The Golden Years

A Sort of Falling Out

Eddie was surprised at how quickly a lot of the water had vanished into the ground. There were still areas of flooding and some large puddles on the roads. Damage to a number of homes and businesses was visible but, aside from the litter of palm branches, and other debris, the drive was relatively easy.

The other surprise was the Glock Riley had produced from a lock safe after he had asked about a gun earlier when she was on the phone. The shake of her head at the time had been misinterpreted.

He noticed the transition from small subdivision homes to larger residences on larger properties, to gated entries with security. Twin Hills was one such community, and Eddie used his souvenir police badge to mollify the obviously dedicated security guard. He followed more directions through a small canyon and then up into the community namesake - Twin hills was actually real, twin hills.

He found Brian's address at the foot of a long winding drive that revealed only a small portion of the house at the top. From the puddle at the drive entrance, he noticed wet tire tracks which he assumed meant Brian was out and came back, or he had a visitor. On the side of caution, he parked and chose to climb the drive on foot.

Face flushed, Brian refused to sit at Jim's command, and demanded to know just what the hell he thought he was doing. He was trespassing and unwelcome in the least.

Jim took out a gun and set it on top of the bar. "Before you take that any further, Helms, you'd better consider just how delicate your position here is." Jim sat on the stool in front of the living room bar, and hooked his heels on the rung, hunching forward. "Your little restaurant scam is pocket change to what we have established, and the fact that you agreed to the method chosen, leaves you very vulnerable.

"When the investigation gets heated, those they have in custody will not be keeping silent. Gavin knows this. That's why he came here to make a deal with you."

"We didn't make any deal--"

"But the money he was offering looked pretty good, didn't it?"

"Wait a minute." Gavin spoke up. "You said we. Who is we? Aren't you . . .?"

"Mister Big?" Jim laughed. "Only here in this county, Gavin. This organization is state wide. You thought you were something, didn't you? Giving orders to people like Gil, and Brian here, and Gail." He slid off the stool and came to stand in front of the seated Gavin. "You were nothing. A foil to be used as necessary . . . and it isn't necessary any more."

Gavin's eyes darted between the two men. "Now hold on, Jim, I may not be a big fish but I'm not without means of self-preservation."

"Are you suggesting something like Biggs' notebook? The book you failed to get and now sits in the hands of the FBI?"

"You were there! You know we searched - it was your place don't forget."

"I haven't, and I've been tidying up." The look was menacing.

"Gail! No, Jim. Not Gail."

"Your girlfriend was about to do a runner, and she knew far too much to risk her getting caught."

Gavin shot up from the seat, hands reaching for Jim's throat. "You bastard! I'll kill you!"

The lunge carried both men back into the bar stool, toppling it and themselves onto the floor. Struggling about, advantage changed hands. then Jim flipped Gavin over and he smashed down through the coffee table. Brian, uncertain as to what he should do, shouted at them to stop but Jim manoeuvred on top of Gavin, swearing and pinning the man's flailing arms to the floor.

"Stop, for Christ's sake! Stop!" Brian tried to pull Jim off.

"If you know what's good for you, Helms . . ." Jim grunted, his eyes looking to the gun on the bar.

Brian held his breath. This was way more than he ever bargained for. He looked at the men struggling, then at the gun, weighing his odds. The noise was loud in the large room, and the cry of pain as Gavin stared dumbstruck at Brian.

"You made the right choice, Helms." Jim stood and took the gun from Brian's limp hand.

Outside the door of the house, preparing to knock, Eddie ducked at the sound of the shot, then his police training kicked in, along with a dose of adrenalin, and he burst through into the room shouting 'Police'!

Jim whirled around, firing at the sound of the voice, then dashed to the balcony doors. Eddie threw himself behind a chair in time to avoid being shot, then ran to the balcony, too late, as he saw Jim hurtling down the drive to his car. Brian was just standing over Gavin's body, shoulders hunched, mouth hanging open, when he came back.

"Sit in that chair, Mr. Helms." Eddie pulled at his arm, then bent down and checked Gavin. "Where's your phone?"

Brian sat dazed, unresponsive.

"Phone, Helms!"

He looked up and pointed weakly. "Behind the bar . . ."

Eddie called the State Police and asked for Garcia, reporting what, where, and who. "Monestario got away. I'll wait here for you, but I'm concerned about Mrs. Nursewood, so step on it."

******

Riley listened without interrupting then hung up and set about doing everything Eddie suggested. All doors and windows were locked. Alarms inside and outside set - a feature Tom had insisted on because of the coyotes and occasional cougar that had been sighted a couple of times.

She checked through the windows, chewing her lip, then poured a large glass of wine and sat in the living room. Her thoughts ran to Eddie and the sudden impact he had made on her life. She wondered if she was reacting to everything that had happened - a kind of Stockholm thingy. He had been nothing but kind, helpful and . . . There was the rub - the and part. Was that shock response? She had certainly taken part willingly.

The sound of a car door made her jerk, spilling a some of her wine. She jumped up and went to the window. The car was right in her driveway but she could see no one. She hurried to the back of the house, just as the side door smashed open, and the alarm started and stopped.