Hell Came on a Pretty Day: Vigilante Justice

Chapter 1

They sat close on the couch in Jamie’s apartment.

As soon as the news is over, I have to leave, sweetie, Angie said.

Can’t you just…

She held her hand up and tapped Jamie’s nose with her forefinger. Wedding night. Remember?

Yeah.

As much as I want to, it’s worth waiting for. Right?

Yeah, but…

Suddenly, the news anchor’s voice sounded stern. The next story contains graphic scenes and may not be suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion is strongly advised, she said. We now go to Carrie Padgett, reporter at the scene. Carrie.

Earlier tonight at ten minutes after eight, Carrie said, two District of Columbia police officers lost their lives in a brutal attack after they approached two men in the shadows of the United States Capitol building. The camera in the officers’ cruiser filmed the entire episode. We have a copy of that film.

The film began and showed the two officers as they exited their vehicle and then as they walked toward the two men. The headlights of the cruiser lit the scene like a Hollywood movie set.

One of the men turned suddenly toward one officer and with a flick of his hand, he slashed the lower right part of the officer’s throat with a long bladed knife.

The officer stood erect and motionless.

Seeing he was dazed, the man raised his hand and slashed the other side of his throat.

Blood gushed from both sides of his neck, and he gasped for air. Then blood gurgled from his mouth. His body trembled, and he attempted to raise his hands, apparently to hold his throat, but his strength had dissipated long before. He tumbled backwards to the ground trembling in bizarre gyrations.

When the first officer was slashed, the second officer’s attention was drawn immediately to the dilemma. It was a fatal lapse in judgment.

The second man drew a long bladed knife from a shoulder sheath and drove it into the second officer’s abdomen, then jerked it upwards ripping apart his stomach, his esophagus, and his heart.

The officer trembled violently then toppled to the ground.

The film stopped.

As you can see, Carrie said, police have cordoned off the crime scene and a citywide search…

Babe…

Before he could finish his thought, Angie said, I feel sorry for the officers and their families, but we could’ve done better than that.

That’s just what I was about to say. My sympathy goes to their families, but they were overweight, they were undertrained, and they were older men. I mean, when those two guys pulled their knives, they should have been dead sons of bitches. He looked at her for a reaction. Receiving none, he lifted his right hand and rubbed his chin.

You’re thinking something, sweetheart.

I was thinking about what you said, uh, a minute ago.

What?

That we could do better than the two officers.

And?

He looked at her for a moment before speaking, then said, Have you ever thought about doing in the bad guys—like helping our country? We promised we’d do something for our country when we watched the Twin Towers go down on 9-11.

You mean, like making a difference?

Yeah, like training like an Army Ranger or a Marine whatever—just train really good and go out and do in some of the bad guys. I mean like whack ’em. You know? Like shoot ’em in the ass. Legally, of course.

Might be fun. Might be fulfilling, too.

He continued rubbing his chin and looked at her. Yeah, wanna do it?

Sure. I’m with you.

We’d have to quit our jobs.

I know. I got my check from the Ramseys today. I have the Clark’s house to decorate, but I could cancel that and give up interior decorating all together.

It’ll be dangerous, like life or death.

I know.

Well, he said, and then he stood up, I’ll quit my job tomorrow. We’ll fly to Oahu Saturday, and get married just like we planned. Then I have a very special surprise for our honeymoon. Once we’ve celebrated our marriage, we’ll get on with it—straighten out some of the crap that’s bringing our country to its knees.

Do you mind if I tell Mom and Pop?

No, not at all. They need to know. It’s a plan?

It’s a plan.

Damn, I can’t wait.

Chapter 2

It had been two hectic days since they had decided to say good-bye to their regular jobs and cross over to being real-life American patriots, or to the dark side as Jamie had referred to it. After quitting their jobs, they had flown to Honolulu to get married on Waikiki Beach.

Today, they played on the beach.

Farther, farther, Angie yelled motioning with her left arm for him to keep running. She held the football in a throwing position waiting for Jamie to get to the spot where she wanted to throw.

Suddenly he was gone. Angie stared down the beach. She took off her sunglasses and looked again. He had just disappeared.

Where did he go? she asked herself. Looking anxiously toward the direction she had last seen him she felt herself become a little frantic.

Feeling a tap on her shoulder she whirled around as the sun stole her eyesight for a moment. Squinting she recognized the outline of him.

You! she yelled, then lunged at him, her legs straddled his midsection while her arms hung around his neck.

The force of her charge caused him to lose his balance and they both toppled onto the sand. The fall stunned him, and he saw stars. Realizing that she was on top of him, he looked up. You okay?

I’m fine. You okay?

Three concussions, one broken back, two tailbones smashed…

She laughed. Where did you go?

Looking up at her he said, I tried to sneak up on you – the way you used to do me. It almost worked.

Jamie Paige, will you please never disappear again? You had me frantic.

Promise.

Still straddling him, she looked down into his eyes. This is going to happen to you again tomorrow night, buster.

Promise?

Promise. You’ve waited long enough. And I’ve waited long enough.

You’re sure you want to go through with this?

If you’ll let me, I’m going to be your partner for the rest of your or my life. You have become my life, my soul mate, and on top of all that, I love you.

I love you. From the time I saw you back in that other life I’ve loved you.

His thoughts flashed back to New Year’s Eve, 2000, when he was still married to Susan. The two of them had come to Washington, D. C., only six months earlier, but that’s all the time Susan needed to find greener pastures.

He had thought of Susan then as the most beautiful female on the planet and loved her without reservations. He thought she loved him because in one of his insecure moments, she had told him, Let’s see, six-foot-two, dark blond hair that looks like it’s been tousled by the wind, eyes that change with the color of whatever shirt you wear, and a real nice ass—you’re dynamite, honey. You’re handsome. Got it? Handsome!

Susan had made a day of it shopping and then attending her office party that New Year’s Eve without him, so he had decided to go to the convenience store to buy beer. As he entered the store, he was confronted by two women—one dressed in a uniform, whom he later learned was Mandy, Angie’s secretary, and one dressed in black wool slacks, black boots, a black and white check silky blouse, which was laced in front shoe-string style from her midsection to just above her breast line. She was five feet seven inches tall, and her complexion was unblemished, pure white. Her dark eyes were penetrating and shimmered like diamond-tipped bits of coal. The aura of her had been stunning and his heart had throbbed in his chest. She was Angie.

Do you want to get up? Angie asked, as she raised herself upright.

Her voice jolted him back to reality.

I like it better with you on me, he said.

You! she said, then offered her hand to help him up. We have tonight, and a very important date tomorrow.

We do indeed. Ready for a shower?

Let’s.

Jamie reached for her hand, then felt her hand touch his.

You broke my back, you know? Jamie said.

Listen, buster, I’m going to break your back a million more times before we’re old and gray. And when that time comes, we’ll come back here to Waikiki Beach with our canes and reminisce about the time that I first broke your back. You’ll say to me in a slow Tennessee drawl, ‘Hey, Angie, remember that time when we walked along Waikiki Beach and you’d just broken my back?’ I’ll answer; ‘Yes, my love.’ What would you say next?

I will say that I was in love with you then, but I love you now, and I’m in love with you a thousand times more than then.

How long have you known what to say to a girl to win her heart?

I’ve been reading up on it for about seven months now.

Seven months? Well, let’s see. That’s about the time you saw me lying in Fairfax Hospital with a broken arm and a bruised behind.

His thoughts flashed back again. After seeing Angie at the convenience store, and after some bitter weeks with Susan, he had agreed to a divorce. He had floundered around a bit, but began having scotch and water after work with a coworker named Margaret, who was in her forties but had a tight ass that moved up and down like two pistons moving in harmony. Although she had been a good-looker in her days, she was loud and was the most foul-mouthed woman he had known. She told him on one occasion that her father was a bookie and that her brother was connected to the underworld.

At the same time, he began pursuing Angie, whom he later discovered was the mistress of Eric Bonastie, the boss of the underworld in Washington, D. C. He headed an organization with the acronym of MEAW International. The M stood for money laundering, the E for espionage, the A for ammunition, and the W for weapons. He was a real son of a bitch.

Jamie had met Angie in Philadelphia, the home of her parents, on two separate occasions. One of the most memorable things they did was race with bicycles. She had beaten him. But Eric discovered their liaison, or at least he thought it was improper, so he put Jamie on his hit list.

Not only did he have his thugs go after Jamie, but he had them murder Jamie’s mother—not with a gun or a knife, but with grappling hooks. The grappling hooks were imbedded into her chest with a chain attached that had been thrown over a rafter in her home and used to pull her up to hang like a piece of meat in a packing plant.

Jamie had asked Margaret to help him with explosives. She had produced twelve Molotov Cocktails, which had been his primary weapon when he met Eric in a restaurant parking lot located in Alexandria, Virginia, to settle their dispute once and for all.

Eric had arrived in an armored limousine with automatic weapons while Jamie had arrived on foot. It was David versus Goliath. Eric had begun exploding parked cars in an effort to burn Jamie alive, but at the point of exhaustion and defeat, he had thrown his last Molotov Cocktail at the armored limousine, which fortunately ignited the limousine’s fuel tank. Jamie had watched as the limousine and its occupants were blown into the darkest regions of hell.

When he had recovered from the battle, he set out to find Angie at a location that both had agreed to in an earlier conversation. Unbeknown to him, Angie had preceded him and in her drive just off Interstate 66 in Fairfax, Virginia, she had wrecked.

He had driven the same route a few hours behind her and discovered her wrecked car. A Virginia state trooper had driven interference for him and led him to Fairfax Hospital where he had found Angie in a hospital room.

She tapped him gently on the shoulder.

Any comment?

Oh, oh yeah. About then, he said.

About the same time you came sneaking in my hospital room and thought I was dead?

About the same time.

About the same time I told you I love you?

About that time. Also, about the same time I told you I love you back.

Kiss me – here on Waikiki Beach.

He stopped and turned to face her and felt his heart pound as his eyes found hers. Her eyes seemed to beam with excitement. He studied her face before reaching to touch her lips with his. Holding her close, he felt an electric sensation race through his body. Her body felt so firm, yet soft. He felt her pull herself closer to his body and the sensation caused him to tremble a bit.

She slowly pulled her lips away from his. I’ve died and gone to heaven.

I’ve been in heaven since I saw you on New Year’s Day, he said.

Your bathing suit is sticking out right at the crotch, she said.

Looking down, then looking back at her, he said, Wonder why. Want to walk in front of me?

And let everyone miss seeing what you have? Grabbing his hand, she stood beside him. Come on, buster. Let it all hang out. She laughed and pulled him across the sand toward the hotel.

He was a striking figure on the beach with his tall physique and with an air of confidence, even more so now than when he was a star quarterback at his high school in East Tennessee. He had gone to the University of Tennessee on a scholarship and was destined to be Mr. Tennessee, but a knee injury had taken him out of the game.

He followed her willingly.

Sweetheart, your mom and dad should be at the hotel when we get there. Aren’t they going to be too exhausted to go to the luau tonight?

Mom and Pop – exhausted? Not on your life. By the way, Pop wants to talk to with you tonight. One of those father and son talks maybe. That okay with you?

Sure.

And – that potential problem we talked about? Want to try something?

Problem?

Yeah, you know – fast. She stopped, held her hips with both hands, and moved back and forth as if she was having intercourse standing up. Fast – got it?

Jamie burst out laughing. And what are we going to try?

Hand job – tonight – and tomorrow night.

Hand job?

She stopped and punched his shoulder with both hands. You know what I’m talking about, she said, laughing.

Wobbling in the sand for a moment he fell backwards.

She kneeled instantly. You okay?

Want me to do this – hand job – in front of your father?

She looked at him trying to decide if he was serious or not. No, silly, in the bathroom – preferably after he’s gone to sleep.

He laughed.

Don’t you think it’ll work? she asked, pleading her case.

Consider it a go, he said, still laughing.

Good! Now we have to go, sweetie.

As they walked, Angie suddenly turned to him. Sweetheart, when we get started in our venture, what’s going to be your weapon of choice?

I don’t know—maybe Desert Eagle handguns. You shoot a man with one of them and it looks like a damn cannonball went through him. I mean, they’ll blow an elephant away. They have different caliber barrels to fit on a universal frame. I saw one at a gun show a couple years ago. It’s a beautiful weapon. What about you?

I’m thinking knives. I admire the skill and cool demeanor it takes to throw a strike every time. Also, it’s swift and quiet—no noise. I want to become really proficient with throwing and try my skill on the bad guys.

What’s going to be your reaction when you have to kill a person?

You know, I think I’ll be okay. If I kill someone, they needed it, so that’s my rationale.

That’s a good attitude. You should be okay.

They walked to the towel hut, showered off the sand, retrieved their sandals, and walked toward the hotel. Hundreds of flowers bordered the walkway. Lush, green tropical plants, some eight to ten feet tall, and palm trees had been introduced among the flowers.

Isn’t this the greatest place on earth?

It is, Jamie said and squeezed her hand.

I bet they’re waiting for us, Angie said, looking toward the hotel. And there they are. Come on, honey, she said, pulling him with her as she started to run toward her parents, who had started down the walkway to meet them.

Oh, honey, her mother said, hugging Angie tightly.

Although her name was Martinella Lanzi-McAfee, she had informed Jamie many months ago that he was to call her Marty. She had been Marty since she was a child and there was no need to change now.

Jamie was stunned when Angie first introduced him to her mother. She was five-seven, dark haired, and a beautiful mature woman. She could pass for Angie’s sister. She was Italian and her smile was captivating.

Her father, Michael Paul McAfee, who preferred to be called Mike, was on the quiet side and less outgoing than Marty, but he displayed a resounding air of prominence. He stood about six feet, had dark hair with gray splotches in the temple and along the side of his forehead. Jamie thought Mike’s personality was a lot like his own – a little stand- offish – allowing other people to talk and rattle on while observing them as they did.

Your turn, Mr. Handsome, Marty said. She put her arms around his waist and held him tight. Releasing her hold she looked into Jamie’s eyes, I’m so happy for you and Angie.

That goes double, Mike said as he reached to hug Angie. He hugged her, then turned to Jamie. Extending his hand he took Jamie’s hand, held it tightly, and put his arm around his neck.

Jamie felt warm. He had not experienced a close family relationship like this, or any other relationship. He loved his mother but there was always an inability on his part to embrace her and say, I love you, Mom. Not until after she was dead could he say the words freely, and then it was too late.

Turning to Angie, Marty said, Honey, we have to get our bags.

Mom and Pop, aren’t you tired?

Heavens no, dear. But if we hadn’t spent the night in Los Angeles I’m sure we would be exhausted. She turned to Mike. Sweetheart, you’re spending the night with Jamie. I’m staying with Angie. Is that okay with you?

I don’t mind, but we can get our own room if you want.

Honey, Angie and Jamie need our support tonight. Besides, you wanted to talk with Jamie.

Mike looked disappointed. That’s right. I did. Turning to Jamie he said, Well, ol’ man, I guess it’s you and me in the bachelor pad tonight.

Honey, what are the room numbers? Marty asked.

Twenty-six thirty-five and twenty-six thirty-seven, Angie said.

I’ll tell the bell captain, Mike said. I’ll be back in three minutes.

Everyone waited at the elevator until Mike returned.

Mom, the luau is at seven thirty. It is four now. Jamie and I have to shower, and I’m sure you and Pop want to freshen up and relax. Shall we plan on, say, six thirty getting together?

Is that okay with you, sweetheart? Marty asked Mike.

That’s fine. He turned to Jamie. That okay with you, big guy?

Oh, it’s fine with me.

Mom and Pop, just wait until you see the view from our rooms, and the sunset is divine.

They took the elevator to the twenty-sixth floor and walked to their rooms.

Angie walked to Jamie and put her arms around his waist. Looking up into his eyes, she said, See you in three hours, my love. Don’t go anywhere without me.

Jamie kissed her. I’ll never go anywhere without you.

You have to until tomorrow.

Why?

Because, darling, after tonight you can’t see me until tomorrow night.

You’re kidding? Why not?

That’s the way it works, sweetheart. Bad luck if the bride and groom see each other on the day of the wedding. You and Pop may have to tour the islands tomorrow. Mom and I have a lot to do. If you and Pop are interested in going out, I have some suggestions in a file folder on your bed.

Man, am I slow. Jamie hit himself in the head. Slow, slow, slow. He kissed her again. Thanks for the itinerary. See you later.

Turning to Mike, he said, Mike, it’s you and me. He watched Angie and Marty go into their room, then he and Mike went into their room.

Walking to a window Mike exclaimed, What a view! He turned to Jamie. Have you seen this? This is truly magnificent!

Man, what a sight? I sure never thought I’d be here – especially with Angie.

Well, I know you love her, and I know she loves you. You’re a lucky couple. Mike slapped Jamie’s shoulder. I like this suite, too. Nice. Listen, I know you want to take a shower. Let me have the restroom for two or three minutes.

Oh, go ahead.

Jamie waited for Mike to exit the restroom, then took a shower. When he finished, he dressed and walked to where Mike still stood looking out the window. Whatta you see?

Mike turned. Just looking at the view. Wow!

Say, Angie said you wanted to talk with me. Jamie held up both his hands. Before you start let me tell you, we have been perfect Catholics. He paused. It hasn’t happened. We both decided it wouldn’t happen until it’s supposed to happen. Happen it didn’t.

Mike laughed. Son, I appreciate that. Really. But that’s not what I wanted to talk with you about.

Jamie stood back. Really?

Want to sit a minute? Mike asked.

Jamie moved to a chair while Mike sat on the sofa next to him.

This, uh – endeavor, or mission – whatever you and Angie refer to it as. Tell me about it.

There’s not much to tell.

It sounds dangerous.

It could be really dangerous.

It could be?

Mike, there’s no real plan. I mean, one that will tell you how everything’s going to work.

Have you thought about how you’re going to generate revenue?

It’ll come. Right now I can’t tell you how, but it’ll come.

Mike looked at Jamie, then looked out the window at the ocean. He looked back. Well, I support you and Angie, and Marty does, too. You’re planning a noble cause. In fact, if I were twenty years younger, I’d join you. How can there be eight or ten million cases of identity theft in this country and nothing’s ever done about it? We have to put on a new face in this country or it’s going down the tube.

Angie’s and my sentiments exactly.

We’ve strayed off course in this country. It’s not what one can do for his or her country but what party can be in power to oversee just how dependent we can be on other countries on the planet. Both of you will be beacons where now there’s only darkness.

We’ll see, but we have a real desire to burn some of these sons of bitches that are destroying our country. Whoa! Now, you have my adrenalin flowing. Jamie laughed. Better get back to the present. Say, since I’m not supposed to see Angie tomorrow, Angie planned a day for us. Let me get the itinerary.

Jamie disappeared into the bedroom, got a folder stuffed with brochures and papers, and rejoined Mike, who was still sitting on the sofa. They looked at the itinerary Angie had made, then the telephone rang.

That’s probably Angie, Jamie said. He picked up the phone, which was on the end table next to his chair.

Hello.

You and Pop ready, sweetheart?

Jamie turned to Mike. You ready for a luau, Mike?

Ready and willing.

Hey, babe, we’re ready and willing.

See you in the hall.

We’ll be there.

Jamie and Mike left their room and met Angie and Marty. They caught the elevator and started down. Angie stuck her forefinger in Jamie’s chest. You are going to love the luau. They have over a hundred performances – singing, dancing, and firewalkers. They perform war dances, climb poles, and have some fire knife guys. You’re going to have a ball.

The door to the elevator opened and they exited. Jamie motioned Angie to stop. He looked into her eyes. They sparkled just like the first time he saw her at the convenience store on New Year’s Eve. Sometimes he thought the sparkle was disguised mischief. You’re the ball, he teased.

They left the hotel and went to the luau. It was everything Angie had said. They indulged themselves with lavish food, filled their hearts with the joyous sound of song and dance, and stored away enough memories to last a lifetime.

They topped off the evening with Kona coffee.

Jamie, Marty said, Angie told us about this mission that you and she have decided on. Are you dead set on going through with it?

He looked at Angie, who nodded. We are, he said.

Have both of you thought about the fact that you’ll be working in the gutter looking for scumbags?

That’s possible.

But scumbags will also cut off your heads.

He scooted in his seat as if he were uncomfortable, then said, We’re going to prepare ourselves so that we believe that won’t happen. We believe most people in this country are content to sit on their asses, excuse my French, but we want to be different. We want to eliminate some of the scumbags that are destroying our country. And, maybe some dirty politicians are included in there, too.

Tears formed in Marty’s eyes and began running down her cheeks.

Mike looked at her with concern. He touched her hand, You okay?

I’m just proud of them, she managed, now crying openly.

He breathed a sign of relief and smiled broadly. Me, too.

Marty composed herself, then they finished their