BEST MAN
Chapter One
"Colonel Steve Austin, you're under arrest."
Steve stared blankly at the penguin-suited NSB man and his half-dozen equally well-armed cronies. He knew exactly what Parr was talking about but the wedding had only been over for mere minutes. Jaime and Oscar had barely made it out the back exit before the NSB stormed the building. It was time to stall.
"Always a pleasure to see you, Bill, Steve said jovially, breaking into his most charming grin. He extended his hand as if to shake Parr's and feigned shock when a handcuff was snapped onto his wrist. "And I thought we were becoming such good friends," Steve chuckled.
Two agents moved behind Steve and finished securing his hands behind his back. "I advise you not to break them or try to run," Parr told him. "My agents will not hesitate to shoot you."
"So much for friendly," Steve grumbled.
"Friendly?" The NSB's Deputy Director was liid. "You impeded a Federal investigation, gave false information to the NSB and aided and aetted two Federal fugitives! Not to mention - I strongly suspect - assisting their escae again today. 'Friendly' is no longer in the ballpark, Colonel."
"There are no fugitives here, Mr. Parr," Steve said calmly.
"Of course not! You just helped them get away!"
"No - what I mean is that no one is running from you."
"Then where are Sommers and Goldman? Is he her hostage?"
"That's ridiculous!"
"Is it, Austin? I don't think so." Parr turned to the other penguins. "Let's take him back to The Hole. The Colonel and I have some serious talking to do."
Steve shook his head as he was led down the aisle of the chapel. "Jack Hansen will be so proud of you, Bill. You've messed up the facts and twisted the truth almost as well as he does."
- - - - - -
"I can't believe this is really happening," Jaime sighed, leaning contentedly into Oscar's arms. "A few days ago, I thought it was all over - that I was headed for the SB's zoo...or worse."
"Life does have its surprises, Mrs. Goldman, her new husband whispered, handing her a glass of champagne.
- - - - - -
"You're in more trouble than you could ever imagine," Parr said, laughing as he peered through the bars of the tiny cell at his prisoner.
"Maybe," Steve answered coolly, "for now." He leaned back on the metal ledge that served as both a chair and a bed with his hands folded casually behind his head. "But you know, this place isn't exactly the best for conversation. I'd probably have a lot more to say upstairs in the comfort of your office."
"Nice try. Now where did Jaime Sommers take Oscar? Is he still alive?"
"You're an idiot," Steve laughed. "Oh - before we do head upstairs, you'd probably want to tell your helpers to pack it in for the night. No point in letting them see you as the bumbling fool you are." When Parr only glared silently at him, Steve turned his back to his interrogator. "No? Then I wanna talk to Jack Hansen."
- - - - - -
Rudy's neighbor in Vancouver met the plane at a small, isolated airstrip. The neighbor's wife had happily stocked the kitchen and made the huge feather bed with brand-new silk sheets and a cozy quilted comforter while her husband piled wood next to the fireplace. He had no idea who the man and woman in his car actually were but he obligingly dropped them off at Rudy's cabin and then made himself scarce, returning to his own cabin to phone his friend with news of a favor completed.
Jaime and Oscar set their luggage just inside the door and found a table set for two with candles and a vase of fresh flowers in the center. Two perfect steaks sat front and center in the refrigerator, awaiting the broiler, next to a tossed green salad, two pre-baked potatoes and a plate of homemade rolls that needed only a few minutes in the oven to warm them.
"It's perfect," Jaime said, beaming. Indeed, the only thing clser to perfection than their wedding night dinner was the silk-and-feather-enhanced dessert that followed.
- - - - - -
"Alright, Austin," Jack Hansen sighed, "here I am. What was so earth-shatteringly important?" He glanced at his Deputy Director. "This had better be good."
Steve grinned. "Nothing urgent, Jack. I just thought you'd like to know what happened to Jaime Sommers and Oscar Goldman - where they were, what happened and where they are now. I'm ready to tell you the whole story."
"Let's go up to my office," Hansen suggested. "But I have to ask: why couldn't you just tell all of this to Parr?"
Steve shrugged. "I don't like him."
- - - - - -