Chapter Three

Back at A.J.’s Mary was making herself a sandwich when the phone rang. She let it go to voicemail only because she didn’t want to answer it in case it was one of Rick’s girls or A.J.’s girlfriend Janet, or worst their mother. As she had sat down and about to turn on the t.v. the machine kicked in and she heard the voice on the machine.

“Hey Baby it’s me your brothers said you might be there…” she quickly picked up the phone.

 “Hey sweetie I’m here just a sec.” she had to take the phone and bring it to the couch. “Okay, Hi honey so how are you?” she asked.

 “I’m fine Baby just fine. I tried calling the house but you weren’t there so then I called the office and A.J. told me that you were at his house.” Jon explained to her.

“Yeah he thought it would be easier to get an early start tomorrow if I stayed here.” She told him why she was there.

 “Oh that’s right you said you guys were working with some other detectives isn’t that right?” he asked with what? A feeling of jealousy? No he didn’t get jealous but this feeling certainly was new to him.

“Yeah the Barrett’s they’re brothers.” She told him again.

“You said. So how did today go, you said you had to get up early and get out so did everything go okay?” he asked nervously.

“Actually it did. We got the information we needed so now we have to do is some follow up tomorrow.” She explained.

 “What kind of follow up? It’s not dangerous is it?” he hoped not that he worried enough.

 “No honey it’s not or it shouldn’t be. We’re just hoping to get some names I think so the guys can have Town run them through the system; you know get an I.D. on them.” She explained so he wouldn’t worry.

“Well good because I don’t need to get a call from anyone saying that you’re in the hospital and they think I need to get there ASAP you know.” He said sternly.

“I know and I thank you for caring about my welfare honey but I got the best body guards a girl could ask for.” She told him with a sarcastic voice remark.

 “What the hell does that mean?!” unfortunately he took it the wrong way.

 “What? It just means I have four P.I.’s covering my back is all. What’s the matter with you?” she wanted to know.

 “Nothing I’m sorry okay, I didn’t mean to snap like that. I’m just tired is all.” He said as he tried to cover for his slip up.

 “It’s okay honey, I know you’re tired. So how’s the tour coming?” she asked trying to change the subject.

 “Good, we really rocked it last night. Knock on wood nothing went wrong, the crowd was great, even my voice didn’t go. The only thing that would of made things better if you were here.” He said melancholy.

 “I know I wish I was there too. I really miss you.”  She told him sadly.

“Do you?” he asked curiously.

 “What do you mean by that Jon? Of course I do. I miss you with every fiber of my being. I even turned down a dinner date tonight!” ‘Oh shit I didn’t mean to say that! Crap!’ she said to herself.

“What the fuck did you say! With who!” Jon yelled.

“Um did I say that?  I didn’t mean date date it was just dinner, you know to eat.” She said to try and get out of it.

“No I think you really meant a fucking DATE! And I want to know with WHO! Now spill it.” He yelled again.

“Well yelling at me isn’t helping Jon! It was with Mick Barrett.” She said.

“That fucking guy you’re working with! Jesus, he was hitting on you!” he yelled again fuming.

“Maybe but I told him I have a boyfriend and I couldn’t go out to dinner or anything else for that matter.” She told him.

“Really and what did he say to that?” Jon wanted to know.

“That you were a lucky guy.” She told him hoping that would calm him down.

 “I already know that. Well he better stay away from you if he doesn’t want trouble.” Jon told her getting all cavemanish on her.

“Jon stop. It takes two you know, don’t you trust me?” she asked.

 He trusted her but felt guilty as hell about what happened last night. How could he talk to her about fidelity when he cheated on her. He sucked it up and apologized. “Baby I’m sorry for accusing you. It just makes me crazy thinking someone else can have dinner with you when I can’t that’s all. They can touch you when I can’t.”

“Jon it’s okay I know I have the same thoughts every day about you, about your fans and I have to suck it up because there will always be fans touching you even in front of me. So it’s okay because I Love You and only you.” She told him from her heart.

 “Speaking of which in three weeks we’re on a weeks’ vacation and I was wondering if you’d like to be with me? Or maybe you’d like to come on tour with us?” he asked.

“I thought Doc didn’t want me to go on tour with you guys?” She asked Jon.

 “Well I thought about that and I’m the boss remember and I say I want you with me.” He said.

“You do, do you? Well I need to finish this case.” But before she could finish her sentence Jon butted in.

“Yeah right and then there will be something else right? Yeah I get it, if you don’t want to be with me just say so.” He said annoyed now.

 “I wasn’t going to say that Jon! What I was going to say was I need to finish this case first then I can join you. But if you’re going to be a Jackass about this you can forget it!” she shot back.

Jon gritted his teeth and could have hit himself in the head for his stupidity. “Baby I just thought you were going to make another excuse again for not being with me that’s all. I’m sorry, truly sorry. I want you with me more than anything, can you forgive me?” he asked her.

“Jon what’s wrong with us?” Mary wanted to know.

“Nothing baby, it’s just that we haven’t seen each other in a while that’s all. And to be completely honest?” he asked her.

“Yeah completely honest.” She held her breath.

 “I think you’re really skittish about commitment because of what happened with Michael.” He told her out right.

 “Jon really…” as she just shook her head in denial.

“You wanted honesty you got it.” He told her even thou he knew she didn’t want to hear it.

“You really think that?” she asked him a little surprised that he thought that.

 “Yes, you’ve given me every excuse in the book for not wanting to be with me on tour. Or for that matter come out to where I am. You didn’t even seem too happy when I showed up the last time I came to visit you.” He explained to her matter of fact.

 “Well Jon, Michael was on the war path and looked what happened.” she said throwing it in his face.

“I know but still and I need to know that you Love me Baby. And that you want to be with me.” He explained to her. He needed to know or they just couldn’t move on.

 Mary just smiled to herself even though she was a little put off. She wanted to be the one to start this conversation. She really didn’t think he had it in him to even think about something like this. “Well I have to say you surprise me Jon I didn’t think you even thought about this.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Because I’m a guy?” he asked kind of put out by her question.

 “Well yeah. And you didn’t seem to want to talk about this when you left that’s why. I didn’t think that you cared. So I was going to bring the subject up with you.” She told him.

 “You were?” he asked kind of surprised.

“Yeah I was. Yes I would love to come on tour with you. And if this is finished before your week’s vacation I will meet you anywhere you want me too.” She told him as lovingly as possible.

 “Really! You mean that Baby!” he asked her surprised and excited all at once.

“Of course I do. I’ll do anything for you.” She told him.

 “You mean that.” He said slyly.

“Yes of course, why?” she asked curiously.

 “Because I got a few things I can think of that you can do for me that’s why.” He chuckled dirtily.

“You’re such a shit you know that?” she said laughing.

“Of course I know that, that’s why you love me isn’t it.” He told her chuckling that low deep chuckle that only comes out when he’s ready to spring on her. It certainly made a chill run up her spine.

“Partly, but what about Doc, he still doesn’t want me there with you.” She reminded him.

 “You leave Doc to me okay. Like I said I’m the boss and he works for me. If he wants to keep his job he’ll do as I tell him.” He told her.

 “What’s come over you all of a sudden? I didn’t think you wanted to make waves with Doc.” She asked him.

“Well let’s just say a good friend reminded me of what’s important, and that I’m no fun if I’m not happy.” He told her again chuckling.

 “Really, do I make you happy?” she asked while talking in a very slow, soft drawn out voice.

 Smiling to himself, “Well according to Richie you do.”

 “What about you Jon, do I?” she asked in that voice.

“Yes you do, very much. And to be honest I really can’t wait the three weeks for you to get here. I wish you would just come now and forget the case that you’re on. Just come on tour with me.” He asked her as he was now feeling a very happy feeling in his lower region.

 “Jon I wish I could but I have to finish what I started baby. I can’t leave my brothers hanging. It wouldn’t be fair.” She told him but knew he really didn’t understand.

 “To whom, your brothers or that Mick guy.” Jon said now getting all work up again and losing his happy feeling.

“Jon that’s not fair. I told you there’s nothing going on between us.”  She told him again getting pissed off all over again.

“But apparently he doesn’t.” Jon just wanted to remind her that men don’t give up that easily.

“Oh for crying out loud. Okay look I will see you in three weeks until then I will finish this case and you will not say one word about Mick Barrett got it! And I won’t say anything about the whores that hang around you.” She exclaimed.

“Whores?” Jon was astounded that she couldn’t get it thru her head that they were groupies and not whores.

  “Yes, Whores!” she told him once more.

 “Okay I’ll try. But that’s all I can promise. And by the way they’re called Groupies not Whores.” He said snickering. “Fine, now can we get to some kinky talking because I have at least two hours before I have to get to the arena so…” She just smiled, they stayed on the phone until he had to go but he was a very happy little camper as he left to go to his show.

The next day again they all met at the motel and headed out to McKenzie’s Fence Shop, where they sent the Barrett’s in to do some recon. As they were looking around Jim McKenzie came out of the back room when he heard the bell above the door ring when they came in.

“Well hello can I help you with anything?” Jim asked.

Mick turned around and replied “Yes as a matter of fact you can. Our boss sent us here because he heard that a couple of guys were in to try and fence some stones that were from the Charter Gala last week. He’s willing to pay top dollar for the necklace that was taken. You know a gift for his wife.”

“Yeah I know the one. They were here. But I didn’t bite. One: They were too hot and Two: They wanted too much money for them. Believe me what they were asking for that necklace no one is going to pay.”  McKenzie told them.

“Why how much?” Mick asked.

“One million is too crazy. That necklace isn’t worth more than one hundred thousand. They’re not going to get any more than that, and I told them that but all they did was laugh in my face. I don’t think your boss wants to pay that much.” McKenzie said.

 “No I don’t think so either but I’ still need to talk to them anyway. You don’t know where these guys might be do you?” Mick asked.

While outside the Simon's were waiting. “Oh my God! What’s taking so long? All they have to do is go in, ask where the hell these guys are and come out, Jees.” Mary complained.

A.J. just looked over at her and said “Will you calm down, it takes time and you know that. What? You got something else to do?” he asked.

“Oh course she does her boyfriend probably is going to call her and they’re going to talk all smoochy and shit.” Rick said as he made kissy face at her. She hit him in the arm. “Ouch. What’s the matter can’t take a joke.” Rick said laughing while jumping out of the way. Just then the Barrett’s walked out of the store. “Hey what did you guys find out?” Rick asked still chuckling.

Mick just shook his head. “Well McKenzie said they were in here but he told them the necklace wasn’t worth what they were asking for so he sent them on their way.”

“Really, what were they asking for the necklace?” A.J. Asked.

“Get this one mil. And McKenzie offered them one hundred thousand.” Mick said.

“You’re kidding; the necklace on the insurance papers has it listed as five hundred. That’s really strange. Something weird is going on. He didn’t happen to say where we could find these guys did he?” A.J. asked.

“He said they could be hanging out by the South End at the Days Inn Motel. Do you guys know where that is?” Mick asked.

“Yeah we do. Mary and Mick why don’t you two go stake out the motel while Joe if you can check out the necklace value.  Check the library, the insurance company anything you can think of. We’ll check with the victims and the police. If anyone gets any info leave it on the office phone and we’ll check periodically and meet back at the office tomorrow morning say eight a.m.” A.J. said. Mick just stood there with a sly smile. Mary didn’t want to say anything because she knew her brothers would ask questions as to why she didn’t want to team up with Mick. She could cut the sexual tension with a knife. She was also afraid of the news of this getting back to Jon. She would have to tell her brothers not to mention anything about teaming up with Mick to Jon but how to put it. Mary got into Mick’s car and he pulled out and headed south as she told him. It would take a good twenty to twenty five minutes to reach their destination.

 As she was looking out the window he said to her “I didn’t put them up to this you know?”

“I know, because if you did I wouldn’t be here.” She answered back.

“Really, now why would you say a thing like that?” he asked.    

“Because you don’t know my brothers that’s why. They are very over protective of me and if they knew you liked me they would do everything possible to keep you away from me.” She said.

“Why because you already have a boyfriend?” Mick chuckled.

“No they just don’t see me as adult or should I say when it comes to dating they don’t see me as an adult.” She said to him.

 “Then how the hell did you get a boyfriend in the first place?” he asked amused.

“It’s a long story maybe I’ll tell you some time.” She said.

 He just glanced at her but he wasn’t through with her yet. He wasn’t sure whether she was telling him the truth or not. “So is this boyfriend of yours a private investigator too?” Mick asked.

 “No he’s not.” She said.

“You going to tell me what he does or am I going to have to pry it out of you?” Mick asked. 

“Why do you want to know Mick?” She asked annoyed now.

 “I’m just trying to make small talk.” He said smiling. He knew he was getting on her nerves. But he didn’t care. He wanted to get a rise out of her, anything just so he knew he could get some kind of emotion. Just before he was going to make another remake the Days Inn Motel came into view.

“Here we go, I guess we just sit and wait now.” Mick said. “So I was asking you what your boyfriend did for a living.”

 “Okay if I spill then you spill okay.” She said to him hoping to get some info on him.

 “Okay I’ll tell you now I’m not seeing anyone, your turn.” He said smiling.

“Fine his name is Jon and he fronts his own band.” She told him coolly.

 “Oh my God he’s a singer in a band! So he’s broke, lives at home or shares an apartment with a bunch of other losers who probably are dope heads, close?”  Mick said as he laughed.

“Not even.” She said disgusted at him.

 “Okay long hair, metal or hard rock though, am I close?” Mick asked smiling and still trying not to laugh.

 “Yeah long hair and hard rock if you call it that I guess. But he’s very successful; they just went from fronting to headlining their own tour.” She explained proudly.

“So he’s not here then.” he asked her snidely.

 “No he’s in Chicago right now but they’ll be in Dallas next week then Houston, and then I believe Las Vegas. Then they have a week off and I’m hoping we’re finished with this by then so I can join them.” She said.

 He just shook his head in acknowledgement. He had his work cut out for him if he wanted to get her attention but also needed to work on this case as well. “So how did you guys meet?” he asked her really wanting to know.

“He was a client of ours a few months ago and let’s just say Jon was very persistent.” She told him smiling.

“Well so am I” Mick said smiling back.

Later that evening Joe met the Simon brothers at their office. “It’s six thirty and no word from my brother or your sister.” Joe complained.

“Look if something was wrong we would have heard something by now. They would know we were on to them and they’d at least call us to let us know where they left them. But you’re right Mary knows better to call in by now. A.J. maybe we better at least take a ride out there just to see if everything is okay.” Rick suggested.

“Fine, we’ll have to take the truck so it will fit the three of us.” A.J. said.