Too Many Women, Book #1 of the Becker Trilogy - Something else for Bob to do.

Today’s excerpt is from Too Many Women, Book #1 of the Becker Trilogy.  Bob about to get involved in something other than keeping Terri alive.  Enjoy and have a wonderful day. 

m.j.

 

NOTE:  Due to Thanksgiving there will be no additional posts until this coming Monday.  Gonna take a four-day weekend.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

At Bob’s home, a routine had been set up for someone—other than Terri—to look things over from the gun room on the east end of the home.  As a car pulled down the drive, with the appropriate chime sounding, Horace was in the gun room.  Over the speaker connected throughout the home he muttered, “Got a guy in a dark sedan…he’s stopping like a good boy.”

By the time Horace finished talking, Bob was looking at the kitchen monitor.  He pushed the button there to the speaker.  “Got him, Horace.”

Even as Bob spoke, the speaker connected to a voice box at the designated place to stop drowned him out.  “This is Captain Wilbur Holder, Missouri State Patrol.  I’m here to see Bob Becker, if he is available.”

Bob said back to a voice box connected to the stopping place, “If you don’t mind, would you please show your identification?  There is a camera next to the voice box.”

“I see it,” replied Captain Holder, as he held up his ID.

Bob pushed another button, deactivating the security system for the drive.  “Go ahead and pull up at the front door.  Someone will meet you there.  But if your ID is phony, and you make any silly moves, the sniper rifle pointed at your head will blow it off.”

Inside his car, Captain Holder just smiled and drove around to the front door.  By the time he got there, Bill was waiting, handgun drawn from his shoulder holster.  The Captain got out of his car and came forward to Bill, hands in the air.

Bill joked, “Aren’t you the cop who gave me a ticket on the Interstate two years ago?”

Captain Holder lowered his hands part way.  “No.  Haven’t written a ticket in over five years.  You must have mistaken me for another good looking trooper.”

Bill grinned as he asked, “You packin’?”

“Yup.”

“You mind handing it over, until we’re real sure you’re who you say you are?”

“Not at all,” answered the Captain, as he took the gun on his hip out very slowly with his fingers and thumb.

Bob walked around Bill and took the gun.  “Hate to treat guests that way, Captain, but we’re on the lookout for trouble?”

“As in Mrs. Durbin?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, don’t call her that.  She hears you and she’ll have a cow.  She’s gonna get a divorce ASAP and is using her maiden name…Terri Hawksworth.”

The Captain chuckled, shook hands with the two men, and walked toward the kitchen, following Bob, with Bill behind him.  When they got there, Bob held the Captain’s gun with one hand, and the bullets extracted from it in the other. 

Bob quickly introduced Leo and Terri.  “The other guy living here is upstairs—no doubt keeping an eye peeled to make sure you aren’t a diversion.”

Captain Holder muttered, “Since I know you know him, how about calling Gus Mantia and asking him to describe me.”  He took out his ID and tossed it on the table he was standing next to.

Bob nodded agreement and got out his cell phone.  He dialed Gus, then looked at the ID as he did and handed it back.  By the time he finished his call, Horace arrived and was introduced by Bill.  As those two were shaking hands, Bob ended his call.  He flipped his phone shut.  “Gus gave me a good description…but failed to mention anything about being ‘good-looking.’  Did say something about a pot belly, which I fail to see.  Have a seat.  You want something to drink or eat, or both?”

“No, thanks.  About the ‘pot belly,’ I kicked his ass at a charity golf tournament about three months back.  Well, on second thought…if you’ve got any coffee around, I wouldn’t say no to a cup of it.”

Bill headed to the coffee urn without a word, poured a cup, and handed it to the Captain, who said, “Thanks,” as he looked at Terri before he added, “I’d say you’re in good hands, Miss Hawksworth.  I’ve an idea no one is gonna sneak up on you here.”

Terri laughed, “Terri is fine.  I’m just the maid around here.”

After everyone agreed on first names in reply to that, Wilbur looked at Terri’s outfit.  “I assume that is some sort of disguise you’re wearing, Terri.”

“Yeah…Bob’s idea of torture, I guess.  Don’t think he likes me much—I ask too many questions.”

Bob changed the subject abruptly.  “Okay, Wilbur, what brings you around?  Surely you don’t want to get involved in this deal with Terri.”

“Absolutely not.  Need your help on another matter.  Our Governor has received a threat on his life.  I’d like your help seeing it isn’t carried out.”

“What kind of help?”

Wilbur took out three sheets of paper stapled together, and handed them to Bob.  “These are things he’s known to have…all bought legally, I’m afraid.”

Bob scanned the list, handed it to Bill, shrugged, and shook his head.  “I don’t see the sniper rifle, he must have, on your list.  Do find the firefighting gear interesting, though.  But even if he’s capable—with the rifle he’s sure to have from the ammo listed there—what does this have to do with me?”

“It takes a thief to catch a thief, or so the old wag goes.  I’m just changing ‘thief’ to ‘sniper.’  Know your background.”

“Hell, Wilbur, you’ve got very well-qualified snipers of your own.  On top of which, I’m not all too fond of our illustrious Governor—I sure as hell didn’t vote for him…either time.”

Wilbur replied, “Nor did I.  Won’t vote him for Senator, either.  Which is beside the point, I’m in charge of keeping him alive—not the man, the office holder, et cetera.  As to why you and not one of our own men, your reputation precedes you…your SEAL training and all you’ve managed to do here since you retired.”

 

 

 

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