Chapter 38

 

Time had never dragged so slowly at Morelli’s. Paul bagged guitar strings for a customer and checked the clock again. Another two hours before his shift ended. Plenty of time to think about what a mess he’d made with Tara-Lynn and to imagine what she’d say when he called. If she answered.

Eric was on break, and the flurry of customers had ended. Paul picked up the polishing cloth and headed for the guitars. A couple of kids from school had been in earlier, and they’d left fingerprints on his Les Paul.

As he polished the ebony finish, the shop bell jingled. Paul turned to the door and at the sight of Tara-Lynn his smile froze.

Cheeks pink, she headed straight for him as if on a mission. She hadn’t left angry enough to come back and slap him, had she? Paul stepped away from the guitar just in case. “Hi.”

“I’m sorry, Paul. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that, nor jumped to conclusions.”

Some of his anxiety disappeared. Some. “You didn’t have to come all this way back to apologize. Especially since you were right. I messed up again. I’m sorry.”

“I only went over to Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte and an oatcake. And to talk to God. Not that I had to go to Starbucks to find Him, but I needed a pick-me-up, and I’m babbling again. I’m sorry.”

Paul blinked. God, if You’re not still in the coffee shop, would You help me not blow it again?

He swallowed hard and kept his eyes fixed on Tara-Lynn’s. “My dad was a musician, and he neglected Mom and us kids. You’re the most special girl I’ve ever met. I’ve been afraid to ask you out in case I let you down.”

He twisted the cloth in his hands. “If you’re even interested.”

Tara-Lynn’s face had grown redder as he spoke. “That’s not a choice you can make for me. Why don’t you ask and see?”

“I —” The phone rang again. Paul rolled his eyes in apology, and hurried to the counter. “Morelli’s, how may I help you?”

Tara-Lynn followed him and stood looking at the display while he talked. When he hung up, she stepped closer.

He leaned his elbows on the counter. “Come for pizza with me after work? So we can talk uninterrupted?”

She smiled. “Okay.”

Eric came out of the back room. “Hey there, did you miss me? I gave Jubal your book, and he says he’ll give it to her tonight. Rough that she’s going away for a month.”

Paul wanted to growl at him. Leave her alone. She’s not your style.

Tara-Lynn caught Paul’s eye and grinned.

The bell rang over the door, and he looked up to greet the customer. A burly man in a blue coat gave the store a once-over and strode to the counter. He fixed Paul with a hard stare. “Your mother’s in trouble. Come with me.”

One hand stayed in the stranger’s pocket. Was that bulge a gun?

No way would Mom send a goon like this. She’d phone. Did the drug ring have her?

Sweat pricked Paul’s neck. This guy could take him by force. And his eyes said he wouldn’t care who else got hurt. Paul locked the stranger’s gaze and hurried from behind the cash register.

He stood between the man and Tara-Lynn. “Okay. Thanks, Mister. Let’s go.”

Paul turned and thrust his wallet at Eric. “Phone her boyfriend and let him know? His card’s in there. Name’s Garraway.”

Heart thumping, Paul started for the door. He looked back to see the man glare from him to Eric and back to him again before following. Away from Tara-Lynn. Good. Paul kept moving.

He heard a thud from behind and spun to see Vincenzo Morelli, baseball bat in hand.

The intruder was already pushing up from the floor.

Sirens wailed.

The burly man lurched to his feet and fled. Morelli locked the door behind him and turned to the teenagers. “Not bad for an old fellow. Now we wait.”

Paul gaped at his boss. “I don’t —”

“Eric triggered the silent alarm.”

“Thanks, man.” Eric could be a pain sometimes, but right now Paul loved him. “How did you know?”

“He walks in, makes a beeline for you, and tells you come. You call him ‘mister’ like you’ve never met, so how’d he know which of us was you?” Eric tapped his head. “I’m not just another beautiful bod, you know.”

Tara-Lynn’s giggle sounded a hair away from tears. She threw her arms around Paul. His eyes sought his boss. When the old man merely smiled, Paul hugged her back. Warmth blossomed inside amid the jangling panic, enough to unfreeze his mind. Mom!

Paul squeezed Tara-Lynn and released her. “I’ve gotta call home.”

Eric slid the phone across the counter and Paul punched the buttons. As he counted the rings, a squad car pulled up outside.

Mr. Morelli unlocked the door and introduced himself to the responding officers.

Tara-Lynn touched Paul’s arm. “Maybe she took Chance for a walk.”

“Maybe.” But his gut didn’t agree. He hung up and opened his wallet to find Garraway’s card.

She frowned at the card. “Does Joey know she has a boyfriend?”

“What? Oh, he isn’t. He’s a cop. I couldn’t say it in front of that thug.” Paul dialled before the officers with his boss could interrupt.

“Garraway.”

Paul sucked air. He couldn’t fall apart now. “It’s Paul Daniels, sir. I’m at work and a man just tried to, I don’t know, abduct me maybe. He said Mom was in trouble and I had to come. My boss chased him off, but she’s not answering the phone. She should be home today.”

“I’ll send a car. Has your boss called this in?”

“Yes, and the officers just arrived. But you’re the one who knows what we’re up against.”

“You did the right thing, son. Let me speak with one of the officers on site, please.”

Paul covered the mouthpiece. “Officers, Detective Garraway’s on the phone, could one of you talk to him?”

They exchanged a glance. The taller, female officer strode to take the phone.

As she listened and nodded, Paul turned to Tara-Lynn. “I thought this was behind us. I’ve got to stay away from you, I’m not safe.”

From the far side of the counter, Eric offered, “I’m safe, sugar.”

Tara-Lynn’s eyes held his. “Don’t overprotect me. I can make my own choices.”

The officer with Mr. Morelli finished taking notes, and the two men approached Paul and Tara-Lynn. The woman who’d been on the phone hung up and beckoned her partner aside.

Paul seized his chance before he could back down. “Mr. Morelli, I honestly thought this was over. I won’t come back. I don’t want to bring any more trouble.”

The old man shook his head. “Paul, trouble finds its own way. I want you to stay. The customers, they love you.” He waggled a crooked finger under Paul’s nose. “You may be my star pupil, but you still have much to learn. I can’t let you go unfinished.”

Another time, the praise would have Paul flying, but all he could think about was his mother in danger. He smiled his thanks. Beside him, Tara-Lynn beamed brightly enough for them both.

Paul stepped toward the two officers. “I need to go home. I think they got my mother.”

Professional concern didn’t quite mask their thoughts of what a teenager could do to help. The shorter officer, whose badge read Watts, flipped to a clean sheet in his notebook.

“A car’s on its way to check your apartment. Detective Garraway brought us up to date. You and your co-worker are quick thinkers.” He eyed Mr. Morelli. “Although I don’t advise the baseball bat approach. For now, I need you to tell me what happened here.”

Paul gave his statement as quickly as he could, ending with “Please, I need to get home.”

Tara-Lynn stepped to his side. “I can take you.” She handed Watts a sheet of paper. “I wrote out my contact information and what I saw.”

He scanned the paper and nodded. “Very concise. Any relation to the Keirans who’s running for mayor?”

Her cheeks pinked again. “She’s my mother. I’d be happier if she didn’t hear about this. She has a lot on her plate right now.”

Paul gave Tara-Lynn a sidelong glance. He’d never put the names together, but he was only vaguely aware of the candidates. The musician and the politician’s daughter. Did Paul stand a chance?

He took her hand. Living on the fringes of media attention was something he understood, thanks to Uncle Harry. And Tara-Lynn was genuine, soft-hearted. Not glossy and image-conscious. He wondered if that caused problems at home.

When she smiled at him, Paul vowed with his eyes to be a safe place for her, where she could be herself with no pressure. He liked her true self. Wanted to know her better. For now, though...

Paul turned back to Officer Watts. “May we go?”

The man frowned. “The suspect may be planning to try again when you leave. We’ll take you home when we finish here. It won’t be long.”

Paul balled his fists. “So I’m a hostage?” Would they stop him if he made a break for the door?

Tara-Lynn nudged his foot with hers. “Officer, what if I pulled my car up to the front of the store? You could be sure nobody grabbed him...”

Watts shook his head. “Our suspect could tail you in another car and take you both as soon as you hit a side street.” He pinned Paul with a stare. “Promise to stay put, and I’ll go light a fire under my partner.”

Paul hesitated, then nodded. Becoming a fugitive himself wouldn’t help Mom.

Watts headed for his partner, who stood at the counter interviewing Eric.

Mr. Morelli moved nearer to Paul and clasped his shoulders. “This city is not what it once was. Let me know when your mother is found safely. If I can be of any help, I will. And no more talk of quitting.”

Paul grinned. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the two police officers approaching. “And thanks again for the baseball bat. That was a solid swing.”

His employer’s eyes crinkled in a smile as the taller officer joined the group.

She shook the older man’s hand. “All done here, Mr. Morelli. We’ll see Paul safely home, and link up with the efforts to locate his mother. We’ll be in touch.”

Tara-Lynn jingled her car keys. “May I drive him, Officer? I’d feel safer than driving alone, and the sight of a squad car should still keep the abductor away.”

At the woman’s nod, Tara-Lynn touched Paul’s arm. “I’m parked in the lot down the street.”