After Sam had gone home and changed, he made a quick stop and then went to pick up Donna. As he turned off the main road, he glanced in his rear view mirror. The white van that had been following him since he left Newcastle pulled to the verge.
Keeping an eye on the white van, Sam got out and fiddled with something in the boot of his car. The driver and passenger of the white van got out, also. The driver lifted the bonnet. The passenger walked around the van, carrying a clipboard, as though he were going through an inspection list. He checked the tires, and then looked at the front and back of the van. “Hmm,” Sam commented, shrugged and got back in his car.
He waited while the guards opened the gates, and then drove through. His cell phone rang. Sam pressed a button on his steering wheel and started talking. “Hi Jazz.”
“Sam, I won’t be able to make our big weekend in the Highlands. A good friend of mine’s mother died, so I’ll be in Cornwall all weekend.”
“That’s all right, Babe. I meant to call you before I left work. I’m tied up all weekend, too.”
“Awe, poor baby. Boss got you working overtime, again?”
Sam grinned. “Something like that. Be careful and have a safe trip. I’ll see you when you get back.” He ended the call.
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Sam stood outside the double doors. It wasn’t his first trip to the Hall, but he’d forgotten how big and elaborate it was. He felt out of place.
Alan opened the door and stepped to the side. “Good evening, Dr. Kaliea. Miss Donna is in the music room. If you’ll follow me please.”
“Is that her playing?”
“Yes Sir, I believe it is.”
“She’s good – isn’t she?”
Alan smiled. “Yes Sir, she is.”
Alan led Sam through the entrance hall to the music room. He opened his mouth to speak. Sam held up his hand. “No, don’t disturb her.”
Alan nodded. “Would you like something to drink?”
Sam sighed. “No – not tonight. Thank you Alan.”
Alan nodded and left. Sam listened to Donna for a while longer before entering the room. He stopped a few paces behind her, admiring her passion.
“You know, I’ve heard that song a thousand times, but never quite like that,” Sam said as she finished the piece.
Donna whirled. “Geez Sam! How long have you been back there?”
“Oh, about two songs ago. I’ll join you, when we get back to my apartment. Are you ready to go? I planned for us to take a walk along the beach, before it gets too late.”
Donna stood. “Yes, I’m ready,” she smiled. Sam rested his hand at the small of her back and guided her to the front door. Richard was standing at the bottom of the stairs. “Richard, could you let Gary know I’ve left? And please, don’t forget. Wait until I get home to let the dogs out.”
“I will,” Richard responded and kissed her cheek. He grinned at Sam. “Have a nice time, Sam.”
“Thank you Richard,” he said, the corners of his mouth turning up. “I intend to.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Richard groaned as the door closed behind them.
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Sam held the door open for Donna and got behind the wheel. “So,” he said, making conversation. “Have you had the big tour?”
“Yes, I have,” she smiled. “I especially enjoyed the library. It reminded me of the one in Beauty and the Beast. I can certainly make use of the stables and the tennis court. Oh – and as you might have guessed – the music room. The white grand piano is pretty impressive.”
Sam drove through the security gates and pulled up to the dual carriageway. “Beauty and the Beast, eh?” he asked as he stroked Donna’s cheek with the back of his fingers. “I can certainly see the beauty, and as for the beast, I think Richard could play that part.”
Donna laughed. “Why do you say that?”
“Richard has the reputation of being the spoilt rich brat.”
“Whereas you’re just the brat, huh?”
Sam groaned. “If I’m a brat, I’m the sweetest one you’ll ever know,” he grinned and pulled onto the road.
“You’re not gonna put the top up?”
“Why? It’s warm, and it doesn’t look like rain.”
“There have been several cases of WNV, where I came from.”
Sam glanced at her and grinned again. “We don’t have that problem in England.”
“No, but according to Richard you have gnats from hell.”
“You must mean midgies. They won’t be able to keep up when we get going. Besides, I’ll be happy to scratch any itch you might get.”
“Are you going to brush the knots out of my hair, too? I wish you’d told me. I would have put my hair up,” she complained, trying to keep it out of her eyes.
Sam chuckled. “Look in the glove box. There should be a black tie in there you can use.”
Donna opened the glove box and several things fell out. Among them was a pair of handcuffs, several packets of condoms and the black tie. She held up the handcuffs and packets of condoms. “Moonlighting for the kinky police,” she teased, raising an eyebrow.
Sam coughed and cleared his throat. “Always pays to be prepared,” he softly smiled.
Donna’s cheeks showed some colour. “Of course it does,” she grinned.
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Richard checked the time on his watch. Sam and Donna had been gone about a quarter of an hour. He waited until Gary went upstairs to get ready for his date with Tina. Not telling anyone, he grabbed his car keys and left. Pulling onto the dual carriageway, he popped his cell phone in the car cradle and pushed a button on the steering wheel. He put his foot down and waited. “Hello Joyce. Do you have plans for tonight?”
“Yes, I do. I have a date with a frozen pizza and Hugh Grant, but I can put it off if you make me a better offer,” she laughed.
Richard grinned and changed lanes. “I can definitely make you a better offer. Put Hugh Grant away and throw out the cardboard pizza. I’ll get some fish and chips on my way through Whitley Bay. See you in a bit.”
Joyce smiled and headed for the shower. “Maybe this is not going to be such a boring weekend after all,” she mused as she laid some clothes on the foot of her bed.
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Sam parked his red BMW convertible in the Eastbourne/Bournemouth Gardens car park. Flipping a switch, he waited until the top was up and got out. He took Donna’s hand and helped her out of the car. “The wind is a little chilly,” she commented, rubbing her upper arms. “I should have brought a light jacket.”
Sam held out his jacket. “Here, you can use mine until we get back to my apartment. I’ll loan you one before we go down to the beach. The wind will be even cooler down there. How’s your arm? I noticed you were still wearing a bandage.”
“It’s just to keep it clean while it finishes healing. I don’t really need it.”
“If I hold you, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to hurt you.”
Donna softly smiled and took his proffered hand. Sam curled his fingers around her hand and pulled her closer to his side, so their bodies touched as they walked to the corner of the street. They went inside Pantrini’s and got in the queue. Donna turned up her nose. Sam chuckled. “It tastes a lot better than it smells – trust me.”
“I don’t remember reading about fish and chips in your book.”
Sam studied her eyes and smiled. “I live on the wild side from time to time.”
“Well, hello stranger,” the woman behind the counter said. “Haven’t seen you in a while. What can I get you?”
“Fish and chips times two and one mushy peas. What would you like to drink, sweetheart?”
“Dr Pepper, please,” Donna responded.
“Two Dr Peppers, as well, and make that to go, Becky.”
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While Gary was taking a shower, Tina left a message on his voicemail, telling him she had to cancel their date and would be busy the rest of the weekend. Gary decided, since Richard was home, he would challenge him to a game of bowling at the four-lane alley in the games room, but he couldn’t find him. Sir Richard was sitting in the lounge drinking a cup of tea and reading something on his Kindle. “Where’s Richard?”
Sir Richard looked up. “I thought he was upstairs taking a shower.”
“No, he’s not. I just came from there.”
“What did you need him for?”
“Tina called and cancelled our date. I didn’t have anything to do, so I thought I would see if Richard wanted to do something.”
Sir Richard picked up the house phone. “Alan, have you seen Ricky?” He listened. “About what time? I see. Thank you.” He put the phone down. “Alan said Ricky left about quarter of an hour after Sam and Donna.”
Gary groaned. “I’ll bet he’s gone to spy on them.”
Sir Richard grinned. “Do you blame him?”
“Well, no, but, if Donna sees him….”
Sir Richard pressed Richard’s speed button. “Ricky, where are you?”
“Going to spend some time with Joyce. I didn’t have anything else to do, and she was home alone, so I thought I’d spend it with her. I haven’t seen her for over a month. Is that all right with you, Dad?” he asked sarcastically.
“Yeah, sure, Ricky. We just wondered where you were. Gary was looking for you. See you when you get back – or in the morning – whichever.” Sir Richard ended the call and pressed another button. “He decided to spend the evening with Joyce in Cullercoats.” Gary opened his mouth to speak. Sir Richard held up an imperious hand. “John, it’s me. Keep an eye out for Ricky. He’s at Joyce’s.”
“Coincidental?”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. What are Sam and Donna up to?”
“They just picked up fish and chips at Pantrini’s and have gone back to his apartment.”
“Was Sam behaving himself?”
“Actually, he’s behaving quite civilly. Believe it or not, all he’s done is hold her hand.”
“Does Donna seem OK with that?”
“She seems to be enjoying herself. I think you were right about him getting her mind off Jared for a while. I don’t know what will happen when they get behind closed doors, but I’m here if Donna needs a way out.”
“I have a feeling that’s what Ricky’s there for, as well. Swing round by Joyce’s and make sure that’s where he is. Send somebody to keep an eye on him, too. I think it’s fairly obvious who the shooters were after, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“I’ll take care of it, Sir.”
Sir Richard locked his cell phone and put it away.
“You’re spying on them, too?” Gary asked.
“No. I’m not. I’ve just got John watching out for trouble. You didn’t think, after what happened at the cemetery in Louisiana that I was going to let her go out like this unprotected. Did you?”
Gary grinned. “Actually, I’m glad you’ve got John watching them. I agree Donna needs an escape from Jared’s memory. I don’t think she’s over him, yet.”
“Neither do I,” Sir Richard sighed.
“I don’t suppose you would like to do some bowling?”
Sir Richard laid his Kindle on the coffee table and stood. “Come on then. Did Tina give you a reason for cancelling…?”
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Richard and Joyce sat down to the table and started eating their meal. “Richard,” Joyce said as she salted her chips. “I love spending time with you, but I know this isn’t a social call.”
Richard grinned. “You know me too well, Joyce.”
“Does this visit have anything to do with Newcastle’s most eligible taking an interest in your girl?”
Richard frowned. “Maybe I just decided to spend my Friday night with a beautiful woman,” he responded, brushing the back of his fingers down her cheek.
Joyce shyly smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She’d played the mouse between Richard and Sam before, and she knew Richard was a good actor. He could cry on command but then so could Sam. “Yeah – right and maybe Sam Kaliea will propose to me tomorrow. Fat chance.”
“OK, you win. I confess, but I do think you’re a beautiful woman. I always have. I think Sam needs his head examining if he can’t see that.”
Joyce smiled; her cheeks showing some colour. “Just stop with all the flattery and tell me what’s on your mind before I start taking you seriously.”
Richard glanced down at his chips and then back into Joyce’s eyes. “Well, let’s face it. You don’t want Donna with Sam and neither do I.”
“At least we agree on that much,” Joyce chuckled.
“If you’re willing to help me, I think I can solve both our problems.”
“What do you need me to do?”