A Dagger through Dimensions Chapter 24

Unexpected Hero

A new cover I’ve put out for this story on Medium.

After I limped to the car alone while keeping an eye out for Antonio’s men, I waited for a minute, then waved for the couple to follow. While I could only recognize a few of the thugs, I figured I was like the canary in the coalmine. No one appeared interested in us, letting me release my breath as the couple joined me.

I took the path to the Vaugh’s house as the couple sat next to me in the front seat. My constant glances in the rearview mirrors revealed no cars appeared to follow. Just to be safe, I took a quick turn down an alley, then another turn to get me on the route again. After several more turns that nearly got me lost, I finally found the path to Sally and Joe’s home.

We reached their house about fifteen minutes later. Joe and Sally went inside while I waited. My mind kept wondering about my next steps, including the need to get Adele away from danger. Yeah, I realized this problem before I stuck my big nose into Sally’s problem. But now that I was in the middle of the mess, my danger sense was on full overload. Obviously, my wife was a weak point for the gangster to exploit. I suddenly thought of the frequent calls to the apartment. While the caller kept hanging up when I answered, I remained confident it was Lloyd Childress. Nothing in my notebook showed Antonio knew much about Adele, so I believed I had some time to work with. After all, it’s hard to spring it on someone that you have a gangster pissed off at you and he wants your head for a display.

As for Childress, Adele mentioned she spoke with him. From our conversation, I got a hint that her lawyer continued his efforts to persuade her to continue the divorce. I realized I needed to remove Childress from his petty agitation of Adele.

Getting her on a train tonight will fix that problem, at least for the time being, I thought.

Looking at my watch, I realized the Vaugh’s were taking too long, so I got out of the car and went to the front door. I knocked, then opened the door. I spotted a suitcase near the fireplace and went over to retrieve it. Just as I got there, Sally reached the top of the stairs.

“I’m sorry, Joe suddenly got sick. He’s in the bathroom. I need to get him something to eat.”

Her expression surprised me. She appeared to a point of tired resignation, not concern. Then again, I suppose Sally was running on nerves herself.

“Let’s skip that and get food at the station,” I said as I looked at my watch. “I don’t...”

The sound of a car skidding to a stop reached us through the open front door.

Shit!