Chapter 8: A Family Squabble

I got home for supper on time for once, and insisted that Imelda join us. She seemed uncomfortable sitting at the table and eating with us. Most of the conversation was taken up by our girls telling us what had happened at school that day. I sat quietly, feeling guilty and angry at myself for the months that I had been absent. Those months were time that I could never get back, time that my daughters had spent growing older.

I don’t know if others notice the daily changes that children go through as preschoolers, but I did. I hadn’t before, but now I cherished each day that I had with my daughters and my wife, er ... make that wives. That was something else that I would have to get used to.

I wanted to talk with the women in my household after dinner, so I asked Imelda to help with the girls and bring them into the living room, where they could watch cartoons for a few minutes.

Imelda followed me back to the kitchen and brought coffee and a rich Mexican dessert cake to the table. It was decadent, to say the least. I repeated what I had learned from Lawrence and what I had asked Robert to look into for us as we enjoyed our coffee and cake.

Karen said that she would contact the police department and file a report on my mother’s and brother’s visit the other night, and the coincidence of the stalker who followed the girls to school. She would also let the school know to expect a phone call or a visit from the FBI on attempted kidnapping at school.

I also let the ladies know that I was considering purchasing a used armored SUV from the Secret Service. The purchase of the SUV wasn’t received the way that I thought it would be. My intention was for it to be used to drive the twins to and from school.

Karen and Andi didn’t exactly see it that way, however. They immediately started talking about how cool it would be to be seen getting out of a chauffeured and armored black SUV at Tysons Galleria. It would send a message that ‘the Mercers had arrived’ to Washington’s upscale crowd.

I grimaced at that. I My reason was to protect our daughters and ensure that they could safely get to and from school. I let Karen have her fantasy about riding to the Galleria in a limousine, but I gently reminded her that wasn’t why I’d considered purchasing the SUV. It was for the protection of our family, which now included Andi, the twins, and her.

I added, “The most precious things in the world to me.”

That wasn’t good enough for Karen, she had to add, “That is all well and fine, James, but why couldn’t we use it to go to the Tysons Galleria as well. Andi and I would be noticed getting out of the armored SUV. None of the others who shop there have one, and the snobby bitches there will know that the Mercers have arrived.”

I asked, “When was the last time you and Andi went shopping there, Karen? I know that I’ve never been. I admit it’s ‘the’ place to shop with all the upscale stores, but since when have you been interested in that? You usually prefer the stores here in Alexandria.”

Almost like in stereo, Karen and Andi answered at the same time, “Since you decided to purchase the armored SUV.”

Andi added, “I’ve always wanted to go there, but I felt weird parking my junker in the same garage with all the limousines, BMWs, and Mercedes. I’d probably turn me away if I were a parking garage attendant working there and saw my car trying to pull in.”

This was going nowhere fast. “We haven’t bought it yet, and I’m not even sure Robert can find one for us. So don’t count your chickens before they hatch. It’s okay to have your fantasy about driving up to the Galleria in a special vehicle, but it’s still just a fantasy until we actually get one.”

Karen and Andi showed their dissatisfaction with my comment by walking out, leaving Imelda and me to load the supper dishes into the dishwasher. When did they get this way? I don’t remember Karen being like this before I left for the Middle East.

Maybe I should rethink this armored SUV idea. I could have Robert buy a Camry instead. It would be cheaper and less conspicuous than the SUV, which would make it the perfect car. The Camry is a plain-Jane vehicle, one that wouldn’t draw any attention. It would blend into a mall parking lot and go completely unnoticed. The girls could ride to school in it and blend in with all the other parents’ cars and minivans dropping their children off.

That was another option, one that I could get behind. We could get ten Camrys for the price of one armored SUV. One plain-Jane Camry or a black, armored, former Secret Service SUV ... decisions, decisions. It was hard to choose.

I planned to call Robert in the morning, and see if he could put an estimate together for what a fleet of Camrys would cost. We could go ahead and purchase one for Mercer, Frisch, & Associates if it made more sense financially. The car would serve as our surveillance vehicle.

It was probably in my best interests not to tell Karen about the change in plans, at least not yet. A guys’ weekend at the company getaway near Harpers Ferry sounded like the perfect distraction. It would also give Karen and Andi a little time to cool off once they found out.

I kept quiet and let the women in my life enjoy their fantasy about how others would notice them being driven around in the armored SUV as they chatted at the dinner table that night. It would all come crashing down soon enough when their driver showed up, waiting with the door to their personal Camry open. I smiled to myself at the thought. That would be the moment for me to disappear. It was either that or learn to sleep with one eye open.