Rough Ride (14 page)

“You think if he was involved he would just tell me?  I don’t think he liked me that much.” She said

“We are hoping that if you show some interest, play the ‘damsel in distress’ card he’ll bite.” He replied.

“What exactly do you want me to do?” She asked

Detective Sanders explained that she was to voluntarily ‘turn herself in’ to the department on some trumped up charges.  Then she would call Kyle and beg for his help.  She would wear a wire and play the distressed widow who’d lost it all and was going to take the fall for her husband because she was out of funds and out of friends. 

They felt he would either confess to having an idea about the missing funds or would put up enough funds between ‘bail’ and an attorney and other bogus expenses, that they would have enough to question where the funds had come from.

“If you do this for us, we’ll make sure that the life insurance benefits and investment funds that are still frozen are made available to you as soon as possible.  I know that the red tape has been brutal in light of the investigation but we have the resources to ensure that the insurance company and broker’s office are notified our investigation is complete with regards to you.  Plus you might be able to help us put away anyone else involved in this mess and possibly return some victim’s hard earned money.” He finished.

“Can I think about it for a few days?” She asked

“Yea, but please… every day spent is one more day that money could be spent, or moved or who knows what so the sooner you can help us out the better.” He said

“I’ll let you know in a few days.” She said

“I know we aren’t exactly old friends but I did come to bat for you by verifying your alibis and getting video evidence… I really pounded the pavement for you Lilly.” He said

“I know Detective and I can’t thank you enough, but I left there to escape the rumors and now you’re asking me to return and basically make it appear that the police do have something on me.  That isn’t something I can just readily agree too… those people were brutal to me even after I was cleared.  Please don’t pressure me, just give me a few days to think this over and I’ll get back to you I promise.” She replied

“Ok, I look forward to hearing from you.” He said and disconnected the call.

Closing the laptop up and sitting it on the kitchen counter she crawled in beside Gretchen and tried to sleep.  She kept tossing and turning thinking of what she knew in her heart she must do.  If she could help even one of Darren’s victims get their money back, she had to at least try.  Kyle had worked hand in hand with Darren and his only claim to innocence was that he had lost money too.

The police had scoured their home and Darren’s office and found all the evidence they needed to point to Darren.  Having been married to him and having benefited from the illegal money over the years, she had also been a likely suspect.  Kyle was able to show legitimate business transactions over the course of a two year period and that coupled with showing his own financial loss had been enough to keep them from looking at him any further… until now.

“Lilly wake up” Gretchen said shaking her arm.

“What’s wrong sweetie?” She asked sitting up.

“Nothing…its morning and I’m hungry.” She said

Looking around she realized it was light outside, she must have finally fallen asleep but it seemed like just minutes ago.  Throwing back the blankets she headed out to the kitchen to find Dickie and Chuck sitting at the table eating cereal.  Upon seeing her enter, they looked at each other and then continued eating. 
He hadn’t come back last night!

“I’ll get you some cereal pipsqueak” Chuck said standing and getting a bowl from the cabinet above the table.

Unable to face them, she went back to the bedroom she shared with Gretchen and got dressed.  This was exactly what she had been afraid of when she got involved with him, but she had done it anyways.  Now the guys were uncomfortable thinking of how she’d react to him moving on so quickly.  She was humiliated that not even a full twenty four hours later he was out with someone else.  She couldn’t do this…she
wouldn’t
do this.

All those times that Darren had said he was working late or had a meeting out of town, he’d been with other women, but
never
did he flaunt it in her face as Bobby did.  Well if he had moved on, then perhaps she had her answer about whether or not to help out Detective Sanders. 

She could leave out and be in New York by tonight.  Once she did this for Detective Sanders, the money that Darren had legitimately earned and the investment money his parents had given them for their wedding gift would be available to use for a new life far from New York or Florida.

“Miss Lilly were you wanting to go and sit at the booth today?  If not, Chuck and I can handle it no problems.  We’ll take Gretchen with us I’m sure Tommy and uh… will meet us there.” Dickie said through the door.

“I think I may stay here if that would be ok.” She replied

“Well ok then, Gretchen needs to change right quick but then we got to get going.” He said

She slid the door open and helped Gretchen get changed and get her things together for another long day sitting at the booth.  Looking at the child she wanted to say goodbye but didn’t want to upset her.  She’d only known these people for a little more than two weeks but it seemed like much longer.

“Gretchen I’ve got some things I have to take care of so I won’t be here when you get back.  I’m not sure when I’ll see you again, but I hope you have fun this weekend.  I also hope you’ll keep practicing your letters and numbers for school and remember what I said ok?” She said again fighting back tears.

“Where are you going?” Gretchen asked.

“I have to go and face some things from my past so I can have a future.” She nearly whispered.

Looking puzzled for a minute she looked up and said “Well I hope you come back soon cause
’ I like you and at least you said goodbye.”

Then she hugged Lilly’s legs and ran out carrying her bag and sunglasses to find Dickie.

After hearing Chuck and Dickie’s bike’s leave she got on the laptop and made a flight reservation, and called a cab.  Then she called and left a message for Sherri letting her know she wouldn’t be coming back from the trip and explaining that she needed to return to New York for a few days. 

Fortunately, she had the key to her storage unit in her purse so she could get more clothes once she made it to New York.  Having that all organized she called Detective Sanders cell phone.

“Detective Sanders” He answered.

“It’s Lilly Sanders, I have a 12:30PM flight for New York today can you meet me at the airport around 6:00PM?” She asked

“Uh, well yea… I thought you needed a few days?” He said, clearly thrilled.

“I made up my mind faster than I thought I would.  I will also need a hotel or some place to stay while this whole mess is going on.” She said

“Don’t worry about that I’ll take care of everything.  There are three of us working on this but you will deal only with me.  I’ll see you around six at the airport.” He said and disconnected the call.

Gathering up all her belongings near the door, Lilly sat down to pen a note to the guys.  Though Bobby might not care, she didn’t want the rest of them to worry.

All:

I apologize for the short notice but something has come up that I must take care of.  As I do not know how long it will take to resolve I feel it is best to resign my position.  All tax information is ready to go and just needs the file sent to the accountant.  Payroll is already entered and just needs checks either written or printed.  You can view all the customers I billed so that you’ll know what money is expected to come in.  I have also paid all bills due and have bills scheduled to be paid for the next two weeks.

Again, I apologize for the short notice but I truly enjoyed working with you all and appreciate the experience.

Sincerely,

Lilly Warner

Hearing the cab pull up she gathered her things up, left the note on the table and headed outside.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pulled away.  Even with what Bobby had done she wouldn’t have traded the experience of the past two weeks for anything.  She only wished it could have lasted.

He noticed immediately that Lilly wasn’t in the booth when he and Tommy pulled in a little past lunchtime.  His gut twisted at the way that Dickie and Chuck refused to meet his eyes. 
Hell.
  

She probably thought he was out painting the town, or worse with another woman.  After parking his bike behind the roped off area, he headed over to the table where Dickie was organizing merchandise.  Gretchen sat beside him writing on a piece of paper.

Knowing it was a stupid question before he asked it, he said “Where’s Lilly?”

“I’d say probably crying over your worthless ass.” Dickie said glancing first at Gretchen and then at Chuck and then back to Bobby

He was stunned at Dickie’s response.  Dickie had been a role model to him most of his teenage years and even into his early twenties.  Though he’d gone to night school to learn about motorcycles, the real experience of it had come from Dickie.  The man was clearly upset with him but attempting to refrain from chewing him a new one since Gretchen sat at the table.

“Hey, it’s not what you think…” He said trying to defuse the anger he felt rolling off of the older man.

“Really Bobby?  What is it then?  That girl has the smarts, know-how and motivation to help take the shop to the next level.  You just couldn’t keep your hands off and now we stand to lose her, thanks to your need to tap every piece of tail east of the Mississippi.” He said angrily.

“Wait just a damn minute!”  He said “I wasn’t out tapping anything last night… I just got us one hell of a job!”

Tommy having seen the fire that he was in stepped up to the table and explained the upcoming custom design job they had spent the previous evening hashing out over drinks at another campground.  The single job entailed building four custom bikes that would be nearly six months’ worth of revenue for the shop.

“
I
didn’t even get any last night… it was all work!” Tommy finished defensively.

Calming his breathing as the anger began to fade Dickie said “Well you might want to ride on over to the camp site and let her know that.  You could have called and let us know… you do know how to use your damn cell phone right?”

“She’s not there.” Gretchen said as she continued to write.

Four sets of eyes turned to the small girl.

“What do you mean she’s not there Gretchen?” Tommy asked.

“She said she has to take care of her future“ Gretchen said, never looking up from her paper.

“Did she say when she would be back?” Dickie asked quietly.

“Nope but she did say goodbye to me since she didn’t know if she would see me again.” Gretchen said.

“Damn!” He said making his way to his bike.

Watching as Bobby tore out of town headed for the campsite, Tommy turned to Dickie “This was as much my fault as his.  I should have called… especially since she had Gretchen.  We were just so excited about the deal I…
we
… forgot.”

“Well, all we can do is hope he gets there before she actually leaves and that she is willing to at least listen to his explanation.  It might be too much to hope that she believes him.  That’s what happens when you cat around.” Dickie said.  Then looking up at Tommy he said “Make note buddy, this mess could just as easily happen to you.”

“I got more sense than Bobby.  I’m not losing my head over some piece of tail so I seriously doubt that.” Tommy said