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 · Fantasi

Peringkat tidak cukup

69 Chs

CHAPTER 56

I helped Lucy into the SUV as Marylou climbed into the rear seat. Fifteen minutes later I stopped at the entrance to the Bascomb County Hospital's Emergency Room. They were ready for us—a benefit of having a police radio in my vehicle. I went in with Lucy while Marylou found a place to park. Another benefit was that I'd never get a ticket for illegal parking. Marylou rejoined us in the room and a few minutes later Jonathan walked through the door. They stayed with us until the nurse shooed them out to the waiting room and put me into a gown, hair net, and booties. I looked silly dressed like a pixie carrying a .44 Magnum.

"If those were white," Lucy said with a laugh, "you'd look just like the Pillsbury Dough Boy."

I couldn't think of a witty retort so I leaned in for another kiss, something I'd never tire of. I sat in a chair and held Lucy's hand while we waited for Dr. Murphy to check on Lucy's progress. The waiting was interminable—even worse than any of the stakeouts I'd been on and some of them were so long that I'd had to piss into a coffee cup several times to maintain continuous surveillance.

Finally, around 5:00 p.m. Lucy's water broke. She told me to grab some dinner—not in the cafeteria--while the nurses efficiently cleaned up the mess and notified Dr. Murphy—all within five minutes. I guessed then that it was the same as shooting—concentration and practice. After kissing Lucy again and taking her order for a large ginger ale with lots of ice I reluctantly left to see if Jonathan and Marylou wanted to join me. They did and we opted for barbecue; it would be quick and we could sit on the pleasant patio outside the restaurant.

They ordered pulled pork while I felt like brisket. We ate quickly, but enjoyed a delicious meal. Our waitress brought a large cup of icy ginger ale along with a refill of my un-sweet tea as she wished us the best. I realized then that the entire city knew that Lucy was in labor. I wondered then if everyone knew how she screamed during orgasm. I wouldn't be surprised.

I walked into Lucy's room with Dr. Murphy. After a brief examination she closed the door and spoke quietly. "Lucille, you're dilated, but not enough. Do you remember that we discussed this possibility during one of your visits?" I recalled that conversation clearly. Lucy would have to deliver by C-section. That meant general anesthesia which could be dangerous, but it also meant that my wife would be spared the physical ordeal of giving birth. I signed the permission for the surgical procedure and ten minutes later a surgical nurse arrived to wheel Lucy down the corridor. I left then to speak with her parents.

I'm not much for praying, but—I swear to God—I prayed for Lucy and our daughter for hours. My mood was somber until Marylou came over to sit next to me and hug me. "She'll be okay, Matt. Lucille has always been much stronger than she seems to be and she has the best doctors in the area."

"Thanks, Marylou; I really appreciate your thoughts, but…I don't know what I'd do without her." A tear came to my eye as I envisioned a life without my love. Yes, I'd had an active life before Lucy when I was a U.S. Marshal, but it was a lonely one with only Max for companionship and my right hand for sexual release. It was an existence then. Now I had a life that was much more worth living.

We were there for more than two hours when Dr. Murphy, still in her scrubs, walked in. "Interested in seeing your daughter, Matt? She and Lucy are just fine. You should have heard her scream when she took her first breath."

"Just tell me she looks like Lucy."

"That, you'll have to determine on your own. C'mon, I'll show you where they are. Jonathan hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe and then he shook my hand several times while Marylou hugged me and kissed me. Me? I just took several deep breaths and thanked God for my blessings.

Lucy was resting with her head on her pillow and Melody Ann at her breast. Her name had been the subject of much disagreement until I put my foot down. Melody Ann was the name that Lucy wanted. I told my in-laws and everyone else to "shut the Hell up" about it. Case closed.

I couldn't believe how tiny my daughter was—just six pounds and seven ounces, but—man, what an appetite. She suckled like there was no tomorrow. I wanted nothing more than to hold, hug, and kiss my incredible wife. Unfortunately, my in-laws beat me to it. Lucy showed her love in her eyes when she looked up to me just as I hoped she could see my love in mine. 'I can't tell you how much I love you right now, but it's even more than I did before. You are the most incredible, the most wonderful…."

"Matt, shut up and kiss me. I already know how much you love me." Then she looked down at our daughter—a real live human being we had created through our love for each other. Okay, our lust had a lot to do with it, too. I held my pinkie out to Melody's hand and I was surprised by how tightly she gripped it. She finished feeding a few minutes later and Lucy burped her before the nurse took her down the hall to the nursery so Lucy could rest. I kissed her again just as her eyes were closing then I ushered Jonathan and Marylou out the door. I said good-bye in the parking lot then phoned Daryl and Jasmine before placing the call I wanted to make more than anything.

"Hi, Aunt Nell—I've got great news for you."

"Does that mean I'm a great aunt now?"

"It does. Melody Ann was born about an hour ago by C-section. She and Lucy are doing well."

"That's great; would it be okay if we come over the weekend?"

"It sure would, Aunt Nell—I know that Lucy will be thrilled. I have to go now and pick up Max. He's with Daryl now because I thought the delivery would be later. I'll talk with you soon." She ended the call just as I sat in the SUV. A moment later I was on my way to pick up Max. He was glad to see me and, as expected, he searched the entire house for Lucy once we were home. I tried to explain, but to no avail. He'd just have to wait. Lucy would be in the hospital for two days because of the surgery. I hated sleeping by myself. I missed Lucy's touch and the sensation of her skin against mine.

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