Kenann decided to give Judy some cooling off time before she talked to her. She needed her own time. The wall of raw emotion she slammed into when she walked in on Danny Mac and Judy had taken her breath. It left her feeling edgy and vulnerable. She did what she always did when she felt threatened emotionally. She put on her ‘face’ and retreated inward where she could fortify her emotions behind a wall of carefully constructed reserve.
The next morning started out gray and rainy but it couldn’t dampen Kenann’s enthusiasm about getting her office set up and going over the case file for Monday. She had been noticing the same car pull out behind her for the last two days. It was always the same. They never turned off. They kept the same distance between them and pulled into the curb across from her office. No one ever got out. It was really starting to tick her off.
Today she got out of her car and stood under her umbrella staring directly at the mystery car. She was edgy enough over Danny Mac to want to take it out on someone and marched determinedly toward the car. She would find out who the freak was that seemed to be following her and drag him out of the car if she had to. The windows both front and back were opaque, preventing her from seeing inside. She hesitated as she felt a prickle of fear. The car seemed to be waiting expectantly for her to come closer. She slowly stepped off the curb to cross the street. She halted and turned when she heard Judy calling from the second-floor walkway on their office complex. Kenann looked back and watched the car slowly drive away.
“Who was that?” Judy asked when Kenann joined her on the covered walkway.
“I don’t know. Probably some nut case trying to decide if they want to make an appointment.” She paused, “You okay?”
Judy sighed softly. “Yeah, I’m sorry I ran out last night like that. Kenann, Danny Mac is not who you think he is. And this Andy is bad news too.”
“Judy, how can you say that? You don’t really know either of them or their history.”
“I know part of it and its ugly. They’re killers, Kenann.”
“Oh Judy, for goodness sake, that’s a real stretch even for you. I know they were in the Marines. Mr. Taylor was their commander. Andy practically wet down his leg when he showed up last night. But that’s like calling the Vietnam vets baby killers. Get a grip.”
“They were trained assassins and Danny Mac was the best of their best. They act like he’s some kind of war god.”
“How do you know this?”
Judy only looked at her.
“Never mind, I get it. Judy, those guys are on the psych unit for a reason.”
“Danny Mac didn’t deny it.”
“Okay, so he was some bad dude in the Marines.”
“It was more than that.”
“Whatever. That was then. This is now. Men come home from the military all the time and resume normal lives.”
“You think he can just turn all that off? As a freaking preacher no less. It’s a joke.”
“Judy, do you hate him because he’s a Marine or because he’s a preacher,” she paused and said more gently, “Or because he’s a man.”
Judy’s head was lowered. When she looked up her eyes were glistening with tears.
“Don’t go there, Kenann. If you can’t guarantee all the pieces will go back in the box, don’t take them out.”
“Judy, I want to help you.”
“I’ve got to get back to work.” She squeezed Kenann’s hand and went into the clinic behind them. It was always work for Judy. As long as she was working, she didn’t have to face whatever demons were dogging her heels.
* * *
As Friday morning dawned, Danny Mac was going over his sermon at the dining room table. When he heard muffled groans from the living room, he whirled to his feet. He chuckled as he righted his chair. He recognized the once familiar sounds of Andy trying to greet the day. He poured another cup of coffee and walked over to the series of lumps on the couch. He lifted one end and found toes, so he approached it from the other end. He wafted the coffee cup near the opening of the cover and like the cobra rising to the sound of the flute the head began to move and weave until it was upright and staring through hooded eyelids. One hand fumbled out from the folds of the blanket and encircled the wrist holding the coffee. The other hand made its way around the cup. Not trusting himself, Andy leaned forward and took a first sip of the life-giving drink.
“What time is it?” he croaked.
“Almost 6:00.”
“Why didn’t you wake me for my watch?”
“Oh, I was working on my sermon for Sunday anyway.”
Andy looked puzzled and then realization dawned. “Oh yeah, I forgot. Do you actually dig this church stuff?”
“Yep, you want in too?”
“No way. You’re not getting me into no Bible banging cult!”
Danny Mac patted Andy on the head. He knew he hated that. Laughing he went back to get his own cup of coffee from the table.
“Jake’s already called me this morning.”
“I thought you said the old man slept.”
“I didn’t say how much. He knows something is up.”
“How?”
Danny Mac arched one eyebrow. Andy grinned. “Yeah he’s got eyes in the back of his head. Hey, you suppose that’s why some the guys called him a ‘mother’?”
Danny Mac snorted. “I don’t think so.”
“What did you tell him?”
“It was useless to try to snow him. I just told him you were working on something and were staying with me a few days under cover.”
“It’s the truth.”
“I try to make it a habit.”
“Okay, since we are playing truth or dare...”
“Who said we –”
“Shut up. Have you got the hots for Judy?”
“No, Andy I don’t.”
“What about Kenann?”
Danny Mac hesitated. That alone scared him. “What about her?”
“You’re stalling.”
“She is my friend.”
“I’m asking what you feel.”
“What is this? Dear Abby. Drop it.”
“Ooh, we seemed to have touched on a tender spot.”
Danny Mac’s mouth was poised to tell Andy what he could do to himself before he stopped. The realization that he could so easily slip into the old behavior pained him deeply. Andy saw his expression.
“Hey, I’m just messing with you man. She’s a great kid.”
Danny Mac sighed. “That’s the operative word, Andy. She’s a kid.”
“She’s the same age as Judy.”
“Oh, there’s light years between those two.” Glad to change the subject, “I’m going up to take a shower. You’re on watch.”
Danny Mac came down a few minutes later towel drying his dark hair. “I’m going over to the office. You keep watch from here. If anything goes down, don’t move in.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Let him play out his hand. We need to see what kind of manpower he has. Besides, I’m wired with that minuscule transmitter you brought. Trust me.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.”
* * *
Much to Danny Mac’s dismay, nothing happened. He called Jake that afternoon to ask if he would take Kenann to Mrs. Gage’s party and had to leave the message on his answering machine. What he didn’t know was Jake had spent the day in his car watching the church building from a discreet distance. He figured the boys wouldn’t object to a little help if and when the trouble started. They were both on high alert no matter how casual they tried to act.
Kenann went shopping after work and was late getting in. She had made a habit of running over to Danny Mac’s side of the house for a few minutes after work just to say hi. Tonight, she slipped in quietly with her packages. She was putting the last few bricks in her emotional wall and needed time for the mortar to set. She made her weekly call to Granny who immediately asked her what was wrong.
“I’m just tired, Granny.” She changed the subject to Mrs. Gage’s party. “I bought this great dress tonight. Black and slinky.”
“Good for you girl.”
“I also found these great dangly earrings and sexy high heels.”
“Wear your hair up.”
“Why?”
“Just trust your ole Granny on this.”
“Oh, alright. Hey, I see my first client Monday.”
“Are you excited?”
“Nervous. I spent the day pouring over the case file and being grilled by my clinical supervisor.”
“You’ll do fine, honey. Are you sure everything is alright?”
“I’m fine, Granny. What’s got you so edgy?” The image of the black car came to Kenann unbidden.
“I’m just uneasy. I’m probably just missing you, honey. You kick up your heels and have a great time at the party tomorrow night.”
“I plan on it. I’ll call you Sunday night and give you all the juicy details.” They hung up with words of love. They both were only too conscious how quickly one of them could be gone.
* * *
Danny Mac spent the next morning again alone in his office. He was getting edgy and he began to pray.
“Lord, I don’t see any way I can walk away from this. Father, protect the innocent. Keep me from the shedding of blood. And if there is any way to soften Angelo’s heart, I pray that You will. It is hard for me to fathom that you love him.” He sucked in a chest full of air and expelled it before he could bring himself to pray, “Help me to love this enemy too.”
Kenann took Granny’s advice and pulled her thick curls up with a decorative clip at her crown and let them flow down her neck. She allowed other errant wisps of curls to frame her face. She took extra care with her make-up and when she zipped up the side of her new black dress with its mid-calf length and its soft scoop neckline she twirled in excitement.
When she heard the knock at her door her heart lurched. She took a steadying breath and splaying her hand across her stomach to steady her nerves. She checked her emotional fortification before swinging the door open with a broad smile. She squelched the feeling of disappointment to see Jake standing there.
“You look lovely, Kenann.”
“Thank you. Are you going with Danny Mac and me?”
“He had something come up. He said he would meet us there.”
She kept her smile firmly in place and offered her arm, “Shall we go?”
“You betcha.”
“You look very handsome in that tux, Jake.” And he did. His tall, broad chested frame filled out the suit to its best advantage.
“It was delivered this afternoon. I guess Mrs. Gage didn’t want me to show up under dressed.”
“Or she wanted to show you off in grand style.”
A few minutes later they were winding up the curved drive to Mrs. Gage’s spacious home. The first to arrive, they pulled into the parking area across the drive from the front steps.
Jake said, “Sit still and let me do this right.”
He came around and opened the door extending his hand. Kenann laughed, trying to look languid and graceful as she swung her legs out and rose from the seat.
“Wow, get a load of this place!” It could only be described as Gothic. Lots of heavy gray stone. They rang the bell at the over-sized front door expecting to be greeted by a manservant. To their surprise the diminutive Mrs. Gage opened the door wide extending her arms in the same manner. She clasped both their hands and squeezed.
“I’m so glad you are here first.” She was wearing her signature flowing silk and smelled of exotic places. Jake was consumed by her presence as she was in his.
“Where is Danny Mac?”
“He’ll be along later.” Jake responded absently.
“Lovely,” her eyes rested on his.
Kenann drifted toward the sound of the band warming up leaving her hostess and escort in the foyer still holding hands. She could see through the large arched doorway into the ballroom that its ceiling reached easily to 20 feet in height. She looked up from the foyer to the second story. The grand staircase went wide and straight to join the stone balustrade walkway that framed the second level of the main hall. The light grew thinner, but she could see an identical balcony walkway on the third level as well. Were those gargoyles looking down at her through the shadows? She sensed intrigue in this massive home. She vowed yet again to learn Mrs. Gage’s story. Jake and Mrs. Gage continued their intimate conversation near the front door. Kenann wandered through the archway into the ballroom. The back wall consisted of a succession of French doors opening onto a terrace and stone balustrade. Potted plants and vines softened the Gothic ambiance. The food table was loaded with delicacies for every taste bud. Mrs. Gage obviously loved to entertain.
People of all ages, shapes and sizes began to arrive. No Danny Mac. She mingled and nibbled from her plate and was surprised to find herself being flirted with by some very attractive men. She was going to have to socialize without Judy more often. The dancing began to start in earnest, so she escaped onto the balcony. She hadn’t seen Danny Mac enter the ballroom a few seconds earlier. Andy had followed Danny Mac from a discreet distance to the entrance to Mrs. Gage’s estate. As Danny Mac walked up the main driveway Andy decided to explore the grounds.
Danny Mac caught a glimpse of Kenann leaving through the terrace doors and was stunned by her transformation. By the time he made it out to the balcony she had walked down the steps into the large garden that served as the backyard. She stopped at a small alcove to admire a statue. Danny Mac took the opportunity to admire her, without restraint, under the soft lighting. She was so sweet and yes, innocent. Despite that, he felt the knot of desire growing in his gut. That dress wasn’t helping. He permitted himself the luxury of allowing his gaze to linger along the line of her neck and shoulders when he saw the figure step from the shadows. Everything happened in seconds.
The man lifted Kenann and turned to run. From her vantage point over her abductor’s shoulder she saw Danny Mac leap one handed over the balustrade and land on the path at a dead run. In that instant, she filled her lungs and expelled an ear-splitting scream meant to shatter eardrums. The man faltered from the assault on his senses and Kenann’s last image before being catapulted into the bushes by the impact, was Danny Mac in mid-air, his feet connecting with the other man’s spine.
By the time Kenann gathered her wits to come to her feet, Danny Mac had the man pinned against a tree. He held the man’s arms at an unnatural angle behind his back with one hand, the other appeared to be curled around the man’s windpipe. Danny Mac spoke in a rapid tongue Kenann did not recognize. The man’s eyes flickered. Angelo had said to be careful of this man. Andy appeared from the shadows dressed in jeans and T-shirt and pressed a gun behind the man’s ear. Jake and Mrs. Gage hurried down the back steps. She never missed a beat at the scene before her.
“Would you like a private place to continue your discussion with this man?”
Danny Mac gave her a sidelong glance.
“I have seen and done many things, my dear. I am not so naive as you might think.”
“What I really need is some crowd control.”
“My best talent,” and turned to the group gathering on the balcony. With consummate skill she had everyone back inside enjoying the party again in no time. Andy had the man bound with zip ties like a rodeo calf. He was lying on his stomach as the police arrived. When Andy pulled his ID from his pants pocket, the officers came to attention and made no comment about the weapon tucked into the back of his jeans. Danny Mac took off his tuxedo jacket and put it around Kenann who stood shivering quietly on the sidelines. Her dress had been torn on one side and her hair had been shaken loose from its clip.
“Jake, can I borrow your car?”
“Of course, son. What do you need me to do?”
“Stay with Andy and help these black and whites cage this guy. I’m taking Kenann someplace safe. Jake handed Danny Mac his keys and went to stand with Andy. Mrs. Gage returned and placed her palms on either side of Kenann’s face and smiled a reassuring smile.
“You will be fine, dear. You go with Danny Mac now.”