A Killer Best Friend

A Killer Best Friend

A Killer Best Friend

Jo Grix

Copyright 2011 by T. Jo Grix, all rights reserved

ISBN 978-1-257-94491-0

Smashwords Edition

To my sister Renee

For giving me Galveston, Miami, Key West and Hawaii

Even if they aren’t actually in this story.

Chapter One

The thing about Bush Intercontinental Airport is that it was easy to get lost if a person wasn’t paying attention. Most people didn’t really think about it that way, but an easily distracted person could fall behind or miss a turning that other passengers had been able spot easily. Once that happened all bets were off on finding something without asking a lot of questions from the first airport employee you came across.

For Dominic Highband, a ten year veteran of the Houston airports, getting lost in Bush was an almost foreign concept. He should have known that something like that would happen as soon as he allowed himself to be convinced that using a wheelchair would be faster and safer than walking on his own.

In fact, it was all Dom could do to keep from just shoving his way out of the chair and walking. The only thing that was stopping him was the knowledge of just how much pain he would cause himself if he didn’t wait for the chair to stop. That and the fact that he was moving at a somewhat respectable clip compared to the best he could do on his own. Still, it wouldn’t be normal for him not to say something, You do know that I can walk, he said, glancing up at the dark skinned Lance Corporal who was pushing the airport’s courtesy wheelchair. "I also told you the first time that we’d have to take the elevator down to the baggage claim, and it was right next to the escalator."

I’m sorry, Sergeant sir, Eric King replied as they reached the elevator. I didn’t mean to get us so turned around. They entered the elevator accompanied by a young woman with a stroller.

I just should have known better than to agree to travel with the guy who took two weeks to figure out how to get from the motor pool to the mess hall, Dom Highband groused as he slumped slightly in the wheelchair. The woman beside them coughed, Dom glanced over at her and, taking in the smile she was clearly trying to hide, smiled at her, Morning, ma’am.

Good morning, the woman replied as her smile broke free, good flight?

The flight was fine, Dom said, it’s the ride to the baggage claim that’s caused us trouble. He poked King’s hand, "Not to mention the fact that I told you we should make sure to fly into Hobby and not Bush Intercontinental."

Yes sir, King replied, you did. I’m still not sure I understand why. The elevator doors opened, and they both gestured for the woman to leave first.

That’s because you can’t read a map, Dom muttered. He glanced around the small luggage claim area, relieved to see that it didn’t look like the luggage had arrived yet. As they located the carousel that would have their luggage shortly, people glanced at them in that way people had when they were dying of curiosity, but not wanting to stare at someone in a wheelchair. Every glance felt like a blow to Dom, reminding him yet again why he hated wheelchairs.

Dom, Dominic Highband! Someone called, and Dom closed his eyes for a brief moment. Only one woman had ever shouted his name like that. He reopened his eyes and had to scan the crowd again before he spotted her. His mother, Jane Highband, was standing on something that allowed her to be seen head and shoulders over the crowd.

Who is that? King asked, turning the chair in the direction Dom was looking.

That is my mother, Dom said with a sigh, noting how his mother had changed. She’d finally let her hair go fully grey instead of struggling to keep her brown hair untouched by time. She looked comfortable with her age, though. As King pushed him over to her, Dom wondered what had occurred in the past four years that had allowed her to come to terms with her age, a number that Jane Highband had bitterly fought from acknowledging. He also noted that she didn’t look as fragile as she once had, but knew that appearances could be deceiving.

By the time they had made it through the crowd, airport security had arrived in the form of a stern yet lovely woman. I’m fine, I was just looking for my son, Jane Highband was saying as she let the woman help her off the seat.

I’m right here, Mom, Dom said dryly, It’s good to see you though. I didn’t expect you to drive up here when I said I was coming home.

Dominic, did you think I was going to make my son drive home on his own just after he got out of the hospital? Jane said, she bent over and folded him into a hug, Welcome home dear.

Thank you, Dom said when she released him, and it wasn’t like I was traveling alone, this is Lance Corporal Eric King. We served together. King, this is my mother Jane Highband.

I just wanted to say that you are commonly considered the maker of the best cookies in the squad, Eric said as he offered his hand. I can’t tell you how much everyone looked forward to your care packages. It was probably one of the more effective tactics Sarge used to maintain discipline.

Jane laughed as she shook his hand firmly. It was the least I could do for the boys keeping my son safe. The luggage arrival buzzer sounded, causing them all to jump, and Dom reached for his cane. You sit, Jane said firmly, slapping his hand.

I’ll get the bags. King offered and hurried into the crowd. Dom clenched his fists for a moment, he hated being treated like an invalid.

Is everything ok? The security woman asked, giving them both a strange look. Dom privately thought that they were probably the best entertainment she’d seen all week and she wasn’t willing to give that up yet.

I’m fine. Dom said with a polite smile. He sighed and looked up at his mom, I can walk, you know.

I’m sure, Jane said, but for now, you’re going to use that wheelchair.

Yes mother, Dom replied in a teasing tone. Did I mention that I like what you did with your hair? It looks great.

The security woman’s radio buzzed, I have to go, she said. She slid a wry glance at Jane, Please, try to stay off the furniture ma’am.

I will, Jane replied. She looked down at her son, Thank you for the compliment, Dominic. She hugged him again, I missed you.

Got the bags, King announced as he rejoined them. He lifted the two bags with a grin. The people here are so nice, as soon as I started to reach for them someone else pulled them off and handed them both to me.

That’s what Texas hospitality is all about, Dom said, Just so long as you don’t litter. King grinned at him, no doubt remembering the private who had drunkenly confessed to being intimidated by the state’s anti-litter campaign as a child. He glanced up at his mom for a moment and sighed, I guess we should let you get on the road then.

Where are you driving too? Jane asked, tilting her head slightly, How are you getting there?

I’m renting a car, King said, I’m expected to report for duty in Corpus Christi on Monday, King was clearly trying to hide his excited grin, for aviation training.

He’s only been trying for four years, Dom said with quiet pride, thinking of nights where the squad had come together and how King had spoken of his dream of being trained as an aviator.

Corpus Christi, Jane said in an affronted tone, it’s nonsense to think you can drive that in one night; especially on the Friday of a holiday weekend. Every idiot in Texas is going to be on the road between here and Corpus looking for a stretch of beach where they can drink beer.

Especially since you don’t actually know where you’re going, Dom added with a slight tilt of his head. Not to mention your navigation skills. King ducked his head at the reminder.

We can drive you to Widdershins tonight, Jane said, and tomorrow we’ll drive you the rest of the way.

Before King could give an answer, his cell phone rang and he checked it, That’s my wife, if you’ll excuse me.

Dom watched him walk away, He’s probably going to accept, he said and looked at his mom, are we going to have enough room?

Yes dear, Jane replied, patting his shoulder. There’s no need to worry about that.

King walked back over still talking on the phone, I’ll ask, he said as he stopped. He covered the phone and said, Were you serious about that ride? There’s a problem with the car and we can either fix it, or I can rent a car and drive to Corpus.

Of course I was serious, Jane said firmly, we’ll be glad to have you.

Dom nodded, We both are, he half smiled, Eric, we aren’t about to leave you behind.

Eric gave them a grateful smile and uncovered his phone, Janice, they’ll give me a ride down. I’ll call you on the way and when we get to Widdershins. King said, he paused for a moment, and he smiled softly, I love all of you. Boys, listen to your mom and Grace, I’ll be there on Sunday, I promise. He hung up the phone and glanced at the others, Are we ready to go?

The parking lot is this way, Jane said and grabbed hold of Dom’s chair and began to push.

Make sure you stay close, Dom threw back at King, We wouldn’t want you to get lost again.

Yeah, yeah, King muttered.

When they stepped outside, the heat hit Dom like a slap in the face. He’d forgotten what Texas was like during the summer, especially considering that it had still felt like spring back in Norfolk. He fiddled with his gloves for a moment, wondering if he wouldn’t have done better to wear shorts, scars on his leg and all. Then he glanced over to make sure King was handling the heat all right. To his disgust, King looked completely unperturbed by the draining heat and humidity. Mom, Dom said as they came to a stop beside a very familiar convertible, what happened to the truck?

Broke down, Jane said, she patted the dark green convertible fondly, I had to borrow this from your sister. I thought about taking the minivan, but I didn’t really expect to have another passenger. At least it has a backseat though.

You have a sister, King said, looking at Dom as Jane opened the trunk.

She’s my sister-in-law, actually, Dom replied as he set the brakes on the wheelchair and began to lever his way out of the chair. Looking around the trunk lid at Jane he added, Kim said she was going to sell this. He braced his cane and tried to stand up.

She is going to sell it. In fact, I heard you were thinking about buying it, Jane replied as King tossed their bags in the trunk. She caught Dom’s arm and helped him finish standing up. You two get settled while I take the wheelchair back inside.

Right, Dom said as he leaned against the back door with a soft sigh of relief. Will you put my backpack on the backseat for now, I’ll get what I need when I’m settled.

You ok? King asked as he took the backpack from Jane.

I’m a Marine, Dom replied as he opened the front door and sat down on the passenger seat, and I call shotgun, get in.

King snorted, but folded his large frame easily into the back seat. Why is your sister selling this, it’s a nice car?

Kim’s dad gave her this car as a graduation gift six years ago, Dom said easing his leg into the car, careful not to hit it against something. When she married Damien, they agreed that he would drive the minivan and when Jack was born they bought the safest minivan on the planet. Now that Kim’s pregnant again, she’s getting paranoid and wants to get a sedan or something that’s safer than this. Dom shut the door and rested his head