“They were both wearing disguises, you said,” William said.
“Yes, Dad, they were. I really couldn’t identify them.”
“What should we do, William? I don’t want to let Ellie out of my sight. I want to keep her locked up in the house until they catch that man, but I know I can’t.”
“We’ll figure something out.”
Figure something out? “Dad, unless you want a plus two at the wedding, Max and I need to leave.”
“What plus two?” her mother asked, not understanding.
Max understood. He put his arm around the back of Ellie’s chair and gently tugged on her hair. Plus two would be Max and the hired killer. Not funny.
“I’ve been accused of ruining several of Ava’s parties, and I don’t think she’ll appreciate someone shooting up the church during the ceremony.”
“Oh my Lord, don’t talk like that,” her father said.
“I’m putting everyone in danger staying here. I do wish I could stay for a little while. I haven’t seen Annie in over three years. And all the aunts and uncles will be here, some I haven’t seen since I was a little girl.”
“It’s too dangerous for you,” her mother said. “I so wanted you to attend the garden party, though. Annie’s going to be disappointed. The whole family would be together, and that hasn’t happened in years, has it, William?”
“Mom, please don’t tell Annie or Ava the real reason I had to leave. Make up an excuse.”
“How safe is my daughter going to be back in her apartment?” her father asked Max. “Strangers stick out here, but not in the big city.” His face was getting red with anger, for it was all sinking in.
“There will be more agents and police to watch over her.”
“What about you, Max? Are you going to keep my daughter safe?”
“Yes, sir, I am. I’m not going to let anyone hurt her.” It was a promise he would die to keep.
“Then you aren’t her friend, Max?” her mother asked. “You’re here to protect her?”
He didn’t hesitate. “I’m both.”
“I know you care about Ellie. I can see it in your eyes,” her father said. “Will that interfere with your ability to do your job?”
“No.” His voice was emphatic.
“Did I mention that the garden party is in our backyard?” her mother asked.
Ellie could see how rattled she was. “Yes, you did mention it.”
“By Saturday there will be large planters at each end of the yard and flowers galore all along the borders. The nursery will be here tomorrow morning to do the planting. There will be fullblown flowers in every imaginable color. Oh, and at the end of the yard will be a pristine white tent with tables covered in white linen cloths and covered chairs for those who don’t want to stand. There will be music, too, a violin. I’ll take lots of pictures to send you, Ellie, so you won’t feel excluded.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
None of this was her fault, but Ellie still felt guilty and responsible for her parents’ pain. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Seeing the disappointment on his wife’s face, Ellie’s father turned to Max. “Couldn’t you two stay until after the party Saturday? You could make it safe. If Ellie stayed in the house or in the tent during the party, and if we could get someone else to help with security, wouldn’t it be possible?”
Her parents were looking eager and hopeful. Ellie knew how important it was to her mother that she stay, and she didn’t want to disappoint her, but Ellie had to be realistic. Others could get hurt.
“It could be dangerous for you and your guests if I stay,” she warned.
“I know we can make it safe,” her father insisted. “Even if we have to hire security here. You’ve got that man’s picture, so we’d know who we’re looking for…”
“Landry could have hired someone else,” Max said.
Claire looked hopeful. “But like William said, everyone knows everyone else around here. A stranger would stick out.”
“Even a cable guy or a repairman? Would you look twice?” Max asked.
“I know the repairman I’m going to call to fix the air conditioner,” William said. “And we won’t let any other repairmen near here until the party’s over.”
“No one knows you’re home, Ellie,” her mother said. “Because none of us were certain you’d be able to get away. I only told the relatives that you were going to try to get home but that your schedule was difficult. We’ll keep it a secret until the party. I’ll tell Ava and Annie to keep it low-key, too, and not mention you.”
The parents had a plan now and looked at Max for approval. When he didn’t immediately agree, Claire asked, “What do you think?”
Ellie couldn’t break their hearts. She made up her mind that if Max told her no, that she had to leave, she would pull rank and simply say that she was staying.
Max’s cell phone vibrated, telling him he had a text. He pushed the chair back and stood. “Let me talk to some people and see what I can do.”
Ellie’s mother clasped her hands together, and her father smiled. “Good, that’s good.”
Max put one hand up. “I’m not promising anything. If I don’t get the people I want, then Ellie and I are leaving. You’ll have to accept that. All right?”
“Yes, of course,” her father said as her mother nodded.
“I really think I should stay for the party…,” Ellie began.
The look Max shot her suggested she not continue. If she thought she could show a little independence and throw her weight around with the I-can-do-whatever-I-want attitude, she was sadly mistaken.
Ellie stood up, thinking that she and Max should have their disagreement in another room so her parents wouldn’t hear them, but Max didn’t seem to care who heard what he had to say.
“Sweetheart, you don’t make the decision. I do. And where I go, you go.”
He excused himself and went into the living room to read his text and respond.
Ellie decided to clean the kitchen while her mother went in search of her good Irish linens. She’d packed them away in the attic when the hardwood floors were being refinished.
Ellie had just started the dishwasher when she got a call from Carlos Garcia’s wife, Jennifer. The woman was hesitant and sounded fearful over the phone.
“We met at the police station, and my husband, Carlos, had a mole on his neck…”
“I remember, Jennifer. How is everything?”
“We have a problem, and you told me to call.”
“Yes, I did. What’s the problem?”
“We’re in the doctor’s building next to the hospital, but the doctor’s reception lady says we don’t have insurance.”
“Is the doctor in the office now?”
“Yes. I heard him talk to a patient.”
“Okay, good. Could you give me the number for that office?”
A minute later Ellie had the number written down. “Sit tight for a few minutes, and I promise you Carlos will see the doctor today.”
“Thank you, Dr. Sullivan.”
“You’re welcome, Jennifer, and please call me if there are any other problems.”
Then Ellie dialed the doctor’s office. Max walked into the kitchen just as she ripped into the receptionist, who had identified herself as Michelle.
“This is Dr. Sullivan. You knew that Carlos Garcia was scheduled to see Dr. Shultz today. I set that up before I left town.”
“But you didn’t tell us he didn’t have insurance.” Michelle sounded snippy.
“Dr. Shultz is doing the surgery free of charge,” she explained. “He must not have remembered.”
“He doesn’t do free surgeries.”
Ellie’s voice turned to steel. “You get him on the phone, and if he’s too busy, tell him I’m going to get Dr. Westfield on the line, and Shultz can explain the little surgery he did on his girlfriend three months ago. Oh, wait. You’re the girlfriend, aren’t you, Michelle? Why don’t we get Shultz’s wife on the line, too. We’ll do a nice little conference call.”
“I’m getting him. I’m getting him.”