15. Odds and Evens

Kevin stood across the street on the front lawn of his neighbor’s house, June leaning against him, staring at the commotion in their yard across the street.

Mr. Hen and the school bus had been shooed along as soon as the police arrived in force, the bus pulling away with the face of every kid plastered to the window, gazing back at all the blue lights flashing in front of the Dell’s home.

Officer Scott Przyzycki and his partner had arrived minutes after Kevin did, finding Kevin, June and Mr. Hen huddled in front of the bus in the street between the front of the bus and the GTO, unsure of what to do next, but comfortable to wait with the sound of so many police sirens approaching.

Within moments the street in front of the Dell’s house on Locust Avenue exploded with cop cars and their blue lights flashing.

Once Kevin told officer Przyzycki what he knew, he escorted Kevin and June to the yard across the street and told them to wait there while he updated the other officers.

As the officers stormed an empty house, Kevin was then able to catch Sara while she was still at the gym, preparing to head home with Kai and Zee. Told her in as cryptic an explanation as possible, that June was fine and he was fine, but the house had been broken into and police were now here and it would be best that she hang at the gym until he got back to her.

By then Sergeant Brillo had arrived and assumed command. He approached Kevin and June with a female officer who engaged with June while the Sergeant talked to Kevin in private.

Officer Przyzycki then came across the street and called, “Hey Sarge, you might want to bring Mr. Dell back here.”

The three of them walked to the backyard where officers were clustered around the bulkhead door.

Kevin, seeing the busted lock said, “Oh shit. He really was here.”

***

June, Kai and Zee went from bewildered and unnerved at the concern evident in their parents’ demeanors, but that fell away to disbelief and joy to find out they were going to The House for a supper of pizza and soda (a rarity in the Dell household).

With the kids’ bellies filled to capacity, even Zee went marshmallowy and convincing the girls they now had to spend a couple hours at Mom’s gym in her office watching a movie became simply the greatest school night ever!

Sara and Kevin talked through the evening; each of them taking a turn leaving Sara’s Gym for the short drive back to the house.

Combed through their property as the cops hovered.

Sara had several expensive pieces of jewelry laying plainly in the open, but nothing was missing.

The Dell’s had several thousand dollars in cash for emergencies, stuck in a jar in the kitchen cupboard; left untouched.

Kevin and Sara finally regrouped back at Sara’s Gym, exhausted with worry. Talked in a room next to Sara’s office, where the kids were engrossed by a story about a Zebra who becomes a winning race horse.

“I can’t decide on what to do,” Sara finally said.

“I know,” Kevin answered. “Both options make sense.”

The Dells were struggling with conflicting urges: run away with the kids and stay anywhere but Worthboro tonight or run home to reclaim what was theirs.

“Let’s do the finger thing,” Sara said.

“Sounds good.”

Kevin noted that his wife’s lips were set in a way he hadn’t seen in a while; the way she used to when competing.

She said, “One to go home, two to stay somewhere else tonight.”

“Got it.”

Kevin stuck a hand behind his back and Sara did the same.

Looked at each other.

How many times had they done this? Countless. Yet, a second shoot was never necessary.

“Okay tall man, shoot.”

Both of their hands came around with only the index finger pointed.

“Right,” Sara said. “Fuck that sonuvabitch. Let’s get the kids home.”

***

The girls piled into Sara’s SUV and Kevin followed in the Goat back to Locust Street.

Two cruisers and an unmarked car were still parked along the street and in their driveway.

Sergeant Brillo and a half dozen officers were all outside. They had done everything they could to find evidence of who was there.

There had been nothing.

No prints. Simply nothing, as though this Rico was a ghost.

Brillo informed the Dells they would have a continual police presence outside the house for the next 48 hours.

After 48 hours they would reassess.

The Dells talked about what the future may hold.

//

Sara said, “So we should get a dog.”

Kevin answered with a firm, “Yes. A security system is good, but a clever human will beat a machine. Even cameras. But not a dog.”

“Well you know telling the kids we’re getting a dog might even be better than when we put the pool in the backyard.”

Kevin smiled for the first time that evening. “Yes. That will be fun.”

“Well, with all of this commotion, I got some news for you, Mr. Tall Man, but it’ll have to wait till we get the kids settled.”

Sara, who had always had a great poker face, stared up at her husband for a moment, making him wonder.

He asked, “You wanna get them upstairs now?”

“Yes, but I’ll take care of the upstairs. I want you to relax a bit. Just help me round them up.”

Kevin nodded. “Pincer move?”

“I’ll take the front.”

Kevin moved from the dining room into the kitchen and down the hall to the living area where he found the girls, in their PJs, kneeling in front of the bay window, elbows on the deep sill, three little rear ends pointed at the couch across the room.

The girls were watching the cops, still grouped in the front yard.

June in solid blue matching pants and top, with her brow furrowed.

Kai, in a yellow, tinkerbell sweatshirt and green pants, one foot tapping a steady pattern on the carpet.

Zee, with striped tigger pants of orange and black and a bright pink t-shirt, was sandwiched between them, holding still, but Kevin could see she was itching to bounce around the living room at the slightest provocation; instead, trying to follow the lead of her big sisters.

Zee wore a five-year-old’s look of seriousness when she spotted her father and said, loudly, “Dad, wanna come watch the policeman with us?”

Sara came rounding the stairway by the front door and June said, “Mom the police are still in the yard.”

Kai said, “I think they’re talking about daddy’s goat. They keep looking at it.”

“The police are going to be here for a little while longer,” Sara said. “But nothing to worry about. Time to get upstairs. It’s still a school night.”

***

Kevin stood by the bay window, staring outside. Thinking.

The days were nearing their longest and the last remnants of light lingered.

Sergeant Brillo stood with three officers, the four forming a square on the squarish front lawn, next to the driveway, where the GTO was parked.

Kevin couldn’t stop thinking the same thought: Rico was here. In our home. A violation that allowed no forgiveness.

He pulled out his cell and sent a text message to the faceless number that Luci had given him.

As long as you are a threat to my family I will hunt for you.

A little while later, once the sun set, the cops were still in the front and Kevin turned on the outside lights; went outside to the sounds of the neighborhood at nightfall: the shrill voice of a child; a few barking dogs; a distant car engine; songbirds delivering a last announcement.

Lawn lamps lit up in the yards next door and across the street.

Kevin approached Sgt. Brillo and guiltily told him that he sent Rico a text message.

“Not a biggie,” he said. “Phone’s probably destroyed by now. We’ll find out with the court order by tomorrow.”

Brillo bid his fellow officers goodnight and remained with Kevin.

As the other police got in their cruisers and drove off, Kevin asked, “So you do think he’s gone? For good?”

“Yes.”

Seeing the concern on his face, Brillo added, “He probably found out who you are and what you were up to and somehow got your address. Was pissed, you know? Wanted to rip you off because you got between him and the big prize.”

“That makes sense, I guess,” Kevin said.

“Try not to worry. If anyone needs watching, it’s Lucielle Pineiro. She has his money. Or money he thinks of as his.”

“Does she get to keep it?”

“Probably. I mean, we still can’t prove who actually bought the damn ticket. We got her at the station already. Probably be there all night. Poor kid. Never had a clue what this asshole was up to. But we have to get everything she can tell us.”

He slapped Kevin on the arm, adding, “Seriously, try not to worry. This guy targets high-cost items that he can easily carry. He probably stopped here just to grab something and piss you off, but ran out of time.

“You were right behind him.”

Looking skeptical, Kevin said, “I suppose.”

“Shit. What pisses me off is he was at Foster Street when my guys were watching. Fucker probably knew we were there the whole time.”

Kevin, unable to stop imagining Rico lurking in his home as the school bus arrived, pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger.

The mind-numbingness of life’s infinite outcomes.

Forced himself to think and said, “Selfies.”

“What?”

“June. My daughter showed me. The kids are doing it. The picture thing with their cell phones.”

Brillo nodded. “Right. We’ll canvas the neighborhood. Talk to her friends. Maybe we’ll get lucky and get some pictures.”

Kevin looked at Sarge intently. “You really think one guy was clever enough to pull off all this mayhem and somehow remain invisible?”

Brillo snorted. “I know. In all my years, never come across anyone like this. That’s rare, you know. People are people. Predictable. But this guy? So capable it’s scary. Like some stone-cold killer from a comic book. Can’t help but wonder what makes him tick.”

He looked at Kevin in admiration. “But you almost caught him.”

A look of disappointment, Kevin said, “Almost.”

“Well, I wish you would’ve called me right away, but shit happens in the moment. Believe me, I know what that’s like. But for what it’s worth, I don’t think this is a guy who sticks around. My money says he’s already long gone.”

Brillo looked at Kevin with concern, adding, “Still, if it makes you feel better, I’m gonna take the first shift tonight. Me or another officer will be right here. In front of your house all night long. Tonight and tomorrow and whenever, if need be. You feel nervous, you call me.”

His gratitude apparent, Kevin said, “Thanks Sarge. That does make me feel better.”

A rare smile creased Brillo’s worn face and he looked 10 years younger. “I heard about your drive across town. My guys saw you take off. One of my cars took off after you, but said you disappeared like a damn fart in the wind.”

Looking sheepish, Kevin said, “Sorry Sir. I didn’t know they were out there.”

Kevin bowed his head. Looked at his feet. Explained the best he could. “That was a terrible moment, Sarge. The only thing that I knew for sure was there were still five minutes before that bus got here and I knew I could do it in five flat. A tad less, if everything went right.”

Brillo thought for a sec and said, “You were on Foster Street, right?”

Kevin nodded.

The Sergeant gave Kevin a long and thoughtful look, knowing that, even on his best day—with sirens blaring and blue lights flashing—he wouldn’t come close to navigating that distance in five minutes.

If someone else had claimed such a thing, he would laugh in their face.

Finally he said, “Five minutes flat, huh?

Again, Kevin simply nodded.

Brillo eyed him a moment longer and smiled once more. “I will be honored to watch over your family tonight.”

***

At the conclusion of a crazy day, Kevin found respite in his office.

Grabbed the latest novel and sat in his gaming chair and rotated to view Pollock’s Cathedral.

Settled and checked his cell.

Oh shit!

A message arrived from the number Luci had given him for Rico.

Feeling as though his stomach were in his throat, Kevin read the message.

Maybe you can find me but nobody else has ever been able to. Don’t waste your time trying. You have nothing to fear. I will never be back.

Wow!

There was a lot to digest in that statement.

Did Kevin truly not have to worry about Rico coming back?

Then why had he come in the first place?

And for whatever reason that may have been, why now, should Kevin believe that he would not be back?

We are machines, he thought.

Magnificent. Complex. Flawed.

And like Brillo said, there’s always a degree of predictability.

Or something like that.

But no, Kevin couldn’t simply take Rico’s word, as much as he would like to. Not when the safety of his family was at stake.

His job was vigilance, for as long as he breathed.

There was a familiar knock on his office door and the door opened and Sara leaned in.

“Hey you.”

She gave him a look and stepped into the office and closed the door, leaning back against it. Said nothing. But Sara was by nature a quiet person. Contemplative, like her husband.

Kevin said, “Weird day, huh?”

A nod and that unreadable expression again, making him wonder.

She could be mad?

Or she could be glad?

Two decades and counting and still moments of mystery, Kevin thought. And, as he had countless times before, but oh golly, she sure is beautiful.

Sara finally allowed a slight smile, but still said nothing.

Perplexed, Kevin asked, “Girls settled?”

“Yeah.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

Sara, still leaning against the door, nodded. Arched her back and put her hands to the small of her waist, just above her bottom. Half closed her eyes. Sighed and finally smiled and said, “Told you I had some news.”

That’s when Kevin knew as much as he could know anything, that everything was going to be okay, the mad tinkerer remaining silent, as though in agreement.

There was a saying that he liked, from his favorite movie: Field of Dreams and it went something like: when all the tumblers in the universe fall into place.

Means that life is good and that it’s good to be alive and heck, they were gonna end up with an even number after all.

Sara said, “You are a little devil, you know that Kevin Dell. That last hurrah? … Well, I’m pregnant.”