Chapter 24
We were now riding in Stacy's sedan while following Inspector Carter's car to the police station. Stacy was driving and AJ sat in the front passenger's seat. Shannon and I sat in back. I had my left arm around her shoulder as she leaned her head against my chest with my right arm was resting on top of her lap. She looked up into my eyes, smiled, and quietly said, "Thank you for rescuing me again."
"I'd like to say I'd never get tired of doing that," I replied while sighing and smiling back, "But I am starting to."
"How are you feeling, Lance?" asked Stacy.
"Like I could use a month long Hawaiian vacation, but I'll take an hour soaking in your hot tub when we get back home instead."
AJ laughed and Shannon smiled and squeezed my hand. Stacy looked at me in the rear view mirror and said, "It's a wonder you have no broken bones. Lance, you are under no obligation to stay with us through all of this. You've missed your flight back to Canada, but I'm sure I can book another one as soon as possible."
"I'm not going anywhere, Mrs. Muller. Shannon and I are in love with each other and I gave her my word that I will be here to protect the three of you."
There was a look of resignation on her face at this statement.
"Keith is going to be home within the next hour," sighed Shannon, glumly.
I knew she was trying to think of what to say when she broke up with him. However, I was formulating a plan to keep that from happening. I just hadn't informed her about it yet!
"What did your mother say when you told her you weren't coming home?" asked Stacy.
I looked out the side window and reflected on the conversation I had with her. She did not sound well and it was difficult to keep from being emotionally overcome. I had given her limited information concerning what had happened and why I wouldn't be on the flight back to Canada. I did not want to frighten her unnecessarily, so I had left out key information like the details about men trying to murder me! I told her not to worry, though, that I'd speak to her again soon, and that I hoped she was feeling better.
"My mother understands," I remarked. "She said she's looking forward to eventually meeting Shannon and you all. She said she can hardly wait to see what the most beautiful girl in the whole state of California looks like." Shannon gave me a surprised look and then playfully elbowed me in the ribs. I groaned in pain and she apologized profusely!
We arrived at the police station and Stacy parked the car. We followed Inspector Carter into his office. The first order of business was to give him my passport and student visa since my driver's license and other identification were at the bottom of the ocean. He took them from me and told me he was going to hang on to them. He said he didn't want me leaving the country until the investigation was complete. For the next couple of hours we filled out paperwork as well as each giving our side of the events that had transpired. When it was over he remarked, "That's it, you're free to go."
Stacy got up to leave but I said, "Wait a minute, we're not done yet."
Both Carter and the girls quizzically stared at me.
"They," I said while pointing to Stacy, Shannon, and AJ, "Are going to need police protection tonight."
"Why?" asked Carter.
"Because whoever I talked to on Dwayne's smartphone is going to send men over to try and kill us."
"You talked to someone on Dwayne Hickman's phone? Why did you wait until now to mention this? Who was it?" he asked with concern.
"I don't know who he was. But I taunted him and dared him to come back."
Stacy and Shannon stared at me with both concern and disbelief.
"Therefore," I continued, "They're going to need protection."
"This station does not have the available manpower to afford you or them personal protection. I'm sorry, but with budget cuts and under staffing it's a wonder I'm still employed. Do you have any place you can go or stay for awhile until we can find out the source of all this trouble and then make the proper arrests?"
I had anticipated this response from him and I replied, "The source of all this trouble is her ex-husband. You already know that from the report we just filed with you now and from the one she had filed with you previously. But for whatever reason up to this point in time, you have failed to follow through on pursuing him."
Carter's face began to get flushed. Then Shannon's smartphone rang.
"It's Keith," she said.
"Tell him you’ve been waiting for his call and that you miss him very much. Also, tell him that you're at the police station and that you need him to get over here right away."
She stared at me, dumbfounded.
"Do it!" I commanded.
Though embarrassed and uncomfortable, she complied.
"Here's my plan," I suggested. "We are going to stay at Keith's estate tonight. He has in-house security as well as an alarm system. We'll be relatively safe. I believe Gunther does not know about Keith or his relationship to Shannon. He won't come there looking for them, or me. You can have a patrol car cruise around Stacy's house and have it be on the lookout for anything suspicious. In the mean time, you can follow through on finding Gunther. I'm guessing he'll be too cautious to do anything out in the open in broad daylight. So, we have until this evening to prepare for his arrival. I need you, Inspector Carter, to speak to Keith. Explain to him our situation and request his help. Does this all make sense?"
Carter sat there a moment while scratching his head and staring at me.
"What's the address of Keith Mitterhauser's house?" he finally asked.
"It's the Mitterhauser estate," I replied. "You know, Peter Mitterhauser of The Mitterhauser Group."
"That Mitterhauser?" he asked while glancing at Shannon.
"Yes." I replied.
Shannon looked at me curiously. Mitty arrived 30 minutes later. I was sitting alone in Stacy's car as I watched him stride into the building. He seemed to be highly agitated. I felt sorry for Shannon, but I knew it was best if I not be present with them.