Chapter 14

While Colleen called Jack, I asked, "I need to call down and get something sent up to eat. Anybody want to join me?"

Rebecca jumped at the suggestion, and pretty soon Millie organized a big meal for everyone. The kitchen said it would be delivered in about thirty to forty minutes, and I heard Rebecca say, "The sooner the better."

I more or less collapsed on the sofa, kicked off my shoes, and put my feet on the coffee table.

The weariness must have showed, because Millie hopped up and tucked a couple of pillows around me, and Rebecca fetched a light blanket. With all that had happened, it was understandable that once the adrenaline wore off, I would hit a wall. We talked for some time, and I don't remember falling asleep, but the next thing I felt was someone stroking my face, ever so gently.

When I opened my eyes, Millie was smiling at me, and said, "Hey. Dinner is here. Let's eat." That sounded wonderful, and I joined them at the dining table.

I looked at Colleen, and before I could ask she said, "Jack is on his way. He doesn't sound happy, so I don't think the news is positive." I shot a look at Mr. Bell, and his face was set in a scowl, which meant someone wasn't going to get a happy call, tonight.

"If this thing is spinning out of our control, why not call the Judge, and have him deal with it for you? He still owes us BIG TIME, and this is as good a way to collect, as any, right?"

Mr. Bell thought.

We waited.

He thought some more, then said, "Let's hear Jack's report, and then talk about the next step. Carol and the girls are still away from home, right?" I realized that he was thinking far beyond the immediate problem.

"Yes, Sir. I told her that I'd call when it was safe to come home. I'm thinking I need to buy three new iPhones and get new numbers for Carol, Jill, and Joan, then turn off their old numbers, so Tim can't use their phones to track them down. Jack could have them delivered, in case someone is watching for me.

"Speaking of Tim, did Jack say that he is back in jail, yet?" Ohhhh, I stepped in it with that one.

Mr. Bell's face got very black, and Colleen bristled like a mama lion just before she pounces.

Mr. Bell finally answered. "I believe Jack is coming to explain why Tim Sanderson is not in custody. Whatever else he has to say better be good, because I expect this meeting to be unpleasant.

"Maybe you are right, Br- I mean David. Maybe we need to get the DOJ down the throat of this judge. It is unconscionable that Tim Sanderson isn't sitting in a cell, for however long it takes, waiting for his trial.

"We might need to call in our overdue favors and have the federal government put this thing to bed, once and for all." He was not happy. Colleen looked fit to kill, and Rebecca was near tears. They were really scared that this was going to go on. Maybe I should have put the two clowns down and let the chips fall where they may.

"Mr. Bell," I said. "This is partially my fault, and I'm sorry. Maybe I could have handled it differently, and things would have ended up better than they did."

That set Colleen off. "You! YOU, Brian, are the only one that did a good job. This has been a screw up the entire way. We're not paying Jack's company to leave you hanging out to dry, waiting to get killed. We're paying – and I mean PAYING – for his people to have stopped this before it came to your doorstep.

"Don't You Dare try to take the blame, here. I will peel his skin back, before he will put you in danger, ever again." Well – alrighty then.

I think I understood Colleen's point of view on this. Instead of arguing or pleading my side of the story, I took her in my arms and whispered, "I know. I was scared, too. I'm sorry I contributed to making your day so bad." I kissed her face all over. They were gentle kisses, designed to calm her down and let her give herself permission to relax.

I led her to the sofa and sat us both down, without letting go, I said, "I love you so much. I love you even more for the way you want to protect me.

"Thank you, so much. I can never tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me today, and I love you for it."

Colleen visibly relaxed, and we all waited for Jack.

When Jack walked in he looked as thrashed as I felt. His shoulders were stooped, and he dragged his left leg a little behind the right one. I bet he had an old injury that gave him fits from time to time.

He came straight to Mr. Bell and explained. "The local judge telephonically arraigned Tim Sanderson and set bail at five-thousand dollars. Sanderson paid a bondsman five hundred bucks in cash and walked out, free.