AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Seeing her thoughts drifting down a dangerous road, Liam tosses a balled up napkin at her. “Okay, Miss Gourmet, what would you like for breakfast.”
“Hmmm,” Willow considers as she sits on the edge of the bed. “Fresh eggs and bacon. A fruit plate with lots of melon and strawberries. Fresh squeezed orange juice. And lemon rosemary biscuits with butter. Lots of real butter, none of that margarine crap.”
Liam studies his limp sandwich. “That does sound good.”
“Yeah,” Willow says dreamily. “I’d like to open a café one day. A little place with striped curtains and different types of muffins every day of the week.”
A sharp rap at the door cuts her reverie short. She jumps up and drops her coffee cup into the nearby trashcan. Liam slips past her pulls back the edge of the curtain, peering at the door.
“Peters,” he says, before dropping the curtain and sliding open the door locks. He steps back and lets Detective Peters into the room along with a couple of techie looking guys with big cases.
“Morning, kids,” Peters booms. His voice always seems to fill any space he’s in. “This Mike, Charlie.” He points his thumb at the guys standing behind him. “They’re going to help wire you up.”
The guys settle their cases on the bed and flip them open, pulling out hair thin wires and tiny receivers’, laying them carefully across the coverlets. Frank watches with interest. One of the tech’s give the boy a grin.
Peters settles into the corner chair and flips through his files, stopping to occasionally talk quietly into his phone, as the techs work around Liam. They pull up his shirt and tape the thin wires across his chest, clipping the minuscule microphone to the inside of his collar and the receiver to the inside band of his jeans.
When they approach Willow with her set of wires, Liam glowers at them until they turn red. “Stop it,” she mumbles at him, turning her back to the room and lifting her shirt, letting the techs’ work quickly around her.
When they’ve finished their work, and tested the wires, the techs’ pack up their cases and head out the door. Peters strolls across the room. “Don’t forget, those wires are live now. Anything you say or do…” He gives them a rakish grin. “But, time to get serious now. In a few minutes, Liam, you’re going to call Tony.”
Liam experiences a momentary twinge of guilt. He hates to turn on Tony, but this is about Willow and Frank. And Tony, being who he is, would probably wind back up in prison soon anyhow. At least, that’s what Liam tells himself.
Liam nods at Peters to continue.
“Don’t worry about a thing. We’re in room right next door. Been set up all night.” Peters gestures toward the wall. “This is going to happen fast. We’re not going to let Nato be in this room more than two minutes with you. Understand?”
Liam nods. He understands perfectly what’s about to happen. He’s turned over on Carlo Nato and his old prison buddy. His life will never be the same after this. But he’s doing it for Willow and Frank. Willow and Frank. Keep them in mind, he tells himself. Willow and Frank.
“Frank?” Willow is saying.
Peters crosses over quickly and takes Willow’s hands. “Don’t worry about that little boy, honey.” He drops her hands and pulls out a walkie, pressing a button and speaking into it quickly. Seconds later there’s a knock on the door. Peters pulls it open to reveal a sweet, grey-haired lady. Peters pulls her into the room and gives her hug before turning to face the room.
“Willow, Liam…this is my wife, Nancy.”
“Hey, y’all,” Nancy drawls sweetly.
“Now, if it’s okay, Nancy’s going to take Frank…”
Willow steps forward, her hands up, her head shaking. Liam grabs her, pushing her hands down. “Listen to him, Willow.”
“Thank you. Nancy will take Frank with her. Not far away but far enough to be out of Carlo’s site and safe from…anything that might happen. There’s a playground a few blocks down the street.”
“I don’t…” Willow turns to Liam, panic starting to burn in her eyes.
“My Nancy, she was in the Army before she went on to serve in the Secret Service. Also, mother to our five kids. She’s a better shot than I am and always packing.”
Liam turns to give the sweet, motherly lady the once over, impressed with her sugary smile and crafty eyes. “Willow, let her take him away from here.”
Willow swallows and nods. She runs over to Frank and hugs him tightly, kissing at his cheeks and head until Nancy gently disengages her arms and leads Frank out the door, promising him cookies and trip to the duck pond for being a good boy.
Liam watches as the door closes behind them and turns back to Peters, who gives him a firm nod.
“Liam, make the call.”
Chapter Twenty Two
Willow
