Debts Unsettled, page 16
Karen gasped and looked at Mark. “Honey—” Her chin quivered; she lowered her head.
Mark removed his arm from Karen’s shoulders and leaned toward Michael. “Michael, we hear the seriousness of the threat, and we believe you. How can we help?” He wiped a tear from his eye and slid his hand to cup his chin and left cheek.
“As an attorney, I investigate, gather information, and draw a conclusion. So, I need your help.”
Mark’s voice trembled as he let out a heavy sigh. “Anything.”
“Do you know where Stephanie is? The hotel, the town, something that will help us find her?”
Karen wiped her eyes. “No. She doesn’t have an itinerary. The company she’s working for wants her to discover, attend, and photograph events for a travel brochure they’re creating for the State of Georgia.
“She calls us every few days to check-in but doesn’t talk much about herself. She just wants to know how we’re doing.
“I gave the man with the broken arm the name of her most recent hotel. And I gave him her phone number. But Stephanie warned me that many of the places she’ll visit have poor cell reception. And she turns off her phone while she’s working; she only turns it on when she calls us. She’s old-fashioned that way.”
An idea came to Michael. “During one of our conversations, Stephanie told me that when she’s on assignment, at the end of each day, she downloads that day’s photographs to her computer. Then uploads them to a cloud account; can you get into that account?”
Karen leaned in with a touch of hope in her voice. “I can. Stephanie knows I’m her biggest fan; that I enjoy looking at her photographs. She gave me her password and I go in every few days to see what she’s photographed.”
“When was the last time you checked?”
“Not for two days.”
“Let’s go check them.”
Karen stood, turned, and rushed toward the staircase. “Follow me.”
As Karen was signing in on her computer, Michael looked at Mark. “I need photos from the last few days loaded onto a flash drive. Do you have one I can use?”
Mark opened a drawer in the desk where Karen was working. “Yes.” He removed the drive from its packaging and handed it to Karen.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have our I.T. people check the metadata in the photos. They should be able to come up with something to help locate her.”
As the photos downloaded, Karen swiveled in her office chair. “Michael, shouldn’t we contact the police?”
“That’s up to you, but until we have a clue to where she is, the police have no place to look. She’s not a missing person, so I don’t know what they could do at this point. Keep trying to phone her. If we can discover the town or county where she’s working, we can help the police find her.”
Karen unplugged the flash drive and handed it to Michael.
As Michael was leaving, he hugged both Mark and Karen. “I’ll contact you as soon as I get an answer from our IT people. Should be tomorrow, mid-morning. Would you search Stephanie’s room to see if you can come up with her employer’s phone number or email address? If you do, contact them tomorrow. They may have her current location.”
“I’ll begin searching right away. If I find it, I’ll call you.”
“Great. Thank you, Karen.”
Karen hugged Michael. As she let go, he took her hands in his. “I am so sorry that Stephanie’s caught up in this mess. I’ll do everything I can to protect her.”
Mark placed his hand on Michael’s shoulder and squeezed, while trying to smile. “We trust you will.”
Michael hurried home, dodging standing water on the sidewalk, and jumping over street storm drains clogged with autumn leaves.
He arrived at his apartment building soaking wet. Making his way up the stairs, Joe’s threat came to mind, which caused his senses to detonate.
White-haired Joe knows where grandma lives!
Michael pulled out his phone and called his grandmother.
It went to voice mail.
He tried to stay calm. “Hi Grandma, please call me as soon as you get this message.”
After drying off, he combed his hair, changed his shirt, wiped moisture from the book and placed it in a large zip-lock bag. He grabbed a dry jacket from the hall closet and hurried to his car.
Michael needed to get her to a safe location. He headed to her church, hoping to catch her there.
30
Michael parked in the church’s parking lot. In front of the church, groups of people huddled under umbrellas, some red, a few were blue, but most were black. He recognized one person and ran toward her. “Mrs. Edwards.” She turned to look.
“I’m Michael Mays.”
She waved. “Oh yes… hello, Michael. Haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
Michael stopped and stood with his shoulders hunched and head leaning forward, water running down his neck. “I’m doing okay, but I need to talk with my grandmother. Have you seen her this morning?”
“Yes, church got out,” she looked at her watch, “half an hour ago, and we talked afterwards. She introduced me to a nice young man who’s new to our church. She was taking him to Ella’s café. Your grandmother loves that place. She’s everyone’s friend, and hospitable to a fault.”
Michael moved the conversation along. “Yes, she is. How long ago did she leave?”
“It was right after she introduced the young man to me.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Edwards.”
“Come back and visit us soon, Michael,” she called out as he ran back to his car.
He waved above his head and answered without looking back. “Thanks, Mrs. Edwards, I will.”
There was no parking near the cafe. He made a left turn and found a tight parking spot two blocks away.
Michael sprang from his car and ran to Ella’s. On a street behind the café, he launched off the curb, trying to clear a six-foot-wide puddle caused by leaf-plugged storm drains. He didn’t make it. Now his feet were soaking wet.
So much for changing into dry clothes. There’s a reason I never made the track team.
Grandma waved at Michael as he came through the door.
She patted the seat of a chair next to her. “Michael, what’s going on? I saw you run past the window. My first thought was, you wouldn’t be running unless someone’s chasing you.
“Sit and drip dry. I want to introduce you to a new friend. Michael, meet Curtis. Curtis, meet my grandson, Michael.”
Curtis offered his hand, which Michael accepted. “Hello, Michael.”
Michael folded his arms across his chest and glared.
There’s maliciousness in that smile.
“Do you live in this neighborhood, Curtis?”
“No, just got into town. I’m a god-fearing-man and thought it good to find a church while in town.”
Never the linguist, Michael couldn’t make out his accent.
African, Caribbean…?
Michael moved his left hand thumb and index finger to his chin. “God fearing… huh? What do you fear… that He’ll reveal the man you are and blow your cover?”
Grandma slapped her hand on the table.
People at neighboring tables jolted and looked.
“Michael, I didn’t raise you to talk like that.”
As grandma chastised, Michael kept his focus on Curtis. Malice manifested itself in Curtis’ bold stare and insolent smirk.
“Grandma, you’re correct, you did not raise me to be rude. Curtis, I apologize.”
Curtis, enjoying the apology, maintained his smirk and stare.
“Grandma, please excuse Curtis and me for a minute. We need to talk?”
“Michael… behave.”
“I’ll do my best, Grandma.”
With an air of superiority in his swagger, and a smug smile on his face, Curtis followed Michael to the front door. Even his clothing portrayed his confidence. Tailored loose enough for comfort but close-fitting enough to reveal his excellent physical conditioning. As his arms swung with confidence, his rose gold watch flashed against his espresso skin.
They stood under the entry awning, which was the source of a waterfall curtain between the sidewalk and them.
“Curtis, there is nothing I value more in this life than that woman. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. Do you understand?”
“I understand it would require you to be with her 24/7. Will you take her to work with you? Or out of the country? Protecting her is quite simple. Give my friend what he wants. He’s asked you nice, but how long will he maintain nice? When he tells me to not be nice, I can be very un-nice, Michael. This should frighten you: he’s given me the go-ahead to be un-nice at my discretion.”
“It’s time for you to leave, Curtis.”
“Michael, this will not end well.”
“Our time together ends now. Leave, Curtis.”
“Have it your way, Michael. I assumed you’d be smarter than you are demonstrating.”
Michael walked back in and sat across from his grandmother.
She placed both hands on the table and gave a look Michael knew well. “Where’s Curtis?”
“He had to leave.”
“What did you do, Michael?”
“Grandma, he’s not the man you think he is.”
As much as Michael hated lying to her, he retold the story he told Stephanie’s parents, adding that Curtis works for the man in prison.
“He’s threatened Stephanie, and now he’s threatening you. I’m doing my best to protect both of you, but you must help me, grandma. Is there somewhere safe we can send you until I get this resolved?”
“Michael, I’m too old for this. Are you sure this threat’s legitimate?”
“Yes, I’m sure the danger is real.”
“Okay… I trust your judgment. I’ll need you to help me get to my sister’s place in Redding, California. But first, let’s call her to see if she can help.”
“Do you know her number?”
“No, we need to go to my house and get it from my phone list.”
“I’ll pay the check while you put on your coat.”
“You don’t have to, Michael. I invited Curtis to lunch, so I should pay.”
“Consider it making up for my rudeness.”
She smiled and squeezed his hand.
As they walked onto the sidewalk, she stopped. “Hold on, Michael, I’ll put up my umbrella.”
There was a gunshot.
Michael felt the water spray as the bullet passed through the awning waterfall.
“Michael, help me,” his grandmother said as she fell.
He caught her and wrapped his arms around her.
He lowered her to the sidewalk and continued to hold her.
She looked up at him and tried to smile, but could only wince. “I guess it was a legitimate threat.”
The water from the awning was turning red as it ran off the sidewalk and into the gutter.
He pressed his hand against her right shoulder where blood was flowing.
“Stay with me, grandma.”
He looked up at a man coming out of Ella’s restaurant. “Call 9-1-1.”
Michael heard that vague foreign accent spoken close to his ear. “Oooh, that must hurt. You better have that looked at.” He laughed with the same malice that poisoned his smile. “I gave you fair warning, Michael.” His shoes splashed as he ran away.
* * *
Daniel’s phone rang. “Yeah, Curtis, how’d it go?”
“He will not cooperate. I warned him consequences awaited, but he wasn’t having any of it.”
“Did you give him a stronger warning, like I told you?”
“I shot her. But I don’t think she’s dead, but I guarantee he gets your message.”
“Okay. Get out-of-town now. Head south.”
“Will do. I’ll stop when it’s someplace sunny and 80 degrees.”
“I may need you again, so don’t go too far south.”
“Only as far south as I need to. You call me and I’ll be here.”
* * *
The Paramedics arrived and did an excellent job of getting Michael’s grandmother stabilized, loaded onto the gurney, and on her way to the hospital.
As Michael was watching, a Portland Police Sergeant approached him. “Sir, are you related to the victim?”
“Yes, she’s my grandmother.” He couldn’t take his eyes away from the rainwater, still tinted by her blood. “My name is Michael Mays.”
“Mr. Mays, my name is Sergeant Romero.” She shook his hand.
Michael told Sergeant Romero a short version of the lie he’d told his grandmother and Stephanie’s parents. He gave her a brief description of Curtis. “I believe he’s working for someone I helped convict years ago. But I have no tangible evidence to support my suspicions.”
“Mr. Mays, please come to this address.” She handed him her business card. “We need a thorough description of the suspect.”
“Sergeant, first I’m going to the hospital and check on my grandmother. If she’s stabilized, I’ll come in right away. If not, I’ll be in after they’ve stabilized her.”
The Sergeant considered what his response. “I understand. But the sooner, the better.”
“I want to help catch the guy, but I won’t be able to concentrate until I find out how she’s doing.”
“Again, I understand. We’ll see you at that address soon.”
“As soon as I can.” They shook hands, and he ran off.
Michael parked in the Emergency Room parking area and ran into the waiting room. He identified himself to the receiving nurse. “I’ll let the doctor know you’re here. He’ll talk to you as soon as he’s out of surgery.”
“Is he working on my grandmother now?”
“Yes, they took her into surgery right away.”
“Thank you.” He found a seat in the waiting room.
Forty minutes later, the nurse signaled him back to the counter and pointed. “Go through that door. The doctor will talk to you now.” She handed him an I.D. lanyard. “Please wear this.”
He nodded and turned to the door, pushing it open as he placed the lanyard around his neck. The smell of phenol and alcohol hit him as stepped into the hallway.
The doctor approached. “Mr. Mays?”
“Yes, please call me Michael.”
“Michael, my name is Dr. Haskel. Your grandmother is very fortunate. The bullet struck her right shoulder and passed through. It involved no major arteries or bones. But she lost a lot of blood, and she’s 90 years old. If she were a 30-year-old woman, I could tell you she should mend and recover. I can’t give you that news, but I can tell you she came through the surgery much better than expected.”
“Thank you. She is tough and more than a little stubborn.”
“Well, she’s stable now, but I’m keeping her sedated for the night. You can step in and see her, but she won’t know you’re there.”
“Thank you, doctor. I’ll do that. Then I’m going to the police station to give them a more thorough description of the man who shot her. How long before she’ll be conscious?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Is it okay if I come back and stay with her during the night?”
The doctor put his hand on Michael’s shoulder and said, “It’s best you go home and get some rest. Come back tomorrow morning.”
Michael stared at the doctor for a few seconds, nodded, and said, “I’ll come back and check on her after I meet with the police. Then I’ll go home. Thank you, doctor.”
“You are welcome. It was nice to meet you, Michael.”
Michael approached the striking Asian woman at the police precinct’s reception window. “I’m here to meet with Sergeant Romero.”
A cast on her right wrist accessorized her police uniform. She saw Michael noticing the cast and smiled as she held it up. “Responded to a domestic disturbance. I blocked a husband’s attempt to hit me with a lamp. I’ll be on modified-duty for a while.”
“I’ve heard they can be dangerous calls.”
“Yes… ugly. Your name?”
He handed her the sergeant’s business card. “Michael Mays.”
She pushed a few buttons on her desk phone. “I have a Michael Mays here to see you. Thank you, sergeant.
“Have a seat, Mr. Mays. She’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Five minutes later, a door opened next to the reception window and Sergeant Romero motioned him to come in.
She took his statement and supervised a composite sketch session with a forensic artist.
“Thank you for coming in, Mr. Mays. That’s all we need from you today. We’ll keep you posted. If we get a hit with this information, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you, Sergeant.”
“How’s your grandmother doing?”
“The doctor thinks she will recover but, because of her age, gave an official disclaimer.”
“I wish her the best. I hope we can find this guy. It might comfort her if she knew he’s not still out there.”
“Me too, thanks.”
On his way home, Michael stopped at one of his favorite local burger joints. Curtis and a bullet had preempted lunch.
* * *
Sunday afternoon, BTH called Daniel to check in. “Hey boss, Bob here.”
“Bag Michael’s girlfriend. I need her for leverage.”
“You got it, Boss. This is my third day tailing her at this festival. I think she suspects I’m up to something.”
“She might have pictures of you. Destroy the film.”
“There’s no film, boss. I’ll get the storage card in her camera and destroy it.”
“Yeah, I forget about this digital crap. This might have to get ugly. He’s refusing to give me the book. Move on her when she gets into her hotel room; if he continues to refuse, I’ll have you rough her up. We might have to send him a photo of her to encourage him to cooperate. You have a gun, right?”
“I don’t leave home without it, or I get one when I get to where I’m going, so yeah, I’ve got a gun.
