Twenty-one Year Rule Read online

  “He said he was wrapping up something from his past. He said everything was fine.” Grace frowned and looked at the ground. Then her head snapped up, “But when we went to pay the tab, there was another guy with them and that seemed to upset Bash.”

  Randy’s heart started to race, “What did he look like?”

  Grace looked to Randy and said, “He was in his early twenties with brown hair and he was wearing army fatigues. I think Bash talked to him as we were leaving, but I don’t know what he said.”

  Randy released Amy’s hand and grabbed Grace’s arm, “Come with me.”

  **********

  When Joanne opened the door, Beth was surprised at how nice she looked. Her light brown hair had new blonde highlights, and she had on a new short outfit. Beth handed Joanne the kid’s backpacks and kissed Molly on the cheek.

  She said, “You look great Joanne; I guess the new job is going well.”

  “It sure is,” Joanne smiled and added, “Tell Josh he was right, I was able to trade in the truck for a smaller car and the monthly payment isn’t going to kill me after all.”

  “I’ll let him know,” Beth said quickly as she turned to leave. “Either Josh or I will pick them up in the morning. Thanks for doing this at the last minute.”

  “No problem,” Joanne said cheerfully as she shut the door.

  **********

  Beth arrived at the hospital after they moved Bash to a room. Josh met her at the emergency entrance. Allowing Josh to take Emma from her, she kissed him quickly and asked, “How is he?”

  Josh turned and led her toward the elevators. “They moved him upstairs to a room. They’re giving him intravenous antibiotics, but he’s still unconscious.”

  The elevator opened, and they walked inside. Josh pushed the button for the sixth floor. Beth asked, “Did Randy tell the state police what Grace said?”

  “They interviewed Grace, but I think it made things worse. They handcuffed Bash to the bed and posted an officer outside his door. Randy thinks Bash tried to stop the assault, but no one knows for sure.”

  Beth sighed as the doors opened, “I didn’t get a good look at the three men that came in as we left. I’ve been wracking my brain all the way here. All three were short and had black hair. I just can’t picture their faces. Who are they? Why did they want to kill the soldier?”

  Josh led her down the hall, “I don’t know Beth, and I don’t like the sound of it. First Randy was attacked by drug dealers and now this. Our small mountain town is changing and not in a good way. This was supposed to be a safe place to raise our kids.”

  “Every community has problems, Josh.” Beth slipped her hand into his, “I’m sure these are isolated incidents.”

  They stopped in front of Bash’s room, and the officer stared at them. Josh opened the door and stepped aside to allow Beth to enter. Amy sat on the end of Bash’s bed. Randy stood beside her. Grace sat on the other side of the bed in a small chair near the window.

  Beth moved quickly to Amy. She rose and hugged Beth. Amy reached out to take Emma from Josh as he neared. She pulled Emma close and held her tightly in her arms. Randy wrapped his arms around them both and kissed Emma on the top of her head. He glanced at Josh and said, “The doctor says we won’t know for 24 hours if the antibiotics are working.”

  A knock came at the door, and they turned to find Emmett standing quietly in the doorway. Grace gasped when she saw him and rose from her chair. Emmett walked slowly across the room as Grace rushed toward him. She hugged him and asked, “Did Liam call you?”

  Emmett frowned and said, “No, Mike told me Mr. Miller called.”

  He released her and turned to face Josh, “Thank you, sir for letting me know about my sister.”

  Josh stepped toward him and shook his hand saying, “I thought she could use her big brother right now.”

  Randy offered, “Grace, you’ve been here for hours. You look exhausted. Why don’t you let Emmett take you down to the cafeteria to get something to eat? We’ll stay with Bash.”

  Grace glanced at Bash’s still form lying in the bed. Several wires and tubes connected him to an IV and monitors. “Will you call me if he wakes up?”

  “I promise,” Randy agreed softly. As soon as she left, Randy turned to Josh and said, “Who is Liam and was he at the scene when you arrived?”

  Josh thought for a moment and said, “Liam is Grace’s oldest brother. He wasn’t at the scene and Grace never mentioned him. You probably know him; he’s a paramedic at Snow Bird and Ogden General.”

  Randy’s eyes lit up, “Liam Squires? Yes, I know him.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and headed toward the door saying, “I’ve got to make some calls. I’ll be in the waiting area.”

  Josh met Beth’s eyes, and she nodded. He smiled at her in appreciation and followed Randy.

  Randy was hanging up when Josh caught up to him. Josh asked, “Do you think Grace asked Liam to help Bash?”

  “I’m certain of it. The doctor said Bash’s wounds were clean and sutured. I seriously doubt Bash has any buddies that can do that.”

  “But that doesn’t help anything.” Josh frowned.

  Randy’s mind raced. “It means that Bash wasn’t friendly with whoever killed the soldier. Grace said he was trying to stop something from happening. I think Bash was trying to stop someone from attacking the soldier. His name was Zack Thomas. I just talked to Ed. He spoke to the Thomas family; they said he was on his way to Las Vegas to open a bar. He had a large amount of cash on him. There’s your motive.”

  Josh’s face screwed into a knot of confusion. “How did Bash get mixed up in all this? He’s only been in town a week.”

  Randy turned to gaze out the windows of the small corner waiting area. He turned back to Josh and said, “I’ve got to do something. Can you stay here with Amy for a few hours?”

  “Sure,” Josh answered.

  **********

  Josh ran to a sub shop a few blocks from the hospital to get sandwiches for Amy and Beth. When he returned the state trooper was no longer standing in front of Bash’s room. Josh hurried inside to find Amy and Beth calmly sitting in chairs beside Bash’s bed. Grace was sound asleep across the end of his bed.

  “The troopers gone,” Josh announced as he handed the girls each a sandwich. He sat down in the chair next to Beth and peeled the wrapped off his meatball sub.

  Amy glanced toward the door and asked, “Is that a good thing?”

  “It is,” Randy’s voice came from the door. “Bash is no longer considered a suspect. He’s a witness.”

  Randy entered the room and moved past them to lean against the half wall of windows on the other side of the bed. “Now we need Bash to identify the three men who murdered Lt. Thomas.”

  “I can’t do that.” Bash’s scratchy voice came from the bed.

  Amy jumped up and rushed to his side. She put her hand to his forehead. He was still burning up. “Bash, we’ve been so worried about you. How do you feel?”

  Grace sat up and climbed off the bed to move to Bash’s side. He smiled weakly at Grace and said, “I feel like shit.”

  Grace smiled and said, “You look like shit.” She took hold of Bash’s hand as his eyes moved to Randy.

  Amy lifted a cup of water to his lips. Bash took a slow sip through the straw and said, “Randy, I’m sorry, but I can’t give them up. You don’t know these guys. They have a mobster mentality. They kill your entire family if you betray them. I can’t risk that.”

  Randy moved beside Amy and stared down at Bash. He was pale and sweating from the fever. His eyes had dark rings around them. Randy frowned and said, “Bash you have three things going for you right now. The waitress at Sadie’s said you left before Lt. Thomas. She said he left with three Latino types. Grace gave a statement saying you were going to try to stop someone from getting into trouble. Those two points moved you from a suspect to a possible witness to his murder. However, things could turn south just as fast if you refuse to cooperate.”
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br />   “I’m willing to take that risk.” Bash said softly. He looked at Amy and added, “Can I get something for the pain?”

  **********

  Josh and Beth took Emma back to Amy’s house and spent the night. The next morning Beth packed Emma a bag. “Josh,” Beth called to him as she carried Emma down the stairs. “I’m going to take Emma home. Amy’s going to be at the hospital all day, so there’s no sense in staying here. Do you want me to pick up Jake and Molly?”

  Josh was standing in the kitchen eating an orange. She dropped the diaper bag on the sofa and looked expectantly at Josh waiting for an answer. Josh flashed a smile as he swallowed the last orange slice and said, “No, I’ll pick them up. I want to run by the Dickerson site and make sure we are on track with the repairs. I’ll see you at home in an hour or so.”

  He tossed the orange peel in the trash and added, “I just talked to Randy. Bash’s fever broke early this morning. He’s out of the woods.”

  Beth smiled in relief. “I’m so glad. I’ll call Amy from the truck.”

  Josh locked the house and helped Beth get Emma settled into the truck, then headed to the Dickerson site. The crew was working on the cleanup removing the damaged granite countertop. Mike met Josh at the front door and they walked through the house discussing the issues.

  Mike explained as they headed back down the stairs, “The security system is installed and active. The men have taken it upon themselves to organize a security detail to set in place once the appliances arrive.”

  Josh opened the front door and said, “Sounds like you’ve got it under control. I really appreciate the men chipping in for night duty.”

  When they walked down the porch steps, a commotion came from the side of the house. Josh and Mike rushed around to see what was going on. They found young Emmett fighting one of the older more experienced workers named Fred. They hit the ground rolling in a blur of flying fists. Josh charged in and pulled Emmett off Fred. Mike moved in to keep Fred from charging Emmett as Josh pulled him backward.

  “He started it.” Emmett snarled glaring at Fred. “He’s got a mouth like a sewer, and I’m sick of it.”

  “Fred has always had a foul mouth, Emmett. It’s never bothered you before. I think you need some rest; you were up all night with Grace. Go home and get some sleep.” Josh asked Emmett.

  “Not until he takes it back!” Emmett shouted at Fred.

  Fred wiped his bloodied nose on the back of his hand and shoved Mike away. He glared at Emmett. Mike grabbed hold of his arms to hold him at bay. Fred spat, “I was only telling the truth. There’s no sense in denying it. The man has a right to know. She’s a whore.”

  Emmett charged forward to be pushed back by Josh, “You lying son-of-a-bitch! You couldn’t pay a whore enough to suck you’re…”

  “That’s enough,” Josh ordered, “I don’t pay you boys to fight. Either get back to work or go home without pay and cool off.”

  Josh grabbed Emmett by the scruff of his shirt and hauled him around to the front of the house. “Emmett, construction workers have filthy mouths. You’re going to have to get used to it. Just because Fred called a gal a whore doesn’t mean she actually is one. He’s just blowing off steam.”

  Emmett spun to face Josh when released him. He took a deep breath and said calmly, “Sir, I think you should fire him. He’s crossed the line. You can’t let him get away with it.”

  Josh stopped and waited for him to continue.

  Emmett looked up at the clear blue sky and said, “He keeps talking about your ex-wife.”

  “Joanne?” Josh asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “He says…” Emmett took another deep breath and looked at Josh. “He says she’s approaching men at Sadie’s and offering herself to them for cash.”

  Josh’s face turned red in an instant. “Emmett, I appreciate your defending my ex-wife’s honor, but that statement is ridiculous. Joanne is no more a prostitute than I am an exotic dancer.”

  Emmett held his ground, “Sir, I don’t think it matters. The fact is that he’s claiming he’s paid for her services. He shouldn’t disrespect you that way.”

  Josh held his temper; he knew Emmett was trying to do the right thing. “Emmett, you’re a good man. You’ve had your say. This is my family, my battle to fight. I need you to drop this. It’s over.”

  “Yes Sir.” Emmett said quietly.

  “Go home. You’re done for today.” Josh said, turning and headed back around the side of the house.

  Fred stood surrounded by the other workers waiting for Josh. Mike’s voice could be heard threatening to fire Fred if got into one more fight. Josh strode quickly toward them. Mike backed away from Fred when he saw the fire in Josh’s eyes.

  Josh stopped mere inches from Fred and said, “You’re fired. Get your lying ass off my job site.”

  Fred’s face twisted into a rage. “I ain’t said nothing that wasn’t the truth!”

  Josh grabbed hold of the front of Fred’s shirt with both hands and yanked him forward. His eyes burned into Fred’s, “My family is my business. Keep your mouth shut, or I’ll shut it for you. You’ve got one minute to get off this property, or I’ll throw you off myself.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Josh pulled up in front of Joanne’s duplex. He sat in the truck and stared at her front door. Fred’s words echoed through his mind. Fred was a fowl mouthed bragger, but Josh had never known him to lie about something as serious as this. He immediately regretted firing Fred. He let his temper get the best of him, but Emmett was right. When Fred started bashing Josh’s ex-wife, he was sowing a seed of disrespect that Josh had fought hard to overcome. He treated his men with respect and paid them top wages. In return, he expected top quality workmanship and respect. Until this moment, he thought he’d had it.

  Josh shook it off, climbed out of the truck and headed for the door. He rang the bell and the door swung open. Molly smiled up at him and said, “You want some pancakes?”

  “Sure,” Josh answered with a smile. His anger disappeared as he scooped Molly up into a bear hug. “Are you the cook?”

  Molly laughed and hugged him, “No mommy made them.”

  She turned and pointed toward the kitchen at the far end of the room. The shades and curtains were drawn, allowing the morning light to flood the room. Joanne stood in front of the stove filling Jake’s plate with a stack of pancakes. Jake turned and smiled at him, then moved to sit at the small kitchen table against the wall.

  “Have a seat Josh.” Joanne said with a smile, “Molly made the batter, so we have a ton pancakes.”

  Josh stared at Joanne. She had on a new pair of jeans and a colorful blouse. Her eyes were bright and her complexion perfect under a light layer of makeup. She motioned for the table, and Josh sat Molly back on her feet. She pulled him toward the table and pulled out a chair. The linen tablecloth was bright yellow and decorated with fresh flowers.

  Josh sat down, and Joanne brought him a plate piled with pancakes. Molly slid into the chair next to him and dug into her plate of pancakes. Joanne returned from the stove with her plate and sat down across from Josh. He gazed around the table at the smiling faces. There was no way he was going to accuse Joanne of being a prostitute.

  ********

  Bash grew stronger as the day wore on. Amy surprised Randy. She worked steadily on Bash trying to get him to tell Randy what happened the night he was shot. While he slept off the effects of his painkillers, Grace and Amy agreed to take turns sitting with him. Grace took the night shift, so she headed home to shower and change clothes.

  Bash woke an hour after Grace left. He pushed the button to raise the head of his bed when the nurse brought him dinner. He stared at Amy as she removed the cover over his plate and ripped open the plastic over his dessert.

  “Amy,” Bash said softly, “I can do it. I’m just a little tired; I’m not dead.”

  Amy stepped back and rolled her eyes. “Let me fuss a little Bash. I thought you were going to die.”

>   He sighed and said, “Amy, when are you going to let me grow up?”

  She smiled and looked at Randy. “When you come clean to my husband about what happened and realize that he won’t ever let anything happen to me or Emma.”

  Bash’s face went blank. He looked past Amy to Randy. “He said he’d hurt Grace. I can’t risk that. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I won’t let her get hurt.”

  Randy moved to sit in the chair beside the bed. He could see the fear on Amy’s face that she was desperately trying to shove deep down inside. He turned to Bash and said, “Bash, the only way to keep Grace safe is to let me go after these guys. With your help, we can put them away for good.”

  “And what if you can’t?” Bash challenged, “What if you can’t find them. What if I tell you things that will compromise your integrity? What if I tell you things that will get me arrested? What if the prosecuting attorney doesn’t believe me?”

  Randy leaned back in the chair and said, “Bash, I talked the prosecuting attorney last night and told him I suspected you were a witness. He’s offered immunity if you’ll testify against the killers. So, anything you tell me that’s related to this case will not be held against you.”

  Amy beamed with pride, “See Bash, I told you Randy would help you.”

  Bash glanced at the door suddenly distracted. “Where is Grace?

  Randy frowned and looked at Amy, “She went home to shower and change a couple of hours ago.”

  “No!” Bash bolted upright and grunted as a jolt of pain rushed through his side. “I told you she’s not safe.” He glanced around for his phone; Randy pulled his out.

  “Ed,” Randy said quickly, “Get to Grace Squires apartment and check on her ASAP. It’s possible the suspects from the Thomas murder are looking for her. Pick her up and bring her back to the hospital.”

  Amy handed Bash her phone, and he punched in Grace’s phone number. “Grace? Are you okay?” Relief filled Bash’s face, and he sank back into his pillow. “Do me a favor and lock your door. Randy’s deputy, Ed, is on his way to give you a ride to the hospital.”