Chapter Five
Two hours later, his phone rang. Delilah got off his lap. He answered the phone. He said, “Yes” three times and “No” once. He turned to his computer and read an email. He said, “Get Jules please Delilah.”
Her hand touched the doorknob, and Emil was suddenly next to her. He drew her in for another kiss then said, “Thank you” then let her go.
When Jules and Denise joined them, Emil said, “We have news. Our contacts with the baser element of Los Angeles tell us that Carruthers will make an attempt on the lives of Neville and Madison this afternoon in their home in Bel Air. We must intercept them. Delilah, call Neville Chambers and tell him to collect his wife and go for a picnic on Route 39 in the Angeles National Forest. We’ll see if we can set a trap for this fellow, Carruthers. Jules, arm yourself and ride in our helicopter. First, stay over their residence. When they leave, the gunman should follow them. We’ll stop the gunman on the forest road and detain them for the police. Denise, handle communications here. I’ll follow the gunman and keep them from escaping.”
It didn’t work. Carruthers made a better plan.
Chapter Six
Neville Chambers stared at his wife’s rear end as she bent over to rearrange things in the perfect picnic basket she’d purchased at Neiman Marcus. She glanced back at him then at her own hips.
She straightened up and stood in front of him. “Neville, we had an agreement that this was to be a marriage in name only. Everything is in place. Next month, we talk with the lawyers and get all of your father’s money. I don’t want any emotional entanglements to get in the way. We stay married for a year and then get a divorce. Ten billion dollars is worth exercising a little discipline.”
“I refuse to apologize for admiring your excellent figure.”
“Thank you, but I’ve lived my life without emotion up till now. I’m going to keep it that way.”
“That’s a pity.”
Madison studied Neville’s face for a few minutes. Her voice was flat and without feelings. “You’re not going to stop are you? You’ll be watching me all the time. You’ll be looking down my blouse and up my skirt and at my boobs whenever we’re in the same room.”
Neville glanced down at Madison’s chest. “’Boobs’ is a crude term for so beautiful a body. You have breasts, not boobs.”
Madison coldly turned away. Her words dripped frost when she said, “If I catch you doing it, I’ll make your life a living hell. Stay away from me.”
Chapter Seven
As they traveled, Madison said, “Did Delilah call back? Is your man protecting us?”
“Yes. They’ve got a helicopter over us and men in front and in back. We’ll have a nice picnic while they take out Carruthers.”
Unwillingly, Madison bounced in her seat. “This car rides very rough, Neville. Why did you buy it?”
“It brings back memories. It’s politics, actually. When I was younger, I wanted to give elective office a try. My advisors thought it would be useful to have a military background, and I joined the National Guard. Imagine my surprise when I found out I loved the military. I liked our weapons and the steady, dependable organization of the Army. I bought the Humvee when I got out.”
The Humvee or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is the replacement for the Jeep in the United States Army. It weighs about 6,000 pounds and comes with a V8 diesel engine. Its off-road capabilities start with a sixteen inch ground clearance; more than double that of the average SUV. It can climb a 60-degree slope and ford a five-foot deep stream.
Madison looked at him with a new appreciation. “You made a success of the Army?” Her voice carried real wonder.
“Yes. I got several promotions and increasing responsibilities.”
She swallowed once. “Most impressive.” She meant it.
She glanced at him and realized that he was admiring her legs. To her own surprise and consternation, she pulled her skirt up a few inches and turned her legs to the side to make them more graceful.
The campground they planned to use was still five miles away when a big truck pulled sideways behind them. The driver managed to get between the Chambers and Emil. Neville pushed the Humvee to its limit.
Another truck pulled in the road in front of them.
Madison gasped, “We’re trapped. It’s Carruthers.”
“We’re not trapped in this vehicle.” He turned off the road and drove down a dirt road. He pushed the Humvee hard down the steep incline. Gunfire spattered the trees overhead.