Cahill

I could hear the din from the bar as I exited my SUV and I was still almost a block away. What a shame! I knew from long experience that would change as soon as my foot crossed the threshold. I tend to have that effect on people. I’m six feet six inches tall and I weigh an even 250 pounds—all of it broad shouldered muscle. My Body Mass Index at my last physical was less than four percent. My light brown hair is styled exactly the way it’s been for the past fifteen years—ever since I first joined the Navy. Sure enough, no sooner had I taken my first step into the bar than the noise died. When I turned left and stepped up to the bar the people there couldn’t back away fast enough. I took a stool in the middle of the empty space and sat down, waiting for the bartender to approach. “I’m not looking for any trouble.” “Good…neither am I. Give me a ginger ale.” He reached under the bar for a glass and some ice. Twenty seconds later he slid the glass in my direction. I pulled a fiver from my pocket and dropped it on the bar. He ignored it and walked away to draw a few beers and pour some wine. It looked to me like this was a pretty cheap crowd. Checking up and down the bar all I could see were longnecks and drafts. I reached into the lower left pocket of my cargo pants. Like almost everything else I was wearing they were a true deep navy blue. My heavy shoes were black as was my wide belt. My belt said as much about me as the bold white lettering across my chest. Just below the American flag over my heart were the letters that were my life—U. S. MARSHAL. On my right hip was my nickel plated .44 Magnum Colt Python, just behind two speed loaders in addition to the twenty-four rounds on the belt. On my left hip was my ASP Talon baton—every bit as deadly a weapon in my hands as the revolver. A pouch at the back of my right hip held my stainless steel handcuffs and its partner on the opposite side held my radio—my link to my backup team. I placed the photo flat on the bar as the bartender returned to me. “I’ll have another,” I said in a loud voice, continuing so I wouldn’t be overheard. “Don’t pick it up and don’t make a production of looking at it. I’ve been told that he comes here a lot. Is he here tonight? If he is and he escapes because you’ve given me away I’ll see to it that you’re arrested for obstruction of justice.” He gulped a few times but did as he was told, nodding slightly in response. I continued almost at a whisper. “If my nose is pointing to twelve o’clock, my right ear to three, the back of my head to six, and my left ear to nine, tell me where he is. Again, don’t point or do anything obvious and we’ll be fine.” He pretended to wipe the bar as he whispered, “About 4:30 with his back to you.” I picked up the reflection in the mirror then asked, “Red shirt with black and white stripes, looking away from me?” He nodded again. Now, in my normal tone of voice I asked, “Where’s the men’s room?”

Fredrick_Udele · Fantaisie

Pas assez d’évaluations

69 Chs

CHAPTER 49

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We'd told our guests to come around 4:00 for dinner at 6:30 so, of course, Daryl and Jasmine came at 4:15 and Dan and Marie a few minutes later with Lucy's parents at almost 4:45. I wondered silently how they'd feel if we made our announcement before they arrived. Jonathan was suitably contrite when they arrived. "I am so sorry, Lucille. Your mother was moving like mud going uphill."

"Now, Jonathan," she replied. "You know that isn't true. My dress had a stain on it and I had to change almost everything. I'm sorry we're so late, Lucille…Matt." I hugged her and told her it was no big deal. Then she continued with a wry smile on her face. "I was wondering…is there some special reason why we're all here?"

I couldn't resist. "There's no fooling you, Marylou. There is. I heard from my advisor at UNC and with a few minor adjustments my Master's thesis will be complete. It's the final step for my degree in Criminology." I looked at Lucy and could see that she was barely holding back the giggles.

Then Jasmine stepped forward to say, "I thought we were celebrating my appointment to the City Council."

"Not to mention," Daryl chimed in, "Jasmine and I are officially engaged." Everyone agreed that was a great reason for celebrating so there were hugs and kisses and hearty handshakes all around as I stepped behind the bar to make a few drinks. Nobody said a word when Lucy and I opted for ginger ale.

"Aren't you having a celebration drink, Lucille," her mother asked.

"I can't, Mother. I'm pregnant." That announcement was met by stony silence for a few seconds while it sunk in, then there was as much pandemonium as six people could make. Jonathan actually jumped for joy as Marylou, Marie, and Jasmine hugged Lucy, doing that jumping thing that women seem to enjoy so much. Finally, Ingrid appeared with trays of cold boiled shrimp and assorted canapés that featured several kinds of cheese, bacon, and caviar. I was sorely tempted to try them all, but instead I opted to kiss my bride.

Finally, Daryl walked up to hug me. "Nice going, bro; you are one lucky man."

"And you're not? You got yourself a fine woman in Jasmine. I wish you all the luck in the world."

"I think I've had my share. I have you for my best friend. I have a dream job in a beautiful community and I have the love of an incredible woman. All I need are a couple of kids and a dog and I'll be all set."

"The dog I can help you with. The kids are your problem." We shared a laugh at that as Lucy and Jasmine joined us. They must have been conspiring because they reached up to kiss us at the very same instant.

Just then my mother-in-law walked up to hug me for at least the fourth time. "I thank you every day for what you're doing for our town, Matt. Now I have an even better reason. I've always wanted to be a grandmother with a couple of grandkids to spoil rotten."

I knew she was kidding me so I played along. "I told Lucy that I wanted a dozen, at least." Marylou laughed as Lucy elbowed me in the ribs. I grunted in mock pain, but leaned down to reassure Max that it was all in fun.

We had a great time and I did credit Daryl for coming up with the menu. My on-the-bone slice of prime rib was an inch thick yet so tender that I rarely had to use my knife to cut it. Whatever Lucy was paying Ingrid, it wasn't anywhere near enough. She really was an outstanding cook. There was excitement in our conversation which was augmented by plenty of wine for Jonathan and three of the four wives. Lucy was pregnant and Daryl, Dan, and I were on call whenever we were not officially on duty. That's the reality of small town police departments so only Coke or ginger ale for us.

Eventually, Jonathan asked about Monday's Council meeting. "It went extremely well, Daddy," my bride answered. "Asshole Carl Haynes was suspended as were the two police officers. Jeremy Haynes' resignation was accepted. Jasmine was appointed to fill Carl's term and she'll be with us for at least a year until next Election Day. Matt gave us his budget requests for next year and he told us of his plans for the two city rec centers/police substations. I mentioned your generous offer of support. It turns out that there are two large parcels of land that would be ideal for the centers. All we'd need is thirty acres for each."

"Thirty acres? What the hell are you planning to put up there?"

"In addition to the building we were thinking of several outside basketball courts and Mr. Ferguson suggested at least one field each for football, soccer, and baseball. You know we really need these facilities."

Jonathan just shook his head then broke out laughing. "A word of warning, Matt; never underestimate my daughter, Lucille. Okay, have someone from the Planning Board get in touch with Morton Stafford and I'll make it happen. Can I consider my contribution to the project?"

"I think so, Daddy. Mr. Ferguson suggested prefab buildings that he thinks will cost us about $280,000 each so we should have enough to clear and grade the land. There are no wetlands or endangered species there unless the possum or the gray squirrel suddenly go on the list so I think we'll be good to build once we get the permits."

"Well, just don't actually do anything until you have the money."

"Daddy! I'm not a child, you know! I've been on the City Council for six years and, don't forget that forty-five percent of that land is mine."

"Here's another warning, Matt," Jonathan said while he was laughing. "Don't ever let your daughter get an MBA. She's been running me ragged for years." Then he laughed some more and all of us joined him. I leaned to my left to kiss my wife's cheek, but she turned her head, bringing her sweet lips to mine.

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