Chapter 27
"One tire going, no, but two at once? Yeah, something's up," AJ replied.
The police arrived on the scene twelve minutes later and looked at them skeptically when they claimed that this had been no accident. That was, until one of the officers got under the vehicle and found two small incendiary devices attached near the tires that blew. The officer in charge informed AJ that there would be a full investigation. While they were still answering questions, the tow truck arrived.
"Mac what do you want to do about the luncheon? We can call someone to come and get us," AJ suggested.
"No, lets not make anyone come out again in this weather. One of the officers said he would run us home because they need to keep the Escalade for investigation."
"That's fine, but one of us should call and let them know why we're not there."
"I agree, but let's not alarm them with the sabotage news."
"True, for now, just tell them we had car trouble."
Mac nodded and made the call. As they gathered their belongings from the Escalade, the officer asked them where they lived. When he heard AJ was in McLean, he went slightly pale. Seeing that, Mac suggested, "Admiral why don't you ride out the storm at my place? McLean is so far in these conditions."
Wishing she had some other motive than just not putting the officer out, AJ nonetheless agreed with her suggestion. They arrived at her apartment and the officer wished them well, adding that they would contact them as soon as they had more information on the Escalade.
Once inside, they removed their coats and hung them up. Mac headed for the kitchen saying, "I'll put on some coffee and see what I can find for lunch."
"What can I do Mac? I don't want you to treat me like a guest," AJ asked following her into the small kitchen.
"Well, you could make the coffee then, until I determine what our options are in the food department," she told him starting to rummage in the fridge.
He found everything needed for the job assigned to him. It was all there on the counter within easy reach.
Muttering as she pushed passed oriental takeout containers and opened a box of pizza that she immediately closed then threw in the trash; she finally came out with a package of ground beef. "I guess I could make hamburgers."
He looked at her with an indulgent grin and asked, "Do you have cream of mushroom soup, egg noodles, and sour cream?"
Reaching into the cupboard she pulled out the soup and said, "I don't have egg noodles, but I have the thick spaghetti."
AJ saw it was linguine noodles and said they would do, "What about sour cream?"
"I think I still have a small container, if it hasn't gone bad," she replied opening the fridge again. Inspecting it and seeing that it was okay, she handed it to him and asked, "So what can you make with all that?"
"Have you ever had stroganoff?"
"Yes! I love it! Is that all you need?"
"It is. Why don't you get the water on for the pasta while I brown the meat? Do you have onions, mushrooms, and garlic?"
"I thought you said the others was all you needed!" she protested with a laugh.
"I can make due without those, but they will add extra flavor to the meat," he answered.
"Well, I have them but not fresh if you needed that. I have onion flakes, mushrooms in a can, and garlic powder, will that do?" she asked pulling out each item.
With a grin he told her that would be okay and started adding them to the meat in the skillet.
She watched him work, thinking that this was what it would be like if they were married. Trying to distract herself from those kinds of thoughts she blurted out, "So, do you believe me now, that someone was trying to kill you and got Harm by mistake?"
To be continued…