Page 18 of Russian Daddy

I walk the perimeter, checking the windows and exits then head inside. I order some lunch and try to commit the faces of the staff to my memory. I remember once when a rival dressed like a waiter to get access to a boss. He was shot and killed before he got out of the restaurant but not before he killed his target.

Satisfied with both my inspection and my sandwich, I drive to the local jewelry store to pick out a gift for Tess and then to the florist to buy roses for the two women in my life. I spend the remainder of the day sweeping the town like a beat cop on patrol. I find it hard to believe Dario and his crew are commuting out here every day to spy on or harass us. There must be a place here in town where they’re holding up and I’m intent on finding it.

I’ve nearly given up when I decide to drive ten miles out of town to check out the seedy little motel where my high school friends used to host drinking parties. I should have thought of this place before. Dario is drawn like a cockroach to places with bad reputations. Assholes like him seem to blend in well in places like that. I park at the edge of the parking lot and watch for a while.

“It’s now or never,” I tell myself and approach the black sedan.

When I was in the city, I picked up a GPS tracking device. I was going to put it on Tess’s car, but I think tracking Dario is an even better idea. I plant the device in the rear wheel and slip away unnoticed. No more surprises. Now, I’ll know when he’s coming and be ready.

I skid into the school parking lot just in time to pick up my mother. She gets in the car, but I wait until Tess comes out.

“I didn’t get to tell her about tonight,” I explain.

“I did. She knows to meet us at Flannery’s at six.”

I ignore my mother and get out of the car, stepping into Tess’s path.

“I didn’t think I’d see you until later at dinner,” she says as I kiss her cheek.

“I know. I just couldn’t drive away without touching you.”

“I like that.” She shoots a sneaky look at my mother who’s grinning at us through the windshield.

“I’ll see you later, baby girl.”

“I’ll miss you. I’ve missed you all day.”

“I’ll tell you what. Go get changed for dinner and I’ll come pick you up in mom’s car. That way we can all drive over together.”

“You don’t have to do that. Flannery’s is close enough for me to walk there.”

“No, I insist. I want a few minutes alone with you before dinner.”

“Alright. That does sound nice.”

I bring my mother home and hand her the bouquet I bought for her.

“What’s this for?” Her eyes brighten. “They’re beautiful, son.”

“It’s just a thank you for your hospitality and for welcoming me into your home like this. I didn’t even tell you I was coming.”

“This is your home too. You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“Then it’s because you’re beautiful and a wonderful mother.”

“I’ll take it.” She grins and kisses my cheek.

I change into a pair of black slacks and a gray silk shirt then drive over to Tess’s to give her the gift I bought for her, but there’s no answer when I knock on the door. I try to control myself but panic sets in and I rush around to the back of the cottage to check the backdoor. I turn the knob but it’s locked as well. My heart races and I start to lose control. I raise my fist to bust out the kitchen window, but Tess opens the door before I throw the punch.

“Why didn’t you come to the front?” she asks.

“I did, little girl. I even knocked. You didn’t answer.”

“I’m sorry. I was finishing up in the bathroom and didn’t hear.”

I can feel the tiny beads of sweat that form on my forehead and dab it with a paper towel from the roll on the kitchen counter.

“You’re sweating? It’s fifty degrees outside.”

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