Chapter 32: (One day I will wake up, and it will all fit together…..)

The rest of the day was spent visiting with doctors, and making plans amongst themselves. Very real problems, such as calling the studio, their friend Diane, and a host of other things, quietly got pushed back in the list of priorities. Kate had even contacted her mother and stepfather, and postponed their get together for another time.

As late afternoon approached, the four friends gathered in the parking lot of the hospital. They all looked tired, hungry and depressed. Jessie moved slowly to the car, her feet feeling like they were mired in thick, sticky mud.

"Ready to go?" She asked half-heartedly.

"Yeah," Michael shrugged "Steven and I will come back tomorrow while you guys are up north with Laura."

Guiltily, Kate spared a glance at Jessie. "Unless of course, you’d rather not go."

"Naw, I think it will do us some good to separate a little bit from all of this stuff. We can regroup on Friday, and mull over our next move. I for one was kind of looking forward to "Hootchie-girl Night"." Jessie forced a small smile at her lover.

Mentally breathing a sigh of relief, Kate slipped into the big car next to Jessie, and the group settled back for the ride home. Checking her mirrors, and the flow of traffic, Jessie was struck with a great idea for bringing up their collective spirits. Changing lanes, she maneuvered the car into the commuter lane, and sped up to meet the flow of traffic. She decided to head downtown towards the lights and bustling crowds of the tiny little beach town of Santa Cruz.

Michael was the first to recognize his sister’s plan, and caught up in the flow of things started to bounce in his seat.

"I wanna ride the roller coaster! I wanna ride the roller coaster!" He began to shout.

Jessie shot him an evil grin. "Stop bouncing young man, or you’ll sit in the car. Hear me?"

Michael pouted back. "Okay, I’ll be good, but I challenge everyone to a squirt gun contest when we get there…"

Caught up in Michael’s infectious happiness, Kate turned to him with a puzzled look. "What pray-tell, is a squirt gun contest? I’m not sure I’m equipped for such things."

Aiming her arched eyebrow, and a small crooked grin, Jessie couldn’t help herself. "And you think I am? Holy cow, honey, if you haven’t figured that out by now, we’ve got a problem."

This sent the boys and Jessie into peals of laughter, while Kate blushed, not quite sure she was getting the entire joke. Jessie finally got control of herself, and reached for Kate’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Don’t worry honey, it’s all in fun. We’ll show you what we mean when we get there." Jessie shot a knowing look at Michael. "It’s something we used to do as kids.

Signaling again, Jessie angled the big vehicle into the exit lane, and slowed down while they met up with afternoon traffic, heading for home or dinner downtown. Seemingly intimidate by the red Cadillac nudging for space in the sea of cars, several slowed their trek, allowing for the "land yacht" to join them in their journey to the sea.

Somewhere, not too far away someone else’s thoughts had turned to the sea. Gregory paced near one of the windows looking out from the second floor of the warehouse. The closer the day came when he would be able to start the ball rolling on his plans.

He reflected for a moment on the past few weeks, and how quickly things seemed to fall apart, and just as quickly came back together. Back then, he thought, he was a small time hood, with the best wife a small time hood could have, and the keys to his own empire, but now…now he was on the brink of something much bigger than that.

After meeting "Baby Doll" and receiving his very personal attention and instruction, it made his former "shady associates" like Mr. Shimada, and the rest of the Yakuza, small potatoes. Instead of learning to conquer the world with limited resources, he was going to be able to control anything or anyone. And if they refused to be controlled, then they had to die, the hard way…or the fun way depending on how you looked at it. Either way, he was the only one that would win that argument.

Turning from the window, he literally skipped down the catwalk, and took the stairs two at a time. Less than 24 hours to go, and phase one will begin. By the weekend he should have Jessie back, and her little playmates, maybe even that annoying little faggot Michael, would be gone, just so much fish bait.

Sitting in the bedroom, staring at the television screen, Star’s mind couldn’t stop spinning. She wanted, with every last ounce of her being, to do a line of heroin.

But, her fear of Gregory, and what was coming was enough to convince her to fight the urges. If Star could find a way to get a message out to the cops or something, she might even take the risk. That’s when she began to form her plan. Gregory wanted her to deliver a list to the handyman and his family for some supplies. If she could slip them a note of her own, she may be able to escape this chamber of horrors alive.

Jessie circled the Boardwalk parking lot, looking for a suitable place to park her beloved car. Finally finding something that was big enough, she angled the big car into its space. Normally she wasn’t quite so finicky about her car, but for some reason she just felt that it would be smarter to be cautious. So many strange things had been happening lately, that she felt better just taking the extra steps. Even though she knew in her heart that Kate wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She wondered if she would be capable of protecting Kate if something or someone ever attacked her. Not thinking twice, she knew she would.

Babbling like a bunch of school kids, the group dashed across the parking lot, eager to have some fun. Jessie hung back for a bit, rifling through the trunk of her car. Satisfied that she found her quarry, she dropped the lid to a startled exclamation from Kate.

"WHOA! What in the heck is that?" Kate’s eyes looked like they were going to bug out.

"Whadda ya mean what’s that? It’s my disguise silly. You really don’t think that I could go into this crowd looking like myself, do you? I always kept something back here, just in case of emergencies. How do I look?" Jessie spun around.

"Well, um, you definitely don’t look like you." Kate suppressed a grin.

Walking around Jessie as though she were checking the finish on a chair, Kate gave her a careful once over. Adjusting the shirt a bit, Kate finally nodded her head; satisfied that no one in their right mind was going to recognize her lover as anyone but a rather tall, skater/Rasta type. Jessie had done a large colorful knitted cap, shoving her hair inside to make it invisible. Around her neck she wore a necklace of beads, and carved animals. Her shirt was once a man’s long sleeved dress shirt, but had been tie-dyed into multiple colors. A pair of sunglasses, and she was ready to go.

"Okay, honey, I’m pretty sure no one is going to notice it’s you in there, but we forgot about one thing. Anyone who watches TV, is going to recognize me, and then by process of elimination your cover is going to be blown." Kate shrugged her shoulders.

Snapping her fingers, Jessie turned and reopened the trunk. Rifling around again, she came out with an assortment of items. The first was a smaller version of the knit cap she wore, in a solid bright red, a plaid short sleeved shirt, and a pair of gigantic white sunglasses with rhinestone trim.

Once Kate was completely dressed, Jessie led her to the side view mirror. She angled it out so Kate could see herself.

"Oh, Gods Jessie, this is absolutely hysterical…I mean it’s a great cover job, but I sure look silly. If Michael says one word, I think I might have to kill him. Okay by you?" Kate frowned, thinking about Michael’s eminent demise.

"Don’t worry about Michael. He is only too familiar with the necessity of this whole act. Now, come on, let’s go have some fun." Jessie took her hand and shuffled towards the amusement park.

Star moved nervously around the kitchen, preparing a list of supplies they would need if they were going to stay much longer. She was sure her heart was pounding so loud, that Gregory could here it from the office. He has stepped in there earlier to "talk" to Baby Doll, and hadn’t come out since. Sliding the last drawer closed in the refrigerator, she turned, only to be face to face with her captor.

"Watcha doin’ Star?" Gregory drawled.

"Oh geez honey, you scared me sneaking up like that. I was just going through the supplies, seeing what we were out of. Do you think I should leave a list for that handy guy?" Star tried to sound sincere.

"Hmm, you might have somethin’ there Star." Gregory grinned, a sick light showing in his eyes.

Suddenly he reached out and grabbed Star’s hair, pulling her down to her knees.

"But, don’t get any fancy ideas, because if something happens, and you’re behind it, I’ll take you straight into the worst hell you can imagine Star. One where death might be your only friend." Gregory shook her a few times by her hair to make his point.

Shaking her a few more times, he let her go. "Don’t worry baby, I wouldn’t do anything wrong. I wouldn’t want to miss the show this weekend, honest."

Gregory let out a hearty chuckle, and returned to the office, eager to check his other chats and mailing lists.

Star’s hands shook, while she finished off the shopping list. On the back of the note she wrote one word…Police. Under the circumstances, it would have to do. Walking quickly to the outside door, she placed the note in the special box for just such a circumstance, and slipped it out onto the walkway. Sometime later the handy man would retrieve the message, and climbing into his truck with his youngest son, would travel to the market. When he returned, he would leave the bags outside by the same door, and ring the bell. As agreed, he would then return to his home, while the occupant of the building waited ten minutes before retrieving the groceries.

What Star didn’t know was the handy man couldn’t have read the note if he wanted to. He only read Spanish, and had brought his youngest son to read the list. The child simply committed the items to memory, and crumpled the paper, tossing it into the ashtray of the truck.

Kate hazarded a glance at Jessie, rolling her eyes when she saw what Jessie was up to. They had just boarded the wooden roller coaster, the one that had made the Boardwalk famous, and Jessie had hunkered down, wrapping both arms around the restraining bar, as though she was certain she would be thrown from the car, and dashed onto the tracks below. Kate chuckled, and raised her own arms high into the air, preferring the thrill of danger.

"Don’t do that!" Jessie admonished.

"Excuse me? You who climbs scaffolding, and plays superhero all day, and you’re yelling at me? I don’t think so." Kate grinned evilly while the car slowly climbed to the top of the structure.

"You’re nuts! Put your arms down and AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!" Jessie’s lecture got lost in the wind as the car plummeted through the first of many turns.

When they rolled to a stop, Kate bounced out of her seat, and healthy flush coloring her features. Pale as a ghost, Jessie stepped out and refusing the hand that had been proffered, stalked out the exit gate, and down to the nearest bench. Shrugging her shoulders, Kate followed.

"Honey, what’s wrong? Did I do something?" Kate tried to sound apologetic.

"Oh no, just hanging out there, waiting for the damn car to turn you lose and smash you on the tracks below, no, nothings wrong." Jessie sounded just a bit hysterical.

"Jess, what’s up with you? I know you’re not afraid of heights, because of the work you do on the show. So why are you afraid of the roller coaster?" Kate pried gently.

Sighing heavily, Jessie calmed down a moment before speaking. "My father used to threaten to throw me off, if I didn’t behave and do what he said. Even here he would separate me from the family, and make me…do things. I used to love the roller coaster, but after about the time I was eight, it wasn’t fun anymore. The rest of the Boardwalk still holds good memories, because I could stay with my brothers, and not worry about what my dad might want from me. But the roller coaster is different. I even have nightmares about still."

Appalled, Kate took Jessie’s hand in hers. "Jess, that’s all gone now. There’s nobody else that’s ever going to hurt you like that. And if you don’t want to ride the roller coaster anymore, that’s fine with me…as long as I don’t have to ride the merry-go-round."

"Merry-go-round?" Jessie’s eyebrow shot up.

"Yeah, ever see the movie Something Wicked this Way Comes? Ever since I saw that movie I was afraid to ride the Merry-go-round. I didn’t want it to go backwards, and make me disappear." Seeing Jessie’s confusion, she merely shrugged.

"Someday I’ll rent the movie for you, okay?" Kate smiled.

Smiling back, Jessie agreed.

Holding each other closely, they silently watched the crowd stroll by, laughing, talking, some carrying big stuffed animals. It was the animals that caught Jessie’s eye.

"Well, enough of this depressing stuff. I know a little brother, that’s just hankering to win his honey a big stuffed seahorse, and I’m not about to let him. If we don’t hurry, he’ll start without us, and then he’ll win. We can’t have that now can we?" Jessie jumped up and grabbing Kate’s hand, walked quickly to the squirt gun gallery.

Michael and Steven had just arrived when Jessie rounded the corner with Kate in tow. Hurrying to his favorite spot, Michael plunked down enough cash to buy several rounds for everyone.

"Ha! Just you wait there sister. I’m gonna blow you away." Michael shouted good-naturedly.

"Don’t count on it little brother. That there seahorsey is mine, got it? All mine." Jessie sneered back.

Kate and Steven took their spots, and lining their squirt guns up with the small targets in the clown’s mouth, they waited patiently until the operator rang the bell. All of a sudden all hell broke loose. Jessie was gritting her teeth, one eye shut, the balloon in her clowns head filling rapidly with air. Michael started whooping out loud, trying to throw her off. Neither of them was paying much if any attention to their other opponents. Kate quickly caught on, and being an expert marksperson, drew a bead on the target and kept a steady stream of water blasting the spot.

What seemed like seconds later, Kate’s balloon popped, signaling the end of this round. Both Jessie and Michael looked at Kate with accusatory expressions as though she had no right to win at their personal game.

"Look you two, all’s fair you know. If you didn’t want anyone else to win, then you shouldn’t have let me play. Now, are you going to keep pouting, or shall we keep playing?" Kate grinned mischievously at the two siblings.

"Sure, fine, whatever." They both mumbled.

Waiting the few minutes for the operator to replace Kate’s balloon, the friends geared up for another round. The bell rang, and they were back at it. This time Jessie’s balloon popped first, affording her a small prize similar to Kate’s. After the third round, Kate finally convinced Jessie that they should combine efforts, and work together. That way they could get a larger animal sooner than Michael.

Michael just glared, and redoubled his efforts to win a prize for Steven. After several more rounds, Kate and Jessie were in possession of the coveted seahorse. Michael had a smaller version for Steven, but neither of them were close enough to win the big prize.

Michael pouted, and Steven anxious to head off a tantrum, took him by the hand and walked him out to the sand, hugging his cute little seahorse, and throwing kisses with it, to make Michael smile. His ploy did the trick, and wrapping his arm around Steven’s waist, Michael broke into a proud grin, glad that Steven didn’t think he was a wimp for losing to his sister.

Jessie stood up, and after stretching a bit, put her own arm around Kate’s shoulders, and the two women followed the boys onto the beach. Kicking her shoes off, Kate smiled, remembering how good the sand felt on her bare feet. Pinching Jessie on the rear end, she giggled, and took off running. Seconds later Jessie was on her tail, seahorse under her arm chasing her to the water’s edge.

Kate stopped, and swerving in a loop backwards, almost evaded her captor when Jessie caught her arm, and pulled her back into her tight embrace. Kate fought half-heartedly, and then finally gave in and melted into those strong arms she had come to crave.

Star slowly opened the door, trying to stay back in the shadows far enough to be invisible, while still being able to see the groceries the handyman had left. Part of her was afraid that the cops may have come back with him, and the other part was hoping they had. Unfortunately, there was nothing there but the bags. Gathering them up, she stepped back into the hallway, again to be confronted by Gregory. It seemed that the closer they came to the implementation of their plan, the worse he was getting.

While Star waited for his next barrage of either physical, or mental abuse, she looked at him carefully, hoping he wouldn’t catch her assessing his condition. It seemed that his eyes had taken on a hollower look to them, sort of wild and out of control. He had lost some weight, some of the softness that came from his days as the husband of a popular TV star. His hair was a bit longer, and he alternately let his beard grow, and then meticulously shaved it off.

If you didn’t know him, you might think he was just another average white-collar guy, struggling to raise a family, or working long hours to get ahead. But, there was something haunted about him as well. If a dog were to approach him, it would turn tail and run, as though he carried a scent of evil around him. Star shuddered, realizing that was exactly how she felt, as though a demon had possessed him and was controlling his every thought and desire.

Star realized that too much time had passed since he had met her at the door. He never said anything, just took a few of the bags, and headed back towards the kitchen. He seemed closer right at the moment to his original self. While it was every bit as evil in its own way, there was a definite difference between this Gregory, and the…other one.

Mentally shrugging her shoulders, and silently thanking whatever God put him into this mode, she quietly followed him down the hallway, and into the warehouse. She could see him at the top of the stairs, and as surprised as she was to see the old Gregory for a moment, just as quickly the new more evil model appeared.

"STAR! What the fuck are you strain’ at? Get your fat ass up here, and give me a hand already. Do I look like the house maid to you or what?" Gregory grinned, but it was almost like Satan himself in those eyes.

"Oh, sure Greggie, I’m coming. I was just thinkin’ how handsome you are these days." Star tried for a quick recovery.

"Yeah, well, don’t get too attached to it. Cause once I hook back up with Jessie, then you and me are done. You got that?" Gregory’s evil mask seemed to slip a bit, as though he regretted saying even that much.

Noticing the small change, Star made a note to herself to find a way to get more information. "Sure Greggie, I gotcha."

Keeping the seahorse hooked under her arm, Jessie squeezed Kate, and bent down to capture her lips in a searing kiss. At that moment in time, Jessie would have been happy if they were the only two people, and seahorse, on a deserted island. Kate responded in kind, as though she could almost here Jessie’s thoughts.

Several minutes passed, while the two continued to make physical promises for things to come later in the privacy of their own room. It took several heartbeats, and a great deal of willpower before Kate noticed that Jessie had stopped, and was focused on a spot somewhere behind her. The look on Jessie’s face said that it was not good.

Slowly Kate turned and immediately she backed herself against Jessie, arms held out palms towards her lover as if to hold her back. As silently as a birds wings on the breeze, a chair, an umbrella, and a small army of men in beach wear had assembled behind them while they were kissing. Sitting in the chair was Mr. Shimada, head of the California Japanese Mafia.

"Good afternoon Ms. McKenna, Ms. Ryan. A lovely day at the beach wouldn’t you say?" Mr. Shimada grinned slightly.

"What do you want? Who gave you the right to stalk us like that?" Jessie blurted out before Kate could stop her.

A flurry of movement in the group of men caught Kate’s eye and she found herself wishing she had her 9mm. Out of the formation came a solitary man, one who was only too familiar to Kate, and should have sent alarms of recognition through Jessie. It was Jerald, Gregory’s old henchman, and one of Jessie’s former tormentors. Kate had encountered him once before, in a grocery store near her home. She remembered all too well what Mr. Shimada had done to him to gain his "loyalties".

"Calm yourself Ms. Ryan. I assure you that my intentions are most honorable. I come bearing information for you and Ms. McKenna. Jerald?" Mr. Shimada reached back with an open hand, never once letting his gaze stray from that of the two women in front of him.

Kate could feel Jessie jump a little, when she finally recognized Jerald. Jerald paid only a passing bit of attention to Jessie, delivered his package, and then stepped back a few paces from his keeper. Kate risked a glance back at Jessie, and lowered her still raised arms, mentally willing Jessie to stay still.

"What information do you have Mr. Shimada? I am most interested in what would be important enough to draw you out here in such a public location." Kate stood taller, praying he wouldn’t see her true fear.

"Ahh, a true player aren’t you Ms. McKenna. Remember, nothing in life is free. Once I divulge my secrets, I will expect a favor from you as well." Mr. Shimada chuckled as Jessie tried to move past Kate, intent on slapping his mouth out the back of his head.

All eyes shifted to Jessie, and one by one each of the bodyguards pulled their shirts aside, and revealed an incredible assortment of weapons. Kate grasped Jessie’s arm, trying to soothe her lover as she regained control of the conversation.

"Fair is fair Mr. Shimada, I’ll try to help you as best I can." Kate assured him.

"Very good Ms. McKenna. It seems that my men are very close to discovering the exact location where Gregory has set up camp. They have located a home off the coast highway near Malibu, and have reason enough to believe that he and his whore have been playing house there. Apparently this home is one of many dwellings that may belong to his demented playfellow, the so called "Baby Doll"." Mr. Shimada smiled smugly, proud of his news.

"What is it that you want from us then?" Kate asked.

"I am allowing my son to handle the recovery operation concerning Gregory. Day after tomorrow, shortly after 12:00 noon, I would like you to call your investigator friend, and tell him that you received an anonymous call, telling you where Gregory is hiding. By that time, we should be long gone." Mr. Shimada began to rise, preparing to leave.

"What if he’s not there? Then what?" Kate asked the retreating man.

Waving his hand in the air, he replied, "We’ll be in touch."

To be continued in Chapter 33……