Amateur Hour

Liam

To say that he was having an off day, was an understatement. The alarm had failed to go off, so he and Janice had been late, getting out of the house. This was probably a good thing, for Spike, who had decided to sprinkle his slippers again.

Liam had flung one, at the wall, in sheer frustration, managing to knock one of their wedding pictures off the wall. It had fallen, behind the dresser. It seemed the dog was going to have to see the vet again; add that to the list of things that were on his mind. Worse than the damp slipper, and the fact that he hadn’t had time to rescue the photo, had been the look on Janice’s face, at his loss of temper.

She’d regarded him with astonishment, and something that had looked almost like guilt. The trip to work had been nearly silent, with Liam driving a bit too fast on the rain-slicked two lane road, and Janice all but cringing in the corner formed by her seat and the passenger door.

All conversational gambits had met with quiet, almost meek replies, though she had once asked him to slow down. He had, immediately, and had apologized, but she was, he’d presumed, still fretting about his display, this morning.

“I wasn’t aiming at the picture, you know,” he’d ventured, as they made the turn onto the road where the drive was, for New Canaan.

“I know. It’s just… Liam, what’s eating you?”

“Something I have to work out, for myself.”

“Since when is that how we function, as a couple?”

“Since it’s confidential between me, and another person.”

“It’s Ted, isn’t it? You haven’t been normal, since you talked to him, yesterday.”

“Jan, please. Don’t badger me. I am sorry I lost my cool. I’ll do better.”

He had gotten his kiss, in parting for the morning, but the worry hadn’t left her face. Now, at breakfast, he found himself surrounded by a troop of morose young men, a couple of whom could only pick at their food.

Since failure to eat what one put on one’s plate was grounds for reprimand, the setting would have been a target rich environment for Franklin Riley, if breakfast demerits hadn’t been prohibited. Yet, Riley seemed as uninterested in food, as the others — maybe more so.

“Gentlemen, has something happened?” Liam addressed them.

“No, sir,” they chorused, but Guy gave him a very pointed look, then flicked his eyes in Riley’s direction.

“Nothing, ‘cept I got in-school suspension, thanks to someone,” Guy retorted, aloud.

“I think you can thank yourself for that, Mr. Ramirez,” Liam replied, playing along. “We can discuss it, if you wish. Privately.”

“Yeah, I do wish. But, not privately. Last time I went anywhere with you, I got stuffed into a wall. You got issues, man.”

“Very well. If you feel the need for a referee, Mrs. Miles should do.”

“Yeah, right – your wife.”

“Shut up, Ramirez,” Franklin Riley groaned. “You’d bitch, if they hung you, with a new rope.”

“I thought you were mi compadre, bro,” Guy protested.

“No. I don’t have any friends here. Not one.”

*******

Janice

“That thing on?” were the first words out of Guy’s mouth, when the door was closed behind him and her husband. He jerked his chin toward the white noise machine.

Janice nodded, and he signed for her to increase the volume. She did, and waited for whatever was coming next.

“It’s bad,” Guy said, flopping into the other chair, after Liam declined it. “Poor ol’ Riley got his card, yesterday. Kid was almost in tears, when he went to bed, last night.”

Janice felt tears spring to her eyes, as well, and she blinked hard, hoping neither of the others would notice. Maybe she shouldn’t have come back. The frustration was almost more than she could take. Of course, Liam was looking directly at her.

“I don’t think we can get away with the same trick, twice,” he said, slowly.

“No,” Guy agreed. “Even if we could, where would we stash him? You’re probably all out of sisters, aren’t you?” He gave Liam a small, ironic smile. “Steph told me,” he explained. “She got it from Mr. Billie. Anyway… I was up, all night, thinking about it. I got nothing. The master of escape plans, has nothing.”

Janice could see his bitterness, past his lightly self-mocking tone.

They were all silent, for a while.

“Guy,” Liam spoke, at last, “the abandoned wing — where the oldest files are — could someone hide, there?”

“I suppose so. That was kind of my plan, if I got tapped. But, I’m not a scared kid. I can keep my wits. Franklin is only just finding his. At best, it’s a temporary solution. He couldn’t stay as long as I would be able to. And, again, how would we get him out?”

“By water? I know a man with a boat.”

“That’s not a half bad idea,” Guy mused.

“It’s a horrendous idea, for everyone!” Janice objected. “Or, have you forgotten the alligators?”

“No. The actual pickup would have to happen in broad daylight. Gators are nocturnal, and they have poorer vision, during the day.”

“That’ll be a neat trick,” Janice retorted.

“Jan, there’s no law against fishing on the river, and there’s plenty of cover to make a small boat invisible, from the school, anyway.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s dangerous,” Liam admitted. “It’s also the best we’ve got, right now.”

“Why not cut through the fence, somewhere?”

“We could possibly manage that, sure. But, what then, Honey? Have the kid wander around through the woods and swamps, avoiding the road, until it’s safe for someone to pick him up? Don’t forget, there are snakes out there, too. Oh, and black bears, and coyotes, and —”

“I get it,” Janice snapped. “Lose the tone, Liam.”

“The point is, even while it might not be safe, strictly speaking, I think it would be safer. The boy would have at least one adult to help him,” Liam replied.

“We still don’t know what to do with him, afterward, though,” Guy said. “There’s a little time, to work on that, I guess. But, not much. Have you guys come up with any pattern, yet, regarding the students they’re choosing?”

“Not yet —” Liam said.

“Aristocratic parents —” Janice replied, at the same time.

“What?!” the men chorused.

“Yeah,” she shrugged. “You were looking at the students,” she said, to Liam. “I doubt Ted has really been focused on the records, at all. I don’t know what you’ve been paying attention to, in the files,” she addressed Guy. “It dawned on me, that even Steph’s cover story made her parents out to be… upper crust.”

“We dismissed ransom, as a likely motive,” Liam observed.

“I know. I didn’t say they were all among the very wealthy. I said: aristocratic. Old money, old family… the kids in question aren’t just heirs. They’re scions.”

“When were you going to mention this, my love?” Liam asked, sweetly sarcastic.

“When it made sense, my darling,” Janice returned, in kind. “It doesn’t. You’d have to grease it up and use a shoehorn, to make it fit into anything.”

“Maybe not,” Guy mused. “There’s a lot of pride, that goes along with old family. Up to a point, a wild child isn’t a liability. But, past that point? The kid’s a blemish.” He grunted a short laugh. “Guess I’m lucky Serrano’s merry men painted my fictional parents to be nouveau riche.”

“Wouldn’t that mean you could have been wrong about Eldridge being clued in about your real identity, and Steph’s?” Liam asked.

Guy rubbed his eyes, looking tired. “Maybe. Doesn’t matter. I just jumped to the right conclusion, for the wrong reason. Serrano’s either dirty, or he’s crazy. Not the kind of man I want to work for, in either case. If it weren’t for Franklin, I’d walk out of here, tonight — provided Mr. Billie doesn’t need anything else, from me.” He shot Liam a questioning look.

“I’ll ask. To be honest, I think you and Steph were in the right place, but I don’t see how there’s much more you can learn, now.”

“’Zactly,” Guy nodded. “There’s only so much someone posing as a student can do. I think Steph and I maxed that out.”

“What about your new partner?” Janice asked.

“What about her? She’s safe, enough. If I’m gone, she doesn’t serve any purpose, for Julio. He’ll pull her out.”

“Will he, though?” Janice persisted.

“Unless he sends in another partner, for the sake of appearances. I don’t see much coming, of that. They won’t be effective, either way, and that will keep her, or them, safe.”

“It’s really Guy’s decision, Jan.”

“Did I imply it wasn’t?”

“You seem to be in the mood to bust balls, today,” Liam shrugged.

Janice could only stare at him. This was uncharacteristically crude, coming from him, only hours after after a stated intention to ‘do better’.

“You know, I thought I was only joking about you having issues,” Guy spoke, before she could. “That was an ugly thing to say, to this particular lady, man.” He rose, shaking his head. Liam received a final look of disdain, before he left.

***

Janice

The two of them were left to stare at each other, in Guy’s wake.

“Jan —” Liam began.

“Not now. I can’t deal with an apology, now — if that’s what you were going to offer. I’d like for you to go.” She spoke quietly, firmly.

“Yeah. Okay,” Liam nodded, deflated.

When the door was fairly closed behind her husband, Janice sank farther into her chair, with a sigh. It wasn’t even 8 am, and she was already exhausted.

Had she been guilty of “ball busting”? Had it been a bit of revenge, for Liam’s inexplicable tantrum, this morning? For his refusal to see reason, regarding his plan for rescuing the hapless Franklin Riley? She had to admit, it was possible.

Had he been justified, then, in calling her out, in front of another man? A virtual stranger? She thought not. He should have saved it, for when they were alone.

Liam was prone to tease her, when they were among friends, sure. She gave back as good as she got, there. He’d never been unfriendly and disrespectful before, however. She’d forgive him, naturally. She could only hope that she’d forget, too.

Her phone lay close at hand, and she picked it up.

“Sanctuary Books,” Lisa said, on the other end of the call.

“Distract me, Book Lady,” Janice demanded.

“My house has a huge, Visqueen sheet, where one wall used to be, and my husband has ridden off with our son-in-law, to herd cattle, for a historical reenactment,” Lisa replied, promptly. “My daughter-in-law is at home, with a hired hand, two dogs, and a baby. I’m selling books.”

Janice laughed. “You sound pretty cheerful, in the middle of all that.”

“Toni and I have decided it’s a relief. The real chaos is over, now that Tuck and Will are gone. Their excitement was charming, but wearing. They really were adorable, all tricked out, in their cowboy best, when they left. But, the quiet is a blessing.”

“And, the hole, where the wall was?”

“That’s kind of an exaggeration. There’s a sheet of plastic, but it covers the area that’s already been closed in, for our little apartment. The floor is down, and the outer walls are up. It kind of makes my head spin, how fast it’s coming along. I can hardly wait, until it’s finished.”

“Your own little nest.”

“Exactly. I do love the kids — more than I could have imagined I would have. I wouldn’t trade the family, for anything. But…”

“Believe me, I understand. You need a place just for you and Tucker.”

“To drive each other completely nuts,” Lisa laughed. “I don’t think we’ll ever be as peaceable as you and Liam. I hiss at Tuck, at least once a week, about something.”

“Well…” Janice trailed off, with a sigh.

“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound happy.”

“We’re having a bad day, that’s all. Not quite headed for divorce court.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really. Not just now, anyway. I only needed a little distraction. If I change my mind, you’ll be the person I call.”

“I hope so. Is it something to do with the stuff going on, at work?”

“Yeah. Something’s bothering him, that he won’t tell me about. I could wait him out, on that, but whatever it is, he’s taking it out, on me.”

“That’s not good.”

“No. It makes me more hurt, than angry. But… Maybe he’ll come to his senses. Someone else made a comment about it, and that might have done the trick. We’ll see.”

“Let me know, okay?”

“I will.”

“Good. If he doesn’t cut the crap… well, he’s taller, but I’m meaner. If I can get the jump, on him, all bets are off.”

Janice chuckled. “I always wanted a sister, and you never disappoint, Lisa. I don’t think you’ll have to rough him up, though.”

“No?”

“Sorry.”

“Okay.” She feigned disappointment.

“I will take a little more of that distraction, if you have it, though.”

“In abundance. Just point me in a direction.”

“Historical reenactment?”

“Oh. Strictly speaking, it’s not a specific event they’re reenacting. They’re just replicating a cow camp — and those weren’t really a thing, in Georgia. It’s mostly an excuse to get together, ride horses, drink nasty black coffee, and camp out, I think. There’s a little folk concert, tomorrow, with some booths. Toni sent some stuff along to be sold by a friend, and we’re going to drive out, for the show.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Sounds like a lot of flies and mosquitoes. Rob is chafing to go, though. He’s not unhappy with his three day stint as man of the house, but he doesn’t want to miss out on any guy things, either.”

“Everything’s still good, with him, then?”

“It’s not all roses,” Lisa admitted. “He got into a yelling and shoving fight, with Scotty, and that’s why he was cut from the cow camp trip. Tuck grounded him.” Lisa was the one, to sigh, now. “I’m starting to rethink my position on sending Scotty and his horse, packing. That boy has an ego that Lucifer would envy.”

“Is that what they were fighting about? That awful horse?”

“The horse is coming along, actually. Scott agreed to geld him, and Tuck is helping to rehabilitate his bad habits. But, yeah. It was about a handling error, on Scott’s part. Rob was correct, but it nearly came to blows. I feel bad, for Rob, but Tuck is responsible for him, as an employer, if nothing else. It’s not the end of the world, I suppose.”

“No. Unless I miss my guess, Rob is more mature than Scott.”

“Much,” Lisa brightened. “Besides, he’s been entrusted with the two women who mean the most, to Tuck, and all of the horses. He thrives, on responsibility. He’s likely to be quite the man, when he grows up.”

“Have you washed your hands of Scott, then?”

“No.” Lisa paused. “He’s not a bad boy, at all. He apologized for the incident with Luna, and he really meant it — I could tell. It’s just that his head is as hard as an anvil, and his ego is big enough for three men. Will manages him, better than Tuck. Will has a spooky gift, for getting along with people.”

“Charisma. If he wasn’t so well adjusted, he’d be dangerous,” Janice observed.

“Like Manson, Jones, Koresh…”

“Exactly. That’s quite a superpower, he’s carrying.”

“I could use a little of that.”

“You have your own superpowers. Trust me.”

“Well, you do, too. You said, yourself, that you could wait Liam out. Patience is an underrated superpower.”

*******

Steph

By the time she had pulled over, to answer the phone, the call had gone to voicemail. The caller was Liam Miles, and his message was little more than a request for a call back, and the number to call. Steph dialed, immediately, thinking only that Guy must have come to some grief; there was no other reason for this man to call her.

Liam’s voice was calm, when he answered.

“I just got your message, Mr. Miles. Is Guy okay?”

“He’s fine. I’m sorry — I didn’t mean to worry you, Miss Howard.”

“That’s perfectly okay, sir. What can I do, for you?” Steph asked, her fears relieved.

“You could call me, ‘Liam’, if I can reciprocate.”

“All right, Liam. How can I help?”

There was a heavy exhalation, on the other end of the line, and a lengthy pause.

“I don’t quite know how to put this, Steph. I’ve been obsessing over it, for about twenty-four hours. You’d think I’d have my thoughts together.”

“I’m not in any hurry.” This wasn’t quite true. She had an important phone call to make.

“I — that is — Have you found out anything about where Nina might be, yet?”

“I have, as a matter of fact — if she’s with Gordon Eldridge, that is. I was going to call Ted, and fill him in, once I was off the road. My car doesn’t have blue-tooth, and if it did, I don’t have a smart phone. Why?”

“I want to ask you not to tell him.”

“Not to tell him.” This was interesting.

“Hear me out, okay?”

“I’m listening.”

“Ted isn’t in a good frame of mind, right now. He’s threatened to… to do bodily harm, to his father. I couldn’t care less, for Eldridge’s sake, obviously. But, I can’t just stand by, and let Ted go to prison, either.”

“I see.” Steph felt a headache, coming on — born of late nights, early mornings, stress, eyestrain, and insufficient caffeine. Now, it sounded like her client might be going off the rails. Perfect. She reached into her handbag, and felt for her small bottle of aspirin.

“I’m not really asking you not to tell him — only to hold off,” Liam elaborated.

It looked like ‘morals’ versus ‘ethics’, again. Would she ever be rid of that dilemma, she wondered. There was a pause in the conversation, while she shook out two tablets, and downed them, with the last of a bottle of water.

“For how long?” she asked.

“Another day. Can you give me one more day?”

Liam sounded like he was close to the end of his own tether. He hadn’t raised his voice, in either pitch or volume, but there was desperation, in the undertone.

“Mr. Miles — Liam. Take a breath. I’m not the grim reaper. I’m not even the IRS. If Mrs. Billie is with her father-in-law, and he’s held her, without reaching out to Ted with any threats, then it’s unlikely that he’s going to hurt her. If he doesn’t actually have her, then his whereabouts are irrelevant. I can hold off another day, or two. I’ll find Eldridge, myself, scope out the property; see what I can see. Maybe I can verify whether or not she’s there.”

“Thank you.” His relief was palpable, and pitiable.

“We’re all on the same side, here, Liam. I don’t want things to go bad, any more than you do. To be honest, you sound like a nervous wreck. People say things, all the time, that they don’t really mean.”

“No. He meant it.”

“Give him some time, to cool off. Get a good night’s sleep, yourself.”

“I’ll try. I’ll let you know, if the situation gets resolved.”

“Please, do. In the meantime, I’ll see how close to the place I can get. Maybe stake it out, tonight.”

Steph chuckled, under her breath, but Liam heard it.

“What’s funny?” he demanded.

“Me. It just occurred to me that I’m going to have to buy some stuff. I don’t even have a pair of binoculars, here. Some PI, right?”

“Oh,” he replied, sounding less uptight. “Don’t sell yourself short, Steph. What you lack in equipment, you make up for, in reasoning skills.”

“And, I have an expense account, of sorts. The basics are easy to get ahold of. It’s only comical, being so unprepared. I’d better see to it, now.”

“I’ll let you go, then.”

After he rang off, Steph pondered the turn things had taken, for a moment. Liam had called her — not Janice. He hadn’t mentioned his wife’s name, and he had been tied in square knots. This suggested, to Steph, that Janice didn’t know about this turn of events. Too bad. Janice had a good head, on her shoulders. But, it wasn’t her problem, in the end.

She would need adjustable binoculars, for varying light conditions, and a camera, too. The list grew, once the car was in gear, and pointed in the direction of the nearest sporting goods store.