Claire Gulliver #06 - Carnage Goes Coastal (12 page)

“Oh, this is so wonderful. What a treat to have you visit in the afternoon, like this. Come in, come in. I have to check the oven for a minute. Do you want to come in the kitchen with me and I’ll make us some tea, or maybe you’d rather have some coffee? Or some wine, I have a bottle of Chardonnay in the refrigerator.”

Millie was beaming with pleasure as she led them to the kitchen and seated them at the table while she quickly checked the oven. “That’s doing fine. Now what can I get you?”

“I’d like a cup of tea. What do you want, Jack?”

“Tea is fine for me.”

Then while Millie put the kettle on the burner and started assembling the tea things, Claire tried to answer some of her mother’s questions.

“Jack arrived yesterday and we had some errands in the city, so we thought we’d stop by to see you for a few minutes before going home. And we have a little problem I thought you might be able to help us with.”

Her mother looked at her expectantly.

“Jack wants us to get married this weekend, but I’m thinking a Monday would suit us better as the shop is closed then. But I don’t think we can get a wedding together in such a short time. What do you think?” She couldn’t help the happy giggle that erupted at the look on Millie’s face.

“Married, you’re going to get married?” Millie all but squealed as she left her preparations for tea to hurry across the kitchen to hug Claire and then turned to hug Jack as well.

Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she looked in Claire’s face. “Darling, I’m so happy for you. When did you decide? Of course we can arrange it on a Monday. This coming Monday is a little tight, but it can be done. Tell me everything.” She pulled out another chair and prepared to sit down when the shrieking whistle of the kettle reminded her she was preparing tea. When she returned with the tea tray and set it on the table, she saw Claire’s ring as she reached for one of the cups.

This time she did squeal. “Claire is that your engagement ring? Oh, it’s gorgeous! It’s so unique. Oh, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell Ruth. Of course you’ll want her to come, won’t you?”

Millie was now beginning to hit her stride. “And Karen and the baby. And of course, Mrs. B has to be there. And Lucy, if she’s in town. Wait, let me get a piece of paper so we can make a list.”

By the time the couple left for home Millie had talked to her pastor and arranged for them to be married in the chapel at her church the following Monday morning and promised to find a suitable restaurant for a luncheon for the attendees. Jack was happy with the arrangements, they were simple and speedy. Claire was happy because she knew her mother was going to love every minute of preparing for the wedding. And she was assured that the immediacy of the event would prevent Millie from making it too complicated. She felt she was too old for wedding favors, bridal showers, fancy invitations and such. She just wanted the important people in her life to be there to share their joy. She wanted a ceremony which marked the importance of this occasion. And now with her mother in charge, it was in progress and was going to happen. Next Monday.

The first half of the drive back down the peninsula to Bayside they talked about taking a honeymoon. Claire suggested a couple days somewhere locally. “I’d like to take longer, but I have a business to run.” She hoped he would understand. “After all, we live right here in one of the favorite tourist destinations in the world. We could pretend we were just tourists, couldn’t we? Or there’s Lake Tahoe, or even the Ritz Carlton down in Half Moon Bay.

“And,” she continued, “We still have the problem of those guys chasing Karen. What can you do about that? We need to make sure she and baby aren’t in danger. I feel like a big black cloud is hanging over our heads. I’m uneasy just leaving them for a couple of days. Maybe someone can come and stay at the house with her, or she and Jack can go to Mrs. B’s or Mom’s while we’re gone?”

Jack nodded his agreement.

“Maybe we should take them with us,” Claire broached, tentatively?

“No, way! I love them dearly, but a honeymoon is no place for company.” Jack shook his head vehemently.

Claire knew he wasn’t going to change his mind on that, so she decided to ask her mother to stay at the house while they were gone. It would make her feel better about leaving Karen and the baby alone.

“Jack, I’ve been thinking we need to know who is doing this and why, if we’re going to protect Karen and baby Jack. And that means we need to identify those men who were after her. I was remembering about how we located Rosa all those months ago by reviewing the security tapes at Heathrow Airport. And that reminded me I saw a security camera in the corridor leading to the back door of the Crown Plaza. If they have one, they probably have others in different locations. Do you suppose we could find a picture of the guy in the tan jacket and the SUV he was driving on the hotel’s security tapes? After all, we do know the date and approximate time he was there. How long do you suppose hotels keep their security tapes?”

Jack turned and looked at Claire with approval. “That’s a very good idea, Claire. Let me check around a bit tomorrow and see what I can find out.”

The limo is here, Claire. Are you about ready?” Millie walked into Claire’s old bedroom and then stopped abruptly. “Oh, Claire, you look beautiful.” Tears sprang to her eyes and she hurried over to kiss Claire on her cheek. “Wait a minute, I have to get a picture.” She hurried out to the front room and Claire, glancing at her watch, realized they needed to leave if they were going to be at the church on time. But she didn’t hurry her mom while she fussed around with her camera, getting what she said was the perfect picture. After all, her mother had been waiting a long time for this day.

“Okay, are we ready? Everyone will be waiting.” Claire handed her suitcase to the chauffeur to put in the trunk, following her mother down the steps and into the stretch limousine which was boldly sitting in the middle of the street, patiently waiting for them.

Claire had driven the Cadillac to her mother’s house last night, with instructions to park it in her mother’s garage. Jack told her a car would be there in the morning to transport them to the church. He was driving Karen, the baby and Mrs. B in with him in the old SUV. Karen would drive the SUV back to Bayside later. Claire and Jack would pick up the Cadillac after they returned from their honeymoon.

It was a perfect day for a wedding. It was sunny with a moderate temperature, even the usual brisk breeze was still. The sun reflected off the houses and shops lining the streets in the Richmond District, highlighting the charm of San Francisco. The limousine pulled up in front of the church her mother had attended for years, and Millie hurried Claire into the vestibule outside the small chapel where they found Lucy waiting for them.

“Oh, you both look beautiful today. Claire, where did you find that dress? It reminds me of one Jackie Kennedy wore in the early sixties. Is it a retro?”

Claire shrugged. “Mom found it. I didn’t have time to go shopping and if I had, I doubt I would have found anything as perfect as this. I have to say I love it. And it makes me feel like a bride. But I think it looks like something Doris Day wore in
A Touch of Mink
. I love this warm ivory color and the elegant feel of the raw silk.” She adjusted the little box like jacket with three-quarter length sleeves, and a boat neckline. It buttoned up the front with large pearl buttons, turning the simple sleeveless sheath dress underneath into an elegant suit.

Millie nodded proudly. “I knew it was the one as soon as I saw it. There was only one and I ignored the price when I saw it was Claire’s size. I got it at a wedding shop in Cow Hollow.”

“What do you think of this little veil thing, Lucy? Is it too much at my age?” Claire had an anxious look on her face as she adjusted the veil attached to a tiny pillbox hat covered with beads and pearls which perched on her head.

“Too much? Are you crazy? You’re the bride. You’re entitled to wear little froufrou things. It’s perfect! And here are your flowers. I think I got it just right.” Lucy handed Claire a bouquet of creamy white orange blossoms and then pinned a lovely corsage on Millie’s shoulder. “Jack already has his boutonnière on and he’s waiting in the chapel with the minister. Are you both ready?” At their responding nods, she hugged each of them. “Now, give me a minute to get down the aisle before you come in; I want to have my camera ready.”

Claire stood in the doorway, her mother at her side, waiting for the music to start. As the first note sounded she froze. “Oh, my God,” she thought, “what am I doing?” She was surprised to see so many people there, not realizing how the small number of guests would look in such a small chapel. Her heart was racing in her chest and she felt like she couldn’t breath. Then she saw Jack step up to the side of the minister. He turned his gaze on her. She felt the love shining from his eyes and she smiled radiantly at him. She was getting married; she straightened her spine and eagerly moved forward. She was marrying Jack. Right now!

The minister was experienced enough to keep the ceremony short while still making it meaningful. Soon Mr. and Mrs. Rallins were in the midst of their laughing, hugging, crying friends. Shortly after that everyone proceeded to their cars to follow the limousine to a lovely luncheon held at a prestigious club sitting on the edge of the golf course near Lake Merritt.

Even though the ceremony was held on a Monday with very little prior notice, in fact Millie had personally called each of the twenty some guests with an invitation, everyone who had been invited was there. These were the friends, neighbors and colleagues Claire had grown up with. Each of the guests was pleased to see her so happy, and to meet the man who had finally won her love. It was a very festive afternoon with glasses of champagne raised in heartfelt toasts to the bride and groom. And when the time came for the happy couple to leave on their honeymoon, Claire was very pleased Jack had the foresight to have arranged for a limo, so they didn’t have to worry about the effect of all that champagne.

When the limo pulled away from the club amid the cheers and waves and smiles, Claire sat back beaming. “So where are we going? I hope I packed the right clothes.”

“Not far, and whatever you packed will work perfectly.”

Claire had been eagerly watching out the window but soon found Jack had his own idea of how they should spend the time while the chauffeur dealt with the traffic. It was a while later before they came up for air in response to the friendly honks of other motorists, and Claire noticed they were heading towards downtown via Bush Street. She smiled at Jack, holding tightly to his hand. “Well Mr. Rallins, you don’t look any different. Do I?”

Jack looked at her carefully and then nodded. “You look very beautiful and very happy. I hope I can keep you feeling this way for the rest of your life.”

“Oh, Jack.” She leaned in for another kiss. “I feel so giddy I’m afraid I’ll just float away. If I had known how wonderful it would be, I would have married you in Venice.” Then her eyes twinkled. “Oops, but you hadn’t asked me then, had you? At least not to marry you.”

Jack laughed. “No, I was a proper fool then, wasn’t I?”

The limo slowed down and Claire looked out at a small building which, except for the brass plaque near the door saying “Petite Auberge”, looked like all the other apartment buildings and houses lining both sides of the street for blocks. The driver opened their door and Claire followed Jack out of the backseat. She looked questioningly at Jack and then followed him up the half flight of stairs to the door that opened magically in front of them to reveal a charming reception hall decorated in country French. Their driver handed their luggage to the bellman before he left. Claire was amused to see that Jack had actually packed a bag for this trip, forsaking his favorite backpack. She stood smiling to herself while her husband signed them in and they followed the bellman into the small elevator and ascended to the third floor. They were both properly impressed with the large room, the fireplace which sprang to life with a flick of a light switch, and the windows which revealed a spectacular view down the hill to the financial district of the city.

“Claire, would you like him to bring us some champagne?” Jack asked before dismissing the bellman.

She shook her head. “If I have any more champagne I’ll be asleep before you know it. Thanks anyway.” And as soon as the door closed, “Jack, this place is wonderful, how did you find it?”

He twirled an imaginary mustache and leered at her. “We CIA agents have our ways, my dear.”

They both laughed and hugged. “Jack I love the thought of honeymooning in San Francisco. It will be so fun exploring the city with you. Thank you for arranging it.”

So for two days and nights they put aside their worries about Karen, and their responsibilities to their jobs, and enjoyed each other as they honeymooned in San Francisco. They rode the cable car and enjoyed Irish coffees at the Buena Vista Cafe near Fisherman’s Wharf. They wandered through the shops, and paused to watch the musicians and street artisans perform as they wandered at will. The second night Jack surprised Claire with dinner reservations at the exclusive Masa’s, which turned out was only two blocks down the street from their hotel. She had heard about it for years, but had never been there. It was so expensive and so hard to get reservations that she had never even thought to eat there. And it surpassed its reputation. It wasn’t just a meal, it was an event.

And when they explored Chinatown, not the touristy Grant Street but the real working Chinatown stretching along both sides of Stockton Street, she showed Jack the pharmacy which sold exotic herbs, the sausage company with hundreds of varieties of links hanging from the ceiling, the fortune cookie factory and the tea shop. They explored the crowded green grocers where they saw a myriad of fruits and vegetables they didn’t recognize and had no idea what they were used for. They pushed their way into the packed butcher shops where they watched an old Chinese woman argue over a frozen fish she banged angrily against the side of the crate. They didn’t understand what the problem was, but were entertained by the passion of the exchange. They examined the cooked ducks hanging by their necks to drain in the deli and Claire insisted they have a dim sum lunch at her favorite restaurant.