With This Ring, I Thee Wed

 

 

By:  Kenda

 

 

     It was a rainy February afternoon in 1989.  The Simon brothers were seated at their respective desks in their office, excelling at what they do best.  Arguing.

 

     "Rick, no.  No way," A.J. announced firmly.  "There's no way that I'm going to dance at some...some...some strip joint, just so we can make a few extra bucks."

 

     "It's not a strip joint.  It's a supper club," Rick corrected.  "It's very classy.  Just the kind of place you like."

 

     A.J.'s voice shot up several octaves.  "The kind of place I like? I don't frequent the kinds of places where men take off their clothes and dance around in their birthday suits while a bunch of over-aged, undersexed women ogle them and pat their bare asses--"

     "That's not all they pat." Rick snickered under his breath before bring his voice back to full volume. "I wasn’t implying that you frequent those types of clubs, little brother.  If you did, I'd have reason to worry about ya.’  What I meant, is that this is a very chic establishment.  The service is good.  The food is great.  And the entertainment is...lively.  Or so I've been told."

 

     "I don't care what you've been told.  I'm not doing it!"

 

     "A.J., come on.  Think of the money we stand to make on this job.  Dana's offered to pay us eight hundred bucks a night to catch the person who's been threatening her dancers.  That's eight hundred bucks for only a few hours work.  Not to mention the tips you're sure to bring in."

 

     "Yes, and speaking of that, why did you tell Dana that I'd be a dancer and you'd be a waiter?  I think that you should do the dirty work for a change."

 

     Rick ignored his brother’s suggestion. "Look, just come with me to talk to her.  Okay?  Let's just hear what she has to say."

 

     "Rick, I don't want to talk to her.  Whenever we see that woman she spends the entire time we're with her staring at my..."  A.J. let the end of that sentence trail off unfinished.

 

     Rick's lips curled into a mischievous smile.  "Staring at your what?"

 

     "At places she shouldn't be, let's just leave it at that.   What kind of a woman, who has to be Mom’s age if she’s a day, does something like that?"

 

     "A woman who's made a very lucrative living off of an all- male dance club, that's what kind," Rick offered.  "Come on, A.J.  It won't hurt to hear what she has to say.  We can always turn her down."

 

     "No, Rick.  Forget it," A.J. declared.  "If you want to take this job solo, be my guest. But there is no way that I'm going to take my clothes off and do a bump and grind for the enjoyment of half the female population of San Diego."

 

     "Sounds very interesting.  And though it's not exactly something I'd like to see, let me know when this event is gonna take place.  I'm sure Temple would like to be there with a camera crew.  I bet I can arrange a live on-the-spot interview, though if you guys want my advice, I think you'd better prepare your mother for this one ahead of time." 

 

     A.J. swiveled around in his chair to face the door.  A smile of delight lit his face.  "Town!"

 

     Rick's own surprised echo of, "Towner!" followed his brother's as he rose to greet their old friend.

 

     Town shook the hand Rick offered, then, pulled the detective into a bear hug.  When Rick was released, A.J., who had come to stand beside the two men, was given the same treatment. 

 

     When the initial greetings had come to an end A.J. indicated for the policeman to have a seat across from his desk.  Rick parked his lanky frame in the chair that resided next to the one Town had taken. 

 

     A.J. walked around his desk and reseated himself in his own chair.  “So, what brings you to San Diego in the middle of the work week?"

 

     Marcel Proust Brown was now head of the Homicide Division for the Los Angeles Police Department.  Because of this demanding position, the Simons only saw their old friend a couple of times a year when the trio made an effort to get together for a long planned fishing or camping trip.

 

     "I took a few days off.  I had some business to take care of down here."

 

     When Town didn't elaborate, Rick said, "Nothing serious I hope."

 

     Town smiled.  "No, no.  Nothing like that."  The black man looked from one brother to the other.  "Guys...I'm getting married."

     "To Temple?"  Rick asked.

 

     "Of course to Temple!  Who did you think, you idiot?" 

 

     "I was only kidding you, Towner."  Rick laughed while reaching over and squeezing his friend's upper arm.  "Hey, man, that's great.  Congratulations.  It's about time you two tied the knot."

 

     A.J. extended his right hand across his desk.  He gave Town's hand firm shake.  "Ignore my brother, Town.  His ill-manners are showing as usual.  Congratulations.  I couldn't be happier for both of you."

 

     "Thanks, A.J."

 

     Rick rose and walked around to the little refrigerator that was in the corner behind A.J.'s desk.  He opened it and squatted down to peer inside.  "Well, there's no bubbly in here, so I guess we can't have a proper celebration, but I can offer everyone a cold soda.  Name your poison, Town, A.J."

 

      "I'll have a Coke," Town requested.

 

     "I'll have the same," A.J. said.

 

     Rick handed out the cold cans while retrieving one for himself.   He retook his seat, popped the top on the soda, then held it aloft.  "To Town and Temple.  May you have a long and happy life together."

 

     "Here, here," A.J. agreed as the three soda cans gently touched before each man took a drink.

 

     "Thanks, guys," Town smiled. 

 

     "So, Towner, when's the big day?"  Rick asked.

 

     "A little over four months from now.  Saturday, the 17th of June."

 

     "Wow," A.J. commented. “That soon, huh?" 

 

     "Yeah.  When I finally got around to popping the question Temple didn't want to wait," Town confessed sheepishly.  "I think she was afraid I'd back out on her if I had too much time to think about it."

 

     Rick laughed.  "Happens to the best of us, man."

 

     "Yeah, well Temple's bound and determined it isn't going to happen to me.  But, in all seriousness, I'm ready.  We've been seeing each other for over six years now.  I guess it was past time I made a commitment to her.  Or so my mother kept telling me."

 

     "Yes, mothers have a way of doing that," A.J. agreed.  "So, give us all the details.  Where's this event going to take place?"

 

     "At Temple's boss's home."

 

     "At Pierson's place on the ocean?"  Rick asked with awe.

 

     Town nodded.

 

     Gifford Pierson owned San Diego's independent Channel 3 where Temple Hill had been employed ever since she was a college student majoring in mass media communications.   Pierson was, by far, one of San Diego's wealthiest citizens.  Through Temple's recommendation the Simons had provided security over the years for various parties Gifford Pierson and his wife had held at their luxurious mansion that overlooked the Pacific Ocean.

 

     A.J. nodded with admiration.  "That's quite a place."

 

     "Yeah, it is.  Gif and Florence offered their home and grounds the day we set the date.   I was a little concerned that we'd be imposing on them, but Temple was afraid their feelings would be hurt if we said no.   Besides, she's had her heart set on a sunset wedding by the ocean side ever since she was a little girl.  Or so she tells me anyway."

 

     "They all have a story like that."

 

     A.J. shot his brother a dirty look for that cynical remark.  Turning his attention to Town he smiled, "I suppose you two are busy making all the arrangements then."

 

     "Yeah.  That's what I came down here for.  We've just been to the caterer's and settled on the food.  Tomorrow we have to go pick out invitations and tuxedos.  To tell you guys the truth, I'll be glad when this is all over.  It's a pain in the butt.  Temple asks my opinion, but then she does what she wants to anyway.  I might as well have stayed in L.A. and gone to work."

 

     Rick gave Town a playful pat on the arm.  "Well, old buddy, that's what married life is all about.  You'd better get used to it.  In another four months life as you know it and love it will have come to an end.  Hell, me an' A.J. will probably have to ask Temple's permission the next time we want you to go on a fishing trip with us."

 

     "Hey, Rick, now just shut up," A.J. warned.  "If you talk Town out of this marriage you're the one who's going to answer to Temple, not me. And to Towner's mother."

 

     "And to your own mother," Town emphasized.  "Temple's over there right now giving her the news."

 

     Rick held up his hands in defeat.  "Okay, okay.  I've heard enough.  Not another word from me."

 

     "Will miracles never cease?"   A.J. asked the heavens before looking at the black man.  "When are you headed back to L.A.?"

 

     "The day after tomorrow.  We should have everything wrapped up by then.  Or at least everything wrapped up that I need to be a part of.  We're trying to keep the whole thing relatively small.  With all the people Temple knows, and all the people I know, we quickly came to realize that this affair could get way out of hand.  We're taking a three week honeymoon trip to Europe, so I keep reminding Temple that we can't afford to spend an exorbitant amount on the wedding.  We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but we're attempting to limit it to a few close friends, relatives, the folks she works with at Channel 3, my department from the L.A.P.D., and a handful of the folks from the department here in San Diego that I've kept in contact with."

 

     "Sounds like a good idea to me," A.J. said. "Temple will love Europe." 

 

     "Yeah.  She's always wanted to go there.  She never has forgiven me for that trip I took to Paris with you guys a few years back."

 

     "Well, you can tell her for me that the three of us didn't have nearly as much fun on that trip as you and she are going to have on this one," Rick offered.

 

     Town laughed. "I'll be sure to mention that."

 

     "What are you two going to do after you're married?"  A.J. asked.  "I mean, in regards to where you're going to live?"

 

     "Temple's got a job lined up at KNBC in L.A."

 

     Rick whistled.  "Big time station.  Good for her."

 

     Town nodded.  "Yeah, I'm happy to see her get a job with a network affiliate.  Especially since it's going to be hard for her to leave Channel 3.  She's been there eighteen years.  We discussed the possibility of her keeping her job here and commuting to L.A. on weekends, but then decided it just wouldn't work.  Trying to maintain a long distance romance these past two and a half years has been difficult enough."

 

     The three men moved on to other subjects, the Simons catching Town up on the most recent news from the San Diego Police Department and happenings concerning mutual friends.  After more than two hours of reminiscing, joking, and laughing, Town looked at his watch.

 

     "Hey, guys. I gotta get going.  I promised Temple I'd pick her up at your mother's house at four o'clock."

 

     "All right.  But you come back and see us if you're down this way again before the wedding," Rick instructed.  "And we are expecting invitations to this shindig."

 

     "Rick," A.J. scolded at his brother's presumptuousness.

 

     "Don't worry about it, A.J.," Town chuckled.  "Of course you guys are invited to the wedding.  Your mother, as well.  You should know that without asking.  But...uh...before I go I do need to ask both of you something."

 

     "What is it?"  Rick inquired.

 

     Suddenly nervous, Town stammered, "Well...I...I...I did come by here for a specific reason this afternoon.  Other than to just shoot the bull with you guys, I mean."

 

     When Town didn't go on, A.J. prompted gently, "So, Town, what is it?  What do you need?"

 

     Town looked from one brother to the other.  "Well...I came by to ask if you...if both of you...if both of you would be my best man."  Town shook his head and quickly amended,  "Best men."

 

     A slow grin spread across Rick's face.  "Me and A.J.?"

 

     "Both of us?"  A.J. questioned with pleasure.

 

     "Yes, both of you," Town acknowledged.  "Heck, I'm smart enough to know that if I just picked one of you I'd never hear the end of it from the other one.  And besides, then the two of you would spend my entire wedding day fighting with one another, and probably ruin everything, and then I'd not only have to deal with Temple's mother, but with two pain-in-the ass white guys besides, and then--"

 

     Rick and A.J. ignored the black man's tirade that was nothing more than a cover-up for the strong bond of friendship that existed between the three of them. 

 

     A.J. brought an end to Town's ravings.  "But why us, Town?  Why not Marcus?"

 

     Marcus was Town's only brother.  He was a popular and successful high school teacher and football coach in a small Ohio city.  A.J. and Rick had spent time with the man on several occasions and knew him fairly well.

 

     "He and his wife, Chandra, are expecting their first child.  Actually children.  After twelve years of marriage and ten years of trying, my little brother's going to become the proud papa of twins."

 

     "Good for him," Rick congratulated.

 

     "Give him and his wife our best," A.J. instructed.

 

     "Thanks.  I'll do that.  But anyway, the babies are due just a few days before our wedding.  There's a possibility that they'll have to do a C-section on my sister-in-law, so with everything up in the air as it stands now, Mark isn't planning to fly out here for the ceremony."

 

     "That's too bad," A.J. sympathized.  "I can't speak for Rick, but I'm honored that you think enough of me to ask me to stand in Mark's place."

 

     Rick rolled his eyes.  "Geez, Mom really did a number on you, didn't she, Mr. Polite?"  Rick turned and smiled at his old friend.  "Sure, Towner, I'll be happy to be your best man."

 

     "You and A.J. both," Town reminded.

 

     "Yeah, whatever."  A look of distaste crossed Rick's features.  "I suppose this means I'll have to wear one of them damn monkey suits though, doesn't it?"

 

     "Yes, you will.  Like I already told you, Temple and I are going to pick them out tomorrow.  I'll stop by before I leave town to let you guys know what I've chosen, and where I'm getting it from, so you can go get yours fitted as well."

 

     "Sounds fine, Town," A.J. agreed.

 

     Town looked at A.J. while indicating to Rick with his thumb. "I'm putting you in charge of making sure Mr. Fashion Plate over here shows up at my wedding dressed respectably.  Temple specifically said that means no cowboy boots or hat."

 

     Over Rick's protests A.J. assured, "You won't even recognize the cowboy, Towner.  He'll look like a new man."

 

     Rick suddenly thought of something else.  "Hey, speaking of tuxedos, and weddings, and looking like a new man, if both A.J. and I are your best man...men, which one of us gets to hand you the ring?"

 

     Town exchanged glances with the blond half of Simon and Simon.  "Well, I...I think A.J. should do it."

 

     "A.J.?"  Rick protested.  "Why him?  Why not me?"

     Town had to think fast.  "Well...because...because he's shorter than you are."

 

     "What does that have to do with anything?"  Rick wanted to know.

 

     "Yeah, what does that have to do with anything?" an offended A.J. echoed.  "And besides, I'm not that short."

 

     "No, but...it’s like this. When the three of us are up there standing together at the ceremony people won't be able to see A.J. as well if he's standing behind you and me, Rick.  So I think he should be standing in-between us.  And if he's standing in-between us, then it only makes sense that he should be the one to give me Temple's ring."

 

     "Bull."

 

     "Bull?” the black man echoed. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

 

     "You're just sayin' that 'cause you think I'll lose the ring.  'Cause everyone always thinks A.J.'s the responsible one."

 

     A.J. smiled with smug satisfaction.  "I am."

 

     "You are not!  Not always.  I'm responsible too."

 

      Town was suddenly seized by a fit of uncontrollable coughs. 

 

     "Well, I am," Rick insisted in Town's direction.  "And I wanna hand you the ring."

 

     Town looked at A.J. with a, ‘give me some help here,’ expression on his face.  A.J. gave a subtle shrug of his shoulders in return.

 

     The policeman turned his attention to Rick.  "Okay, okay.  You can hand me the ring.  But I'm warning you right now, Rick Simon, I bought Temple a very expensive wedding band.  If anything happens to it, the guests are gonna be wondering who the bald white guy is that's decorating the top of the cake."

 

     "Don't worry about it," Rick dismissed.   "Nothing will happen to it.  I'll take care of it as if I were going to give it to my own bride."

 

     At that, A.J. was the one seized by an uncontrollable coughing spasm.

 

     Once that argument was settled, Town had to rush off to pick up his fiancé.  In the act of shaking hands with A.J. he pulled the blond man close and whispered, "Please don't let him ruin my wedding.  Temple will kill me if anything happens to that ring."

 

     "I'll take care of it," A.J. promised.

     "I'm gonna hold you personally responsible if your older brother screws this up," was Town's last warning. 

 

     "He won't.  Everything will go off without a hitch.  Stop worrying, Town."

 

     "Yeah, stop worryin', Towner.  There's nothing to this marriage stuff."

 

     That remark earned Rick two looks of disbelief. 

 

     "Or so I've been told,” the bald detective swiftly amended.

 

 

___________________

                                 

    

     Time passed quickly that winter and spring. It didn’t seem possible that Town and Temple's wedding day was at hand, but June had arrived and the wedding preparations were in full swing.   A.J. had been in contact with Town twice since the black man's visit in February - once to assure the policeman that both he and Rick had been fitted for their tuxedos, and once to confirm the time and date of the rehearsal. 

 

     The rehearsal was conducted with no challenges. It was held in the large backyard of Gifford Pierson, just like the wedding would be the next evening.   Florence Pierson, who loved nothing more than to plan a party, had worked closely with Temple regarding all the arrangements.  The Piersons' yard was a multicolored blanket of beauty.  Brightly colored flowers and greenery lined every well-trimmed path and walkway.  That beauty would be added to when seven hundred dollars worth of additional flowers arrived the next afternoon to be strategically placed in hanging bouquets along the aisle the bride would walk down, and to decorate the white gazebo the wedding party would stand in during the ceremony. 

 

     The Piersons' backyard ended in a sudden drop off of rocky cliffs that bordered the Pacific Ocean.  An unhampered view of the Pacific was easily had from the mammoth gazebo. 

 

     Freshly painted white wooden chairs had already been delivered and stored in the large garage.  On Saturday afternoon they would be set up in rows for the guests that were due to  arrive at six-thirty that evening. 

 

     The caterer would arrive sometime late on Saturday afternoon with plenty of assistants to help set up banquet tables and serve a full meal, from hors d'oeuvres to wedding cake, to the one hundred and thirty guests that were expected to attend the event.  Try as he might, Town hadn't been able to keep the guest list as small as he would have liked.

 

     A six member string and woodwind orchestra would round off the entertainment, playing quietly in the background after the wedding for the enjoyment of the guests.

 

     If, by the off chance, rain would think to hamper the upcoming day for the nuptials, the big event would be moved into the Piersons' expansive, elegant home.  As Rick commented to A.J., "Hey, they've got the room to hold a hundred and thirty people.  I swear their living room is as big as our high school gymnasium was.  And a lot classier too."

 

     But the Channel 3 weatherman had promised Temple a beautiful day as his wedding gift to her, and as it got later on the evening of the 16th, it appeared the man would make good on his vow.  The forecast was calling for Saturday, the 17th, to be clear and sunny with a high temperature of eighty-eight degrees.  Temple knew that meant that with the wedding set to begin at seven-thirty, and with the breeze off the ocean, her guests would be pleasantly comfortable in temperatures around seventy-five.  She couldn't ask for a more perfect wedding day.  She knew she deserved it.  She'd waited long enough for Brown to ask her.   

 

     The night of the rehearsal the bride found her groom standing in a far corner of Florence Pierson's kitchen with the Simon brothers.  An informal buffet dinner had been set up in the Piersons' kitchen and dining room for the members of the wedding party and their families that had to attend the rehearsal. 

 

     As Rick set his plate on the ceramic counter top, Town asked, "Aren't you going to finish that?"

 

     "No, I'm full."

 

     "Hey, man, this dinner is costing me five hundred bucks.  Now clean your plate!"

 

     Rick looked at his brother, who shrugged, then sheepishly picked his plate back up and polished off the last few bites he had left on it.

 

     "That's better," Town nodded.  "And don't leave anything tomorrow night either.  That dinner's costing me five grand."

 

     Temple came up behind her betrothed and wrapped her arms around his waist.  "Oh, Brown, quit complaining.  This is a once in a lifetime occurrence.  Indulge me just a bit, please."

 

     Town couldn't help but smile as his lovely lady nestled into his side.  "You bet this is a once in a lifetime occurrence.  I'm not dishin' out this kind of dough for any woman ever again."

 

     Temple gave the teasing Downtown Brown's arm a playful swat.  "I should certainly hope not!"

 

     "Hey, if this big lug doesn't treat you right, Temple, you just let me and A.J. know.  We'll be more than happy to straighten him out," Rick promised.

 

     Temple laughed.  She moved away from Town and walked over to stand on her tiptoes and place a kiss on the cheek of each Simon brother.  "Thanks, guys.  I'll hold you to that."

 

       The lovely newswoman was beckoned away from the three men by a young niece in need of her attention.  "Aunt Temple!  Aunt Temple!  Come here!  I have a secret to tell you!"

 

     All three men eyed the retreating woman with unconcealed appreciation.

 

     "I don't know how you did it, Town, but you managed to snag yourself one of the most beautiful and talented women in San Diego.  You're a lucky man."

 

     "Thanks, A.J.  I know," Town acknowledged while reaching into the pocket of his sport coat.  He retrieved a small blue velvet box that he held out to Rick.  "Here's the ring.  Don't lose it."

 

     "I'm not gonna lose it," Rick assured, taking the box from Town.  The detective couldn't resist opening it to sneak a peek at the gold wedding band it contained. Rick gave an appreciative whistle.  "Whoa, Towner, you spent a bundle on this baby." 

 

     Rick turned the box so A.J. could catch a look at the prize it contained.

 

     A.J. quickly counted the six diamonds that were encrusted in the band.   The blond man couldn't resist teasing his friend. 

 

"For a guy who has done nothing but complain about how much this wedding is costing him, he certainly spared no expense on the ring that will be placed on his lovely lady's finger tomorrow night."

 

     Town flushed as if an embarrassing secret had just been revealed to a roomful of people.  "Yeah...well...you know, she deserves the best.  She's gonna have to put up with a lot of crap being married to a cop and all.   A hint of nervousness crept into the black man's tone.  "I just hope she realizes that."

 

     "She does, Towner.  She does," Rick assured.  "Now don't go gettin' cold feet on us, you hear?  If you don't show up and I'm left standin' at the alter with your beautiful bride, I just might marry her myself."

     "I won't get cold feet," Town declared.  "You just worry about being here with that ring."

     Rick put the ring box deep in the right side pocket of his field jacket.  Unlike all the other men in attendance this evening, Rick had foregone the formality of a sport coat and tie in favor of clean jeans, a new shirt, and a freshly laundered field jacket.

 

     Rick patted the outside of the pocket.  "Don't you worry, Town.  This little baby will be safe right here until I get home.  Then I'm gonna put it in the pocket of the tuxedo jacket so it'll be ready for tomorrow night."

 

     "You make sure you do that," Town ordered.

 

     A.J. and Rick stayed on at the Piersons' home another half hour, then bid everyone in attendance good night before walking out to A.J.'s Camaro.  It was eleven when A.J. dropped his brother off at the marina, then headed home for his own bed.

    

 

___________________

 

 

     A.J. picked the phone up in his kitchen on the first ring at eight thirty-five the next morning.

 

     "Hello?"

 

     "Yo, A.J., it's me," Rick's voice sounded over the telephone line.  "What ya' doin'?"

 

     "Drinking a glass of juice.  I just came in from running."

 

     "Listen, I just got a call from Gene.  He wanted to know if we had time to stake out the warehouse for him today.  I told him we'd be by in a little while."

 

     "Rick, today's Town and Temple's wedding!"  A.J. reminded in-between swigs of orange juice.

 

     "I know it is.  But we don't have to be there until six o'clock.  This will only take a few hours.  Gene's got a feeling something's goin’ down today."

 

     "Gene's had that feeling every day for the past week."

 

     "Yeah, I know.  But give the guy a break.  He's just upset by all these thefts.  Besides, he's an old buddy from high school.  I can't hardly tell him no, now can I?"

 

     A.J. sighed.  "I suppose not."

 

     "Good.  I'll be over to pick you up in a few minutes."

 

     "Make it an hour.  I haven't had any breakfast yet and I need to take a shower."

 

     "We'll get breakfast at McDonald’s, and make it a quick shower.  I'm on my way."

 

     A.J. listened to the dial tone buzz in his ear for a moment before shaking his head in exasperation at his sibling.

 

     Twenty minutes later, over the sound of running water, A.J. could faintly hear someone rummaging around in his bedroom.  Since he knew all the doors were locked when he had come upstairs to shower the perpetrator could only be one person.

 

     "Rick!"

 

     "Yeah, A.J., it's me!"

 

     A.J. shut the water off and stepped from the tub.  As he dried himself he heard the rustling of a plastic bag coming from the other room.   He wrapped the bath towel around his hips and went to observe from the doorway.

 

     "What are you doing?"

 

     Rick poked his head out from A.J.'s closet.  "Hangin' my tuxedo in here next to yours."

 

     "Why?'

 

     "So that when we get done at Gene's today we can just come back here.  This way I won't have to drop you off here so you can get ready, then drive home to the boat so I can get ready, only to have you end up drivin' to the marina to pick me up. My neighbor, Clarissa, is takin’ care of Rex today, so there’s no need for me to go home.  I didn't figure you'd mind if I shower here."

 

     A.J. moved back into the bathroom to comb his hair, shave, and get dressed.  "I don't.  I just hope this doesn't mean that you plan on us pushing this job to the wire so that we end up arriving late to the wedding."

 

     "Oh, no.  I'm not that stupid.  Town would kill us.  Besides, I plan on getting’ back here in plenty of time to sack out on your couch for a couple of hours before we have to leave."

 

     "Sounds like I'm in for a fun afternoon," came the dry mumbling from the bathroom.

 

     "What was that?"

 

     "I said it sounds fine."

 

     Rick smiled.  "That's what I thought you said."

 

 

___________________

 

    

     After a quick run through a McDonald’s drive-up for breakfast, the brothers drove to the northern boundaries of San Diego.  Rick's old friend from high school owned a large auto parts store in this end of the city.  Several miles away from the store, in an industrial park, the man owned a small factory and warehouse where the majority of those parts were made and stored.

 

      Gene Linville had been having problems with break-ins occurring in the warehouse behind the factory on and off for the past three months.  A security system had been installed recently to thwart the efforts of the thieves, only to have it easily bypassed.  Gene had come to see the Simons two weeks ago in regards to hiring them.  When he explained the situation he found himself with, Rick and A.J. suspected that the man was either being robbed by one of his own employees, or possibly one of his employees was unwittingly passing information on to a thief. 

 

     The brothers had two other cases they were working on at the present time, but had squeezed Gene in because of his past friendship with Rick.   With the exception of the previous evening, the Simons had spent every night for the past two weeks staking out the warehouse to no avail.  Either someone knew they were there, or the thief simply had other plans on the nights Rick and A.J. were present. 

 

     As Rick parked his pickup next to Gene's car outside the factory's office A.J. reminded,  "I told you on Thursday night that I think staking this place out any longer is an effort in futility.  One of us is going to have to go undercover in the factory and see if we can get a line on what's going on."

 

     The brothers exited the truck and walked toward the building, Rick agreeing, "I know.  I've been thinking about that, and I guess you're right.  I'll talk to Gene about it.  Maybe I can go undercover in the factory and he can somehow get you in the office."

 

     A.J. wrinkled his nose.  "Don't you think that will be a bit of a coincidence if the two of us show up on the same day?"

 

     "We can space your arrival out a few days after mine.  I was thinkin’ of having Gene tell his employees that you're a safety inspector from OSHA.   Gene told me once that all factories are inspected by the government for their safety procedures a couple of times a year."

 

     A.J. nodded as Rick rapped loudly with his truck key on the glass of the locked entrance doors.  "That might work."

 

     "But, even though I agree with you that probably nothing's going to come of us staking out the warehouse today, let's just humor Gene, okay?  He's real upset by all of this."

 

     Reluctantly, A.J. agreed, "Okay."

 

     Clad in blue jeans and a work shirt that bore the logo of his auto parts store, the sandy haired Gene Linville smiled as he unlocked the doors and allowed Rick and A.J. to enter.  Gene was the only person on the premises.  His assembly line didn't operate on Saturdays.

 

     The three men had coffee in Gene's office while bringing one another abreast of the latest details surrounding the case.  Rick brought up what he and A.J. had discussed outside.  Gene was open to that suggestion, and agreed to meet the Simons at their office at ten o'clock on Monday morning to work out the details.  In the meantime, Rick promised that they'd stake out the warehouse for a few hours, explaining that he and A.J. wouldn't be able to stay long as they were both standing up in a wedding later that day.

 

     Gene nodded his understanding.  The three men exited the office soon thereafter.  Gene locked the building then walked with the brothers toward the parked vehicles. Rick was going to move his truck to the empty lot of an abandoned factory several blocks down so its presence wouldn’t arouse any suspicions.   Gene's auto parts store was open on Saturday's and he was headed over there to put in a full day of work.  The three men parted company at that point, the Simon brothers driving off in one direction, while Gene drove off in another.

 

 

___________________

 

 

 

     The brothers spent the next four hours being bored.  They had walked around the vast auto parts warehouse more times than A.J. could count.  The blond man had been told to, "Shut up and listen" by his brother more times than he could count.  Whatever Rick had thought he had heard at various times had always proven to be nothing. 

 

     Just when Rick was threatening to nod off in the chair he was sitting in, A.J. pushed himself up off the floor and brushed off the seat of his blue jeans.  He walked over and nudged the toe of his brother's boot with his tennis shoe. 

 

     "Come on, Rick.  Let's go.  Nothing's going to happen here today.  It's already two-thirty.  I'd like to get some lunch and then head home."

 

     "Okay, okay.  I suppose it’s..." Rick sat straight up in his chair, head cocked to the side.

 

     "What the heck is wrong with--"

 

     "Shhh," Rick shushed his brother.  "Just shut up a minute and listen."

 

     "Rick, I don't hear anything.  I haven't heard anything all day!  I really think you need to have your hearing checked."

 

     Rick rose from the chair and headed for the closed door.  "A.J., button your lip for a minute.  I know I heard something."

 

     A.J. rolled his eyes and impatiently awaited his brother's return.

 

     When two full minutes had passed and Rick hadn't reappeared, the blond man headed for the door.  "If he took off for the truck and left me here he'll pay for this," A.J. muttered to himself.  It wasn't unusual for his brother to move the truck on A.J., hide somewhere, and laugh while watching A.J. try to locate it.  Rick always claimed this sophomoric game helped break up the tediousness of a boring stake out.

 

     Just as the blond reached the threshold of the door two men appeared dragging Rick's unconscious body between them.  

 

     The men and A.J. looked at each other with wide