Chapter 22 Back On Tour #3
“Yeah,” Denny responded. “I remember how Pimico was still struggling when my sweet Janet returned and joined you guys.”
“She’s the link we needed for Greg to finally stop going through PA’s,” David said.
“And I appreciate that Miss Vanilla Rose back there, Carry Mitchelson, did such an excellent job filling in for you.” David turned and addressed the back.
“Carry, we miss you over at Pimico and if you ever get tired of being the Face of Veronique, you can still be a Junior Associate at Pimico.”
“Thank you, David. I really enjoyed my time at Pimico, but I’ve finally found my family at Veronique, and tonight we are all going home,” Carry called back loudly. Keith leaned back in his chair then shot a look over his shoulder. Carry shot him a wink, then Cassie did too.
“Good luck with that,” Keith called. ‘The ball’s in play, and I need to get the guys rolling,’ he thought. “I hope you have a great night.”
“Thanks Keith. My sisters and I are going to have a wonderful evening at home. Finally home after all these years.” Carry felt the chill down her spine as she finished the words and so did Cassie but neither one let on how scared to the bone they really were.
“Veronica, are we coming in at normal time?”
“After the tour and this weekend, why don’t we take a late morning, say ten?”
“Ten would be wonderful. Thanks boss,” Carry said and smiled as she passed.
Greg and Veronica got into the Pimico Mini-Limo with Harry and started their journey away from Wheeler.
He was busy checking his phone and the text messages that were flying back and forth.
‘Thank God Brick and Danny are back. Carry is walking into the lion’s den with Cassie, and there’s nothing I can do to help her,’ he thought to himself.
Veronica noticed how distracted Greg suddenly was and she leaned over to try to read the text messages Greg was engrossed in.
The shock on her face when she read the flash message from Keith caught Harry’s attention as he saw her reaction in the mirror.
He slowed down as he noticed that Greg was so busy looking at his phone that he didn’t even realize Veronica was there reading everything over his shoulder.
“Are you alright, Veronica?” Harry called.
“HELL NO! I’m NOT alright, Harry!” she exclaimed then slapped Greg on the arm. “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?”
“The less you know right now, the better,” Greg responded. “Keith has gone full alert and is bringing everyone in on this.”
“Greg Garrelson! Dammit! These are MY GIRLS! IF THEY’RE IN DANGER I NEED TO KNOW!” she screamed and hit his shoulder again.
“Keith has it under control,” Greg assured her. “Harry, can we just head to the West Bottoms for a moment.”
“On it Boss!” Harry said, and took the exit to twelfth street, then navigated down the long descending bridge into the West Bottoms of Kansas City. “American Royal or Kemper?”
“Let’s stop at the Golden Ox for now Harry. I need to explain this to Veronica.” Greg ran his hand through his hair. “First, I’m sorry you weren’t told about this, but the secrecy of what they are doing is tantamount to the safety of their lives.”
“Then you are risking their lives?!” she demanded softer than a scream.
“Not me. Them.” He looked into Veronica’s eyes. “They are in the thick of what may be a life and death storm right now, and what I need,” he paused. “Correction, what THEY need is for us to not panic.” He laid his right hand on her left thigh. “Please just take a breath and let me explain.”
“You can explain this?” she said with a mixture of concern and confusion.
“Hey Boss!” Harry called. “Sit back!” Harry floored the Mini-Limo and accelerated down the bridge towards the bottoms. “We’ve got a tail and I think they’ve got guns, so hold on back there.”
“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON GREG?” Veronica screamed.
“Pendergast Family,” is all he could get out as he saw the muzzles flash and he grabbed Veronica as he dove on top of her to pull her down and protect her. “They want me dead,” he squeaked out while holding her down. “Get us out of here Harry!”
“Hang on,” he called as he slammed the brakes and locked up the rear end making it shudder as the tires left streaks of rubber like a washboard on the cement.
CRASH! The sound of crushing metal and shattering glass that covered both Greg and Veronica along with the jolt of having been rear ended, hard, was all they knew.
“Take that you assholes,” Harry called as he stomped the gas again, burning rubber as he pulled away from the two cars that were now a pile of wrecked metal wedged together.
“We’re good boss,” he called as he spun the car left and headed south.
“Forget the Golden Ox, Harry. Get us to the Precinct. I’ll text Marvin to let him know we’re coming.”
“Alright, I’ll have us there in about four or five minutes.” Harry started whistling as he drove on like nothing much had happened.
“How in the world is he so calm in all this?” Veronica asked as Greg moved off of her, shaking the glass off himself.
“He’s been through this before,” Greg commented. “He’s the best driver around.”
“Thanks Harry,” Veronica said as she slowly sat up. “I’d kiss you but there’s this barrier between us.”
“I’ll take a rain check then,” Harry called back and laughed.
“Only you would find a way to laugh in all this, Harry,” Greg said. “Are you alright Veronica?” Greg asked with concern.
“I’m only a little out of breath. You didn’t exactly put me in the best position when you pulled me down and laid over me.” Veronica looked at Greg. “I’m still mad.”
Keith had followed Carry, Cassie, Wendy and Katie to the Matriarch’s mansion, and parked back a ways.
He’d switched to a black Honda Accord for the night because he didn’t want to be recognized in his Red Jeep.
He’d been managing text messages to his entire team.
Brick and Danny were just getting back into Olathe as he pulled to the curb.
He was happy to see everyone responding to his red alert message.
He waited and watched as the girls went inside, nervously he checked the area and his phone constantly.
On his fourth scan he saw the message from Greg.
‘Priority 1, Shots fired, Car rearended, proceeding to the precinct – Marvin waiting.’ He took a deep breath then let it out slowly.
‘What’s going on Greg?’ Keith thought with concern growing.
He pulled out his tablet from his bag and quickly logged in.
He accessed the security cameras from the Mini-Limo and watched the whole thing.
“Hang on, who’s that getting out?” he muttered to himself, then he ran it back again, playing it in slow motion.
“HOLY SHIT! That’s The Enforcer.” He dropped the tablet and pushed the Notify ALL button – “Enforcer Attempted Assassination of Greg and Veronica in Mini-Limo on twelfth Street bridge.” SEND.
Then he called Randy, “I need you on the Matriarch, I’ve gotta go downtown. ”
“I’m only a minute out, Keith. I’ll be right there,” Randy replied and less than forty seconds later he was pulling up. “The attack was on Greg?”
“Yeah, and I have to follow up. We’ve got that skuzbucket now!
The Enforcer was caught on cameras.” Keith pointed to the tablet.
“You watch the girls, and I’ll check on Greg and turn over the evidence.
Take over there,” he said and pointed to another spot where Randy pulled in and parked.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Matt and Eddie are on their way also. Update them when they get here.”
“Do what you gotta do, Keith. I’ve got this,” Randy said confidently.
Keith sped away for the precinct. Randy knew it wouldn’t be long before Keith would be there, nor for Matt and Eddie to show up.
He kept a close eye on the grounds and house.
When they arrived he was happy to see them.
“Hey guys, Keith had to go to the precinct. You know what to do. Take your spots.”
“Alright, Randy,” Matt said firmly. “Thanks for the update. Eddie, you have left and I’ve got right. Randy, we’ll coordinate through you until Keith returns. You’ve got the lead. Keep us in the loop if anything changes at all.” They separated and moved into position on their motorcycles.
Greg was sitting in Brick’s office with Veronica as they were waiting for Keith to arrive. Marvin had brought in the coffee then went back out among the other officers. “Alright, stop giving me that look,” Greg implored.
“You are going to have to explain yourself,” Veronica said. “I’m still mad at you about this. You aren’t going to charm your way out of this.”
“Keith’s on his way, and I want to wait for him,,,” he went silent as Veronica pressed her fingers against his mouth.
“Just stop right there,” she said firmly. “I want YOU to tell me what is going on.”
“Alright, but don’t yell at me any further. None of this was my idea, nor in my control,” he said with both hands up defensively.
“You’re scared about something, Greg.” She saw how defensive he was. “I’m mad at you, but I still love you. You need to trust me here.”
“I’m scared for Carry and Cassie,” he admitted slowly.
“They worked up this plan with Keith, Brick, Danny and I don’t know who all else they got involved.
I was kept out of the loop to keep them safe.
The less people who know what’s going on, the less likely they will get caught being double agents. ”
“Greg,,” she began with a nearly guttural sound. “What are they doing?”
“They’re walking into the mansion of the Pendergast Family Matriarch, Jenny Easthaus, who incidentally is Cassie’s mother,” he said somberly. “That is tantamount to walking into the lions den.”
“If Cassie is her mom, why is there concern?” Veronica asked and saw his face ashen in color. “Greg, what aren’t you telling me yet?”