“Pleased to meet you, Lori,” Caitlin said extending her hand.
The older woman ignored her hand; she stepped close and gave Caitlin a brief crushing hug without patting her on the back. When Lori stepped back, Caitlin involuntarily inhaled audibly.
“Sakes child, any friend of John’s, is a friend o’mine. Come, sit. Tell me what you been up to, John.”
“Mostly no good, Squeeze. Have you heard from Ronnie?”
“Sure have. He was hoping to come home for Christmas, but his outfit is back over there. Don’t know why we have to play policeman to all these countries. Our boys oughta be home for Christmas.”
They joined Squeeze at her table.
“Ronnie and I were in the Marines together,” John said.
“Yeah, but he didn’t get out. I don’t know why he stays in. It’s not as if his father doesn’t try to talk him into leaving. You’d think he’d listen to his father.”
“Yeah, like he’s such a good example,” John said, amusement in his voice.
“It wasn’t the same when Bill was in. Things were better. Besides, the Navy ain’t the Marines.”
“Right.” John laughed and in a moment, Squeeze joined him.
“Look Squeeze, I’m sorry to be short, but we’re in a hurry today. Caitlin’s in a lot of trouble, and I need to get her out of town for awhile.”
Squeeze gave Caitlin a good long look. “Do tell?”
“Yes. I need you to set up a smoke screen for her.”
“I see. You want the standard treatment?”
“No, I’m afraid we’ll need the luxury accommodations this time,” John said.
She observed Caitlin with a new awareness. “My, word. You are in trouble, Child.”
“All right, John. Do you have a recent picture?”
“No, there hasn’t been time for that.”
“That’s all right. I brought a camera. It seems like you don’t ever come prepared.”
While Squeeze dipped into an enormous purse, John gave Caitlin a sideways smile.
Squeeze removed a digital camera from the purse and powered it up. “Give me a big smile, Child.”
Caitlin smiled widely. The camera flashed and made a soft hum.
“Would someone mind telling me what this is all about?”
“John, you been keeping this poor young thing in the dark? What have I told you about your manners? I told you that you weren’t getting enough home cookin’. You can’t be expected to know what the proper manners are without proper eating.”
“It’s not like that, Squeeze. There hasn’t been time.”
“Humph, yeah right, didn’t I ask you on the way here?” Caitlin argued.
John laughed lightly. “Squeeze will explain much better than I.”
“Sure thing, Child. John never was much of a talker. Look, what I’m going to do is simple. Occasionally, John has a client that needs to disappear for a few days, and I provide the cover, the smoke screen.”
In mid-sentence, Squeeze’s voice went from a heavy Southern accent to a more sophisticated, Californian tone. “Sometimes, the smoke screen is simple. I check John’s client into a hotel, make a few calls from the room, order room service, and even buy them tickets to a concert or some such event. Everything goes on the client’s credit card. It gives the appearance that the client is in town and moving around. Meanwhile, John, and his client are free to slip out for whatever it is they need to do.”
“Oh, I see, and you do this often?” Caitlin asked.
“No, not often, at least not for John. I do have other customers, though.”
“And this is what you’re going to do for me?”
Squeeze laughed, and for just a moment, her accent returned. “Lands sakes, Child. John said you need the luxury accommodations. No, we’re going to have to do something special for you.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I don’t like to give away secrets, but seeing that you’re an old friend of John’s, I guess I can make an exception. I’ll take this photo.” She indicated the camera that now showed a full-color view of Caitlin. “Then I’ll hire a part-timer and fix them up like you. Hairstyle, body type, dress, you know what I mean. Then anyone being shown a picture of you and asked to identify it would say that was who they saw. Next, your doppelganger will check into a local motel, nothing flashy, just something simple. She’ll use a fake name, but then she’ll make a long distance call on your card. That’s sure to bring attention, but the call will be brief, and your doppelganger will be gone before anyone can arrive. For the next week or until John tells me the service is no longer needed, you will be seen around town several times a day. Waiters will remember you tipping nicely, bartenders will remember what you ordered and how you were dressed. To anyone looking for you, it will seem that they are hot on your trail.”
Caitlin sat back and stared at the older woman. “I, I don’t know what to say. It’s amazing. This actually works?”
“Child, I could have given O.J. an iron tight alibi for less effort, but then he apparently didn’t need one.”
“We’ll need the paraphernalia,” Squeeze said.
“The what?” Caitlin asked.
“Your credit cards, pin numbers, e-mail account, and password. You know, everything that could be used by you and only you.”
Caitlin looked at John. He nodded. “Go ahead; it’s the only way they be able to pull this off.”
“But, then I won’t have anything. I–”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pick up the tab for everything until this is over. It’ll all be on my bill.”
“John, you’re charging an old friend?”
He shrugged. “It’s business, Squeeze.”
“All right, but as soon as this is over, I’ll be expecting you for dinner. We’re going to have to feed you proper for awhile.”
Caitlin removed her credit cards from her purse and then wrote their pin numbers along with her e-mail account and password on a
