"Where did that come from?" demanded Frank, coming up behind Joe as he wheeled his bike into the back of their van.
"Piers was waiting with it when I got outside," Joe informed his brother. "Relax," he quickly added, seeing his brother's shoulders stiffen. "It's the last time I'll have any contact with them. He was just returning my bike."
Frank remained quiet but finished helping Joe put the bike in the van. "Want to go to Mr. Pizza?" Frank asked as he climbed behind the wheel.
"I'll pass," Joe declined the offer. "I had better get my homework done since I'm picking Camille up later."
"She's kind of pushy," Frank said, voicing his opinion of her.
"Not really," Joe disagreed with a shake of his head. "She's opinionated, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"As long as you like her," Frank said with a shrug. "Tell mom I'll be home by six"
"Will do," acknowledged Joe.
"Have fun tonight," Frank said as Joe got out of the van.
"I intend too," Joe replied, closing the door and running up the walk to the steps.
"Hi, Mom!" Joe called out as he entered the house.
"Hi, honey," Laura greeted him, coming into the living room as she wiped her hands on a dishtowel. "How was school?"
"The usual," replied Joe, walking over to her and leaning down to plant a kiss on her left cheek. "Frank's gone to Mr. Pizza but will be home by six," he continued. "And I've got a date at five with Camille."
"Camille?" demanded Laura, looking up at her son with curious blue eyes.
Joe told his mom what he knew of the new girl at school who had invited him out. "Oh, and Piers returned my motorcycle this afternoon."
"Who?" she asked, her voice lowering and her blue eyes hardening.
"He had it fixed because I was run down when he was supposed to be watching me," Joe quickly explained. "It's the last contact I will have with Sorrel or any of his men."
Laura sighed and shoved a stray strand of blond hair behind her ear. Joe and Frank had gotten into trouble for keeping things from her and Fenton and even though Joe obviously hadn't relished telling her or even had to at this point, she was proud of him for doing so. "Do you have any homework?" she changed the subject.
"A little," Joe admitted. "But I can get it done before I leave. Um..can I borrow your car?" he asked, wishing for more than the first time that the insurance they had gotten to replace the van had been enough to get a cheap second car. If only the insurance company had covered all the improvements and customizing he had done to their first van.
"Of course," Laura agreed at once. Like Frank and their friends, she was also glad Joe was dating again.
Joe finished his homework then quickly got ready and left. He arrived at Camille's house on Shore Road a few minutes before five. He parked the car and got out. The brick walkway was lined with flowers and it was obvious the realty agency had gone to great lengths to keep the house and land looking pristine. The two-story brick house must have cost quite a bit, Joe thought. But if the Porsche and Cadillac in the driveway were anything to go by, the Lane's could afford it.
Joe walked up to the front door and lightly tapped the doorbell. He heard a faint chime as his presence was announced. About a minute later, the door was opened by a stout man in his late forties. His hard green eyes were narrowed and his nose was wrinkled in disgust as he looked at Joe. "Go away," he snarled, looking Joe in the eyes.
"My name is..." Joe began but stopped as the man snapped at him.
"I don't care what your name is," he snarled. "I saw the company you keep. Stay away from my daughter."
"But.." Joe tried again.
"Silence!" roared Mr. Lane. "If you come anywhere near my daughter ever again I will have you arrested."
"For what?" demanded Joe in surprise.
"Harassment!" Lane snapped before slamming the door in Joe's face.
Joe stared at the closed door in shock. He was well aware of what Camille's father thought. He only wondered how Mr. Lane had known who Piers was. Taking a deep breath he knocked loudly on the door.
"I'm warning you for the last time!" Mr. Lane snarled, throwing open the door. "Get off of my property!"
"Just let me explain?" begged Joe. "You're upset because you saw Piers returning my bike, right?"
"Returning your bike?" repeated Lane. "And why would he be returning your bike?"
"Because I got hurt while he was guarding me," Joe explained, realizing too late that for the second time he could have worded his explanation better.
"Off my property!" thundered Mr. Lane, again slamming the door in Joe's face.
Joe lifted his fist to knock again and then dropped it in one fluid movement. Perhaps he could explain to Camille the next day at school and she could explain to her father. Of course, he was still curious as to how Camille's father had recognized Piers.
Joe headed back down the walkway to his mom's car, pulling the leys from his pocket as he walked. Without any warning, two men leapt from behind the hedge. A chloroform-drenched cloth covered his face as strong arms wrapped around him. The keys were taken from his hand as he faded into unconsciousness.