Chic Sparks is a practicing clinical psychologist in Pensacola, Florida, who also acts as a profiler for the sheriff and other law enforcement departments in the area. Chic and his love, Suzy, were on their way home after his performance at the River Center in Columbus, Georgia. Chic performed the tenor aria in Handel’s Messiah along with a combined choir of Schwob Conservatory’s Choral Union and Auburn University’s Chamber Choir. The choirs were accompanied by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra directed by George Del Gobbo. The cold weather and drizzle of rain forced them to close the top on Suzy’s red Mustang.
“You did a wonderful job tonight, Chic. As usual, you were the crowd’s favorite. “ Suzy grabbed Chic’s hand and said, “You’re always my favorite.”
Chic, looking a little self-conscious, smiled and said, “Thanks.” Chic reached over and gently took Suzy’s shoulders, pulling her to his body.
“You know, this is one of my favorite places to perform. The combined choirs were marvelous. George Del Gobbo, the orchestra director, is great to work with. This place is really like home to me. My training days here at Fort Benning are still close to my heart.”
“You can thank them, Chic, that you’re the tough guy you are. Thank God for that, or I might be a dead chick.” Suzy had a big grin.
They both knew the truth. Chic had managed to help save Suzy’s life and repair her troubled heart. Suzy snuggled up a little closer to Chic as they traveled down 431 toward Pensacola in silence. Suzy looked up at Chic; he had a worried look on his face, and she could feel a little tenseness in his body.
“Okay, Chic, when you get that look, something’s bothering you. What’s up?”
“I’m just concentrating on my driving, that’s all.”
“No, you’re pondering something, and I can tell it’s not making you happy. Now tell mama and get it off your chest.”
“Well, I really wasn’t going to break the spell about the wonderful time I had performing tonight, as well as the pleasure of your company, but as soon as we got in the car, I had this foreboding come over me. Frankly, it takes me a little thought to focus on the problem myself. You know that before you and I met, I performed Foust here in Columbus at the same River Center. At more or less the same time, the Ninja gang killed that couple in Pensacola, which eventually led to my getting into the case, essentially to help you. You were personally being threatened because the murders thought you had information, which you didn’t have. If it had not been for that situation, I would probably have never met you. I hope you know that meeting you was the greatest day of my life.”
Suzy leaned over and kissed Chic as carefully as she could without causing a wreck. This man had saved her life in many ways.
Suzy knew that Chic was too much of a man to bring up what actually got her involved accidentally in a murder case. Suzy had made the mistake of getting involved in a sexual threesome, two of whom had a connection to the Ninja gang. At the time of the threesome, a couple of gangsters broke in and managed to kill the other two, but she escaped with her life. She turned to Chic for help, and he freely gave it.
“I’m sorry that I sucked you into that mess, but I knew you were the only person who could save me,” Suzy said. “So, why do you have that foreboding feeling?
“I can’t explain it other than I’m reminded that the entire story of that crime spree is essentially still open. While we were able to eliminate the local gang, we were not able to identify the larger crime lords behind the local criminals. Then there’s the issue with Ken Renfro, my good friend, who turned out to be the biggest crime boss in probably the Southeast. We don’t know if he’s alive. We only know he disappeared. So Ken or his gang represent a real threat to both of us.”
“How was Ken able to hide his criminal connections from you, Chic? He had to be good to fool you, my love.”
Chic chuckled. “Now, don’t rub it in. For me, that was a personal disaster. A real trauma. Ken was my friend, and I’m certain he looked at me the same way. I had no clue of his activity until the very end. When we found out, he was able to totally disappear into the air. I’m certain the crime bosses, whoever they are, killed him. Their pattern was to kill all the adverse witnesses. But let’s face it. It would be against logic to think that these criminals have simply forgotten about you and me.”
Suzy turned a little pale at the thought of having to fight for her life once again. “If you’re worried, Chic, then I’m petrified.”
Chic pulled Suzy a little closer. “Don’t worry. baby. I’ll take care of you.”
“Right now, there’s nothing going on locally to give local law enforcement any reason to think Ken’s gang is back in town. But that doesn’t mean they have forgotten the misery I’ve caused them.”
“So, my love, let us pray that your foreboding is simply an upset stomach.” As Suzy snuggled up to Chic, she was thankful that this man was her protector, but then she knew that Chic’s revelations were usually spot-on.