air as Brian quickly countered, “We got mixed up, Sir. And some parents got in our way, we couldn’t mow ‘em down.”
“Park it!” Caine pushed Jason into a seat while two other cadets scurried over to make room. “Anderson,” he ordered. “They move from here I want to know.”
“Yessir,” followed the retreating senior’s back.
“Ann-der-son,” Jason slurred just high enough for the freshmen in their immediate vicinity to hear. “Ann-der-son? Never heard of a bull dog being a watchdog.”
“Stuff it Connors.” Anderson blushed as the other cadets snickered.
But Jason was not about to let up. “With that pushed in mug of yours must be tough brown-nosing. You have to spread the cheeks to reach the asshole?”
“You ought a know Connors, Caine’s made you an expert at that—”
Jason turned so quickly that their faces were only inches apart and the rippling laughter from the other freshmen drifted into nervous muttering as Jason started to stand. His fingers had curled into fists when Brian grabbed him and forced him back in his seat.
“Cool it Jas,” Brian warned. “A fight will finish us. You want to stay locked in the damn room forever.” Still not releasing his hold on Jason, he growled, “Anderson, keep your yap shut.” and the cadets pressed closely around them now, in an effort to disguise the confrontation, seconded the order.
~~~
Having effectively neutralized the problem of John Connors’ son without compromising the academy, and maintaining control yet not physically crippling the culprit; the honored status of the aspiring young officers has remained intact
So when the senator’s daughter and niece appeared unexpectedly on his doorstep, the commandant, with full confidence restored in them, instructed Matthew Reed and Philip Caine to escort the O’Neill girls to the game. Once the field ceremonies were completed the seniors returned to this pleasant duty.
“You mean you didn’t come intentionally?” Matthew Reed was mildly surprised by the admission.
“To this place? I’m not into uniforms.” But the smile Deirdre bestowed on him made it appear she might be convinced to change her mind. “Don’t know about Amy.” She bent her shoulder into the other girl’s shoulder. “We were heading for Palm Beach on a weekend break-away when our air pooped. Can’t be fixed till Monday. Amy’s dad was in school with your commandant so to the rescue. Terrific dinner and two quick dates—not bad. Must have figured we weren’t into the ma and pa scene.”
“Right.” Amy sighed at the horrible thought. Moving her fingers lightly over Philip Caine’s uniformed arm, her tone was a teasing plea. “You won’t give us away? We said the car would be ready in a couple of hours, a quick lie. We don’t want to be stuck with the old folks all weekend.”
“If we didn’t have those knobs hung around our necks.” Caine complained to Reed, and then grinned at Amy. “It could prove to be an interesting weekend.”
Mathew Reed was already contemplating how they might con Randy Johnson into managing their guarding task alone. He was aware it had to be a case of the two of them, for if Phil got any closer to Amy O’Neill they’d merge as one. “What motel are you staying at?” he asked Deirdre. For if there was even a chance in hell of making it, he decided, he was going to be prepared.
~~~
Nearing half time, with the cadets behind seven to fourteen, Jason Connors considered cheering out loud; only the fear of a public lynching deterred him. With everyone, even Brian, absorbed with the action on the field, he had been able to safely read the instructions in the envelope.
At first he was nearly drawn to laughter by Deirdre’s elaborate scheme to rescue him. But as time passed sweat began encircling his stiff collar. His neck still throbbed from Caine’s latest abuse and fresh scabs on his feet itched where he couldn’t scratch. The girl’s solution began to seem rational. By the time he could safely leave his seat, he’d convinced himself the plan was sound and could work.
When the ginger-hair girl tripped in front of the men’s room he was there to catch her. “Lucky dog,” several accompany cadets hissed but no one saw the action as Deirdre slipped a vial into Jason’s palm.
Chapter 103
Charleston, South Carolina, 1984
“Kidnapped!” Brian yelped as he paused in shucking his Dress uniform and preparing for another long night of captivity.
“Keep it down.” Jason motioned nervously toward the door, his glance shifting to the monitor. Although they were not required to turn the baby monitor on until dark, its insulting presence was a constant reminder of their wretched status.
“You’re both nuts.” Brian’s tone dropped.
“No way, just listen up. Dee’s got it all worked out. Leaves you where you want to be—here. I get a ticket out. And it even covers my old man’s butt.”
“I’ll bet she has,” Brian moaned as he listened to his cousin rattle off the girl’s ingenious scheme.
“This weekend is perfect with all the strangers milling around this place. Our prison guards won’t miss me till morning when they find you drugged.”
“And they’ll break my ass.”
“Why? Drugged you won’t be expected to know what happened. I’ll have changed rides twice by then and be half way to New York. If they go after Dee, her car will be headed for Florida. By the time they realize I’m not with her, I should be out of the country.”
“Just where you figure on hiding out?”
“Taken care of; better you don’t know right now. Dee figures she and Amy can get Reed and Caine to play hooky that just leaves Johnson. He won’t concern himself with more than a quick check. He’s going to be tired from the game and he’s too cheap to buy us so much as a Coke. Most likely he’ll leave us alone in here. So once the other two leave—”
Brian threw in the wrench. “How do you plan on getting clear of this room?”
“No sweat. When Randy makes his final check he’ll be watching me. He always glares at me. If I have to, I’ll draw his attention. You slip this in—it will prevent it from locking.” He handed Brian the tiny tube of instant glue that Deirdre had provided in the envelope with the other instructions.
“Won’t dry fast enough,” Brian worried.
“I’ll figure some way to keep Randy occupied so it can.”
~~~
Jason Connors, struggling with that problem, was unaware that Matthew Reed was consumed by a similar difficulty. Already he had shelved any great hopes for the night; but a future with Deirdre O’Neill in it was just too appealing a prospect for the young man to simply write-off.
Unwittingly it was Randy Johnson who began the discussion that eventually solved both young men’s dilemmas. “A drag,” he grunted. Drawing his fingers through a thick crop of hair, he moaned. “Birds are thicker than flies out there. I got blue balls just looking.”
“Ooh,” Caine snickered. “He lost his rubber glovey again.”
“You’re a scream Phil.” Johnson plunked on a cot. “I’ve had it with this shit! Maybe the damn kid could have an accident; like drown in an inch of water.”
“So do it.” Caine laughed.
“Can it.” Matthew Reed glared at his friend. This wasn’t helping their chances of conning Johnson into suffering guard duty alone.
“Maybe we could sneak out for a few beers?”
“And what do we do with the knobs?” Johnson grunted.
“They’re shaping up, we could start easing up on ourselves. Take it in shifts. One stays here tonight; tomorrow night…”
“Sure,” Caine seconded the plan. “Or two of us could go out for a few hours—one could come back and relieve the other.”
“Take turns?” Johnson didn’t like the sound of either suggestion. They sounded too much like these two had already made plans and Randy was gonna get screwed. “Lock ‘em up early,” seemed a better solution to him.
“Can’t lock them away before dark.” Caine disagreed. “Especially if there’s no one down here.”
“Once they turn that monitor on, you ever hear anything from that room? You got them too scared to shit.”
“But they might have to piss.” Reed said fairly certain now that Randy was not going to remain alone. Reluctantly he decided, “We’ll take them with us.”
“You nuts!” Caine mimicked Johnson’s howl. “Won’t we look cute dragging a couple of thumb suckers into the club. They’ll throw us out.”
“We won’t hit the usual haunts; that’d be stupid,” Reed said. “We’ll slum it. Go civilian. Hit the motel bars. With all the freewheeling no one will make us.”
“And no fluff?” Johnson grumbled.
“We can stay here and play rummy?” Reed shrugged.
~~~
Five young men, clean shaven, hair worn well above their ears, and their jeans bright with disuse, brought a nervous tremor to the waitress’ tone. “Cadets.” Her stare followed them as they slid into a rear semicircle booth.
The bartender had only glimpsed the older youths’ faces and he shook limp shoulder-length brown hair as he said. “Seniors. I know the tall blond guy; he’s okay and it’s early yet; serve them a couple rounds. Just watch them.”
At the small piano bar, Deirdre O’Neill nudged her cousin and whispered, “We got company.” She looked up into the full-mirrored wall and Amy’s eyes met hers. “Remember,” she warned. “We don’t know Bri or Jas.” And they slid from their stools.
Instantly the cadets were on their feet as the girls approached the booth. “I had a feeling you’d show up here.” Deirdre grinned at Matt. “But not with a squad.”
Introductions completed, Matt shoved Jason into the curve of the booth, opening a space next to himself for Deirdre. While Phil ushered Amy into the seat he’d vacated and pulled a chair from another table. Randy watched his friends’ quick maneuvers and an angry burn started.
Though Amy’s smile had been pleasant enough, Deirdre had barely acknowledged the black youth as her eyes passed over him. As the conversation bubbled up, Randy found himself tongue-tied. The bitch, he realized, was intentionally drawing the freshmen into it while deliberately ignoring him.
Phil touched Amy’s arm and offered, “How ‘bout it?” as he motioned towards the dance floor.
Her too warm acceptance, aggravated Brian, who stood quickly with the request, “Miss O’Neill?” and his hand reached for Deirdre’s.
Matt’s unpleasant glare followed them as they moved passed the other tables, then he turned back to find himself confronted by Randy’s angry brown eyes.
“That’s the piece of fluff,” Randy said, “You were drooling over at the game. You boys are real clever. I should have guessed.” He shoved his beer almost spilling it. “I’m gonna split.”
“Why?” Matt said in surprise. “There’s nothing going down tonight. Just felt like some female companionship.” He grinned. “I’m a bit outnumbered.”
“Yah, I’d say so. And my presence isn’t exactly appreciated.”
“What?”
But suddenly the frown left and Randy smiled like he’d gotten a reprieve. “It’s early—one call.” He sounded like it was a sure thing. “No action, I’ll be back.” He squirmed through the open end of the booth. “Like you say.” He threw a friendly jab at Matt’s chin. “You got enough competition.”
~~~
“She cut him.” Jason remarked as Randy passed through the exit door and lowered their guards down to two. He knew Deirdre had done it deliberately for a reason but still he thought it stunk. Johnson couldn’t care less about them and was only drawn into the situation by his association with the other two.
“What?”
“Simple,” Jason said to be nasty. “Girls do it all the time. Your Miss O’Neill just skinned your buddy.” He laughed softly as if enjoying the idea.
“You’re full of shit! Connors.” Matt said, looking unsure.
“Where’s Randy off too?”
Matthew answered with grunted, “A date,”
Deirdre said, “Good.”
He ignored the implication as the extremely attractive young female squirmed in close and her nearness drove concern for his friend’s treatment temporarily from his mind.
“How did you get to be such a big shot,” was a husky whisper. “That’s what the regimental commander is, isn’t he?” One of Deirdre’s hands rested lightly on his thigh as if the action was done unconsciously.
~~~
It was barely dark when the cadets returned to barracks. “Christ!” Jason forgot the sir. “We downed a gallon of beer. You can’t lock us in, if we have to wait for you—we’ll bust.”
“Piss in the sink,” Reed was unhappy. The evening had turned out all wrong. While Dede had given him the proper signals he’d begun to sense it was a game with her. Phil had turned off of Amy quickly—once he’d even whispered to Matt she’s got the intelligence of a marshmallow. And Randy had never returned leaving Reed feeling lousy that he’d neglected to catch what Connors had spotted.
Oddly it was Caine who showed more compassion. “Matt’s frustrated,” he laughed miss-reading the reason. “Ease up boy you still got a chance tomorrow night. Leave the door open; we’ll take their shoes, barefoot with no money? Better yet,” he snickered, “we’ll take their pants.” As Reed headed for the metal closets, Caine wiggled his fingers, “Come on give,” and obediently the two youth’s jerked off their jeans and handed them over.
“Don’t make too many trips down.” Was followed by a nasty grin. “Especially you, Connors.”
Reed flung the hangers over his shoulder and waited for Caine to vacate the room before he followed then remembered. “Turn the monitor on.”
~~~
“Damn!”
“Shush,” Brian warned halting Jason’s tantrum. Keeping the door slightly ajar he listened for the closing of the one beneath. Then leaping on his bunk laughed softly. “You may freeze your buns but you won’t bruise your pinkies.”
“Funny, fucking, funny,” Jason glared at his cousin. “We give them a while to sack out, then you can help me mess the room, then you got to take this whole bottle.” He tossed up the vial.
“You still going?”
“Papa bears didn’t think of everything,” Jason pointed to the jogging suit still neatly folded on a shelf. “But if I had to, I’d go bare naked.”
“Turn on the squawk box before they come check,” warned Brian and he added, “It’s going be weird, not having you around.”
“Hey, without me to cramp your style, you can move right along, the way you were born too. When I surface, the election will be over and my old man will be so relieved, he’ll never make me come back here. You’ll be free at Thanksgiving and we’ll have a blast and maybe you won’t want to return here either.” Jason switched on the monitor. He lay down and grimaced as he drew a razor blade several times across his arm and flicked the blood on his pillow and sheet.
Chapter 104
England, 1984
Stewart Sheppard stepped briskly past the glass plate into an almost empty executive lounge at London’s Heathrow airport. Jason Connors looked exhausted. Rising slightly in his chair, Jason waved half heartily as Stewart Sheppard stepped briskly passed the plate glass. Followed closely by his shadows, the young man made his way to Jason’s table with an outthrust hand of welcome. “Only just arrived,” he said, “and you’re leaving in the morning?”
Stewart questioned their previous phone conversation, as he dropped into a chair across from the youth.
Jason slumped back into his seat. “Our flight leaves at eight in the morning,” he lied. “Already booked through to Madrid.”
Though the twenty-six-year-old Stewart had no desire to spend time with two eighteen-year-old Yanks, he was disappointed that this unexpected visit by twenty-four-year-old attractive Colleen Fitzgerald was going to be so short. It was an evening spent with Conners’ cousin, the ivory skinned, black haired beauty that had brought him rushing to the airport. Jason’s call to say hello and inform him that they were only staying the night in London, had decided him, and he’d invited them for dinner.
While well built, Stewart’s sharp features, that he saw every day in the mirror, told him he wasn’t handsome. With Colleen he had never been able to establish more than a friendship. He hoped a bit of time together without completion might rectify this. “How’s old RJ doing? See he’s really popping on your Father’s campaign.”
“Yah, he’s really into it. Hey?” Jason cocked his head to indicate the bodyguards. “Those guys hang in everywhere you go? I’ll have to put up with that?”
