After Lynn had finished her statement to the officers, the five of them called an end to the shopping excursion. Sher doubted Lynn would feel safer in her own home after what happened last night, but that’s where they had to go for now.
No one spoke as they drove back to the condo. When Sher looked at Brad and Hannah, she saw that they held each other’s hands tightly, and Hannah also held Lynn’s hand. Glen drove with his left hand on the wheel because his right hand gripped Sher’s tightly.
Just as they parked in a space closest to the front of Lynn’s place, Rick pulled up next to them. Lynn climbed out of the SUV, and he grabbed her, holding her tight and kissing her forehead.
“I’m so sorry, honey, that you had to go through that again. We will all do whatever needs to be done to keep you safe. Let’s go inside. You look like you could fall down any second,” Rick said as he took the keys from her and opened the front door.
Once everyone was inside; Glen closed and locked the door. Sher saw from the look on his face that there was more bad news on the way. “Before anyone says anything, let’s get something to drink and let Lynn sit for a few minutes,” she quickly suggested. .
“Please make mine a very strong White Russian,” Lynn said.
Sher fixed Lynn’s drink, making another for herself. The others asked for soft drinks. There was a moment or two of silence before she saw Glen nod at Rick. More bad news was about to be delivered. She inhaled deeply, preparing herself.
“Lynn, I really hate doing this, but it must be done. We need to get to the bottom of who wants you and why. Do you know a Judy Connors?” Rick asked.
Yes, she and I went on a buying trip to Dallas a few weeks ago. She’s not a very experienced buyer yet, so I was asked to show her the ropes. Why do you ask?”
Rick threw Glen a long, somber look before he answered. “She was found by her roommate this morning—dead. She had been strangled. From what I could tell, she was tortured first. Someone wanted information about something.”
“Noooooo, not again, I don’t think I can do this again. Please make it all go away. This is supposed to be our happy time. Why is this happening to us again?” Lynn cried hysterically.
Rick pulled her into his arms and held her as she wept. The others in the room sat silently as if in shock.
Lynn sat up straight after a few minutes and told Rick, “Judy was just a sweet young woman who was trying to make it as a buyer for the company. I was with her for most of the trip. Nothing unusual happened in Dallas.”
“What did you and Judy purchase while in Dallas?” Glen asked.
“We talked to two merchants who made their own costume jewelry. They both had some wonderful pieces, and we brought back samples of their work with us. I know what you’re all thinking. The pieces were not made with diamonds, just costume jewelry,” Lynn said.
Rick’s cell phone rang just then, and he reached into his pocket to answer the call. He didn’t say much, just listened to the person on the other end before he thanked the caller and hung up.
He looked at his phone for a moment then looked around the room. “The guy from the mall is a member of a dangerous gang in Dallas called the Vengadors, which is Spanish for revengers. The guy is one of the lieutenants of the gang.”
“Geez, now we have gang members after Lynn. What is going on?” Sher asked.
“I tell you, nothing happened while I was in Dallas. The two merchants were of Spanish descent, but they were both older women who were just trying to make a living by selling their homemade jewelry,” Lynn said firmly.
Glen was agitated and tried to compose himself before asking, “Lynn, where are the samples you and Judy brought back?”
“All of them except one necklace are down at the store. I bought one necklace to give to Sher.” She looked at her friend. “Sher, it was to be a surprise. It is so you. It matches your personality perfectly, and the merchant had barely finished it when I asked if it was for sale and bought it,” Lynn said.
“Go get it, Lynn,” Glen said softly. Sher knew he felt guilty of ruining the surprise Lynn had for her, but they had to check the necklace out thoroughly.
Lynn left the room and returned with a tissue-wrapped bundle. She handed it to Rick, who stood next to Glen, awaiting her return from her bedroom.
Rick slowly unwrapped the necklace and examined it before he handed it to Glen for examination. Glen then handed it to Sher. With tears filling her eyes, Sher hugged her dear friend and said, “It’s beautiful and a perfect match for my favorite blouse.”
“That’s what I told myself when I first saw it, and I had to get it for you,” Lynn said, a smile peeking through on her tear-stained face.
The necklace was made with earthy colors of reds, blacks, browns, and turquoise stones and beads. But there was nothing on it that would make someone kill to get it back—at least as far as any one of them could tell. No hidden compartments, no expensive stones. It simply was a beautifully made piece of costume jewelry.
“I know this will make you mad, Sher, but after what happened last night and then at the mall, I don’t think you girls will be safe by yourselves. This, whatever it is, has gang members after Lynn? We need to keep her, Hannah, and you safe. So, I’m sorry to say, but we three men will be joining you in that cabin,” Glen said, his expression unwavering in its determination.
Sher hugged Glen and kissed his lips softly before she said, “You’ll get no argument from me now. Two attempts have been made to kidnap my best friend. I am smart enough to realize we need you guys with us. Hmm, maybe you guys could sleep in the basement, so we can at least pretend we’re having a girls’ week?”
All three men laughed, which lightened the mood in the room.
“We’ll answer that after we get a look at the cabin,” Rick said with a smile.
“I think we need to take all three vehicles. We might need them. Rick, how about you go back to your apartment and pack a bag, and then you meet us back here. Brad, you probably don’t even have a change of clothes with you, so we might have to do some more shopping on our way,” Glen suggested.
“No, you’re wrong. I was not letting Hannah come this far without me staying close by. So I brought a duffle bag, thinking I’d camp out with you and Rick.”
Sher laughed. “I would’ve guessed that you’d try that. I don’t blame you one bit.”
Rick hugged Lynn close as he told her he’d be back in forty-five minutes or less. Then he left, and she re-locked the front door.
“Lynn, how about another drink? I know I could use one. Since Hannah can’t drink alcohol, and Brad and Glen are on protection patrol and will be driving, that leaves you and me,” Sher said with a laugh.
“I’m with you, and then we might want to pack some things to eat and drink at the cabin. Brad, are towels, sheets, and dishes there?” Lynn asked.
“Yes, the cabin is set up for renting out to vacationing families. It has everything that a family would need except food. There are pots and pans, dishes, towels, sheets, blankets, pillows. All utilities are on. Everything is ready for the open house. So all we need is to get some groceries and for you to pack your bags, Lynn,” Brad answered.
“Come on, Lynn, bring your drink, and Sher and I will help you pack,” Hannah said as she led Lynn down the hall.
Sher knew they made the right decision to let the men join them. Not only was she feeling safer already, but she knew her good friends felt safer now too. She hoped this whole nightmare would be over before the weddings. She feared for her best friend and all of them. She still had those pains in her stomach and wondered what was next.