Chapter 2
Straightening up, he saw A.J. running toward him, and relief washed over him. "Thank God," he said, hugging his brother, "Someone just took a shot at Laurie and me, are you ok?"
"Yeah, just scared out of my mind. Someone just called and said you two were dead and I was next unless I moved and now." When no one answered the phone just now, I panicked."
A.J. looked past his brother to see the mark in the paint on Rick's truck. "That was too close, Is everybody safe?" "Yeah, " Rick growled angrily, turning and starting toward the house. "Look at this, A.J, if Laurie hadn't dropped when I yelled," showing him the bullet hole next to the doorframe. He knocked on the door, and when Laurie opened it, she let out a deep breath and embraced both brothers. "I called Towne, Rick, he'll be here in a minute. Do you want me to call Gary and let him know you'll be late?"
"Yeah, thanks. A.J., we've got to find out who's trying to kill us, I don't think this is related to the office anymore, especially where that last shot ended up." Rick looked at Laurie on the phone, and his shoulders sagged. His brother followed his gaze, then put a hand on Rick's arm. "It's going to be all right, maybe we ought to get Laurie and Mom and the kids out of town for a couple of days, just until we get to the bottom of this." Rick shook his head. "I don't know, A.J., whoever's doing this could follow them. We've got to find out what or who is behind this."
A knock at the door alerted them to Towne's arrival, and when Rick answered the door, he came in, closed the door and embraced both brothers. Surprised, A.J. was the first to say, "Towne, we're glad to see you too." The detective took a deep breath, then said, "You guys have got one hell of an enemy out there, someone just called my office and said they took out two of the Simons, if we interfered, they'd make it three. If Laurie hadn't called.."
Rick looked at his family, then facing the detective, replied, "That's the last straw, we need to take the offensive with these people. Can you trace the call you got today?" He nodded. "I'm also going to have someone watch your Mom's, that way we can eliminate any threat here." "Thank you, Towne, I appreciate that", Cecilia said, as her younger son slipped an arm around her. "Right now, I want to meet with Gary, see if there have been any threats or offers regarding the building", A.J. added. Rick nodded, "Let's go, we'll stop at your office, and listen to that call you got. Laurie, lock the door and don't let anyone in but Towne, his officer, A.J. or me." "All right, be careful," she replied, walking the three men to the door. Just before closing it, Rick leaned in and kissed her. "I'll be back, sweetheart", he whispered, "I'll be waiting," she grinned, prompting a reluctant smile from him.
As he went down the steps, he saw the two men smirking at him by Towne's car. "What, can't a man kiss his wife good bye?", he groused, climbing in. As they drove away, they failed to notice a car parked in an adjoining
driveway.
After a moment, it pulled out, only to accelerate as a SDPD car pulled alongside the curb in front of the Simon home and took up watch outside.
Later that day, Rick leaned in to listen to the tape Town had provided, as well as the one on A.J.'s answering machine. Whoever was making the threats was utilizing a sound distorter, so the sex or race of the caller was disguised.
The same statement or a variation was made on both tapes, except that on one it was obvious the caller meant Rick and A.J., the other made reference to Laurie. Town shook his head when the tapes were done.
"This is crazy, since when does Laurie have anything to do with the office,
other then the few times she's temped. Rick, has she participated in any cases?" He nodded, "Once or twice she's been a decoy, but only in Phoenix cases, not here in San Diego. I don't get it, but I don't want to wait around for this person or persons to get lucky."
"Well, what about that call Gary got about the building being in the way of progress?" A.J. added, bringing in coffee for the three of them. "That was probably a crank, considering nobody else thinks the Ranch Neighborhood Project is a good idea." Rick took his coffee, sipped it, then said, "How about I set up a sting with this person, say, announce that we've signed a lease and are going to stay. Then A.J. and I carry a couple of transmitters and see if someone tries to make us change our mind."
Towne thought about it, and then said, "I can't condone it, of course. But
what I do with my off time is my business. Count me in, guys."
Later, Rick could have kicked himself for not including Laurie in discussing their plan. After A.J. picked up Mom and took her to a previously scheduled dinner with their Aunt, Robert and Robin insisted on making their favorite dinner for their parents, baked chicken and potatoes. Rick couldn't believe how good the teens could cook, nor how well they got along in the kitchen.
He said as much as he and Laurie were washing the dishes, having given the kids free rein on the TV with a bowl of popcorn.
She laughed, "Oh you think that was good, you've never been chased out of the kitchen by one of their fights. I broke them of any armed duels by threatening to cut off their kitchen privileges, and then doing it. I don't know if it was Chief Joseph or one of their relatives, but, somehow both Rob and Robin got this love of creating good, healthy meals out of the simplest of ingredients. God knows, my cooking techniques weren't very good until I came to live with them."
Flipping a towel at her, Rick teased, "You mean they came to live with you, don't you?" She shook her head sadly, "No, darling, I really mean came to live with them.
My only home for years was an apartment in Ojai near Steve, and when I found out about the kids, they already were living in the ranch house, most of the time by themselves. Oh, an aunt was supposed to be taking care of them, but she just wanted the money the state was paying for foster care. The first time I stayed overnight was the day I met them, and I didn't leave them once for the first year we were together. As it is, I had Steve ship what belongings I needed and he and Jaime moved into my place."
Rick took her by the hand and sat down with her at the kitchen table. "Sweetheart, I know you told me about how you tracked down the kids, but I didn't realize." "How lonely I was for family", she finished, burying her head in his shoulder. He held her for a moment, then lifting her face to his, said, "I'm sorry, Laurie, I shouldn't have brought it up." "Oh, no, Rick, I want you to know why I cherish you and Rob and Robin and A. J and Mom so, I'm happy with what we have because of the sad times." He hugged her tight and whispered, "And I'm going to make sure there won't be any more sad times, I promise." Just then the phone rang, and mindful of the answering machine already rigged up for tracing any calls, Rick left her side and answered the kitchen extension. "Simon residence."
"You're dead if you sign that lease. You're all three dead." a metallic voice announced.
Click.
Rick hung up, then waiting a moment, picked up the phone and punched in a number. "Towne, I just got our first tip-off, somebody already knows we're going to sign another lease." "That was fast, I wonder if someone Bugged your management's office, I'd better check it in the morning." the detective replied. "Temple was just telling me she got a call this afternoon that the Ranch people are disavowing any knowledge of the attacks against you and your family, maybe we ought to see who they have hired in the past for muscle." "Ok, we'll go with the plan for tomorrow, A.J. and I walk into Gary's office and sit for a while, then walk out toward our office, what time do you want to be there?" "How about 10, I'll park over by Mac's and then run the tail from there."
Rick agreed, "Night, Towne, see you then", and as he hung up, looked up to see Laurie staring at him. "Rick, did I just hear that you and A.J. are going to be walking decoys, and you didn't even tell me?"
Floored, Rick realized his mistake. He looked at Laurie, expecting her to go storming off to their room, only to see that she was calmly waiting for his answer. Suddenly it dawned on him that she was taking their earlier talk about trusting him seriously, and that he'd better do the same. He sat down, and taking her injured hand in his, said, "I'm sorry, darlin', I was going to tell you the plan that A.J., and Towne and I worked out today, how we're going to catch these creeps. When I walked in the door tonight, and saw you guys, well, I forgot. I know that it's risky, but so would having you and the kids and Mom leave town, I'd wouldn't rest a minute worrying about you and if you were safe. Can you forgive me for leaving you out of the loop?"
She looked at him, nodding, and then wrapped her arms around him, "Of course, my love, just don't leave me in the dark, if anything happened to you and I found out by a phone call from Towne or A.J. or." her voice broke. He kissed her, then said, "Now, nothing's going to happen, but I want to give an abridged version of what we're doing to Rob and Robin and Mom, just in case, ok?"
She nodded, and Rick stood up, then sweeping Laurie up in his arms carried her laughing into the living room.
The next morning, A.J. swung by to have breakfast, then headed off to do errands before meeting his brother at the management office. Laurie walked Rick to the door a little before 10am, and after saying goodbye to Robert and Robin, he took her in his arms. "I'll be back in time for dinner, do you want me to bring sandwiches back from Mac's?" She kissed him, then teased "Yeah, especially the Simon special. He grinned, then soberly told her, "It'll be all over soon, sweetheart, Towne is going to shadow us all day, but just in case I want you to be extra careful, remember, nobody except Towne's man, or us, ok?" As if afraid to trust her voice, she whispered, "Si.", then hugged him tightly. Clearing his throat, he kissed her again, then went out, closing the door behind him.
All day he and A.J. kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but nothing happened. At Gary's office, his daughter Marla helped the subterfuge along by calling a couple of prospective tenants and telling them how their long-time clients had re-signed with them. After a late lunch, the Simons headed to police headquarters, going in the front and picking up visitors passes, while Towne snuck in the back. Closing the door to his office, the detective crossed his arms and cracked sourly "well, that was a successful trap, we ought to be really pleased with this wasted day." A.J. shook his head, "I thought we laid it on a bit thick, but we should have at least gotten a bite. Marla did such a good job of selling those tenants, I would have signed up again." Rick popped open a can of soda, then grinning at A.J., said, "Well, at least we know who she still likes, she sure was flashing those eyes at you." His brother groaned, "Please, she's a nice girl, but too high maintenance for me." Towne looked at A.J., "You're seeing Linda, Laurie's friend aren't you?" To Rick's glee, his brother blushed and said, almost defensively, "Yes, we've gone out, she's fun to be with, so?" He turned to Rick, "Now, don't you dare go and tell Laurie, I'll let her know when I'm good and ready".
Amid the snickering, the phone rang, Towne answered it, "Brown here," then grinning, said "Oh, Laurie, we were just thinking of you." Suddenly his face was puzzled, "No, hon, Officer Nelson isn't on duty there, who ."
Rick looked at him, a bad feeling in his stomach, as the detective started calling , "Laurie, Laurie, answer me, Laurie!" Rick lurched forward and Towne handed him the phone, only for him to hear a metallic voice on the other end.
"Mr. Simon, be at your office in 15 minutes, otherwise your wife is dead."
"Who is this?" Rick yelled into the receiver, only to hear a click. Frantically he dialed the house, and after several rings, a panicked voice answered. "Pop, someone just grabbed Mom!"
He took a deep breath, then "Rob, what happened, did you see anything?" "No, I heard Mom at the door, then she was speaking to the cop whose watching the house. The next thing I knew, there was a funny sound, then the door slammed shut. I ran in and saw the phone on the floor, and when I opened the door, a car was screeching away. Pop, you've got to find her!" "It's ok, Rob, I know where they took her", He tried to calm the boy down. "Lock the door and stay with your sister and Grandma, don't let anyone in without a badge, ok?" Rob sighed, "All right Pop, be careful."
Rick hung up the phone, then grabbing his jacket, told Towne, "Give me a minute, then follow me to the office, they have Laurie and are taking her there." He nodded, then turned to A.J., "You take the back way, make sure your transmitter is on." He faced Rick, "We'll get there in time, I promise." The older Simon felt a lump in his throat, so he settled for a pat on the detective's shoulder and headed out the door.
Straightening up, he saw A.J. running toward him, and relief washed over him. "Thank God," he said, hugging his brother, "Someone just took a shot at Laurie and me, are you ok?"
"Yeah, just scared out of my mind. Someone just called and said you two were dead and I was next unless I moved and now." When no one answered the phone just now, I panicked."
A.J. looked past his brother to see the mark in the paint on Rick's truck. "That was too close, Is everybody safe?" "Yeah, " Rick growled angrily, turning and starting toward the house. "Look at this, A.J, if Laurie hadn't dropped when I yelled," showing him the bullet hole next to the doorframe. He knocked on the door, and when Laurie opened it, she let out a deep breath and embraced both brothers. "I called Towne, Rick, he'll be here in a minute. Do you want me to call Gary and let him know you'll be late?"
"Yeah, thanks. A.J., we've got to find out who's trying to kill us, I don't think this is related to the office anymore, especially where that last shot ended up." Rick looked at Laurie on the phone, and his shoulders sagged. His brother followed his gaze, then put a hand on Rick's arm. "It's going to be all right, maybe we ought to get Laurie and Mom and the kids out of town for a couple of days, just until we get to the bottom of this." Rick shook his head. "I don't know, A.J., whoever's doing this could follow them. We've got to find out what or who is behind this."
A knock at the door alerted them to Towne's arrival, and when Rick answered the door, he came in, closed the door and embraced both brothers. Surprised, A.J. was the first to say, "Towne, we're glad to see you too." The detective took a deep breath, then said, "You guys have got one hell of an enemy out there, someone just called my office and said they took out two of the Simons, if we interfered, they'd make it three. If Laurie hadn't called.."
Rick looked at his family, then facing the detective, replied, "That's the last straw, we need to take the offensive with these people. Can you trace the call you got today?" He nodded. "I'm also going to have someone watch your Mom's, that way we can eliminate any threat here." "Thank you, Towne, I appreciate that", Cecilia said, as her younger son slipped an arm around her. "Right now, I want to meet with Gary, see if there have been any threats or offers regarding the building", A.J. added. Rick nodded, "Let's go, we'll stop at your office, and listen to that call you got. Laurie, lock the door and don't let anyone in but Towne, his officer, A.J. or me." "All right, be careful," she replied, walking the three men to the door. Just before closing it, Rick leaned in and kissed her. "I'll be back, sweetheart", he whispered, "I'll be waiting," she grinned, prompting a reluctant smile from him.
As he went down the steps, he saw the two men smirking at him by Towne's car. "What, can't a man kiss his wife good bye?", he groused, climbing in. As they drove away, they failed to notice a car parked in an adjoining
driveway.
After a moment, it pulled out, only to accelerate as a SDPD car pulled alongside the curb in front of the Simon home and took up watch outside.
Later that day, Rick leaned in to listen to the tape Town had provided, as well as the one on A.J.'s answering machine. Whoever was making the threats was utilizing a sound distorter, so the sex or race of the caller was disguised.
The same statement or a variation was made on both tapes, except that on one it was obvious the caller meant Rick and A.J., the other made reference to Laurie. Town shook his head when the tapes were done.
"This is crazy, since when does Laurie have anything to do with the office,
other then the few times she's temped. Rick, has she participated in any cases?" He nodded, "Once or twice she's been a decoy, but only in Phoenix cases, not here in San Diego. I don't get it, but I don't want to wait around for this person or persons to get lucky."
"Well, what about that call Gary got about the building being in the way of progress?" A.J. added, bringing in coffee for the three of them. "That was probably a crank, considering nobody else thinks the Ranch Neighborhood Project is a good idea." Rick took his coffee, sipped it, then said, "How about I set up a sting with this person, say, announce that we've signed a lease and are going to stay. Then A.J. and I carry a couple of transmitters and see if someone tries to make us change our mind."
Towne thought about it, and then said, "I can't condone it, of course. But
what I do with my off time is my business. Count me in, guys."
Later, Rick could have kicked himself for not including Laurie in discussing their plan. After A.J. picked up Mom and took her to a previously scheduled dinner with their Aunt, Robert and Robin insisted on making their favorite dinner for their parents, baked chicken and potatoes. Rick couldn't believe how good the teens could cook, nor how well they got along in the kitchen.
He said as much as he and Laurie were washing the dishes, having given the kids free rein on the TV with a bowl of popcorn.
She laughed, "Oh you think that was good, you've never been chased out of the kitchen by one of their fights. I broke them of any armed duels by threatening to cut off their kitchen privileges, and then doing it. I don't know if it was Chief Joseph or one of their relatives, but, somehow both Rob and Robin got this love of creating good, healthy meals out of the simplest of ingredients. God knows, my cooking techniques weren't very good until I came to live with them."
Flipping a towel at her, Rick teased, "You mean they came to live with you, don't you?" She shook her head sadly, "No, darling, I really mean came to live with them.
My only home for years was an apartment in Ojai near Steve, and when I found out about the kids, they already were living in the ranch house, most of the time by themselves. Oh, an aunt was supposed to be taking care of them, but she just wanted the money the state was paying for foster care. The first time I stayed overnight was the day I met them, and I didn't leave them once for the first year we were together. As it is, I had Steve ship what belongings I needed and he and Jaime moved into my place."
Rick took her by the hand and sat down with her at the kitchen table. "Sweetheart, I know you told me about how you tracked down the kids, but I didn't realize." "How lonely I was for family", she finished, burying her head in his shoulder. He held her for a moment, then lifting her face to his, said, "I'm sorry, Laurie, I shouldn't have brought it up." "Oh, no, Rick, I want you to know why I cherish you and Rob and Robin and A. J and Mom so, I'm happy with what we have because of the sad times." He hugged her tight and whispered, "And I'm going to make sure there won't be any more sad times, I promise." Just then the phone rang, and mindful of the answering machine already rigged up for tracing any calls, Rick left her side and answered the kitchen extension. "Simon residence."
"You're dead if you sign that lease. You're all three dead." a metallic voice announced.
Click.
Rick hung up, then waiting a moment, picked up the phone and punched in a number. "Towne, I just got our first tip-off, somebody already knows we're going to sign another lease." "That was fast, I wonder if someone Bugged your management's office, I'd better check it in the morning." the detective replied. "Temple was just telling me she got a call this afternoon that the Ranch people are disavowing any knowledge of the attacks against you and your family, maybe we ought to see who they have hired in the past for muscle." "Ok, we'll go with the plan for tomorrow, A.J. and I walk into Gary's office and sit for a while, then walk out toward our office, what time do you want to be there?" "How about 10, I'll park over by Mac's and then run the tail from there."
Rick agreed, "Night, Towne, see you then", and as he hung up, looked up to see Laurie staring at him. "Rick, did I just hear that you and A.J. are going to be walking decoys, and you didn't even tell me?"
Floored, Rick realized his mistake. He looked at Laurie, expecting her to go storming off to their room, only to see that she was calmly waiting for his answer. Suddenly it dawned on him that she was taking their earlier talk about trusting him seriously, and that he'd better do the same. He sat down, and taking her injured hand in his, said, "I'm sorry, darlin', I was going to tell you the plan that A.J., and Towne and I worked out today, how we're going to catch these creeps. When I walked in the door tonight, and saw you guys, well, I forgot. I know that it's risky, but so would having you and the kids and Mom leave town, I'd wouldn't rest a minute worrying about you and if you were safe. Can you forgive me for leaving you out of the loop?"
She looked at him, nodding, and then wrapped her arms around him, "Of course, my love, just don't leave me in the dark, if anything happened to you and I found out by a phone call from Towne or A.J. or." her voice broke. He kissed her, then said, "Now, nothing's going to happen, but I want to give an abridged version of what we're doing to Rob and Robin and Mom, just in case, ok?"
She nodded, and Rick stood up, then sweeping Laurie up in his arms carried her laughing into the living room.
The next morning, A.J. swung by to have breakfast, then headed off to do errands before meeting his brother at the management office. Laurie walked Rick to the door a little before 10am, and after saying goodbye to Robert and Robin, he took her in his arms. "I'll be back in time for dinner, do you want me to bring sandwiches back from Mac's?" She kissed him, then teased "Yeah, especially the Simon special. He grinned, then soberly told her, "It'll be all over soon, sweetheart, Towne is going to shadow us all day, but just in case I want you to be extra careful, remember, nobody except Towne's man, or us, ok?" As if afraid to trust her voice, she whispered, "Si.", then hugged him tightly. Clearing his throat, he kissed her again, then went out, closing the door behind him.
All day he and A.J. kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but nothing happened. At Gary's office, his daughter Marla helped the subterfuge along by calling a couple of prospective tenants and telling them how their long-time clients had re-signed with them. After a late lunch, the Simons headed to police headquarters, going in the front and picking up visitors passes, while Towne snuck in the back. Closing the door to his office, the detective crossed his arms and cracked sourly "well, that was a successful trap, we ought to be really pleased with this wasted day." A.J. shook his head, "I thought we laid it on a bit thick, but we should have at least gotten a bite. Marla did such a good job of selling those tenants, I would have signed up again." Rick popped open a can of soda, then grinning at A.J., said, "Well, at least we know who she still likes, she sure was flashing those eyes at you." His brother groaned, "Please, she's a nice girl, but too high maintenance for me." Towne looked at A.J., "You're seeing Linda, Laurie's friend aren't you?" To Rick's glee, his brother blushed and said, almost defensively, "Yes, we've gone out, she's fun to be with, so?" He turned to Rick, "Now, don't you dare go and tell Laurie, I'll let her know when I'm good and ready".
Amid the snickering, the phone rang, Towne answered it, "Brown here," then grinning, said "Oh, Laurie, we were just thinking of you." Suddenly his face was puzzled, "No, hon, Officer Nelson isn't on duty there, who ."
Rick looked at him, a bad feeling in his stomach, as the detective started calling , "Laurie, Laurie, answer me, Laurie!" Rick lurched forward and Towne handed him the phone, only for him to hear a metallic voice on the other end.
"Mr. Simon, be at your office in 15 minutes, otherwise your wife is dead."
"Who is this?" Rick yelled into the receiver, only to hear a click. Frantically he dialed the house, and after several rings, a panicked voice answered. "Pop, someone just grabbed Mom!"
He took a deep breath, then "Rob, what happened, did you see anything?" "No, I heard Mom at the door, then she was speaking to the cop whose watching the house. The next thing I knew, there was a funny sound, then the door slammed shut. I ran in and saw the phone on the floor, and when I opened the door, a car was screeching away. Pop, you've got to find her!" "It's ok, Rob, I know where they took her", He tried to calm the boy down. "Lock the door and stay with your sister and Grandma, don't let anyone in without a badge, ok?" Rob sighed, "All right Pop, be careful."
Rick hung up the phone, then grabbing his jacket, told Towne, "Give me a minute, then follow me to the office, they have Laurie and are taking her there." He nodded, then turned to A.J., "You take the back way, make sure your transmitter is on." He faced Rick, "We'll get there in time, I promise." The older Simon felt a lump in his throat, so he settled for a pat on the detective's shoulder and headed out the door.