The Butterfly Conspiracy (20 page)

“You hicks don’t know who you’re messing with here,” he said.
 
“Believe me, the best thing for everyone is to let me take the kid back to the city, my guys get paid and he waltzes home.
 
This way everybody’s happy and no one gets hurt.”

As he was speaking, Paulie pushed his hands together and tried Al’s trick.
 
Sure enough, he felt the ropes loosen.
 
He squeezed his hands together tighter and moved his little finger up to the bottom strand of rope.
 
Paulie pulled steadily and felt the rope slip off.
 
He gave a slight shake and another strand fell down, freeing his hands.

Scott laughed.
 
“If you think we’re going to hand over our friend to the likes of you, mister, you got another thing coming.
 
We’ll drop your ass off at the Sheriff’s office and they can sort this out.
 
Attempted murder, kidnapping and breaking and entering should keep them busy with you for quite a while.”

“No shit!” Joe said, glancing at Scott.
 

This was just the opening Paulie was looking for.
 
He shot his left hand over and grabbed Joe’s gun hand.
 
He punched Joe hard in the face and wrenched the gun free.
 
Blood poured from Joe’s nose.

Jeanette screamed. “He’s got the gun!”
 

Scott swerved onto the gravel shoulder of the road. As the car was slowing to a stop, Scott turned to Stephen and motioned for him to get out.
 
Stephen opened the passenger door, jumped out, and ran up a hillside into the woods.
 
As the car came to a dusty halt, Paulie jumped out holding the gun.
 
He shouted, “Everybody out.”
 

He looked around.
 
“Where’s the kid?”

Everything had happened so fast, only Scott knew Stephen had tumbled out of the car and had run into the woods.
 
Scott ran over to Joe.
 
Blood was coming from his nose.

Scott was furious. He glared at Joe, “I thought you tied him up?”

“I did, I tied him up real good,” Joe said.
 

Paulie laughed, “I told you, you didn’t know who you were dealing with.
 
Next time you tie someone up, you dumb shit, check their hands.
 
You could have driven a truck through mine.”

Paulie looked around again.
 
“Where the hell is the kid?” he yelled.
 
He pointed the gun to Joe’s head.
 
“You get me the kid or I shoot.”

Scott took a step forward.
 

“Stand back,” Paulie said.
 
“I need that kid.”

Joe was upset Scott thought it was his fault Paulie got loose.
 
Joe took a flying leap towards Paulie.
 
Paulie took a step back and fired.
 
A bullet hit Joe and he crumpled on the ground.

Jeanette watched as a jeep came over the hill and headed full speed straight towards the group. Jeanette recognized the vehicle as Uncle Phillip’s and Bobby was driving.
 

Paulie watched as the car approached.
 
He kept the gun pointed at the assembly and stepped backwards towards Scott’s car, which was still running.
 
He jumped into the driver’s seat, punched the gas and sprayed gravel along the road.
 
Tires squealed as they hit the blacktop.

 
Stephen watched from a crouched position in the woods.
 
As Paulie and the car drove off, Stephen emerged and rejoined the group.
 

Bobby and Scott bent over Joe.
 

“He took a shot to the shoulder, it’s bleeding pretty badly.” Bobby said.
 
“We need to get an ambulance.”
 
He jumped into the jeep and started talking on the two way radio.
 

Bobby and Scott held a towel on Joe’s wound.
 
After a few minutes, the faint wail of a siren could be heard in the distance.

Paulie drove through Grand View, heading to his motel room.
 
He knew the heat would be turned on now.
 
He needed to find another place to lay low.
 
Paulie slowly cruised past the motel complex looking for any sign of the cops.
 
Nothing looked out of the ordinary.
 
Why should it, he thought. The kid and the rest of the group should still be standing on the side of the road.
 
Paulie continued driving a mile past the motel and then turned into the entrance of a county boat launch. He parked Scott’s car in the middle of a group of trucks and boat trailers and walked back to the motel.
 
 

As he approached, Paulie scanned the parking lot again.
 
He unlocked the door to his room and pulled out his suitcase.
 
He opened the closet and started pulling suits from their hangers.
 
Paulie was reaching for his snake skin shoes when he heard a sound behind him.
 
He turned to see the bathroom door swing open.
 
Paulie pulled the gun from his belt.
 

“Cool it, Paulie. It’s me, Moonie. I’m on your side, buddy, calm down.
 
I’m here to help you.”
 

Chapter 25

Phillip was in his office when he got the call from Bobby that Stephen had been found.
 
They were all at the Sheriff’s office, explaining what had happened. Phillip walked quickly over to Britt’s place.

“Britt, Stephen’s been found.
 
I’m headed to Grand View.
 
Have Cora make something to eat in case Stephen is hungry when we get back.”

At the sheriff’s office, Phillip heard about Paulie taking Stephen to the cabin.
 
He heard how Scott, Jeanette and Joe were able to rescue Stephen.
 
He learned how Joe got shot and how Paulie managed to get away.

As they pulled into the driveway of Cliffside Manor, Britt came rushing out the front door.
 
Stephen got out of the car.
 
Britt ran up and threw her arms around him.

“Oh, Stephen!
 
We’re so glad you’re back safe and sound.”
 
She pulled his head back and gave him a kiss.
 
Uncle Phillip, Jeanette and Bobby all looked on in amazement.
 

Stephen gently pushed Britt away.
 
He wiped the lipstick from his face and stepped back with a puzzled look.
 
Britt laughed and walked over to Phillip.
 
There was an awkward silence before Phillip turned to Bobby and said, “I want you here around the clock and I’m going to hire another guard.
 
We can’t afford to have him disappear again.”

He turned to Stephen, “You must stay at Cliffside Manor at all times.
 
If you go anywhere, you go with us as a group.
 
Cora has put out something to eat.
 
Let’s go to the dining room and try and get back to our normal routine.”

After dinner, Phillip, Britt, Jeanette and Stephen retired to the trophy room.
 

“Stephen, when you disappeared, I called your parents.
 
I spoke to your father and it seems there was another reason you were sent away this summer, besides your girlfriend issue.
 
I’m sure you don’t know this, but your father thinks his gambling may have been behind this problem.”

“I know, Uncle.
 
That creep Paulie told me what happened.”

“Well, tomorrow I’ll call your father and arrange to have whatever money he owes paid so you’re no longer in danger.”

Phillip addressed the whole group.
 
“We all need to be very careful and not mention this to anyone.
 
We have to keep this nasty business out of the papers.
 
Neither Stephen’s father nor I need to have this kind of publicity.
 
It wouldn’t be good for his reputation or mine.”
 

Britt walked over to the cocktail table in front of Stephen and leaned over to freshen her drink.
 
Her blouse was cut low and she seemed to linger until she made sure Stephen noticed.

Uncle Phillip broke the silence.
 
“Stephen, I received the call I was waiting for from
California
.
 
I hate to leave you after all you have been through, but it looks like the funding is coming together for my next picture.
 
I must take a few days and get this business wrapped up in
Los Angeles
.”

“I understand, Uncle Phillip. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.
 
I’ll be sticking close to home and I’m sure nothing else is going to happen.”

Stephen turned to Britt, “Will you be going with Uncle Phillip to
California
, too?”

“No, dear boy.
 
Phillip wants me to go, but I’ve put
Hollywood
behind me and...” Britt paused, “someone has to be here to watch over you.”
  

Phillip ignored her comment and looked over to Jeanette.
 
“Now that Stephen’s home, can you call and make my plane reservations tonight.
 
I’ll try to be back in three or four days. But for now, we’re celebrating your safe return. Let me get everyone another round of drinks!”
 

Phillip went around the room and filled Jeanette’s glass, got Stephen and Britt another drink and handed Bobby, who was sitting near the door, a beer.
 

The talk turned to
Hollywood
and how difficult it was to finance movies these days.
 
Britt had everyone laughing when she told a story about how the grandson from a family known for ‘old money’ almost got kicked out of the will once his relatives learned he had backed one of her “B” movies with a million dollar guarantee.
 

After a few drinks, everyone seemed to be loosening up from the unbearable tension of the last few days.
 
Phillip was laughing hard at something Jeanette had said.
 
Britt walked over and turned on the stereo.
 
Loud music started pounding from recessed speakers. Britt walked over and tugged on Stephen’s shirt to get his attention and pointed across the room.