Chapter 4
Chris and Josiah sat in the living room. "What the hell was she thinking, Josiah!" roared Chris. "Didn't I specifically tell her to stay in the house unless one of us was with her? And what did she do? She went outside ... alone!" Chris leaned toward the guest bedroom and bellowed, "She's lucky I don't lock her in that bedroom!" He looked back at Josiah and continued growling, "And she was callin' her house sitter! I said no phone calls!"
"Easy there, Chris," soothed Josiah, "Rebecca doesn't quite understand what's involved here. She doesn't realize how deeply Jarrod was involved in highly illegal activities. She still thinks of him as a spoiled little boy. Rebecca won't admit it, but she's been pretty much indulged herself. We make her angry because we won't let her manipulate us!"
Chris sent a 300 watt Larabee glare toward the closed bedroom door. "Josiah, if she gives us any more trouble, you're gonna have to deal with her, because if I have to, it's gonna give a whole new meaning to excessive force and coercion!"
Rebecca sat on the guest room bed seething. She wanted to be alone; how does that man expect her to be alone accompanied by an agent? Does he even comprehend the meaning of the word, "alone?" Chris Larabee certainly has a lot in common with Jonathan Washburn! That man called her several times before she even… Then Rebecca remembered the envelope!
Ezra unpacked her suitcases when he gathered her laundry. Rebecca searched through the drawers, then her suitcases. She found the overnight envelope that Sarah, her house sitter, mailed her. It was tucked in one of the side pockets of the large case. The desk clerk at the hotel gave her the envelope and the first message from Washburn at the same time. When she reached her room, the phone was ringing and it was Washburn again, trying to schedule a luncheon appointment with her. Rebecca was so distracted that the letter completely slipped her mind. It was in one of those cardboard overnight envelopes with the little pull tab that Rebecca struggled with when she had two good hands. She looked for one of the agents. Chris and Josiah were in the living room discussing something. They stopped abruptly when Rebecca entered. "Would one of you please open this for me?" asked Rebecca. "I forgot all about it."
Josiah was closer and he reached out for the envelope. He pulled the tab and handed the envelope back to Rebecca. She struggled to slip her hand inside, but she couldn't maneuver with the brace and sling, so Rebecca dumped the contents onto the coffee table. The handwriting and address stopped her cold. Chris and Josiah stared at her reaction.
"What's wrong?" asked Josiah.
"It's addressed to my husband in Jarrod's handwriting," explained Rebecca. A letter to a dead man from a dead man! Suddenly she couldn't breathe; her legs couldn't support her. She sat down heavily in a chair and squeezed Ezra's teddy bear into her side. As she reached for the letter, Josiah caught her hand. Chris left the room and returned with latex gloves.
"Do you mind?" asked Chris as he held the letter up to the light. Rebecca shook her head. Chris used his pocket knife to slit the top and drew out the letter. Taped to the letter was a key. He knelt next to Rebecca and held it for her to read aloud:
Dear Dad,
Sorry it's been so long, but things haven't worked out the way I hoped. Please keep this key for me. Don't tell anyone you have it and don't give it to anyone except me. If I call and ask for it, don't acknowledge it unless I say the model of your old jeep. Talk to you soon…
Love,
Jarrod
P.S. Give my love to Rebecca. Tell her I miss her and I'm sorry.
Rebecca looked at Chris. He said, "This might be the reason they tried to kidnap you. We'll have to trace this key; alright if I take it?" Rebecca nodded. "I need the letter, too. We'll check it for prints. Josiah, stay here with Rebecca. I'll send someone else out. Rebecca, just do what Josiah says; don't give him any trouble."
When Rebecca gave Chris one of his own glares, he said, "I know, screw you, Larabee!" Chris laughed and shook his head as he went out the door.
Josiah drew his weapon, checked it, and holstered it. He checked his cell phone and then sat on the sofa. He patted the cushion next to him. "Sit down, Rebecca," he told her. "Tell me about Jarrod. Nothing in particular, just talk about him."
Rebecca sat next to Josiah and said, "Stephen and I didn't raise Jarrod; in fact, he was fifteen when I met him. Jarrod's mother left Stephen when Jarrod was eight - for his pediatrician. She convinced Jarrod to take his step-father's name, probably to hurt Stephen. Stephen didn't fight it because he refused to give any cause to interrupt visitation or begin a custody battle.
"Jarrod's mother and grandmother indulged him. He always wanted a quick buck; that's why he began gambling. Jarrod was bright, but he wasn't the least interested in work or school. His definition of work was anything that he didn't want to do. He could spend hours on a computer or playing pool or just driving. He actually expended more energy trying to get out of work! Jarrod was never in trouble with the law - that we knew about - but he dabbled in recreational drugs. Of course, he never wanted to discuss it with his dad because Stephen didn't approve. Jarrod smoked cigarettes and the occasional cigar. He drank, mostly imported beers. He liked status symbols on beer bottles, in clothing, cars, everything. Jarrod was easily impressed with "flash," and never understood actual quality. I know it sounds catty, but Jarrod was a lot like his mother.
"Jarrod never got along with his stepfather. The longer they lived under the same roof, the worse it became. We tried to have Jarrod live with us, but he bucked the rules constantly and refused to accept the consequences. Jarrod said that he wanted to live with his mother because it was less of a hassle. We loved Jarrod, but I don't know if he ever fully understood." Josiah took her hand in his; talking about Jarrod was obviously painful.
Rebecca continued, "Jarrod never maintained a committed relationship with a woman. He began dating Therese when he was still married to Jacqueline. He divorced Jacqueline and played house with Therese, but began dating Amanda while he was living with Therese. One day he came home, told Therese he was leaving - she could keep the dog - and he moved in with Amanda! Amanda had relatives in the Denver area; she moved to Denver first. Jarrod said he wanted to be with her and there were opportunities for him, so he moved to Denver. We only met Amanda once at Christmas several years ago. We never knew her last name. She had two children; I wonder if she was still with Jarrod. I wonder if she knows he's dead?"
Rebecca looked at Josiah with such hurt that it tore at his heart. He dropped her hand and put his arm around her and pulled her to lean against him. "Why did you keep your maiden name?" he asked.
"It had nothing to do with women's lib or 'losing my identity.' It was simply easier to maintain familiarity with my students' families. They knew me as Ms. Cole before and after I was married," stated Rebecca.
"Where did you learn so much about interrogation techniques," asked Josiah.
"Josiah, I'm a high school principal," Rebecca said as if she couldn't believe the question, "I spend most of my day solving disputes between students, teachers, and parents! If I can't tell who's lying and who's telling the truth, or manipulate someone into revealing information, I can't do my job effectively." Josiah chuckled, glad he didn't have to face a principal like her when he was in school.
"You're in exceptionally good physical condition, and you know self-defense techniques. Is that part of being a principal, too?" questioned Josiah.
"I have to be comfortable leaving the school building after dark, subduing unruly students or parents, or stopping physical confrontations. Physical conditioning is a survival tool, especially with my size!" laughed Rebecca. "It's also a good release for tension, anger, and anything else unpleasant."
"Tell me anything you know about Amanda," persisted Josiah.
"Well," said Rebecca, "I don't know much. She's about my size with dark hair. She was living in New York State, just over the Pennsylvania border, when Jarrod met her. Her ex-husband was still there. Amanda's mother had a bar or restaurant of some type in Colorado, near Denver. Amanda went to live with her mother when she and Jarrod broke up. I think she wanted to get married, but Jarrod said that he'd never get married again. I don't think I would even recognize her if I saw her; I know she was younger than Jarrod, but I don't know her age."
"Why did Jarrod say he was sorry in his letter?" asked Josiah.
"Jarrod came to see me at school. He said that he needed money for gas; he was driving to Denver. I didn't have much cash on me and I was tied up in meetings all day. I gave him every dollar I had. He thought I was angry because he was leaving. He said some nasty things. I tried to explain that I don't keep credit cards, checkbooks or cash at school. Why tempt the kids? It was a very uncomfortable scene. I never told Stephen."
Josiah sat quietly with his arm still around Rebecca. He was beginning to get a clearer picture of Jarrod Walters, definitely more mercenary than Rebecca allowed herself to believe. He was also developing a fondness for Rebecca. He had to put that out of his mind; there was work to do!
Josiah startled and checked his cell. "Buck's here."
Buck parked his truck in the barn next to Josiah's Suburban and walked to the house. Josiah went to the back door and verified before he unlocked it for Buck.
Buck entered in his own inimitable way – joking with Josiah and flirting with Rebecca, maybe not quite in that order. He went over to the bookshelf and picked up a CD player; he handed it to Rebecca. "Listen to some music, little darlin'," he told her, "I gotta talk to the big guy."
Rebecca put the buds in her ears, leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She could take a hint.
"So hey, Big Guy, how's it goin' with Rebecca?" Buck asked as they walked into the kitchen.
Josiah scowled, "Buck, she's in the next room! And I hope you realize that we've been alone together for a total of 45 minutes. And during those 45 minutes I was constructing a profile of Jarrod Walters!"
"All work and no play, Pard!" laughed Buck. "Anyway, we traced the key to a locker at Union Station. Chris and Vin are on their way over to check the contents of the locker. The only prints on the letter were Jarrod's. The envelope was another story..."
Buck's account was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. Josiah and Buck drew their weapons and turned to the sound, one on either side of the doorway. Two men were rushing into the living room. One grabbed Rebecca while the other ran into the kitchen, face first into Josiah's fist. He hit the floor hard with his gun clattering into the kitchen to be retrieved by Buck. The man who grabbed Rebecca was backing her out the front door with his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. He aimed his gun at Rebecca, then at Josiah and Buck in the kitchen doorway, then back at Rebecca.
"Put it down, Pard," warned Buck, while he kept his gun trained on the kidnapper's forehead.
"Just listen to him," warned Josiah, keeping his gun aimed right between the eyes. "Let her go."
The kidnapper was pulling Rebecca backward through the door. He backed her onto the porch and when he aimed his gun at Josiah, Buck squeezed the trigger. The kidnapper went down and Josiah ran to catch Rebecca.
"See, it pays to be short! You make a lousy shield," joked Buck.
Josiah hastily stepped between Rebecca and Buck. Rebecca's eyes raged! "Did you see what he did?" she asked through clenched teeth. "He shot right over my head! Where did I put Jon Washburn's phone number?" Rebecca growled as she strode into the house, wiping the man's blood off her face.
Josiah and Buck grinned. They followed her in and restrained the unconscious kidnapper.
Buck was on the phone with Chris. Josiah sent Rebecca into the bathroom to shower and change her clothes.
It wasn't long before the rest of the seven arrived. There was a body on Chris' front porch, a broken window on his front door, and a man in handcuffs with zip straps around his ankles on the sofa.
"Guess I forgot to tell the kids to play nice before I left," said Chris dryly.
ATF agents from what used to be called Internal Affairs interviewed Josiah, Buck, and Rebecca. They bagged the body, arrested the other kidnapper, and the Haz-Mat Unit cleaned up the blood. Chris learned that the kidnappers saw the vehicles leave and thought Rebecca was alone. They were told where to find her, but didn't know (or wouldn't say) how she was located. The surviving kidnapper was taken into custody, but wouldn't say who hired him. Chris figured it would just be a matter of time before he talked to cut a deal.
Josiah repaired the broken window.
Ezra returned Rebecca's clean laundry and refused to accept any payment for it. "Sorting through your lingerie, not to mention your cashmere sweaters, was a truly spiritual experience," mused Ezra.
Vin gave Rebecca a bag of clothes from The Second Hand Store. He said, "The jeans are pretty small; I think they'll fit, might even be a bit tight."
Immediately there were comments and whistles. Josiah shook his head as he said, "Glad that sexual harassment seminar made an impression!"
Vin continued, "The sweaters are a little over-sized to fit easily over your brace."
"They won't cover the tight jeans though, will they?" asked Buck apprehensively.
"Saw the little lady in action, Buck," said Josiah, "You watch those tight jeans and she'll make sure you need a brace on one of your precious body parts!"
Moans and groans from the others.
J.D. brought pizza and salad for dinner. He even ordered three different kinds of salad dressings and half a vegetable pizza so Rebecca would have some dinner choices.
They sat in the living room eating and drinking soft drinks while the seven engaged in their usual wit.
"Yeah," said Buck, "that guy came rushing into the kitchen like he was heading to the frig for a cold one and 'Siah just put up his fist. WHAM! He went down for the count!"
J.D. smirked at Nathan as he said, "You two were in the kitchen and Rebecca was in the living room alone? Sounds to me like you were the ones headin' for a cold one!"
"Don't make me come over there and hurt you, J.D.!" threatened Buck.
Nathan kept trying to convince Rebecca to take something stronger than acetaminophen for her pain. "If you want to spend the night with me in the bathroom again, just say so, Nathan!" barked Rebecca a little louder than she intended. Everyone just happened to stop talking as she said it, and laughter erupted.
Chris looked over at Rebecca. She looked exhausted. "Okay, Rebecca," he ordered, "time for bed. We have work to do and I want to make sure I know where you are and what you're doin'. I already have your cell and laptop. Go to sleep!"
Rebecca tossed her paper plate, rinsed her glass, and said good night. Chris called after her, "Rebecca, just go to sleep and try to stay out of trouble. Don't even use the hairdryer; your hair will dry by mornin' on its own!"
Rebecca turned, narrowed her eyes and looked at Chris. She began to speak, and as if on cue, all eight people said in unison, "Screw you, Larabee!" Laughter exploded again and Rebecca just walked away in disbelief. These men are insane.
Nathan chased after her with pain pills and water. "No arguments, or I'll let Josiah deal with you," threatened Nathan with a smile.
Rebecca had no fight left in her. She swallowed the pills. "Thanks, Nathan, I think," said Rebecca. "Good night."
As Rebecca closed the door behind her, the seven got down to business.
Chris walked out to the back porch and returned with a box of latex gloves and a military duffle bag. He explained that the key opened a luggage locker at Union Station. The duffel bag had Jarrod Walters' name on it. Chris removed the contents and passed them around: six cartons of cigarettes, ten thousand dollars, an ounce of cocaine, a semi-automatic assault rifle, an Uzi, and a ledger. The cigarettes had South Carolina tax stamps. The bills were well-worn in various denominations. The cocaine was in a typical distribution bag. The weapons had serial numbers filed off; they were similar to the weapons recently turning up in the hands of Denver gangs. The ledger was the most interesting. Chris and Josiah agreed that it looked like the same writing as the letter Rebecca received from Jarrod. The ledger listed times, dates, places, and names. Jarrod drove all over the U.S. and Mexico transporting weapons and drugs for Tyler Lance. The ATF and FBI had been trying to nail Lance for months, but witnesses disappeared or died mysteriously or refused to talk. This might be the break they needed.
They decided the course of action from ballistics to handwriting analysis. Walters must have told his interrogators about the locker key. Walters mailed the key to his father. How did they tie Rebecca to Walters? The seven decided that Rebecca didn't need to know the details. When she asked, and they knew she would, the answer was simply, "We can't discuss it at this time. Talk to Larabee."
"Shit," said Buck, "She doesn't like you anyway!"
To be continued…