Six quiet weeks had passed since the Halloween gathering. On his way to work on a Monday morning, Gary’s thoughts drifted back to the event, with all of the cousins gathered in the large ancestral dwelling that he and his new family occupied. And, according to tradition, his parents had packed and left for Florida over the following weekend, with him taking them to the airport and bidding them farewell at their departure.

Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, he gave himself a pep-talk, focusing on the positives in his life. Accustomed to their being out of town over the winter, he at least had a family of his own now; a family that brought joy into his once lonely life.

Arriving at the office, his thoughts turned to the holiday season that lay ahead. There was still some debate as to whether his mother and father would return home for Christmas, since it normally would be Gary who traveled to see them. However, having Candy, Dakota and Lanelle to worry about, he had informed them that they would have to make the trip if they wanted to see him. His mother had taken the news fairly calmly, and he hoped that her seeming to understand was genuine.

Inside the building, Gary pushed the personal issues aside and mentally prepared for his busy day. With a smile, he greeted his secretary warmly; “Good morning, Agnus.”

“Good morning, sir,” she replied crisply, handing him a few slips of paper containing messages. “Caroline is here to see you,” she informed him, indicated the girl seated in the waiting area.

His eyes darting over, he stared at the young woman, surprise flittering across his features. He had been to their attorney’s office the previous week, and Ben had introduced him to his new secretary, Diane; the one who had taken Caroline’s place when she had mysteriously up and quit her job.

“Good morning,” he received the tall blonde politely. “What can I do for you?”

“Hello,” Caroline smiled, holding up a manila envelope. “Mr. Monroe needs these documents signed right away, if you don’t mind.”

Gary’s eyebrows shot up at her request, but before he could question her, she continued, “It’ll only take a moment, I promise; please.” Her lips twitching, he could see the fear in her eyes.

“Sure,” he opened the door for her reluctantly, “come on in.” Placing his briefcase on his desk, he turned to face her, then moved to close the portal behind her. “Mind explaining what you’re doing here?” he asked in a gruff tone. “Ben told me himself only a few days ago that you had quit.”

“I know,” she stammered, licking her bright pink lipstick and looking around anxiously, “but I didn’t know where else to turn. Gary, I know we have had our hardships, and our relationship didn’t last that long, but I have always thought of you as a friend.”

Pulling off his jacket, he hung it on the coatrack and faced her, arms across his broad chest as he glared at her. “Well, spit it out; I have work to do.”

“I can’t,” her voice squeaked, “not here. Would you meet me for lunch? Over at Barnaby’s.”

He squinted at the mention of the bar where they had shared more than a few lunches. Scowling, he couldn’t imagine why she would be standing in his office. She was right, she had put him through one of the toughest times of his life, and he considered that even the word friend might be stretching the truth a bit. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” he growled, moving past her to sit behind his desk.

Catching his arm, tears formed in her eyes. “Please, Gary. It’s not like that!” Her jaw trembled and her words shook; “I need your help. I’ve gotten into some trouble, and I don’t know who to trust.”

“So, you came to me,” he pulled the arm away, his features softening briefly at the sight of her obvious terror. “What kind of trouble?” he demanded, setting his jaw firmly.

“I’ll explain everything at lunch. I’ll be there at eleven-thirty.” Her face morphed into a brief smile as she turned and fled before he could change his mind, not that he had actually agreed to meet her.

Shaking his head, Gary opened his black leather briefcase and removed the documents he had been working on over the weekend. Taking a seat in his chair, he switched on his computer and set to work; a futile effort in light of his former girlfriend’s visit. He had known Caroline for a few years, and had never seen her that upset; an idea that presented itself frequently to distract him until he was finally able to put on his coat and leave for lunch.

Spying Caroline in a booth along the far wall as he entered, Gary worked his way across the bar. Located downtown, it had been a popular place for business men and women to enjoy lunch for almost a century. Taking the cushioned bench across from her, he noticed she wore a dark stocking cap on her head, hiding her hair, and she seemed to be keeping an eye out around her using frequent covert glances.

“Well?” he asked sharply.

“Thank you for coming,” she replied. “As I said, I don’t know who else I could trust. I know that Ben thinks I quit my job, but at the time, I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Did something happen with Ben?” he demanded, noticing the waitress as she approached. “What are you having?”

“Chicken salad on wheat,” she replied.

“We’ll have two chicken salads on wheat, with ginger ales,” he informed the young brunette, who nodded and moved to the next table. When she had gone to get their drinks, he returned to his interrogation. “So, what happened with Ben?”

“I don’t know that he’s involved,” she informed him, pulling the envelope that she had carried earlier out of her over-sized handbag and laying it on the table. “These are for you. Take it with you, but don’t lose them!”

“What’s in it?” he glanced at the parcel, only slightly interested in its contents.

“Over the last two years, I’ve noticed a few things. Unusual things; about some of the clients at the firm,” she said in a low whisper. “I know you were a fireman, but you were also an investigator; and you have a degree in criminal justice, so I figure you’re a good man at heart.”

“Thanks,” he chortled quietly, somewhat disturbed by her choice words. Seeing his laughter fail to lift her dark countenance, he pushed, “What is it that you suspect?”

“There have been four fires over the last two years,” she hissed. “As far as I know, they were all ruled as accidents, but I know for a fact that they weren’t.”

Anger washed over him, and Gary reached across the table, snatching up the envelope to take a look. Grabbing it back, they fought briefly before he released it to her, realizing they were causing a scene. “I need to see your proof,” he growled.

“You will,” she agreed, “When you leave you can look at it all you want. But I don’t think it’s safe to take it out here.”

Looking around, he wanted to laugh, but held his disbelief in check. “Ok, Carol, Let’s –“

“It’s not Carol,” she bit through clenched teeth.

Staring at her, he nodded slightly, “Ok. Caroline, let’s start at the beginning. You worked in Ben’s law office for about four years.”

“That’s correct.”

“And over the last couple of years, you’ve noticed some odd… things… about some, or maybe only one, of them.”

“That’s also correct.”

“So, you quit your job and decided to talk to me.”

“I quit my job because I was afraid,” her voice quavered.

“Fear; ok,” he waved an open palm at her, his trust in her obviously low. “Why?”

“A few weeks ago, someone followed me home. I made it inside, but when I peeked out the window, I could see the guy hanging out across the street, where that line of trees is,” her eyes grew wide.

“Do you still live in that apartment?” he asked dubiously.

“Yes, on the third floor,” she replied softly. “He was there every time I checked, but I didn’t see him when I left for work the next day. That night, when I got home, someone had broken in and had gone through everything; cut the furniture open, flipped over the tables and pulling out all the drawers. They went through every possible hiding place.”

Glancing at the presumed evidence, he shrugged, “They didn’t find it?”

“No!” she hit the table softly with her fist. “I didn’t hide it at my place! I hid it somewhere no one would think to look. After they broke in, the police came and made a report; they called it vandalism because nothing was stolen. So, the next day, I went in to the office, got all my stuff together, and quit. It was the only way I could think of to leave with it and not raise suspicion about it.”

Rocking his jaw, Gary recalled how Benjamin had described her departure in just that fashion; she went in, cleaned out all of her belongings into a few boxes, and informed him that she wouldn’t be back. The hairs on his neck bristled at his first inkling that her suspicions could be valid.

“Who are we talking about? Who did this?” he asked, leaning back against the cushion behind him. “Is Ben involved?”

“I can’t tell you that,” she sighed. “Not until you agree that you’re going to help me.”

“Ok,” he nodded, “I’m listening, but I need to know more. Who would do this?”

“One of Ben’s other clients. Your family are good people, Gary. You work hard, you’re honest, you pay your taxes, and you play fair. Not all of the clients at the firm are like that.”

“Are you saying that some of Ben’s clientele are dishonest?” It seemed naive to him to ever assume that all of them would be upstanding citizens.

“They’re more than dishonest,” her lips barley moved as she whispered, “They’re criminals.” She blinked a few times, then continued, “If I’m right, they have burned down or otherwise destroyed at least four buildings, including the one Candy used to live in.”

Raising his chin, Caroline now had his full and undivided attention. “You mean they set the fire that Lanelle and Daks nearly died in?”

Hearing the anger in his voice, she knew he was going to help her. “Yes. It was the first one that caught my eye, because of your connection to them. After that, the rest only added to my suspicions, and I have a feeling there could be others.”

Glancing around, Gary waited. It was a public place, and no one seemed to be interested in the couple, but the idea of accusing someone, anyone, of a felony had him on edge. He wanted to leave, but he could see the waitress approaching with their plates. “Don’t say anything else,” he cautioned. “Thanks,” he offered as the young woman served them while smiling up at her.

“Eat,” he commanded when she had gone. “I’ll take you some place safe to hide, and we’ll discuss this more when I can look at your evidence.” Her story seemed incomplete, and although he had become interested in hearing more, he still didn’t find her a reliable source.

Not about to argue, Caroline picked up her sandwich and ate at it eagerly. Her appetite had been missing the last few days, but knowing that Gerald Ford was going to help her calmed her nerves, and she suddenly felt like she could have eaten a whole chicken if one had been presented.

As soon as they had finished, Gary dropped two twenties on the table and escorted the young woman out. Pulling out his cell when they were outside, he made a call to his secretary, informing her that he wasn’t feeling well, and he would be at home for the rest of the day if anyone needed him.

“What did you do that for?” Caroline demanded curtly. “If they’re watching you, you’ve broken your routine!”

“If they’re watching me, that would make them geniuses,” he chuckled, squeezing her upper arm and guiding her along. “No one is watching me; at least not yet. If they’re following you, which I doubt, then we might have a problem.” Reaching the parking garage, he showed her to the elevator and pushed the button to retrieve his ride. “Ok, Carrie, the first -”

“I thought I made myself clear,” she snorted, yanking her appendage away. “My name is Caroline. Not Carol, not Carrie, not Lina. Caroline.”

Gary stared at her for a moment; “A bit sensitive about that, don’t you think? I called you Carrie the entire time that we dated, and you didn’t seem to mind then; a nick name is like a show of affection.”

“They can be lots of things, and I don’t want any part of them.”

“Ok, fine; Caroline. We need to locate a shelter for you!”

“A shelter? You mean like a homeless shelter?”

“Maybe,” he stepped into the box that had arrived and selected a floor, the idea instantly appealing to him. “Actually, that might not be a bad idea. We need a place no one will think to look, like when you hid the evidence.”

“No shelters.” The woman crossed her arms defiantly.

“Bah, quit being stubborn; I think it would be a great place to hide. We’ve got several options. There’s the woman’s shelter over on –”

“I said, NO SHELTER! No half-way house, no group home, no soup kitchen. I wouldn’t even consider a cheap motel!” Caroline shouted. “Look, Gary, I need your help, but it’s going to be on my terms. There’s nothing wrong with my room at the Hilton.”

“The Hilton,” he spat, exiting the lift and stomping towards his SUV. Glancing at her, he recalled how she had always had a taste for high living; the one attribute that had brought their relationship to a sordid and painful end.

Studying her, he could feel his star witness in whatever had transpired in all those fires disappearing as soon as his back was turned, and he couldn’t let that happen. I have to get her to stay somewhere I can locate her when I need her, but anyone after her can’t get to her. “How about a cell, downtown?” he teased.

Her eyes wide, her shocked expression took the wind out of his laugh. “Hey, I was only kidding!” He stepped towards her to catch her arm, as she suddenly appeared to be a scared animal ready to bolt. “Caroline, calm down. Everything’s going to be fine; and I know just the place. We’ll go get your stuff and I’ll take you home with me.”

“Home with you!” she gasped. “Listen here, Gary,” she bit his name as if it were a curse. “Of all the wrong places, home with you has to be the worst idea of all!”

Blinking, he grimaced, fairly certain that his wife was going to agree. “Well, I think the Hilton, or any other hotel, isn’t any better. If someone is looking for you, that’s the first place they’ll go.” Opening the door for her, he waited for her to climb inside and then strutted around to the driver’s side.

“I’m not going to argue with you about this. We’ll go to the hotel and get your stuff. But, don’t check out. I’m taking you home with me, and that’s final.”

“Why should I not check out?”

“Don’t worry about that part,” he grinned deviously. “We can use the Hilton as a decoy. If they find out you’re booked there, whoever it is we’re dealing with might waste a few days camped out there waiting for you.”

“Do you really think they’re looking for me? I thought leaving my house would be good enough. I couldn’t stay there, the way they trashed it, you know,” her voice trailed away, filled with sadness.

“I know,” he agreed, patting her leg. Pulling up in front of the large building, he looked around for any cars that might have been following them. Not seeing anything identifiable, he stated confidently, “I think we’re in the clear, at least for now. Let’s go, so we can get out of here.”

Fifteen minutes later, her suitcase had been packed. Hanging the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the knob on his way out, Gary grinned at his ploy, sure that keeping the maids out would help hide the fact that she had abandoned the suite.