Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 03 - Secrets at Sea (31 page)

Chapter 35

We were off the ship by ten the next morning and back in Tom’s SUV driving away from the dock.

“Well, what did you think about the cruise?” Tom asked me.

“I really enjoyed it. But it would be a much better vacation without the assassins.”

He laughed. “Shall we try it again next year?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“Maybe for our honeymoon?” He grinned.

“We’ll see.” I smiled.

As we drove out of Long Beach, I saw the sign for the airport. I put my hand on Tom’s arm. There was something I needed to do before going home and resuming my life.

“Yes,” he said.

“Take me to the airport.”

“Why?” Confusion crossed his face.

“I need to go some place before I go home.”

Tom took the exit for the airport and found a space in the parking lot. I moved some clothes from my big suitcase to the smaller one.

As we walked to the terminal, he asked, “Where are you going?”

“I want to visit the place where I was born.”

“Why?”

I put my hand on his arm. “I don’t know. I just need to. I’m going to rent a car and drive out to my old house. Then I’m going to drive back to the airport and come home.”

“Okay, I’ll go with you.”

“No, I want to do it by myself.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“Okay, I’ll stay in Long Beach until you get back.”

“I thought you had to get back to testify in a court case.”

“It’s not until Wednesday. I’ve still got a few days. But I’m not staying at the Nordic Inn. I’m getting a room at the Holiday Inn.”

I smiled. “Okay.”

“Do you even remember where your house was?” he asked.

“No, but I know the address. My mom used to joke about it. We lived at 2468 Odd Street, Cartena, Texas. She used to say our numbers were even but our street was odd; it was the perfect place for us to live.”

He smiled and walked me into the terminal.

The next flight to Dallas was at twelve-thirty five. I bought a ticket.

“We’ve got some time before your flight, how about lunch?”

“No, I’m not hungry.”

“But I am, humor me.”

He bought himself a sandwich at a snack area. I got a Diet Coke and we sat down at a small table.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you, Liza?” Tom asked.

“No, I want to do this myself. It’s a silly thing, but I just feel like I need to go.”

“Okay.” He handed me his phone. “Take this, just I case I have to get a hold of you or you need to call me.”

“What are you going to do without a phone?”

“Enjoy the peace and quiet.” He smiled and took a bite of his sandwich.

“The flight doesn’t get into Dallas until after seven. I’ll probably have to stay overnight, so I won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”

“That’s okay, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

I put my hand on his arm. “Thanks.”

He shrugged. “For what?”

“Understanding and accepting that I need to do this, not pressuring to go along, and being here when I get back.”

He reached over and touched his mother’s ring. “That’s what fiancés do.”

Thirty minutes later, he walked me to the gate.

I kissed him, turned my back, and walked down the ramp to the plane. A few minutes later, we took off. I was lucky enough to get a window seat so I spent my time watching the ground, then the clouds, and thinking.

The email had come from Cartena, Texas. I only lived there for three years so my memories were very few, and I don’t know what I expected to find there. This was probably a waste of time and money.

We had some thunderstorms in Dallas, so we didn’t land until after nine. I took a shuttle from the airport to a Best Western, changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed. In the morning, I went to the concierge’s desk and they set me up with a rental car. The front desk clerk printed me a map from Mapquest, too. While I waited for the car, I had some breakfast. It was huge and I had the waitress box up my blueberry muffins for later.

By ten, I raced down the freeway. I had a fresh Diet Coke.

On the way, Tom called.

“I’m going to be a little delayed, Tom.”

“Why?”

“We didn’t get into town into very late and it took me longer to get a car than I thought. I may have to stay another day, I’m just not sure at this point.”

“Well, I’ll be here until Tuesday, then I’ll need to head back. I’ve got to be in court at nine Wednesday morning and if I’m late, Judge Parker will skin me alive.”

“I don’t want you to have to drive all that way by yourself, so I’ll be there by Tuesday morning, no matter what.”

“Take your time, Liza. I’m very capable of driving home. Just change your flight to Sacramento and I’ll pick you up there.”

“I’ll let you know. Thanks for understanding.”

“It’s okay, Liza. Do what you need to do and then come back to me.”

It took me an hour, counting the three times I took the wrong road, to find my old house. It looked the same as I remembered from the pictures I’d seen. They’d had it built, so Mom had photos from every angle during each project phase.

I stood outside and stared at the house. A single story, large brick structure with a huge front lawn and two tall dogwood trees. I didn’t remember this place or feel anything about it. Why had I come? It was silly; time to get back to California and my life.

As I drove out of the area, I spotted the graveyard where my parents were buried. I didn’t want to visit their graves – they weren’t there anyway. But it was beautifully landscaped, covered with huge trees and inviting benches for sitting. I pulled over, grabbed the bag with my muffins in them, and walked through the black iron gates.

It was very hot, so I sat under the first tree I came to. It was a peaceful place. I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath and enjoyed the quiet and warmth of the day.

“Hello, Bobby,” I heard him say.

My body jerked as his voice startled me, but then the hole in my heart created by the pain of losing my parents so long ago, healed and a sensation of contentment flowed through my body.

I opened my eyes and smiled. “Dad.”

Chapter 36

Dad leaned against the tree next to the bench dressed in tan shorts, an obnoxious Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. The hair at his temples had turned grayer but his bright blue eyes glistened and the smile on his face warmed my heart.

“I told you to call me William,” his smile broadened.

When he came over, I stood up, and he wrapped his arms around me. It felt so good to be in his arms. I wasn’t an orphan anymore.

He picked me up and swung me around. “It’s good to see you, honey.”

I grabbed him tighter. “And Mom? Is she with you?”

He set me down.

“Why? Why didn’t you get a hold of me? Where have you been?” I said as I stepped away from him.

He took my hand. “Grab your muffins and walk with me.”

We walked for a long time along the path, hand in hand. At first I thought he was taking me to their graves but he turned right at an intersection where we should have gone left.

Finally he stopped and pointed to a bench. “Have a seat and let’s talk.”

I had so many questions. I didn’t know where to start.

“Sit, Liza.”

And I sat.

He started to talk, but I put my hand up. “First tell me about Mom. Is she alive, too?”

He shook his head. “No, she was killed in the plane crash. Well, that’s not exactly true. She was fatally injured in the explosion before the crash. There were two bombs on the plane. It was overkill.”

“There were two killers who picked up the contract for you.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Well, that explains quite a bit. When we started running, they kept finding us. If there were two killers it would explain how they could be in different places tracking us at the same time.”

“They didn’t start working together until after they thought they’d killed you and mom. Actually, they got married and became partners.”

“And you know this how?”

“They killed Betsy, Melvin and the Philips, too.”

“They’re all dead?”

“Yes. It was the picture Mom took.”

“What picture?”

“The one with the entire group standing in front where you board the ship. Emily, or Desiree, was with Dorian and Jack or Carl came with Carmelita.”

Dad shook his head and sat down. “Oh man, I’m confused. Take it slow and tell me from the beginning.”

I told him everything, from finding the pictures to going on the cruise, meeting Betsy, her death and then everything that happened in Long Beach and the cruise.

“I never liked the way Dorian looked at your mother, either.”

I laughed. “He saved my life, Dad. If he hadn’t come out and distracted Emily, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to
flatten
her with the fire extinguisher.”

“I still think he’s way too slick.” He picked up my left hand. “Tell me this isn’t from the cop.”

I nodded.

“Oh, Bobby. Not a cop.”

I laughed. “He’s a great guy, Dad. You’d love him. In fact, come back with me and I’ll introduce you to him. He’s waiting in Long Beach for me.”

Dad shook his head. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

“If I surface, then the contract gets updated and I’ve got killers hunting me again.” He touched the side of my face. “I can’t and won’t put you in danger because of me. And besides the cops are looking for me, too.”

“I know. What’s this about you being an Environmental Terrorist?”

“Is that what they’re calling me these days?” He chuckled. “And I just thought I was trying to save the planet.”

“By setting fires and blowing things up?”

“I set little fires, wreck machinery, and organize rallies. I stay away from explosives. Your mother was much better with them than me.”

“What?” I stuttered.

“Yeah, well. Kids don’t know everything about their parents.” He stood.

“But people get hurt,” I said, thinking about Brian’s parents.

“No,” he said sternly. “We are very careful. We don’t do anything unless we’re sure the people are out of the buildings. Usually we call in a bomb threat so they’ll clear out the place. That was your mom’s idea, too. It works like a charm. They clear the place out and then the fire starts.”

“Dad.” I grabbed his arm. I needed to know about my mom.

He took my hand and linked his fingers in mine. “Let’s go visit your mother.”

“What?”

“I had her buried under her favorite tree.”

“A dogwood?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

We walked down another path and came to a small headstone. There was no name on it. It was engraved: To the most beautiful woman in the world. In front were two bouquets of daisies, one yellow and the other white.

My eyes filled with tears and they spilled down my cheeks. I fell to my knees and buried my face in my hands. Every since I thought my parents were alive, I had held on to that thought. Now, I knew Mom was dead, gone forever. I sobbed until I didn’t have a breath or a tear left.

My dad put his hand on my head and hugged it to his leg. “I know, Bobby. I miss her too, every moment of every day.”

Finally, when I couldn’t cry anymore, I turned to him. “Jordon knows you’re alive, doesn’t she?”

He nodded.

I shook my head. “Then why not tell me? Were you afraid I couldn’t keep your secret?”

“No, I needed Jordon to help me last year. I needed a lawyer outside the environmental group and she was the only one I could trust.”

“That’s just like her to keep it to herself.”

“No, she wanted to tell you, but I wouldn’t let her. How’d you know that she knew? She promised me she’d never say anything to you.”

I pointed to the flowers. “The daisies. They weren’t Mom’s favorite, they were mine.”

He shook his head. “Leave it to Jordan to leave you a message on your mother’s grave.”

“So now what?” I asked.

“I go back and do the work your mother and I started. And you, you should be getting ready to get your classroom set up for the fall.” I started to protest, but he continued, “And you cannot tell your new friend I’m alive.”

“Why not? He wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Is he an honest cop?”

“Of course he is.”

“He’d feel obligated to contact his friends in the FBI and tell them I’m definitely still alive. If you’d fallen in love with a normal cop, this would be easier.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“How’d you figure out to come back here, anyway?”

“Justin traced the email you sent me on the ship.”

“He’s amazing. Maybe I’ll get him to help me.”

“No!” I shouted.

“Okay, I won’t,” Dad said, as he put his arm around my waist.

“How’d you know I was coming here?”

“I keep an eye on you, Bobby. I like what you did for finding that little girl, Jessie, and taking down the clowns took guts and then an entire corrupt town.”

“Are you the one who sent me those emails with the wrong dates?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I only sent the last one. I didn’t count on you going on the cruise and all those people dying because of the picture your mom took. I don’t know anything about the first two emails. I just have a huge network of friends in the ecological groups, so I have someone check on you once in a while.”

I thought about the man I’d met at the memorial wall where the school district had placed a plaque for Danielle, the kindergarten teacher who’d been killed. Had he been a friend of my Dad’s?

Dad interrupted my thoughts. “You’re so much like your mother, it’s scary.”

“I am?”

“Oh yes. She had the courage of a lion and an inquisitive mind. She always asked the right questions to get to the heart of a matter. She’d have made a much better lawyer than I ever was. But sometimes she’d walk into dangerous situations. You need to be careful, Bobby.”

He walked me back to my car. I wrapped my arms around him and held on.

“You’re going to have to let me go.”

I shook my head.

He kissed me on top of my head. “I’ll keep in touch.”

“How?” I turned and leaned on the car.

“I’ll send you an email. As long as Justin doesn’t take a job with the FBI, I’ll be able to hide my location.”

I didn’t want to tell him Justin already was helping the FBI and would probably take a job with them in five years. Maybe by then my dad could come out of hiding and be with me and Jordan. And I could introduce him to Tom.

He held the door open for me and I slid into the driver’s seat. Then he turned to walk away.

“Dad,” I said.

He glanced back and frowned.

I would never call him William again.

He winked and said, “I love you, Bobby.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

I watched him go until he disappeared behind some trees. Then I used Tom’s phone to call the airline. There was a flight leaving Dallas at three. I had just enough time to turn in the rental car, gather up my stuff at the hotel, check out, and take a shuttle to the airport.

I called Tom while I was waiting for the flight to leave.

“That’s great, honey. Did you visit your house?”

“Yes.”

“Did it help?”

“Yes, I feel better.”

“Great, I can’t wait to see you.”

“I should be there by five forty-five your time.”

“I’ll have the car packed and we can start home from the airport.”

“I’ll need to stop and get Shelby before we head up to your place.”

“I figured that. I’ll call Justin and tell him to expect us late.”

“Just have him move Shelby over to my house this evening.”

“Good idea, I’ll tell him.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

I leaned my head against the seat and sighed.

I called Jordan. She didn’t answer, but I left a message, “Hi, this is Liza. Thanks for putting the yellow daisies on Mom’s grave. I’m on my way home. I’ll call you when I get back. I love you, Jordan. Talk to you soon.”

They called my flight, so I stood up and the hotel bill fell from my pocket. I picked it up and was stuffing it back into my pocket when I noticed another slip with it. A message slip. I must have gotten it while I was out. There wasn’t a name on it, just a phone number and a series of four numbers.

After I settled into my window seat, I dialed it and heard a recording. “You have reached the library research division. If you have already started a file, please punch in your four-digit number. Then request the materials you need and we will send them to you.”

I pushed in the four numbers and heard: “
April 15
th, 2010.
A rodeo star’s e
ntire family w
as brutally murdered today. T
he
police have
no suspects.”

Then another recording came on. “Updates to this event will be entered into the library as they occur.”

Silence.

In the past I got emails with wrong dates and when I researched the dates, I found cold cases that I had a connection to. So I investigated them and solved the mysteries. But how do you research something that hasn’t even happened yet?

As the plane took off, I leaned my head against the window and thought about everything that happened to me in the last week and since I got that first email.

I’d certainly been in danger several times, almost killed twice. But I’d also met Tom - a man that I loved with my entire heart and soul.

My dad was alive but an eco-terrorist. He couldn’t be a visible part of my life because if
people
knew he was alive the contract on his life woul
d be re-established and
put me and Jordan in danger. Dad wanted me to keep all that information from Tom. Should I? And if I did, could a lasting relationship be built on that big of a lie?

And now, I’ve gotten a recording of a murder that won’t even happen for nine months. How do you stop something before it happens?

The pilot announced our final descent into the Long Beach airport. When we landed I waited for everyone to get off the plane before I stood and retrieved my carry-on luggage.

As I walked into the terminal, Tom stood with a huge bouquet of red balloons with several Mylar balloons professing “Welcome Home” and “I love you”.

He wrapped his arms around me, pulled me close, and kissed me gently on the lips. The he stepped back and handed me the balloons. “Thanks for coming back to me, Liza.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. What was he talking about?

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.”

“What?”

“Well, not until school started anyway. I thought your dad would take you with him.”

“My dad?”