There Must Be A Mistake Ch. 16

Note: All persons in this novel are fictitious. If you are looking for a great deal of explicit sexual activity, this story is not for you. Those scenes that are included will be evocative rather than just for the sake of sex itself. This story is for your reading pleasure. Its length is undetermined at this time, because I do not know where my mind will take me along the way. I hope you will stay with me, during this journey until it reaches its inevitable conclusion.

68. More Problems

"Delicious, this is Junie Penick. I'm in big trouble, help me please."

"What happened, the trial is supposed to start today."

"The judge gave the prosecutor a one day delay to start the trial. The two men who were going to testify against my father have disappeared. He told me without them he has no case."

"Where are you now Junie?"

"I'm in my hotel room."

"Are you being watched?"

"Yes by two men. There never more than a few yards away from me."

"Is there a store where you can buy women's clothing nearby?"

"Yes."

"Go there, and look around. Call the police and tell them those two men are harassing you. When the police get there tell them everywhere you go these two men follow you. They will either be arrested or told to get lost. Can you get a bundle of cash in a hurry?"

"Yes, the court made sure I had access to all the funds I needed."

"What is the closest airport to you?"

"Harrisburg."

"Go there and take the first plane out. I don't care where it goes just go. Those two men are dead. They will never be able to testify against your father. Throw your cell phone away when you get to your destination. Call me on one of those prepaid phones. I will have instructions for you when you get there."

"Delicious, I don't know how to thank you."

"You can thank me by moving your ass now."

"What about my clothes?"

"What's more important Junie, your clothes or your life?"

"I'm leaving now, thank you again."

*************

"Rod, Junie Penick is in trouble."

"She can't be; I spoke to the prosecutors last week; they said it was slam dunk case."

"It was a slam dunk case if those two guys could testify against her father. They're dead; at least I think they are. They didn't show up at court this morning."

"They're dead. Where is she now?"

"I have her on the move. There are two men following her. She will lose them when the police get to her, which shouldn't be too long from now.

She will be flying out of Harrisburg on the next available flight. She will call me when she gets to her destination. What can we do for her now?"

"The best person to answer that question would be Dan. Let me go to him, and see what he thinks we should do."

"Keep me informed please, I feel frightened for her."

****************

After explaining everything to their security chief, Rod asked, "What do you think Dan? How can we help a girl that's been fucked over all her life?"

"That's the easiest question I have ever had put to me, 'You get rid of that fucker'."

"I didn't hear that, and you're not going to say it again."

"You lawyers are always squeamish. She's leaving town today?"

"Yes."

"When she makes contact have her call the prosecutor's office and tell him where she is. She's going into hiding, because her father will try to find her and put her back into that prison. She took some money out of the bank. She is going as far away as it will take her. Thank them for their help, and say goodbye. We will have instructions for her to follow from that point on."

"Whatever you say Dan; you are the expert in these matters; just don't tell me what you're doing."

****************

Dan sat back in his chair; put his hands behind his head and thought, "I wonder who's in charge of the 'Army War College' in Carlisle?"

He brought it up on his computer and laughed. "They gave that dunce a star. I thought he was overrated as a Lieutenant Colonel. What is this Army coming to?" He dialed the number.

"Army War College switchboard how may help you?"

"This is General Dan Morgan for General Fleming please."

"General Fleming's office, this is Margaret. How may I help you?"

He recognized the voice instantly. She was a New Englander, before there was a New England.

"How does anyone understand you Margaret? How do you say Massachusetts again?"

"Dan, I had them retire you because of your insults to my heritage. Why are you bothering me at this time of day? I'm supposed to be taking my beauty rest?"

"Okay, I'll call back at the end of the next century."

"That wasn't nice Dan. I will get even with you."

"How about a job that pays four times as much as you are making now. You can get away from that numb skull you working for too."

"You got that right. I've never seen anyone quite like him in my life. How did he get to be a general officer?"

"I guess he kissed the right asses. I don't think he ever went into battle. Hell, I don't think he left the northern hemisphere."

"He didn't; I checked. Can I help you or do you want to speak to idiot face."

"What I'm about to ask you could get your fingers dirty all the way up to your shoulders."

"It's not like I haven't done that for you before."

"Do you have the names of two black ops people in the area?"

"Only two; hell they're all over the hills here in Pennsylvania."

"I need two long-range marksman to call me at this number on throwaway phones; 10 grand cash each; by courier one target. One armor piercing shell and one gallium shell."

"I'll get on it right now Dan."

"Your new job is in the southwest I hope you like it hot."

"You should be very glad I'm already past my retirement age. I can collect my pension, and beat the shit out of you, because you're so damn ugly."

"God dammit Margaret what did you just say?"

"You will hear me loud and clear when I drop my typewriter on your head."

"What the hell is a typewriter?"

"It's the thing that's attached to the computer."

"It's called a keyboard Margaret."

"Whatever, I have calls to make; leave me alone Dan. You've ruined my day."

"Yes, but you love me anyhow."

"You should've married me. We could have argued like this every day."

"God forbid, I might have wound up talking like you. I might have even understood what you were saying."

"We could start a school."

"That would be perfect. We could sell it to the Army as a new form of code. The Russians would never be able to break it, and the poor Chinese would go crazy trying to find out what language it is."

"I think you better stop now Dan. You are wearing out your welcome."

"I'm just telling you the truth."

"Your coffee is going to taste very funny in the morning, because I'm going to pee in it."

"Is that what's been missing from my coffee. I knew it tasted different. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I love you Margaret; go to work."

"I love you too shit face, and it wasn't me. It was Charlotte. Goodbye"

****************

"Stephano where is Patti?"

"She's in Canada playing with Wood Frogs."

"After all these years you've developed a sense of humor."

"Honestly, Patti and Laura are in Canada playing with Wood Frogs. Well they're not really playing with them, they're studying them. They're trying to find out how they survive Arctic winters without freezing to death, and thawing out in the spring without damaging any of their cells."

"It sounds like a nice hobby."

"It's not a hobby. It is part of the stasis project they're working on. Why do you need Patti?"

"Junie Penick is in trouble. We are looking for a place to hide her for a while. The men that were supposed to testify against her father have suddenly disappeared. We believe they're dead. If her father is freed by the court tomorrow, he will move heaven and earth to find her. The first place he'll look is down here. He'll never think to look in Glen Falls. She has no connection there."

"Rod if she can get to Albany, we can have our helicopter pick her up and fly her home. We have a cook that lives in the house next door. Sabrina can let her into the main house, until Patti and Laura get home. She'll be as snug as a bug in a rug.

Wait, don't send her to Albany it's too close. Send her to New York City, or Westchester County; our helicopter will pick her up at either of those locations. Her father will never know where to look for her."

"Wonderful thinking Stephano; we will get the word to her. Her problems may not be solved, but they'll be greatly reduced."

*****************

Junie walked out of the lingerie store and pointed the two men out to the police officers.

"These two men have been following me everywhere I go. I go to my room at the hotel and they are there. I leave my hotel and go to the court, and they are right behind me. I came here this morning to buy some lingerie, and they are standing by the window looking at me. The two men that were supposed to testify in court today didn't show up. I think they're dead. I don't know if these men did it or not, but I'm afraid for my life. Can you do anything about it?"

One officer pulled his gun, while the other officer said, "Place your hands against the wall, spread your fingers, walk back three steps, and spread your feet as wide as you can. Are you carrying any weapons, or anything that could stick my hands, like needles or knives?"

Both men said, "Yes."

"My partner has his gun pointed at you. One false move and you are dead. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Each man had two guns on him: one in his shoulder holster and another strapped around his ankle.

"I'm going to remove your jacket," he said to the man on the left. Bend your left knee, until it touches the ground. Move your left arm 90° to the side. Don't move it any further or I will break it."

After he successfully removed the jackets from both men, he called for backup. When the sergeant arrived he asked, "What do we have Rudy?"

"What we have Sarge is a walking pharmacy. In my opinion, these men were about to kidnap Miss Penick. They've been following her around for several days from her hotel room to her every destination: courthouse, dinner, and now her lingerie store, which is where she called us from.

They have hypodermic needles, sleeping pills, heroin, and an assortment of medications to get her high and low, until she was addicted and had to obey them."

"Did you mirandize them?"

"I have not asked them any questions. Miss Penick can verify that."

"That's correct sergeant, the only thing the officer has done is search them. I told him I feared for my life, and apparently I was correct."

"You certainly were Miss Penick. You are very lucky woman. You've got a great bust Rudy. Mirandize them, and don't ask them anything until we have them at the station."

"You have the right to remain silent...."

"Miss Penick you are going to have to come with us and make a statement."

"I know the drill sergeant, but instead of doing this twice or three times can you have the district attorney be there also."

"I'll call and ask if he's available."

************

Even with the district attorney present it took less than 45 minutes for Junie to give her statement, be cross-examined, and try to be picked apart as any defense attorney would attempt to do in court. It just wouldn't work, because everything that happened to her was so cut, and dry. The disheartening part was her father's lawyers would use every tactic available to delay the next trial, as they did this one. It could take another 2 to 3 years to bring her father to trial, even if these two men agreed to testify against him. If they did, there was always the possibility they could disappear. She would have to live her life hiding from him forever, and never know if she was safe.

She decided to go with Delicious plan. As soon as she left the police station, she took a cab to a local mall, and disappeared into it. She had a salad and looked around to see if anyone was watching her.

She purchased a carry-on suitcase and some traveling clothes, using her credit card. Then she went to the Harrisburg airport, and two hours later she was on her way to Allentown Pa.

She called the district attorney and told him where she was, and what she was doing. The only thing he told her was she should have taken more cash with her.

She thought about that for a moment and agreed with him. There was a branch of her bank at the airport. She filled out a check for $10,000, walked up to the teller, and presented it, with her check-cashing card and her driver's license as identification. Ten minutes later, she walked out of the bank, with her handbag a little heavier, and a smile on her face.

She went to a kiosk and bought a throwaway phone. She called Delicious to find out what she should do next.

Delicious didn't know whether to be furious or exultant when she heard Junie's voice. "Are you all right; what the fuck happened to you! What took you so long, we've been dying here."

"I'm sorry it took so long, but a lot happened since we talked."

Junie went through everything that transpired and when she finished Delicious said, "Holy shit, you were lucky."

"That's what the sergeant said to me."

"Junie can you see a departure board?"

"Yes I can."

"What is the next departure you can make?"

"There is a plane to Baltimore that leaves in 45 minutes."

"Junie we want you to go north, not south."

"You didn't tell me that before. There's a flight to LaGuardia in 90 minutes."

"That's perfect, take that one. We will have a helicopter there to pick you up. A woman will have a sign for the July Tulip Festival. Her name is Rita. Ask her what her husband's name is. It's Paul, if she says anything else, find a police officer, and call me. Okay?

"Thanks Delicious, isn't it weird how the world moves people around? I never thought we would be friends."

"Well we are. Now take the chip out of your old cell phone and break it. Throw the phone away and keep the throw away. I will talk to you when you're on the helicopter."

*****************

Paul and Rita were on the ground at Westchester waiting for further instructions. They were in the passenger compartment when the phone rang.

Paul struggled to say, "Hello."

Stephano laughed. "One day I am going to put cameras in the helicopter so we can see what goes on in there when you two are alone. How long does it take both of you to clean up that place when you are finished?"

"It doesn't take us as long as it takes us to get it messy."

"I'm going to have the Department of Health check it for suspicious microbes and see what they come up with."

"Unless you have something for us to do, can Rita and I get back to what we were doing. It's a lot more fun than talking to a grouch."

"You weren't shot at Paul. Shit you didn't hear that from me, do you understand. If Patti gets wind of that, you two are fired. That is not an empty threat. If she even mentions it to me you two are fired. Tell me you understand and you will never mention a word not even to the person who sucking your dick."

"She's not sucking my dick, she sucking my balls. I understand what you're saying. I want to hear all about it. Is that a deal?"

"No it is not a deal. You have heard all your hearing about it."

"You're getting as bitchy as your wife."

"Be at LaGuardia Airport for a 9:15 PM arrival US airlines flight 5104 from Allentown. Have Rita carry a sign saying 'July Tulip Festival.' Junie will ask Rita for her husband's name. She will answer with your name. Anything else and she will go to the police. Clean up the fucking helicopter before you leave Westchester. I don't want it smelling like a whorehouse."

"Would I do that to you and Patti?"

"Do you want me to answer that honestly?"

"No, I'll let that pass."

***********

As Rita entered LaGuardia's control zone she told them they were picking up a passenger from US Air 5104 and wanted to know if it was on time.

LaGuardia Tower informed her that 5104 was 8 miles out on final approach.

"LaGuardia Tower is there any place I can set our helicopter down close to the aircraft and have a 'Follow Me' take my copilot to pick up our passenger and bring her back here. It would save us about an hour if you can."

"Roger, land at gate 61 Hotel Hotel, a 'Follow Me' and police car will be there waiting for you."

"Thank you Tower." Shit I need something to write the sign on.

"Don't worry about it Rita. After we land I'll use the black marker and write it on your shirt."

"Are you out of your mind, this is a $90 shirt."

"Your shirt is white. My shirt is black. What shirt do you think a black marker is going to show up better on?"

"Mister, you are going to owe me so big for this."

"Send Stephano a bill for the shirt."

"You don't want to play around anymore?"

"That's not the point. You can get the money back from Stephano, and we can still play around."

"I can tell you're getting old; you're getting sneaky too."

"Watch out with this getting old stuff, I'm not 50 yet."

"LaGuardia Tower this is 333 Sierra Papa Victor, over the Whitestone Bridge."

"Papa Victor, have you insight, cleared to land 61 Hotel Hotel.

"Sierra Papa Victor is cleared to land gate 61 Hotel Hotel. Thank you."

She approached the landing area, saw the 'Follow Me' truck, and police car waiting for them. She set the helicopter down, and went through the shutdown procedure. Paul had the marker in his hand and was ready to write on her chest when Rita yelled, "Wait, I have to put my bra on."

First they had to find it. She put the cabin lights on and after a few seconds she realized Paul was sitting on it. She pulled it from underneath him, and turned off the cabin lights. She took her blouse off, smacked Paul's hand away from her breasts, and managed to get it on without any further interference from him. She put her blouse on and said, "Okay, write away."

"Your blouse is on inside out and backwards."

"Fuck, you couldn't tell me that a couple seconds ago."

She pulled her arms in, twisted her blouse around, and pushed her arms back out.

"Are we happy now?"

"Let me check?"

He leaned forward and kissed both her breasts.

"Yes, I'm happy now."

"Paul, there's her airplane. Start writing please."

He did and she was off.

She climbed into the Follow Me truck and the driver saw the writing on her chest. "Where is this festival? I want to go to it if all the advertising is on a chest like yours."

"It definitely is an attention getter; but I'm here to pick up a friend and bring her to her family's home. The festival is just north of Lake Champlain. It's one heck of a drive from here, but it's much easier by helicopter."

"Do you own the helicopter?"

"I wish. It's a beautiful thing to fly, but the repairs on it would kill me. Are you going to wait for me or is another 'Follow Me' going to take me back?"

"Is your friend as pretty as you?"

"She is much younger and much prettier than I am, but I don't think she's wearing this type shirt."

"It doesn't matter, I think I'll wait."

The police officer escorted her through the restricted area up into the concourse where flight 5104 had just finished docking. The first-class passengers disembarked, followed by the hordes of others who were sitting in coach.

Rita was beginning to worry she missed Junie, until this strikingly beautiful young woman walked up to her.

"Hi, I think I know you, what is your husband's name?"

"My husband's name is Paul. I've been waiting for you. I thought I'd missed you. This police officer will escort us downstairs. Our helicopter is waiting to take you home."

"Thank you very much; I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

***************

It was 12:30 AM when they landed in Glen Falls. The lights were on in the main house and the horses were out grazing in the fields. She looked at them roaming around free and it made her smile."