“In nine months, at least one.” Julia patted her belly, her first public admission of being pregnant.
“That’s so exciting.” The elderly woman in the window seat looked up from her magazine at Julia.
“And are you traveling on business or pleasure?” the old woman asked.
“Actually, I’m going to get a sonogram.”
“Now, that’s pleasure,” the woman said as she took off her jacket, folding it in her lap. “But a long way to go for a picture.”
“I know, but I love my doctor, and I wanted to surprise my husband with the first photo of his child.”
“He doesn’t know?”
“No, and it’s killing me.”
“My name is Katherine,” the old woman said. Her green eyes sparkled with life, her attitude and smile making it hard to tell her true age.
“Julia,” she said in return. No need for last names, just enough to allow for cordial conversation to pass the flight time before they disappeared from each other’s lives forever.
“We never had children,” Katherine continued. “But my husband and I love kids, always have. I’ve got plenty of grandnieces and grandnephews. Kids give us perspective, they remind us of what’s important in life. Am I right?” Katherine said as she leaned forward, looking at Jason.
“They are the reason I do what I do.” Jason said with a smile. “Believe me, I would never work this hard for myself.”
“And where are you heading?” Julia asked Katherine.
“Back to Chilmark. I was visiting my sister in Larchmont. My husband has been taken ill.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“No worries, you know how men are with a sniffle or fever. He’ll be fine.” But her eyes didn’t reflect the confidence of her words. “We each go through a spell of bad health a few times a year. It’s his turn this time.”
A buzzing came from Julia’s purse. “Excuse me,” she said as she reached into her bag and drew out her cell phone.
Julia paged through to the text message and began reading the short and to-the-point note.
Have a safe flight and a great weekend,
Jo
Julia loved her secretary, an organized yin to her frenetic yang.
She thought of calling Nick to tell him of her plans, but figured he was in the midst of business and didn’t want to disturb him.
And so she settled back in her seat, pulled out a magazine, and indulged herself with a little me-time while waiting for takeoff.
DETECTIVE BOB SHANNON pulled into the driveway of Washington House in his black Mustang Cobra, his single indulgence in life. He didn’t play golf, didn’t fish, wasn’t much for cards, but he’d loved muscle cars since he was a kid, and with no wife to talk him out of it, he bought the ’99 used Shelby Cobra for $38,800, keeping its black finish factory new with a weekly buff and polish.
Dance, Brinehart, Randall, Arilio, and Sam turned in surprise as he got out of the car.
“Guys,” Shannon said with a nod as he walked toward them.
“Hey, Shannon,” Brinehart said, acting as if they were best friends.
Shannon ignored him, keeping his full attention on Dance.
“I thought you were at the station,” Dance said, “following up on the arrest of those kids from the Bronx who got caught jacking cars over on Wampus Lake Drive.”
“Yeah, well. I got a call.”
Everyone turned to watch as Nick stepped out of the passenger seat, staring back at everyone.
“You guys responded, too, huh?” Shannon continued.
Dance just stared at him.
“The robbery…?” Shannon said, pointing out the reason for his visit.
“Yeah,” Brinehart blurted out, to the consternation of Dance.
“This guy,” Shannon thumbed his finger back at Nick as he cast his eyes on the young Brinehart. “He called you, too?”
Brinehart knew better than to make the same mistake twice.
“… Because the robbery wasn’t mentioned over the radio.”
The air grew thick. All eyes focused on Dance, who just stood there without a hint of emotion on his face.
“I want to know what the hell is going on,” Shannon said, an edge growing in his voice, the tendons in his neck distending as he fought to hold back his anger.
“Who’s this guy?” Brinehart said, alluding to Nick.
“Never mind that,” Shannon snapped at Brinehart as his eyes bored into Dance. “Answer my question, Ethan, what are you doing here?”
Dance looked at Brinehart and Randall, who remained calm, while Sam adjusted his sunglasses, taking a step back against the building, trying to disappear.
“Who are you?” Shannon said, glaring at Sam.
“I’m-” Sam stuttered, his hands shaking.
Brinehart walked around Nick, standing directly behind him. “And who are you?”
Brinehart’s arm shot out, snatching the pistol from the back of Nick’s waistband. “What the hell is this? You a cop?”
Shannon looked at the gun and back to Nick. “You didn’t tell me you were armed.”
“Considering the day I’ve had,” Nick said, “I thought it was a good idea.”
“Dance,” Shannon turned back to his partner. “This guy said you’re here to steal, let me see if I remember this: four gold swords, two rapiers, three sabers, five daggers, three guns, a bag of diamonds, and,” he paused, “some kind of box.”
Everyone remained silent.
“Look,” Shannon softened his tone. “You haven’t done anything yet, why don’t you get in your cars, get out of here, and we’ll forget about this?”
“You the type that would rat on a fellow officer?” Brinehart interrupted.
“You’ve been a cop for what, a year? Please. Don’t give me this blue code of silence shit.” He turned back to Dance. “Ethan, what the hell are you doing?”
Dance stared for a moment, all ears waiting on him.
“You might forget, but he won’t,” Dance said, pointing a finger at Nick.
Dance suddenly pulled his pistol and shoved it into Shannon’s gut.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Shannon exploded, not bothering to look at the gun. “Put that thing away before I shove it down your throat, dammit. I’m your cousin.”
And without breaking eye contact, Dance pulled the trigger.
The bullet ripped into Shannon’s stomach, knocking him back.
But Shannon didn’t go down. He took three steps forward and grabbed Dance by the neck, slamming him against the building, choking the life out of him.
And Dance shot him again in the gut.
This time Shannon teetered on wobbly legs, stumbling backward, finally collapsing.
Dance’s cohorts swung their heads, looking for witnesses.
Nick stood there in shock, watching the life bleed out of Shannon.
“That’s great,” Brinehart’s voice cracked. “You just killed a cop. In front of a witness, no less.”
“Cuff him,” Dance said, pointing his gun at Nick.
“You going to kill him, too?” Sam finally said, his voice panicked.
Dance walked over to Nick and pulled out his wallet, reading his license. “So, Mr. Quinn, how’d you know what was going on here?”
“Quinn?” Sam said. “That’s the name of Hennicot’s lady attorney. Are you going to kill him?”
“Why would I kill a suspect? We’ve got someone connected to this place to pin this on now. Killing a cop’s a capital offense,” Dance said as he looked at Nick, patting his cheek in a taunting fashion. “Sucks for you.”
JULIA WATCHED AS the stewardess pulled the cabin door closed and turned the crank, sealing them in.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have now closed the cabin door and ask that all cell phones and pagers be turned off for the duration of our flight. You must also turn off all electronic devices until such time as we are airborne and give the direction that you may resume using them.”
Julia quickly dialed Nick’s phone. Finding it going directly to voicemail she quickly spoke. “Hi, honey. I love you. I’m sorry about our fight over having dinner with the Mullers. Not to worry, if you really feel strongly, I’ll cancel them. I’ve got something better planned. Just us. I’m running up to Boston for a quick meeting. Sorry I didn’t tell you that-”
“-I’m sorry, ma’am,” the stewardess interrupted as she leaned down. “The cabin doors are closed, all cell phones must be turned off.”
“Sorry,” Julia mouthed. “Honey, I have to go, I love you. I’ll call you when we land.”
Julia ended the call. “Sorry about that.”
“I never fly without squeezing one last call to my husband either,” the stewardess said. She smiled and headed to the galley.
Julia couldn’t wait to see the surprise on Nick’s face when she told him about the baby.
And she turned off her cell phone, tucking it back into her purse. She put her head back against the soft leather seat, her thoughts still on her husband as she closed her eyes for a quick nap.
“PUT THEM BOTH in the back of my car,” Dance said. Brinehart and Arilio opened the door of Dance’s Taurus and hoisted the body of Robert Shannon into the backseat. Brinehart turned to Nick, his hands cuffed behind his back, and took him by the arm.
“Better yet, Brinehart, you stay out here, keep an eye out.” Dance took Nick by the arm. “Why don’t you just come with us and smile for the cameras.”
