Chapter 48
We all Learn Way Too Much about Everything
On Friday Huck called us at Phyllis’ saying he’d arrived in Westport and it was a huge compound his musician buddy had: swimming pool, clay tennis courts, a recording studio. “They even say Ringo Starr slept here once. And the main house is painted Pink – pink in honor of The Band – remember ‘Big Pink’ the house they had? You all are welcome anytime. When are you guys headin’ up?” he asked. “And Rocky, good ‘ol ‘What is Fun’ Rocky – you should get back in touch with Tex and Austin, they might want to come up for what’s gonna be a really fun New Year’s Eve party!”
“Not sure at this point,” Max replied. “Might be a day or two. Steve and Phyllis seem to be enjoying being back together. We’ll keep you posted.”
Sleuth Susie also called us at Phyllis’ with breaking news: “Say Rocky, you Doubting Thomas, my kid – I told ya he was a good kid – my kid Joey does have a name for you. The name is ‘Shadya Warsame’ and Joey has been in touch with him . . . Warsame admits being a partner with Abdul in a sex ring, but, after Abdul was shot dead, he backed out and hasn’t been in the business for months. Joey says his guy Shadya has heard of Dougherty, but can’t remember meeting him.”
“Did you tell Joey about the baseball stadium bombing connection?” Skip asked Susie.
“Yeah, Joey’s one-thousand percent up to speed. Wants to know who all Gordy and Ken know for connections in Vancouver – wants to get some leverage to use on Shadya that implicates him in the sex-trafficking, or maybe a tie-in with the jihadi scene. So far Shadya claims to know nothing about the terrorism aspect. That makes sense – it’s the Syrians that are behind the jihadists.”
Without letting Susie overhear, Rocky whispered to us, “Does Susie know about the New York City deal?” Skip shook his head “no.” “Keep that from her,” Rocky said.
When Steve and Phyllis went out for a late lunch, Max, Rocky and Skip decided it was time to get Steve involved, but just on the legal aspects – talking hypotheticals.
Arriving back, Phyllis wise-cracked, “What’ll it be for dinner, boys, nothing I love more than a house full of men – too many ladies getting elected these days for me to work the legislature like I use to.”
“Ever been married?” Rocky asked.
“No, too much fun not being married,” Phyllis replied. “Any of you guys recommend it?”
“Hmm,” we all thought, but Steve savvily said, “When you meet the right lady, keep it great as long as you can, and Phyllis, you’ve always seemed ‘right lady material’ to me.”
“Thanks pal, I’m over the hill . . . but you stick around, you might find out what not being married feels like. Are any of those others coming back?”
Just before sitting down to Phyllis’ home-made meatloaf supper, in the hallway Rocky whispered to Steve: “Keep it going with Phyllis, man. That was a great line you used on her. She doesn’t look more than 50. Curly blond hair, you’ve always liked blonds. Nice shape, good sense of humor. too. But listen, there’s something we’ve got to talk about – things are not good with Skip.
“I thought so,” Steve replied. “He just hasn’t seemed himself. What’s up?”
“Well, it’s a legal matter – client confidentiality stuff – so you’ve got to excuse yourself from Phyllis for an hour or two. Later tonight we’ll meet at the pub down the corner. After supper, we’ll leave you two alone for a bit. Help with the dishes, see if she wants some kisses, and then get away and come meet us.”
What the heck have these guys done now, Steve wondered, but Rocky’s right – priorities.
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Both the conversation at the corner bar and what transpired on Phyllis’ couch before the bar, were the first topics that came up when the Land Yacht left Philadelphia the next day, traveling north on I-95 and the New Jersey Turnpike towards where Huck was staying in Westport, Connecticut. Patty and Sally were happy for Steve, saying they’d heard enough, but not so happy hearing about what was discussed at the bar.
Max summarized it all saying, “Look, we’re trusting Lisa and Ken on this – I’ve known both of them for 40 years. Ken has known this guy named Gordy for 40 years as well. They’re friends and Ken says Gordy can be trusted. Gordy was in the SLA back in the 70s and had a girlfriend named Jane, also in the SLA with him. Jane moved on and is now in Vancouver as part of a terrorist group up there, but she wants to get out and has enlisted Gordy to help her. Only thing is – she’s sticking around long enough to get the scoop on their next planned attack so we can head it off before it happens.”
“That’s it,” Sally exclaimed. “So WE can head it off! Drop me at the Newark airport – I’m flying back tonight. Max, I’ll see you back in Minnesota – if you’re not dead or in jail.”
“Look,” Max implored, “We’ve enlisted Steve to save us all from going to jail. Steve has already been in touch with the Constitutional Rights Center, here in Newark, and we’re meeting with them Monday morning. After that, if you want to take a cab to the airport, I’ll understand – and maybe a few of us will join you.”